President Trump does himself and the country no good when he threatens Saturday Night Live with a federal investigation for making fun of him.
First off, a U.S. President, the leader of a democracy with freedom of speech written into its Constitution, doesn't have the authority to do any such thing. Tin pot dictators can do this, but American presidents can't. Threatening such an investigation is not a good look for the President.
In making such a dumb threat, President Trump plays into the hands of his adversaries, those who already regard him as a dangerous man, eager to grab power beyond that belonging to him.
Here is Trump's offensive tweet:
“It’s truly incredible that shows like Saturday Night Live, not funny/no talent, can spend all of their time knocking the same person (me), over & over, without so much of a mention of ‘the other side,'” the president wrote. “Like an advertisement without consequences. Same with Late Night Shows. Should Federal Election Commission and/or FCC look into this? There must be Collusion with the Democrats and, of course, Russia! Such one sided media coverage, most of it Fake News. Hard to believe I won and am winning. Approval Rating 52%, 93% with Republicans. Sorry! #MAGA”
No, the FEC and FCC should never look into anything like this, and no president ever should threaten something like this.
The threat sounds like it is coming from a man who has just plain had enough.
We get that. He's treated atrociously. But messing around with basic freedoms is not the way to respond. Sad.
And very stupid.