# Will Trump really serve a full term? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 9, 2016, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-really-serve-a-full-term/771209 "2016-11-09T15:02:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ricksummon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ricksummon/32/3333_2.png) [@ricksummon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricksummon)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-really-serve-a-full-term/771209/1 "2016-11-09T15:02:22Z")
Is Trump really capable of actually finishing a full 4 year term as President? He’s been in it for the cheering crowds, after all; but actually _being_ President isn’t as much fun as _running_ for President. For one thing, the White House is a dump compared to Trump Tower. The man used to fly home every night when he was campaigning to sleep in his own bed; will he get any sleep in the White House? And, sure, the crowds will cheer his inauguration, but how long will that last? Will he quit when he realizes it’s no fun anymore? ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-really-serve-a-full-term/771209/2 "2016-11-09T15:06:20Z")
Eh, I think the perks of office (complete control of thousands planes, ships and nuclear weapons? Where else you gonna find that?) and the ability to take government-backed revenge on every single person who ever slighted him, will be sufficient to keep him more or less engaged for the full term. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-really-serve-a-full-term/771209/3 "2016-11-09T15:13:31Z")
He will constantly be in the spotlight, any time he talks the news will cover him, he can change laws to benefit his companies, and he has the power to get revenge on enemies(real and imagined). He will surround himself with yesmen to keep the egoboo going, and the Republican Congress will cater to his every whim for the privilege of sucking at The Teat of Power. He’s going nowhere. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-really-serve-a-full-term/771209/4 "2016-11-09T15:31:59Z")
I would put a modest bet that he resigns within the first year from a combination of boredom (even photo-opping through the days takes time and effort), unwillingness to do anything but grandstand, and the endless legal and economic problems it will cause with his empire. ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-really-serve-a-full-term/771209/5 "2016-11-09T15:45:55Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > I would put a modest bet that he resigns within the first year from a combination of boredom (even photo-opping through the days takes time and effort), unwillingness to do anything but grandstand, and the endless legal and economic problems it will cause with his empire. As much as I would like that outcome, that would mean “President Pence”! Which is a quite terrifying prospect, at least in my opinion… ---
**Author:** ![NetTrekker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nettrekker/32/2909_2.png) [@NetTrekker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NetTrekker)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-really-serve-a-full-term/771209/6 "2016-11-09T16:39:48Z")
> [@ricksummon](#): > > For one thing, the White House is a dump compared to Trump Tower. The man used to fly home every night when he was campaigning to sleep in his own bed; will he get any sleep in the White House? That’s nothing a $500M construction project won’t fix. I wonder if any cartoonists have come up with the gag of DT turning the White House into the next Trump Tower. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-really-serve-a-full-term/771209/7 "2016-11-09T17:01:23Z")
Any actuaries out there? What are the odds he will survive four years? JAQ ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-really-serve-a-full-term/771209/8 "2016-11-09T19:35:28Z")
Trump is in for a big surprise. I don’t think he has any idea how much work and stress the presidency requires. His ego won’t accept failure. He’ll work his butt off to succeed. I think the loss of personal time will be hardest for Trump. He’s used to jetting around to his resorts and golfing. He’ll get through one term. I’m not sure he’ll run again in 2020. ---
**Author:** ![Fleetwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fleetwood/32/271_2.png) [@Fleetwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fleetwood)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-really-serve-a-full-term/771209/9 "2016-11-09T19:37:01Z")
Of the two candidates, I think it is more likely Hillary will be taking a dirt nap by the end of Trump’s first term. She does not look healthy at all. I think she was being held together by chewing gum and baling wire at the end. ---
**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:** [November 9, 2016, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-really-serve-a-full-term/771209/10 "2016-11-09T20:01:10Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Trump is in for a big surprise. I don’t think he has any idea how much work and stress the presidency requires… You are thinking in normal terms. Work? I don’t think he’ll do much in the way of actual work. He has shown no interest in learning anything or in preparing, or understanding economics or word affairs. Why would he start now? > [@aceplace57](#): > > His ego won’t accept failure. He’ll work his butt off to succeed. You’re right about the first part. However, his solution will be what he has done for his whole life; not work to succeed… He will blame others for his personal failures. > [@aceplace57](#): > > I think the loss of personal time will be hardest for Trump. He’s used to jetting around to his resorts and golfing. > . That’s pretty much what he will do going forward. That, and going on TV shows, and holding more rallies. Did you really think the rallies would end? Others will be left to do the heavy lifting. Pence will be running much of the show domestically. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-really-serve-a-full-term/771209/11 "2016-11-09T20:16:45Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > You are thinking in normal terms. Work? I don’t think he’ll do much in the way of actual work. He has shown no interest in learning anything or in preparing, or understanding economics or word affairs. Why would he start now? > > You’re right about the first part. However, his solution will be what he has done for his whole life; not work to succeed… He will blame others for his personal failures. > > That’s pretty much what he will do going forward. That, and going on TV shows, and holding more rallies. Did you really think the rallies would end? Others will be left to do the heavy lifting. Pence will be running much of the show domestically. Yes to all of this. I’m mystified by the fact that people keep saying ‘he won’t be able to tolerate the demands of the Presidency’…_what_ demands? He is going to do exactly as he damn well pleases every minute of every day. ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-really-serve-a-full-term/771209/12 "2016-11-09T20:24:23Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > Yes to all of this. > > I’m mystified by the fact that people keep saying ‘he won’t be able to tolerate the demands of the Presidency’…_what_ demands? He is going to do exactly as he damn well pleases every minute of every day. I’m wondering if that will actually sit well with his constituency, though. If they think he’s just goofing off, and not doing anything to help solve problems, they could get pretty ugly pretty fast, don’t you think? ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-really-serve-a-full-term/771209/13 "2016-11-09T20:40:56Z")
> [@gytalf2000](#): > > I’m wondering if that will actually sit well with his constituency, though. If they think he’s just goofing off, and not doing anything to help solve problems, they could get pretty ugly pretty fast, don’t you think? His constituency is primed to believe that anything going wrong is the fault of Those People–Muslim saboteurs, black militants, Latino gangs, and Democratic traitors in general. No good authoritarian goes to govern without a full portfolio of scapegoats. Trump’s fans will _never_ blame Trump for the downturn their lives are about to take. ---
**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:** [November 9, 2016, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-really-serve-a-full-term/771209/14 "2016-11-09T20:49:02Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > His constituency is primed to believe that anything going wrong is the fault of Those People–Muslim saboteurs, black militants, Latino gangs, and Democratic traitors in general. > > No good authoritarian goes to govern without a full portfolio of scapegoats. Trump’s fans will _never_ blame Trump for the downturn their lives are about to take. Yes, this. Trump is an expert at blaming others. His fans have shown that he can piss on them and tell them it’s raining, and they love it. ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-really-serve-a-full-term/771209/15 "2016-11-09T21:03:43Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Yes, this. > > Trump is an expert at blaming others. His fans have shown that he can piss on them and tell them it’s raining, and they love it. I’m just wondering if that would last indefinitely. Eventually some of them would surely become disgruntled with him… ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-really-serve-a-full-term/771209/16 "2016-11-09T21:05:01Z")
And things are going to go very, very, very badly for those fans (as well as for the rest of us). One small example: Social Security is now effectively gone. Oh, workers will still see SS deductions from their paychecks–in fact, the deductions will probably _increase_, because now the Middleman has to be paid–SS will be privatized and the Privatizer will take a big cut. Benefits will be cut radically to accommodate the funds that will now flow into the pockets of the privatizer(s). And that will save on Medicare costs, too, because seniors will start dying a lot sooner. Living on dog food without your medicine will do that to you. And the Trump fans will blame it on the Terrorists and the Coloreds…wait and see. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-really-serve-a-full-term/771209/17 "2016-11-09T21:06:31Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Trump is in for a big surprise. I don’t think he has any idea how much work and stress the presidency requires. That assumes he actually wants to get something done. Why would you assume that? > [@aceplace57](#): > > His ego won’t accept failure. He’ll work his butt off to succeed. Nonsense. All he has to do is declare success, or have his yes-men tell him how great everything is, and how great **he** is for having made it so. > [@gytalf2000](#): > > I’m wondering if that will actually sit well with his constituency, though. If they think he’s just goofing off, and not doing anything to help solve problems, they could get pretty ugly pretty fast, don’t you think? Have you already forgotten that Bush II took more vacation time than any other president? When he got the Presidential Daily Briefing about al Qaeda being “determined to attack within the US” prior to 9/11, he went to his ranch for a bit of R&R. While Hurricane Katrina was devastating New Orleans – literally just after the levees broke, people were scrambling to rooftops and mass looting was breaking out – Bush was taking guitar lessons from a country singer Mark Willis, and then went back to his ranch for some more vacation time. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-really-serve-a-full-term/771209/18 "2016-11-09T21:08:13Z")
> [@gytalf2000](#): > > I’m just wondering if that would last indefinitely. Eventually some of them would surely become disgruntled with him… No; the art of scapegoatery is actually pretty well advanced. Life in Russia, for example, is quite bleak and harsh for the masses–but the people love their Putin because he protects them from the Jews and Outside Agitators and such–the ones who ‘are responsible’ for the deprivations of life in Russia. ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-really-serve-a-full-term/771209/19 "2016-11-09T21:09:12Z")
Eh, not all Presidents work themselves as crazily as you think. I’m not as familiar with Obama’s schedule, but George W. Bush was known to try and operate as a “CEO” and not be “Micromanaging.” Clinton was more of a micromanager who famously needed very little sleep (3-4 hours a night, sometimes 2), he enjoyed being super involved in all the details (which probably isn’t an ideal use of time, but it worked well enough for him.) Reagan was even more hands off than George W. Bush, and even famously said that he thinks it’s good for the President to not be “over worked”, that he should exercise some, work a normal style work day, and keep most of the minor stuff off his desk. How valid these different management/leadership styles are is a matter of opinion, but given how Trump has probably been “casually running” his companies for the last 20 years (with more focus on his TV ventures and leisure activities), I don’t think he’s going to be a workaholic President. ---
**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:** [November 9, 2016, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-really-serve-a-full-term/771209/20 "2016-11-09T21:10:16Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > No; the art of scapegoatery is actually pretty well advanced. Life in Russia, for example, is quite bleak and harsh for the masses–but the people love their Putin because he protects them from the Jews and Outside Agitators and such–the ones who ‘are responsible’ for the deprivations of life in Russia. For the ultimate example, just look to N. Korea. They LOVE dear leader, for he has enabled them to be the best country in the world, much better than those hell-holes in the west. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-really-serve-a-full-term/771209.md?page=2)