# How is trump still a viable candidate for president? Really, how? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [May 12, 2023, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949 "2023-05-12T14:28:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 25
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2023, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/484 "2023-08-21T19:20:25Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > Why are his supporters so loyal when Trump has demonstrated he’s willing to burn any of them when it’s convenient? It’s not ours to question. Dear Leader works in mysterious ways. **Trump** created the world and _gave_ people a free choice to obey Him and live in His perfect creation or to rebel by going their own way and suffer the consequences. You see, it’s quite simple really. **Trump** has chosen to create a “real” world in which real choices have real consequences. In this real world of ours, our actions affect others. Because of Adam’s choice to sin, the world now lives under the curse, and we are all born with a sin nature. So Jenna Ellis and the other folks indicted are sinners. There will one day come a time when **Trump** will judge the sin in this world and make all things new, but He is purposely “delaying” in order to allow more time for people to repent so that He will not need to condemn them. It’s all part of the plan. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2023, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/485 "2023-08-21T20:06:45Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > One of the things I don’t get is how Trump is able to win the loyalty of so many people when he publically throws his supporters under the bus. Because he’s the closest thing they have to ensuring the country is dominated by people like them, and everyone else, especially “those people” can go back to getting marginalized, where they belong, as it’s supposed to be. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2023, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/486 "2023-08-21T20:42:03Z")
Another take on why the endless supply of close followers. trump is the uber-case of pure ego triumphs over most other people most other times. His inner circle are not like the besotted angry MAGAts. Instead they’re ego-driven messes like he is. Just not as “good” at it. In their minds, they can surf the trumply wave and advance their personal agenda by shaping his. They are remoras to his shark. All gain no risk for them. A free ride to the not-quite top. And they’ll learn something, or at least make valuable connections all the way. What’s not to like? And because they are ego-driven every time they see some prior trump toady being tossed under the bus their reaction is not “That’ll happen to me too; I’d best be careful.” Instead it’s “Jenna Ellis being tossed under the bus is proof she’s not as cool as _I_ am. _I’ll_ never be tossed under that bus. _I’m_ that good !!!11!!! Unlike loser Ellis.” Life in/near the trump reality distortion field attracts other folks with distorted reality fields like shit attracts flies. With a similarly happy outcome: more maggots / MAGAts. 😁 ---
**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:** [August 21, 2023, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/487 "2023-08-21T21:13:02Z")
> [@Jenna Ellis](#): > > I totally agree this has become a bigger principle than just one man. So why isn’t MAGA, Inc. funding everyone’s defense? She’s free to run her own MAGA grift. I’m sure Trump wouldn’t mind her getting money that rightfully belongs to him. Go for it, Jenna! ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2023, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/488 "2023-08-21T22:18:00Z")
She and a whole bunch of her fellow co-conspirators have set up their grifts on the conservative alternative to GoFundMe, a platform called GiveSendGo. The fun thing about GiveSendGo is that it actually lets you send your thoughts and prayers for free, all you need is a throw-away e-mail address. I (well, someone I made up named Betty Phuckzer) just told Jenna and John Eastman that I was praying that they spend the rest of their miserable lives in federal prison. It didn’t take long and it was free! ---
**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:** [August 22, 2023, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/489 "2023-08-22T01:22:57Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > Because he’s the closest thing they have to ensuring the country is dominated by people like them, I think this is part of it. There was an interview a while ago with one of Putin’s supporters, who was arguing that Putin should crack down even harder on dissenters in Russia, the way it was in Stalin’s time. Then he added the kicker: “And remember, I speak as someone whose grandfather was sent to the gulag.” It’s all about control. ---
**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:** [August 22, 2023, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/490 "2023-08-22T03:21:59Z")
> [@Jenna Ellis](#): > > I was reliably informed that Trump isn’t funding any of us who are indicted…I totally agree this has become a bigger principle than just one man. So why isn’t MAGA, Inc. funding everyone’s defense? Like somekinda GODDAMN COMMUNISTS?! ---
**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:** [August 22, 2023, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/491 "2023-08-22T13:14:02Z")
> [@Jenna Ellis](#): > > totally agree this has become a bigger principle than just one man. So why isn’t MAGA, Inc. funding everyone’s defense? The purpose of MAGA, Inc. (???) would be simply to elect Trump, rather than to deal with _your_ consequences. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2023, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/492 "2023-08-22T13:20:51Z")
As trump might put it if he had any classical education whatsoever: > _Le MAGAt c’est moi!_ ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2023, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/493 "2023-08-22T13:34:26Z")
> [@DWMarch](#): > > Like somekinda GODDAMN COMMUNISTS?! The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was never communist! You’re the communist! /MAGAt ---
**Author:** ![Biffster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biffster/32/339_2.png) [@Biffster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffster)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2023, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/494 "2023-08-22T23:44:33Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > The purpose of MAGA, Inc. (???) would be simply to elect Trump, rather than to deal with _your_ consequences. Trump needs people to remain loyal to him. There’s a greater chance that may not happen if his co-conspirators have to cover their own legal expenses. A lot more incentive to flip. ---
**Author:** ![slicedalone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slicedalone/32/12515_2.png) [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2023, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/495 "2023-08-23T08:51:18Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > And because they are ego-driven every time they see some prior trump toady being tossed under the bus their reaction is not “That’ll happen to me too; I’d best be careful.” Your restraint in not mentioning “face-eating leopards” here is admirable. ---
**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:** [August 23, 2023, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/496 "2023-08-23T11:11:31Z")
> [@slicedalone](#): > > Your restraint in not mentioning “face-eating leopards” here is admirable. Cranium-crunching hyenas? Head-chewing pumas? It doesn’t have the same musical flow. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2023, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/497 "2023-08-23T12:17:11Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > trump is the uber-case of pure ego No, I think he is pure id. How many people does he have to throw under the bus before everyone realizes that he doesn’t give two shits about anyone but himself? Sometimes it’s people who deserve to be thrown under the bus like Rudy but often it’s just little guys who get starstruck and abandon all of their senses in order to kneel before his altar. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2023, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/498 "2023-08-23T12:53:21Z")
> [@slicedalone](#): > > Your restraint in not mentioning “face-eating leopards” here is admirable. I find most SDMB in-group idioms quickly go from witty to yeah-so to tired cliché far beyond their sell-by date. That particular idiom is deeply into Door #3. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2023, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/499 "2023-08-23T13:08:31Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > SDMB in-group idioms Umm, that particular idiom is from a Tweet. > ### Etymology > > From an October 2015 [tweet](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/tweet) by Adrian Bott (@cavalorn) that went viral… [https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Leopards\_Eating\_People's\_Faces\_Party](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Leopards_Eating_People%27s_Faces_Party) ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2023, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/500 "2023-08-23T14:04:06Z")
True enough. But it’s certainly long-since become popular around here. Over-popular IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2023, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/501 "2023-08-23T14:18:15Z")
> [@Biffster](#): > > Trump needs people to remain loyal to him. There’s a greater chance that may not happen if his co-conspirators have to cover their own legal expenses. A lot more incentive to flip. The problem is, Trump fundamentally doesn’t understand what’s happening to him. Firstly, he fundamentally doesn’t understand that loyalty is a reciprocal arrangement. He thinks everyone is loyal to him, and doesn’t get that he should be loyal to them. He doesn’t have to pay their bills to get their loyalty, their loyalty is just an inherent feature in the Universe of Trump. Secondly, he fundamentally doesn’t understand the difference between a civil court case and a criminal court case. Every time he talks about it, it’s clear he thinks this is no different from all the times he’s sued someone, or been sued (He thought he could negotiate a plea deal where the prosecutors ‘paid him some damages’, for example). In his civil cases, he didn’t need to be loyal to anyone, because his plans never amounted to more than “Delay, delay, delay. Delay long enough that the other side runs out of money before Trump does.” He thinks these people not being able to pay their own lawyers is a good thing for him, because he thinks that means he’s winning. He doesn’t understand that they can cut their losses by flipping on Trump and accepting a deal. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2023, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/502 "2023-08-23T20:07:14Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Over-popular IMO. An idiom only ceases to be popular around here when we’ve chased it down, beaten it to death in an alley, and gone through it’s pockets looking for another idiom. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2023, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/503 "2023-08-23T20:13:43Z")
Damn good thing you had three activities in that list or I’d have had to invoke St. Opal on you. 😁 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949.md?page=24) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949.md?page=26)