The Christian Science Monitor

‘A master of deflection.’ Trump and the whiplash presidency.

The Trump presidency at times can look like a somewhat chaotic pingpong match, with head-snapping moves and counter-moves. Often it’s President Donald Trump himself standing at both ends of the table.

For anybody watching – the public, the press, world leaders, even his own aides – it is a performance that can be both riveting and exasperating. And it brings to mind advice a sympathetic observer of President Trump offered before he was elected: “Take him seriously, not literally.” 

Another variation on the theme goes like this: “Follow the signal, not the noise.” In other words, don’t be distracted

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