'House of Cards' Does Not Hold a Candle to the Trump White House

When it comes to depicting the White House in a TV series, gone are the days when the TV series would be said to be a dramatization of the

Donald Trump and Hope Hicks

real White House. Now, the big drama takes place at the real White House.  From the unbridled nepotism to the in-your-face flirtations with corruption to the treachery, deceit, and outright lies of White House spokespersons, it is no longer possible to be shocked from watching House of Cards on Netflix, which would normally be riveting TV. 

As dysfunctional and horrible as the Underwoods are, the show is tame compared with the real White House.  Working for the Trump White House has become a one-way ticket to self-incrimination during questioning by the special counsel, Mueller, and/or the House Intelligence Committee, which is looking into the Russia Election-tampering issue, or both.  It is one of the quickest ways to get a long jail sentence in Washington these days. Yesterday, White House Communications Director, Hope Hicks, resigned after testifying before the House Intelligence Committee. Ms. Hicks stated that she has repeatedly told lies (white lies) to protect Trump. The President has promptly berated Hicks for admitting that she has told white lies to protect him.

Don't forget the sex and romance part of the White House intrigue. The Underwoods House of Cards doesn't hold a candle to the drama of the men and women of the real White House.  Amid a security clearance crisis that led to the resignation of White House staff secretary, Rob Porter,  we learned that Hope Hicks was romantically involved with Rob Porter who was accused of domestic abuse of both of his ex-wives. It was those abuse allegations that led to the FBI's denial of Porter's secret clearance application. Thus, Porter was operating with an interim clearance while serving as staff secretary, a position that handles loads of classified materials.   It gets even more interesting. Hicks was heavily involved in drafting the memo that White House Chief of Staff, John Kelly,  relied upon to defend Rob Porter,  even though Hicks was romantically involved with Mr. Porter. Is your head spinning yet?