# Is Trump confused? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [January 24, 2024, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-confused/996589 "2024-01-24T13:53:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 35
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2024, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-confused/996589/681 "2024-05-26T01:41:43Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Do I have to break out the clip where he bragged about being endorsed by Hannibal Lecter again? He has worked in Hannibal Lecter on [numerous occasions](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/16/opinion/donald-trump-hannibal-lecter.html?unlocked_article_code=1.u00.4zeh.H1rLxJmy7Zq1&smid=url-share). That’s not confused. He is deliberately using a fictional character as a slur against undocumented immigrants, and immigrants generally. The idea that Trump is confused is a classic case of underestimating your adversary. ---
**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:** [May 26, 2024, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-confused/996589/682 "2024-05-26T01:43:18Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Yes, and Bidens gaffes have plagued him all his life. Biden has a stutter. He acknowledges that and doesn’t try to pretend that he’s the healthiest person to ever live or the greatest orator since Socrates (who was treated almost as unfairly as Trump - SAD!) and he makes himself clear when he trips over his own tongue instead of moving to a different topic. ---
**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:** [May 26, 2024, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-confused/996589/683 "2024-05-26T01:45:10Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > He has worked in Hannibal Lecter on [numerous occasions](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/16/opinion/donald-trump-hannibal-lecter.html?unlocked_article_code=1.u00.4zeh.H1rLxJmy7Zq1&smid=url-share). That’s not confused. He is deliberately using a fictional character as a slur against undocumented immigrants, and immigrants generally. And when he said that he loves Hannibal Lecter because Lecter went on TV and said “I love Donald Trump”, what point about immigrants was he trying to make then? [https://x.com/Acyn/status/1710777385153368153?lang=en](https://x.com/Acyn/status/1710777385153368153?lang=en) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2024, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-confused/996589/684 "2024-05-26T01:57:51Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Biden has a stutter. He acknowledges that and doesn’t try to pretend that he’s the healthiest person to ever live or the greatest orator since Socrates (who was treated almost as unfairly as Trump - SAD!) and he makes himself clear when he trips over his own tongue instead of moving to a different topic. Yes, I know. See Biden has had gaffes due to his speech impediment all his life. He isnt getting worse like trump is. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2024, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-confused/996589/685 "2024-05-26T02:18:18Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > And when he said that he loves Hannibal Lecter because Lecter went on TV and said “I love Donald Trump”, what point about immigrants was he trying to make then? This has to do with Trump’s character, not confusion. There’s discussion in this (previously linked by Dr\_Paprika): [Why does Trump think Hannibal Lecter is a ‘wonderful man’?](https://nationalpost.com/news/world/trump-hannibal-lecter) It’s a somewhat similar point as when he says he gets along well with Putin or Kim Jong Un. This is also similarly non-confused: > **[Trump Proudly Accepts Endorsements From Rappers Charged With Murder](https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/trump-unsurprisingly-brags-support-alleged-140024570.html)** > > Donald Trump invited some shocking guests to join him on stage at his Bronx rally. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2024, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-confused/996589/686 "2024-05-26T02:25:46Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > It’s a somewhat similar point as when he says he gets along well with Putin or Kim Jong Un. Those people actually exist. Hannibal Lecter does not and, [from your link,](https://nationalpost.com/news/world/trump-hannibal-lecter) > none of the four actors who have portrayed Lecter — Anthony Hopkins, Gaspard Ulliel, Brian Cox or Mads Mikkelsen — have said they love him. So, > [@Smapti](#): > > what point about immigrants was he trying to make then? ---
**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 26, 2024, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-confused/996589/687 "2024-05-26T02:33:19Z")
Apparently, Trump isn’t confused. We all are. Except for phillyguy who speaks fluent Trump. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2024, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-confused/996589/688 "2024-05-26T02:39:22Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > Apparently, Trump isn’t confused. If Trump is confused, he is much less dangerous. He will be handled by his normal Republican subordinates. This may well be what Nikki Haley thinks. P.S. If Trump is elected and picks Haley for Secretary of State, and picks someone she likes for national security adviser, I’ll admit it – what I wrote here is wrong. He’s confused. ---
**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:** [May 26, 2024, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-confused/996589/689 "2024-05-26T02:46:29Z")
I think it’s worth noting that dementia patients can certainly have lucid periods. My father was in a care facility towards the end of his life and whenever I visited him he seemed fine, almost to the point where I wanted to question why he had to be in the “complex care” ward where the patients were kept locked in at all times. But I also knew I was just in denial because I didn’t want this terrible thing to be true. A deteriorating brain is not a fate I would wish on anybody. Not even Trump. But it’s happening and denial will not cure it. Six months will be plenty of time for it to become painfully apparent any time Trump is in public. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2024, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-confused/996589/690 "2024-05-26T02:54:19Z")
Normal republican subordinates. ---
**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:** [May 26, 2024, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-confused/996589/691 "2024-05-26T02:55:59Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > This has to do with Trump’s character, not confusion From your link; > [@](#): > > As Newsweek [points out](https://www.newsweek.com/fact-check-donald-trump-praise-hannibal-lecter-election-rally-1899818), none of the four actors who have portrayed Lecter — Anthony Hopkins, Gaspard Ulliel, Brian Cox or Mads Mikkelsen — have said they love him. What aspect of his “character” is drawing this clearly not demented to claim he is beloved by fictional cannibals? What did he mean when he said Saudi Arabia and Russia were going to reebedoouhhhhh? [https://x.com/Roshan\_Rinaldi/status/1764067359327682720](https://x.com/Roshan_Rinaldi/status/1764067359327682720) ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2024, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-confused/996589/692 "2024-05-26T02:56:26Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > He will be handled by his normal Republican subordinates. 🤣 That was the conventional wisdom when people were voting for him four years ago. Look how _that_ turned out. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2024, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-confused/996589/693 "2024-05-26T03:07:30Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > The idea that Trump is confused is a classic case of underestimating your adversary This i disagree with. Yeah a bunch of this stuff is not new. He doesn’t lie about everything because he’s senile, he always done that, similarly he doesn’t say horrendous fascist things, or go on incoherent rants, or have dumb offensive nicknames for people, etc. you can go back as afar as you want and he’s always done those On the other hand he’s always made sense in the past, the point of what he was saying, no matter how horrible and clearly nonsensical, was clear even if he was pretty incoherent in how he made it. Nowadays he literally needs a translator, his monologues make no sense, he’s is mispronouncing easy words, calling people the wrong name (calling Biden Obama is not a cunning put down, it’s a brain malfunction), and going off on rants that just don’t make sense (again not in the way his rants never made sense, in the way that the MAGAts interviewing him have to intervene and put make his point for him) ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2024, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-confused/996589/694 "2024-05-26T03:34:14Z")
> [@griffin1977](#): > > On the other hand he’s always made sense in the past, the point of what he was saying, no matter how horrible and clearly nonsensical, was clear even if he was pretty incoherent in how he made it. I beg to differ. He’s been this way for years. Trump speech July 21, 2015 " _but you look at the nuclear deal, the thing that really bothers me — it would have been so easy, and it’s not as important as these lives are — nuclear is so powerful; my uncle explained that to me many, many years ago, the power and that was 35 years ago; he would explain the power of what’s going to happen and he was right, who would have thought? — but when you look at what’s going on with the four prisoners — now it used to be three, now it’s four — but when it was three and even now, I would have said it’s all in the messenger; fellas, and it is fellas because, you know, they don’t, they haven’t figured that the women are smarter right now than the men, so, you know, it’s gonna take them about another 150 years — but the Persians are great negotiators, the Iranians are great negotiators, so, and they, they just killed, they just killed us, this is horrible."_" [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Elhyo-_fR0E/hqdefault.jpg "Donald Trump’s Rambling Sentence on July 21, 2015") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Elhyo-_fR0E) ---
**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:** [May 26, 2024, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-confused/996589/695 "2024-05-26T03:48:41Z")
Yes, that’s rambling and ignorant, but you can follow it and he brings it back around to his original point. He starts with the Iran nuclear deal, is reminded of his smart uncle, brags about how smart he is, insults Iran, and then puts down Obama for claiming that the Iranians are dumber than women and still “outsmarted” him. If he tried to give that monologue today, he’d make it as far as “my uncle expleased”, say something like “and they know it’s true, they know it’s true”, and then start talking about Judge Engoron. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2024, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-confused/996589/696 "2024-05-26T04:10:58Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > but you can follow it No I can’t. Can you? Who are the four prisoners that used to be three? What will take another 150 years? Can you actually understand the point he’s trying to make here? ---
**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:** [May 26, 2024, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-confused/996589/697 "2024-05-26T04:19:30Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Who are the four prisoners that used to be three? The hostages that Iran took prisoner after they crossed the border. > **[Former Hostage: Under Deal, Iran Has Less Incentive To Hold Americans](https://www.npr.org/2015/07/18/424024663/former-hostage-under-deal-iran-has-less-incentive-to-hold-americans)** > > Sarah Shourd, who was imprisoned by Iran in 2009, calls the nuclear deal a "win-win." It doesn't demand Americans' release, but she says it makes it less useful for Iran to keep hostages for leverage. > [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > What will take another 150 years? That “they haven’t figured that the women are smarter right now than the men”, as he said inmediately before that. The point he’s trying to make there is that he thinks Obama gave too much away in getting the hostages released, interrupted by a brief aside about how his uncle was an expert on “nuclear” and so is he since he thinks intelligence is genetic. Compared to bragging that Hamnibal Lecter loves him, it makes enough sense. Remember, I’m our “official” SDMB Trump Whisperer. I’ve been inside his head for eight years (and believe me, it’s scary in here!) and since 2020 (when he caught a severe enough case of covid that he allowed himself to be hospitalized, and remember that “brain fog” is one of the symptoms of long covid) there’s been a significant downturn in his ability to stay on topic, complete a coherent thought, or pronounce simple English words. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2024, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-confused/996589/698 "2024-05-26T04:30:41Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > If he tried to give that monologue today, he’d make it as far as “my uncle expleased”, say something like “and they know it’s true, they know it’s true”, and then start talking about Judge Engoron. [He has always been one to change direction in the middle of a sentence.](https://youtu.be/5scez5dqtAc?t=362/) China buys our coal \>\> China is our neighbor \>\> The Universe \>\> Miss Universe pageant \>\> people criticize Trump \>\> illegal immigration \>\> Eurovision ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2024, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-confused/996589/699 "2024-05-26T04:34:51Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > He has always been one to change direction in the middle of a sentence. But now he has a tendency to babble when changing direction, as if the gears in his brain are missing some teeth and having difficulty engaging the new direction. ---
**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:** [May 26, 2024, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-confused/996589/700 "2024-05-26T04:37:39Z")
Right, but that habit has significantly worsened is the point I’m making. Compare Trump in 2024 to Trump in 2020, Trump in 2016, and Trump pre-politics and there’s a clear and marked decline. As ridiculous as we thought it was 4 years ago when he suggested treating covid with bleach injections, I doubt Trump today would even be able to make the leap of “logic” that lead him to ask that question. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-confused/996589.md?page=34) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-confused/996589.md?page=36)