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Trump apparently does not care how many of his most loyal supporters might be infected, nor does he care about the burden such an event would have on the state or city in terms of the coronavirus. His convention, his visuals and his self-congratulations come first. (Alternatively, this is a weak attempt to get out of a full convention in North Carolina by blaming the governor for failing to “guarantee” an event that might be a threat to public safety.)

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Contrast the sitting president, a ball of seething resentments and angry impulses, with former vice president Joe Biden, who ventured out of his home for the first time since March to lay a wreath honoring fallen soldiers on Memorial Day. Everything — from Biden’s tone to his mask-wearing to his gratitude for being able to leave his home — was a world away from Trump. The Post reports:

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If one did not know better, one would think that Biden were the incumbent president, giving voice to the solemnity of the day and modeling responsible coronavirus social distancing and mask-wearing. It is unimaginable that Biden would ever insist on a mass event despite health concerns. Indeed, the Democratic National Committee is already going through a number of alternative scenarios that would minimize the footprint of the planned Milwaukee convention — or even move it to an entirely virtual event.

Trump’s narcissism drives every decision, even in the midst of a pandemic. Americans can see for themselves the cost paid in human lives and economic pain. A president whose sole concern is feeding his insatiable ego will never level with them, will never sacrifice political advantage for the public good and will consistently embarrass rather than inspire us.