# The sharpest questions you've asked Trump supporters **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [February 16, 2020, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sharpest-questions-youve-asked-trump-supporters/848031 "2020-02-16T17:46:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Chad\_Sudan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chad_sudan/32/4509_2.png) [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2020, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sharpest-questions-youve-asked-trump-supporters/848031/1 "2020-02-16T17:46:41Z")
I’m aware that many opponents of Trump have given up on ever having a reasoned debate with Trump supporters. Still, with every new incident from this White House, I find myself in disbelief, and wanting to ask Trump supporters questions to better understand their underlying premises. Such as: Do you see value in our alliances with other Western countries? If so, do you think it’s in our interest to insult other Western leaders? Do you think that any president has the constitutional right to do whatever he or she wants? Under what circumstances should a president be impeached? If a large number of officials chosen by the president leave the White House on bad terms, what do you make of that? etc. etc. I live abroad and so have rarely spoken to Trump supporters, much less had in-depth political discussions with them. So… Trump opponents - What are the most incisive questions you’ve posed to Trump supporters (in person, not online)? What were the most revealing answers you got? ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2020, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sharpest-questions-youve-asked-trump-supporters/848031/2 "2020-02-16T18:22:27Z")
In my experience its like asking an Islamic fanatic about their faith. Everything comes back to denial and whatabboutism Granted the ones I know are pretty partisan. I don’t know any moderate or swing Trump voters. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2020, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sharpest-questions-youve-asked-trump-supporters/848031/3 "2020-02-16T18:25:03Z")
There’s no benefit to engaging a Trump supporter. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2020, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sharpest-questions-youve-asked-trump-supporters/848031/4 "2020-02-16T18:58:37Z")
I just wear [my shirt](https://www.amazon.com/Lying-Wrong-Again-Political-T-Shirt/dp/B07HXGDH5N) that says Make Lying Wrong Again and hope that someone will challenge me on it. No one has. I do get a lot of compliments on it, tho. ---
**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:** [February 16, 2020, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sharpest-questions-youve-asked-trump-supporters/848031/5 "2020-02-16T20:41:36Z")
This reminds me of a Yahoo article that I couldn’t stop myself commenting on. A Trump supporter took exception to my saying Social Security is an entitlement – after I’d posted the definition from the Senate website that specifically states Social Security is an entitlement. [U.S. Senate: 404 Error Page](https://www.senate.gov/reference/glossary_term/entitlement.htm) [emphasis mine]: > [@](#): > > **entitlement** - A Federal program or provision of law that requires payments to any person or unit of government that meets the eligibility criteria established by law. Entitlements constitute a binding obligation on the part of the Federal Government, and eligible recipients have legal recourse if the obligation is not fulfilled. **Social Security and veterans’ compensation and pensions are examples of entitlement programs.** His reply: > [@](#): > > The only thing that you proved is that you’re an idiot with the reading comprehension of a feeder mouse. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![rsat3acr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@rsat3acr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsat3acr)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2020, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sharpest-questions-youve-asked-trump-supporters/848031/6 "2020-02-16T20:54:18Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > There’s no benefit to engaging a Trump supporter. Correct, their response is something to the effect of “he made America great again” ---
**Author:** ![dasmoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2020, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sharpest-questions-youve-asked-trump-supporters/848031/7 "2020-02-16T20:55:16Z")
Not exactly a sharp question, but I’ve asked Trump supporters whether they would want their teen-aged daughters alone in a room with Trump. Not surprisingly, they have no problem with their daughters being alone with Trump–stories about pussy-grabbing and Miss Teen USA dressing rooms are Fake News! It’s the Democrats like Bill Clinton and Obama they would be worried about. OK, Clinton is a hound dog but I don’t see him taking interest in teen-aged girls the way Trump does. And isn’t Obama supposed to be gay because Michelle is really a man? They were OK with Carter though, because he’s really old and teaches Sunday school. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2020, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sharpest-questions-youve-asked-trump-supporters/848031/8 "2020-02-16T22:14:24Z")
> [@Chad\_Sudan](#): > > \If a large number of officials chosen by the president leave the White House on bad terms, what do you make of that?\ That until Taylor Swift writes a song titled “Maybe It’s Me,” they can continue to revel in their cognitive dissonance. ---
**Author:** ![Unreconstructed\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/76d3ee/32.png) [@Unreconstructed\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unreconstructed_Man)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2020, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sharpest-questions-youve-asked-trump-supporters/848031/9 "2020-02-16T23:30:00Z")
Best way I’ve found to rattle Trump supporters is to ask a combination of questions in the following format: Me: “What do you think about \“ Them: “It’s no big deal”. Me: “Would you say that if Obama had done it?” Them _(awkward pause)_: ”Uhh…sure.” Me: “LOL! Like hell you would’ve. Get the fuck outta here with that bullshit!”. I like this approach because they know I’m right. They can deny it all they want, but Trump does at least one thing every week that would’ve torpedoed Obama’s Presidency and they know it. They know they’re lying to themselves, and as a general rule most people don’t like doing that. You may not be able to change their minds, but you can at least bring them down a bit for a few minutes 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2020, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sharpest-questions-youve-asked-trump-supporters/848031/10 "2020-02-16T23:42:47Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > There’s no benefit to engaging a Trump supporter. Agree. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2020, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sharpest-questions-youve-asked-trump-supporters/848031/11 "2020-02-17T02:50:24Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > I just wear [my shirt](https://www.amazon.com/Lying-Wrong-Again-Political-T-Shirt/dp/B07HXGDH5N) that says > > Make Lying > Wrong Again > > and hope that someone will challenge me on it. No one has. I do get a lot of compliments on it, tho. You just made $20 for Amazon. Do you get a kick back? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2020, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sharpest-questions-youve-asked-trump-supporters/848031/12 "2020-02-17T03:46:04Z")
I get a kickback in the form of a comforting pleasure that I may have helped someone be able to express themselves publicly; that’s all. Well, unless Trump loses the election; then I get that as well. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2020, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sharpest-questions-youve-asked-trump-supporters/848031/13 "2020-02-17T03:49:29Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > I just wear [my shirt](https://www.amazon.com/Lying-Wrong-Again-Political-T-Shirt/dp/B07HXGDH5N) that says > > Make Lying > Wrong Again > > and hope that someone will challenge me on it. No one has. I do get a lot of compliments on it, tho. My friend has a “Make Orwell Fiction Again” cap. ---
**Author:** ![RioRico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2020, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sharpest-questions-youve-asked-trump-supporters/848031/14 "2020-02-17T05:52:08Z")
I do not engage in political talk with Trampsters, especially my relatives. If I _had_ to, my questions would be: - Tramp said there are nice Nazis. My fathers and uncles fought Nazis. Were they on the wrong side? - Tramp twice tweeted, “Confiscate guns now; due process later.” Are you okay with that? - Tramp said he wanted to fuck his underage daughter. Are you okay with that? - Tramp called himself the king. Are you okay with that? ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2020, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sharpest-questions-youve-asked-trump-supporters/848031/15 "2020-02-17T12:25:04Z")
I’ve never asked a sharp question of a Trump supporter I’ve known in real life. The last time I remember asking a sharp question of a conservative was before the 2016 election cycle but I’m pretty sure the guy’s now a Trumpista since _other_ conservatives thought he was pretty nuts. He was ranting about the “World Trade Center Mosque”. Ignoring that it wasn’t at the WTC and only part of it was to be used as a worship center and only a small minority of Westerners approve of terrorism, I asked him “so, how far away from the WTC would a mosque be acceptable?” and he just stared blankly at me and refused to answer. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2020, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sharpest-questions-youve-asked-trump-supporters/848031/16 "2020-02-17T14:36:21Z")
I’ll just post the links: [https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=21930763&postcount=107](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=21930763&postcount=107) [https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=21569957&postcount=77](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=21569957&postcount=77) ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2020, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sharpest-questions-youve-asked-trump-supporters/848031/17 "2020-02-17T14:52:20Z")
> [@RioRico](#): > > - Tramp said he wanted to fuck his underage daughter. Are you okay with that? Wasn’t it more like, “She is so pretty I might want to date her myself”? ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2020, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sharpest-questions-youve-asked-trump-supporters/848031/18 "2020-02-17T15:17:02Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Wasn’t it more like, “She is so pretty I might want to date her myself”? Yes. Still inappropriate for a father to say. But then he is the poster child for stupid immoral asshole. I do wonder… What happened to all of the video that Epstein took? Interesting that. Gary Busey - “Vanished like a virgin on prom night” ---
**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:** [February 17, 2020, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sharpest-questions-youve-asked-trump-supporters/848031/19 "2020-02-17T16:14:51Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Wasn’t it more like, “She is so pretty I might want to date her myself”? IIRC, it was “if she weren’t my daughter I’d probably be dating her”. And some other stuff at other times. > **[All Donald Trump's creepiest comments about his daughter Ivanka](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/donald-trump-ivanka-trump-creepiest-most-unsettling-comments-a-roundup-a7353876.html)** > > 'If Ivanka weren't my daughter, perhaps I'd be dating her' ---
**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:** [February 17, 2020, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sharpest-questions-youve-asked-trump-supporters/848031/20 "2020-02-17T16:28:33Z")
This one has caused a fair amount of cognitive dissonance: _“President Trump promised he would release his tax returns if he was elected. Do you believe he should keep his promise?”_ Usually this gets me a bunch of responses about how presidents aren’t required to release their tax returns, at which point I point out that I didn’t say he was required to release them, only that he had promised to do so, and then repeat the question. No one has actually answered the question yet. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sharpest-questions-youve-asked-trump-supporters/848031.md?page=2)