Donald Trump: Classic or Dud?

Actually, that's a sharp clip, stevie. There he is at his best.

This Hamilton Nolan column is a journalist's fantasy. It's such a fantasy, in fact, that I'm surprised Nolan (a writer I have occasionally thought was pretty smart and on-his-game) didn't end with "and then you just punch him right in his fat face and he dies and you are loved forever, by the American people and especially your dad!" The simple fact is that journalists who are not servile bootlickers Don't Get In The Room With The President (or the ex-president). The real takeaway from last night's shitshow was not the person flinging the shit. It was the people who had their arms and mouths wide open to catch it all. They're not ex-presidents; they're not ex-anything. They live in your neighborhood, and they are *far* more dangerous to this country than he is, because he's not gonna be re-elected. He was elected on a wave of "I hate that bitch, and anyway, how bad could he be?" And then we spent four years, stretching into seven years now, finding out. He will not be re-elected. But his shit-eating cult members are out there. (I'm probably surrounded by more of them as I type these words than I've ever been in my life.) They're not going away.

Actually, that's a sharp clip, stevie. There he is at his best.

I genuinely think he could peel off a few faithful Republican voters in this mode, which is what is necessary to fend off a Trump win, which is necessary for the future of the US, the world. Biden definitely has copious shortcomings but maybe there's a way to engage with those without regurgitating Trump talking points.

Trump lost in 2020 (and lost de facto in 2022) because Biden peeled away enough independents scared of Trump.

I can't imagine that a Trump campaign based on "Actually, I won last time" is going to win over any independents either

necessary for the future of the world

Can’t wait for him to put even more periods on his ending of oil and gas drilling on federal land

Trump lost in 2020 (and lost de facto in 2022) because Biden peeled away enough independents scared of Trump.

This is doubtless true but I worry that as the media embraces Trump again in a way they haven't since 2020, so he might be redeemed in some voters' eyes.

Can’t wait for him to put even more periods on his ending of oil and gas drilling on federal land

I'm not saying it's wise to field Biden in 2024 or that he doesn't have doddery moments or even that he's a good president

But also I'm more interested in that as a progressive critique that "LOL he's old"

This is doubtless true but I worry that as the media embraces Trump again in a way they haven't since 2020, so he might be redeemed in some voters' eyes.

I'm pretty misanthropic but I don't believe most people have the memories of goldfish.

the media legitimizing Trump seemes like something that would've been a bigger probem in 2016, when people still stupidly thought there might be something behind the facade. even the "home run" town hall he did yesterday was primarily just him defending himself..."its a witch hunt", "that woman is a liar", "I did nothing wrong", etc. etc....I don't think that's exactly a winning message. you have to at least be able to pretend it's about inflation or "economic anxiety" or whatever. can't even do the freedom angle when your party is constantly in the news for trying to strip them away.

Biden beat Trump because he told him to shut up in the televised debate is how I break it down. If he remembers to do that again, he'll win again

I believe that

Given how at least 60% of Trump's campaign will be about Hunter Biden, I wouldn't dismiss the idea of Joe punching Trump in a debate

If Trump faces Biden in 2024, will it be the first time the same candidates have been pitted against each other four years apart?

Harrison vs. Cleveland

Bryan and McKinley rematched in 1900.

Depends on whether you count former presidents, though.

Ike v Adlai

Adams Vs. Jefferson

the civil suit's outcome will certainly be remembered by what Lindsay Graham calls 'our suburban women problem'

In his unguarded moments, Lindsey is quite the truth-teller.

this is lovely

https://avidly.lareviewofbooks.org/2023/05/10/e-jean-carroll-bought-me-a-dress/

oh wow that made me cry

Just in ... meh:

Just in: CNN's town hall with Donald Trump averaged 3.1 million total viewers. The event outrated Fox and MSNBC, as expected, but these are not 2015/16 level numbers for Trump — not even close.

— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) May 11, 2023

That being said, the kids are not alright

In the key 25- to 54-year-old demo, the town hall averaged 703,000, about five times higher than CNN's typical performance at 8pm.

“Low-Ratings Donnie”

24-54? that isn’t a demographic, that’s nearly three different generations, if not four lmfao

and how many of those were either pointing and laughing, or playing drinking games?

I have no idea why they break TV demos the way they do ... I couldn't possibly have less to do with 25-year-olds' viewing habits, and vice versa.

By the way, can you imagine CNN hosting a town hall with Bernie and the audience being filled with socialists who booed Dems and Republicans alike, cheered Bernie when he attacked the media, and applauded every reference to Medicare for All and justice for the Palestinians? https://t.co/S5RuI5I41u

— Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) May 11, 2023

Sounds like compelling TV tbh?

iiuc 25-55 is the group of people who mostly no longer live with parents and have disposable income, but are not yet old enough to be worth advertising drugs to

Furthermore, no idea what the major difference is between 18-49 and 25-54

The timing of this 'town hall' - months before anything campaign-related has really begun - makes me think this is just a hasty and cynical attempt by CNN to woo disgruntled FOX viewers over to their new rightist programming... for their ilk, it's like getting Taylor Swift to play a tune on your late night show

Furthermore, no idea what the major difference is between 18-49 and 25-54

― fair but so uncool beliefs here (Eric H.), Thursday, May 11, 2023 3:53 PM bookmarkflaglink

feelings about My Chemical Romance

omg

this is just a hasty and cynical attempt by CNN to woo disgruntled FOX viewers over to their new rightist programming... for their ilk, it's like getting Taylor Swift to play a tune on your late night show

He's the problem it's him

all you're ever gonna be is mean

Incredible, lovely piece thanks caek. I’ll share it with my daughters.

E. Jean Carroll is weighing whether to file a new defamation lawsuit against former President Donald J. Trump in the wake of his diatribe against her during a CNN town hall Wednesday night, she said in an interview. https://t.co/pKjbIAPLM1

— Josh Dawsey (@jdawsey1) May 11, 2023

I'm hoping she does. Trump probably thinks that once he's been found guilty he's entitled to "get his money's worth", in the manner of an ejected baseball manager who spews profanity-laced invectives back at the ump on his way to the clubhouse.

prob thinks it's double jeopardy

He doesn't look very presidential. pic.twitter.com/wy7zHM6Hvs

— Don Lewis (@DonLew87) May 16, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_bnRD7aaok

We're talking about the same state with Rick Scott as a senator, the standard for secret alien-looking politician is pretty high.

what is his plan? why is he running? is he running?

Did you spot this attack from a pro-DeSantis super last week that went WAY further than almost any 2024 R's have gone?

Don't expect to see it again: @shelbytalcott scoops that it drew strong pushback within the PAC. One ally called it a "massive mistake."https://t.co/al2WI9nFxq pic.twitter.com/kBGttMOJCd

— Benjy Sarlin (@BenjySarlin) May 16, 2023

Plan B for when the big man dies. Or Secretary of Book Burning.

I don't know about the effect on right wing media, but the much-anticipated Durham Report already seems to be fading down the headlines, a day after its release

there were no bombshells, and there was no 'total exoneration' - apparently it stated that Trump should have been investigated, but agents should've vetted their sources better - and that's about it

Deep State Durham

No MAGA will ever believe Trump is dead even if they see a skeleton

Garrison will still draw that skeleton as virile and muscular.