"How to Lose Friends and Influence No One" by Donald Trump

[maxparrish]

Donald Trump is likely reaching a crisis point in his Presidency, at least half of which is of his own making. For those of us on the right that have held our judgement and found Trump to be tolerable, or at least better than some of us feared, it has been a chaotic and often frustrating two years. After the latest shocking news of the Syrian pullout and abandonment of the Kurds, aren't we all burned out on Trump?

I know I am.

Trump has not grown into the job, is repeatedly impulsive, burns through employees, and his ego so in need of feeding that his decision making is chaotic, personal,feckless, and poorly executed. He doesn't have a coherent or integrated view of politics, at least none that is shared by other politicians, experts, party leaders, or ideological wings. Hence, he has managed at one time or another alienate his allies, anger his supporters, and infuriate his enemies...and accomplish nothing.

And in the process, he can't find any experts or policy employees that reflect his unique (and often ignorant) set of morphable personal views - hence, they leave. Combine that with a personality that lurches between bristling at being confined by experts and one that returns to knee-jerk actions when facing frustration and we see the result.

Although the Republican party is now hostage to Trump and tens of millions of populist loyalists, no one should lie to themselves - he's a four alarm disaster.

Tariffs, Russia, FBI relations, Session, Obamacare, border security, Turkey, the budget, the Saudi murder of K, and many other issues have been poorly handled and his tactics have alienated friends and foes alike. His needless inflammatory rhetoric and personae has managed to fuel a resistance so great that it has turned our courts into our masters and members of "the resistance".

After his surprise retreat in Syria, anticipated abandonment of Afghanistan, and removal of a major sanction on a Putin crony, Trump is returning to his neo-isolationist and pro-Russian instincts. Here, and in his relations with North Korea, he has been far from "clear-eyed about malign actors and strategic competitors" (Mattis letter of resignation).

Let's face it, when a President can't find agreement with his staff, be they a Steve Bannon, or Republican operatives, or the replacement with generals, or credible economists, or his own Attorney General - then there is something wrong with the President, not them.

You'd think the majority on the right would be burned out - aren't you?

 

[X Factor]

I could write this book, right now. :lol:

 

[Hawkeye10]

Donald Trump is likely reaching a crisis point in his Presidency, at least half of which is of his own making. For those of us on the right that have held our judgement and found Trump to be tolerable, or at least better than some of us feared, it has been a chaotic and often frustrating two years. After the latest shocking news of the Syrian pullout and abandonment of the Kurds, aren't we all burned out on Trump?

I know I am.

Trump has not grown into the job, is repeatedly impulsive, burns through employees, and his ego so in need of feeding that his decision making is chaotic, personal,feckless, and poorly executed. He doesn't have a coherent or integrated view of politics, at least none that is shared by other politicians, experts, party leaders, or ideological wings. Hence, he has managed at one time or another alienate his allies, anger his supporters, and infuriate his enemies...and accomplish nothing.

And in the process, he can't find any experts or policy employees that reflect his unique (and often ignorant) set of morphable personal views - hence, they leave. Combine that with a personality that lurches between bristling at being confined by experts and one that returns to knee-jerk actions when facing frustration and we see the result.

Although the Republican party is now hostage to Trump and tens of millions of populist loyalists, no one should lie to themselves - he's a four alarm disaster.

Tariffs, Russia, FBI relations, Session, Obamacare, border security, Turkey, the budget, the Saudi murder of K, and many other issues have been poorly handled and his tactics have alienated friends and foes alike. His needless inflammatory rhetoric and personae has managed to fuel a resistance so great that it has turned our courts into our masters and members of "the resistance".

After his surprise retreat in Syria, anticipated abandonment of Afghanistan, and removal of a major sanction on a Putin crony, Trump is returning to his neo-isolationist and pro-Russian instincts. Here, and in his relations with North Korea, he has been far from "clear-eyed about malign actors and strategic competitors" (Mattis letter of resignation).

Let's face it, when a President can't find agreement with his staff, be they a Steve Bannon, or Republican operatives, or the replacement with generals, or credible economists, or his own Attorney General - then there is something wrong with the President, not them.

You'd think the majority on the right would be burned out - aren't you?

Trumps approval rating has been rock solid, and is more likely to go up than down in the near future now that he is finally asserting himself.

 

[<alt>doxygen]

Donald Trump is likely reaching a crisis point in his Presidency, at least half of which is of his own making. For those of us on the right that have held our judgement and found Trump to be tolerable, or at least better than some of us feared, it has been a chaotic and often frustrating two years. After the latest shocking news of the Syrian pullout and abandonment of the Kurds, aren't we all burned out on Trump?

I know I am.

Trump has not grown into the job, is repeatedly impulsive, burns through employees, and his ego so in need of feeding that his decision making is chaotic, personal,feckless, and poorly executed. He doesn't have a coherent or integrated view of politics, at least none that is shared by other politicians, experts, party leaders, or ideological wings. Hence, he has managed at one time or another alienate his allies, anger his supporters, and infuriate his enemies...and accomplish nothing.

And in the process, he can't find any experts or policy employees that reflect his unique (and often ignorant) set of morphable personal views - hence, they leave. Combine that with a personality that lurches between bristling at being confined by experts and one that returns to knee-jerk actions when facing frustration and we see the result.

Although the Republican party is now hostage to Trump and tens of millions of populist loyalists, no one should lie to themselves - he's a four alarm disaster.

Tariffs, Russia, FBI relations, Session, Obamacare, border security, Turkey, the budget, the Saudi murder of K, and many other issues have been poorly handled and his tactics have alienated friends and foes alike. His needless inflammatory rhetoric and personae has managed to fuel a resistance so great that it has turned our courts into our masters and members of "the resistance".

After his surprise retreat in Syria, anticipated abandonment of Afghanistan, and removal of a major sanction on a Putin crony, Trump is returning to his neo-isolationist and pro-Russian instincts. Here, and in his relations with North Korea, he has been far from "clear-eyed about malign actors and strategic competitors" (Mattis letter of resignation).

Let's face it, when a President can't find agreement with his staff, be they a Steve Bannon, or Republican operatives, or the replacement with generals, or credible economists, or his own Attorney General - then there is something wrong with the President, not them.

You'd think the majority on the right would be burned out - aren't you?

I don't agree with all of that (the courts are mostly following law - something Trump cares nothing for because he's never had to) but by and large, an excellent summary.

I DO hope hew finds a competent replacement for Mattis, and not one who follows Trump's stupid whims. Mattis was a brilliant choice. Haley was good. They are both gone.

Edit : I await the spin of the die-hard Trumpists on this past week.

 

[justabubba]

Trumps approval rating has been rock solid, and is more likely to go up than down in the near future now that he is finally asserting himself.

solidly in the 30s

 

[Chomsky]

I'm tired of the constant drama & chaos. Even our holidays are not immune to his petulance. He screwed with Easter Sunday, for Chrisakes. Now he's fugging around with Christmas. You can't ignore a man with this much power. It's impossible. I can't wait for him to go away.

 

[Phys251]

Trumps approval rating has been rock solid, and is more likely to go up than down in the near future now that he is finally asserting himself.

https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/trump-approval-ratings/

tRump's net disapproval rating has remained remarkably close to 10% for nearly a year.

 

[Mycroft]

Donald Trump is likely reaching a crisis point in his Presidency, at least half of which is of his own making. For those of us on the right that have held our judgement and found Trump to be tolerable, or at least better than some of us feared, it has been a chaotic and often frustrating two years. After the latest shocking news of the Syrian pullout and abandonment of the Kurds, aren't we all burned out on Trump?

I know I am.

Trump has not grown into the job, is repeatedly impulsive, burns through employees, and his ego so in need of feeding that his decision making is chaotic, personal,feckless, and poorly executed. He doesn't have a coherent or integrated view of politics, at least none that is shared by other politicians, experts, party leaders, or ideological wings. Hence, he has managed at one time or another alienate his allies, anger his supporters, and infuriate his enemies...and accomplish nothing.

And in the process, he can't find any experts or policy employees that reflect his unique (and often ignorant) set of morphable personal views - hence, they leave. Combine that with a personality that lurches between bristling at being confined by experts and one that returns to knee-jerk actions when facing frustration and we see the result.

Although the Republican party is now hostage to Trump and tens of millions of populist loyalists, no one should lie to themselves - he's a four alarm disaster.

Tariffs, Russia, FBI relations, Session, Obamacare, border security, Turkey, the budget, the Saudi murder of K, and many other issues have been poorly handled and his tactics have alienated friends and foes alike. His needless inflammatory rhetoric and personae has managed to fuel a resistance so great that it has turned our courts into our masters and members of "the resistance".

After his surprise retreat in Syria, anticipated abandonment of Afghanistan, and removal of a major sanction on a Putin crony, Trump is returning to his neo-isolationist and pro-Russian instincts. Here, and in his relations with North Korea, he has been far from "clear-eyed about malign actors and strategic competitors" (Mattis letter of resignation).

Let's face it, when a President can't find agreement with his staff, be they a Steve Bannon, or Republican operatives, or the replacement with generals, or credible economists, or his own Attorney General - then there is something wrong with the President, not them.

You'd think the majority on the right would be burned out - aren't you?

The first highlighted part of your post is partially true. Trump's policies, goals and objectives are not shared by some of those people you mention. They are, however, shared by some of those people you mention and certainly shared by the second highlighted group.

But keep in mind that Trump is the President. Since you obviously don't agree with him on anything, I suggest you vote against him when he runs again in 2020.

 

[Finch]

Trumps approval rating has been rock solid, and is more likely to go up than down in the near future now that he is finally asserting himself.

No, not likely....Market is crashing. Factories keep shutting down because of the tariffs, Siemens is just the latest to shut down in Burlington, Iowa. He paid his 2nd (and last) bail out to farmers, a bail out that wasn't nearly enough. Forget the wall, forget the shut down, forget Mueller, that doesn't hit middle America hard enough...But factories shutting down,blue collar workers losing their jobs, economy slowing, farmers getting hit hard will definitely cut into some of that cult base Trump has.

 

[Chomsky]

I don't agree with all of that (the courts are mostly following law - something Trump cares nothing for because he's never had to) but by and large, an excellent summary.

I DO hope hew finds a competent replacement for Mattis, and not one who follows Trump's stupid whims. Mattis was a brilliant choice. Haley was good. They are both gone.

To the bolded: Exactly.

Everything Trump touches, everyone one he associates with, turns to ****. The only way to avoid Trump destruction, is to get away.

Fortunately for us, and unfortunately for him, he's likely going to get his comeuppance after he leaves office and is no longer immune from prosecution.

 

[Phys251]

Donald Trump is likely reaching a crisis point in his Presidency, at least half of which is of his own making. For those of us on the right that have held our judgement and found Trump to be tolerable, or at least better than some of us feared, it has been a chaotic and often frustrating two years. After the latest shocking news of the Syrian pullout and abandonment of the Kurds, aren't we all burned out on Trump?

I know I am.

Trump has not grown into the job, is repeatedly impulsive, burns through employees, and his ego so in need of feeding that his decision making is chaotic, personal,feckless, and poorly executed. He doesn't have a coherent or integrated view of politics, at least none that is shared by other politicians, experts, party leaders, or ideological wings. Hence, he has managed at one time or another alienate his allies, anger his supporters, and infuriate his enemies...and accomplish nothing.

And in the process, he can't find any experts or policy employees that reflect his unique (and often ignorant) set of morphable personal views - hence, they leave. Combine that with a personality that lurches between bristling at being confined by experts and one that returns to knee-jerk actions when facing frustration and we see the result.

Although the Republican party is now hostage to Trump and tens of millions of populist loyalists, no one should lie to themselves - he's a four alarm disaster.

Tariffs, Russia, FBI relations, Session, Obamacare, border security, Turkey, the budget, the Saudi murder of K, and many other issues have been poorly handled and his tactics have alienated friends and foes alike. His needless inflammatory rhetoric and personae has managed to fuel a resistance so great that it has turned our courts into our masters and members of "the resistance".

After his surprise retreat in Syria, anticipated abandonment of Afghanistan, and removal of a major sanction on a Putin crony, Trump is returning to his neo-isolationist and pro-Russian instincts. Here, and in his relations with North Korea, he has been far from "clear-eyed about malign actors and strategic competitors" (Mattis letter of resignation).

Let's face it, when a President can't find agreement with his staff, be they a Steve Bannon, or Republican operatives, or the replacement with generals, or credible economists, or his own Attorney General - then there is something wrong with the President, not them.

You'd think the majority on the right would be burned out - aren't you?

Quite a few people have been warning for some time that America might not survive even a single term of President tRump. They were mocked, harassed, gaslit, you name it.

And now, lo and behold, events are unfolding that are suggesting that those who have been trying to warn us were right all this time.

 

[Cardinal]

The first highlighted part of your post is partially true. Trump's policies, goals and objectives are not shared by some of those people you mention. They are, however, shared by some of those people you mention and certainly shared by the second highlighted group.

But keep in mind that Trump is the President. Since you obviously don't agree with him on anything, I suggest you vote against him when he runs again in 2020.

An election is not the only Constitutional mechanism for removing someone unable to perform the duties of his office.

 

[<alt>doxygen]

To the bolded: Exactly.

Everything Trump touches, everyone one he associates with, turns to ****. The only way to avoid Trump destruction, is to get away.

Fortunately for us, and unfortunately for him, he's likely going to get his comeuppance after he leaves office and is no longer immune from prosecution.

Hopefully. This country is in need of cleansing.

I realize the trumpists aren't going anywhere, and the next trump will probably be more competent, and thus more dangerous, but those who were put off by Clinton enough not to see the danger of Trumpism in 2016 are mostly awake now.

 

[Tigerace117]

Trumps approval rating has been rock solid, and is more likely to go up than down in the near future now that he is finally asserting himself.

Yes, it's been solidly mediocre, and only likely to go up because there ain't a whole lot of room left to drop :lamo

 

[Chomsky]

Hopefully. This country is in need of cleansing.

I realize the trumpists aren't going anywhere, and the next trump will probably be more competent, and thus more dangerous, but those who were put off by Clinton enough not to see the danger of Trumpism in 2016 are mostly awake now.

Yes. I believe the bolded is an extremely salient point. And this was manifest and exemplified in the recent Blue Wave sweep of the House. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[Chomsky]

Quite a few people have been warning for some time that America might not survive even a single term of President tRump. They were mocked, harassed, gaslit, you name it.

And now, lo and behold, events are unfolding that are suggesting that those who have been trying to warn us were right all this time.

Can you imagine the damage this man might do, if he prevailed in the midterms? I truly believe it's beyond (rational) imagination. Because he is not rational.

But remember: Trump's actions are not Trump's alone. They are only possible due to GOP aiding & abetting, even if only through their acquiescent inaction. Trump's actions are Trump-GOP actions. Remember this, when in the polling place.

 

[Mycroft]

An election is not the only Constitutional mechanism for removing someone unable to perform the duties of his office.

Trump has proven quite capable of performing the duties of his office.

Those who don't like the way he performs them have only one option. Vote.

 

[Amelia]

Yes, it's been solidly mediocre, and only likely to go up because there ain't a whole lot of room left to drop :lamo

Solidly mediocre and held up by the good economic numbers. But the sugar high from the tax cut is over and Trump's trade wars are coming home to roost and the markets are negative for the year. A shutdown is looming. And Trump can't find qualified people willing to work for him.

There could be room to drop.

 

[justabubba]

Solidly mediocre and held up by the good economic numbers. But the sugar high from the tax cut is over and Trump's trade wars are coming home to roost and the markets are negative for the year. A shutdown is looming. And Trump can't find qualified people willing to work for him.

There could be room to drop.

tRump will soon learn what every plumber knows: **** travels downhill

 

[Cardinal]

Trump has proven quite capable of performing the duties of his office.

Those who don't like the way he performs them have only one option. Vote.

And impeachment. If you don't like that, take it up with the people who wrote the Constitution.

 

[Phys251]

Can you imagine the damage this man might do, if he prevailed in the midterms? I truly believe it's beyond (rational) imagination. Because he is not rational.

But remember: Trump's actions are not Trump's alone. They are only possible due to GOP aiding & abetting, even if only through their acquiescent inaction. Trump's actions are Trump-GOP actions. Remember this, when in the polling place.

Paul Krugman wrote an article right before the midterms that said that those midterms were America's last chance before fascism. He wasn't wrong.

 

[maxparrish]

The first highlighted part of your post is partially true. Trump's policies, goals and objectives are not shared by some of those people you mention. They are, however, shared by some of those people you mention and certainly shared by the second highlighted group.

But keep in mind that Trump is the President. Since you obviously don't agree with him on anything, I suggest you vote against him when he runs again in 2020.

So far I have yet to notice anyone in the professional class, other than Bannon, that shared Trump's instinctual politics.

Here are all the top-level people who've either been fired or resigned from the administration, most of who didn't share Trumps views on politics or because they were bad hires.

General Mattis, Secretary of Defense
John Kelly, Chief of Staff
Jeff Sessions, Attorney General
Don McGahn, White House counsel
Nikki Haley, UN Ambassador
Scott Pruitt EPA Administrator
Tom Bossert, Trump's homeland security adviser,
Secretary of Veterans Affairs David J. Shulkin
H.R. McMaster, NSA Director
Rex Tillerson, Secretary of State
Gary Cohn, Director of Council of Economic Advisors
Hope Hicks, Confidant and Asst to the President
Rob Porter, Presidential adisor
Brenda Fitzgerald, CDC Director
Omarosa Manigault, Black Community Outreach Dir.
Tom Price, Secretary of Health and Human Services
Sebastian Gorka, National Security Advisor
Steve Bannon, Strategist
Steve Scaramucci, Communications Dir.
Reince Priebus, Communications Dir.
Sean Spicer, Spokesperson
Michael Dubke, Communications Dir.
Walter Shaub, Office of Government ethics
James Comey, FBI Director
Michael Flynn, NSA Director
Sally Yates, Asst. Attorney General
Preet Bharara, Federal District Attorney
Katie Walsh, Deputy Chief of Staff

It's only been two years and the administration has suffered greater turnover than any other in modern history - I support several of Trump's stances, but like many Americans I am burned out on the disorganization, poor management, and unpredictability of someone unsuited for the Presidency.

 

[maxparrish]

Paul Krugman wrote an article right before the midterms that said that those midterms were America's last chance before fascism. He wasn't wrong.

It's been said that not only does the corrupting influence of Trump make allies sound stupid, he also causes enemies sound equally stupid. I can't think of anything more moronic than what you reported to be from Krugman.

 

[Phys251]

It's been said that not only does the corrupting influence of Trump make allies sound stupid, he also causes enemies sound equally stupid. I can't think of anything more moronic than what you reported to be from Krugman.

Unless you have the knowledge and political acumen of Dr. Krugman, please don't confuse yourself by pretending that your words count anywhere near as much as his do.

 

[Idiometer]

Donald Trump is likely reaching a crisis point in his Presidency, at least half of which is of his own making. For those of us on the right that have held our judgement and found Trump to be tolerable, or at least better than some of us feared, it has been a chaotic and often frustrating two years. After the latest shocking news of the Syrian pullout and abandonment of the Kurds, aren't we all burned out on Trump?

I know I am.

Trump has not grown into the job, is repeatedly impulsive, burns through employees, and his ego so in need of feeding that his decision making is chaotic, personal,feckless, and poorly executed. He doesn't have a coherent or integrated view of politics, at least none that is shared by other politicians, experts, party leaders, or ideological wings. Hence, he has managed at one time or another alienate his allies, anger his supporters, and infuriate his enemies...and accomplish nothing.

And in the process, he can't find any experts or policy employees that reflect his unique (and often ignorant) set of morphable personal views - hence, they leave. Combine that with a personality that lurches between bristling at being confined by experts and one that returns to knee-jerk actions when facing frustration and we see the result.

Although the Republican party is now hostage to Trump and tens of millions of populist loyalists, no one should lie to themselves - he's a four alarm disaster.

Tariffs, Russia, FBI relations, Session, Obamacare, border security, Turkey, the budget, the Saudi murder of K, and many other issues have been poorly handled and his tactics have alienated friends and foes alike. His needless inflammatory rhetoric and personae has managed to fuel a resistance so great that it has turned our courts into our masters and members of "the resistance".

After his surprise retreat in Syria, anticipated abandonment of Afghanistan, and removal of a major sanction on a Putin crony, Trump is returning to his neo-isolationist and pro-Russian instincts. Here, and in his relations with North Korea, he has been far from "clear-eyed about malign actors and strategic competitors" (Mattis letter of resignation).

Let's face it, when a President can't find agreement with his staff, be they a Steve Bannon, or Republican operatives, or the replacement with generals, or credible economists, or his own Attorney General - then there is something wrong with the President, not them.

You'd think the majority on the right would be burned out - aren't you?

If you voted for him, you helped create this rolling catastrophe. Sounds like you're "tired of winning."

As for his "removal of a major sanction on a Putin crony," that's an easy one, so allow me to explain. Removing the personal sanctions against Oleg Deripaska is a strategic financial move for Trump Enterprises. It allows Deripaska to cede major shares in one of the largest, richest aliminum companies in the world to the Russian state-owned bank known as VP Bank. Not coincidentally, that's the bank that is set to fund the Trump Tower Moscow project. Always follow the money.

Regarding pulling out of Syria and Afghanistan, that smacks of "orders from Vlad" to me. Trump is doing exactly what Putin wants him to do. It provides Russia with a Mediterranean seaport, and our abandonement of the Kurds to the tender mercies of Erdogan's plans to kill them all is signaling to the world that we are rotten allies, which is also a notion that Putin wants the rest of the world to believe.

Trump has never done anything in his entire life that wasn't self-serving. Thanks so much for your help in getting us into this sorry state of affairs.