I think the only way that Trump could get his base to rally behind Ivanka is if they sold it as a “Ma Ferguson” situation — i.e. she’d be the figurehead while he really ran things. Otherwise, I just can’t see them rallying to her. Not necessarily because she’s a woman, but because she is so clearly a part of the “elite.”
The most primal bond that Trump shares with his followers is a seething resentment of elites. Trump has always been extraordinarily bitter that he’s looked down upon by the upper crust that he’s tried so hard to join. MAGA heads who feel left behind and betrayed by the “establishment” connect with that at a fundamental level.
Ivanka, on the other hand, moves effortlessly among the elite of society. The recent story about how she and Jared couldn’t spare one of the six-and-a-half bathrooms for their protective detail to use in their tastefully appointed Washington mansion illustrates the problem. She’s comfortable in that world in a way that Trump has never been.
I predict that Pence’s political career is over. Trump’s opponents will hate him because he stood by Trump for 4 years. Trump’s supporters will hate him because he didn’t let Trump win the election. I think he won’t be able to get elected Mayor of Podunk, let alone any Presidential Primaries.
I don’t think it’s gonna happen. Nobody except Trump wants to see Trump get a big ceremonial send-off. Most of his staffers hate him. They know he’d throw them under the bus in a moment if it served his purposes, just as he’s done to so many others. He never even went around doing the traditional goodbyes – that was left to Pence.
I think, when evaluating anyone’s chances at the presidency, people are underestimating how much the entire conservative establishment immediately falls behind whoever the presidential nominee is. One only needs to look at the 2015-2016 primary season to see how true this is. If Ivanka or Pence or MyPillow Guy is able to fight their way through the primary to be the nominee, every single Republican politician, voter, and media person will instantly transform into believing that person is the second coming of Christ, no matter what they actually believed the day before and no matter what negative things they said about that person before. So don’t count anyone out yet.
I have read elsewhere that although Trump wants red carpet, flyover, etc. there is no way in hell he is going to get it. Trump himself is the only “official” who is pushing this.
And the military have been very clear that Trump is not even going to get the traditional customary farewell ceremony from the military, which has been a thing since Reagan. Pentagon has said “no”
So if there is a 21 gun salute, it would have to be from his supporters getting gunned down as they attempt another coup. The red carpet will be a toilet paper roll dyed with beet juice. And the flyover will be paper airplanes tossed by staffers out the windows as Trump humps himself dejectedly out.
And whose paying for this? Since when do the taxpayers pay for big bashes to celebrate the removal of twice impeached one term Presidents?
I said a long time ago that I didn’t think Trump would leave the White House for the last time on his own volition.
It’s oppositional defiance on steroids. I’ve know people with this syndrome. I had to evict one once ( this happened at the end of my real world experience with psychological abuse.)
Someone will tell him, “Sir, you have to leave soon”, He’ll start wandering around the residence, taking his time getting ready, he’ll say just a minute, I’m almost ready, and he’ll stall, a couple of them may try to take him by the arms and urge him towards the door, then a couple of more Secret Service will come in to help — they’ll urge him out eventually and this may or may not ever be made public.
When I had to evict the kid, after going through the full legal procedure, a marshal came to remove him. After about a half hour the marshal had to call the cops and that took another half hour. No violence, no screaming and yelling, just a full hour of him standing in the middle of a relatively small apart saying …I’m almost ready, just a minute, I just need to look for one thing…
But if his departure is late, I think this will be why. And I think that now that’s he’s announced he’s not leaving until Wednesday AM, they’re nervous. They certainly don’t want him to give this last parting gift to the libs.
But they know he’s beyond reason and …oppositional defiance. That’s why they are planning the 21 gun salute, the helicopter ride. It’s the equivalent of throwing a bunch of toys on the lawn in order to trick your dog into going outside.
As I said, nobody is planning this, and the military have expressly said there will be nothing. Who is going for fire the guns? What will they use for a flyover?
It’s only happening in Trump’s head, and if anything, his aides are simply playing along with the deleusion at this point.
I think that’s exactly what is going on. They’ll tell him it’s going to happen at 11:58. As he’s looking out the window and the clock ticks on…
At 12:01 they’ll tell him that there is nothing happening and citizen Trump needs to get the hell out now.
Tell him it’s taking longer than expected because it’ll be the bigliest sendoff any President has ever had, but they’ll bring him back on AF1* when it’s all ready.
In two weeks.
* Yes, I know it won’t really be Air Force One because Biden won’t be on it. But Trump won’t know that.
They are using one of Trump’s favorite papers to delude him. Yes, I realize the article says they’re mulling it- not that it will happen.
But it’s still the equivalent of throwing toys on the lawn to lure out the dog. I’ve had dogs, sometimes you can pretend to throw something and they’ll chase it like it’s real.
I’ve made this prediction for a while, and until recently it was met with scorn.” You have Trump Derangement Syndrome! Oh course he’ll leave, he’s not insane no matter what you haters say!”
I think the imminent loss of deference – almost as magical to him as the adoring cheers at his rallies – is hurting him the most. He really needs to spend the rest of his miserable life hearing “Fuck you, you crazy bastard” as often as possible.
Perhaps somehow hardwired into text tone/email tone/ring tone/Twitter alerts preferences on every single phone and device he is allowed access to for the rest of his pitiful life.
This would seem to be in accordance with the Delta Tau Chi Axiom: if they’re serious this time with the impeachment/double secret probation, there’s only one thing to do: toga party (or its equivalent).