Trump helped ‘Dilbert’ cartoonist with his cancer care. How about us? | Opinion
Ever been fed up with a medical provider who “dropped the ball”?
Of course, you have!
But unlike California cartoonist Scott Adams — the creator of “Dilbert” — you probably can’t ask the president of the United States to pull some strings for you.
Yet Adams, who is a big Donald Trump fan, was able to get some presidential intervention after posting on X.
“I am declining fast,” he wrote on Sunday. “I will ask President Trump if he can get Kaiser of Northern California to respond and schedule (an infusion of a cancer drug) for Monday. That will give me a fighting chance to stick around on this planet a little bit longer.”
As has been widely reported, the president responded with a post on Truth Social: “On it!”
Donald Trump Jr. and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., also chimed in.
“Going to make sure my dad sees this,” Don Jr. posted.
“Scott. How do I reach you? The President wants to help,” RFK Jr. responded.
It’s unclear whether the presidential intervention did the trick, but Adams, who is being treated for advanced prostate cancer, was scheduled for his infusion at a Kaiser medical facility on Tuesday.
Millions face loss of health insurance
Mind you, this isn’t exactly one of those feel-good, poster child (or poster adult) medical stories.
Adams doesn’t have what you would call an unblemished reputation. He was dropped by several publications following racist comments he made on YouTube.
That doesn’t matter. He shouldn’t be getting the run-around (if that’s indeed what’s been happening) from the medical professionals in charge of his care.
But let’s put this in context. Our president takes a personal interest in ensuring that one of his supporters will get prompt treatment, while at the same time millions of Americans face losing health insurance on account of expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits and other changes in medical programs.
That group includes many Trump voters. At least for their sake, shouldn’t the president start caring a little more about health care for those who aren’t in his inner circle?
Want a favor? Be sure to vote Republican
After all, Trump has a lot of clout, and he’s not afraid to use it.
Need a heart transplant? An admission letter to Harvard? A spot on an Olympic team? He could probably arrange it. (Just don’t ask for a permit for an offshore wind farm.)
It helps if you have money, but that’s not mandatory. Just ask the nearly 1,600 Jan. 6 insurrectionists who received presidential pardons.
More recently, Trump commuted a seven-year prison sentence handed to former New York Rep. George Santos, the serial liar who was expelled from Congress and later convicted of financial crimes.
The president’s justification for allowing Santos to walk after serving less than four months?
He had the “Courage, Conviction, and Intelligence to ALWAYS VOTE REPUBLICAN!”
In Trump’s defense, this is nothing new.
The rich and powerful take care of their own. But for a president of the United States to so blatantly and brazenly hand out favors to his acolytes is stunning, and it undermines the integrity of some of our most critical institutions.
For instance, how can we trust that a criminal conviction or a sentencing will stick if Trump continues passing out pardons like leftover Halloween candy?
We can’t.
But back to Mr. Adams.
I don’t blame him for calling in a favor from the president. If any one of us were in his shoes, we would probably do the same.
As for the president, he couldn’t very well ignore such a heartfelt plea. That would be cruel.
So here’s an idea. If you’re struggling to find affordable health insurance, try reaching out to the Donald Trump.
I hear he’s often on Truth Social.
