On Tuesday, the country awaited President Donald Trump‘s announcement of his nomination for the U.S. Supreme Court. Rumors had been that Trump had narrowed the field down to two judges: Thomas Hardiman and Neil Gorsuch. While Trump ended up picking Gorsuch, the rumors of the final two, plus Trump’s nationally televised prime-time announcement reminded news followers of the anticipation for the finale of an Apprentice-style reality show. Reports that both judges were being called to Washington, D.C. for the event only heightened that feeling.
Turns out that last part may not have actually been true, but the White House sure fueled the fires behind the rumor. Sources at the White House acknowledged to CNN that they let the media believe that Hardiman was on his way from Pennsylvania for the big event. But Press Secretary Sean Spicer admitted after Tuesday night’s announcement that Hardiman never was in DC, nor did he ever leave the commonwealth.” Hardiman himself played coy when spotted driving east from Pittsburgh.
What was the point of all this? A Supreme Court nomination isn’t big enough news? Why add artificial drama to make a judicial appointment seem like a reality competition? Well, one person close to the situation gave some insight to CNN about our Commander in Chief.
“He likes a contest.”
[Image via screengrab]