When he started out, last summer, he was a joke—a practical joke.

Donald Trump?! For president? You serious?

The hair. The scowl. The superlatives —“greatest” this… “world-class” that….

Etc. etc.

I continually, daily, found amusement in Trump.

I watched the late cable news. I emailed jokes to friends. I texted photos of The Donald doing or saying stupid things.

It was funny! Get the joke?! This is a blast!

Until now. It is no longer funny.

But it is too late.

I feel miserable. I know I carried the joke too far. I can see how I and others allowed Trump and his campaign to be an active laughing stock of serious people everywhere too long.

I am sorry.

What is the negative effect?

He could win!

We have propped him up a long time!

Whacko Supreme Court justices.

Rolling back inconvenient environmental laws.

Bringing abortions again to the back alleys of the 1950s.

Sending the message internationally that we are a country that addresses major cross-country border issues with gigantic Great Wall of China-type walls.

Arrgghh!

When did I realize my idea of humor had gone too far?

When “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” featured video clips of 3- and 4-year-olds doing their imitations of Donald Trump.

All the tykes resembled Fallon, who does a very nice imitation of The Donald.

One kid pursed his lips, had an orange mop on his head, looked into the camera, and said, “I’m Donald Trump…we’re going to build a wall – a FANTASTIC wall – and we’re going to make Mexico pay for it!”

Another came on camera with a little girl beside him who looked perhaps 3.

He said, “Hello, I am Donald Trump. I am here with my lovely wife, Malania.” Then he turned to his left and pointed at the girl. She then put her hand to her mouth, kissed it, then went through the motion of adoringly blowing him a kiss.

Hysterical!!

But, at the same time, not funny.

If you know what I mean.

I like humor. I like a good laugh. I like politics. I love campaigns. They are like sports games on TV late at night.

But, my heavens, it has gone on too long! It has become too serious!

Who would ever have thought Trump would be taken seriously by enough people for this long to win the nomination of a major political party.

Yikes!

I am sorry. I really am.

Where do I go to apologize, and get this all straightened out??

Dan Warren is a Scarborough trial lawyer. He can be reached either by private Facebook message on the Jones & Warren Attorneys at Law page, or by email at [email protected].