# Does Trump really want to win? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [September 19, 2024, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-really-want-to-win/1007453 "2024-09-19T03:00:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2024, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-really-want-to-win/1007453/81 "2024-09-23T21:29:57Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Eh, they tried making their own version of McDonalds after the sanctions and failed because all the burgers were _literally_ rotten meat. It still exists, here’s the Wikipedia article on it: > **[Vkusno i tochka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vkusno_i_tochka)** > > Vkusno i Tochka (Russian: Вкусно – и точка, .mw-parser-output .IPA-label-small{font-size:85%}.mw-parser-output .references .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .infobox .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .navbox .IPA-label-small{font-size:100%}IPA: \[ˈfkusnə ɪ ˈtotɕkə\], lit. 'Tasty, period')\[a\] is a Russian fast food chain based mostly in former McDonald's restaurants, with a menu that largely consists of rebranded McDonald's items. McDonald's closed their Russian stores in response to t The first... I could see Trump fleeing to Russia like Edward Snowden. I don’t think that he will, but I think that if he fled the country that’s the most likely place he’d go to. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2024, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-really-want-to-win/1007453/82 "2024-09-23T23:45:46Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I could see Trump fleeing to Russia like Edward Snowden. I don’t think that he will, but I think that if he fled the country that’s the most likely place he’d go to. I wouldn’t be surprised. I doubt it would turn out well for him but he’s an idiot. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2024, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-really-want-to-win/1007453/83 "2024-09-25T06:57:33Z")
As long as it annoys the American government, the Russians will treat Trump like royalty. Cheap and effective propaganda. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2024, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-really-want-to-win/1007453/84 "2024-09-25T07:21:58Z")
Maybe. Or maybe they’ll toss him in prison themselves just for the opportunity to flex in front of the world. I’m pretty sure nobody’s ever done _that_ to an ex-US President. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2024, 8:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-really-want-to-win/1007453/85 "2024-09-25T08:36:08Z")
One can hope we beat them to it. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2024, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-really-want-to-win/1007453/86 "2024-09-25T08:40:47Z")
If the Russkies send Donald to gulag, will they let us make a reality show out of it? ---
**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:** [September 25, 2024, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-really-want-to-win/1007453/87 "2024-09-25T13:13:25Z")
I’m trying to figure out what Trump’s strategy is with his latest line of rhetoric “I don’t need your vote.” All I can figure is that he knows he doesn’t have enough votes to win legitimately, so instead of voting he wants his minions out there rigging the election as much as possible. I guess we’re already seeing this with the Georgia election board shenanigans and the Nebraska electoral vote change (which didn’t pass). Why else would you be making all these last minute changes to voting rules unless you knew you didn’t have a chance otherwise. (As both Donald and Mitch have acknowledged in the past, there’s no way Republicans can win a straight-up fair election.) I also wonder if there is some “stand back and stand by” dog whistle going on, like on election day we’re going to see all these armed “election overseers” showing up to try to intimidate voters. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2024, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-really-want-to-win/1007453/88 "2024-09-25T13:32:56Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > I’m trying to figure out what Trump’s strategy is with his latest line of rhetoric “I don’t need your vote.” His latest? Do you have a link on that? Maybe you are correct, but, Googling, the last time I can find him saying that quotation is June 14, 2024. Back then, he had more than enough votes to defeat a weak unpopular opponent, Joe Biden. Now he needs all the votes he can get. If I’m wrong, and he still says it, it is bandwagon propaganda where you claim everyone is already thinking the way you want them to. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2024, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-really-want-to-win/1007453/89 "2024-09-25T13:35:59Z")
David Frum’s comments on CNN: > [@](#): > > DAVID FRUM: Trump is pre-losing. He’s losing in his own mind. > > That’s why he’s desperately selling silver coins when he should be campaigning. That’s why Mike Johnson is ignoring Donald Trump’s demands and threats and keeping the government open. The speaker is keeping the government open when Trump wants the government shut. > > That’s why his wife is hawking this book and that’s why he seems so depressed every time you see him. He is tasting defeat. He knows what’s happening and he can’t exert himself or mobilize himself in order to do anything. > > That’s why he’s doing so few events. He’s listless, he’s lethargic, and he’s losing in his own mind. His world is crashing in on him. He’s pre-losing. > **[‘Trump Is Pre-Losing’: CNN Morning Crew ‘Struck By’ Trump’s Claim He Will Not...](https://www.mediaite.com/news/trump-is-pre-losing-cnn-morning-crew-struck-by-trumps-claim-he-will-not-run-again-if-he-loses/)** > > CNN's morning show crew took on Trump's claim he won't run again if he loses in November — noting what he didn't say is almost as telling as what he did. ---
**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:** [September 25, 2024, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-really-want-to-win/1007453/90 "2024-09-25T13:50:09Z")
To be honest, my wife was watching msnbc last night and I heard them talking about it while I was in the kitchen fixing dinner, so not fully engaged. I got the impression that it was something recent, but it’s completely possible it’s nothing new and he’s been blathering on about it for a while now. Still, in the spirit of this thread, “I don’t need your vote” doesn’t sound like someone who really wants to win. ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2024, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-really-want-to-win/1007453/91 "2024-09-25T13:52:35Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > I’m trying to figure out what Trump’s strategy is with his latest line of rhetoric “I don’t need your vote.” Maybe he’s been watching some pick up artist videos and this is his version of negging? ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2024, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-really-want-to-win/1007453/92 "2024-09-25T13:57:02Z")
> **[For Donald Trump, it’s the golf that matters](https://www.salon.com/2024/09/24/for-donald-trump-its-the-golf-that-matters/)** > > Aging golfer’s campaign slows down going into final month before election Golf it is! ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2024, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-really-want-to-win/1007453/93 "2024-09-25T20:41:39Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > I’m trying to figure out what Trump’s strategy is with his latest line of rhetoric “I don’t need your vote.” His “strategy” is that he’s a narcissist who thinks 90% of the country loves him and he would win every state by a huge margin if it was “fair”. There’s no 5D chess at play here. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2024, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-really-want-to-win/1007453/94 "2024-09-29T18:29:52Z")
> [@Charlie\_Tan](#): > > Golf it is! Must be a nice prison ---
**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 29, 2024, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-really-want-to-win/1007453/95 "2024-09-29T18:50:32Z")
I’m not convinced that staying out of prison is an incentive for him, since he’s never in his miserable life had to face real consequences for his actions/inactions. And since he never has, in his (what passes for a) mind, he never will. So put me down for ego. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2024, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-really-want-to-win/1007453/96 "2024-10-06T09:24:11Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > And by progressives who think that somehow the best way to punish Biden for not ending the war in gaza (I guess by sending in the marines and taking over?) is by voting in the guy who is perfectly fine with killing all the Palestinians. There are plenty of specific things that Biden has done, and hasn’t done / called for, that progressives are mad about with regards to Gaza. It’s not a pie in the sky thing, like the MAGAs who want to blame Biden for Oct 7th, but can’t even conjecture a casual connection. Aside that, I do agree though. Things are going to be a lot worse for the Gazans if trump wins, so while protest makes sense, perhaps even the _threat_ of sitting out the election, when the time comes the only rational thing is a vote for Harris. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2024, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-really-want-to-win/1007453/97 "2024-10-06T16:22:07Z")
I do think that Trump is less motivated by a desire to win than ego and a hatred of losing at this point. He’s addicted to rallies full of worshippers, and knows there’s no way he can frame not becoming President as anything other than “losing” whether he drops out or officially loses at the polls. I honestly gave even odds he’d just not run this time in order to avoid the risk of “losing”. > [@Mijin](#): > > Aside that, I do agree though. Things are going to be a lot worse for the Gazans if trump wins, so while protest makes sense, perhaps even the _threat_ of sitting out the election, when the time comes the only rational thing is a vote for Harris. That’s “electoralism”, which many progressives sneer at as useless and selling out to the system. According to them voting changes nothing and there’s no real difference between Trump and Biden, and no one farther left would ever be permitted to win. That line of thought claims that the _only_ possible solution to any socioeconomic problem is a world wide revolution - with no real suggestion as to how to accomplish that, just the assertion that it’ll happen naturally at some point. Learned helplessness at its finest in my opinion. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2024, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-really-want-to-win/1007453/98 "2024-10-09T07:40:01Z")
The main thing trump is worried about is going to prison. But he either believes he has the votes in the bag or he believes his supporters are going to somehow put him in office anyway, because he certainly isn’t campaigning much. He’s turned down interviews with 60 minutes, Call her daddy and others. The number of rallies he has held is way down too. Thinking about all this is giving me nightmares. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2024, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-really-want-to-win/1007453/99 "2024-10-09T08:00:13Z")
> [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](#): > > But he either believes he has the votes in the bag or he believes his supporters are going to somehow put him in office anyway, because he certainly isn’t campaigning much. He’s the bestest, bigliest President ever. Or so he feels. He lives in a bubble, where everybody tells him how great he is, and he’s even got a lackey with a portable printer who prints off reports of how wonderful he is. He doesn’t know how much he’s feared, or to put it plainly, despised, by at least half of America. Does he really want to win? I think so, if for nothing else than being able to pardon himself. That’s his lifeline right now. Too bad that his sycophants have not told him that as President, he cannot pardon himself for state crimes, such as in New York. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-really-want-to-win/1007453.md?page=4)