Trump avoids blame despite promise that buck stops here

President Donald Trump consistently shifts responsibility for problems onto others, a tendency increasingly under scrutiny before the midterm elections. The Economic Times reports that Trump blames predecessor Joe Biden for the weak economy and inflation, even though Biden has been out of office for over 18 months and Trump once promised an immediate turnaround.

He attributes issues with the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool to vandalism, though a prosecutor he appointed says the damage was due to shoddy workmanship. On the unpopular war in Iran, Trump argues he is making up for timid earlier presidents who squandered 50 years of opportunities. White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers says the president is "rightfully addressing the failures of his predecessors" while delivering wins on tax cuts and border security.

Experts cited by the outlet note that while all modern presidents shift blame, Trump has taken it to a new level. Historian Nicole Anslover said presidents before Trump "really usually take accountability." Trump, who once said "I alone can fix it," told Punchbowl that voters are angry at congressional Republicans, not at him.