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senseandsensibility

(23,645 posts)
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 02:34 PM Aug 16

Everything makes sense when you remember what Lawrence O'Donnell said a couple of nights ago

He said trump is a child, and we have never had a child as president before. The corporate media keeps making the mistake of trying to attribute adult motives to his actions.

And I don't think O'Donnell was talking about a teenager either. Trump is literally like a four or five year old. So he wants to be liked by those he perceives as "strong". He wants praise. He wants to be told he's right. So the giddy clapping on the runway and the stupid flattery by putin about the 2020 election were all big wins in his juvenile mind.

Just mind boggling when you think about it.

106 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Everything makes sense when you remember what Lawrence O'Donnell said a couple of nights ago (Original Post) senseandsensibility Aug 16 OP
He so wants to be right on tariffs. He's not. Some magats are even talking about his tariff revenue will eliminate the.. brush Aug 16 #1
I'd like to know what twisted family dynamic led to this Ritabert Aug 16 #2
Of course I have no way of knowing senseandsensibility Aug 16 #3
I agree. Ritabert Aug 16 #65
I think what he perceives as intelligence is just cunning...... lastlib Aug 17 #97
His lack of intelligence.... returnee Aug 17 #98
Read Mary Trump's Too Much and Not Enough Wild blueberry Aug 16 #5
Been debating with myself whether I wanna read that book or not. Attilatheblond Aug 16 #38
Not worth it. Hornedfrog2000 Aug 17 #85
The Mashed Potato Incident WiVoter Aug 16 #43
The other thing is when Obama made a joke about T💩p at the Correspondents' Dinner. OMGWTF Aug 16 #53
I remember that Correspondents Dinner. His reaction shots! calimary Aug 20 #106
Yes Fred Jr. did it because Donny was annoying baby Robert. Ritabert Aug 16 #64
Thanks. I'll look for it. Ritabert Aug 16 #58
If you really want to know, I have just the book for you! ShazzieB Aug 16 #19
Just checked and our local library has it available, both print and digital version. Attilatheblond Aug 16 #42
Cool! ShazzieB Aug 16 #80
Thanks. Ritabert Aug 16 #59
His mom was drunk & dad a racist Nigrum Cattus Aug 16 #22
I have long wondered about his mom, him and: Fetal alcohol syndrome Attilatheblond Aug 16 #41
I imagine his dad was always criticizing him. Ritabert Aug 16 #60
On what do you base the claim that whathehell Aug 17 #88
Per my search: There is NOTHING backing up your claim whathehell Aug 17 #104
This article from 2016 kind of sums it up... PunkinPi Aug 16 #25
Thanks. Ritabert Aug 16 #61
Highly recommend Mary Trump's book mentioned above my post Hekate Aug 16 #28
Thanks. Ritabert Aug 16 #62
Mary Trump has put it all into a book soldierant Aug 16 #78
Bingo. tanyev Aug 16 #4
If Martin Short approves senseandsensibility Aug 16 #6
What will never make sense to me is so many people being impressed enough by Trump to vote for him. highplainsdem Aug 16 #7
I've struggled with this too senseandsensibility Aug 16 #9
Yes. We need clear talking points. highplainsdem Aug 16 #15
I think much of our perspective is based on our need to belong, to feel unity with other Humans. BurnDoubt Aug 16 #39
Many times I think these maga's would vote for a frog just b/c it isn't a Democrat. Their hate runs deep. mitch96 Aug 16 #16
The problem with this is they had other choices in the Primary JI7 Aug 16 #36
A certain percentage of them are definitely unreachable senseandsensibility Aug 16 #71
This is why I'm keeping a close eye on his polling as it goes down, down, down. slightlv Aug 16 #82
He had a 15-year free advertising/propaganda campaign in "reality" tv. That's huge. He presented a persona... Hekate Aug 16 #37
Count me in on your "tiny minority" slightlv Aug 16 #83
As I snorted when I first heard the phrase "reality TV" misanthrope Aug 17 #89
Reality TV was pushed on the public mnhtnbb Aug 17 #94
A lot of them are not voting "for" Trump. I hate to break this to you, Bluetus Aug 16 #56
I think it's been a plan for decades buzzycrumbhunger Aug 16 #73
Thanks for the link ! I had no idea it had been put on the Web anywhere. nt eppur_se_muova Aug 16 #79
Hooray for the internet archive. 👍 buzzycrumbhunger Aug 17 #96
Its been a coordinated effort with putin to put him here Hornedfrog2000 Aug 17 #86
"I know more than the Generals." czarjak Aug 16 #8
Literally, that quote sounds like a five year old senseandsensibility Aug 16 #10
Any Boy Can Grow Up To Be President? czarjak Aug 16 #12
Not just you. And he also says he knows more than the scientists, economists, etc. highplainsdem Aug 16 #18
Somebody put together a video about this. ShazzieB Aug 16 #24
Good montage NJCher Aug 16 #35
Actually, we did have a child before in 2016-2020 mdbl Aug 16 #11
My guess is that he appealed to a lot of people for some basic reasons: misogynists, Fascists, and the CTyankee Aug 16 #13
That was all a very long set-up by the GOP, from before Reagan. Religion is useful.. Hekate Aug 16 #40
As one of our Presidents from Texas famously said........ mdbl Aug 16 #74
LBJ was an insightful man, and would have been remembered as great if not for MacNamara& Vietnam Hekate Aug 16 #75
A good liar can sell himself to anybody stupid enough to fall for it slightlv Aug 16 #84
Yeah but... MarcoZandrini Aug 17 #91
i bet he was a roptten pre-teen. pansypoo53219 Aug 16 #14
Which is why his parents leftieNanner Aug 16 #20
I think he learned how to manipulate the system to get his way Hekate Aug 16 #76
It's Billy Mumy in that Twilight Zone episode PCIntern Aug 16 #17
He's two, stuck in his terrible twos, and we're all stuck with him. diane in sf Aug 16 #21
I think, sadly, he actually doesn't have a personality of his own ... BurnDoubt Aug 16 #23
His niece said he stopped developing emotionally at age 10... IrishAfricanAmerican Aug 16 #26
I know this isn't the point senseandsensibility Aug 16 #30
Yes WiVoter Aug 16 #44
Yes, he's a manic, demented toddler playing in a sandbox. ananda Aug 16 #27
Like some of us have said for many years what identifies and defines Eliot Rosewater Aug 16 #29
Some kids cry for candy, others for a Nobel Peace Prize, it's all the same thing. Uncle Joe Aug 16 #31
Yes, that whining for a Nobel Peace Prize senseandsensibility Aug 16 #34
It's on his Bucket List. That's his whole life: Best and Most (Even if I say so myself!). BurnDoubt Aug 16 #48
If he magically won a Nobel Peace Prize misanthrope Aug 17 #90
Eric Erikson, in his book "Childhood and Society" describes the Eight Ages of Man in a chapter dedl67 Aug 16 #32
rare combination of negative traits NJCher Aug 16 #49
Omg Erik Erickson... electric_blue68 Aug 16 #54
OK, sure. I do not consider the writings of Erikson's to be science as it is generally understood dedl67 Aug 16 #63
Oh, I think physchology is interesing, and hopefully changes w new understanding.. electric_blue68 Aug 16 #66
His attempt at the Nobel Peace Prize shows this. Even if you were trying to get it JI7 Aug 16 #33
I have always thought that trump acted, thought, cksmithy Aug 16 #45
fascinating NJCher Aug 16 #55
The last time I saw him was around 2007, he is probably in his late 20's and I have no idea cksmithy Aug 16 #67
It would be NJCher Aug 17 #93
L'enfant terrible madamesilverspurs Aug 16 #46
Here's Lawrence for those who missed it, great explanation (3:45) Rhiannon12866 Aug 16 #47
Raskin is featured on that clip NJCher Aug 16 #68
Thanks so much for sharing your research! Rhiannon12866 Aug 16 #69
WORSE than mind-boggling, referred to as elleng Aug 16 #50
Just shows how long he's had other people taking care of him, Bayard Aug 16 #51
Just shows how long he's had other people taking care of him, Bayard Aug 16 #52
I think more like a very spoiled 2 or 3 yr old Tribetime Aug 16 #57
That's been my opinion for a long time. Susan Calvin Aug 16 #70
Or that's where his stuck in Alzheimer's. Blue Full Moon Aug 16 #72
Yes - he exists in several stages of arrested development. yellow dahlia Aug 16 #77
Giving himself an award at the Kennedy Center is further proof of this. bullwinkle428 Aug 16 #81
Why doesn't he just fucking die already? Orrex Aug 17 #87
Yes indeed. luvallpeeps Aug 17 #92
My thoughts mgardener Aug 17 #95
An adult should explain to him the definition of the word "terrorist" Justice matters. Aug 17 #99
He's a nasty old man. CarolinaNC Aug 17 #100
I would never argue with Lawrence re: anything trump liberalla Aug 17 #101
What's mind boggle is that the GOP could end this tomorrow Chasstev365 Aug 17 #102
Yes, I agree that they deserve a majority of the blame here senseandsensibility Aug 17 #103
My children at four or five could have conversations and back up their opinions. mucholderthandirt Aug 18 #105

brush

(61,018 posts)
1. He so wants to be right on tariffs. He's not. Some magats are even talking about his tariff revenue will eliminate the..
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 02:44 PM
Aug 16

the need for the IRS.

We are so in trouble with these morons in power.

senseandsensibility

(23,645 posts)
3. Of course I have no way of knowing
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 03:03 PM
Aug 16

about his family, but IMO he lacks intelligence. To me, much of the analysis of trump dances around that possibility. He lacks the mental ability to make adult decisions.

lastlib

(26,625 posts)
97. I think what he perceives as intelligence is just cunning......
Sun Aug 17, 2025, 12:27 PM
Aug 17

Just "street-smarts" which translates to bullying. In reality, he has no clue what actual intellect is--it's further over his head than the moon. His actual intelligence, as measured by real problem-solving ability, is really well below average. he couldn't solve a problem if the solution bit him on his diapered ass.

returnee

(638 posts)
98. His lack of intelligence....
Sun Aug 17, 2025, 01:17 PM
Aug 17

….is understood by maga and draws them to him. He’s stupid, just like us. They “get” each other.

Wild blueberry

(7,873 posts)
5. Read Mary Trump's Too Much and Not Enough
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 03:12 PM
Aug 16

Loads of first-hand evidence of dysfunction.
Also suggest the movie The Apprentice (although it's tough to sit through--accurate portrayal of massive vulgar creep).

Attilatheblond

(7,131 posts)
38. Been debating with myself whether I wanna read that book or not.
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 04:27 PM
Aug 16

My blood pressure can be an issue and I am in my Stroke Danger Years.

Hornedfrog2000

(847 posts)
85. Not worth it.
Sun Aug 17, 2025, 12:01 AM
Aug 17

It is obvious his whole family has been so messed up since before they even came here.

WiVoter

(1,434 posts)
43. The Mashed Potato Incident
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 04:39 PM
Aug 16

Where they all laughed at him at the dinner table. I think Mary’s dad, 💩’s brother had enough of his shit & dumped it on him.

OMGWTF

(4,896 posts)
53. The other thing is when Obama made a joke about T💩p at the Correspondents' Dinner.
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 04:57 PM
Aug 16

That was the moment he vowed to "get the black guy" because he was raised to be a racist POS by his racist POS father. Did you know that T💩p's grandpa ran a whore house? Family values FFS!

calimary

(87,684 posts)
106. I remember that Correspondents Dinner. His reaction shots!
Wed Aug 20, 2025, 02:15 PM
Aug 20

They’d show Obama on the dais, doing his monologue and getting lots of laughs. Mostly at trump’s expense. And then they’d cut over to the donald for his reaction. You saw him from the side. His face was frozen. Blank. No expression to it at all. Maybe THAT’S his so-called “super power”. That he can maintain his stone-faced non-reaction at times like these when you’d expect some sort of emotional betrayal.

But then again, even THAT tells you lots of things about him without his having to say a word to make sure you “got the message”.

ShazzieB

(21,501 posts)
19. If you really want to know, I have just the book for you!
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 03:39 PM
Aug 16
Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man by Mary L Trump, Ph.D.
Publisher: Simon L& Schuster (January 4, 2022)
ISBN13: 9781982141479

The twisted family dynamic that created this monster is exactly what this book is about, and it will tell you everything you need to know. It's just a little over 200 pages long, and I found it to be a very absorbing, and fast read. I honestly cannot recommend it highly enough. It's available wherever books are sold and at most public libraries (if the ones in my area are any indication].

More infomation is available at the publisher's website:
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Too-Much-and-Never-Enough/Mary-L-Trump/9781982141479

Attilatheblond

(7,131 posts)
41. I have long wondered about his mom, him and: Fetal alcohol syndrome
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 04:36 PM
Aug 16
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fetal-alcohol-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20352901]

Symptoms

The severity of fetal alcohol syndrome symptoms varies. Some children have far greater problems than others do. Symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome may include any mix of issues with how the body develops; thinking, learning and behavior; and functioning and coping in daily life.
Physical development issues

How the body develops may include:

Facial features that are typical of fetal alcohol syndrome. These may include small eyes, a very thin upper lip, a flat nose bridge, and a smooth skin surface between the nose and upper lip.
Slow physical growth before and after birth.
Delayed development, including taking longer to reach milestones, such as sitting, talking and walking.
Vision or hearing problems.
Smaller than average head and brain size.
Changes with how the heart, kidneys and bones develop.
Poor coordination or balance.
Being jittery or hyperactive.

Learning and thinking issues

Learning and thinking may include:

Intellectual disability and learning disorders, including trouble with memory, learning new things, focusing and thinking.
Not understanding the results of choices made.
Poor judgment skills, such as having a hard time thinking through issues, problem-solving, reasoning and making decisions that affect everyday life.
Short attention span that affects staying with a task and finishing.
Poor concept of time, that impacts following schedules, knowing what time to leave in order to arrive on time and understanding how long a task will take.
Trouble with organizing and planning or working toward a goal, including trouble understanding and following directions.

Social and behavioral issues

Functioning in everyday life, coping and interacting with others may include:

Challenges in school with attendance, learning, behavior and interacting with others.
Trouble getting along with others, including struggling with communication and social skills.
Trouble adapting to change or switching from one task to another.
Issues with behavior and with controlling emotions and actions.
Problems managing life skills, such as telling time, self care, managing money and staying safe.
Being easily influenced by others or taken advantage of.
Quickly changing moods.



Throw in what a monster Fred Trump was, sprinkle with school years where he was disliked, and it was a recipe for disaster. I read his mom said she hoped he never goes into politics because he has NO common sense.

Why so many people thought he'd be a good POTUS tells me our society needs some major adjustments.

whathehell

(30,260 posts)
104. Per my search: There is NOTHING backing up your claim
Sun Aug 17, 2025, 07:46 PM
Aug 17

that Trump's "mom was a drunk". Please either provide the documentation saying otherwise or remove the false claim.

Hekate

(99,306 posts)
28. Highly recommend Mary Trump's book mentioned above my post
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 03:54 PM
Aug 16

She’s a professor of psychology. She’s Donald’s niece. He cheated her and her brother out of a big chunk of their inheritance and they had to sue. She doesn’t like him. And I think she has spent a good part of her life trying to figure him out.

soldierant

(8,907 posts)
78. Mary Trump has put it all into a book
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 08:26 PM
Aug 16

And will also talk about it in her videos - not every video probably.

It appears to me that his mental development as well as his emotional development just froze at the momen his brother dumped a bowl of mashed potatoes over his head (because he was being a world-class brat) and the whole famiy laughed at him. Most likely that still, to this day, is what he wants revenge for.

highplainsdem

(58,041 posts)
7. What will never make sense to me is so many people being impressed enough by Trump to vote for him.
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 03:15 PM
Aug 16

We've never had a president anywhere close to Trump in terms of being obviously immature, corrupt, and stupid.

And yeah, I know many people exist in information bubbles. I'll never understand that, either. I don't understand how people can exist without being curious and wanting to find out more about anyone and anything that attracts their attention.

senseandsensibility

(23,645 posts)
9. I've struggled with this too
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 03:21 PM
Aug 16

and all I can come up with is that some people are predisposed to be that way. They are not able to independently use critical thinking skills or evaluate multiple perspectives. Does that mean they're stupid? No. I am unable to understand or evaluate more advanced technology or mechanics, say, and I don't consider myself stupid. I just lack the ability to do so, either because of "genetics" or interest or both. So in the case of trumpers who can't realistically evaluate his actions, we need to counteract that with very simple messaging repeated in unison by all Dems. Unfortunately, many Dems we are still speaking like college professors.

BurnDoubt

(997 posts)
39. I think much of our perspective is based on our need to belong, to feel unity with other Humans.
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 04:32 PM
Aug 16

Team Spirit
Church on Sunday
Political Parties
Ice Cream Socials
Concerts

Belonging
Competing
Disagreeing
Fighting
Raping
Killing
Ironically much of MAGA, though they want to belong, are averse to living near other people and prefer a rural environment. When I awoke to Hillary's loss I was taken by the Electoral map on NBC. We lost the "Septic Tank Vote".
The "Country Mouse" is sore as they're portrayed as dim and uncouth and boring.
We're seeing a rising tide of criticism of the way the "City Mouse" lives, and villainized by tales of "Crime, Crime, Crime".
All the reports and studies are "fake" and the "experts" are "liars" in their "expert opinion". They did their own research.
The "Lost Cause" Rides Again. North and South, now nearly homogenized as opportunities are more and more focused in or near cities.
Or maybe they're just assholes.
I'm at a loss as to how to breach their noggins and let the smoke out.
Plexer.

mitch96

(15,446 posts)
16. Many times I think these maga's would vote for a frog just b/c it isn't a Democrat. Their hate runs deep.
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 03:39 PM
Aug 16

Even if voting for Rump will hurt them, they want to "own the libs"...
m

senseandsensibility

(23,645 posts)
71. A certain percentage of them are definitely unreachable
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 06:01 PM
Aug 16

and we need to accept that. Luckily, we only need a few to change the results of the election. Wasting time on trying to reach the hardcore maga types is not a good use of resources to put it mildly.

slightlv

(6,523 posts)
82. This is why I'm keeping a close eye on his polling as it goes down, down, down.
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 11:10 PM
Aug 16

How big, exactly, IS our problem with people that cannot be reached for whatever reason? I realize these are the people that don't think for themselves. They've got an oversized amygdala and want safety and security above all, no matter what else it deprives them of. They don't spend time sorting through problems and possible solutions. They'll already have "someplace" (usually on the Web, or a person they know), who will tell them HOW to think and what to do. These people are as mentally handicapped as trump is, developmentally. Some by genetics, some by childhood trauma, some by a plate of mashed potatoes! (LOL)

But it would be for us to get a good idea of just how large a group we are dealing with here. That could influence how we get our message out, how to tailor it, and what we can reasonably expect.

What do we do about the others that simply can't be reached, reasoned with, or understood? I dunno. I know one of the things they wanted to do back in Civil War days was to institute an intelligence test before voting. Obviously, I'm not for anything like that, but there's got to be a way to weed out those who actively work against society.

Hekate

(99,306 posts)
37. He had a 15-year free advertising/propaganda campaign in "reality" tv. That's huge. He presented a persona...
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 04:23 PM
Aug 16

…that was, as someone pointed out a decade ago, a poor man’s idea of what he (the poor man) would do if he were filthy rich. He presented a persona of a decisive, quick acting, quick thinking, successful businessman.

Because the show was raking in the dough for tv, everything that deviated from the persona was hidden from view and suppressed by NDAs.

I have never understood the attraction of “reality” tv, but apparently I am in a tiny minority. But believe me when I say that he had a 15 year head start on everybody else.

slightlv

(6,523 posts)
83. Count me in on your "tiny minority"
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 11:17 PM
Aug 16

I remember what brought "reality tv" to the airs. I'm still fuming about the way the corporate bigwigs handled that strike. They not only ended up hurting their own business, the writers, and the actors... but they had a huge hand in "dumbing down" the United States, to boot. Besides, when I see "reality tv" as an identifier, I always immediately think to myself, "scripted reality tv"... The only one I have and (to this point) will watch is Battlebots... but I count that more as a sport... even more than that because of the intelligence it takes to build the bots, and the skill of the drivers.

I always though the American Dream was to have a good enough paying job to allow you to buy your own house and raise a family in it comfortably. I think my version is a much cheaper version than these magats have.

misanthrope

(9,105 posts)
89. As I snorted when I first heard the phrase "reality TV"
Sun Aug 17, 2025, 02:02 AM
Aug 17

It can't be reality because a camera is present. Just the cognizance of the recording and a crew's presence changes the nature of the situation.

mnhtnbb

(32,756 posts)
94. Reality TV was pushed on the public
Sun Aug 17, 2025, 11:13 AM
Aug 17

because it was significantly less costly to produce than scripted shows, and was designed to offer entertainment with which the viewer could easily identify.

Reality TV costs anywhere from $100-500 thousand to produce per episode, generally. Scripted shows can run up to tens of millions of dollars per episode because they use well paid actors, require elaborate sets/costumes, writers, and perhaps extensive special effects.

It's about the money and appealing to viewers with a very different set of tastes in entertainment.

Bluetus

(1,463 posts)
56. A lot of them are not voting "for" Trump. I hate to break this to you,
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 05:02 PM
Aug 16

Last edited Sat Aug 16, 2025, 06:59 PM - Edit history (1)

but many of them are voting AGAINST US, or at least what they perceive us to be.

The GOP is masterful at their use of scapegoating. They continue to reinforce that, when we say we want equity, what their people hear is Reagan's mythical welfare Cadillac cheaters. They have their people trained to believe that Dem women are only interested in abortions or other women. When we talk about safety, they hear, "they are coming for our guns."

And when it comes to the core economic issues, these are not smart people. Most of them couldn't reconcile a bank statement if their life depended on it, or plan a family budget. So when Trump says, "With my magic tariffs, the Chinese will pay for everything," they think that sounds pretty good.

That is the reality. They have a lot more money to spend on advertising, plus they don't really need to spend that because big corporations want many of the things Trump wants, and they own all the big media.

We have allowed Trump to own the populist messages. That is a big mistake. Dems have traditionally been the party of populism: workers' rights, fair wages, strong middle class, affordable health care, excellent public education, and retirement with dignity. FDR and LBJ did not fully accomplish those things, especially for minorities, but Dems were proud to talk about those things and they had real plans.

Today's Dems don't want to talk about ANYTHING, and offer no plans. The message has become "We deserve to be in power because we aren't Trump." That is good enough for about half the population. That's not enough.

And credit to Biden, in fact, he was the most progressive President in 40 years, but he refused to talk about his plans. He never sold the ideas. He had the fewest unscripted appearances of any modern President. He left the playing field wide open for Trump.

If anybody is still confused why Trump gets support, it is as simple as this. Dems have no ideas and no bold proposals, no ability to express a vision for the future. You may hate Project 2025, but it was a plan, a very bold plan. And a terrible, bold plan beats no plan any day of the week.


buzzycrumbhunger

(1,323 posts)
73. I think it's been a plan for decades
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 06:26 PM
Aug 16

Before Project 2025, the Koch brothers et al launched a systematic.plan to decimate the general Americans' cognitive abilities, rendering a majority susceptible to right-wing bullshit. The orange shitgibbon was the culmination of that plan.

I don't know that we can easily recover from this bullshit because ignorance is now the norm, not the exception.

Mary Trump's book isn't especially great writing but it does explain why he was the choice to appeal to the gullible right.

Try The Deliberate Dumbing Down of America for the prequel:

https://archive.org/details/the-deliberate-dumbing-down-of-america-a-chrono...-z-library/mode/1up

Hornedfrog2000

(847 posts)
86. Its been a coordinated effort with putin to put him here
Sun Aug 17, 2025, 12:05 AM
Aug 17

Putin has been planning this forever. He installed the president of Ukraine too. He has been spending billions to flood media, chatboards, forums, all sorts of places with his toxic masculinity crap. Look at Russia, their whole population is toxic masculinity. Drinking, drugs, raping, etc. This is what we will become, and they are targeting young men online.


One of Putins oligarchs even said they had a weapon more powerful than a nuke, and this is what he was talking about. They have office buildings with people posting shit online, acting like they are american to shape our culture.

There are posters here who are Russians posing as americans too, and that is no conspiracy theory.

ShazzieB

(21,501 posts)
24. Somebody put together a video about this.
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 03:51 PM
Aug 16

It's a montage of him saying "I know more about _____ than anybody" over and over again, about a mind-boggling array of different topics. It's hilarious, because NOBODY could know "more than anyone on the planet" about that many things!

NJCher

(41,275 posts)
35. Good montage
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 04:16 PM
Aug 16

He forgot one, though: "I know more about lying and stealing than anybody."

mdbl

(7,270 posts)
11. Actually, we did have a child before in 2016-2020
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 03:27 PM
Aug 16

And the majority of voters voted for this again in 2024. What does that say about the intelligence of the electorate? If you answer that you don't understand the rhetorical nature of the question.

CTyankee

(66,975 posts)
13. My guess is that he appealed to a lot of people for some basic reasons: misogynists, Fascists, and the
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 03:34 PM
Aug 16

religiously insane.They all came together in Trump.

Hekate

(99,306 posts)
40. That was all a very long set-up by the GOP, from before Reagan. Religion is useful..
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 04:33 PM
Aug 16

The religiously ignorant and the religious fanatics (not always the same people) can be easily manipulated by the powerful. The powerful have no need of belief themselves (tho some do) as long as they have the skill and desire to manipulate others.

One key form of manipulation: God hates the same people you do. You can get people to condone and commit horrors once you have the keys to their psyche.

mdbl

(7,270 posts)
74. As one of our Presidents from Texas famously said........
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 07:01 PM
Aug 16
"If you can convince the lowest white man he's better than the best [person of color], he won't notice you're picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he'll empty his pockets for you. — Lyndon B. Johnson


That is how magats were born and yes it's been the tactic of repuglicans for decades.

Hekate

(99,306 posts)
75. LBJ was an insightful man, and would have been remembered as great if not for MacNamara& Vietnam
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 07:09 PM
Aug 16

slightlv

(6,523 posts)
84. A good liar can sell himself to anybody stupid enough to fall for it
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 11:25 PM
Aug 16

and with the decades of priming the republican party gave the american people, they'd been dumbed down enough to fall for it hook, line, and sinker. I love all these FAFO stories that are coming out now, but you have to wonder what WERE they thinking?! Answer, they weren't. They were told what to think and it was easier that way. It was just easier to believe everyone who didn't look exactly like them, or wasn't of their religion or political party was the enemy. Period. THIS is what I don't know how we're going to fight against. It's like...how do you deprogram a full 1/4-1/3 of the country? trump is Jim Jones on steroids..

leftieNanner

(16,038 posts)
20. Which is why his parents
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 03:41 PM
Aug 16

Sent him to a military school.

Looks like he didn't learn anything there either.

PCIntern

(27,582 posts)
17. It's Billy Mumy in that Twilight Zone episode
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 03:39 PM
Aug 16

Not exaggerating. He can wish someone/anyone into the cornfield

BurnDoubt

(997 posts)
23. I think, sadly, he actually doesn't have a personality of his own ...
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 03:49 PM
Aug 16

but a series of avatars he puts on like a mask. His choices in the past have been more diverse, but here in the twilight, he's getting more concentrated, and he's so steeped in jealousy and vitriol, and that's all he's got left. He's spiraling down, like the song said; "Sometimes fallin' feels like flyin". He's already done more damage to the US than a generation will be able to overcome, assuming we are not forced to change our allegiance to one of his "strong Father" pals.
Digging out will be a long slog.
I hope we're learning what we will need to know.

IrishAfricanAmerican

(4,308 posts)
26. His niece said he stopped developing emotionally at age 10...
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 03:53 PM
Aug 16

the day his brother dumped a bowl of mashed potatoes on his head.

senseandsensibility

(23,645 posts)
30. I know this isn't the point
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 04:01 PM
Aug 16

but that story reminds me of when I was doing the dishes at around age 14. For some reason, I got a wild idea to take the container of sour cream I was putting away and plop a spoonful on my Dad's head as he relaxed in a recliner. I just could not resist doing it, and I was not normally the rebellious teen type. To his credit, my Dad laughed along when he got over his shock. But then he is a normal adult person.

WiVoter

(1,434 posts)
44. Yes
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 04:42 PM
Aug 16

I believe that was the beginning of a lot of things. And how did dad sided with 💩 because her dad wanted to be a pilot & didn’t want to be in the family business (crime).

ananda

(32,978 posts)
27. Yes, he's a manic, demented toddler playing in a sandbox.
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 03:53 PM
Aug 16

What he loves most is making messes that other people
have to clean up, if they can.

Eliot Rosewater

(33,841 posts)
29. Like some of us have said for many years what identifies and defines
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 04:00 PM
Aug 16

Any modern republican or now Maga is their level of immaturity.

Uncomfortable around people that look different, sound different, make love different etc.

We have a national political party of children.

Uncle Joe

(63,072 posts)
31. Some kids cry for candy, others for a Nobel Peace Prize, it's all the same thing.
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 04:04 PM
Aug 16

Thanks for the thread senseandsensibility

senseandsensibility

(23,645 posts)
34. Yes, that whining for a Nobel Peace Prize
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 04:09 PM
Aug 16

is very emblematic of his immaturity. I mean how does any sane voter or member of the press treat that as normal? I am sick of hearing about it as though it is in any way normal.

BurnDoubt

(997 posts)
48. It's on his Bucket List. That's his whole life: Best and Most (Even if I say so myself!).
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 04:51 PM
Aug 16

If he gets one will he then pull the dirt up around him and go on to his next "reward"? If so... maybe not so much to ask.

misanthrope

(9,105 posts)
90. If he magically won a Nobel Peace Prize
Sun Aug 17, 2025, 02:29 AM
Aug 17

he would then feel free to be as awful and as cruel as he wants to be. We would be in deep, deep trouble.

dedl67

(85 posts)
32. Eric Erikson, in his book "Childhood and Society" describes the Eight Ages of Man in a chapter
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 04:05 PM
Aug 16

It is clear from reading that chapter of Erikson's book, that Trump didn't even go through the first two stages 'Basic trust vs. Basic mistrust' and 'Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt', which should occur in early childhood. Erikson describes some of the causes that can lead to 'defiant shamelessness' that Trump displays.

NJCher

(41,275 posts)
49. rare combination of negative traits
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 04:55 PM
Aug 16

I'd like to know more about it, so I'll check the book out. I assume the "Eight Ages" are the stages of maturity one goes through.

There is one psychiatrist who maintains that we commonly think most people mature at around 20-22, but he says some people never reach maturity. That would be trump, for sure. IIRC the psychiatrist's name is Clifford Miller and he's from Houston, TX. Passed away maybe five yeas ago. He developed some type of therapy that helped the person and they didn't have to go through years of therapy, either.

It's really odd to think of an old toddler who is demented, too. Did we ever hit the jackpot.



dedl67

(85 posts)
63. OK, sure. I do not consider the writings of Erikson's to be science as it is generally understood
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 05:17 PM
Aug 16

I feel that way about psychology in general. But it can be interesting narrative in attempting to explain how humans behave. Trump clearly never matured in some basic ways, and Erikson's thoughts, dated as they may be, may help to get a handle on that happened.

electric_blue68

(23,675 posts)
66. Oh, I think physchology is interesing, and hopefully changes w new understanding..
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 05:23 PM
Aug 16

It was at the time in HS it was not that interesting back then.

JI7

(92,523 posts)
33. His attempt at the Nobel Peace Prize shows this. Even if you were trying to get it
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 04:09 PM
Aug 16

most adults or even people about 12 and older know you wouldn't go about it the way he does.

cksmithy

(392 posts)
45. I have always thought that trump acted, thought,
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 04:47 PM
Aug 16

and behaved as a child. I was in Education for 25 years, 15 as an instructional aide, (with lots of special attention devoted to students who needed help), then 10 after I finished my certification to be a California Certificated teacher with a full Credential. Retired from teaching when I was over 60 years old. I have known 8 year old boys who could articulate deep, well thought responses to my 2nd grade questions, and students who hadn't developed any critically thinking skills at all.

The other teachers I worked with did not want to take any special Ed student s (mainstream) into their classroom. I would gladly accept the special Ed teacher's request to mainstream a few of her students. I would visit her classroom so I could see how the student she wanted to mainstream (participate in a regular classroom) behaved.

When I went to observe her classroom, there was a male student in her class who would not stop talking, did what he wanted to do, didn't listen to her at all, couldn't follow any rules. Talking one on one he seemed perfectly fine, no problems. His diagnosis was autism. He could of been a mini trump. When, we had assemblies, he couldn't stop talking and being disruptive. We think of autistic people as nonverbal, not making eye contact. This kid did was a mini trump, trying to get attention, being loud and disruptive. We have a child as president.

NJCher

(41,275 posts)
55. fascinating
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 04:59 PM
Aug 16

He does sound almost exactly like trump (re last paragraph of your post). I'd like to know where that person is today.

Like everyone else on this thread, it's just unfathomable to me that this person became president of the United States. In your wildest nightmares you couldn't come up with such a scenario. A work of fiction with a plot like this would be rejected as impossible.

cksmithy

(392 posts)
67. The last time I saw him was around 2007, he is probably in his late 20's and I have no idea
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 05:29 PM
Aug 16

where he is or what he is doing. I just remember his face being happy, when he should of realized he needed to modify his behavior while in a large group of people.

NJCher

(41,275 posts)
93. It would be
Sun Aug 17, 2025, 10:55 AM
Aug 17

A certain kind of hell to be born like that.

How those parents deal with it is beyond me.

Thanks for responding to my question.

Rhiannon12866

(242,111 posts)
47. Here's Lawrence for those who missed it, great explanation (3:45)
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 04:51 PM
Aug 16


Lawrence: Rep. Raskin wants to know if Trump's DOJ committed crimes speaking to Ghislaine Maxwell - The Last Word MSNBC
https://www.democraticunderground.com/132154350



NJCher

(41,275 posts)
68. Raskin is featured on that clip
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 05:33 PM
Aug 16

and if you listen to it, you will be reassured, I think. There are very capable people tracking this case and they're not going anywhere.

Here is a link to the bill that demands all federal files related to Epstein be released.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-resolution/577

It was introduced by Marc Veasey, a Dem from Texas. It has 48 co-sponsors. Go to the text tab to read the bill, which is #577. This is now in the judiciary committee.

There is more: Section 2954. I wish I had more time to write about this interesting legal option, but I'm out. I might return to write about this later.

I'd like to urge everyone to Google links yourself and try to find them that way. Scrivener started a movement to get everyone to do 10 Google searches a day to keep this story prominent. So in other words, rather than click my link above, do a Google search for "bill require federal files released Epstein."

BTW, doing these 10 Google searches every day has educated me on this case more than I could have ever imagined. There is so much going on and as much as we cover here at DU, there's even more. For example, a cell mate to Maxwell is saying that she overheard Maxwell saying she had the goods on trump and that is why she was getting out of the prison she was in. In addition, the prisoners in Maxwell's old prison are steamed and raising a ruckus about the preferential treatment.

The woman who said this was in for some sort of financial fraud, iirc.



elleng

(140,606 posts)
50. WORSE than mind-boggling, referred to as
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 04:55 PM
Aug 16

world's 'most powerful!!!'

Thank goodness I can return to Lawrence regularly in my complete set of The West Wing!!!

I suspect tmp's developed a 'thing' against Lawrence.

Bayard

(26,836 posts)
51. Just shows how long he's had other people taking care of him,
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 04:56 PM
Aug 16

And covering up his misdeeds.

As for idiots voting for him, I'm reminded of the first local election I voted in when I first moved back to Kentucky. A tall, hefty woman in a flowered dress walked in, and loudly proclaimed she was there, "TO VOTE FOR DONALD TRUMP!" The poor workers had to explain to her that this was not a presidential election. His voters are hard-headed know-it-alls that don't want to listen to facts. They make their own reality.

Bayard

(26,836 posts)
52. Just shows how long he's had other people taking care of him,
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 04:56 PM
Aug 16

And covering up his misdeeds.

As for idiots voting for him, I'm reminded of the first local election I voted in when I first moved back to Kentucky. A tall, hefty woman in a flowered dress walked in, and loudly proclaimed she was there, "TO VOTE FOR DONALD TRUMP!" The poor workers had to explain to her that this was not a presidential election. His voters are hard-headed know-it-alls that don't want to listen to facts. They make their own reality.

Susan Calvin

(2,356 posts)
70. That's been my opinion for a long time.
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 06:00 PM
Aug 16

They report on him like he's a rational adult, and he just isn't.

yellow dahlia

(2,837 posts)
77. Yes - he exists in several stages of arrested development.
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 07:58 PM
Aug 16

Note the images of him sitting next to Putin in Alaska. He was a squirming pouting contorted five year old.

The petulant child is not his only aspect of arrested development. Some of those "personas" include other awkward stages, such as the socially inept adolescent, the sexually inappropriate teenage stage, the competitive stage of a misfit. He is Frankenstein's monster.

mgardener

(2,155 posts)
95. My thoughts
Sun Aug 17, 2025, 11:43 AM
Aug 17

I was just thinking about what Jr said in 08.
"Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross-section of a lot of our assets, say, in Dubai, and certainly with our project in SoHo and anywhere in New York. We see a lot of money pouring in from Russia."

Follow the money.
Trump and his organization got a lot of money from Russian banks. He went there.
https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-europe-united-states-government-ff6f1043180d490bb1f3c3d07fa26d45

I bet Russia has a lot of compromising info on Trump and his organization.
I bet Russian has the Epstein file.

I think Putin came to Alaska to remind Trump exactly what he has on Trump and how he intends to use it.
Trump is compromised.
And Republicans don't care.

Justice matters.

(8,829 posts)
99. An adult should explain to him the definition of the word "terrorist"
Sun Aug 17, 2025, 01:32 PM
Aug 17

which is one that deliberately targets and violently attacks, kills and maim civilians in order to achieve political goals.

The convicted child doesn't seem to know that.

CarolinaNC

(123 posts)
100. He's a nasty old man.
Sun Aug 17, 2025, 01:50 PM
Aug 17

Who never cared who he hurt, whether it was young girls, anyone who looked different than him, anyone who disagreed with him, etc, etc, etc. Just a major Bigot! I am so ashamed of how our country is being run into the ground by him and his thugs of hoodlums who are cheating the heck out of the United States.

liberalla

(10,671 posts)
101. I would never argue with Lawrence re: anything trump
Sun Aug 17, 2025, 01:57 PM
Aug 17

I didn't see that segment, but I'd definitely agree with his assessment. Lawrence has the toddler's number.

Chasstev365

(6,150 posts)
102. What's mind boggle is that the GOP could end this tomorrow
Sun Aug 17, 2025, 02:33 PM
Aug 17

but they don't and NO ONE HOLDS THE REPUBLICAN PARTY RESPONSIBLE!

senseandsensibility

(23,645 posts)
103. Yes, I agree that they deserve a majority of the blame here
Sun Aug 17, 2025, 02:57 PM
Aug 17

That's why I think that simple, unified, blunt and even rude messaging is vital. And it should be aimed at all R's, not just trump.

mucholderthandirt

(1,659 posts)
105. My children at four or five could have conversations and back up their opinions.
Mon Aug 18, 2025, 07:36 AM
Aug 18

Trump can't rise that high.

My youngest freaked a woman out in Walmart once. I was looking at a pallet of Rubbermaid storage containers, and he was talking about how the brand was good, the features of it, price an so on, when a woman was walking by. I didn't think anything of it, he was always like that. She almost ran her cart into a display, she couldn't stop staring at him while we talked about the various brands of storage containers.

He had a doctor's waiting room in stitches as we looked at a boating magazine, discussing various boats and how much fun it would be to have one, to go sailing somewhere. People couldn't believe this young child was actually understanding what the article was about, not just saying "pretty boat, Mommy".

My other two boys are just as smart. I just wish they'd all had more ambition and done something with it, but they're content so I am happy they're happy.

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