Day 458: Trump Claims He’s Never Heard of Mr. Magoo

Famous nickname-giver swears ignorance on iconic character.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions would consider leaving his post if Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein is fired by Donald Trump, according to a report from The Washington Post.

Sessions is unhappy with how Trump has personally attacked Rosenstein and has sought clarification of his deputy’s status for months. The Post’s report noted a not-so-affectionate nickname for both men.

But Sessions has had little ability to do anything about it, given his own shaky standing with Trump for recusing himself from the Russia investigation, this official said. Trump has, at times, referred to Sessions as “Mr. Magoo” and Rosenstein as “Mr. Peepers,” a character from a 1950s sitcom, according to people with whom the president has spoken.

Trump’s response — to the extent one was even required — focused only on the name-calling.

Trump, who seems to have nicknames for everyone he comes across — Little Marco, Sleepy Eyes Chuck, Lyin’ Ted, Crazy Bernie — laughably claimed he had never heard of Mr. Magoo, a bumbling character who has been part of the American lexicon for 70 years. Mr. Peepers, far less known, was a character from the show Mister Peepers that just so happened to air during Trump’s formative years and does bear a bit of resemblance to Rosenstein.

458 days in, 1004 to go

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