# A Perfectly Reasonable Amount of Schadenfreude about Things Happening to Trump & His Enablers (Part 2) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [May 19, 2023, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250 "2023-05-19T03:20:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 262
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/5222 "2024-04-02T13:33:27Z")
Here’s another analysis from Josh Marshall at Talking Points Memo. [https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/understanding-papa-dons-new-pump-and-dump-8-k#more-1484880](https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/understanding-papa-dons-new-pump-and-dump-8-k#more-1484880) ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/5223 "2024-04-02T15:32:22Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > A put option is a contract that gives you the right to sell a security at a fixed price on or before a fixed date. For example, the June 40 puts in DJT give you the right to sell DJT at $40/share any time on or before (I believe) the 3rd Friday in June. Do you have to find someone willing to buy it at that price, or is that going to be the party on the other end of that contract? ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/5224 "2024-04-02T15:37:39Z")
No – options are fungible, like stock. Anyone who’s sold those puts is obligated to buy the stock at that price when the options are exercised. It hits their account automatically. So if the stock is $25 on expiration day, your put option gets exercised automatically. You buy the stock at $25 on the open market and your brokerage sells it at $40. ---
**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:** [April 2, 2024, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/5225 "2024-04-02T16:41:47Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > I’ll add to that what I’ve said in other threads: The only risk-free\* way to get and remain short in stocks like DJT is to buy put options. My impression from the days when I was playing around with put and call options was that they’re only offered for a limited selection of major stocks. It may not be possible to buy puts in DJT just because there aren’t any. Another problem with puts and calls is that their price is directly proportional to the remaining time to exercise them – the farther out the expiry date, the more expensive they are and therefore the more the stock has to move in your preferred direction in order to make money. IOW, when betting on puts and calls, you not only have to know **what** the underlying stock is going to do, you have to be pretty confident about **when** it’s going to do it. If you’re right about the stock trend but wrong about the timing, you lose. The pricing of puts and calls makes them a lot like casino gambling – the odds favour the house. Yet another issue IIRC is that, dollar for dollar, commissions on puts and calls are much higher than on stocks. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/5226 "2024-04-02T16:56:33Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > My impression from the days when I was playing around with put and call options was that they’re only offered for a limited selection of major stocks. It may not be possible to buy puts in DJT just because there aren’t any. Completely untrue! There are [hundreds of puts and calls](https://www.nasdaq.com/market-activity/stocks/djt/option-chain) available on DJT alone. > [@wolfpup](#): > > Another problem with puts and calls is that their price is directly proportional to the remaining time to exercise them True, but I wouldn’t call this a “problem.” It’s why options are valuable. Generally speaking, option values are tied to time to expiration and the underlying asset’s volatility. DJT is highly volatile. If you want to make a long-term bet (or protect stock you already own), you’re buying certainty about a very uncertain asset – and the longer you want that certainty, the more it’s gonna cost you. But here’s the thing – you don’t have to hold the option until expiration. If you buy a DJT put and the stock goes down sharply, you can probably sell that put for more than you paid. Whoopee, profit! > [@wolfpup](#): > > If you’re right about the stock trend but wrong about the timing, you lose. True. But you can only lose what you paid for the option (plus commission). If you short the stock and it skyrockets, you can lose a lot more. > [@wolfpup](#): > > commissions on puts and calls are much higher than on stocks. Also somewhat true – but every option is tied to 100 shares of stock, so your costs may ultimately not be that much higher. ---
**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:** [April 2, 2024, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/5227 "2024-04-02T17:20:13Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > > [@wolfpup](#): > > > > My impression from the days when I was playing around with put and call options was that they’re only offered for a limited selection of major stocks. It may not be possible to buy puts in DJT just because there aren’t any. > > Completely untrue! There are [hundreds of puts and calls](https://www.nasdaq.com/market-activity/stocks/djt/option-chain) available on DJT alone. Thanks for that clarification. Back in the pre-internet days when I sometimes dabbled in day trading including occasional puts and calls, I relied on newspaper listings. There were far fewer puts and calls listed than the complete stock listings for the major exchanges. > [@Akaj](#): > > > [@wolfpup](#): > > > > If you’re right about the stock trend but wrong about the timing, you lose. > > True. But you can only lose what you paid for the option (plus commission). If you short the stock and it skyrockets, you can lose a lot more. Quite true, but if you buy a bunch of puts and calls at random, or on a hunch, which amounts to the same thing, I guarantee that over the long term you will lose. This is the exact opposite of investing in a normal diversified stock portfolio, where over a sufficiently long term the normal upward trend of the market is pretty much guaranteed. IMHO, except for hedging, buying puts and calls is only justified if you have really solid inside information. I would not buy puts in DJT because even though I’m pretty confident it’s going to tank, I have no idea when. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/5228 "2024-04-02T17:56:35Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > if you buy a bunch of puts and calls at random, or on a hunch, which amounts to the same thing, I guarantee that over the long term you will lose. No question! No one should play around with puts and calls unless they have deep pockets and a damn good idea what they’re doing. And even then it’s like sports betting – you have to be right at least 55% of the time to cover your costs. > [@wolfpup](#): > > IMHO, except for hedging, buying puts and calls is only justified if you have really solid inside information. If you have solid inside information, that’s called “cheating.” 😜 But I only raised the subject because, with a stock like DJT that’s nearly impossible to borrow, buying puts is the only way most people will ever be able to bet against the stock. But that doesn’t automatically make it a good idea. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2024, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/5229 "2024-04-03T15:27:28Z")
The Arizona GOP is having financial problems, on top of their chairman resigning after being caught offering to bribe Kari Lake. > **[‘Shortage of cash flow’: Arizona GOP admits financial disaster](https://www.rawstory.com/amp/arizona-republican-party-news-2667660650)** > > Federal regulators have questions. Lots. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2024, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/5230 "2024-04-03T15:31:52Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > The Arizona GOP is having financial problems The party of fiscal responsibility? Say it ain’t so! ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2024, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/5231 "2024-04-03T15:44:37Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > The Arizona GOP is having financial problems, on top of their chairman resigning after being caught offering to bribe Kari Lake. I’m sure the RNC will be willing and able to bail them out. /s ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2024, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/5232 "2024-04-03T15:52:58Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > The party of fiscal responsibility? Say it ain’t so! Now imagine if the GOP were run by democrats - now THOSE financial problems would be off-the-charts!!! ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2024, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/5233 "2024-04-03T16:07:57Z")
I assume you’re being sarcastic, but just in case: - The DNC, unlike the Trump-controlled RNC, is in splendid financial shape. - The deficit typically shrinks under Dem presidents and grows under GOP presidents. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2024, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/5234 "2024-04-03T16:30:01Z")
Just released! > **[Economic performance is stronger when Democrats hold the White House](https://www.epi.org/publication/econ-performance-pres-admin/#full-report)** > > The economy performs much better during Democratic presidential administrations than during Republican ones.   ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2024, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/5235 "2024-04-03T17:00:58Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Just released! > > [Economic performance is stronger when Democrats hold the White House | Economic Policy Institute](https://www.epi.org/publication/econ-performance-pres-admin/#full-report) Thanks for reinforcing my cite-less post! ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2024, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/5236 "2024-04-03T17:02:48Z")
yep, … consider a: /s added … also: phrases that 10 years ago would clearly be reckoned as joke need to be doublechecked - same as onion-articles which often get blured by their closeness to reality. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2024, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/5237 "2024-04-03T17:04:05Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > [Economic performance is stronger when Democrats hold the White House | Economic Policy Institute](https://www.epi.org/publication/econ-performance-pres-admin/#full-report) On the other hand, also according to the EPI, economic performance is stronger **following** a Republican White House. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2024, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/5238 "2024-04-03T17:05:27Z")
And preceding one. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2024, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/5239 "2024-04-03T18:38:26Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > Thanks for reinforcing my cite-less post! You’re welcome. I actually made the same point about this in my thread here: > [@Which party does a better job at managing the economy? My thoughts (long)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-party-does-a-better-job-at-managing-the-economy-my-thoughts-long/918503): > > (Guys and gals, this is long.) The genesis of this thread was a [post](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stock-markets-tariffs-coronavirus/848451/135) I made in response to @d_anconia going into the topic of historical GOP incompetence in economic matters. It was kind of a throw-away comment, but it did spark the question: More than 150 years since the USA became a 2-party nation, what evidence exists to show if one party is better on economic matters than the other? And instead of being an asshoe and making you read through ~2,400 words, I’ll just tell you from the beginnin… And… more readable option… my Substack here: > **[What Party is better at Managing the American Economy?](https://thewaythingsought2b.substack.com/p/what-party-is-better-at-managing?r=4yeux&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true)** > > This question is not only answerable, the difference is rather stark. ---
**Author:** ![Borborygmi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/borborygmi/32/217_2.png) [@Borborygmi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Borborygmi)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2024, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/5240 "2024-04-03T19:47:43Z")
This is only speculative schadenfreude, but I found it amusing enough to pass along. The Pod Save America guys were talking about Donald Trump’s potential running mates. Apparently Marco Rubio is currently in the conversation, but with Rubio there would be the constitutional issue involving both candidates on the ticket being from the same state. So there is a scenario where the deadline for picking a running mate is approaching with Rubio still on the short list, and Trump’s team convinces him to move out of Florida because of 12th Amendment concerns. And then Trump picks somebody else. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2024, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/5241 "2024-04-03T20:14:41Z")
And now this: > **[Two plead guilty to insider trading in Kodak before Trump loan announcement](https://www.aol.com/news/two-plead-guilty-insider-trading-173550465.html)** > > A former pharmaceutical executive and his cousin pleaded guilty on Wednesday to insider trading in Eastman Kodak, based on tips that the company was arranging a surprise $765 million loan from the Trump administration to make drug ingredients. Andrew... [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250.md?page=261) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250.md?page=263)