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The Disunited States of Trump (Trump Thread #104)

988 replies

TheNorthWestPawsage · 02/09/2020 14:25

Trump used manipulation and race-baiting four years ago. He’s at it again. We are weary and worried but we shall persist.

Cartoon by Chris Riddell.

Previous thread:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3983600-Less-than-100-days-and-counting-Trump-thread-103?msgid=99566209#99566209

The Disunited States of Trump (Trump Thread #104)
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OVienna · 30/09/2020 11:20

@Roussette

I'd be interested on anyone's take how Chris Wallace did?

He did end up arguing a fair bit with Trump, very unedifying.

We're near to a new thread if anyone's up to it, I'll keep an eye on it and happy to do it if no one else does Smile

My right wing relatives basically are bleating on about how he's biased. I have been outside of the US for so long I didn't actually recognise him - my parents don't watch Fox.

Honestly, if Republicans won't take a Fox News anchor as 'unbiased' I am not sure there is any hope. I guess they would find a Breitbart rep palatable.

In terms of how he did - yes, he did come across as weak from the clips I've seen. I agree with Andrew Neil, his questions were too long winded (he should have anticipated that Trump would never let him finish his sentence.) He had absolutely no control over the proceedings. They sparred. He came across to me more as an actor might than a serious journalist accustomed to moderating debates - however, maybe this part of what gets you this gig in the US (now.)

Here's the interesting thing to me about the questioning style in the US and accusations of bias. In Britain, politicians are accustomed to PM questions and being questioned by journalists with a robust style, no matter which political party they are in. Question Time, Newsnight - all a deep part of the cultural fabric here. Horrifyingly adversarial to a US audience, I venture.

Some of the questions, such as that around Trump's health care non-plan which could be considered negatively biased (I heard it) would be commonplace here. A politician here would have coped with the questioning style and cracked on with an answer or non-answer, but they would have cracked on.

Trump is just professionally offended now, knowing he's got no juice in the tank. He also sees it as a campaign tactic - his supporters are professionally offended and he is doing what he can to make sure this increases exponentially in the run up to the election.

Roussette · 30/09/2020 12:03

OVienna interesting. I felt Chris Wallace lost control somewhat, and it ended up at one point with a spat between him and Trump.

Emily Maitlas gets my vote for the next Debate between these two Grin

OVienna · 30/09/2020 12:08

@Roussette Anyone from the BBC would be better, even their US correspondents, i.e Jon Sopel. My daughter just said that Tweeting teens are saying he was treated like a substitute teacher.

CaveMum · 30/09/2020 12:08

Where’s Paxman when you need him?! 😜

OVienna · 30/09/2020 12:09

I'm watching it now. I'm 10 MINUTES IN. It's fucking ridiculous.

OVienna · 30/09/2020 12:09

@CaveMum

Where’s Paxman when you need him?! 😜
Right?
Roussette · 30/09/2020 12:11

Jon Sopel is far too nice. !

OVienna · 30/09/2020 12:12

I don't think I can watch the whole thing.

Jon Sopel is at least a real journalist.

TheNorthWestPawsage · 30/09/2020 12:28

Completely agree with your summary of US/UK journalistic styles OVienna
Jonathan Swan (Aussie) was the only one I've seen get even close to challenging or checking Trump.

OP posts:
OVienna · 30/09/2020 12:53

I'm 50 min in and I think Biden's doing just fine . I can see that some people might find him a bit disorganised orally but if Trump is planning to try to have his campaign swing on weakness in this area - he's in real trouble. Especially given how he behaves himself.

Granted, there is still half an hour to go. I'll update.

Roussette · 30/09/2020 12:55

Do.

Don't forget the new thread should this one run out.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4037771-Presidential-Debate-season-lets-stand-strong-together-Trump-thread-105

OVienna · 30/09/2020 12:56

Informal aspects:

Biden: A caring, sincere, member of the actual human race. He's reading as trustworthy and has that 'friend of the family' vibe too. Calm and centred overall.

Trump's got the guy that picks fights over Thanksgiving vibe (after turning up late and 'forgetting' to bring his contribution to the day). He'd be the one who would storm out, sending follow up nasty texts to the host who 'allowed' people to be mean to him (even though he will have started it.)

AskingQuestionsAllTheTime · 30/09/2020 14:40

I liked the comment from whoever it was who said that Trump was the person you really wouldn't want to sit next to on a aeroplane -- even short haul.

Also that behaving like a five-year-old having a tantrum was not going to win him any votes from anyone who'd ever had one, and that they would recognise the faces he was making from their own experience.

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