Being Smart About Things

Against the advice of public health officials it would appear that at the time this post is published Donald Trump will proceed with holding his first COVID-19 pandemic rally - and it’s gonna be in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Saturday, June 20th.  Seems Trump is determined to host a rally in a packed arena, crowded with the unmasked and replete with attendees 50 and older.   

At first blush this is pure, unadulterated, hi-test and unfiltered Trump – not that he ever had a filter anyway.  Yet the puzzlement of hosting a potential Super Spreader Event is that Trump won Oklahoma in 2016 garnering 65% of the vote. Why take the risk?  Is Oklahoma even in play this November?  I digress.       

Suppose you have no qualms about attending crowded events of any sort and the potential spread of contagion by doing so.  Trump adherents will find this on the campaign website if they wish to obtain an admission ticket:     

By clicking register below, you are acknowledging that an inherent risk of exposure to Covid-19 exists in any public place where people are present.  By attending the rally, you and any guests voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to Covid-19 and agree not to hold Donald J. Trump for President, Inc.; BOK Center; ASM Global; or any of their affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors or volunteers liable for any illness or injury.      

That’s right – as a precondition of attendance you are required to relinquish any and all of your legal rights to redress if you contract COVID-19 and become ill or die.  You cannot sue Donald Trump for President, Inc.  Don’t take my word for it...  

https://events.donaldjtrump.com/events/tulsa-oklahoma-rally-june-19?utm_medium=web&utm_source=djt_web&utm_content=redbar

I suppose it’s difficult to argue against solid risk management on the part of Trump, Inc.  Just like me the president does not want to be sued. That's being smart about things.  And there’s no getting around arguing about the decision-making capacity of the faithful.  Perhaps they believe Trump's lie that the coronavirus really is just a hoax that disappeared in April when the weather became warmer.  These people are fervent believers.

So, the operative question is this - will the devoted disciples bring-along their elderly mother-in-law, grandpa or a family member with diabetes, heart disease or obesity for the sprawling, coronavirus petri dish festival?

Looks to me like Trump, Inc. wants it both ways.

This will be an interesting exercise in being smart about things.

Stay-tuned.....