What Stifles Trump

The New York Times has disclosed the first clear evidence that Russia infiltrated the Republican presidential campaign.

Although he makes continual claims to the contrary, the criticism fired at Donald Trump is a constant burden for him. In fact, multiple sources report the same number of hours that he dedicates every day to following the fiercest critics of his administration within the media. As is the fashion on social media, he furiously brands such critics as broadcasters of fake news on Twitter.

A judicious and credible investigation by The New York Times which forced Donald Trump Jr. to release an incriminating email exchange became the latest hurricane to lash at the White House this week, robbing Donald Trump of already scarce hours of sleep.

The exchange took place during the campaign and details the way in which Trump’s heir set up a meeting with an alleged Russian lawyer with the aim of delivering powerful and damaging information about Trump’s then rival, Hillary Clinton. The response from Donald Trump Jr., “If it’s what you say I love it,” is now the fuel that feeds criticism and opposition to the administration, but, above all, it will fuel the anxiety of the real estate magnate himself.

Beyond the legal importance that it carries, what is relevant here is that this is the first evidence that the Republican presidential campaign was not completely oblivious to the increasingly evident efforts by Moscow to give the campaign a helping push. Equally important is the destabilizing effect that this discovery could have on the already unstable character of the Oval Office occupant, considering this is the first time the finger has been pointed at a member of his closest family circle.

But there is something else here: This episode involving Russia has shown Trump, a man accustomed all his life to resorting to money to satisfy all his desires, that, as the commercial slogan says, there are things that money cannot buy. The U.S. and the world now hope that the stifling black cloud forming in the distance – now clearly apparent that it will accompany him until the last day in office – does not turn into a pathological reaction that millions regret.