DEAR EDITOR:

I recall news reports of Recep Erdogan, the Turkish autocrat Donald Trump admires, jailing people who critiqued his haircut. Incredible! Now, it seems, we are Turkey as Trump destroys free speech and tells lies as transparent as his phantasm of a comb over to cover his bare-faced wrongdoing.

Trump has abused the powers of presidency, weaponizing them to silence anyone poking his all too thin narcissists’ skin with any truth he has not declared to be true. He has cowed enough universities, law firms and media into shocking financial settlements that I think may enable him to add extortion to his list of felonies as a parting gift from voters who still can send him packing. He grants license and contracts as though from his own pocket (they are your tax dollars) to those who flatter and bow to him. He promised he would ensure free speech as part of his second inaugural address, but acts as entitled to say what he pleases, while you may not speak. He mocks our Constitution.

His latest attack, by way of a lackey he appointed to head the FCC in 2017, made threats to Disney and ABC and their business dealings if they refused to punish Jimmy Kimmel. Kimmel’s sin was playing Trump’s recorded response to a reporter who offered condolences on the murder of Charlie Kirk. Trump showed his well of empathy to be thimble deep by taking that opportunity to tout his White House ballroom in response. The same ballroom he claimed he “will pay for” is now accepting multi million dollar construction “donations” from “Patriot donors” better known as corporations seeking his favor and hoping to grease the skids. At least one aerospace firm is in for $10 million, a good chunk of what’s needed, to revamp the Omani “gift” of a flying palace to Trump.

So, be careful with tonsorial, or any other, observations you make in the belief that a petty felon accepts your Constitutional right to free speech protects you. Trump does not. For love of country, resist, protest and VOTE to turn the rascals out.

JIM CARTWRIGHT

Canfield