While many observers find a Trump presidency terrifying for what the unhinged media mogul might do to our country, Governor Bush told Wallace that the real “tragedy” is that Trump won’t be able to do the terrible things he promises to do:
The tragedy of this, though, is that there isn’t going to be a wall built. And Mexico’s not going to pay for it. And there’s not
going to be a ban on Muslims. This is all like a, alternative universe that he created. The reality is, that’s not going to happen. And people are going to be deeply frustrated and the divides will grow in our country, extraordinary country, still, the greatest country on the face of the Earth will continue to stagger, instead of soar. And that’s the heartbreaking part of this, is, I think, people are going to really feel betrayed.
Now, I guess we all know what he meant, sort of, which is that people who really wanted to ban all Muslims and build a wall to keep out the Mexicans will be really hurt and disappointed, but that’s also not a tragedy, certainly not if you’re a person who feels those policies are wrong, which Jeb is supposed to be. Even now, though, he’s afraid to alienate all those people who already didn’t vote for him by recognizing that Trump’s policies are the betrayal, and his supporters’ lust for them is the tragedy.
As for MSNBC’s treatment of this interview, I think most observers would concede that a Jeb Bush interview so close to the convention is newsworthy, but if they’re going to give a distant also-ran the haul-Brian-Williams-and-the-team-out-of-bed-for-a-one-hour-special treatment, then they at least owe us a sit-down with