In Your Face

President Trump says he wants both Ukraine and China to investigate Joe Biden and his son https://t.co/61W3znhPM1 pic.twitter.com/dhC0tXKhww

— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) October 3, 2019

Well, this certainly isn't hearsay, is it! He's basically saying that an investigation of the Bidens is a bargaining chip that other countries can use to hit us up for things they may want. He's only mentioned two countries by name, but the quid pro quo (military aid, the end of tariffs) doesn't even have to be said aloud). The window is open for any bids.

It's in everyone's face.


UPDATE: I've been thinking about this episode and what Trump is doing here. I've seen some commentary to the effect that he's doing it in the open as a kind of "hidden in plain sight" blind, normalizing it by basically performing it so blatantly that people will assume it is normal and okay because if it wasn't, why hide it?

But keep in mind, this was hidden at first. It wasn't done openly, and people around Trump seemed to be aware that it is not and also kept it on the low. This openness is sheer Trump--his impulsivity and defensiveness. It is not normal, and he is not normal.