# A Perfectly Reasonable Amount of Schadenfreude about Things Happening to Trump & His Enablers (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 14, 2020, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-1/925537 "2020-11-14T00:09:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 139
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2021, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-1/925537/2765 "2021-09-02T19:34:05Z")
The resemblance is striking! There is another possible explanation. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2021, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-1/925537/2766 "2021-09-02T19:41:37Z")
Yeah, but we didn’t get to see his head explode, so what good is it? [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zt_UMKJ5oY4) (Years ago, I worked with a guy who looked exactly like the explodee. When I left the company, I had to send him a copy of this clip. he loved it.) ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2021, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-1/925537/2767 "2021-09-03T14:16:57Z")
Right-wing media is literally poison and it’s eaten Guiliani’s brain. Also, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Russian agents he’s been consorting with are drugging him. But mostly the right wing thing ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2021, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-1/925537/2768 "2021-09-03T15:28:20Z")
Actually, I found @Gyrate 's analysis in the “Is Sidney Powell Insane?” the perfect explanation, especially with @Cervaise 's followup. I’m not linking to minimize the linkbacks, but they deserve credit. Gyrate’s analysis. > Trump and Powell and Lindell and Giuliani and others of their ilk **start** with the assumption that the version of reality they _want_ to be true _is true_ . In this reality, the evidence for their assertions exists and is manifestly evident, and everyone will accept that and they will be proven right about everything. > > The problem is that when **actual** reality comes crashing in and the evidence fails to materialize and people ask them awkward questions they can’t answer, they struggle to reconcile that with the worldview they desperately cling to and the only conclusion they can accept is that they’re still right but everyone is just being really _mean_ to them and they’ve been hacked and anyway they didn’t say those things they said and everything they don’t want to be true is “fake news!”. > > Because the alternative would be to accept that they’re delusional idiots, and they’ll never do that. Cervaise’s followup. > The only aspect of that with which I disagree is the “struggle to reconcile” part. There is no struggle. From the “stolen election” to the “covid fraud” delusions, if they find evidence, they win; but if they don’t find evidence, that proves the conspiracy, so they also win. It’s a bulletproof cult. They are now in a reality of their own making, which has probably been true to a degree for persons in power since the dawn of time - and with similar effects on their ability to understand those around them or make rational decisions. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2021, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-1/925537/2769 "2021-09-03T16:00:45Z")
Oh, I agree ( I think Ive said as much elsewhere ). Their central truth, the one true thing that everything else in their world must be constructed around - is “Joe Biden could not have won the election legitimately”. Even in the face of a complete lack of evidence, it always comes back around to that. But it’s the right wing media brain disease that got them to that central truth. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2021, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-1/925537/2770 "2021-09-03T22:03:26Z")
The other thing that makes that philosophy bullet-proof is that there is no necessity for nuance. Lots of liberals are willing to talk about edge cases, exceptions, ranges of behavior, and so on, for the sake of rationality and a closer match of policies to reality. Not so most conservatives, who have their territory staked out with a high fence, and you’re either inside, or you’re out. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2021, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-1/925537/2771 "2021-09-03T22:54:52Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > Actually, I found @Gyrate 's analysis in the “Is Sidney Powell Insane?” the perfect explanation, especially with @Cervaise 's followup. I’m not linking to minimize the linkbacks, but they deserve credit. … All well-argued, and convincing. I’d add that some of these characters would almost certainly score high on measures of sociopathy. And to the sociopath, the rule of life is _‘just say stuff to make people do what you want, and if the stuff you say isn’t working, say some other stuff.’_ Concepts of “fact” and “truth” are utterly bewildering to them; they assume that anyone objecting to their sales pitches on the grounds of Fact or Truth is simply running a competing scam of their own. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2021, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-1/925537/2772 "2021-09-04T00:59:13Z")
This puts the shade in schadenfreude: QAnon Shaman’s Family Reportedly Urged Him Not to Plead Guilty, Believing Reinstated Trump Would Pardon Him > **[QAnon Shaman’s Family Reportedly Urged Him Not to Plead Guilty, Believing...](https://www.mediaite.com/news/qanon-shamans-family-reportedly-urged-him-not-to-plead-guilty-believing-reinstated-trump-would-pardon-him/)** > > Jacob Chansley apparently doesn't want to be called the "QAnon Shaman" anymore, but he was in the headlines again on Friday, and pretty much every news outlet did in fact refer to him with that moniker. And he didn't want to spend any more time... ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2021, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-1/925537/2773 "2021-09-04T01:01:26Z")
That _does_ bolster his “mentally lacking” defense. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2021, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-1/925537/2774 "2021-09-04T01:01:56Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > QAnon Shaman’s Family Reportedly Urged Him Not to Plead Guilty, Believing Reinstated Trump Would Pardon Him Sometimes, delusional thinking _does_ have consequences. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2021, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-1/925537/2775 "2021-09-04T01:24:55Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > > [@Aspenglow](#): > > > > Matthew Calamari > > That’s Matthew Calamari, Jr. His job title is director of security. > > Matthew Calamari, Sr. just happens to be the Chief Operating Officer of the Trump Organization. I believe “calamari” is Italian for “your squid is cooked”. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2021, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-1/925537/2776 "2021-09-04T02:35:10Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I believe “calamari” is Italian for “your squid is cooked”. Not too cooked, though. I’d hate for these characters to ruin a lifelong love of deliciously prepared calamari. In my head whenever I hear them referenced, I silently translate to “Mattie the Squid.” Now soon to be nicely cooked, I hope. These people really could not be more mobbed up if they tried. ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2021, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-1/925537/2777 "2021-09-04T07:25:52Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > That _does_ bolster his “mentally lacking” defense. The judge went through the psych reports and found Chewbaca mentally sound enough to agree to the plea. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2021, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-1/925537/2778 "2021-09-04T16:34:06Z")
This does indeed bring me joy. 😈 ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2021, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-1/925537/2779 "2021-09-05T01:05:13Z")
Trump released a statement today that says, in its entirety, [“fix 2020 first!”](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9958021/Donald-Trump-releases-three-word-caps-Labor-Day-statement-saying-FIX-2020-election.html) devoid of any context. While it’s obvious that he’s still bitching about the election, he doesn’t mention what should be set aside while this happens, who should do it, or anything else. Feels like he’s continuing to crack. I’m enjoying that. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2021, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-1/925537/2780 "2021-09-05T01:10:42Z")
Fixing 2020 would entail, somehow, the United States implementing an effective strategy against the covid-19 pandemic. I mean, I understand that Trump is an idealist who dreams big, but that’s not even possible anymore. Why not get that shit right the first time, Donnie? ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2021, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-1/925537/2781 "2021-09-05T01:23:19Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > Trump released a statement today that says, in its entirety, [“fix 2020 first!”](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9958021/Donald-Trump-releases-three-word-caps-Labor-Day-statement-saying-FIX-2020-election.html) devoid of any context. While it’s obvious that he’s still bitching about the election, he doesn’t mention what should be set aside while this happens, who should do it, or anything else. > > Feels like he’s continuing to crack. I’m enjoying that. Well, the “fix 2020 first” cry _could_ be evidence of cracking. But, on the other hand, it does fall right into line with the way Donald has conducted himself for more than seven decades. Namely: he is Never Wrong and Never Loses. If he concedes he lost the 2020 election then he fragments into nothingness. But if he insists that an entire planet full of billions of people sign onto his delusion that he _won_ in 2020, then he’s a Winner Winner Winner! Donald has no problem with requiring seven billion+ people to sign onto his delusion. None at all. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2021, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-1/925537/2782 "2021-09-05T01:54:19Z")
He’s working on a real plan. I wonder when he will release the details? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2021, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-1/925537/2783 "2021-09-05T01:58:26Z")
> [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > He’s working on a real plan. I wonder when he will release the details? - Two w… Oh, the hell with it. ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2021, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-1/925537/2784 "2021-09-05T07:18:43Z")
About the time we finally see Nixon’s sooperseekret plan for ending the Vietnam war. Or shortly after the Trumpet and the Shout, whichever comes last. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-1/925537.md?page=138) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-1/925537.md?page=140)