# Will Trump kill himself on January 20? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 3, 2021, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-kill-himself-on-january-20/929593 "2021-01-03T20:31:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2021, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-kill-himself-on-january-20/929593/161 "2021-01-06T14:55:52Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > But with a narcissist like Trump, it may be reversed - positive comments resonate with him, and give him proportionally more joy than the pain caused by negative ones. Indeed, the negative ones may slide off him like water off a duck’s back. So he could have 30 percent of the nation love him, 70 percent hate him, yet to him it _feels_ like the opposite. This is pretty close, I think. Consider also that Trump was heavily influence by Norman Vincent Peale, consider that his base has that same influence (among others). I would put him in the bucket of what I call malignant positive thinkers (not my idea, I copped it from Ehrenreich’s excellent book [_Bright-Sided_](https://www.amazon.com/Bright-sided-Relentless-Promotion-Positive-Undermined/dp/0805087494/ref=asc_df_0805087494/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=353874173411&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3185321620317767282&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9010952&hvtargid=pla-655313604182&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=71634025176&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=353874173411&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3185321620317767282&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9010952&hvtargid=pla-655313604182). Optimism is a good trait. Looking at the reality and focusing on the good parts, also a good trait. I personally could stand to do a little better there. But malignant bright-siders listen only to whatever sounds good. Whatever sounds bad either gets ignored, or interpreted as “actually good”. Bright-siders admit no negativity into their worldview except for one thing: the existence of “haters” and “negative people”, who are obviously to be ignored, distanced, and discredited. It will come as no surprise that many bright-siders are raging narcissists. This is a more successful type of narcissism because it presents as more successful, upbeat, and collaborative, and it provides a psychosocial framework that helps narcissists band together and vet one another. Is Trump a bright-sider? I’d say half yes, half no. He certainly knows how to dupe and recruit legitimate bright-siders. He’s steeped in the language, he’s steeped in the idea that there’s always an escape hatch, well-versed in the concept that anything that can be wished can be reality. He’s absolutely surrounded by people who pump him (and one another) full of that fake sunshine. The point of that essay is to say that Trump’s behavior, in my opinion, is more about him guzzling the kool-aid of America’s malignant bright-siding culture. Not so much about narcissism specifically, but you do find the two phenomena closely linked among high-attaining narcissists. Which Trump undeniably is. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2021, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-kill-himself-on-january-20/929593/162 "2021-01-06T15:02:06Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > Bright-siders admit no negativity into their worldview except for one thing: the existence of “haters” and “negative people”, who are obviously to be ignored, distanced, and discredited. Right. If 70% hate him and 30% love him, to him that means he’s loved by _100% of those who count_. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2021, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-kill-himself-on-january-20/929593/163 "2021-01-06T15:19:26Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > There is a schoolyard finger-torture technique called “milking a rat”, but I will not speak it here. Allow me. 😁 From The Water Is Wide, by Pat Conroy: Milking the rat was an art among my childhood friends. The best rat-milker of the group had the same status as the best marble-shooter, the best hitter, or the fastest runner. The boy who could milk a rat well could bring a bully whimpering to his knees in a matter of seconds. He could render Samson hairless or Goliath helpless. Nations have been conquered by notable rat-milkers. To milk a rat, you simply press the fingernail of an opponent’s finger with your thumb. Your index finger squeezes the back of the bottom joint of the finger. Your thumb mashes the fingernail against the second joint of your opponent’s finger. All three joints of your opponent’s finger are brought into action against him.Milking the rat is an almost impossible maneuver to describe in words. It is extremely painful, but the level of pain can be controlled by modulating the pressure exerted by your thumb. ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2021, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-kill-himself-on-january-20/929593/164 "2021-01-06T15:49:00Z")
If Trump does meet a premature end it will not be by his own hand nor on the 20th but a mercy killing via poisoned hamburger delivered by Ivanka the day before his prison sentence begins. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2021, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-kill-himself-on-january-20/929593/166 "2021-01-07T18:26:17Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I don’t know what those are, but sure. And I would cheerfully and enthusiastically pay up if I lose. Its a _TSG_ [reference](http://www.chakoteya.net/StarTrek/46.htm), “The Gamers of Triskelion.” ONE [OC]: Hold. GALT: We hold, Provider One. ONE [OC]: Provider One bids three hundred quatloos for the newcomers. TWO [OC]: Provider Two, three hundred and fifty quatloos. THREE [OC]: Provider Three, four hundred. TWO [OC]: One thousand quatloos. THREE [OC]: One thousand fifty quatloos. ONE [OC]: Two thousand. GALT: (after a pause) Two thousand quatloos are bid. Is there a challenge? The newcomers have been vended to Provider One. KIRK: We’re free people. We belong to no one. TWO [OC]: Such spirit. I wager fifteen quatloos that he is untrainable. THREE [OC]: Twenty quatloos that all three are untrainable. TWO [OC]: Five thousand quatloos that the newcomers will have to be destroyed. ONE [OC]: Accepted. Mark them, Galt. _Edit:_ Dang it. I needed to scroll further. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2021, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-kill-himself-on-january-20/929593/167 "2021-01-07T18:36:05Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > Anything involving physical courage is gonna be a hard ‘no’, sorry. Trump does not risk his large, soft body for any reason whatsoever. Despite promising, he did not lead the charge on the [Capitol](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fiT6c0MQ58) yesterday. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2021, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-kill-himself-on-january-20/929593/168 "2021-01-09T21:37:33Z")
After a weekend of no access to Twitter, I’ll be surprised if he makes it to Monday without contemplating suicide. ---
**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 9, 2021, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-kill-himself-on-january-20/929593/169 "2021-01-09T21:47:32Z")
It it too much to ask that Jared and Ivanka accompany him to the Bunker on the Final Day? ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2021, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-kill-himself-on-january-20/929593/170 "2021-01-09T22:02:31Z")
If we’re looking at a Berlin bunker scenario, I’m sure glad this is one of the few administrations without a White House pet. I guess Stephen Miller could fill in as their Blondi when they need to test the cyanide capsules. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2021, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-kill-himself-on-january-20/929593/171 "2021-01-09T22:12:41Z")
What? Rudy Giuliani doesn’t count as a pet? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2021, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-kill-himself-on-january-20/929593/172 "2021-01-09T22:37:47Z")
A pet needs to be alive (despite the example of the pet rock). ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-kill-himself-on-january-20/929593/173 "2021-01-10T00:26:56Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > After a weekend of no access to Twitter, I’ll be surprised if he makes it to Monday without contemplating suicide. You might recognize toys like this from your or your kids’ childhood: > **[VTech Turn and Learn Driver](https://www.target.com/p/vtech-turn-and-learn-driver/-/A-10382848)** > > Read reviews and buy VTech Turn and Learn Driver at Target. Choose from contactless Same Day Delivery, Drive Up and more. I’m sure somebody can whip up a TwitFace simulator app that he can post to and AI’s spew back thousands of Discobot-quality “You’re so smart!!”, I love you!", and “Trump for God!!!/!!” responses while the ‘site’ happily reports “That message was copied 1 meeelion times by your 150 meeelion followers!” He’d eat that shit up. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-kill-himself-on-january-20/929593/174 "2021-01-10T01:57:54Z")
> [@anny\_m](#): > > Or he fakes a suicide attempt? And then screws it up and commits suicide for real… > [@LSLGuy](#): > > Past time for the National Bridge Congress or whatever the sanctioning body calls itself to propose a new word for the lead suit in card games. > > I propose “Hitler”. And only semi-facetiously. I propose “biden”, since Trump was trumped by Biden. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-kill-himself-on-january-20/929593/175 "2021-01-10T02:02:04Z")
Could do. But I much prefer the imagery that even calling it “Hitler” was considered an improvement over calling it “trump”. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-kill-himself-on-january-20/929593/176 "2021-01-10T02:31:17Z")
I suggest _arch_, through a double route. Firstly, Trump in cards is a [corruption of Triumph](https://www.etymonline.com/word/trump#etymonline_v_17892), and an arch is a symbol of triumph. Secondly, arch as a prefix meaning main, chief, principal, as in archbishop, archenemy, archangel. So through a combination of both meanings, I think it is a suitable word. “Diamonds are arch.” “You arched my ace.” ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-kill-himself-on-january-20/929593/177 "2021-01-10T13:04:02Z")
That’s pretty good. Actual real-world construction arches also _go over_ something else. Over a doorway, a river, another lower roadway, etc. And it’s monosyllabic.\* * * * \* Why is the word that describes a simple short word so long and convoluted? 😉 5 syllables, 12 letters including a doubled letter, and using both a prefix and suffix. It’s a whole Latin(?)-to-English lesson in just one word. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-kill-himself-on-january-20/929593/178 "2021-01-10T13:29:55Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Why is the word that describes a simple short word so long and convoluted? “Iamb” is a trochee and “anapest” is a dactyl. ---
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-kill-himself-on-january-20/929593/179 "2021-01-10T13:37:21Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > “Iamb” is a trochee Misread that as ‘Lamb’. It’s ‘iamb’. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-kill-himself-on-january-20/929593/180 "2021-01-10T14:12:20Z")
> [@GreenWyvern](#): > > Misread that as ‘Lamb’. It’s ‘iamb’. Me too, I thought he was making a point about artiodactyla for a moment ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-kill-himself-on-january-20/929593/181 "2021-01-10T14:59:09Z")
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