Why American Governors Are Handling the Coronavirus Better Than Trump

Unfortunately, yes, his response has been that poor. Trump appears to me to want to cover up for his mistakes, lie and blame others. He has shown very little compassion for the families who have lost loved ones to the virus. Trump is a headline-grabber and a bragger, but his actions during the pandemic have raised serious concerns.

Trust and Local Leadership

According to political reality, all politics is local. People tend to trust the level of government closest to them, whether it be the state, city, or county. In the case of Pinocchio, as Trump is often called, the choice has been made easier due to his ineptness and the incompetence of his administration to deliver on promises such as the National Strategic Reserve.

Trump, a narcissist, believes that if he says something, it is done. His temperament—marked by anger—is completely unsuitable for a job that requires empathy and sound judgment. Instead of leading, he often mis-leads, and this unreliability has led to significant public mistrust.

I must disclose that I am a never-Trump Conservative. Growing up in NYC, coming from a long line of conservatives, and following the Trump family as well as other NY families in the media, I have witnessed the transformation from a promising figure to a controversial one. Roy Cohn, Trump's mentor and Consigliere, played a significant role in shaping his worldview. Cohn, known for orchestrating the McCarthy hearings in the 1950s, taught Trump the social and political arts. However, Cohn's influence came at a high cost, as he was responsible for ruining the lives of many individuals, including accusations of being Communist despite no evidence.

Leadership Vacuum at the Federal Level

Trumps response has been horrible. He has demonstrated no leadership. In some ways, he is his own worst enemy. He micro-manages everything, especially if it will get media attention. Because of this, nothing gets done. He refrains from making decisions but also refuses to allow others to do so. He should be leading by handing out assignments, handing tasks, and letting his chief of staff provide updates. However, his lack of fundamental management skills is astounding.

Comparing State Governors to Trump

On the other hand, governors are actual leaders. They care about their states and take proactive steps to address the challenges posed by the coronavirus. In contrast, Trump only cares about his own interests and would rather under-report numbers than take meaningful actions for the country. He has even threatened to withhold supplies from blue states unless they bow to him.

Community and Trust

People in all 50 states agree that their governors are handling the coronavirus better than Trump. This is because governors are directly accountable to their constituents and must respond to immediate needs and concerns. They have more flexibility and can tailor their responses to local conditions, whereas Trump's approach is often one-size-fits-all and lacks the necessary empathy and local knowledge.

The contrast between state governance and the federal level highlights the importance of local leadership in times of crisis. While federal policies provide a framework, it is often the state and local leaders who are best positioned to implement effective measures and provide the necessary support to their communities.