Amanda Marcotte: Trump knew he was going to be booed at the Knicks game. It's why he went!

[AStern]

It's why he smirked as they booed. (And then slept through the game.)

Here's my short analysis of why he wanted to be booed.

[oasis]

1. If it fuels MAGA rage, so be it. I'm booing Trump

every chance I get, every damn time!

[SheltieLover]

2. He was just rubbing NY fans' noses in his putrid diaper: You can't stop me from coming. Jmo

[Ponietz]

3. Propaganda to insinuate hatred for the nation

[SusieCreamcheese]

4. Hatred is his fuel.

People sometimes ask where a man of his advanced age gets his energy. It may be that it is partially bolstered by medication, but it is also true that his hatred fuels his stamina. Hatred directed at him replenishes his supply.

[no_hypocrisy]

5. Maybe. There WAS a contingent that made it a point to demonstrate

how much they hate his guts.

As for Ms. Marcotte, in "professional" (fake) wrestling," there's a stalwart character called The Heel. A past heel, for example, was Karl Von Hess. His role was to antagonize the spectators and his opponent. They swore at him. Spit in his direction. Booed him. And he reveled in it. It was his job. Almost a template.

Because Trump loves professional (fake) wrestling, he too enjoys being hated, if only to mobilize his followers. When antagonists attack him, he deflects and tells his fans that they too are hated through association with him. And they love it.

Trump didn't necessarily attend the third game to be the heel. He's a classic jock sniffer. If the Knicks had won, he'd have taken credit for it by his mere presence. If not, well, he got his Zzzzzzzz and fries. No loss for him.

[GusBob]

6. Interesting viewpoint!

To mobilize his followers

"Lookit Brave me! I went into the Lions den and survived! "

They swoon. 'our hero'

The guy he was sitting next to did not seem the evening