The best approach to Trump is mockery. The latest example: his fixation on his losing vote total.
An initial note — I’ve always thought that the most effective tool by far against Trump is to mock him. That weakness has been central to this rube from Queens who spent a lifetime craving Manhattan’s (unavailable) approval.
With that in mind, I need to point out one of the weirdest (although typical) things about Trump’s recent statements: the notion of Trump’s “almost 75 million votes.” For example, just a few of Trump’s recent public remarks:
- “No president has ever gone through anything like it, and it continues because our opponents cannot forget the almost 75 million people, the highest number ever for a sitting president, who voted for us just a few short months ago.”
Trump’s Statement On Impeachment Trial, dated February 13, 2021
- “In 2020, I received the most votes of any sitting President in history, almost 75,000,000.”
Trump’s Statement in response Sen. McConnell, dated February 16, 2021
- “These are attacks by Democrats willing to do almost anything to stop the almost 75 million people (the most votes, by far, ever gotten by a sitting president) who voted for me in the election.”
There are countless more examples going back to his election defeat (indeed, it is compulsive), and the meme of course is now spreading through Republican talking points.
But, I can’t believe I have to say this, almost 75 million votes . . . is a loser’s total. Indeed, it is about 7 million votes less than what a winner (Biden) got.
In what alternative world does a loser get to brag about his losing numbers? Could you imagine defeated, one term President Jimmy Carter constantly crowing about his “almost 36 million voters”? Or the reaction if this year’s Super Bowl losing team, the Kansas City Chiefs, began each public statement by bragging that they were “the 9 points Chiefs”?
Trump’s similar crowing is ludicrous and embarrassing — or at least, it should be.
Now, what is behind this is obviously dysfunctional and sinister. Comically, Trump always has to be the winner and have the “hugest” anything — don’t let him get away with that. Also, this is all about the “Big Lie” that the election was stolen — don’t let him or the Republicans get away with that. Further, this at core is about the Republicans’ campaign to discredit and destroy democracy in general: only Republican votes “count” – absolutely do not allow any of them to get away that crime.
So, sure, pointing out the facts and Biden’s winning numbers should happen, but . . . it is so dry. No, when handed this gift, go straight after Trump and his Republican cohorts with loud, deserved mockery.
Yes, laugh at Trump (to his face). Forget being impeached twice, he is the only president to lose two popular elections. And don’t forget 2016 and HRC’s winning margin. This loser lost two elections by near 10 million votes. He is a failed, one-term president. . . and he lost bigly.
If he is bragging, Dems are dropping the ball. Get Tina Fey and Al Franklin, Jimmy Kimmel and John Oliver, on the case pronto. But not just late night comics. When asked to comment on Trump, every Democratic House and Senate member should mock him and figure out a way to mention Sarah Palin too. Like her, we have a very ripe target here.
