# Donald Trump Doesn't Like Being Criticized (and Here's What He Can Do about That) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [January 19, 2025, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142 "2025-01-19T23:11:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2025, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/21 "2025-01-20T01:17:42Z")
The difference this time is that in 2016 DJT didn’t have Zuckerberg, Bezos, Sulzberger, Gates, Musk and Chew (TikTok) bowing down and kissing the ring. This time around they are. All social media will be controlling what is said about the Dear Leader soon. Little dissent will be allowed. ---
**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:** [January 20, 2025, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/22 "2025-01-20T01:20:13Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > Your “everything is exactly the same as it was eight years ago and the Supreme Court which he appointed three justices to will find their principles and put the brakes on Trump’s excesses” schtick has worn very thin. Not nearly as thin as the “all hope is lost, democracy is over forever and we’re all going to be dead or in a concentration camp in a few weeks” schtick that others are spouting as if they didn’t say the exact same things eight years ago. > [@The next Trump administration: a compendium of horrors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-next-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/82): > > This would perhaps be a good time to remind people that this same variety of “AMERICA IS OVER, ALL HOPE IS LOST” posting was also happening eight years ago. There were, of course, naysayers who were mocked for their optimism. ---
**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:** [January 20, 2025, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/23 "2025-01-20T02:31:05Z")
It is so nice to know that things are going to be peachy keen as long as a literal “Hell On Earth!!” doesn’t happen, because those are the only two possibilities there can possibly be, right? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2025, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/24 "2025-01-20T03:31:00Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Not nearly as thin as the “all hope is lost, democracy is over forever and we’re all going to be dead or in a concentration camp in a few weeks” schtick that others are spouting as if they didn’t say the exact same things eight years ago. Yeah, it’s not like Trump tried to overthrow the government by violent means and have himself declared President. ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2025, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/25 "2025-01-20T05:02:28Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Yeah, it’s not like Trump tried to overthrow the government by violent means and have himself declared President And now he will take the oath of office at the spot where his coup attempt became public. So much winning! It’s crazy to think that this term will be anything like his first. Since then, he got everything he wanted. He’ll sit back now and watch his minions destroy the country that dared to try to keep him from getting it. Which they are ready and eager to do for him. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2025, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/26 "2025-01-20T05:25:47Z")
If things really do get as bad as the OP fears, I am prepared to soften my stance on Trump. Donald, if you’re reading this, I _would_ piss on you if you were on fire. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2025, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/27 "2025-01-20T05:29:50Z")
He promised to do something similar in 2016. Hasn’t happened yet. I have pointed out that being unable to criticize Trump means we also can’t criticize Biden, the Clintons, the Harris/Walz campaign, etc. The response leans towards, “Oh, yeah, that’s right.” ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2025, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/28 "2025-01-20T05:33:39Z")
MAD did have a field day with Trump, and it started way before 2016. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2025, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/29 "2025-01-20T06:45:44Z")
Well _of course_ the bill of rights will cease to apply in another week! See? I just topped the OP! 7 days is less than 30. _Militant pussydom is not a good or valid way to live in the world._ – Josh Marshall Timothy Snyder warns us to not obey in advance. Hyperbolic predictions of the Republic’s imminent demise distract from the active dangers, the ones we need to focus on for the moment. Similarly, Trump utters like 12 pieces of nonsense every day. Modulate your response if Trump says he wants to invade the Vatican. Pay closer attention to what his team does. It’s bad enough. ---
**Author:** ![Dissonance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85f322/32.png) [@Dissonance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dissonance)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2025, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/30 "2025-01-20T06:55:42Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > I wasn’t postulating that Donald would do anything other than barking the order. He’d have no idea what is involved in the control China and Russia (and other dictatorships) have over their Internets—none whatsoever. You weren’t? Then what is this supposed to mean? > [@Sherrerd](#): > > Anyone betting that a month from now we will be able to post our true opinions of Trump, here or anywhere else, is …quite the optimist. > > **postscript:** I’m guessing there’s going to be a lot of “the laws will constrain him” and “Congress will constrain him” and “the Supreme Court will constrain him” floated about. I’d love to see some evidential support for those arguments, but that’s another thing I’m not optimistic about. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2025, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/31 "2025-01-20T07:00:38Z")
I guess we’ll see if our mods have been replaced with Folgers Crystals, and if we can tell the difference ---
**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:** [January 20, 2025, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/32 "2025-01-20T09:13:30Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Donald, if you’re reading this, I _would_ piss on you if you were on fire. Or even if not, given the opportunity. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2025, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/33 "2025-01-20T14:44:06Z")
Bear in mind that Trump above all is a massive narcissist, and the one thing he can’t bear is not having people paying attention to him and talking about him 24/7. It’s a major reason for his loony pronouncements. Firing up supporters _and_ drawing intense and sometimes hysterical criticism is what he thrives on. Accomplishing these things is way secondary to being the focus of attention for promoting them. A huge shutdown of criticism is inimical to such a person - it leaves far fewer people to publicly obsess about him. ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2025, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/34 "2025-01-20T15:21:00Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Donald, if you’re reading this, I _would_ piss on you if you were on fire. I would too, and for less rubles than your usual piss artists. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2025, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/35 "2025-01-20T15:25:24Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: Trump is rather like the Godfather, who never ordered anything illegal. Yeah, I get that aspect. But wasn’t the Godfather actually a very clever strategist? Who doled out a share of positives as part of his strategy? Trump is just a narcissistic blowhard. In the Godfatherverse, he woulda got whacked a long time ago. ---
**Author:** ![FordPrefect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e99b99/32.png) [@FordPrefect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordPrefect)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2025, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/36 "2025-01-20T15:37:56Z")
> [@scudsucker](#): > > I would too, and for less rubles than your usual piss artists. He could charge money for the act, a true Golden Grift… ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2025, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/37 "2025-01-20T15:48:37Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > I have pointed out that being unable to criticize Trump means we also can’t criticize Biden, the Clintons, the Harris/Walz campaign, etc. The response leans towards, “Oh, yeah, that’s right.” Because while the Republicans might be okay with treason, rape, murder, corruption, and other major felonies, they would never stoop to hypocrisy. ---
**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:** [January 20, 2025, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/38 "2025-01-20T22:53:17Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > The difference this time is that in 2016 DJT didn’t have Zuckerberg, Bezos, Sulzberger, Gates, Musk and Chew (TikTok) bowing down and kissing the ring. This time around they are. > > All social media will be controlling what is said about the Dear Leader soon. Little dissent will be allowed. Vlad and Xi don’t allow dissent. Why should Donald? And “the Constitution constrains him” is about as convincing as “he didn’t do it before so that means he won’t do it now.” Apparently some TikTok users are having a different experience since it was shut down for a few hours yesterday: > **[Leah McElrath (@leahmcelrath.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/leahmcelrath.bsky.social/post/3lg6ynvybrs2t)** > > Tech folks: > > Is it possible to remove and replace an algorithm while maintaining a data set? > > (Asking because it feels like TikTok might have done something like this during the time it was inaccessible for US users.) Not proof of anything yet. But would it be _ **impossible** _ for something to change? ---
**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:** [January 20, 2025, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/39 "2025-01-20T23:05:26Z")
**I’m a bit worried about the fire hazard created by this thread.** Among the straw men: > [@Smapti](#): > > Not nearly as thin as the “all hope is lost, democracy is over forever and we’re all going to be dead or in a concentration camp in a few weeks” schtick that others are spouting “Others”? What “others”? And why are you referencing those “others” in _ **this** _ thread? > [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > Well _of course_ the bill of rights will cease to apply in another week! You genuinely disappoint me. Your remark is as combustible as it is irrelevant. It’s nice that you find it unthinkable that the Bill of Rights might fail to be honored. The question is, _why_ do you see it as unthinkable? > [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > Pay closer attention to what his team does. And your straw man here is that somehow–in your imagination, apparently–I counseled that no one should pay attention to what his team does. I’d challenge you to quote me saying this supposed thing, but we both know you have no chance of meeting such a challenge. > [@Dissonance](#): > > > [@Sherrerd](#): > > > > I wasn’t postulating that Donald would do anything other than barking the order. He’d have no idea what is involved in the control China and Russia (and other dictatorships) have over their Internets—none whatsoever. > > You weren’t? Then what is this supposed to mean? > > > [@Sherrerd](#): > > > > Anyone betting that a month from now we will be able to post our true opinions of Trump, here or anywhere else, is …quite the optimist. > > **postscript:** I’m guessing there’s going to be a lot of “the laws will constrain him” and “Congress will constrain him” and “the Supreme Court will constrain him” floated about. I’d love to see some evidential support for those arguments, but that’s another thing I’m not optimistic about. Why on earth would you believe that the second quotation means ‘_Donald Trump has the intellect and expertise to_ [do something]’…??? I mean, how do you get such a meaning from what’s inside that quote? ---
**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:** [January 20, 2025, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/40 "2025-01-20T23:07:18Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > “Others”? What “others”? Yourself, for instance, and the collection of posters whose quotes are included in the post I linked to. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142.md?page=3)