this post was submitted on 26 Jul 2024
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It’s another example of how Trump and MAGA are attempting to undermine faith in the coming election. Trump lost the popular vote in both 2016 and 2020, so he might be making a preemptive strike at the legitimacy of the results should he lose the popular vote a third time. Still, it’s not clear why he’s telling his supporters not to vote at all. Perhaps it’s another example of the former president and convicted felon’s cognitive decline.

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[–] [email protected] 190 points 4 months ago (1 children)

"I'm Kamala Harris, and I approve this message."

[–] [email protected] 11 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I have a sneaking suspicion that nougat is, in fact, NOT Kamala Harris.

[–] [email protected] 16 points 4 months ago (1 children)

The sentence being enclosed in quotes is because it is a quote, in reference to this campaign release.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Oh, I'm aware, don't mind me. Just being an ass.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 4 months ago
[–] [email protected] 99 points 4 months ago (4 children)

Because— no matter what happens; in his universe, he’s the winner… if he actually wins “see how great I am” — if he loses “see how they robbed us? “

He needs and must be the center of attention and adulation.

See also malignant narcissisms

[–] [email protected] 11 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I served with a guy like this. He would always put himself at a disadvantage in any contest or game. If he won "he was so good he overcame you even at a handicap", if he lost "yeah, but even with a handicap it was close"...so annoying.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 4 months ago

That's like the dating strategy Todd Gak had used on Elaine in Seinfeld--he made a bet with her that Dustin Hoffman was in Star Wars, saying he'd buy her dinner if he was wrong. She took him up on the bet, and since he was wrong he bought her dinner. The whole dinner had the makings of a date, though it had never been explicitly called one. It gave him cover, if the date didn't go the way he liked he could always refuse another one without rocking the boat too much (or he could fall back on the bet excuse if she doesn't show further interest too)... He'd found a "dating loophole" lol

[–] [email protected] 10 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I think it's also he can't stand to lose now. He was fine the first time, it was to launch his brand. Now it would be an insult to him, so he'd rather quit than lose.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 4 months ago (2 children)

Trump only ever escalates, he never deescalates. So no, he would never quit. But you are absolutely right that losing again would be a huge insult to him. Bigger than before.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago

So no, he would never quit.

I'm no expert, but as of this moment I don't think he'll go into the election while trailing. I think he'll make up an excuse to drop out (liberal elite crossing guards, crooked something, the weather is woke, whatever), and from there he'll do his original plan to get more right wingers on board to buy his crap while he dodges lawsuits.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago

Not only losing would trigger Trump; he lost to Kamala, a women of color. It would drive Trump insane.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 months ago

Sometimes I'll observe a person and think, "I'll go ahead and hope I'm wrong in my belief that there's no afterlife, just for you."

[–] [email protected] 63 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (2 children)

We don’t need the votes, I have so many votes.

It's...checks notes...July. Color me skeptical.

[–] [email protected] 29 points 4 months ago

He's already been told he has "the votes" now and has won. So if that turns out not to be happening the closer we get to November's results, to him it will be a purely fraudulent steal.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 4 months ago

Anyone who's going to vote for the Mango Mussolini has already decided to and nothing can convince them not to.

Likewise, everyone else who's ever heard of him would never in a million years vote for him.

Contrary to the perennial Dem election strategy Plan 1992, there's hardly any undecided voters. The only ones who truly are undecided have deliberately not followed politics for the last 8 years and are unlikely to vote.

So yeah, he already has all the votes he's going to get and won't lose any. Let's just hope that he's wrong about having enough to eke out an EC win.

[–] [email protected] 63 points 4 months ago (4 children)

This man is genuinely retarded. If I didn't think his ego was as huge as it is, I'd think this is a tactic to save face when he gets crushed in November.

[–] [email protected] 35 points 4 months ago

I mean, he's incredibly unsubtle. Maybe he knows deep down that in a straight vote he's going to lose, so people voting isn't going to matter vs the amount of crime that's going to be committed in early November?

[–] [email protected] 14 points 4 months ago (1 children)

We call it developmentally disabled these days, bud.

[–] [email protected] 17 points 4 months ago (1 children)

When we're talking about Trump it still seems appropriate somehow.

[–] andrew_bidlaw 19 points 4 months ago

As do other words, even if we make them up.

DEMENTALIZED

ENDOOFED

BABYHANDERED

DECOGNITIFIED

SQUAREPEGIFULLY INTOROUNDHOLIDIFIED

[–] [email protected] 10 points 4 months ago (1 children)

They're struggling to come up with a plan... is he going to quit?

[–] ironhydroxide 3 points 4 months ago

I highly doubt it. One of the main reasons he wants the presidency is to pardon himself for everything and anything. And to be king.

Can't do either of those things if he quits completely.

[–] gravitas_deficiency 7 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Perhaps he and his brain trust are somehow thinking they should abandon democratic process and peaceful transition of power altogether and actually try to stage a literal coup. Watch what the legislative leadership does. Johnson in particular. He’ll probably try some sketchy bullshit on January 6, 2025.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I swear I read that certain states have put in laws where they can ultimately refuse the outcomes of elections if they so choose, and the SCOTUS is already primed to be the deciding factor. I don't recall if that was pure doom 'n gloom from his 2020 tantrums though

[–] gravitas_deficiency 1 points 4 months ago

Yeah, but the thing is, I really don’t think either Biden or Harris will take it lying down if the SC tries to straight up enable a coup. It would be categorically indefensible, even to Biden, who’s been frustratingly milquetoast in pushing back against their very obviously biased decisions of recent years.

[–] [email protected] 62 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (4 children)

I guess it simplifies the game plan. If there is only one outcome to prepare for, it's easier to organise what you're going to do.
Plus, it gives him a face save.
"NO, we did not lose that FRAUDULENT ELECTION. I told the GOOD people not to vote, and they did not. I will be holding my OWN, FREE ELECTION in florida on friday."

[–] [email protected] 11 points 4 months ago

Ends up at some out of the way gas station/grocery store/auto shop named "Florida".

[–] [email protected] 7 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Honestly, I kinda hope that's what demented don does. Hold a fake election that means less than nothing and have all his idiots not vote in the one that matters.

He'd lose, and wouldn't be able to try his Couping 2: Electric Boogaloo

[–] ironhydroxide 7 points 4 months ago

Oh he'd still try the Couping 2: Electric Boogaloo. Just makes it more obvious to people who don't have brain rot.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago

Subtext: "...with blackjack and hookers"

[–] mindbleach 1 points 4 months ago

I don't give a shit about their narrative so long as they're kept far from power.

[–] [email protected] 40 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

putin told him not to worry.. he's got the votes and will take care of things.

orange idiot is just speaking out of turn, as usual. he was supposed to keep his trap shut.

[–] [email protected] 30 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

“Do not vote for me so when I lose the election I can whine about election fraud for next 4 years” - serial whiner

[–] [email protected] 10 points 4 months ago

If this demented rapist tanks the Repubs this election (again, but harder) just to be able to get some good whines that would be hilarious. I hope it happens and McConnell has a fatal heart attack with rage over it.

[–] [email protected] 20 points 4 months ago (1 children)

wait, am i agreeing with trump?

[–] [email protected] 9 points 4 months ago

I never thought I’d actually see the day that you turn.

[–] Vertelleus 20 points 4 months ago (2 children)

If he wins he can get rid of his federal crimes, if he loses he can take all the campaign money to spend on lawyers that will dance to his tune.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 4 months ago (1 children)

His lawyers were super effective in 2020 /s. Can't wait for him to have his next press conference at the Four Seasons!

[–] Vertelleus 2 points 4 months ago (1 children)

That brings up another point, he could buy more judges if be was president.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

Trump having 4 more years to stack the Judiciary is truly the biggest consequence of him getting back into office, and will have the longest lasting effect than anything else he could do as president.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago

Spend is doing a lot heavy lifting there. Fairly sure, Trump screws lawyers out of paying for everything.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 4 months ago

Because his brain is absolutely rotting and riddled with syphilis

[–] [email protected] 9 points 4 months ago

Their plan does not appear to involve democracy regardless of turnout or results. Of course he doesn't care if they vote.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 4 months ago (1 children)

My guess? A spark:

If Trump wins the election, his people have won and can become complacent. If you tell them to start a civil war, they'll ask why and push back.

If they lose the election, when Trump says fight, they just might be angry enough to do it. It might be just enough of a spark to ignite the war.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 4 months ago

Worryingly possible. But also he's very stupid.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 4 months ago

Because Americans have limited memories and he's counting on that. Source: am American.

[–] [email protected] -5 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Probably because he doesn’t want to continue selling the country out to Putin as part of his obvious debt to him, and the only way out is to lose without looking like he’s actively trying to.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 months ago

I don't find "Trump values integrity and America" to be a compelling explanation