Generalizations are dangerous. Not all Trump supporters are, as Trump would say, “deluded lunatics.” But maybe some are. Donald Trump has a remarkable record of offensive behavior. Some of it is racist. Some of it is criminal. And much of it is hypocritical. Does support for Trump entail accepting everything that Trump has said or done? Of course not. But I wonder how Trump supporters can look at themselves in the mirror while knowing the ex-president’s record.
As I thought about how people can support Trump, I jotted down a list of things that Trump has said or done.
Trump confused Nikki Haley and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Several times in recent weeks, he has referred to Obama when he meant Biden. He called Joe Biden “Sleepy Joe” and said, “He doesn’t even know if he’s alive.” Biden is showing signs of age. But what is a 77-year-old, who regularly makes similar misstatements, doing, saying Biden is too old to be president?
Not paying taxes. Do Trump supporters support tax evasion? Should a billionaire pay $750 in taxes a year? If everyone were as successful at avoiding taxes as Trump has been, the federal government, including the Department of Defense, Medicare and Medicaid, and Social Security, would collapse.
Claiming to win an election in 2020 that he clearly lost. This is a tough one–especially when Trump insists that voter fraud won the election for Biden. Trump no longer discusses the details of how he lost the 2020 election. Instead, he relies on generalized allegations of fraud by Democrats, “RINOs” and communist lunatics.
Making questionable political appointments to the Cabinet and federal agencies and subsequently firing many of them, sometimes on Twitter. As president, Trump engaged in personnel practices that would get any corporate executive fired. Remember the appointment of Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) as Attorney General. After Sessions refused to recuse himself from the Russia probe, Trump fired him and call him “mentally-retarded.” He also referred to Sessions as “Mr. Magoo, “an idiot,” and “mixed-up and confused.”
Dozens of former Trump appointees oppose his attempt to return to power, including General John Kelly who Trump called, “a lowlife with a small brain and a big mouth.” He also called for the execution of the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. What does this behavior say about Trump’s fitness to serve as president?
Bragging about being famous allowing you to grab women by the “pu**y.” What adult says things like that? Trump claims it was locker-room talk, but his personal history is that of a “player.” Case in point: He had an affair with a Playboy Playmate for nine months just after Melania gave birth to their son, Barron. Have you seen the photo of Trump with his one-time friend, Jeffrey Epstein?
Believing that business fraud is OK. Trump has been found guilty of inflating the values of real estate to defraud banks and other lenders into giving him lower interest rates on loans. Trump argues that nobody was hurt. He even went so far as to imply that banks welcomed being defrauded. The State of New York sees it otherwise. Now billionaire Trump is having difficulty raising money for the half billion dollar fine imposed on him.
Calling federal judges “deranged” for not dismissing felony charges related to the January 6, 2021 insurrection; obstruction of justice; taking secret documents with him to Mar-a-Lago after he left the White House; interfering with the counting of votes, including asking the Georgia Secretary of State to “find me” 11,780 votes.
Promising to pardon January 6 rioters. Trump has not promised to pardon all of them, but he has called the people who caused multiple deaths and millions of dollars in damages “patriots.” The U.S. Office of Government Accountability (GAO) claims the cost of January 6 is around $2.7 billion, including actions taken to improve the security at the Capitol to prevent a repeat of January 6. The “cost” of people dying, of course, cannot be calculated.
Calling Vladimir Putin a “genius” and “savvy” for his actions in Ukraine. According to Volodymyr Zelensky, 31,000 Ukrainian troops have died. If that number is accurate, total deaths in Ukraine likely exceed 50,000. And the end of the war is not in sight.
While on the subject of Putin, Donald Trump once said he trusted Putin’s word over the reports of U.S. intelligence agencies. Putin assured Trump that Russia had not attempted to influence the U.S. presidential election. Who is comfortable believing Putin?
Saying he will be a “dictator for a day” in a campaign speech. Was this just “political rhetoric” in the same way as the “grab them by the pu**y” comment with Billy Bush was “locker room talk?” I don’t think so.
Trump promises “retribution” against his enemies and claims he is doing so on behalf of his supporters.
Calling prosecutors “animals.” Trump called Manhattan district Attorney Alvin Bragg an “animal” after Bragg indicted him for 34 felony counts in connection with Trump’s payment of “hush money” to avoid publication of reports of his affairs with porn star Stormy Daniels and Playboy Playmate Karen McDougal.
In addition, Trump regularly frequently invokes language once used by Adolf Hitler. The most troubling example is promising to eradicate “vermin” that are “poisoning” the blood of America. I have a tough time understanding how Trump supporters can be comfortable with their candidate using this language.
Trump supporters: “What are you thinking?” I suggest you take a closer look at your candidate before it’s too late.
J.E. Dean is a retired attorney and public affairs consultant writing on politics, government, and, too infrequently, other topics.
Maggie Andersen says
Plenty of material here for Democratic ads! But people don’t care. They live the racism and xenophobia. Time to call it all out for what it is, as you have done!
Maggie andersen says
Live was supposed to be love! I don’t know how to edit it.
John Dean says
Maggie, thank you for reading the piece. I like to think there are still some potential Trump voters who might be convinced to look elsewhere if they focused on who Trump is and what he has done.
Patrick Hornberger says
In short: You are who you vote for.
Paul Rybon says
This writer sounds like a broken record. Regurgitating the same doggerel every week.
Most of it is made up. Perfect example of the progressive left repeating the same message over and over again.That’s the nature of propaganda. Last resort for a losing game is to quit praising your guy and concentrate on denigrating the other guy. Oh yes, and shaming the voters.
John Dean says
Thank you for your comment. I regret that you did not include a list of the items that were “made up.”
I keep writing about Trump because of the threat he poses to democracy. I hope that by highlighting some of the things that Trump stands for, has said, or has done, more voters will abandon him.
John Dean says
Thank you for reading the piece. I’d be interested in what “is made up.”
Charles Barranco says
Yep, you just did it. You didn’t challenge or discuss a single issue. So typical.
Jerry McConnell says
Mr Rybon once again succinctly summarizes what his challenges are in trying to justify the world of lies, distortions and plain old conservative stupidity. Keep watching the latest fox news, payaso, and be sure to send in your almost identical opinions on the next Trump alarms that you don’t quite understand.
J. Young says
No one has spent more time denigrating others than Trump, as well as repeating his alternative facts ad infinitum.
Donna Dudley says
Thank you; this is exactly what people need to be reminded of — how chaotic, incompetent, and corrupt the past Administration was. What exactly are those policies his supporters say they liked – taking children away from their parents at the border with no plan for reuniting families? Calling people who serve their country “losers,” especially if they die for it? Tax cuts for the rich that never paid for themselves, no promised “trickle down” while adding to the deficit. He wants to do it again – he benefits personally. How about the way he minimized the risks and dangers of COVID–and denigrated experts in a public health emergency. “It will just go away” comes to mind. His ignorance and incompetence in protecting the American people (one of his Constitutional duties) resulted in hundreds of thousands of dead Americans. Do you want him in charge of the next epidemic? Start saving bleach. Every week was “infrastructure week” and not a thing got done. No wall was built and paid for by Mexico. He promised to get rid of “Obamacare” and institute something better. Surprise-never happened. He is neither patriot nor statesman. He is now promising retribution to his political enemies….and how does that help the average American family? And how did we fall so low that so many Americans would follow such an amoral charlatan?
Richard Skinner says
Sir: virtually every item you cited as matters that ought to repel persons who support Mr Trump are precisely the things that endear him to them. What were once statements and actions considered impolite, unseemly, grotesque, boorish, impolitic and dangerous are now, for those who idolize Trump the very ones that lend him authenticity, common sense, and true to supporters.
John Dean says
Thank you for the comment. I’m afraid you may be right. And that is very, very sad.
James Wilson says
Well said. But I am still afraid, very afraid, of what he will do to our country if he gets elected again. God spare us … .
I also cannot fathom his ardent supporters who believe his every word. It is like they do not have a mind of their own. They have given up their ability to think rationally to someone who does not.
Since when are revenge, lying, bullying, violence, raping, cheating, racism, etc. virtues for a presidential candidate? God spare us … again.
Carol Voyles says
Thank you. As President Biden has reminded us, “This election is about the future of our country.” Putin would be fine with this, but world leaders are concerned.
Paul Rybon says
I disagree. Saying you are who you vote for is a cheap trick. These guesses make amusing reading. Are we supposed to believe that the voters for Biden approve of his alleged graft or share his mental health diagnosis? Maybe so.
Deirdre LaMotte says
Can you please give citations on “Biden’s mental health diagnosis”? Last interview I saw he was looking at every global situation from all angles, and continues to be on top of all domestic situations.
Meantime, Every, Single. Day. Trump is calling Haley “Hillary”, mixing up who is is running against, Obama
or Biden and rambles on with his distorted face about things that are his old playbook.
And he is facing jail time, convicted of sexual assault and is out on bail. A real winner, that one.
Mickey Terrone says
Mr. Rybon, its clear that you aren’t Donald Trump in a literal sense. You didn’t try violently to overthrow that 2020 election on January 6, 2021. You didn’t personally attack E. Jean Carroll and you don’t have to pay her $91 million. You didn’t get convicted of fraudulently overstating your net worth to dupe investors, so you don’t owe NY State $348 million. You didn’t call the Georgia state attorney general to try to get him to find you 11,780 votes so you could win the election in that state. Yet you seem to support Trump’s plans to assume extraconstitutional powers once he gets reelected in 2024. You likely believe Trump should be immune from any crime(s) he may have committed while he was president. And you seem to have no issue with our country walking away from NATO and Ukraine in favor of Putin to destabilize the European democracies.
That you and other Trump supporters can’t seem to bring yourself to acknowldedge these criminal acts and devious plans is indeed the issue that I think Mr. Dean is calling to the attention of his readers. Y’all behave as if Mr. Trump is above the law and that all of his former cabinet members whose profound warnings to the American people about putting Trump back in the White House have no influence on you. Its almost a “What me worry?” attitude.
You seem not be be concerned with the future of democracy and willing to hand authoritarian powers to a swindling, pathological liar.
I suppose if you’re a multibillionaire with no social conscience, Trump’s tax giveaways could make enough sense to consider supporting him. Other than that, the fact that you would want a degenerate like Trump in the White House and give him authoritarian power reflects a bizarre outlook for a patriotic American. You almost have to buy into his very evident deviousness and become one with him in support of his unamerican mindset and plans. You haven’t made any effort that I can recall reading, to separate yourself from his overt racism and bigotry.
From these perspectives, I fully agree with Mr. Dean’s suggestions about Trump supporters. Shouldn’t y’all be thinking about who comes after Trump? What if you don’t like him? What if he doesn’t like you or people who look like you? Now is the time to be hedging your bets on dictators. As you’ve seen with Trump, there is no end to his demand for loyalty. Considering many of his true believers think he is the only person who can lead America, who then, is next in line to the throne? Ivanka? Don Jr.? I know Colbert would be hoping its Erik.
I suppose you aren’t the least bit concerned that Trump, who currently owes half a billion in fines might be a security risk for passing national security secrets, for example, to Putin via Viktor Orban in exchange for Russia paying for Trump’s fines and attorney fees. Deflecting questions is irresponsible and illegitimate. Supporting an authoritarian dictatorship for America is treasonous, given our great history. Handing it to a seriously deranged narcissist like Trump does suggest you almost have to become one with the Trump personality and persona and buy into his unbounded bigotry and mental illness, almost as an accomplice.
Jerry McConnell says
Can’t wait for the delusional retorts from Trump screwballs. Time for Republican I Q check? Never mind…they’d rather pay tribute to the Orange Moron and his latest criminal endeavors.
Cecily Sharp-Whitehill says
This is a new comment, on 3-6-24: J. E. Dean is correct in all he says. I would like to read more about Trump’s Cabinet choices, and read more about the upstanding, collaborative and eloquent members of President Biden’s Cabinet. And their prior experiences as compared to Trump’s Cabinet choices. Thanks for your article!
John Dean says
Thank you for a good suggestion. I am amazed at the number of former Trump cabinet appointees (and other appointees) who have gone public to say Trump is unfit to be president. I may write about that in a future column.
Suzanne Williams says
Why can’t citizens be alarmed by this candidate? Trump is not someone I would want my grandchildren to emulate. Thank you for listing all the reasons I am disheartened by the support he has garnered.
William Keppen says
Everything he says is accurate and absolutely true. However, whenever I have confronted my Trump supporter enablers with one or more of these transgressions they go into denial mode or come back with a what about Biden. In other words, we are wasting our time talking to them, as they are cut from the same mold as Trump, only without the money, which they pine for. Thank you Mr Dean for enumerating all the faults and transgressions of this disgusting human being. Hopefully some people are paying attention.
Dennis F Glackin says
I agree about wasting our time on the die hard MAGA group. However, articles like this might persuade some fence sitters and independents to vote for Biden and other Democrats who are more able and serious about maintaining democracy in our country.
Deirdre LaMotte says
What is terrifying are the millions who have no problem voting for a man OUT ON BAIL.
It says everything about the voter and it is bad.
Laura Slavin says
Correction: Jeff Sessions did not refuse to recuse himself. He did recuse himself. His recusing himself from the Russia probe is what angered Trump.
John E. Dean says
You are right. My apologies for the error. I should have fact-checked that before submitting the piece.
Sarah Oppenheimer says
Levels of Awareness in politics
Level 1
They believe what their preferred news say and do not sample other sources. Not aware of counter arguments. Not aware their news is mostly narrative.
Level 2
Sample news from multiple sources but believe only their own sources are accurate. Think the other side is all narrative, but familiar with all sides of issues.
Level 3
Aware that ALL news is fake, at least in the sense of missing context and spin. Also known as Gell-Mann Amnesia. But still believe the experts in various fields are usually correct.
Level 4
Understand that NONE of our experts are reliable. Some might be right, not none can be trusted without verification. The distortion of money makes no expert credible.
Level 5
They see the gears of the machine. The Republic no longer looks like whatever the Founders intended. The control of powerful billionaires and intelligence professionals is now obvious.
Level 6
You are dead because you know too much. Also known as Epstein Level.
Garry Gannigan says
John Dean is Americas gift to Democracy.
We will do well to listen to his thinkings🙏🏿
John Dean says
Thank you. Nobody has ever described me that way before. America, of course, has many gifts to Democracy, many, many of them more worthy of the title than I will ever be.
John Rieger says
Remember that 50% of any population has an IQ lower than 100; I call them the ‘sub Huns’. It is tempting to believe that all republicans are subhuns, but this cannot be true; I’m sure that there are a dozen or so ‘superhuns’.