The Washington Post reports on Donald Trump’s objections to an agreement to take in 1250 mostly Middle Eastern refugees currently in Australian detention sites:
Trump was also skeptical because he did not see a specific advantage the United States would gain by honoring the deal, officials said.
He can’t conceive of a deal whose purpose is to benefit someone else. This reminds me of Monty Python’s Merchant Banker sketch. A humble fellow raising money for charity wanders into the office of a very wealthy and self-centred banker:
Mr Ford: Oh. I wondered whether you’d like to contribute to the orphan’s home. (he rattles the tin)
Banker: Well I don’t want to show my hand too early, but actually here at Slater Nazi we are quite keen to get into orphans, you know, developing market and all that…
Mr Ford: So er, how about a pound?
Banker: A pound. Yes, I see. Now this loan would be secured by the…
Mr Ford: It’s not a loan, sir.
Banker: What?
Mr Ford: It’s not a loan.
Banker: Ah… Look, I think I’d better run this over to our legal department. If you could possibly pop back on Friday…
Mr Ford: Well do you have to do that, couldn’t you just give me the pound?
Banker: Yes, but you see I don’t know what it’s for.
Mr Ford: It’s for the orphans.
…
Banker: Well, I’m awfully sorry I don’t understand. Can you just explain exactly what you want.
Mr Ford: Well, I want you to give me a pound, and then I go away and give it to the orphans.
Banker: Yes?
Mr Ford: Well, that’s it.
Banker: No, no, no, I don’t follow this at all, I mean, I don’t want to seem stupid but it looks to me as though I’m a pound down on the whole deal.
Common Infirmities 