If Donald Trump is not careful, he will be politically drowned in a sea of pettiness. Given that he has suffered taunts and has been twice impeached by Democrats, his brusqueness can be understood. But he should be careful of the admonition that “whom the gods would destroy, they would first make angry.” In the last weeks, he has enticed the gods and the furies.

First, he expressed his views on Jimmy Kimmel. His chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr, announced the policy concerning what he perceived as anti-conservative bias by the networks. ABC allegedly fired Kimmel because of pressure, but there is also a merger to be approved by the FCC with a media giant, TEGNA. Trump still commented on Truth Social, degrading Kimmel’s talent.

Carr made Trump’s job harder by talking about networks, in effect, going quietly or being coerced. A proposition that even Texas Senator Ted Cruz found “dangerous.”

The second mistake was that Trump politicized the memorial service for Charlie Kirk. After Erica, his widow, sweetly and purposefully, forgave his assassin and his enemies. Trump clumsily declared he hated his opponents. This was the equivalent of letting the proverbial cat out of the Ziploc bag. Although it may seem unnecessary, it is becoming more commonplace than in previous years. Trump appears unable to refrain from expressing every opinion.

This reveals a pattern that dates back to his clash with his former National Security Advisor, John Bolton; both Bolton and Kimmel were considered an annoyance, not worthy of further comment. By mentioning Kimmel, he makes him appear more important than he actually is. As for Kirk’s memorial, Trump contradicted not only Erika Kirk but also his own Secretary of State, Marco Rubio. Trump’s supporters know how he feels; he did not have to tell them so again.

What Trump reveals is not only a lack of perspective but a thin skin. Politics is a tough game, and he is certainly right to believe that he is detested by his opponents. However, there is a time and a place for all this acrimony. Moreover, his threats are unnecessary and indeed endanger his administration. Nixon had to have tapes to expose the depth of his hatred for Democrats. Trump freely reveals his dislike on the Internet. Trump must also be aware that, as he expects total fealty and sycophantic behavior from his advisors, he fosters a culture of secrecy. He has reduced his Vice President, J. D. Vance, into a pathetic remake of Dan Quayle.

This invites a bodyguard of lives, which is worse than open criticism. With his so-called cabinet members trotting out to praise him, Trump weakens his position, not strengthens it.

Sad to say, Trump needs to be a fox, not a lion. Like his predecessor, Joe Biden, he is so excited, and he just can’t hide it. He should listen more to moderates like Susie Wiles rather than to those firebrands who prefer sound over substance.