By “competent,” they don’t mean the skill or lack thereof with which he carries out his presidential duties. They mean the other kind of competent. The “grandpa’s muttering to himself about the little man who lives in his fridge again” kind of competent.

Here’s one way to decline an invitation to the White House Christmas party, I guess. Run a story wondering is the president all there?

[T]he President of the United States is raising new questions about his temperament, his judgment and his understanding of the resonance of his global voice and the gravity of his role with a wild sequence of insults, inflammatory tweets and bizarre comments…

For years, Trump, living his life in the glare of the New York tabloids took refuge in convenient alternative truths, constructed his own version of reality and actively promoted conspiracy theories. He maintained that model of behavior as a candidate and a President. But the fact such conduct is coinciding with what could evolve into a major global crisis will force his staff, fellow world leaders, the media and the public to grapple with the implications…

Conversations about Trump’s fitness and mental state have percolated in Washington for months. They have been fanned by the comments of GOP Sen. Bob Corker who warned the President could spark World War III.

Speaking of “alternative truths,” Trump’s least CNN favorite reporter chimed in with this:

Trump believes he would have performed better in election had he never acknowledged Obama's birth in US, I'm told by source. https://t.co/DGbDEtJhGv

— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) November 29, 2017

What’s the line between being, shall we say, overly credulous about dubious information that flatters your prejudices and being a little unbalanced upstairs? Watch Times reporter Maggie Haberman below say of Trump earlier today on — where else? — CNN that “something is unleashed with him lately” and that he appears “a little unmoored.” After that spectacle on Twitter this morning, it’s hard to disagree. He does seem more frenetic and less discriminating than usual of late in attacking his favorite targets. Is it strategic, i.e. beating up on the media because he has reason to believe a damaging expose is in the works? Or is he, uh, unmoored due to the stress he’s under?

I sure hope it’s not the latter as his stress level is likely to get much higher in January. His lawyers have been placating him with their own version of an “alternative truth,” telling him that the Mueller investigation is likely to wrap up in December. There’s no reason to believe that, especially if Mike Flynn rolls over on the White House, but it’s a way to keep the president calm. What’s Trump going to do after New Year’s when he realizes his attorneys have lied to him? Firing Mueller is a fait accompli. But what else?

Two clips for you, one of Haberman and the other of Jake Tapper — CNN again! — accusing Trump of being “indecent” if perhaps not quite “unmoored” in this morning’s tweeting. Exit question via Erick Erickson: Everyone understands why CNN isn’t going to the White House Christmas party but why are other media outlets going?