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AcrossthePond55 · 19/02/2017 13:22

I know this is 'old' but I just got around to watching the Shep Smith news clip where he goes off on one about Trump criticizing the press. I had to pick my jaw off the floor! The idea that a Fox newsman would do that, I was really surprised. Trump might want to re-think that strategy. You start attacking the media, even if you're 'targeting' certain outlets, and you're bound to start pissing off others who do the same job, even if you're saying 'nice' things about them.

DH and I haven't even turned on the TV yet today. Not sure we can handle it.

CussingQuim · 19/02/2017 13:26

video of "small" number of protestors (at an event with only 9,000 people in total).

CussingQuim · 19/02/2017 13:26

That should have read 'video of "small" number of protestors'

Lweji · 19/02/2017 13:31

It is true that, fairly or unfairly, Trump has been under over scrutiny. More than most Presidents that I can remember.
However it's his own fault. You can get away with a few wrong facts or even lies, if you mostly tell the truth. However, his lies are so blatant that the default now is to assume whatever he's saying is not true. Amazingly, there's very little that it is. Kellyanne had a point when pointing out to the truths he says. It's so unusual that those should be news.

BiglyBadgers · 19/02/2017 13:35

You are right I think pausing. People follow him because they want to believe. They want to be part of something, part of a group. It is a universal human thing, we all do it whether it is religion, sports or politics. We are doing it to a certain extent on this thread. A lot of people will continue to support him whatever he says because it isn't really about him it is about being part of the exciting new group. They will continue to project their own wants and desires onto whatever he says.

How do we get them to stop? Well, I guess if you disrupt the group or make it seem less alluring than an alternative people will switch allegiance and once you get a reasonable flow of people leaving the group it creates doubt in the mind of the followers. I think this is why the protests and voicing different options is important even if there is the risk of supporting the us and them narrative. There has to be an alternative group or people will follow Trump no matter what he does.

CussingQuim · 19/02/2017 13:38

It'll only stop when there is a serious and ongoing crash. When they lose health support and jobs and money, and when they're dying. Even then, some will cling to the idea that Trump was just betrayed or stopped by the "liberals".

However, one thing I've been thinking today is - what if it works? What if somehow a lying, blustering old creep can somehow just talk the economy up by saying it's up? Could gaslighting work on a whole nation eventually, a bit like placebo medicines?

AcrossthePond55 · 19/02/2017 13:38

Someone asked what it would take to break Trump's hold on his supporters. It would take something that hit a majority of them in the pocketbook, like signing an EO that would cause massive job losses affecting his supporters or trash the economy to the point where they could no longer buy life's necessities. Or he'd have to do something morally 'egregious' to his 'fan base'. Simple infidelity wouldn't do it, he'd literally have to be found in bed with an underaged boy or sign an EO declaring abortions to be free upon demand. But even those things might not alienate them.

Remember that the 'Final Solution' didn't outrage Hitler's 'fan base', did it?

SanFranBear · 19/02/2017 13:44

If this is the 11th thread - and in an homage to Trump, I think it is so therefore it is... that's over 10,000 posts since, two days before the inauguration? Absolute madness Shock

peaceout · 19/02/2017 13:45

He appeals to peoples gut instincts, xenophobia and the desire to punish bad people
The lower the level of education the more people listen to those base instincts, he just needs to get them to hate anyone associated with intellectualism and he can't loose

BiglyBadgers · 19/02/2017 13:46

It would take something that hit a majority of them in the pocketbook

Even then if there is no visible opposition people will believe it is all the fault of the immigrants, liberals, whoever else he blames. That is why his attempt to discredit the media is so vital to the campaign as it stops his followers engaging with alternative view points.

BiglyBadgers · 19/02/2017 13:49

Yup...What peace said. There is a reason why intellectuals are first against the wall when the revolution comes.

cozietoesie · 19/02/2017 13:50

People are quite desperate to 'normalise', Cussing. I doubt there's anyone here who hasn't - in the wee small hours - heard that siren song of 'Why bother? The water is still running and the lights still come on. Is he really that bad?'

Yes. He is.

SanFranBear · 19/02/2017 13:50

Wading through the transcript from last night and one thing stands out...

One breathe: Dishonest media, fake news blah blah blah

Next breathe: You've seen it (strong borders) on television

So TV is different. .. somehow Confused

cozietoesie · 19/02/2017 13:52

Authorised TV, SanFran. Grin

cozietoesie · 19/02/2017 13:53

And Yes. I noticed that as well. Wink

BiglyBadgers · 19/02/2017 13:53

This on the rally numbers puts it in perspective:

Trump held an identical campaign event at this airport hangar during the general election in September. According to reports, 15,000 people attempted to attend the September rally, but some were turned away.

thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/320266-police-say-9000-people-turned-out-for-trumps-rally

Topseyt · 19/02/2017 14:01

He attacks the media, but he has to use it or nothing he has to say will ever be heard (which would probably be a blessing). I wonder when the media might really decide to turn round and bite him on the arse.

Also, with rallies such as that one last night, I couldn't help thinking that there are uncomfortable parallels between him and Hitler, with Theresa the Appeaser cast in the role of Neville Chamberlain with his "peace in our time" claim.

Hitler was obviously an extreme example, but it is striking nonetheless.

cozietoesie · 19/02/2017 14:01

He started campaigning too early. I realise why it was done - but it was still too soon.

peaceout · 19/02/2017 14:02

Journalists are usually people with a good level of education, they must be silenced!

He promoted jobs from the old days, mining, appeal to traditional masculine sources of esteem

Destinysdaughter · 19/02/2017 14:09

Hannah Arendt on what happens when you control the press, think it's v relevant
mobile.twitter.com/michikokakutani/status/825802072998174721/photo/1

cozietoesie · 19/02/2017 14:13

Thanks, Destinys.

woman12345 · 19/02/2017 14:16

Thanks Destiny, and if we want to see what it looks like, Britain is not far off at the moment. The Guardian, for all its occasional loveliness, is not the New York Times, or the LA Times, or the New Yorker or any number of beautifully written and cogent media, and don't forget your Steve Colberts and SNL.
Silence and collusion in brexit brittania.

TheNorthWestPawsage · 19/02/2017 14:27

I'm now officially addicted to these threads - to the exclusion of practically everything else on MN!
So a bigly place mark to say "Thank You" for keeping me so well-informed (and entertained). Flowers

CussingQuim · 19/02/2017 14:31

Did SNL do another skit last night, or let it pass by this week?

cozietoesie · 19/02/2017 14:36

I don't know - but if I were they, I'd let it pass by for a week, Cussing. It's hard when you're up against Melissa McCarthy at the top of her game.

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