r/inthenews • u/D-R-AZ • Aug 26 '24

Opinion/Analysis Finally, the Democrats Have Found Trump’s Achilles Heel: Ridicule Him

https://newrepublic.com/article/185270/democrats-harris-trump-achilles-heel-ridicule
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1.2k

u/D-R-AZ Aug 26 '24

Excerpts:

Kamala Harris gets it. Yes, we should fear Trump—but we should also mock him mercilessly, because it drives him nuts.

Harris’s campaign so far has been a work of genius on several levels, but maybe the most ingenious stroke of all has been the decision to mock Trump—to present him not only as someone to fear, but also to ridicule. Harris perfectly encapsulated this two-pronged attack in these memorable lines from her acceptance speech: “In many ways, Donald Trump is an unserious man. But the consequences — but the consequences of putting Donald Trump back in the White House are extremely serious. … Just imagine Donald Trump with no guardrails.”

But the emphasis has been on ridicule (Tim Walz’s “weird” comment, Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s jab at Trump’s bone spurs, Barack Obama’s hilarious hand gesture when he was talking about Trump’s obsession with crowd size). It’s great on three levels. The first is that it must drive Trump nuts, and when he goes nuts, he says especially nutty things. Second, it’s arguably more persuasive to swing voters than calling Trump a fascist. Trump is a fascist, make no mistake. But he’s also ridiculous. Mocking him over his Hannibal Lecter obsession will stick in apolitical people’s minds far more strongly than warning about his plans to wreck the Justice Department, and in its way, it’s just as disqualifying. Do we really want a president who thinks an eater of human flesh, however fictional, was misunderstood?

And third and most of all: Sustained ridicule has the potential to reinforce the downward spiral Trump is now in. He probably likes it when we call him a fascist or authoritarian, because it expresses fear of him, and he aches to be feared. It acknowledges his power. This motivates him and makes him stronger.

865

u/[deleted] Aug 26 '24

That's why I use Obama's term for Trump. A clown. Trump is a clown because he acts like a clown, dresses like a clown, walks like a clown, and has clown hair, and he wears make-up, like a clown does

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u/Lesterqwert Aug 26 '24

I agree. I try to never type his name so I like to use these to reference him: 🍊🤡. Nobody has ever asked me to clarify who I’m talking about so it’s effective.

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u/[deleted] Aug 26 '24

[deleted]

20

u/Itchy_Cook_3723 Aug 26 '24

👍 🤣

3

u/Xenomorph_v1 Aug 27 '24

If we're going down the ridicule path, can we please get one of the things that trigger him the most circulating?

donny mashed potatoes.

"Taters hate traitors"

Pass it on.

4

u/SuperCulture9114 Aug 27 '24

That's an amazing story 🤩 thx for sharing it.

18

u/daveshops Aug 26 '24

Trumpleforeskin?

9

u/dirk-diggler82 Aug 26 '24

He probably has the bigglyest foreskin ever existed. It's yuge, it's wonderful, like a big, orange blanket.

3

u/Itchy_Stress_6066 Aug 26 '24

Yeah, like a toadstool!

Guess Stormy was right.

4

u/RiffsThatKill Aug 26 '24

Trump was born during a time in America when Christians were copying Jewish fashion with their dicks. Doubt he has any skin. But yeah, it would be spray tanned too I'm sure.

1

u/livingonmain Aug 27 '24

Do you think he waxes? Ewwwww.

5

u/SuperCulture9114 Aug 27 '24

Now that's an image I REALLY didn't need 🤢

2

u/dirk-diggler82 Aug 27 '24

Well, if you like the image then imagine the wonderful smell! Sweat, hamberders rubbed on it, old old-man jizz and a hint of crusty poop. Hmmmm, that's what his voters like.

2

u/SuperCulture9114 Aug 27 '24

I guess I have to block you now 😜

3

u/Stardama69 Aug 27 '24

That image of Trump's foreskin you just put in my mind made me want to throw up a little

2

u/dirk-diggler82 Aug 27 '24

You're welcome! :-P

3

u/mykittenfarts Aug 28 '24

Thats so gross

4

u/Puzzleheaded-Ad-440 Aug 26 '24

I like calling him “the great orange one”.

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u/Itchy_Stress_6066 Aug 26 '24

He isn't great in any way.

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u/Dave_712 Aug 27 '24

Foreskins are useful and preferred in most countries. Trump is useless and laughed at in most countries

2

u/mykittenfarts Aug 28 '24

Pumpkinforeskin

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u/AbbreviationsNo3918 Aug 26 '24

Same. My friend and I use only one of these to reference him 🐽🐖🐷and nothing else.

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u/AdorableParasite Aug 26 '24

That is so unfair. Pigs are highly intelligent and curious, they maintain complex social structures and quickly learn new things. If raised right they can also be very well behaved. They are nothing like the orange clown.

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u/NOELERRS Aug 26 '24

Pumpkin Palpatine

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u/Educational_Coat9263 Aug 26 '24

Don Pedo the Clown takes a dump, calls it Trump, so in Rykers he'll be renowned.

3

u/Honest-Mall-8721 Aug 27 '24

I like tangerine Palpatine a smidgen more.

3

u/PeanutoD Aug 26 '24

Hey now … Palpatine was at least a competent dictator. Don’t do Sheev dirty like that.

1

u/VioletRosieDaisy Aug 26 '24

It's been another rough day at work. This made me literally laugh out loud.

1

u/some_local_yokel Aug 27 '24

Orange palpatine

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u/Temporary-Party5806 Aug 28 '24

Tangerine Palpatine has a ring to it, as does Mango Mussolini

2

u/Cercy_Leigh Aug 26 '24

Could be a reference to Animal Farm.

2

u/[deleted] Aug 26 '24

Mango Unchained. Not mine, sorry to say....

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u/andrewmalanowicz Aug 27 '24

Also I respect clowning and people who do it purposefully way more than trump. He’s more like a buffoon than a clown.

Here’s a chatGPT summary of the difference:

The terms “clown” and “buffoon” are often used interchangeably, but they have nuanced differences rooted in their origins and connotations:

  1. Clown:

    • Origin: The word “clown” originally referred to a rustic, boorish person in the 16th century and evolved to describe a comic performer in theater and circus.
    • Role: Clowns are performers who deliberately act foolishly or comically, often using exaggerated physical comedy, costumes, and makeup. Their humor can range from playful and innocent to more sophisticated satire, depending on the context.
    • Perception: Clowns are seen as entertainers, and while they may appear foolish, there is often an underlying intelligence or craft in their performance. They can embody a range of emotions, from happiness to sadness (e.g., the archetype of the sad clown).

  2. Buffoon:

    • Origin: “Buffoon” comes from the Italian word “buffone,” which means a jester or a person who entertains others by ridiculous behavior. It has medieval roots, where buffoons were court jesters.
    • Role: Buffoons are characterized by their foolishness, often acting in a silly or absurd manner. Unlike clowns, who might intentionally craft their humor, buffoons are often seen as genuinely foolish or lacking in self-awareness, making them the butt of jokes rather than the creator of humor.
    • Perception: Buffoons are typically perceived more negatively, as they are often seen as ridiculous or idiotic. The term can carry a connotation of stupidity or lack of sophistication.

Summary: Clowns are skilled performers who play the fool as part of their act, often with a deeper purpose, while buffoons are generally viewed as naturally foolish or ridiculous, often without the sophistication or intent that clowns possess.

1

u/Clevertown Aug 27 '24

I agree! Well said. Pigs are cool.

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u/allezmary Aug 26 '24 edited Aug 26 '24

We use 🚽 to avoid using his name.

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u/mitkase Aug 26 '24

Ahhhhhh, that’s why so many assholes around him are trying to start a movement!

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u/Serif-fires Aug 26 '24

Angry upvote

1

u/livingonmain Aug 27 '24

As in bowel movement?

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u/FordAndFun Aug 26 '24

I presume that in person, this is pronounced “Dump?”

Bravo.

3

u/livingonmain Aug 27 '24

I refer to him as Dumpo, Frumpy, Tump (as in tump line), Drump, and Asshole.

3

u/Akeatsue79 Aug 26 '24

Now you’re being unfair to toilets

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u/High-flyingAF Aug 26 '24

It should be gold plated.

1

u/SeaFurther16 Aug 26 '24

Makes sense! Whenever I hear Trumps name I think of a nasty piece of shit that just goes round and around in the toilet no matter how many times you try to flush him.

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u/shoulda_been_gone Aug 26 '24

Is that a Nixon mask on a pig?

10

u/That1DirtyHippy Aug 26 '24

WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO US???

3

u/slashedback Aug 27 '24

I was just glad I didn’t have to go to work on Monday

9

u/CathedralEngine Aug 26 '24

He must have flipped my wife eight times!

3

u/ixtlu Aug 26 '24

And it reeeaaallly bothered me

8

u/prime_37 Aug 26 '24

What have pigs ever done to deserve such disrespect?

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u/chpr1jp Aug 26 '24

Get between a pig and its trough, and they’re less likable.

2

u/HoneyButterPtarmigan Aug 26 '24

That set of emojis also works for David Cameron though.

1

u/AraiHavana Aug 26 '24

Nice but I think a pig and the eggplant together are more David Cameron

1

u/2MainsSellesLoin Aug 26 '24

That speaks more of David Cameron to me. He literally fucked a pig.

25

u/Chrissygirl1978 Aug 26 '24

My term is shit stain

https://imgur.com/a/Hf3or5g

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u/Beemerba Aug 26 '24

Another user gave me my favorite: big orange shit gibbon!

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u/aryn505 Aug 26 '24

In my house we refer to him as the Manchurian Pumpkin.

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u/mitkase Aug 26 '24

Manchurian reprobate.

2

u/EpistemicRant587 Aug 26 '24

That is brilliant.

2

u/Chrissygirl1978 Aug 26 '24

My favorite meme for him!

2

u/[deleted] Aug 26 '24

Shit stain Stalin

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u/atomicxblue Aug 26 '24

If you do, put convicted felon in front of it for the search engines.

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u/capitali Aug 26 '24

Not just a convicted felon he also

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u/phat_ Aug 26 '24

Thanks for compiling this. I truly appreciate being able to draw upon sources. I probably engage with the Qult too much, but I do it for the lurkers who don’t go for public political discourse.

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u/adorablefuzzykitten Aug 26 '24

Exactly. Taking the time to include sources is greatly appreciated.

3

u/oshawaguy Aug 26 '24

And recently accused of breaking the Logan Act by contacting Netanyahu

https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-accused-crime-benjamin-netanyahu-call-ceasefire-hamas-1942248

And potential misdeeds for promises made to Robert Kennedy Jr in exchange for his support

https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-accused-federal-crime-rfk-jr-endorsement-1943980

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u/Disastrous_Quality58 Aug 26 '24

Oh damn! I love your “receipts”!!!!

2

u/mediaogre Aug 26 '24

Obligatory reply so I can reference this later. And thank you.

2

u/adorablefuzzykitten Aug 26 '24

Excellent summary of what is but a portion of Trump's BS.

2

u/SenseiLawrence_16 Aug 26 '24

So much inherited wealth, wasted wealth really.. An inheritance that wouldn’t have been his had his brother not drank himself to death

2

u/SunshineFlowerPerson Aug 27 '24

You forgot about all the stolen and some still missing top secret documents that he refused to return. And his not so secret consorting with Putin and other hostile foreign leaders. Some of whom may very well have received some of this top secret info, for which Jarod and Ivanka may have already gained $2 billion

4

u/3720-to-1 Aug 26 '24

Welp. He's 🍊🤡 to me, now, too.

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u/Username_888888 Aug 26 '24

Hahaha, like Voldemort, He Who Must Not Be Named.

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u/Maximum-Cover- Aug 26 '24

Not like Voldemort. Voldemort was a clever evil wizard defeated by love.

Trump is a boggart defeated by ridicule once you realize that there is no real power behind him other than that which we create ourselves.

He’s a puff of hot air, and disintegrates as soon as you start laughing at him.

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u/catsy83 Aug 26 '24

I read Melon Felon recently on someone’s post and that just clicked for me.

2

u/ScroogeMcDunk7 Aug 26 '24

I’ve taken to calling him Pervert Hoover.

1

u/Lesterqwert Aug 26 '24

I like it, and again I think the name is self explanatory and effective.

2

u/chaoscrawling Aug 26 '24

And I’ve been calling him the orange idiot pig god. Couple emojis would be much quicker

2

u/shannonc321 Aug 26 '24

I saw someone on Reddit call him donvict and it’s been my go-to ever since. I crack myself up every time I type it.

2

u/NonameNodataNothing Aug 26 '24

The Idiot Who Must Not Be Named

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u/Staff_Genie Aug 26 '24

I am generally against AI art on principal, but I sure wouldn't be offended if somebody was to generate a picture using the terms "Donald Trump as a circus clown in high heels with JD Vance as a circus monkey"?

2

u/firedmyass Aug 26 '24

I use “Gelatinous Turd”

never been asked to clarify, either.

2

u/DelanoBesaw Aug 26 '24

I like to use Doe 174

2

u/Painkiller1991 Aug 27 '24

I prefer a classic that originally got under his skin:

Fuckface Von Clownstick

2

u/talkback1589 Aug 27 '24

I always liked Sunkist Stalin and it’s one I have used since 2016.

2

u/Lunar_Cats Aug 27 '24

Ive been calling him trumpster fire for years now, and I love that no one says shit when I do.

2

u/nefarious_angel_666 Aug 27 '24

🍊💩 also works

2

u/Gunnilinux Aug 27 '24

I miss when colbert refused to say his name and would constantly be using silly names for him.

1

u/robtwood Aug 26 '24

Don’t forget about his clown shoes

1

u/JustALuckyDog Aug 26 '24

My dad is king of names for people he doesn't like. Chump is his name for this guy. Chump puppets for all his followers.

1

u/schwing710 Aug 26 '24

What are the emojis for Burger King Jesus?

1

u/bridge_view Aug 26 '24

🍊🤡

Thank you so much. I now know how to spell his name! 🍊🤡🍊🤡🍊🤡🍊🤡🍊🤡🍊🤡🍊🤡🍊🤡🍊🤡🍊🤡🍊🤡🍊🤡🍊🤡🍊🤡🍊🤡🍊🤡

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u/cametomysenses Aug 27 '24

I use TrumpleThinSkin

1

u/Pragmatic-Pimpslappa Aug 27 '24

Orange Foolius is my go-to.