geekIT:

Hmm...not so sure about that. I've always maintained that Trump has somehow managed to enthrall a sizeable chunk of the US population. And I mean enthrall in a literal sense, ie, to mesmerize, beguile, hook, induce, inveigle, lure, seduce, solicit. Even to grip, bind, subjugate and in some cases, enslave. 

 

And were he to suddenly disappear, I believe his influence would vanish, if not immediately then over a relatively short time.

quickymart:

https://www.politico.com/news/2024/03/30/trump-gop-primary-voters-exurbs-00149822 >> hmmm...?

Sorry I meant to add (clicked Post before the context) - says that Trump isn't only unpopular in urban areas, a few rural places are the same now too, as the story explains.

quickymart:

 

https://www.politico.com/news/2024/03/30/trump-gop-primary-voters-exurbs-00149822 >> hmmm...?

 

A bit more context please, including comments?

https://www.politico.com/news/2024/03/31/trump-gop-jan-6-00149037 

A look at how Republican candidates are basically telling Trump to shut up about January 6 and how they're being forced to comment on the stupid crap he says. But will he listen? Of course not.

So much for the clear track, now the hurdles... 

geekIT:

 

If you disagree, consider where the US, and indeed the World, would be if Trump had never existed. This person is not only entirely surplus to requirements, his continued existence is a threat to everyone alive.

 

Sure, but as a general rule, politicians are nothing if not cynical opportunists. We have already seen numerous GOP figures try to out-Trump Trump because they know it's a winning formula. Ron de Santis comes to mind as the most recent - with the actual Trump out of the way, these guys have little to stand in their way. And some of them actually have the brains to carry out the worst.

quickymart:

https://www.politico.com/news/2024/03/31/trump-gop-jan-6-00149037 

A look at how Republican candidates are basically telling Trump to shut up about January 6 and how they're being forced to comment on the stupid crap he says. But will he listen? Of course not.

kingdragonfly: 

Telling Trump to "shut up" only works if you take away huge chunks of his money.

Arguably, not even that has worked.

kingdragonfly:

Telling Trump to "shut up" only works if you take away huge chunks of his money.

So Republicans giving him huge chunks of money unconditionally, and telling him to shut up, is like giving ice cream every time a child throws a tantrum.

I'd advise the GOP buy anti-anxiety medications in bulk.

At this point, they've probably got the old White House doctor on retainer, and are using benzos like sugar in their coffees.

https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-may-have-just-committed-new-crimeattorney-1885436

Another crime?? Oh well, add it to the pile, I guess?

Also...[Trump spokesman Steven] Cheung also said in a previous statement to various news outlets regarding the video: "That picture was on the back of a pickup truck that was traveling down the highway. Democrats and crazed lunatics have not only called for despicable violence against President Trump and his family...

Wait, what? I must have completely missed that - when have Democrats ever done that? All I ever see is Trump calling judges and Attorney Generals and Democrats deranged/insane lunatics etc. When have the Democrats ever "called for" this to be done to him?

Edit: then a bit of Googling revealed this article, which explained a bit about the above person: https://www.newyorker.com/news/annals-of-communications/the-face-of-donald-trumps-deceptively-savvy-media-strategy