People hate being manipulated...

[targetpractice]

I think "manipulate" is a word that should be used when discussing Donald Trump's COVID-19 lies. Manipulation is a key trait of malignant narcissists.

"He lied to manipulate you."

"He wanted to control your behavior, for himself, for the stock market, his reelection, etc."

Just a thought before having morning coffee.

[Ilsa]

1. I agree. He is a liar.

He manipulated (you) for his own financial benefit and to win the election, without caring about anyone else. He did it intentionally. He threatened people who tried to tell the truth. That should be the message.

[madaboutharry]

2. He made fools of people.

The MAGA followers hitched their wagons to Trump because they believed that the "establishment" disrespected them.

What greater disrespect is there than someone not placing value on your own life?

The irony.

[ananda]

24. They care about their own lives far less than ..

.. they care about hating Democrats and liberals.

That has been true for quite awhile.

It's a murder-suicide cult.

[beachbumbob]

28. trumps followers can't connect the dots

[beachbumbob]

3. basic trump supporter doesn't care BUT they are also an overall minority in the US

time to steamroll their asses

[JI7]

5. They have more power than they should because of an outdated elections system

[beachbumbob]

27. if all democrats voted every election they would have NO power

[SamKnause]

4. Apparently some people love to be manipulated.

If not, how do you account for Trump's 35% cult following ???

How do you account for Facebook and their success in spreading fake news and conspiracy theories ???

How do you account for Fox "news" and the success they have had ???

How do you account for the popularity of right wing radio ???

How do you account for The Prosperity Gospel ???

I rest my case.

[NanceGreggs]

6. The people being manipulated ...

... by the aforementioned persons and entities don't know they're being manipulated.

It's not that they love it - they are simply unaware of it.

[targetpractice]

8. Hah... You beat me by a minute, NanceGreggs...

... I do think it's like when a partner is discovered for cheating (for a long time) with hard evidence.

[Roy Rolling]

13. Current Condition *Fooled*

[Squinch]

9. SOME of them know it, and they are joining in the manipulation. They like the manipulation

because they are in on the joke. All those "I know what he is and I love him for it" people, I take them at their word. They love his ways because either he is making them richer, or they think he is owning the liberals.

Others have no idea and are just too dumb to see it. To them, he's the savior that is portrayed in those cringingly cheesy pictures.

[SamKnause]

11. I agree.

[NanceGreggs]

14. They think they're ...

... "in on the joke" - the joke being that it's the libtards who are being manipulated, while they're the independent thinkers of the world.

[Squinch]

15. Exactly.

[SamKnause]

10. I contend that many do know.

When they are confronted with facts and data they simply refuse to accept it.

They repeatedly revert to their cult mindset.

[targetpractice]

7. I would contend...

... that those in your examples don't realize they are being manipulated. They are just accepting things at face value.

I would think (hope) if Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity were caught on tape admitting they didn't believe in what they were saying, but doing it for money... That may shock some supporters from their complacency.

It's one thing to be blissfully unaware of being manipulted, but then be told by the manipulator, "Hey yeah, I've been lying to you"

[SamKnause]

12. I contend that when you are repeatedly supplied with the facts that discount your beliefs

and you continue to believe you love being manipulated.

Many simply refuse to accept facts and revert to their cult mindset.

[targetpractice]

16. Love?

I get what you are saying... Why do abused spouses stay with their partners? I doubt they love the situation, but fear of leaving somehow is worse than the status quo. But, I doubt it's love.

I imagine if someone has let themself be manipulated for such a long time... They are fearful and bewildered about how to transition out of it. But, I don't think loving it is part of it.

Maybe semantics.

[overleft]

23. I agree with your post. It's like 35% of the population would

follow the herd off the cliff to their death just to follow tRump's mandates.

[KG]

17. hasn't been my experience

[Bernardo de La Paz]

18. Yes, that's it. Go further. People don't like being USED.

tRump squandered opportunities to squelch the virus so he could prop up the stock market, which is his go-to metaphor for the economy.

tRump used the protesters so he could push a law-and-order narrative for his campaign.

He uses his base even while he is contemptuous of them.

He uses the military as props while calling them losers.

So much more.

[targetpractice]

19. There's got to be a tagline in this somewhere...

"Donald Trump doesn't serve you. He uses you."

[Bernardo de La Paz]

20. Good slogan. Re hash tags: #trumpabusesyou #trumpusesyou #usedbytrump ?

I dunno. I'm a twitter reader, not a user.

[bucolic_frolic]

21. Manipulation requires complacent subjects without independent thought: sheeple

It also requires personality to deceive people. Malignant narcissism comes in a wide array of degrees, so many of us have experienced it from relatives, bosses, salespeople, and public figures.

[Yeehah]

22. Intellectually lazy people, such as your typical republican voters

love to be manipulated. They love to be spoon-fed "news" and information that supports thier twisted world view. They make no effort to discover truth. They obey their TV.

[Act_of_Reparation]

25. On the contrary, people love being manipulated.

Religion, pro sports, advertising, religion, reality tv, social media, religion, and, oh yeah, religion.

[Roc2020]

26. Manipulation of course. But Trump

supporters 99.5% are voting for him because he represents the White Race. Screw Democracy. White race is what the election is about for them.

[lonely bird]

29. It is PR

It is advertising. Imo, the overwhelming majority of people can be manipulated in some manner and at various different times. It depends upon the situation and the people involved as to how much manipulation and how many are manipulated. In point of opinion manipulation is foundational. It is necessary in the economy. It is necessary in almost every human interaction in degrees varying from extremely little to large. If you play to people’s vanities, their insecurities, their wishes and beliefs then you can manipulate them.

“You have to keep this con even after you take his money. He can’t know you took him.” - Henry Gondorff.

[idziak4ever1234]

30. I am evaluating every piece of news with how will this affect the election.

I think that still remains to be seen. People who hate Trump will only have their attitudes hardened. Those opposed will LIKELY say that it is a hit job and ignore it. It is that few people in a few battleground states who generally live in a select few counties that need to be moved.

[Aristus]

31. Are you kidding? The Trumpanzees fucking LOVE it!

They'd eat their own shit if Trump manipulated them into it...

[LizBeth]

32. He has me arguing with family members for months.

[Blue Owl]

33. It's what narcissists do, and do well...

They prey on the egos of the easily duped, all for their own self-serving glory...

[targetpractice]

34. Yeah, but they are also super easy to manipulate...

Malignant narcissism requires the narcissist and enablers... The enablers also manipulate the narcissist... It's a grotesque cycle that requires many participants.

[WyattKansas]

35. Republicans like living in fantasyland though.

Because they get their fantasies from the destruction of others.

Putin is laughing his ass off at how much they hate America.