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'Bizarre' clapping incident shows loyalists 'afraid' of Trump: NYT analysis
What happened
AlterNet reports that during a Thursday executive-order signing, President Donald Trump’s Cabinet members and other allies applauded for an unusually long time. New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie interpreted the scene as evidence that Trump’s subordinates were afraid to be the first person to stop.
Bouie compared the social dynamic—not the consequences—to accounts of officials applauding Joseph Stalin. He argued that Trump demands praise, holds grudges and punishes perceived disloyalty, while explicitly noting that Trump’s aides do not face imprisonment or execution.
Bouie…
The skinny
The skinny isn't ready yet — notes appear once the transcript is processed.