# Why Is/Was Trump So Popular **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 8, 2021, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-was-trump-so-popular/929987 "2021-01-08T01:36:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![songsearch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b77776/32.png) [@songsearch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/songsearch)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-was-trump-so-popular/929987/101 "2021-01-10T17:44:35Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > > [@songsearch](#): > > > > Trump actually claimed to see light at the end of the tunnel. When people are desperate, someone offering them a positive outcome may be worth fighting for. > > Even if it is all lies. > > You are correct that people would rather hear a comforting lie than an uncomfortable truth. > > But that is not an excuse, that is actually the problem. People who will discard the truth and abandon reality should not be coddled and given _more_ lies to cling to. Giving hope to people is what a president does. It’s what FDR did throughout the depression, even though he know the only solution was war. Did he lie to give people hope it would end? You betcha he did. He lied about not wanting the USA to enter the war, he lied about developing the atomic bomb. And yet, he is regarded as one of the greatest presidents of the 20th century. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-was-trump-so-popular/929987/102 "2021-01-10T17:52:09Z")
> [@songsearch](#): > > Biden is about the worst actor when it’s comes to communication that we’ve seen on the political scene for years. He didn’t campaign, has said little, and when he has said something, he inevitably sticks his foot in his mouth Really? I disagree. Completely. He’s no Obama, but I don’t find anything objectionable in what he says and does. I would think (hope) the country is ready for quiet competence. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-was-trump-so-popular/929987/103 "2021-01-10T17:56:45Z")
> [@songsearch](#): > > He lied about not wanting the USA to enter the war, he lied about developing the atomic bomb. FDR was widely viewed as wanting the US to enter the war against Germany. The Lend-Lease program with the UK was seen as a way to join the allies. As for developing a secret weapon, I don’t see a problem with lying about that during a war that threatens our existence as a country. ---
**Author:** ![songsearch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b77776/32.png) [@songsearch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/songsearch)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-was-trump-so-popular/929987/104 "2021-01-10T17:59:07Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > > [@songsearch](#): > > > > Biden is about the worst actor when it’s comes to communication that we’ve seen on the political scene for years. He didn’t campaign, has said little, and when he has said something, he inevitably sticks his foot in his mouth > > Really? I disagree. Completely. He’s no Obama, but I don’t find anything objectionable in what he says and does. I would think (hope) the country is ready for quiet competence. Electing a leader who does and says nothing objectionable is asking for another Jimmy Carter. Four years of stagnation, inflation, inaction, and malaise is the likely result of this election. We’ll probably be bored to tears. But if that’s what you want, that’s what you get. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-was-trump-so-popular/929987/105 "2021-01-10T17:59:13Z")
But that’s not what you said that she said. I get that people chose to believe that she was referring to them, but that’s just because they chose to believe that lie. ---
**Author:** ![songsearch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b77776/32.png) [@songsearch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/songsearch)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-was-trump-so-popular/929987/106 "2021-01-10T18:04:31Z")
What lie? Here’s the quote from Wikipedia: “Basket of deplorables” is a phrase from a 2016 presidential election campaign speech delivered by nominee Hillary Clinton on September 9, 2016, at a campaign fundraising event, which she used to describe half of the supporters of her opponent, Republican nominee Donald Trump saying “They’re racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic”. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-was-trump-so-popular/929987/107 "2021-01-10T18:05:01Z")
> [@songsearch](#): > > Electing a leader who does and says nothing objectionable is asking for another Jimmy Carter I don’t need a “leader.” I want a competent manager who appoints honest, experienced and competent people in charge of the federal agencies. Governance doesn’t need to be a spectator sport or a reality TV show. I’m not expecting anything flashy, but I do think we’ll make progress in protecting the environment, improving heath care, and rebuilding our infrastructure. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-was-trump-so-popular/929987/108 "2021-01-10T18:07:16Z")
> [@songsearch](#): > > It’s what FDR did throughout the depression, even though he know the only solution was war. Did he lie to give people hope it would end? He also took steps to relieve the depression. It wasn’t _just_ talk, it was action as well. What has Trump done to bring back those coal mining jobs? > [@songsearch](#): > > He lied about not wanting the USA to enter the war Not really, not at all, actually. > [@songsearch](#): > > he lied about developing the atomic bomb. Not disclosing the development of a new superweapon is not really in the same sort of ballpark as lying to people that their coal mining job is going to come back, and is actually a pretty good idea when you are at war with people you are planning on using that weapon on if it is developed. > [@songsearch](#): > > nd yet, he is regarded as one of the greatest presidents of the 20th century. Are you really comparing Trump to FDR here? Really? ---
**Author:** ![songsearch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b77776/32.png) [@songsearch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/songsearch)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-was-trump-so-popular/929987/109 "2021-01-10T18:07:51Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > > [@songsearch](#): > > > > Electing a leader who does and says nothing objectionable is asking for another Jimmy Carter > > I don’t need a “leader.” I want a competent manager who appoints honest, experienced and competent people in charge of the federal agencies. Governance doesn’t need to be a spectator sport or a reality TV show. I’m not expecting anything flashy, but I do think we’ll make progress in protecting the environment, improving heath care, and rebuilding our infrastructure. So you’ll settle for mediocracy. Is that the new American dream? I hope that’s not true. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-was-trump-so-popular/929987/110 "2021-01-10T18:10:42Z")
> [@songsearch](#): > > Here’s the quote from Wikipedia: “Basket of deplorables” is a phrase from a 2016 presidential election campaign speech delivered by nominee Hillary Clinton on September 9, 2016, at a campaign fundraising event, which she used to describe half of the supporters of her opponent, Republican nominee Donald Trump saying “They’re racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic”. Yep. Sounds about right. Ted Cruz used to agree: > **Cruz: “Consistently disgraceful”** > > “Donald Trump’s consistently disgraceful behavior is beneath the office we are seeking and we are not going to follow,” Cruz [tweeted](https://twitter.com/tedcruz/status/713420976936132610) on March 25. > > **Cruz: “This man is a pathological liar”** > > “This man is a pathological liar. He doesn’t know the difference between truth and lies. He lies practically every word that comes out of his mouth, and in a pattern that I think is straight out of a psychology text book, his response is to accuse everybody else of lying,” Cruz [told reporters](http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/03/politics/donald-trump-rafael-cruz-indiana/) on May 3. “The man cannot tell the truth, but he combines it with being a narcissist—a narcissist at a level I don’t think this country’s ever seen. Donald Trump is such a narcissist that Barack Obama looks at him and goes, ‘Dude, what’s your problem?'” > > “The man is utterly amoral. Morality does not exist for him,” Cruz added. “Donald is a bully. … Bullies come from a deep, yawning cavern of insecurity.” Or, if you prefer, Lindsay Graham, who called Trump “a race baiting, xenophobic religious bigot” and said Joe Biden is “as good a man as God ever created.” ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-was-trump-so-popular/929987/111 "2021-01-10T18:12:16Z")
> [@songsearch](#): > > So you’ll settle for mediocracy. Is that the new American dream? The American Dream comes from the efforts and aspirations of individual Americans, not frothing at the mouth by faux-populist demigods. ---
**Author:** ![songsearch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b77776/32.png) [@songsearch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/songsearch)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-was-trump-so-popular/929987/112 "2021-01-10T18:16:22Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > > [@songsearch](#): > > > > It’s what FDR did throughout the depression, even though he know the only solution was war. Did he lie to give people hope it would end? > > He also took steps to relieve the depression. It wasn’t _just_ talk, it was action as well. > > What has Trump done to bring back those coal mining jobs? > > > [@songsearch](#): > > > > He lied about not wanting the USA to enter the war > > Not really, not at all, actually. > > > [@songsearch](#): > > > > he lied about developing the atomic bomb. > > Not disclosing the development of a new superweapon is not really in the same sort of ballpark as lying to people that their coal mining job is going to come back, and is actually a pretty good idea when you are at war with people you are planning on using that weapon on if it is developed. > > > [@songsearch](#): > > > > nd yet, he is regarded as one of the greatest presidents of the 20th century. > > Are you really comparing Trump to FDR here? Really? No, just an example of my point. Presidents do lie. They make promises they can’t keep during campaigns to give people hope. One of the main themes of Obama’s campaign was “Hope and Change”. Biden’s thrust has been ‘mandated mask use, higher taxes, more and longer lockdowns’ and the like. That’s not exactly a positive message, in my view. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-was-trump-so-popular/929987/113 "2021-01-10T18:16:48Z")
If you are not a racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, or Islamophobic, then she was not referring to you. People chose to believe that she _was_ referring to them. You even said as much, when you said that she called Trump supporters deplorable. ---
**Author:** ![songsearch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b77776/32.png) [@songsearch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/songsearch)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-was-trump-so-popular/929987/114 "2021-01-10T18:28:53Z")
The American Dream comes from the efforts and aspirations of individual Americans, not frothing at the mouth by faux-populist demigods. [/quote] Yes, but those aspirations are not fueled by higher taxes and more government regulations. Trump may have a narcissist and craved the love of his supporters, but he did more to fuel the aspirations than most presidents. Small businesses are dying left and right, and Biden’s plan to raise taxes will make sure they’re dead. Oh, and I know what his answer to that would be. “We’ll create another government bureau to loan small business back the money we took from them (with strings attached), and we’ll collect interest on it. Everyone wins!”. No, everyone loses. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-was-trump-so-popular/929987/115 "2021-01-10T18:32:12Z")
> [@songsearch](#): > > Small businesses are dying left and right, and Biden’s plan to raise taxes will make sure they’re dead. What about his plan, specifically, would hurt small businesses? ---
**Author:** ![Wrenching\_Spanners](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecb155/32.png) [@Wrenching\_Spanners](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wrenching_Spanners)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-was-trump-so-popular/929987/116 "2021-01-10T18:33:32Z")
You do realise that the topic under discussion is “Why Is/Was Trump So Popular” correct? It’s right there at the top of the page. My argument is that there’s a natural political divide between Trump supporters and liberals. There are many reasons for that divide, and I’ve discussed several of them and agreed with reasons raised by others in this thread. What seems to be the contentious issue is whether the bipartisan political divide in America fuelled the creation of Trump supporters, and whether grossly negative liberal sentiments towards Trump supporters are a major factor in that divide. I believe both of those clauses to be true. Furthermore, when I see the statement that Trump supporters are “in word and deed similar to Fascists in 20th century Europe”, it reinforces my opinion. Why in the world would someone side with, or even listen to, a person whose starting viewpoint is that they’re a 20th century Fascist? ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-was-trump-so-popular/929987/117 "2021-01-10T18:36:23Z")
> [@Wrenching\_Spanners](#): > > What seems to be the contentious issue is whether the bipartisan political divide in America fuelled the creation of Trump supporters, and whether grossly negative liberal sentiments towards Trump supporters are a major factor in that divide. I don’t know, but if “grossly negative liberal sentiments towards Trump supporters” are accurate, I don’t see how it’s the liberals’ fault. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-was-trump-so-popular/929987/118 "2021-01-10T18:41:27Z")
> [@songsearch](#): > > They make promises they can’t keep during campaigns to give people hope. They do tend to overpromise and underdeliver. They lay out what they want to do. The political realities often interfere with their desires. Trump just lied straight up. He had no plan, no goal, no desire to follow through. He gave simple answers to complex questions, and the people just ate it up. Once again, this failure of people to understand that they are being sold a bill of goods is _not_ an excuse for their behavior, it is exactly the problem that needs to be addressed. > [@songsearch](#): > > Biden’s thrust has been ‘mandated mask use, higher taxes, more and longer lockdowns’ and the like. That’s not a very charitable interpretation of his message. > [@songsearch](#): > > That’s not exactly a positive message, in my view. Well, no, when you change someone’s message to one that is not positive, then the message that you made up out of whole cloth may no longer be positive. Like I said, these deliberate misrepresentations of the messages that are given are not a good excuse, they are the problem. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-was-trump-so-popular/929987/119 "2021-01-10T18:42:39Z")
> [@songsearch](#): > > Small businesses are dying left and right, and Biden’s plan to raise taxes will make sure they’re dead. As a small business owner, I do not agree that you are in any way correct on this point. Do you understand how marginal taxes work? ---
**Author:** ![Drsunflower1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drsunflower1/32/12711_2.png) [@Drsunflower1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drsunflower1)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-was-trump-so-popular/929987/120 "2021-01-10T18:48:25Z")
> [@Wrenching\_Spanners](#): > > Furthermore, when I see the statement that Trump supporters are “in word and deed similar to Fascists in 20th century Europe”, it reinforces my opinion. Why in the world would someone side with, or even listen to, a person whose starting viewpoint is that they’re a 20th century Fascist? Erm… Because they are? Oh right. Let’s not call them out and appease them. It worked last time amirite? /s [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-was-trump-so-popular/929987.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-was-trump-so-popular/929987.md?page=7)