Photo captures Trump's notes for listening session on tackling gun violence

US President Donald Trump holds his prepared questions as he hosts a listening session with high school students and teachers to discuss school safety at the White House in Washington on Feb 21, 2018. PHOTO: REUTERS

WASHINGTON (WASHINGTON POST) - President Donald Trump held a worthwhile listening session on Wednesday (Feb 21) featuring a range of views on how to combat gun violence in schools.

And while Trump's at-times-meandering comments about arming teachers will certainly raise eyebrows, for the most part he did listen.

Thanks in part, it seems, to a helpful reminder.

At No. 5 of Trump's notes is a talking point about telling those present that he was actually listening.

After what appear to be four questions he planned to ask those assembled, No. 5 is an apparent reminder for Trump to tell people, "I hear you".

Even No. 1 is basically a reminder that Trump should empathise.

"What would you most want me to know about your experience?" the card reads.

So at least two-fifths of this card is dedicated to making sure the President of the United States assured those assembled that he was interested in what they had to say. It was not known what Nos. 3 and 4 said.

Through tragedy after tragedy, empathy has been the quality clearly missing from Trump's reactions.

He has focused on first-responders rather than victims. He has joked around when he probably should have been somber. He has attacked a political leader who wasn't appreciative enough. Through it all, it has been clear that expressing that he feels others' pain just is not his strength.

Which is apparently why he needed a couple little reminders on Wednesday.

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