# 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:** 74
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1475 "2024-05-28T21:25:51Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > Also let’s face it many of them came to the USA seeking _economic_ opportunity, and _safety_ from _crime or civil instability_. I think this is key. Trump voters feel threatened by crime and disorder. Locally, they are scared of Philadelphia. I have a Salvadoran-American friend in this 98 percent: [98% of Expatriate Salvadorans Choose Nayib Bukele](https://elsalvadorinenglish.com/2024/02/07/overwhelming-support-for-bukele-among-salvadoran-diaspora-in-recent-elections/#:~:text=In%20a%20resounding%20display%20of,Supreme%20Electoral%20Tribunal%20(TSE)) Bukele is Trumpy in affect, terrible on civil liberties, and successful in reducing high crime rates. My friend says that for the first time in his life, he is not frightened to go home for a visit. The U.S. would only be harmed by a Bukele, but Trump’s politics are based on convincing us that the U.S. is like pre-Bukele El Salvador. Many are buying. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1476 "2024-05-28T21:51:18Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > Bukele is Trumpy in affect, terrible on civil liberties, and successful in reducing high crime rates. Thing is that regarding Trumpy, he misleads about lowering crime, because there was no “tide of violent crime” for him to lower when he was president. > **[Crime Is Down. Does President Trump Deserve Credit?](https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/crime-down-does-president-trump-deserve-credit)** > > In claiming responsibility for lower crime rates, President Trump latches on to dangerous misconceptions about violence and policing. As a Salvadoran, I have seen reports that Bukele’s way of accusing people that want to start a small business as being also gangsters, and other heavy ways of handing people that **could** be gangsters, is beginning to cause people to dislike Bukele. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2024, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1477 "2024-05-29T11:42:56Z")
It has to be dispiriting to have as commander in chief a guy who thinks stealth fighters are literally invisible. ---
**Author:** ![TeroSunbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terosunbear/32/14748_2.png) [@TeroSunbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeroSunbear)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2024, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1478 "2024-05-29T12:32:57Z")
Trump to be guilty this week? Will he get 5 years probation? Aileen Cannon supervising it in Florida? ---
**Author:** ![TeroSunbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terosunbear/32/14748_2.png) [@TeroSunbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeroSunbear)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2024, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1479 "2024-05-30T13:36:09Z")
> **[Jo (@jojo.fromjerz) on Threads](https://www.threads.net/@jojo.fromjerz/post/C7l_cXqRdoi)** > > First president in 28 years to not serve a second term. > > First president in 45 years not to release any of his tax returns. > > First president in 89 years to lose the presidency, the House and the Senate in a single term. > > First president in 102 years... and more > First president ever to fail to hit a 50% approval rating at any point during their presidency. > First president ever to be elected with the help of a foreign nation. > First president ever to be impeached twice. > First president ever to have a member of their own party vote for conviction in an impeachment trial. > First president ever to have an arrest warrant issued against him by a foreign nation. > First president ever to refuse to concede defeat. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2024, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1480 "2024-05-30T13:50:21Z")
Nice. Shared to Face ~~palm~~ book. ---
**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:** [May 30, 2024, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1481 "2024-05-30T13:56:06Z")
So, you’re saying he’s a groundbreaking President who has accomplished many things no one else has done? /s ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2024, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1482 "2024-05-30T13:58:50Z")
Sure, in the sense that digging a grave is ‘groundbreaking’. A metaphorical grave for his political legacy, that is. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2024, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1483 "2024-05-30T22:55:57Z")
Who’d have thought the party of law & order would be backing a convicted felon for POTUS? Or is he finally not a viable candidate? ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2024, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1484 "2024-05-30T23:31:58Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > Who’d have thought the party of law & order would be backing a convicted felon for POTUS? Who’d have thought that the party of Cold Warrior Hawks would have just shrugged about a president in league with Russia, but we jumped the shark a _long_ time ago. Unfortunately, I expect that the right wing reaction is going to be to somehow discount either the city of New York or the technical nature of the crime to declare this an illegitimate prosecution. Nevertheless, I do agree with your sentiment. _What the hell happened to the Republican Party?_ ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2024, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1485 "2024-05-30T23:33:32Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > Unfortunately, I expect that the right wing reaction is going to be to somehow discount either the city of New York or the technical nature of the crime to declare this an illegitimate prosecution. Oh it’s all “Trump is innocent, corrupt judge, election interference, Biden, etc etc” everywhere in the MAGAsphere right now, including from Congressional Republicans. I’d say they ought to know better but no one would believe me - not even me. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2024, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1486 "2024-05-31T00:42:20Z")
So what happens when Trump violates probation? ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2024, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1487 "2024-05-31T00:49:46Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > what happens when Trump violates probation? We call that a VOP. It’s a new criminal charge. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2024, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1488 "2024-05-31T00:50:18Z")
If he’s given a suspended sentence, then violates probation, the sentence gets unsuspended and off to jail he goes! ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2024, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1489 "2024-05-31T01:00:02Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > So what happens when Trump violates probation? You mean by, say, associating with known criminals he is saying he will pardon if he wins? It is highly likely he will do that, and that some of the known criminals he will associate with also have a history of violating election laws. I think your question highlights the challenge this verdict creates for the legal system. The whole purpose of that system is to prevent crime. Look at this news story from last week: [Senate Democrats launch investigation into alleged Trump ‘quid pro quo’ with oil executives](https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/23/politics/trump-senate-democrats-oil-investigation/index.html) This sounds to me to be a violation of the New York election law that was part of the chain that pushed Trump’s business record falsification into felony territory. Normally I am against prison and in favor of probation. But I’m afraid DJT is going to make a mockery of the probation system, and will get away with continuing to disrespect election law. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2024, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1490 "2024-05-31T01:09:53Z")
I’ll believe it when I see it. I don’t think they’ll even confine him to Trump Tower. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2024, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1491 "2024-05-31T01:57:14Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > Who’d have thought that the party of Cold Warrior Hawks would have just shrugged about a president in league with Russia, but we jumped the shark a _long_ time ago. Would have thought that the Right Wing Evangelists would back a serial adulterer, fornicator, and worse? ---
**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:** [May 31, 2024, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1492 "2024-05-31T02:23:50Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > Nevertheless, I do agree with your sentiment. _What the hell happened to the Republican Party?_ It sold its soul for power, and Satan called the note. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2024, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1493 "2024-05-31T02:39:12Z")
“Unfair! This didn’t happen to [Robert Johnson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Johnson#Devil_legend)!” ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2024, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1494 "2024-05-31T02:56:06Z")
“I’d rather support Felon Trump than Pedo Biden.” – My Mother. He’s still a viable candidate because a significant number of American voters are off their rocker. It’s been an interesting day of discussions with my MAGA mom. She made the usual MAGA complaints that Merchan instructed the jury to come to a guilty verdict, that he wasn’t requiring the jury to come to a unanimous verdict, that he was purposely not providing the jury with written instructions, etc., etc. I did try to engage and told her why her complaints weren’t valid I was told, “You believe what you want to believe and I’ll believe what I want to believe.” Like many MAGA cultist, she lives in a bubble. I don’t really speak to her about politics very often, so the only people she talks to are those in the MAGAsphere. That’s one of the reasons why Trump is still a viable candidate. It’s just so easy for us to stay in our own little bubbles. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949.md?page=73) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949.md?page=75)