The Atlantic article....

.... as to why Trump followers can't admit who he really is.

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/09/predicate-fear/616009/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=atlantic-daily-newsletter&utm_content=20200904&silverid-ref=MzEwMTU3NTkwMjc5S0

We’ve always known who this twisted bastard is. Immense thanks to Jeffrey Goldberg and The Atlantic for this revealing, sick-making look into the mind of our nation’s Psychopathic Narcissist-in-Chief.

Vote as if your lives depend on it.

As far as I'm concerned, it really doesn't matter if the story is true, since there are already a mountain of reasons to get him out of office.
However, I'm inclined to believe the story: it's consistent with his character.

Trump is now calling for the Fox reporter who verified the story to be fired. I went to Viet Nam with many, many others. I believe this story has cost Trump the election. Republican's have traditionally received the military vote. Not this time. The veteran's, the families who lost loved ones, the active military will be millions who will now vote for Biden. This will also take the Republican party down with it. I am confident the House and Senate will now be Democratic. I have been against Trump ever since he disparaged John McCain a true American hero. Now many, many others will share my despise of him.

Yeah, you gotta read that article Ferret posted about the "tribal mentality" of his followers. Band together, tighten up, fight back, kill oppressors . It doesn't matter who the leader is. You must protect the pack.

There is a ton of veteran retirees and military in Florida and North Carolina the two states Trump must carry. In fact these two states probably have more military retirees than any other two states in the Union. These remarks against the military will ensure he will not carry these states and he will lose the election.

I'm surprised he only called for the reporter to be fired. At this point I wouldn't put it past him to say she should be prosecuted and given the death sentence. His brain dead followers would cheer it on.