A reader nails it, I think:
I have taught at a military school now for about thirty years. Two years ago, a Lieutenant Colonel, new to the faculty, dropped into my office for advice. "Dr. *******, I made a mathematics mistake on the blackboard today, plain for all to see. Am I of high enough rank that I can claim I didn't make a mistake?"
My answer was "Hell, no, you're not!"
But our president believes he is of high enough rank ...
And he has gotten away with everything, has he not?