# What happens when Trump comes for the SDMB? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [August 30, 2025, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-trump-comes-for-the-sdmb/1022598 "2025-08-30T11:11:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-trump-comes-for-the-sdmb/1022598/61 "2025-09-17T14:31:30Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > The likeliest outcome is one of our disgruntled conservative posters gets affronted that we’re not showing sufficient reverence to the memory of Charlie Kirk, reports it to of of the snitch sites that’s popping up, someone sends a threatening email to the Chicago Sun, leading to an unceremonious shutdown that same day. And that will be the end of it. This seems fairly likely the more I think about it. This. I guess some day we’ll try to log in to the SDMB and get a 404, in facebook or somewhere else we’ll find out that the Reader has shut down the board and may be _may be_ an explanation for it. And that would be it. It could be a good idea to start discussing alternatives, perhaps a Telegram thingy? if we don’t want to let the community just die. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2025, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-trump-comes-for-the-sdmb/1022598/62 "2025-09-18T02:16:01Z")
Ask Jimmy Kimmel what happens. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2025, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-trump-comes-for-the-sdmb/1022598/63 "2025-09-19T04:06:04Z")
Wait, I used to be a mod here. If memory serves you do have the real names and IP addresses of the members, and it seems to me that with those two pieces of data it wouldn’t be too hard to pin down the person who owns the account. Of course, one can use a VPN to camouflage their location and real IP address, but I doubt most people bother. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2025, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-trump-comes-for-the-sdmb/1022598/64 "2025-09-19T04:21:15Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > It could be a good idea to start discussing alternatives, perhaps a Telegram thingy? if we don’t want to let the community just die. I know Facebook has its issues, but for me it’s proved invaluable as far as finding SDMB members outside the message board is concerned. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2025, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-trump-comes-for-the-sdmb/1022598/65 "2025-09-19T04:25:40Z")
Real names are very optonal, I pretty sure that was true in the vB days also. I think your getting confused. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2025, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-trump-comes-for-the-sdmb/1022598/66 "2025-09-19T04:39:06Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > I think your getting confused Probably. It’s been fourteen years since I was a mod. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2025, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-trump-comes-for-the-sdmb/1022598/67 "2025-09-19T11:27:08Z")
I guess we should select a place and some backups (facebook, telegram, bluesky, a wordpress site with comments hosted in a non-fascist country, etc) in advance and put them in some pinned post, just to be ready. The problem is that identifying the need is easy, actually getting around to do it is a very different beast. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2025, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-trump-comes-for-the-sdmb/1022598/68 "2025-09-19T12:21:50Z")
> [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](#): > > Wait, I used to be a mod here. If memory serves you do have the real names and IP addresses of the members, and it seems to me that with those two pieces of data it wouldn’t be too hard to pin down the person who owns the account. The SD has ONE e-mail for me, one which I have made as anonymous as possible. It does not have my main e-mail under my legal name. It does not have, and never has had, my real name. OK, you have my IP address. There are ways to make that fuzzy, too. Although if the Federal government decided to put all its resources into tracking me down I’m sure my feeble attempts at anonymity wouldn’t last a day I don’t think I’m prominent enough to be worth the effort. Security through obscurity and all that. That is an issue for some of the “backups” proposed in that it would actually _reduce_ the anonymity some of us have managed to maintain here, in no small part because we joined so far back in internet history that real names weren’t required. With the forum owners no longer requiring us to pay for anything at all we can’t be traced through payment methods. It’s getting harder and harder to set up an internet identity with minimal connections to a real life person. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2025, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-trump-comes-for-the-sdmb/1022598/69 "2025-09-19T12:39:46Z")
Easiest way to do it would be to run some kind of forum software in a server outside the U.S, and send the URL to all current board members. I don’t think it would be _too_ expensive in terms of money, but the level of effort required may be too much. ---
**Author:** ![Crane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crane/32/3495_2.png) [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2025, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-trump-comes-for-the-sdmb/1022598/70 "2025-09-19T13:11:55Z")
> [@aurora\_maire](#): > > AI will be able to find everyone who has made disparaging posts about Trump. Then connect those names to their tax or social security info I agree. That is the realistic fear. Such software might be a small part of a gov contract with an outfit like Palantir. No matter how widespread they could make it personal and pursue it like you were the only person on the list. Leave SDMB on line and torture it’s members like low hanging fruit twisting in the wind. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2025, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-trump-comes-for-the-sdmb/1022598/71 "2025-09-19T13:33:35Z")
> All it takes is _something_ Nah, all it takes is webcrawlers and bots looking for key words. Size doesn’t matter (as we keep telling you). ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2025, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-trump-comes-for-the-sdmb/1022598/72 "2025-09-28T13:08:46Z")
I would absolutely take a five figure stake. I’m not joking. Is there any chance that ad revenue covers the costs of the board? ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2025, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-trump-comes-for-the-sdmb/1022598/73 "2025-09-28T14:01:51Z")
There is on [r/SDMB](https://www.reddit.com/r/sdmb/) on Reddit - it’s barely used but if someone takes this board down I’ll probably have a look there or on the [SDMB Facebook group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/2408464343) for info and/or to organise something new. ---
**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:** [September 28, 2025, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-trump-comes-for-the-sdmb/1022598/74 "2025-09-28T14:10:15Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > I guess we should select a place and some backups (facebook, telegram, bluesky, a wordpress site with comments hosted in a non-fascist country, etc) in advance and put them in some pinned post, just to be ready. > The problem is that identifying the need is easy, actually getting around to do it is a very different beast. Before something happens, be sure to also have an account or link to the [Giraffe Boards](https://www.giraffeboards.com/index.php). A spin-off board started by former Pit moderator **Giraffe**. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2025, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-trump-comes-for-the-sdmb/1022598/75 "2025-09-28T21:39:34Z")
I will never, ever be on the Giraffe Boards. Not after what some of their members have done to me (and apologies to the decent people there but you really do have some scum on that board). ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2025, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-trump-comes-for-the-sdmb/1022598/76 "2025-09-30T00:28:01Z")
> [@DemonTree](#): > > It would probably be pretty hard for the EU to enforce its laws on a US business, though. If the company has any EU presence, they can. And some companies do attempt to follow the law. I think Discourse has some features on the admin side to make it easier to follow the EU privacy laws. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2025, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-trump-comes-for-the-sdmb/1022598/77 "2025-09-30T02:11:42Z")
**Moderator Note** > [@Broomstick](#): > > I will never, ever be on the Giraffe Boards. Not after what some of their members have done to me (and apologies to the decent people there but you really do have some scum on that board). While you are certainly free to have whatever opinion you’d like about Giraffe Boards (or any other message board), please do not publicly attack members of other boards. We do not allow board wars here. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2025, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-trump-comes-for-the-sdmb/1022598/78 "2025-09-30T21:03:59Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > We do not allow board wars here. so…if “I come in peace” I can post on this subject? because I’m pretty sure the vast majority of G board posters are _also_ here. and I am, personally, nice as pie. Warm pie, your favorite kind, with a scoop of ice cream on top. 😇 ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2025, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-trump-comes-for-the-sdmb/1022598/79 "2025-09-30T22:14:55Z")
I’ll vouch for that. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2025, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-trump-comes-for-the-sdmb/1022598/80 "2025-09-30T22:52:12Z")
> [@JackieLikesVariety](#): > > so…if “I come in peace” I can post on this subject? Sure. We have always allowed discussions of other boards, as long as the discussion is polite and respectful. Whatever happens on Giraffe Boards (or any other message board) is their problem, though, not ours. Don’t bring drama from other boards over here. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-trump-comes-for-the-sdmb/1022598.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-trump-comes-for-the-sdmb/1022598.md?page=5)