General Discussion

Kaleva

(40,334 posts)

19. The people who have worked for him disagree

Thu Mar 14, 2024, 06:15 PM

Mar 2024

Trump has been called many things by those who worked closely with him and smart or cunning is rarely on any of their lists.

The two justices on SCOTUS that TFG could and can rely most on were not selected by him. Thomas and Alito . The 3 Trump did select (vetted and approved by McConnell), have not always sided with him . Particularly during his attempts to challenge the outcome of the election .

Trump lives in a world of make believe and because of that, is incapable of formulating plans that could succeed in the real world. It's not a sign of intelligence or cunning when dumb and/or deluded people vote for one of their own kind.

Frankly, I don't think Trump expected to win in 2016. I think he figured that by losing to Hillary, he'd make boatloads of money playing the victim and making paid speeches and selling books while living a very comfortable life.

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MorbidButterflyTat betsuni LuckyLib dmr raging moderate

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We must face reality. Trump is not a stupid man. Far from it. [View all] Irish_Dem Mar 2024 OP

No. He's dumb. All Mixed Up Mar 2024 #1

This man is very dangerous. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #7

No. He's dumb. All Mixed Up Mar 2024 #10

"...people like you ..." dchill Mar 2024 #76

Because I think Trump is dumb? All Mixed Up Mar 2024 #102

I think Trump is dumb too...you mistake cunnine for brains. Demsrule86 Mar 2024 #169

I just think his survival instinct is remarkable. dchill Mar 2024 #170

I went to High School and college in Connecticut... Trump is an absolute pig. and Demsrule86 Mar 2024 #178

Agree Woodwizard Mar 2024 #150

No, they'd more likely blow the money and have to start over. Trump IS different. oldsoftie Mar 2024 #181

"The problem with people like you." You know that poster well enough that you can tell them their problems? Scrivener7 Mar 2024 #251

DOTURD IS AN IMBECILE AZ8theist Mar 2024 #41

His cult members think he COL Mustard Mar 2024 #80

Exactly: AZ8theist Mar 2024 #116

I agree that he is stupid. ShazzieB Mar 2024 #83

He most certainly is not an "imbecile." Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #118

Cunning does not require intelligence NanaCat Mar 2024 #146

Yeah, cuz most intelligent people suggest drinking bleach.... AZ8theist Mar 2024 #163

Or sticking a light down into your lungs........... Bengus81 Mar 2024 #223

Down your lungs??! Don't be ridiculous. AZ8theist Mar 2024 #225

Dumb as a rock Ray Bruns Mar 2024 #53

He is a rich child man who used money and lawyers to bully pwb Mar 2024 #2

Someone stupid does not rise to his high position of power. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #4

He has people for everything. pwb Mar 2024 #11

Michael Cohen says Trump is IN CHARGE. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #120

Despotic behavior with no shame, with advice from Putin may get one far at first MadameButterfly Mar 2024 #15

Yeah! And George W. Bush was a regular Alfred Einstein! ECL213 Mar 2024 #162

He's a narcissist with money. forgotmylogin Mar 2024 #192

Every single one of the issues he is being charged on were caused by HIM. I JohnSJ Mar 2024 #3

and it's about DAMN time he pays for it all a kennedy Mar 2024 #5

ABSOLUTELY JohnSJ Mar 2024 #16

And it looks like he's going to delay all the criminal cases until after the election 0rganism Mar 2024 #148

Oh, he's stupid all right as he's a criminal defendant out on bail on multiple felony charges... brush Mar 2024 #6

Someone stupid would have been in jail a long time ago. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #12

Let Me Fix That For You ProfessorGAC Mar 2024 #25

Yep MorbidButterflyTat Mar 2024 #28

This right here. nt Tree-Hugger Mar 2024 #34

Liberty and Justice orangecrush Mar 2024 #71

Bullseye. Thank you, ProfessorGAC. (nt) Paladin Mar 2024 #157

That is not a fact hurple Mar 2024 #73

It is a fact that most of us would be in jail right now Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #121

Thank you for that badly-needed comment. (nt) Paladin Mar 2024 #174

He's not smart, but he's shrewd. TSExile Mar 2024 #8

Yes this is my point. He has an animal cunning. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #13

All he knows how to do is sic sycophants and attorneys on problems he himself has created. brush Mar 2024 #17

That maybe true to an extent whopis01 Mar 2024 #35

Absolutely. TSExile Mar 2024 #49

Manipulating people into taking care of him is one of his talents. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #66

+1 Auggie Mar 2024 #159

K&R spanone Mar 2024 #9

the man has a thoroughly mediocre record stopdiggin Mar 2024 #14

Becoming President of the United States is NOT mediocre. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #134

George W., Ronald Reagan stopdiggin Mar 2024 #165

Being elected POTUS is no small feat. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #215

and yet I just listed a number of definatively mediocre intellects that did -(nt)- stopdiggin Mar 2024 #219

Trump never won MFM008 Mar 2024 #201

Of course a stupid man could have done this... appmanga Mar 2024 #18

A stupid man would have been in jail by now. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #94

The people who have worked for him disagree Kaleva Mar 2024 #19

+1. I'm convinced trump ran in 2016 strictly for publicity. He was surprised as anyone we gave Silent Type Mar 2024 #23

Trump's transition efforts were sloppy Kaleva Mar 2024 #30

I think so to but once he had the power Tree Lady Mar 2024 #50

Totally agree. Silent Type Mar 2024 #58

The people who worked for Trump were stupid enough to fall for the con job. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #103

Many didn't commit crimes and go to jail Kaleva Mar 2024 #114

The point is that Trump is clever enough to get others to commit crimes for him. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #137

If he was smart, he wouldn't be doing that Kaleva Mar 2024 #198

He is just smart enough to hire people who will tell him what he wants to hear. crim son Mar 2024 #20

I agree with some of your points. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #104

He's stupid. Lots of Americans love outrageously confident bullshitters and he's the best, totally mindless. That's all. betsuni Mar 2024 #21

And... MorbidButterflyTat Mar 2024 #29

Daddy trump (Fred) had his lawyer Roy Cohn mentor widdle Donnie. magicarpet Mar 2024 #40

Underestimating Trump is dangerous, because he is dangerous. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #119

He's stupid and dangerous. Up to the American people if they want stupid and dangerous. betsuni Mar 2024 #171

He is a reactionary transactionalist with years cachukis Mar 2024 #22

Trump is a typical sociopath in some ways. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #123

What did you expect? He's Roy Cohn's foster son. no_hypocrisy Mar 2024 #24

Yes Trump was raised by two clever sociopaths. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #122

IN the Country of the Blind, the One-Eyed Man is King ThoughtCriminal Mar 2024 #26

Even smart people are stymied by him. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #92

Right, ruthless sociopath. elleng Mar 2024 #27

Yes a very dangerous, ruthless sociopath who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #93

Right, his 'daddy' told him to do so. elleng Mar 2024 #96

Yes the family dynamics point to his father being a sociopath too. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #98

along with roy cohn. elleng Mar 2024 #99

Yes another sociopath. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #101

Trump has been doing this his entire life. He more than likely learned a simple lesson walkingman Mar 2024 #31

Yes I know. I used to do jail evaluations for the courts. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #100

He learned these lessons from Roy Cohn too AdamGG Mar 2024 #193

One must also consider Mr.Bill Mar 2024 #32

It takes some intelligence to identify those easily manipulated. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #124

Anybody that aligns themselves with Trump Mr.Bill Mar 2024 #172

Obviously all the Ivy League attorneys who work for Trump Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #217

First off, i'll say he's a DUMB fucking bastard. bluestarone Mar 2024 #33

He's not a deep thinker. limbicnuminousity Mar 2024 #36

Yes he is not a deep thinker, in fact in many ways he is a LAZY thinker. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #125

He stays within his comfort zone. Which books are cachukis Mar 2024 #144

Trump is the greasiest of pigs SomedayKindaLove Mar 2024 #37

Trump, Bush I, Bush II, Clinton, Obama, Biden markodochartaigh Mar 2024 #38

Our leaders are not just blank canvasses. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #126

Unfortunately America has a habit of being kind to its ex-leaders. Aussie105 Mar 2024 #39

Good point. The US is far too kind to criminal presidents. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #210

He's brilliant! JoseBalow Mar 2024 #42

He is a buffoon at times. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #211

He is a Mafia Con Man. LiberalFighter Mar 2024 #43

Yes exactly. He is a mob boss who controls many in the US government. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #132

His success was largely happenstance anamnua Mar 2024 #44

A life of crime is not all happenstance. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #130

I agree that he is street smart and intellectually stupid. LoisB Mar 2024 #45

He's got money and no moral compass whatsoever - that's dangerous. NoMoreRepugs Mar 2024 #46

Trump has POWER. That is the most dangerous part of the equation. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #131

He is an poorly educated, uncaring, very successful conman. TNNurse Mar 2024 #47

Successful? Mr.Bill Mar 2024 #173

Fred Trump was worth considerably less though Polybius Mar 2024 #187

By not paying his bills and lying and cheating in every way he could. Mr.Bill Mar 2024 #199

Don't forget fraud! MorbidButterflyTat Mar 2024 #226

Well, he sort of got elected and managed to stay out of jail TNNurse Mar 2024 #196

He's a loser bdamomma Mar 2024 #233

Good assessment Evolve Dammit Mar 2024 #48

Everyone that I have known to Bully their way to the top ItsjustMe Mar 2024 #51

exactly et tu Mar 2024 #63

If he loses the election, he will deny and call his "shock troops" to action. A rat backed Evolve Dammit Mar 2024 #52

Yes, very good observation. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #136

I do think they will (try to burn US to the ground). Putin and the useful idiot have been very effective, so far. Evolve Dammit Mar 2024 #191

Yes and it was much cheaper than a military operation. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #213

I truly believe that is what they want. Vlad showed them the way. He is their role model for total control of Evolve Dammit Mar 2024 #237

Yes I know. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #238

I knew you know. Just gotta say the truth to someone! Evolve Dammit Mar 2024 #239

Yes we have to say it out loud. The GOP has run out of options. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #240

"...cook out and eat borscht." Vodka run?? Evolve Dammit Mar 2024 #245

Sure, the time honored 4th of July picnic in Moscow, drinking vodka. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #246

nothing would surprise me at this point! Evolve Dammit Mar 2024 #248

I agree, nothing would come as a surprise when it comes to Trump and the GOP. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #250

It's a numbing; The "I Love Chaos" orange guy has normalized the Nazi-talk. 8 years in the making. Evolve Dammit Mar 2024 #255

He doesn't have that many people Mr.Bill Mar 2024 #200

Not sure. Project 2025 claims 35,000 lawyers and 20,000 fed workers are on board? Evolve Dammit Mar 2024 #236

Stupidity and inabilities Nasruddin Mar 2024 #54

He is late for jail is what I would call him. Emile Mar 2024 #55

I've always ForgedCrank Mar 2024 #56

Yes Trump is a superb manipulator and con artist. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #140

I've thought that for a long time. Being dumb leftyladyfrommo Mar 2024 #57

The fact he is self destructing makes him more dangerous. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #141

Hopefully bdamomma Mar 2024 #234

Trump is symptom and the idiot bastard front of those that benefit from his evil. PufPuf23 Mar 2024 #59

Oligarchs and media usually align with autocrats. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #214

What's frightening are Americans who won't vote for Democrats for whatever stupid reason. betsuni Mar 2024 #60

Please don't confuse being completely unprincipled with being intelligent Warpy Mar 2024 #61

Do not confuse mental illness and intellectual functioning. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #143

He might have seemed clever in his youth, when he had better legal representation Warpy Mar 2024 #184

He is as dumb as a ventriloquist dummy... JT45242 Mar 2024 #62

Irish_Dem bdamomma Mar 2024 #64

I think it is a complicated problem obviously. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #204

Education bdamomma Mar 2024 #218

That is why propaganda inoculation is important. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #220

He may hire smart people... surfered Mar 2024 #65

Define cost him? gab13by13 Mar 2024 #77

Smart, even street smarts, have nothing to do with Ms. Toad Mar 2024 #81

He is a smart man, someone else is paying all his legal bills. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #212

I couldn't agree more. Don't underestimate him. Look what he has done so far. twodogsbarking Mar 2024 #67

He is significantly more dangerous now. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #91

Never underestimate ...."Evil." Stuart G Mar 2024 #186

Obama's book struggle4progress Mar 2024 #68

Hilarious. And true. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #89

Exactly orangecrush Mar 2024 #69

Bullies don't stop until they are stopped. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #88

As someone mentioned above, he is an idiot savant. Gary 50 Mar 2024 #70

Yes it is the single biggest con job in American history. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #86

Finally, someone says it all. colorado_ufo Mar 2024 #72

Yes he has no shame, no scruples, no concern for others. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #74

Trump is an evil genius gab13by13 Mar 2024 #75

You nailed it. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #79

I think Donald Trump is normally intelligent but dyslexic. raging moderate Mar 2024 #85

You are very invested in that meme Ohio Joe Mar 2024 #168

Excerpts from Laugh Riot, Fintan O'Toole, NYRB Mme. Defarge Mar 2024 #78

Yes one reason Trump is so dangerous, he makes hatred and violence funny and exciting. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #82

Avec plaisir! Mme. Defarge Mar 2024 #87

He's a predator and knows how to use fear to his advantage... MiHale Mar 2024 #84

It's your field and not mine but being an imbecile is not inconsistent with being a sociopath TomSlick Mar 2024 #90

He is a clever sociopath. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #95

I think we agree. TomSlick Mar 2024 #105

I think you actually pointed out what he has which is cunning TheKentuckian Mar 2024 #97

This would be considered part of intellect. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #138

he's a fucking idiot jcgoldie Mar 2024 #106

He is so stupid gab13by13 Mar 2024 #107

Yes... Mike Nelson Mar 2024 #108

Blackmail Metaphorical Mar 2024 #109

Come on now... he's fucking dumb as dirt Goodheart Mar 2024 #110

No. He's stupid as shit. budkin Mar 2024 #111

Democrats underestimate him at their peril. dalton99a Mar 2024 #112

He's a goddamned sociopath. n/t CousinIT Mar 2024 #113

Yes Trump is a cunning, ruthless, dangerous sociopath. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #129

Do you think he'll win in November? flamingdem Mar 2024 #115

Of course Trump can get himself installed again. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #128

Vote for Joe Biden! DC77 Mar 2024 #117

Yes, he is claudette Mar 2024 #127

I have no credentials other than common sense Joinfortmill Mar 2024 #133

Good assessment. He is emboldened, but in cognitive decline. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #135

He's a useful idiot propped up by people smarter and more dangerous than he. Shermann Mar 2024 #139

Yes. Decades ago, a right-wing operative said we don't need a smart President. raging moderate Mar 2024 #222

He is very cunning and a moron ........both at the same time. nt GuppyGal Mar 2024 #142

There's a reason it's called low cunning NanaCat Mar 2024 #145

I agree. He is far from smart. He looks at the sun redqueen Mar 2024 #155

There is a difference between smart and stupid sociopaths. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #216

He is Evil. spanone Mar 2024 #147

Trump is dumb but he's not stupid dlk Mar 2024 #149

Yes & no... RevBrotherThomas Mar 2024 #151

Very well said. mzmolly Mar 2024 #152

When you are not smart enough to do things right birdographer Mar 2024 #153

You knew I was a snake OMGWTF Mar 2024 #154

👇👇👇👁️👁️ Goonch Mar 2024 #156

I see whatever intellectual acumen he is perceived to have as yet another form of savantism. BobTheSubgenius Mar 2024 #158

It depends on your definition of stupid. According to Merriam and Webster "Stupid is an adjective that means slow of Martin68 Mar 2024 #160

Trump is "smart" in the same way that Bernie Madoff and Charles Ponzi were. Ping Tung Mar 2024 #161

He has the instincts of a predator. And the backing and resources of a super-predator, Putin. 58Sunliner Mar 2024 #164

He isn't stupid Marthe48 Mar 2024 #166

I don't know why the GOP is afraid of him sueh Mar 2024 #167

This song from WWII sums up my feelings about Trump perfectly nikatnyte Mar 2024 #175

categorically disagree. He IS stupid. Brainstormy Mar 2024 #176

He is not dumb, but he is evil Roc2020 Mar 2024 #177

And shrewd no_hypocrisy Mar 2024 #179

He is dumb but berksdem Mar 2024 #180

he's probably of average or marginally higher intelligence .....but he is ignorant as fuck prodigitalson Mar 2024 #182

Many of history's most evil tyrants may have been crazy but they were also smart. totodeinhere Mar 2024 #183

I disagree -misanthroptimist Mar 2024 #185

He's ignorant but shrewd; the modern-day mob boss incarnate. And that's probably always what he allegorical oracle Mar 2024 #188

If Trump was really ..."STUPID,".... he would be in prison right now. Yes, "RIGHT NOW " Stuart G Mar 2024 #189

This OP is as chilling as it gets bucolic_frolic Mar 2024 #190

Traditionally, stupid meant slow-witted, Trump mostly hates facts Model35mech Mar 2024 #194

Yes he can read a room and situation quickly and manipulate to his advantage. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #208

He is not dumb Owens Mar 2024 #195

Yes he is a narcissistic ruthless sociopath. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #207

I agree with you. We think he and his followers are stupid and are somewhat arrogant about it NorthCountryLib Mar 2024 #197

Yes this is what makes him dangerous. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #206

Too many supporters are willing to give all his lying crap a pass to get what they want. RoeVWade Mar 2024 #202

One of Trump's former aides says Trump will be much more dangerous this time. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #205

"Man....woman...camera... MorbidButterflyTat Mar 2024 #227

You are not entirely incorrect. I would point out however... Caliman73 Mar 2024 #203

Depends of the definition of stupid Maeve Mar 2024 #209

he speak moron. pansypoo53219 Mar 2024 #221

I would call him two things: 1. Loser 2. Late for jail Emile Mar 2024 #224

Yup, I've been saying this since 2015. RandomNumbers Mar 2024 #228

All we can do is keep warning people. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #229

But as you can see in this thread, even after all this time, even after all his destruction, people are STILL Scrivener7 Mar 2024 #256

He understands power and public opinion. David__77 Mar 2024 #230

Soulless predator. moondust Mar 2024 #231

Trump is as stupid as they come. Watch what he does listen to what he says. He is stupid. Handler Mar 2024 #232

The smartest sociopaths don't break the law, they make the law. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #242

No, Trump isn't cunning OR smart GenThePerservering Mar 2024 #235

I assure you I am not mixing up the two. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #244

Oh, he is stupid. Straw Man Mar 2024 #241

He is intellectually ignorant and shows it - that he has no formal education. GoodRaisin Mar 2024 #247

He's a narcissist who unwittingly has an ability to manipulate stupid people. It's no deeper than that. nt Quixote1818 Mar 2024 #243

It is much deeper than that. He is also a ruthless, dangerous sociopath. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #252

This is what happens when we just look at the obvious GenThePerservering Mar 2024 #249

Trump himself is quite dangerous as are his minders. Irish_Dem Mar 2024 #253

You're taking a lot of heat for saying this, and a lot of creepy condescension, but obviously he has something. Scrivener7 Mar 2024 #254