# 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:** 3
**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, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/41 "2025-01-20T23:08:15Z")
So quote me saying that—or, of course, anything that a reasonable person might take to mean that. ---
**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, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/42 "2025-01-20T23:16:00Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > So quote me saying that If you insist. > [@Sherrerd](#): > > Trump doesn’t like dissent. In a few hours he will have a military, some of whom are likely already prepared to follow orders about dealing with protesters. Those numbers will almost surely increase under the “leadership” of Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense. We already know that the tech CEOs will fall in line with any directions given by the Trumpites (who after all have the power to wreck both the CEO’s businesses and their personal lives). > > 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. > > . ---
**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, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/43 "2025-01-20T23:24:19Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > 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? Are you serious? You flat out stated in your own OP that: > [@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. So… what, we’re no longer going to be able to voice our opinions of TFG because what, space aliens are going to take away our freedom of speech, because how on earth are we supposed to believe TFG has the intellect to do it himself based upon you stating that we are going to be unable to post our true opinions of TFG here or anywhere else in a month? Sorry, you’re either trolling or incredibly stupid. ---
**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, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/44 "2025-01-20T23:27:11Z")
And where in that is what you claimed is in it: > [@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” Please point out where I said (in any phrasing): - “all hope is lost” - “democracy is over forever” and/or - “we’re all going to be dead or in a concentration camp in a few weeks” You are getting positively Trumpian in your ability to just make stuff up. ---
**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, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/45 "2025-01-20T23:32:42Z")
> [@Dissonance](#): > > So… what, we’re no longer going to be able to voice our opinions of TFG because what, space aliens are going to take away our freedom of speech, because how on earth are we supposed to believe TFG has the intellect to do it himself based upon you stating that we are going to be unable to post our true opinions of TFG here or anywhere else in a month? > > Sorry, you’re either trolling or incredibly stupid. Awesome projection, but again: where on earth in anything I’ve written is ‘Trump has the intellect and expertise’ to do anything at all? Why would ‘something happens via action by the federal government under Trump’ imply that TRUMP was smart or competent? This is the disconnect you’ve been claiming, nonsensically. That I’d said that something might happen and that (according to you) proves that Trump is smart and/or competent. This is breathtakingly illogical of you. Why are you claiming such a thing? ---
**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, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/46 "2025-01-20T23:32:55Z")
I already did. If you want to say that you didn’t say what you said and your OP isn’t about what it’s about, then please tell the class what you were TRYING to say instead. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2025, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/47 "2025-01-20T23:35:08Z")
“Will no one rid me of this troublesome priest?” ---
**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, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/48 "2025-01-20T23:36:00Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I already did. Recall that people here can _read_. ---
**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, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/49 "2025-01-20T23:45:26Z")
Looks like this is one of those threads where repetition is called for: > [@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. That wasn’t a poorly framed side comment: it was the OP’s thesis. It wasn’t accurate and it was sufficiently inaccurate to be unhelpful. Trump wants to overwhelm the opposition with fireworks and the Resistance needs to stay in focus. Linked from TPM, [Ben Raderstorf provides pointers](https://www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/how-to-pay-attention): 1 ) Are your predictions a reflection more of your emotional state than specific empirical evidence? Facile cynicism (bad) != informed skepticism (good). “How do we know bad-thing _won’t_ happen”, puts the cart before the horse. Ok, this one is by me, not Raderstorf. I said we need to stay focused. What does that mean? Insofar as Trump’s bombast is concerned: 2 ) Is the action tangible, actionable, and detailed? Or intangible, abstract, and vague? Focus on Homeland Security not vague threats to invade Greenland. 3 ) Does this thing cause irreparable harm to real people? 4 ) Does this action target the opposition in a way that may cause anticipatory obedience? Me: Hystericism encourages anticipatory obedience. Don’t do that. 5 ) Does this entrench the authoritarian faction in power and make it more difficult to dislodge? ---
**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 21, 2025, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/50 "2025-01-21T00:04:44Z")
I suppose we can compare notes a month from now, then. If either of us have been thrown in gulag for speaking ill of Dear Leader, I owe you a Coke. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/51 "2025-01-21T00:17:21Z")
How are you going to get a Coke into or from a gulag? ---
**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 21, 2025, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/52 "2025-01-21T00:17:42Z")
Smuggling. I should say that the sort of perspective expressed by Sherrerd is quite common and eminently forgivable. Contemplating the apocalypse is less stressful than grappling with the uncertainty ahead. But near term threats are per-requisite to mortal threats to the Republic. So we should focus on the tangible. This just in: Proud Boys insurrectionist Enrique Tarrio is reportedly going home from prison. I trust the patriots at antifa will be keeping tabs. ---
**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 21, 2025, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/53 "2025-01-21T00:48:20Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > How are you going to get a Coke into or from a gulag? I’ll figure that part out when I get to it. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/54 "2025-01-21T00:58:19Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > Trump wants to overwhelm the opposition with fireworks and the Resistance needs to stay in focus. Indeed. He (and his succession of marquee proxies like Musk and Ramaswany) likes to troll and trigger and flood the zone with shit so that there’s no chance to concentrate on what may be actually happening. … And we have been very circumspect about it but we all know that the reiteration of the “we’re all going to be dead or in a concentration camp in a few weeks” scenario is almost a trademark of an individual Doper who is NOT in this thread, and yes it is tedious and annoying as shyte but I don’t recall even them predicting it happening THAT fast. Deep steady breaths, everyone… ---
**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 21, 2025, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/55 "2025-01-21T00:59:32Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > And we have been very circumspect about it but we all know that the reiteration of the “we’re all going to be dead or in a concentration camp in a few weeks” scenario is almost a trademark of an individual Doper who is NOT in this thread, and yes it is tedious and annoying as shyte but I don’t recall even them predicting it happening THAT fast. I believe they gave us 6 to 9 months as of November. ---
**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 21, 2025, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/56 "2025-01-21T02:37:54Z")
Ok, but predictions for what the next fascist will do are different than predictions over the next 1 or 6 months. We should direct the bulk of our attention at the actions Raderstorf lists: I think he struck a good balance between short and medium term. Do that, and the fascists won’t have a long term. Working in our favor is the historical observation that fascism tends to burn itself out. The problem with this view of mine, is that climate trends that were long term in 1990 are now upon us and are intensifying. Build back better was a solid step in the proper direction - the first one by policymakers - but it lacked among other things a strong R&D program. Stranger: > [@Consider "hopeful skepticism" as a default attitude](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consider-hopeful-skepticism-as-a-default-attitude/1013060/20): > > The problem is that we’ve been kicking that can down the road so long (and now, for at least four more years, and likely indefinitely) that there is no more time for “one crisis at a time”. We’ve tacitly signed off on a +2 °C mean global temperature above the pre-Industrial baseline, likely before 2050 (and maybe significantly earlier), and probably something around +3.6 °C by end of century if not before. There is effectively nothing we can actually do to stop this because the world has given a collective shrug and just mocks the “Just Stop Oil” protestors for throwing soup on paintings (which _is_ pretty dumb but at least gets them in the news, unlike the legions of climatologists and cryosphere scientists projecting increasingly dire warnings that are totally ignored as a kind of freak sideshow to all of the oil and gas deals going on… > > But, of course, we aren’t because “One crisis at a time”, and we are frankly focused on the wrong and mostly manufactured crises of culture wars and immigration, not climate change, erosion of scientific literacy, or applying an economic model with a tag line other than “Drill, baby, drill!” Basically, we are completely fucked at this point, not for a want of a nail but for melting down all the nails to make a crown for an idiot king. ---
**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 21, 2025, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/57 "2025-01-21T20:37:16Z")
The straw men continue to pile up. I bet Ben Raderstorf doesn’t advocate for them, so I have to wonder at the eagerness to promulgate them: > [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > Are your predictions a reflection more of your emotional state than specific empirical evidence? I began by noting that neither of Trump’s heroes, Vlad of Russia and Xi of China, permit dissent. I then provided some Specific Empirical Evidence in the form of reporting by organizations such as Freedom House. Your straw man looks rather woebegone. > [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > Hystericism encourages anticipatory obedience. Yes, I agree. That’s why I refrained from hystericism\*. Trump’s heroes disallow dissent; you believe it’s “hysterical” to predict that he might like to emulate him? Or “hysterical” to note that he appears to feel unconstrained by the usually-claimed “guard rails”? If so, you’ve failed to make that case. > [@Smapti](#): > > thrown in gulag Please quote any claims you believe I’ve made about gulags; note that your straw man isn’t strong enough to hold up the “I already did” ploy. He’ll collapse under its disreputable weight. > [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > Contemplating the apocalypse This is a particularly threadbare (straw-bare?) straw man. Noting that dissent isn’t allowed by Trump’s heroes isn’t “contemplating the apocalypse,” it’s merely the recording of facts. None of you have yet to offer a single piece of “specific empirical evidence” that Trump _ **favors** _ permitting dissent, by the way. I would challenge you to support your argument. (Mr. ‘can’t we just shoot protesters in the legs’ Trump doesn’t appear to have provided you with much, it’s true.) > [@JRDelirious](#): > > the reiteration of the “we’re all going to be dead or in a concentration camp in a few weeks” scenario Hello, man of straw. Too bad you can’t support your claim with any evidence that I’ve posted anything equivalent to this. Since apparently no one (yet) wants to engage with the actual content of this thread, instead providing the _Dance of the Men Made of Straw_, I’ll restate the obvious: - Trump’s heroes don’t permit dissent - Trump is unconstrained by a need to win another election; SCOTUS has signaled he need not fear prosecution for any violations of our laws, including the Constitution. - So what will stop him from instructing his minions to begin steps to make our system more like those of Russia and China? As to one of the ways in which this may be accomplished: see the next post. . . \* I wanted to quote you accurately, but this is a very odd coinage. Why not the clearer “hysterics” or “hysteria”? ---
**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 21, 2025, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/58 "2025-01-21T21:03:41Z")
Today Greg Sargent published an article outlining a plausible method by which the Trump Administration is likely to claim unbounded power to do…whatever they like, in the name of protecting the nation from “invasion.” > [@](#): > > … But one executive order in particular is quietly drawing attention from immigration lawyers because of its unusually radical implications. It appears to declare that Trump’s authority to seal the Southern border and entirely nullify the right to seek asylum exists wholly independent of any statute and is rooted in his constitutional powers, all because we are allegedly coping with a migrant “invasion.” What determines whether we’re subject to an “invasion,” you ask? Trump declaring it to be so, that’s what. > This suggests that Trump and his team may be laying the groundwork to argue, to an unprecedented degree, that he is largely unbounded by Congress … Trump can hold these powers as long as he claims that “invasion” is occurring: > [@](#): > > … The sloppily written order doesn’t define precisely who constitutes a migrant engaged in this invasion. In other words, Trump appears essentially to be declaring an open-ended power to say that any and all migrants who enter unlawfully do constitute invaders. Trump can suspend the INA’s provisions mandating certain treatment of these migrants for as long as he says the “invasion” is underway. … This is a bit from a longish article appearing behind a paywall (at The New Republic). Inputting the title “Trump’s Awful New “Invasion” Executive Order is One of His Darkest Yet” does yield some other sources. Sargent himself has posted what seems to be the whole article in chunks on his Bluesky account: > **[Greg Sargent (@gregsargent.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/gregsargent.bsky.social/post/3lgbgrhejz22t)** > > Trump's executive order declares that because migration is an "invasion," his authority to combat it is wholly rooted in the Constitution. Legal experts say this in effect declares he's not bounded by congressional statutes like the Immigration and... [![](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2amnkge5a6hplfwyesmxqkfl/bafkreiedlzu4bl276wqt4dpfcavlfdznhuqgzzmzq53sns2db33kzpbhwm@jpeg) ](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2amnkge5a6hplfwyesmxqkfl/bafkreiedlzu4bl276wqt4dpfcavlfdznhuqgzzmzq53sns2db33kzpbhwm@jpeg) If we are at war, not with Eastasia but with an “invasion,” then Congress apparently becomes at least somewhat irrelevant to the task of constraining Trump, as would the courts. We’re not there yet. But unhysterical people—people allergic to conspiracy theorizing—seem to believe that this is the plan. Here’s the firewalled source (I apologize for not having any ability to provide a free look, but as I mention, the author has posted all or most of it at Bluesky–see above.) > **[The New Republic](https://newrepublic.com/)** > > Founded in 1914, The New Republic is a media organization dedicated to addressing today’s most critical issues. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/59 "2025-01-21T21:26:36Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > > [@JRDelirious](#): > > > > the reiteration of the “we’re all going to be dead or in a concentration camp in a few weeks” scenario > > Hello, man of straw. Too bad you can’t support your claim with any evidence that I’ve posted anything equivalent to this I do protest, may I point out at no point was I addressing that to YOU. One can see by reading that paragraph I was in fact stating that THAT sentiment was only being expressed by someone NOT in this thread. ---
**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 23, 2025, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142/60 "2025-01-23T23:17:42Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > I was in fact stating that THAT sentiment was only being expressed by someone NOT in this thread. Alright. I see that Trump has removed the security details of John Bolton, Mike Pompeo, and Pompeo’s top aide Brian Hook. The last two face a credible, current, ongoing threat from Iran (for their participation in the January 2020 killing of Iran’s Soleimani, on Trump’s behalf). Bolton has spoken out against Trump but neither Pompeo nor Hook has done so. So “retribution” can’t be the reason that Trump is choosing to endanger their lives. In related news: Trump’s minions are memory-holing vast swaths of information— **including the US Constitution** , which was removed from its government website. > [@](#): > > … The White House website no longer has a Spanish-language version. It has removed a disclaimer promising to make it accessible to people with disabilities. And a number of federal agencies have removed web pages related to reproductive rights and diversity. … > **[Government webpages vanish under Trump, from DEI to reproductive rights](https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/government-websites-vanish-trump-constitution-dei-rcna188522)** > > Some deletions are standard for any administration, but others seem to indicate Trump’s intent to reshape government. Of course these websites and features weren’t removed because they contained open criticism of Trump. But it’s easy to see how someone wanting _facts_ on which to base their criticism of Trump, might have tried to use them. (Also, of course, the removals are badges of Culture Warrior status for Donald.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-doesnt-like-being-criticized-and-heres-what-he-can-do-about-that/1013142.md?page=4)