Donald Trump the Megathread part II - mod warnings in OP, Updated 06/06/25

Really they (Democrats) need to have a strong voice NOW. They need to have one person now leading the charge for the mid-terms. Not this person and that person and the other person. Have them TOO but there needs to be a main voice saying "It's The Economy, Stupid". Needs to have one main person calling out every rant and rave and lie. Need someone to say in a few months: "OK middle America, look at what has happened to your 401K. Have you looked at the state of our parks lately? They are falling apart and are dirty. Can you even get in to a National Park? Half can't even open. Have you tried contacting your local government? They are gone"

They need someone now. They need to be young (Well, 50's) and photogenic. Articulate but not shrill. Obama got some flack for being articulate but a bit aloof. TBH, I think they need that again. Sure, it might come across as smug but they can't race to the bottom like the GQP has. My God, how can you compare the GQP people most often on TV these days with the GOP people most often on TV 20 years ago (Well, apart from Bush). You may or may not have liked their opinions then but at least they could speak. Could articulate a point. Even if you didn't agree with it.

The GQP is a clown car. They are high-pitched, shrill, inarticulate. It's been years since they engaged in actual debate. They lash out when cornered. They are just Team America puppets. Complete with OTT voices and mannerisms and flailing histrionics. The Democratic party does not need someone to debase themselves to trump like the GQP has done. It needs someone who can be calm and authoritative. Who can glance over as the MGTs and trumps and all of them and let them flail and foam. Then, calmy, but with a smile, say "Are you done? OK. See, this is how it REALLY is…"

But they need them now!

The party does need a charismatic outsider, but they're doggedly resistant to the idea.

The way it works in either party is that outsiders only get a shot if they come and take it. Waiting for 'their turn' essentially ensures a place that may not be at the back of the queue, but far enough from the front of it to keep them from any real kind of power.

If they have their way, they'll run Pete Buttigieg who I have nothing against, but he's a clear nice-guy stability candidate and would represent, at best, four years of relative normality before swinging right back to the next MAGA iteration.

And this is all assuming that the USA even has meaningful elections in 2028, or even 2026.

Lockheed Martin are reporting results today. It'll be interesting to see if they make any mention of Europe's 180 turn towards domestic production. Similarly Tesla announce quarterly results after market close - can't see them being too rosy.

Is Musk involved in the White House reality TV circus or Doge anymore or has he been elbowed out? I haven't been paying much attention.

“And this is all assuming that the USA even has meaningful elections in 2028, or even 2026.”

Indeed - that’s the big prize MAGA have their eyes on-they’re already in planning mode for this

What is GQP supposed to denominate?

100% agree. VP maybe someday. Hoping she primaries Schumer, it's long since time he was shown the door, and there's always a need for a strong voice from NY in the Senate, which it hasn't had for quite awhile.

Grand QAnon Party. Though QAnon have gone a bit quiet, not certain they have gone away though - probably just that Trump is too busy tearing the place apart to pay them any attention.

You didn't read my original post where I said he achieved zero except damage to the US. You guys are so uptight! I said he would play a lot more golf during the good weather. He will still be a pest for 4 years. And I said he had already damaged the US economy and reputation. Everything he has tried or promised has failed. I am not surprised the stock markets are falling again, he has completely spooked them. Reply to the original post if you want to challenge the content of it.

And THAT is a problem. You are right. That is THE problem. They don't have another Obama or Clinton. Because, even if trump can't run next election, whoever runs is basically just going to be a Trumpuppet.

They don't have charismatic front man or woman. I think the US would even vote for a woman now if she was charismatic enough (Welcome to twenty first century). They tried with Harris. Too late and now "damaged goods" after the loss. They tried with AOC. Too combative. They need a photogenic, healthy looking person with a smile. Male or female to contrast the unhealthy-looking, scowl. I mean, that official portrait is practically a caricature.

But you are right. They have no-one. And it's a total missed opportunity. For anybody apart from the most blinkered trumpists, things are NOT looking good for the US. Sure, there are WILDLY differing opinions on why: Tariffs, transgenders, trade-wars, vaccines, Anti-science and regressive policies, drag queens. You name it. But, whatever they believe the CAUSE is, there is room for huge improvement. Someone coming in and restoring regular world trade would see quick benefits to people's every day. I don't know what they can do about low-skilled jobs without relaxing immigration policies.

And yet over half a million more Americans voted for women (Clinton & Harris) vs Trump in 2016/2024. So in America's view a women president is more popular than Trump. It's just the electoral collage skewing that result, making it appear that American's don't want a woman president.

The value of Trump in MAGA is that he's a charismatic figurehead. His main motivators in politics are simple enough: adoration from followers and revenge against enemies.

It's the thinkers behind Trump who feed Trump any kind of nuanced policy/strategy and try to influence his decisions, i.e. Elon Musk, Stephen Miller, Steve Bannon and Roger Stone. It really is like a king and his court where all these people are jockeying for the seat closest to the throne. None of the courtiers can ever be king because they lack the broad appeal Trump possesses, and Trump is never going to do any deep thinking on political matters because he is, eh, Donald Trump, but together, he and his underlings form a yin/yang system of sorts.

And this is why Trump can go and play all of the golf he wants. For him, the US presidency is not a job - it's a title. It's an exalted position the trappings of which are to be enjoyed. Leave the day to day shtt to the weird little men who vye for his favour.

QAnon is genuinely the stupidest **** I've ever come across. It's an embarrassment, and does kind of underline how painfully thick many Trump supporters are.

The idea that fat pervy piece of shite would be engaged in some sort of secret mission to combat a cabal of sex traffickers, when he was very good friends of genuine sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein is preposterous.

I would be surprised if Trump is not an abuser himself.