# The argument that Trump will do whatever he wants and no one can stop him is really fucking boring **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [December 12, 2024, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527 "2024-12-12T02:36:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 79
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/1562 "2026-01-08T04:51:44Z")
The Democrats have for decades let the Republicans get away with anything they felt like, shielding them with necessary. The Republicans have no _reason_ to fear being punished; even if the Democrats were actually allowed back into power, shielding Trump and the Republicans would be their top priority. Even if it meant they doomed themselves in the process. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/1563 "2026-01-08T04:59:35Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > That was the _best_ idea they could come up with. And it failed spectacularly. > > I doubt they’ve gotten better at this since then. What was the name of that guy in Germany’s [**Beer Hall Putsch**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beer_Hall_Putsch)? I mean … after _he_ got arrested, you never heard of or from _him_ again, right? I think he wound up on _Dancing With The Stars_ or something. And nobody of consequence ever got in line behind _him_ after that, right? ---
**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 8, 2026, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/1564 "2026-01-08T05:40:24Z")
I defer to the smartest guy on TV and GOAT of the SDMB’s favorite show. > **[Ken Jennings (@kenjennings.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/kenjennings.bsky.social/post/3mbuedepurs2x)** > > This kind of thing does point out a real ethical dilemma: block or mute? > **[Ken Jennings (@kenjennings.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/kenjennings.bsky.social/post/3mbv2quu6jc24)** > > First, it's factually wrong. There will be elections in 2026 and 2028 under Trump, just like there were elections last year under Trump and during his first term. This despite one of the two major parties now harboring a lot of anti-democratic... > **[Ken Jennings (@kenjennings.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/kenjennings.bsky.social/post/3mbv2trw7fc24)** > > I'm not particularly interested in convincing anyone on this point and won't try, the future is the future. But if the left side of the political spectrum is still the domain of scholarship and expertise, take note that you don't find scholars and... > **[Ken Jennings (@kenjennings.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/kenjennings.bsky.social/post/3mbv2wkh2r224)** > > Second, and probably most importantly, it's tactically wrong. "No point discussing political opposition to fascism, there won't be elections anyway" cedes victory to your enemies. It's defeatism and nihilism. Go on, tell _him_ he’s a blinkered idiot who’s minimizing the problem and thinks everything is gonna be fine. ---
**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:** [January 8, 2026, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/1565 "2026-01-08T05:50:59Z")
Once again, I will stress: There WILL CERTAINLY be elections going forward. Russia has “elections” North Korea has “elections”. The US will certainly have “elections”, just like them. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/1566 "2026-01-08T06:18:09Z")
Yes. While I’m sure that they _could_ end elections, most authoritarian regimes like their staged elections. So that’s what we’ll have, “elections” that are just ritual coronations with a pre-determined outcome. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/1567 "2026-01-08T06:27:51Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Once again, I will stress: > > There WILL CERTAINLY be elections going forward. > Russia has “elections” > North Korea has “elections”. > > The US will certainly have “elections”, just like them. Not only do those countries have elections, but their leaders are so beloved that they tend to get almost 100% of the vote! ---
**Author:** ![iamatractorboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iamatractorboy/32/21261_2.png) [@iamatractorboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamatractorboy)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/1568 "2026-01-08T07:02:40Z")
I find it ‘amusing’ (probably the wrong word in this context) that Kim etc don’t ever quite get 100%, it’s always something like 99.2% or whatever, as though they think 100% would look fishy but 99.2% seems legit. ---
**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:** [January 8, 2026, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/1569 "2026-01-08T07:54:25Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I’ve asked multiple times HOW Trump is going to carry out any of this election cancelling or rigging or so on. The only answer I’ve gotten is “he’ll just do it and nobody will stop him”. > > The only conclusion I can come to is that y’all think he’s omnipotent. Except that that _isn’t_ the “only answer” you’ve gotten. But when you get them you ignore them, handwave them away, or deliberately misrepresent them. The only conclusion we can come to is that you’re incapable of any honesty whatsoever on this subject. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/1570 "2026-01-08T13:41:17Z")
Depending on rank-and-file Republicans to uphold norms seems increasingly problematic to me. Holding elections requires action. State legislatures have to allocate funds. State election boards have to test equipment and oversee local efforts. Local boards have to procure voting locations and recruit workers. If they don’t, who will make them or punish them for not doing their duty? If 200 new Democratic reps show up in January 2027, who will swear them in and seat them? That requires Mike Johnson _doing_ something and he’s already demonstrated that he’s willing to shut down the nation’s business before doing that which is required by law. Who will make him do otherwise? Republicans are a criminal organization dedicated to maintaining power. If counting on them to do the lawful thing “because that’s what they did in 2020” is what we’re banking on to save us, we’re in deep shit. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/1571 "2026-01-08T14:25:28Z")
I think that once Greenland happens then everything else will follow quickly: Canda, Panama Canal, end to real elections, etc. and it looks like Greenland is happening soon. And Chuck Schumer is going to write such a strongly worded letter. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/1572 "2026-01-08T14:38:33Z")
Trump, Vance, Hegseth and others are openly saying that the new policy is “might makes right.” Why would we expect an administration which believes that to voluntarily surrender power? ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/1573 "2026-01-08T14:47:19Z")
> [@Red\_Wiggler](#): > > Why would we expect an administration which believes that to voluntarily surrender power? Because some people are just fucking stupid. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/1574 "2026-01-08T17:25:53Z")
I happen to think that – while hugely important – restricting the topic to the '26 and '28 elections is casting too narrow a net. But … > **[How Voting Laws Have Changed in Battleground States Since 2020](https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/how-voting-laws-have-changed-battleground-states-2020)** > > Most have made it harder to vote, but others have expanded access. > **[ACLU Responds to Trump’s Anti-Voter Executive Order | American Civil...](https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/aclu-responds-to-trumps-anti-voter-executive-order)** > > WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Civil Liberties Union condemns President Donald Trump's executive order signed today, which aims to upend U.S.... > **[How the Federal Government Is Undermining Election Security](https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/how-federal-government-undermining-election-security)** > > By cutting critical funding, coordination, and support from numerous agencies, the administration is making it harder for states to guard against threats to their election systems. > **[Denial, Restriction and Manipulation: New Trump Administration Targets Voting...](https://blog.ucs.org/liza-gordon-rogers/denial-restriction-and-manipulation-new-trump-administration-targets-voting-rights-fair-representation/)** > > President Trump has passed the first 100 days of his second term. It should come as no surprise that the new administration is attacking voting and elections from all sides. As my colleague Joseph Reed wrote, their actions raise the question of... > **[How CLC Is Pushing Back on the Trump Administration’s Anti-Voter Actions](https://campaignlegal.org/update/how-clc-pushing-back-trump-administrations-anti-voter-actions)** > > Since the beginning of his second term, President Trump and his administration have renewed their efforts to undermine Americans’ freedom to vote.   {..} [**How the Trump administration is trying to change the way people vote - PBS**](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/how-the-trump-administration-is-trying-to-change-the-way-people-vote) {..} [**U.S. Democratic Backsliding in Comparative Perspective - Carnegie Endowment for International Peace**](https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2025/08/us-democratic-backsliding-in-comparative-perspective?lang=en) For any whose primary argument is that “elections are run by the States,” it’s naive, reductive, and harmfully uninformed. A hundred small changes (“flooding the zone”) can be overwhelming, more opaque, and – in aggregate – shift the outcome of critical elections. These people are evil, not stupid. They know this. ---
**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 8, 2026, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/1575 "2026-01-08T18:48:16Z")
> [@Red\_Wiggler](#): > > If 200 new Democratic reps show up in January 2027, who will swear them in and seat them? That requires Mike Johnson _doing_ something and he’s already demonstrated that he’s willing to shut down the nation’s business before doing that which is required by law. Mike Johnson won’t be the Speaker in 2027 unless he’s elected to that position by the members-elect of the new Congress. The House is not a continuing body. ---
**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:** [January 8, 2026, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/1576 "2026-01-08T22:44:05Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > They are indeed disturbing, and they’ve dome a lot of bad stuff, but there’s very little they’ve done that can’t be undone. How easy is this going to be to put together again? And there are a LOT MORE things like this. [Trump withdraws US from UN climate treaty and 65 other global bodies](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/trump-withdraws-us-un-climate-091522396.html) ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/1577 "2026-01-08T22:51:49Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I defer to the smartest guy on TV and GOAT of the SDMB’s favorite show. Your cite is a game show host? I continue to be amazed at your ability to find ever deeper levels of dumbfuckery to which you can descend. ---
**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 8, 2026, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/1578 "2026-01-08T23:55:47Z")
Yes, my cite is a 74-time winner officially named by the show’s producers as the greatest contestant in the nearly half-century history of the show. Would you care to tell the class why he’s stupid and wrong? ---
**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:** [January 9, 2026, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/1579 "2026-01-09T00:02:39Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Would you care to tell the class why he’s stupid and wrong? We’re not saying he’s stupid and wrong. We’re saying _you’re_ stupid and wrong. Which you keep providing evidence for. Because you’re once again misrepresenting the arguments in this thread _and_ are now misapplying the statements of Jennings to them. You really are incapable of an honest argument here. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/1580 "2026-01-09T00:03:45Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Yes, my cite is a 74-time winner officially named by the show’s producers as the greatest contestant in the nearly half-century history of the show. I didn’t say Jennings was stupid, I said _you’re_ stupid, because you think being good at memorizing trivia is the same as being smart. ---
**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:** [January 9, 2026, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/1581 "2026-01-09T00:05:27Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Yes, my cite is a 74-time winner officially named by the show’s producers as the greatest contestant in the nearly half-century history of the show. Your fallacy is: Appeal to False Authority. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527.md?page=78) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527.md?page=80)