Why are so many Trump supporters attracted to the JFKA?

[Richard Smith]

Do you think if Trump had been a typical play it safe politician, he ever could have defied the odds and become President in the first place. The reason so many people hate him is the same reason so many people love him. He says what's on his mind and he doesn't sugarcoat it. Trump took over the GOP because the establishment Republicans would talk a good game but would never stand up to the Democrats. As soon as the Democrats would start to call them racists or Nazis, they would wet the pants and fold their cards, even when they had a winning hand. I got fed up with them in the 1990s when they finally got control of both houses of Congress but let Bill Clinton play them like a fiddle. They did accomplish some things but there was so much more they could have done. Even when Bush 43 got elected, they still wouldn't press their advantage. I refused to vote for McCain and I had to hold my nose when I voted for Romney. Now I wish I hadn't. Ryan and Boehner were ineffective as Speakers. The continued the tradition of rolling over whenever the Democrats started talking mean to them.

When Trump entered the race in 2015, I had reservations. I didn't know what to expect from him. I voted Libertarian in 2016. But then I saw how he governed and realized the GOP had finally found a fighter. The rank and filed of the GOP figured that out too most of them even before I did. I enthusiastically voted for Trump in both 2020 and 2024. I would do so again in 2028 if he was allowed to run. He has shown the rest of the GOP how to fight the Dems. I want to see which of the expected candidates in 2028 shows he (or she) will do the same.

No other person in US history could have withstood all Trump has had to deal with and become president. Twice. The media bias, establishment resistance, assassins, lawfare etc.  It has always been an uphill fight. His election was a miracle.  Breaking the establishment hold on power.  With that said, the same characteristics undermine him.  He is a flawed person always fighting invisible enemies.  While it is great to make the right decisions, they are undermined if you can't implement them or get derailed.  My fear is that Trump leaves office with more missed opportunities than accomplishments.  He often is baited into playing into the media traps and lots of time and effort is wasted.

[Benjamin Cole]

RS--

Somewhat agree, but then also---what the hell goes on when Trump tweets on Truth Social?

Trump in person, fielding questions from reporters and so on, makes a fair impression. He is no JFK or LBJ, but is OK on his feet. Anyone would say Trump is more in the game than Biden, for example. Or even Bush Jr.

Then Trump gets on Truth Social and appears to be a lunatic.

[Lance Payette]

No other person in US history could have withstood all Trump has had to deal with and become president. Twice. The media bias, establishment resistance, assassins, lawfare etc.  It has always been an uphill fight. His election was a miracle.  Breaking the establishment hold on power.  With that said, the same characteristics undermine him.  He is a flawed person always fighting invisible enemies.  While it is great to make the right decisions, they are undermined if you can't implement them or get derailed.  My fear is that Trump leaves office with more missed opportunities than accomplishments.  He often is baited into playing into the media traps and lots of time and effort is wasted.

A very rational perspective that I mostly share, Richard. Unfortunately, I fear Trump's megalomania has caused him to believe his election ACTUALLY WAS A MIRACLE and that his every thought and act has the divine stamp of approval. As I've said before, I voted for him twice and was prepared to do so the third time but messed up my mail-in ballot and said the hell with it. The Trump I see now is more unbalanced and frightening than the Trump for whom I voted the first time. For a long time, I was willing to chalk up his "eccentricities" to an act that he was mostly enjoying and having fun with. Now I see him as seriously disturbed and even frightening. I think what's wrong with Trump is much more psychological and serious than simply being baited into playing into media traps. It would be wonderful if there were checks and balances in terms of close advisers who were something other than cowed yes-men and yes-women, but Trump is seemingly incapable of tolerating any dissension.

[John Corbett]

No other person in US history could have withstood all Trump has had to deal with and become president. Twice. The media bias, establishment resistance, assassins, lawfare etc.  It has always been an uphill fight. His election was a miracle.  Breaking the establishment hold on power.  With that said, the same characteristics undermine him.  He is a flawed person always fighting invisible enemies.  While it is great to make the right decisions, they are undermined if you can't implement them or get derailed.  My fear is that Trump leaves office with more missed opportunities than accomplishments.  He often is baited into playing into the media traps and lots of time and effort is wasted.

I think Trump knows exactly what he's doing. The term crazy-like-a-fox certainly applies to him. Trump has two modes, one political, one governing. On the campaign trail, he is a caricature. He resorts to hyperbole and exaggeration. I think he learned that from spending time with the McMahons and WWE. He saw how wrestlers drive people's emotions playing over-the-top caricatures. Both the good guys and the villains do that. Even people who believe pro wrestling is staged get caught up in it. I used to attend the WWE matches when they came to my hometown. I used to have fun guessing what the script would be. Wrestlers are not the same people when they are away from the ring and the TV cameras. Hulk Hogan used to have a reality TV show and when he was home, he wasn't Hulk Hogan. He was Terry. So it is with Trump. He is one guy at his rallies or in front of the TV cameras. When out of the spotlight, he is much more measured in the way he governs. It has worked well for him so far. Why would he change?

I agree with you that it remains to be seen what his legacy will be. That's why I still put Reagan #1 among the presidents in my lifetime. Trump could move into the top spot depending on what he accomplishes in the remainder of his term. I think that will largely depend on the results of the midterms.

[Richard Smith]

I view Trump like a football coach.  You could hire the nicest guy who mentored young men to be better people but he loses every game.  Or you could hire the nastiest SOB who does anything to win.  Which coach do you want as a fan?  You are not his buddy or friend.  His character flaws don't matter.  What you want is to go to the game on the weekend and watch your team kick ass.  Too many people get caught up on Trump as a person.  He is the president and not your Dad.  His policy decisions are sound.  Certainly much better than the Dem loons.   I don't have to like or respect him as a person.  I want results.  Granted he shoots himself in the foot by often taking things too far but if my choice is Kamala or Trump, I'm going Trump every time.

[Richard Smith]

I think Trump knows exactly what he's doing. The term crazy-like-a-fox certainly applies to him. Trump has two modes, one political, one governing. On the campaign trail, he is a caricature. He resorts to hyperbole and exaggeration. I think he learned that from spending time with the McMahons and WWE. He saw how wrestlers drive people's emotions playing over-the-top caricatures. Both the good guys and the villains do that. Even people who believe pro wrestling is staged get caught up in it. I used to attend the WWE matches when they came to my hometown. I used to have fun guessing what the script would be. Wrestlers are not the same people when they are away from the ring and the TV cameras. Hulk Hogan used to have a reality TV show and when he was home, he wasn't Hulk Hogan. He was Terry. So it is with Trump. He is one guy at his rallies or in front of the TV cameras. When out of the spotlight, he is much more measured in the way he governs. It has worked well for him so far. Why would he change?

I agree with you that it remains to be seen what his legacy will be. That's why I still put Reagan #1 among the presidents in my lifetime. Trump could move into the top spot depending on what he accomplishes in the remainder of his term. I think that will largely depend on the results of the midterms.

You are spot on but I don't think the midterms matter.  My best guess is that the Dems take the House.  Perhaps it's not the massacre many predict but enough to flip it.  Trump has relied very little on congress even with republican majority.  The Dems will spend their time trying to impeach Trump.  They have no real policies except opposing Trump.  That is likely good news for Vance or Rubio in '28.  They can blame the Dems for spending their time undermining Trump over the next two years.  The Dems fall into the same trap over and over.  Their only objective is to oppose Trump.  They always overplay that hand.

[John Corbett]

You are spot on but I don't think the midterms matter.  My best guess is that the Dems take the House.  Perhaps it's not the massacre many predict but enough to flip it.  Trump has relied very little on congress even with republican majority.  The Dems will spend their time trying to impeach Trump.  They have no real policies except opposing Trump.  That is likely good news for Vance or Rubio in '28.  They can blame the Dems for spending their time undermining Trump over the next two years.  The Dems fall into the same trap over and over.  Their only objective is to oppose Trump.  They always overplay that hand.

I agree with most of that. I think the midterms do matter as far as Trump's legacy goes. It will affect what he is able to accomplish. Right now I would put the odds at 60-40 that the Dems will take the House. If the election were held today, I'd put it at 80-20. The Dems would have to run the table in the toss up states to take the Senate. That is the crucial battle because there is a good chance Trump will be appointing one or two SCOTUS justices in his final two years. There's little chance the Dems would approve those unless there's a 51-49 split and Fetterman approves of a Trump nominee.

Right now Trump's approval is being dragged down by the high gas prices which will bleed over into other commodities due to rising transportation costs. If he can wrap up the Iranian war and get the Strait of Hormuz opened, that will not be much of a factor come November. If the economy takes off in the second half of the year, I could see the GOP hanging on to both chambers.