Snufflegate

The headlines of both the New York Times and The Washington Post were the same. In the largest type that could run in one line they screamed in outrage, "President Trump Blows His Nose!"The Times reported that "In an action without precedent in the history of the Presidency, or at least without any precedent we find it convenient to remember, President Donald Trump yesterday publicly blew his nose." The Times focused on foreign reaction:

America's allies both in Europe and in Asia were dumfounded by the American president's latest bizarre action. Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel noted that 'this astonishing act was obviously preplanned, because the President was carrying a handkerchief. That makes it all the more puzzling.' Soon to be ousted Prime Minister May of Great Britain, trying to excuse the president's action, said 'At least he didn't do it, then call an early election.' President Macron of France offered the usual Gallic sneer: 'Is his head now completely empty?' When asked if his comment might worsen relations, he shrugged, 'You know we French are only polite when we are occupied by the Germans.' Russian president Putin held a mic to his ass and farted. 'At least I give you something worth writing about,' he said.

The Washington Post as usual tried to shape domestic political reaction. It reported the House and Senate Democratic leadership saying, "We are shocked and appalled by this heinous action and we demand a full investigation of this matter. Why did the president not use his sleeve as Democrats do? Does President Trump not eat boogers? They taste kind of like oysters. Try it, you'll like it." The Democratic leadership had not actually said anything at that point, since the Post had not given them their lines. There is now rumor of a slight re-write.The Republican Hill leadership affirmed the president's right to blow his nose. "The president's action is not unprecedented," said Representative Paul Ryan. "It may happen less often than a presidential campaign talking to foreign governments--Israel anyone?--but President Lyndon Johnson is reported to have done it several times in the oval office while terrified Democratic Senators fought over his snot. President Bill Clinton is also reported to have blown, forcing a female intern to wipe it up with her blue dress. It is true most of us just swallow our snot, but if the president of the United States wants to blow, he can blow." Asked by the Post if that included blowing up the world, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said, "Well, we hope not. Now if he wants to take out France, that's okay. France is kinda close to North Korea, isn't it?" Senator John McCain, Chairman of the the Armed Services Committee, added, "Is somebody talking about a war we're not involved in? Where? Who? I want us in! I want us in now!" Senator McCain's close associate Senator Lindsay Graham croaked, "Ribbit."But it was Post columnist Snidely Whiplash who broke the big story. "We have learned through our usual source, the Putzfrau who cleans our office, that the FBI is investigating President Trump for obstruction of nasal passages. Clearly, this is a much more serious matter than whether the president tried to give direction to the FBI, something routinely done by past presidents. Is there a single schoolchild in Kansas who thinks LBJ or FDR never told the FBI director to lay off? Come on. But collecting snot and putting it in his pocket, undoubtedly for nefarious purposes, well, that's huge. Huge. White House insiders are already calling it Snufflegate. Is it an impeachable offense? Special Prosecutor Mueller is asking that question, or he will be after my column runs. Hey, so he wants good press. Who in Washington doesn't? Is that a crime?"