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Politics and Activism

Can Dearest Donald Read?

Our president is reported to have a vocabulary of only about 200 words

Kelsie Foreman

Feb 25, 2017

University of Utah

Milk

There's one very important question plauging the internet world these days: can our Commander In Chief read? After I came across a very convincing Facebook video starring Samantha Bee a couple of days ago (those who are curious can watch the video here) I've become completely convinced that our President completely lacks the ability to read.

I'm definitely not the only one who thinks this could be true. Started by those over at Full Frontal, the #TrumpCantRead hashtag took off on Twitter over the week, and users across the country were happy to share their own opinions regarding Trump's level of education. And most seemed just as convinced as Samantha Bee (and myself) were.

But is this conspiracy theory started by Bee really that far off from the truth? Here I'll lay down some of the evidence for you:

In a taped deposition (watch the video I'm referencing here) Trump was asked to read from his sealed legal documents. Flustered, Trump repeatedly made the excuse that he "forgot his glasses" and claimed that he was incapable of reading the documents because he wasn't a lawyer. Seriously? Anyone could READ aloud legal documents. They weren't asking him to decipher them.

Samantha continues in her video, citing that the only book title Trump can recall when asked by Megyn Kelly about his recently read books is All Quiet On the Western Front. Later in the same super-stimulating interview Trump says, “I read passages, I read areas, chapters, I don’t have the time." (New Republic)Hell, it's also been said that other than reading "All Quiet On The Western Front" for the thousandth time, Trump really enjoys shouting out tweets to type at his staffers. Seriously. Trump can't even tweet by himself. This seems like a really capable and qualified man we've got running the country here...

Plus, let's not forget that one time in October of 2016 when he wasn't too happy when his teleprompters broke. After claiming to "like his speech much better without teleprompters" and believes that "reading off of teleprompters is draining" he then proceeded to completely break one of them. Or there's the thought that perhaps it's draining because he literally struggles to read off of them. Don't forget to listen to his rant regarding the companies that produce teleprompters, you can find the video here.

Bee then slams down her most crucial piece of evidence when she cites a study that reading improves empathy. And it doesn't take much to figure out that Trump is definitely lacking any kind of empathy at all....

In the meantime, I'll let you figure it out yourself: do you think our dearest President can read?

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Can Dearest Donald Read?

Our president is reported to have a vocabulary of only about 200 words

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No one best represents the struggle like our favorite 90s squad.

1. When course schedules are released and you have a conflict between two required classes.

2. When there is only one section of a popular course.

3. Receiving the 18,000 emails reminding you to register ASAP.

4. When you need to see an advisor, but they are too busy/unresponsive.

5. Trying not to dress like a bum for your appointments with your advisors/department heads.

6. When you have a perfectly planned out schedule, and one class ruins it.

7. Carefully moving things around to accommodate a different class/section.

8. Waking up at 6:00 a.m. for your enrollment time.

9. Concocting a new schedule at your enrollment time after your original plan gets changed.

10. Getting into a class and filling the last available seat.

11. When all of your classes finally go through.

12. Realizing that you forgot a class that was a pre-requisite for everything else.

When your capability of "adulting" is put to the test

Nobody deserves to be living in poverty.

"Nobody living in one of the most influential nations in the world should be worried about making ends meet."

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What are the benefits of raising the minimum wage?

What are the states that have set a $15/hour minimum wage?

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Because who understands your bitterness better than April?

1. When you have to provide an "interesting fact" for your first day ice-breaker.

2. When your professor is babbling on and on in his lecture.

3. When you edit your friend's paper and they get an A.

4. When it's 2 AM and you remember you have a test tomorrow.

5. When you finish taking the test and you're pretty sure you failed...

6. ...but then you get the test back and somehow passed.

7. When you've been up for 12 hours straight writing a paper.

8. And then you manage to stay awake in class the next day.

9. When you have to butter up your professor for an extra credit opportunity.

10. When you're assigned a group project.

11. And your group-mates are trying to chat about life instead of the assignment.

12. When it's your last class of the day and you're about to go home.

13. But then you remember rent is due tonight and the anger comes back.

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