By now you know that Donald Trump was, as recently as 10 years ago, bragging about sexually assaulting women. The outrage has been so intense that Trump has taken the unusual step of admitting he could improve.
Trump does say the words “I was wrong, I apologize.” That’s the beginning and the end of the apology, in a statement 247 words long.
- He emphasizes that the video is more than 10 years old—not a strong argument coming from a 70 year old man, especially when
- He again brings up Bill Clinton’s infidelity from 30 years ago,
- As if Hillary were responsible for her husband’s bad behavior.
- He says the video is a distraction from the important issues, which means…what? That treating women like meat isn’t important? That women aren’t important? Or is it just the obvious: please stop paying attention to my sins, and concentrate on those of others?
- He claims “These words don’t reflect who I am.” Literally all the evidence points in the opposite direction. Wasn’t he fat-shaming a woman just days ago?
All the media are calling it an apology, but with Trump, they’re grading on a generous curve. Virtually the whole statement was the opposite of an apology.
