I don't understand why they make arguments on Trump's behalf that he himself didn't make - that, in fact, he insists aren't true.

Wilson said Trump said "He knew what he signed up for." That was the only direct quote she attributed to him. Trump called her a liar, said she fabricated her account, that he had "proof" he didn't say it. He did NOT say that his words were taken out of context, or yes, he said those words but you have to understand them in the totality of what he said, which was touching and heartfelt and hit all the right notes. He could have said that, especially if it was the truth. But he categorically denied saying those words.

In other words, he did not offer the defense psychobilly dutifully offered up - "OK, he said it, but he said it as part of an appropriate tribute, and maybe the widow took it the wrong way in her grief."

Why do people make these excuses for him? They spun a reasonable explanation that was fine except for one thing: Trump himself insisted, from the start, that it didn't happen that way.

This is like when he fired Comey and the board Republicans - as recently as this week! - tied themselves in knots to explain why he definitely didn't do it because Comey wouldn't drop the Russia investigation until Trump came out and said no, I definitely did it for that reason.

He made you guys look like fools. He also made his comms people and his advisors look like fools. Now, those people are getting paid to carry his water. I hope our Republicans here are getting a piece too, because they're working it pretty hard.