Donald Trump’s solution to his many problems seems to be finding new ways to talk about things, or, to perhaps talk about them more. According to CNN’s Jim Acosta,
WH looking to add staffers to digital op this week to help social media dir Dan Scavino who’s still handling bulk of Trump tweets, I’m told.
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) February 13, 2017
Acosta tells us,
The White House is expected to hire new staffers this week to work with the President on his posts for Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, a senior administration official told CNN.
Up until now, Trump and his social media director Dan Scavino have essentially handled the President’s tweets on their own. Trump typically dictates his often provocative Twitter posts to Scavino who then hits “tweet.”
This was no doubt an easy step up for former caddy Scavino, substituting a smartphone for a golf club. He simply sends the same tweet via @realDonaldTrump, @POTUS, and @WhiteHouse. Acosta further informs us that,
“The White House is expected to make more high-profile hiring decisions soon as a search is under way for a new communications director. White House press secretary Sean Spicer is currently handling both jobs, roles that are typically carried out by two staffers.”
In the Obama White House, an increase in visibility would not have been seen as a bad thing. Trump, on the other hand, could use some handlers instead to steer him clear of his own idiocy.
Do we really need more photos posted to FB by Trump guests of the man holding the nuclear football as Trump performs for the camera? Is that really what Trump wants?
Mar-a-Lago guest posts selfie with “nuclear football” holder to Facebook https://t.co/koJU5Wderk pic.twitter.com/TiAGYCzhpz
— The Hill (@thehill) February 13, 2017
It would seem Trump already suffers from an over-abundance of exposure, and as Ana Navarro tweeted,
At this pnt, not sure what’s worst: Trump conducting Ntl Security briefings 1) in public at Mar-a-Lago; 2) in private w/his Ntl Sec Advisor. https://t.co/o1FJE8iasx
— Ana Navarro (@ananavarro) February 13, 2017
In an administration that has given new meaning to the lack of self-awareness, perhaps all this makes sense. For Trump, after all, his entire presidency is theater, an extended photo-op giving him an opportunity to expose his brand.
Sadly, as public discussion of national security over dinner and the photo of the nuclear football proves, he is exposing much more than that, including our national security. It is difficult to see how enhancing his social media operations is going to help his already irreparably damaged presidency.