# What would make Trumps base supporters turn on him? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 28, 2018, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-make-trumps-base-supporters-turn-on-him/814963 "2018-05-28T13:19:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2018, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-make-trumps-base-supporters-turn-on-him/814963/21 "2018-05-28T17:54:12Z")
> [@DavidwithanR](#): > > I don’t agree. And anyway it’s not what I said. (I specifically had him say that he had changed his mind.) His supporters would simply convince themselves he’s playing 35D Connect-4. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2018, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-make-trumps-base-supporters-turn-on-him/814963/22 "2018-05-28T18:02:06Z")
Nothing, even bashing America. He could call America a “dump” or “waste of time” and it would not eliminate his support. > [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > Well, Tom Arnold is saying he has a tape of Trump beating up Melania… I don’t think this would affect his core supporters that much. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2018, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-make-trumps-base-supporters-turn-on-him/814963/23 "2018-05-28T18:03:03Z")
The Playmate who had the abortion could come forward and say that it was Trump who made her pregnant and paid for her abortion. He would deny it, his base would believe him, and she’d be in grave danger. She could produce the aborted embryo and have it subjected to DNA testing. He would deny it and most of his base would believe him. Some evangelical Christian leaders would still defend him and ‘forgive’ him. They’ve bought in. They’ve bought in so hard that almost nothing would make them admit their own mistakes and stop supporting him. ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2018, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-make-trumps-base-supporters-turn-on-him/814963/24 "2018-05-28T18:13:04Z")
> [@DavidwithanR](#): > > Trump could lose his base in an instant. It isn’t going to happen, but it wouldn’t be difficult for him. He would lose them if he announced that he’s changed his mind, that the United States needs a truly socialist government, and that the first step in that direction is that, as of yesterday, the tax rate has tripled for those who make above $500,000 , and increased by a factor of ten for those who make above $1,000,000. Also, to save the planet, gasoline rationing begins today, anyone driving their own car is limited to 20 gallons a week, anyone driving their own truck is no longer allowed to buy gas at all. Oh, and by the beginning of next month all guns will be banned except .22 caliber, and all of those must have a long barrel. > > THAT would do it. 😃 Pretty much this. If he became a liberal his base would desert him. It might take a while, probably about several months, but it would happen. ---
**Author:** ![Lizard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@Lizard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lizard)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2018, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-make-trumps-base-supporters-turn-on-him/814963/25 "2018-05-28T18:20:50Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > I firmly believe these folks are idiots, but I don’t think they are completely irrational. As long as Trump maintains some modicum of an illusion that he cares about the “real American”, he will have some support. But if he shatters that illusion with his own words, I don’t think he will have many friends left. I disagree. See: > [@Little Nemo](#): > > ``` > Back when he was still running for President, Trump publicly said "I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose voters." > > ``` > > There it is. Trump saying that his followers are sheep. And he got away with it. His followers proved they are indeed sheep by accepting what Trump said and proving he’s right. These people are mindless. There it is. ---
**Author:** ![Delayed\_Reflex](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/delayed_reflex/32/3172_2.png) [@Delayed\_Reflex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Delayed_Reflex)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2018, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-make-trumps-base-supporters-turn-on-him/814963/26 "2018-05-28T19:12:10Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > If he threatened to take all their guns. This. I would be absolutely shocked if Trump kept his support if he decided that he wanted to scrap the 2nd amendment. It’s pretty improbable, but Trump is fickle enough that maybe, just maybe, enough school shootings could cause him to flip his stance on it (if he thought they were making him look bad). That would be really fascinating to see played out. ---
**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 28, 2018, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-make-trumps-base-supporters-turn-on-him/814963/27 "2018-05-28T19:23:42Z")
> [@Delayed\_Reflex](#): > > It’s pretty improbable, but Trump is fickle enough that maybe, just maybe, enough school shootings could cause him to flip his stance on it… No, the only _possible_ thing would be an assassination attempt by a former Trump Zealot. And even then most of the pack would be screaming '_False flag operation! Deep State!_ ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2018, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-make-trumps-base-supporters-turn-on-him/814963/28 "2018-05-28T19:51:31Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > No, the only _possible_ thing would be an assassination attempt by a former Trump Zealot. > > And even then most of the pack would be screaming '_False flag operation! Deep State!_ Wanna bet that one of them would call Trump a crisis actor from sheer reflex? ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2018, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-make-trumps-base-supporters-turn-on-him/814963/29 "2018-05-28T19:54:40Z")
> [@Delayed\_Reflex](#): > > This. I would be absolutely shocked if Trump kept his support if he decided that he wanted to scrap the 2nd amendment. It’s pretty improbable, but Trump is fickle enough that maybe, just maybe, enough school shootings could cause him to flip his stance on it (if he thought they were making him look bad). That would be really fascinating to see played out. That won’t happen. Early in his Presidency he said some minor words about gun control and the Republican leaders rushed him into a room and shut him down fast. He hasn’t said another word since. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2018, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-make-trumps-base-supporters-turn-on-him/814963/30 "2018-05-28T20:52:40Z")
Simple. Prove he’s really bankrupt. For his base, rich people are smart, successful, and definitely presidential people. Find out that he’s basically leasing all of his property including his golf clubs, or the Russian bank owns all his property and that would be it. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2018, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-make-trumps-base-supporters-turn-on-him/814963/31 "2018-05-28T21:08:06Z")
> [@Locrian](#): > > Simple. Prove he’s really bankrupt. For his base, rich people are smart, successful, and definitely presidential people. Find out that he’s basically leasing all of his property including his golf clubs, or the Russian bank owns all his property and that would be it. I have to agree. He is entire life is nothing but a mortgage that he can’t pay off and sold to Russia. And now China. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2018, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-make-trumps-base-supporters-turn-on-him/814963/32 "2018-05-28T22:20:07Z")
The entire idea is faulty. You can’t convince his base. You have to chip away it, taking the most vulnerable people out. A lot of the things you guys suggest do harm him. We saw it harm him even in the election itself. I admit it may be my online circles, but I find less and less support for Trump online. Even when I encounter conservatives, they aren’t jumping up and defending Trump like they used to. There already seems to be disillusionment. I’m not saying it’s enough, but the idea of Trump as unassailable for his followers is just playing into the Trump myth. You’re actually upping Trump by making him seem better than he is. His base may still really love him, but his base is shrinking. He may have Republican support, but that’s not from his base. His base are the people who love Trump himself. So, yeah, his base won’t turn against him, but that’s because they’re his base. They’re not beholden to ideas, but to the man. What has to happen is people stop being part of his base. ---
**Author:** ![drewder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2018, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-make-trumps-base-supporters-turn-on-him/814963/33 "2018-05-28T22:22:24Z")
It would be very easy, all he has to do is stop doing what they want him to do. He’s keeping more of his campaign promises than any president in living memory. He has brought north Korea to the table by projecting strength rather than accommodation, leading to an end of thar war after 60 years. A feat which the south Korean president has said deserves a Nobel Peace prize. He’s been tough on securing the border rather than just talking about it. Conservative voters have grown tired of politicians who pay lip service to their issues and then giving Democrats anything they want. That’s what the tea party was all about, it wasn’t about Obama or Democrats it was about electing conservatives to offices that had been held by RINOS who never actually did what they wanted them to do. So in conclusion all trump has to do to lose support is start acting like a Washington mainstream politician. ---
**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:** [May 28, 2018, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-make-trumps-base-supporters-turn-on-him/814963/34 "2018-05-28T22:24:15Z")
By definition, the question answers itself, right? The definition of Trump’s “base” is “the set of people who still support Donald Trump”, so in the end, never, as this set will never =0. Even Hitler had millions of supporters while Russian tanks roamed Berlin streets. If you’re asking “what does he have to do to not be re-elected in 2020”, then (outside interference in the ballot box\*) he has already lost enough marginal supporters to guarantee this, provided the Dems nominate a quality candidate. Or even a sane one. \*Do not discount this. Trump has already invited foreign interference to get himself elected once, a plot which worked. If I were Putin and wanted to throw American support of voting into complete disarray, I would openly change votes _for_ Democrats this year, so much so that it is obvious that something is seriously wrong. Trump can then argue that this “proves” the Russians were working in cahoots with the Democrats all along, and we will refer to 2017-2018 as the buffering winds before the true hurricane hit America. ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2018, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-make-trumps-base-supporters-turn-on-him/814963/35 "2018-05-28T22:32:04Z")
Hmmm… I think he’d loose them if he stopped being bombastic. Exposed weakness in public. Emotional weakness best of all - do we think there’s anything that might make Trump cry? A small stroke might do it. Something that made it difficult to walk about without a stick, made him loose all that Dunning-Kreuger self-confidence ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2018, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-make-trumps-base-supporters-turn-on-him/814963/36 "2018-05-28T22:33:39Z")
> [@drewder](#): > > It would be very easy, all he has to do is stop doing what they want him to do. He’s keeping more of his campaign promises than any president in living memory. He has brought north Korea to the table by projecting strength rather than accommodation, leading to an end of thar war after 60 years. A feat which the south Korean president has said deserves a Nobel Peace prize. He’s been tough on securing the border rather than just talking about it. > Conservative voters have grown tired of politicians who pay lip service to their issues and then giving Democrats anything they want. That’s what the tea party was all about, it wasn’t about Obama or Democrats it was about electing conservatives to offices that had been held by RINOS who never actually did what they wanted them to do. > So in conclusion all trump has to do to lose support is start acting like a Washington mainstream politician. I agree with this. To take it a step further, he’d start losing his base if he took up Hillary’s positions and started getting stuff done that Obama was doing. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2018, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-make-trumps-base-supporters-turn-on-him/814963/37 "2018-05-28T22:42:47Z")
> [@drewder](#): > > He has brought north Korea to the table by projecting strength rather than accommodation, leading to an end of thar war after 60 years Well son, some of us who have been paying attention to this issue for longer than you’ve been alive know that he’s just being played, like every previous president over the last 40 years or so except Obama. There will be no changes in the situation due to his bluster. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2018, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-make-trumps-base-supporters-turn-on-him/814963/38 "2018-05-28T22:51:45Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > I agree with this. To take it a step further, he’d start losing his base if he took up Hillary’s positions and started getting stuff done that Obama was doing. Not just take up Hillary and Obama’s positions - take up Hillary and Obama. Tell everyone that Hillary did a fantastic job as Secretary of State, and give her back the position. Nominate Obama to the next open position on the Supreme Court. It would probably cause a rebellion, maybe even the next Civil War, but I have no doubt that Trump’s supporters would turn on him. ---
**Author:** ![Jokerjagger13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@Jokerjagger13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jokerjagger13)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2018, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-make-trumps-base-supporters-turn-on-him/814963/39 "2018-05-28T23:06:17Z")
Trump is the alternative to the abomination that is American politics. As long as he stays alternative he will be accepted by his base. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2018, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-make-trumps-base-supporters-turn-on-him/814963/40 "2018-05-28T23:17:12Z")
Ladies and Gentlemen, the President of the United States: “The U.S. is no longer the unquestioned economic, manufacturing, cultural, technological, scientific, and moral force in the history of the world. You may want, someday, to consider looking into the possibility that, in some small way, it could, potentially, maybe, be just a tiny lit bit your fault.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-make-trumps-base-supporters-turn-on-him/814963.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-make-trumps-base-supporters-turn-on-him/814963.md?page=3)