Trump for a Decade Had One Superhuman Ability. Now, It Seems He’s Losing It.

The “Lake America” gambit shows the president’s ability to redirect the public’s attention is slipping.

Aug 31, 20265:45 AM

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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had the skyhook. Michael Jordan had the fadeaway. Donald Trump has … “the distraction”—at least, he used to.

Throughout his political career, Trump’s signature skill has been to drive the conversation where he wanted it to go. He declares victory when things have not been won. He ducks attribution with the rhetorical tic “many people are saying,” frequently followed by things that people are decidedly not saying. He posts outrageous graphics on social media. And, of course, he renames things: Political opponents get nicknames, buildings get Trump’s name, and bodies of water get America’s name.