Why Trump thinks he's knocking his presidency out of the park

His ratings are in the 30s. His White House is riven by infighting. He has not passed a significant piece of legislation. Or as he might describe it, "so much winning you'll get tired of winning."

Feeling good.
(Image credit: Illustrated | Image courtesy REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque)

Over the course of American history there have been great presidents, terrible presidents, and many in between. But here's a prediction: Even if Donald Trump is defeated soundly in 2020 and leaves office with record-low approval ratings, leaving behind him a trail of scandals and an agenda in tatters, he'll say to anyone who'll listen, "I was the most amazing president ever. Except for maybe Abe Lincoln, but maybe not. That went so terrific, believe me."

Will he believe it himself? It's hard to tell what lurks in Trump's brain. But so far, he seems to believe that he's absolutely knocking this presidenting thing out the park.

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Paul Waldman

Paul Waldman is a senior writer with The American Prospect magazine and a blogger for The Washington Post. His writing has appeared in dozens of newspapers, magazines, and web sites, and he is the author or co-author of four books on media and politics.