What did Donald Trump do today?

He didn't read an article about how aides are shielding him from negative coverage, if an article about how aides are shielding him from negative coverage is to be believed.

A story in Politico today reveals how current and former White House and campaign officials carefully manipulate the news sources Trump is given to read, in an attempt to control his outbursts. Critical coverage is screened out, and when no favorable coverage on a topic of interest to Trump can be found, staff attempt to persuade conservative media outlets to create some. 

So what's so bad about this?

• A president who must be manipulated by his own staff to maintain some degree of emotional control is not able to do the job.

• It is not a good sign if a president can be so easily manipulated, even if it is necessary that it happen.

• When a president's own aides are speaking openly to the press about how they manipulate the president, they are trying to warn the public that something is very wrong.