Trump moped alone in 'self-pity mode' at the White House residence as he was impeached for the 2nd time, reports say
Advertisement
Bill Bostock
Jan 14, 2021, 20:57 IST
President Donald Trump.AP Photo/Evan Vucci
President Donald Trump was isolated and despondent at the White House residence on Wednesday as the House voted to impeach him for the second time, reports said.
Sources told CNN he was in "self-pity mode" and "holed up in the residence." A senior administration official told The Washington Post that "the president is pretty wound up."
Many White House aides have resigned or left since the riot, leaving the president largely alone, both outlets said.
According to The Post, Trump feels let down by his advisors, and he has told aides to withhold legal fees from his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani.
Advertisement
President Donald Trump cloistered himself in the White House in "self-pity mode" as the House impeached him for the second time, CNN and The Washington Post reported.
One reason for Trump's melancholy was his frustration with aides and advisors for not sticking with him in his time of need, The Post reported.
Advertisement
Several top US officials have quit in response to the Capitol riot, including Betsy DeVos, the education secretary; Matthew Pottinger, a deputy national security advisor; and Stephanie Grisham, the first lady's chief of staff.
Trump being upset with his staff is nothing new.
Since losing the election, the president has been angry with aides, officials, and advisors who he believed did not back him up enough when he made baseless claims of voter fraud.
During the impeachment vote on Wednesday, Trump was also upset with Rudy Giuliani, his personal attorney, The Post reported.
Trump recently told aides not to pay Giuliani his legal fees and said he would need to personally approve any travel expenses Giuliani claimed for his work contesting the US election result.
"The president is pretty wound up," a senior administration official told The Post. A former administration official told the newspaper that Trump was "feeling increasingly alone and isolated and frustrated."
Trump's listlessness on Wednesday was welcomed by administration officials, who have said they have no fight left in them, The Daily Beast reported.
"Today was a quiet day," a senior White House official told the outlet, adding that "that is what everyone wants."
Advertisement
The official added, "If we can keep things quiet and event-free between now and the Biden [inauguration] that's a victory."
After the riot, social-media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Snap permanently barred Trump.
"Now that Twitter isn't available," a White House source told CNN, "God only knows what the outlet will be."
{{}}
NewsletterSIMPLY PUT - where we join the dots to inform and inspire you. Sign up for a weekly brief collating many news items into one untangled thought delivered straight to your mailbox.