The Atlantic

Why Trump Suddenly Changed His Tune

What frightened the president into releasing a video calling for calm?
Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty

After two months of inciting violence and undermining the peaceful transfer of power—and a 12-hour Twitter ban—the president got his tweeting privileges back last night and released a video acknowledging that a new administration will take office later this month and calling for calm.

“This moment calls for healing and reconciliation,” the president said. The demonstrators he had egged on and said he loved just a day before had “defiled the seat of American democracy” and “do not represent our country,” he added.

Who was this man,

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