After a blissful month had passed.
The media's attacks on Trump resumed.
Still one leak a day.
This time, it was the Washington Post leading the charge:
"Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell stated in a Senate speech that Republicans will attempt to repeal the 'Obamacare' law this weekend."
"Trump's administration is approaching six months. But in these six months, none of his three major legislative priorities—healthcare reform, tax reform, and infrastructure—have been achieved."
"Among them, repealing 'Obamacare' and replacing it with the Republican healthcare bill is Trump's first major legislative goal. Progress on tax and infrastructure legislation is planned after the healthcare plan advances..."
"The stalemate continues, and the Trump administration is considering refusing to issue this week's subsidies for low-income individuals under Obamacare, an action that could provoke widespread discontent among the lower classes..."
"The Republicans' legislative failure this time stems from internal opposition. Despite controlling both houses of Congress and the White House, with 52 seats in the Senate, passing the bill requires 50 yes votes out of 100 seats."
"Previously, Maine's Susan Collins and Kentucky's Rand Paul had indicated their opposition to repealing and replacing Obamacare. Then, two more Republicans suddenly flipped before the vote, causing the legislation to 'die in the womb' before the ballot even happened."
Regarding the internal opposition within his own party, Trump tweeted his dissatisfaction: "Republicans should repeal the failed 'Obamacare' plan now and enact a brilliant new healthcare bill. Democrats will join too!"
...
This past month had been comfortable for Ivanka.
Martin was thrilled with the arrival of Ivanka.
"Martin, can you take a few days off in October? There's a music festival in Las Vegas—we could go have fun for a few days," Ivanka suggested.
"Aquaman's progress is going well, no problem. Let's take a few days off," Martin said casually.
...
August.
A bizarre incident occurred in the U.S., amusing the onlookers to no end.
An unknown prankster from the UK, using a fake IP, impersonated U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and emailed White House Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Assistant Thomas Bossert's official account.
The email read: "Tom, hello. We're planning a social gathering at the end of the month—if you can make it, that'd be great. I guarantee the food will be at least better than what we had in Iraq. I believe it'll be a fantastic night."
Thomas Bossert fell for it and replied: "Thanks, Jared. I can't refuse an invitation like that; I'll attend."
Then, Thomas Bossert proactively provided his personal email for further contact.
As the White House assistant for homeland security and counterterrorism, Thomas Bossert is responsible for White House cybersecurity, yet even he was fooled—leaving countless onlookers both amused and shocked.
He wasn't the only one. Besides Bossert, Trump's third communications director in his six months in office, Anthony Scaramucci, also fell into the trap.
Scaramucci took office on July 21 of that year.
At the time, his appointment was fiercely opposed by then-White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, and Chief Strategist Steve Bannon, leading to the former two resigning.
Before Priebus was fired, the prankster impersonated Trump's nominee for U.S. Ambassador to Russia, Jon Huntsman, and engaged in a heated email exchange with Scaramucci.
"Who should move out first?"
"I might be able to help a bit,"
This "fake" Huntsman wrote in the email.
Scaramucci replied: "There are two."
Though he didn't specify names, CNN, in reporting the story, believed Scaramucci was referring to Priebus and Bannon, whom he had been vehemently criticizing.
After some flattery from the "fake" Huntsman, Scaramucci responded: "Are you in Moscow now? If not, let's grab a seat."
On the 29th of last month—the day after Priebus left—the prankster impersonated Priebus and emailed Scaramucci.
The two went back and forth in the emails, arguing fiercely before parting on bad terms.
Ironically, two days later, Scaramucci was also fired—after just 10 days in office.
Trump's son Eric Trump had once fallen for a similar ploy, receiving an email from the prankster pretending to be his brother Donald Trump Jr.
However, he saw through the scheme and replied: "I'll hand this over to law enforcement."
The above were all self-orchestrated pranks by the trickster.
He even posted his "achievements" on the social site Twitter.
Some executives from UK's Barclays Bank, U.S. Goldman Sachs, and Bank of America also became laughingstocks for falling for it.
After the incident, White House officials admitted to being duped.
White House spokesperson Sarah Huckabee Sanders told CNN reporters: "We take all network-related issues extremely seriously and are conducting further investigations into these events."
Martin was a bit speechless. While Trump's team had some elites, it seemed riddled with street-level amateurs.
Trump approached Martin again, hoping he'd help squash the negative media commentary.
This time, Martin refused.
He told Trump: "Donald, you should first find the leaker in the White House, not try to muzzle the media. I can't keep making those outlets shut up forever."
Trump said: "I'll find the leaker—that damn guy won't have a good end."
Not two days after this conversation, another leak emerged from the White House.
The full transcripts of Trump's phone calls with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull were published by the Washington Post.
At the time, Trump urged the other party not to publicly say Mexico wouldn't pay for the wall or spout such nonsense.
Trump said: "You can't say that to the media; the media will report it that way, and I can't handle it. You can't say that to the media because then I can't negotiate—it's all nonsense."
Trump also claimed: "You know, New Hampshire in your state is a 'drug den.' I can't allow that stuff to flow into the U.S."
On the same day, Trump called Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
During the call, Trump refused to honor a refugee acceptance agreement.
Then, Trump grew increasingly angry, telling Malcolm Turnbull: "I've been on the phone all day, and this is the most unpleasant call."
He hung up.
The Washington Post's report once again stirred mainstream media condemnation of Trump.
Trump could no longer tolerate these outlets.
To promote his achievements, Trump sent out his green-armored daughter-in-law Lara Trump to host a personal show called "Real News," where she served as the anchor.
In the program, Lara Trump listed Trump's accomplishments since taking office one by one.