President Donald Trump — who turned 79 years old in June — has lately appeared more aware of his mortality, according to actor and comedian Michael Ian Black.
In a Wednesday essay for the Daily Beast, Black opined that Trump's more recent public statements responding to speculation about his health suggest that the president may be attempting to grapple with the aging process. He began his op-ed by quoting from an interview Trump gave to Fox News last month in which he openly wondered if he could "get to heaven."
"I wanna try and get to heaven if possible. I’m hearing I’m not doing well. I am really at the bottom of the totem pole. But if I can get to heaven, this will be one of the reasons," Trump said of his efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.
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Black regarded that comment as "the most self-reflective thing I’ve ever heard from the president," adding that it was proof that "something human still beats in that Grinchian heart." But he went on to argue that no amends Trump may be attempting to make are enough to atone for a life spent "doing the wrong things."
Trump's health has lately dominated the news cycle, as the president was seen with swollen ankles that are characteristic of people who have chronic venous insufficiency, and bruising on his hands that the White House attributed to excessive hand-shaking and aspirin use. The president also went several days without being seen on camera over the recent Labor Day weekend, which prompted speculation online that he may have passed away.
Michael Ian Black emphasized that while he doesn't personally wish a "difficult diagnosis" on the president, he simply hoped that Trump "reap exactly what he sowed" throughout his life. He went on to write: "It gives me so much joy to know that Trump is well aware of the woefulness of his own condition."
"When we are faced with our imminent deaths—or even ‘just’ reminded of our mortality—I can only imagine the thoughts running through most people’s minds have to do with the love they shared and the desire to make amends with those we believe we have wronged," Black wrote. "Is that what Trump is trying to do? If so, he’s doing about as good a job of it as he does with everything else. Even if he lives another eighty years, there isn’t enough time for him right his wrongs."
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Click here to read Black's full column in the Daily Beast (subscription required).