As many of you would be aware, Donald Trump is again running for PotUS.
However, the campaign took off today. <== please stay with me, I will give my reasoning why I say that.
Trump today, following the steps and tactics that catapulted him to the front of a crowded field of Republicans in 2015 and to the presidency in 2016, opened up with a controversy to take the airwaves (thus, I say the campaign took off today). In a rant on tweeter about the "stolen elections" Trump suggests a number of things, including suspending some articles of the constitution.
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Now, aside of Trump being a sore loser which is not a secret, we have what we were used to: strange rants coming at 4 am, that stir controversy that will be followed by more and more and more controversy.
Trump again will be everywhere, getting billions of free air time.
Sure, posting THIS while you are investigated for inciting a coup / attack on the capitol is certainly not wise. One accused for murder should not be going about on how it was the right thing to do to kill the victim.
But Trump is not exactly known for his temperance and wisdom. And this WILL give him a lot of hours of coverage. It follows on the wings of the Kayne West / Fuentes scandal and will soon make those "bygones". If things go as I expect, this controversy will be followed by a different one in a week or two. All the way to ... well, at least 2025. Whether he wins or loses.
So, I would like to discuss a few things:
- Trump's not flirting with authoritarianism anymore. He is towards the end of the 3rd date.
If he is elected he will openly try to subvert the democratic institutions by rewriting them and you can be sure that if elected he will try to legalize a 3rd term for him because he deserves it and the first one was stolen etc.
- Trump will successfully get hours and hours of free airwave, sucking the oxygen from the room and making everything about him. Not the best strategy against an unpopular president like Biden, but Trump is not the best tactician. The whole thing is an ego trip anyway.
- Part of the reason he stoked this controversy (and others) is intentional: better to be talked badly than forgotten. With other people making controversy, Kayne West in the example above but I am sure more people will make unhinged actions and comments, Trump wants to dominate.
And remember: A ton of people from those accusing him in 2015 and pretending to be Never-trumpers were quick to jump into the Trump train once he won. Graham, Romney, Cruz and more. What do you think?