Tellin' It Like It Is...NOT!

Most trump supporters I’ve seen interviewed come up a little short when asked what it is they so love about the man and his professed policies. Oh, they might recite some nonsense they’ve bought from one of his campaign rants or a tweet about terrorist immigrants or sticking it to China. But what they do say quite clearly, almost to the person, is “…and he tells it like it is.”

Well folks, here’s exactly how your guy is telling it:

Tax Returns: When it comes to this disclosure, one of the few credible pieces of evidence suggesting any presumptive President’s innocence of conflicts of interest—and one which every major-party presidential candidate since 1976 has provided—he’s not tellin.’

Putin Influence: trump’s been accused of being under the thumb of Vladimir Putin—the ruthless, egomaniacal president of an adversary bent on undermining our democratic process. Those tax returns and perhaps a few business records just might put that concern to rest. But uh-uh, he’s not tellin.’

   trump offered a doctor's note—the 
   equivalent of the ten-year-old's note to his teacher saying 
   "Jimmy is xqused from skool today. I am sik."

Russian Obligations: Surely trump has business and banking records to refute allegations that he was bailed out of his massive 1980s bankruptcy by Russian oligarchs whose favor he’d long courted. Right? Nope—not tellin’ that either.

Medical Records: Instead of the specific medical evidence of their physical and psychological health Americans expect of their presidential candidates, trump offered a doctor’s letter—the equivalent of the ten-year-old’s note to his teacher saying “Jimmy is xqused from skool today. I am sick.” Obviously…not tellin.’ 

Contributors: How about disclosing who’s contributing to his inauguration extravaganza—something our last three presidents have done before being sworn in? No way, not tellin.’

     trump is "one of the most secretive presidential candidates 
     in modern history."

Cabinet Nominees: Shouldn’t they be providing Congress with all the customary background materials to clarify any offenses or potential conflicts of interest they might have? Once again, not tellin.’

White House Media Access: Perhaps most chilling of all, trump wants to ban from the White House any reporters who might force him to stop not tellin.’

There are many, many other shady—a better word would be opaque—areas of trump’s dealings, from his claimed charitable giving, to his business practices, to his behavior toward women…the list is long.

So, this is the man a disgruntled minority of American voters say they love for his openness and candor. The man they’ve entrusted with the hardest, most nuanced job in the world. The man who’s supposed to represent the interests and values of this country around the world. The man with his finger on the nuclear trigger. So what will trump do with all that power?

Clearly, there’s no telling.

                     John Wonderlich, executive director of the Sunlight
                     Foundation, which advocates for more openness in
                     government, calls trump one of the most secretive
                     presidential candidates in modern history.