Story highlights Michael D'Antonio: The world -- and his own aides -- played court to Donald Trump as he pronounced his decision on the Paris climate change accord

Meanwhile former rival Hillary Clinton made a new set of excuses for her defeat, writes D'Antonio

Michael D'Antonio is the author of the book "Never Enough: Donald Trump and the Pursuit of Success" (St. Martin's Press). The opinions expressed in this commentary are his.

(CNN) It wasn't enough for Donald Trump to thumb his nose at humanity and the planet we occupy. His fragile ego, which can't be strengthened even by the power of the presidency, demanded that he turn his decision on the Paris climate treaty into something like a beauty pageant, with suspense built into his process and a court of lesser-beauties enlisted to praise him.

The run-up to Trump's decision to abandon the Paris treaty included consultations with world leaders, including Pope Francis, and pleadings from chief executive officers representing many of the world's leading companies. Exxon's CEO wrote a personal letter. More than a dozen others, from Hilton, Unilever, Monsanto and the like also weighed in. While men and women of goodwill sided with future generations, Trump took to social media to declare, "I will make my final decision on the Paris Accord next week!"

When the decision day came, Trump required that Vice President Pence introduce him with the kind of abject but unspecific praise generally reserved for the honoree at a pancake breakfast. Ignoring his faith and family, Pence declared that serving Trump is "the greatest privilege of my life" and then announced, "Thanks to President Donald Trump, America is back."

After pausing for applause, as directed in his script, Pence called attention to his "admiration" for the scandal-plagued Trump and the "gratitude" he feels "for his leadership."

Anyone with a shred of humility would have turned red upon hearing Pence's words. Trump beamed with approval and immediately stood to praise himself. He said his recent foreign trip was "very, very successful, believe me" and, of course, his legislative work is going "very, very well."

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