Confusion and bewilderment.

Why?

Donald Trump surrogates don’t seem to know whether his fans can think for themselves.

Here’s Trump campaign Communications Director Tim Murtaugh hours before the president’s rally Saturday in Tulsa, addressing whether gathering indoors in a pandemic was safe:

“Freedom in the United States is not just an argument. It’s how Americans always have lived. And people do have the choice whether to come here or not.”

Then Sunday, after the rally, here’s Trump Campaign Manager Brad Parscale explaining why attendance hit less than a third of arena capacity:

“A week’s worth of the fake news media warning people away from the rally because of COVID and protesters, coupled with recent images of American cities on fire, had a real impact on people bringing their families and children to the rally.”

Note the contradiction. Before the rally, regular people could think and choose for themselves. Afterward, they’d lost the capacity to think and choose because …

Cue the brainwashing news media.

So, which are they, the Trump fans? Independent thinkers or dopes? Choosers or dupes?

Choosers, surely.