I only wish this trial could be televised so that all the MAGAts could see for themselves what a small, weak and insufferable guy their cult leader is. Of course, they would probably see him as big, strong and charismatic through their eyes.
“Very skeptical of the impact” and “the longer it goes on, the worse it is for Trump” seem contradictory to me.
Nothing will diminish the cognitive dissonance of the MAGAt. It’s the fringe GOP and open-minded indies that will be impacted by a guilty verdict, and I’m not skeptical of that
The fool who bragged ON NATIONAL TV about the size of his sexual member being reduced to a sniveling, sleepy and bored defendant who is being sold by the judge to SIT DOWN.
Hopefully just the first of many unpleasant encounters with the criminal justice system for our hero, Orange Julius.
It's not Friday, but I was wondering if you'd make an exception for this question: Is there any chance Trump seeks (or agrees to) a felony guilty plea if it excludes any jail time?
My basis for this question are the following:
1) Your post from today, specifically "Views on Trump — both good and bad — are pretty baked-in at this point. It’s hard to imagine a trial — or anything else — changing them in a major way."
2) Also, "I DO think the longer this goes on, the worse it is for Trump."
3) He looks like crap after only four days in court. Do you seriously think he'll make it another six weeks without an in-court tantrum?
4) Regardless of the outcome of the trial, Trump is going to continue to spin it as a sham-trial done at Crooked Joe Biden's instructions (also, note that Trump hasn't called him "sleepy Joe Biden" lately).
5) He'll also spin this as a way to get back out on the road to hold rallies "with all you wonderful people". "I accepted the guilty plea to put this whole sham trial behind me so that I could spend more time with all you wonderful MAGA patriots."
One of the things I can’t wrap my head around is that so many of us knew he was small & weak many years ago. How has he been able to fool so many people, is beyond me.
Notable quotable from the same piece by Maggie Haberman:
“But the shared sense among many of his advisers is that the process may damage him as much as a guilty verdict. The process, they believe, is its own punishment.”
Also a laughable quote from Kristi Noem during an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash:
“He [Trump] also didn’t think he was better than anyone's else.” 😂
Chris - I get you are skeptical this trial will have any impact on how people feel about Trump - if we have paid any attention to the past 9 years, there have been hundreds of events which each, individually, would have knocked down almost anyone else - the Access Hollywood tape alone would have destroyed every single candidate for any office since George Washington.
However, your piece hits on a point which will have an impact, IMHO, although we may not see the true impact right away. He does not seem “god-like”, or as Superman - he will not suddenly rise up and vanquish the proceedings - he will sit and endure like everyone else. If acquitted, most of the impact will be muted. Yet, if he sits passively, looking small, and is acquitted or convicted, for some supporters, the bloom will be off the rose, or the armour will be dented. It will also be the same for Trump personally. The longer this trial goes, the harder it will be for Trump. It is one of the reasons he will still want to testify - to try to prove again to himself, and his supporters, that he is the one in control. And if he does, he will try to pontificate from the stand, and will challenge Judge Merchan to keep control and/or jail him, to prove he is the important one, and everyone else is trying to knock him down.
This is the impact his looking and feeling small and inconsequential could have. Buckle up, and make sure your ankles are taped - it is going to be a bumpy (and fascinating) ride.
The one thing I still do not understand, after all these years, is how anyone sees Trump as "strong". He talks a lot and complains a lot. I've never associated "strong" with "complainer", and yet that is all that Trump does.
I will relish every second of Trump's misery and shrinkage in the cold courtroom. This reprehensible human being has made so many Americans unhappy for so long it's no small measure of what he deserves.
Trump really needs to expand his vocabulary. We have been hearing witch hunt, crooked Joe Biden, election interference, Soros et al over and over again. It’s as old as his ridiculous fist pump. Maggie H’s observations are painting a picture of decline. We can only hope one of the reasons is that he is scared ****-less.
Good analysis Chris even with the uncertainty built in! In any event, effect or not he is getting a shellacking worthy of such a disgraceful individual.
Hit.nose.of the man..I use term lighty. This piece is so true of what the pictures show. How sunken in he looked Friday. I wonder if his heart condition is being affected by the stress. I could see him collapse if this is drawn out affair. And what about all the other ones he's facing. I do believe this showing of his weakness will sway on fence voters. Time will tell
Small and weak? Don’t forget tired, cold and flatulent!
I only wish this trial could be televised so that all the MAGAts could see for themselves what a small, weak and insufferable guy their cult leader is. Of course, they would probably see him as big, strong and charismatic through their eyes.
“Very skeptical of the impact” and “the longer it goes on, the worse it is for Trump” seem contradictory to me.
Nothing will diminish the cognitive dissonance of the MAGAt. It’s the fringe GOP and open-minded indies that will be impacted by a guilty verdict, and I’m not skeptical of that
This couldn't happen to a nicer guy.
The fool who bragged ON NATIONAL TV about the size of his sexual member being reduced to a sniveling, sleepy and bored defendant who is being sold by the judge to SIT DOWN.
Hopefully just the first of many unpleasant encounters with the criminal justice system for our hero, Orange Julius.
Hey Chris,
It's not Friday, but I was wondering if you'd make an exception for this question: Is there any chance Trump seeks (or agrees to) a felony guilty plea if it excludes any jail time?
My basis for this question are the following:
1) Your post from today, specifically "Views on Trump — both good and bad — are pretty baked-in at this point. It’s hard to imagine a trial — or anything else — changing them in a major way."
2) Also, "I DO think the longer this goes on, the worse it is for Trump."
3) He looks like crap after only four days in court. Do you seriously think he'll make it another six weeks without an in-court tantrum?
4) Regardless of the outcome of the trial, Trump is going to continue to spin it as a sham-trial done at Crooked Joe Biden's instructions (also, note that Trump hasn't called him "sleepy Joe Biden" lately).
5) He'll also spin this as a way to get back out on the road to hold rallies "with all you wonderful people". "I accepted the guilty plea to put this whole sham trial behind me so that I could spend more time with all you wonderful MAGA patriots."
One of the things I can’t wrap my head around is that so many of us knew he was small & weak many years ago. How has he been able to fool so many people, is beyond me.
Notable quotable from the same piece by Maggie Haberman:
“But the shared sense among many of his advisers is that the process may damage him as much as a guilty verdict. The process, they believe, is its own punishment.”
Also a laughable quote from Kristi Noem during an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash:
“He [Trump] also didn’t think he was better than anyone's else.” 😂
Chris - I get you are skeptical this trial will have any impact on how people feel about Trump - if we have paid any attention to the past 9 years, there have been hundreds of events which each, individually, would have knocked down almost anyone else - the Access Hollywood tape alone would have destroyed every single candidate for any office since George Washington.
However, your piece hits on a point which will have an impact, IMHO, although we may not see the true impact right away. He does not seem “god-like”, or as Superman - he will not suddenly rise up and vanquish the proceedings - he will sit and endure like everyone else. If acquitted, most of the impact will be muted. Yet, if he sits passively, looking small, and is acquitted or convicted, for some supporters, the bloom will be off the rose, or the armour will be dented. It will also be the same for Trump personally. The longer this trial goes, the harder it will be for Trump. It is one of the reasons he will still want to testify - to try to prove again to himself, and his supporters, that he is the one in control. And if he does, he will try to pontificate from the stand, and will challenge Judge Merchan to keep control and/or jail him, to prove he is the important one, and everyone else is trying to knock him down.
This is the impact his looking and feeling small and inconsequential could have. Buckle up, and make sure your ankles are taped - it is going to be a bumpy (and fascinating) ride.
"It makes him look small. Passive. Not in control. All the things he hates." But, alas, all the things he really is!
The one thing I still do not understand, after all these years, is how anyone sees Trump as "strong". He talks a lot and complains a lot. I've never associated "strong" with "complainer", and yet that is all that Trump does.
I will relish every second of Trump's misery and shrinkage in the cold courtroom. This reprehensible human being has made so many Americans unhappy for so long it's no small measure of what he deserves.
Trump really needs to expand his vocabulary. We have been hearing witch hunt, crooked Joe Biden, election interference, Soros et al over and over again. It’s as old as his ridiculous fist pump. Maggie H’s observations are painting a picture of decline. We can only hope one of the reasons is that he is scared ****-less.
‘The longer it goes on, the worse it is for Trump” seems to refer to physically and psychologically, rather than politically? Maybe?
This is what being held to account for one of the few times in your life looks like. Warms the cockles of my heart.
Good analysis Chris even with the uncertainty built in! In any event, effect or not he is getting a shellacking worthy of such a disgraceful individual.
Hit.nose.of the man..I use term lighty. This piece is so true of what the pictures show. How sunken in he looked Friday. I wonder if his heart condition is being affected by the stress. I could see him collapse if this is drawn out affair. And what about all the other ones he's facing. I do believe this showing of his weakness will sway on fence voters. Time will tell