Madman Theory

Despite the plethora of evidence showing us how much of a bumbling idiot Trump is, how easily manipulable he is, and how incapable he really is at dealmaking, we are constantly told by the political right that Trump is better for dealing with these violent authoritarian regimes. They say Putin wouldn't have invaded Ukraine if Trump were in office, Hezbollah wouldn't have attacked Israel if Trump were in office.

The justification for this claim is often this idea of madman theory, or some refer to it as chaos theory. The idea is that Trump projects to these countries that he is so unhinged that they're all afraid of him.

The problem with this idea is that it doesn't survive the slightest bit of rational scrutiny.

I have a question for those who buy into this idea; Do you believe that you have more information on Trump than foreign countries? Do you think they don't have access to his speeches, rallies, interviews, or whatever you have seen of Trump that you are using to judge him?

If yes... Well there's the problem.

If no, then question number 2; Do you believe you are smarter than other countries? Do you really think your personal ability to assess the "real" Donald Trump is better than the team of behavioral experts these countries would have assessing him?

If yes, Well there's the problem.

If no, then we've established that these countries have the same information and are at the very least just as qualified as you are to assess him. These leaves us with two possibilities;

You both see Trump as someone who knows what he is doing and is just playing a character as part of a strategy, in which case they would have no reason to fear his madman theory schtick, thereby refuting your whole argument.

Or...

You both see Trump as a genuine madman who really would drive the car off the cliff just to stick it to his adversaries.

If it's the latter, then you are admitting Trump is an unhinged maniac, which almost by definition makes him an existential threat to the safety of this country and the world. So please explain to me why this is good thing?

Do you really believe we were closer to nuclear war in 2016 than we are now?

Is that why Hurricane victims can't get any FEMA money right now?

I really do admire how smart you are to identify Biden correctly now. Also recognizing the destruction of the Republic in favor of a perfect democracy. Your cynicism of government rivals even me.

I'm talking about the 2016 election. Mencken's prediction came true. I'm surprised that he didn't predict that a foreign sex worker would become First Lady.

So you are not like Mencken. I am sad now.

Biden may be smarter than you after what you just posted.

That's actual Mencken

Do you like this song?

Only if it is about promoting Trans rights.

I am not sure if Putin is trans.

Remember that there are only two types of thinking:

1. Binary

2. Non binary

Either/or

Everything in the world is either a potato either not a potato.

👉👌 

 

Yes Donald Trump is easier to deal with. Ignore the fact it is confirmed that Iran has 5 hit squads after him. He is definitely preferable for enemies of the United States

So, is Trump a potato or not a potato?

Yeah.

So you have a question that is relevant to the points raised in the op?

Agreed— Trump is indeed a potato or not a potato.

Thats right.

How is it not relevant?

The questions I raised pertain to madman theory as an explanation for why Trump is better at keeping us safe. What you seem to be alluding to is an entirely different argument which is the typical correlation/causation fallacy right wingers love to engage in (but only when convenient).

Are you ok? It's a question about existential threats...

Why does Melania look like Gloria Marie Delgado-Pritchett on Modern Family?

The problem is that it is only our allies that think "he is so unhinged that they're all afraid of him".

Our enemies think he is their friend, madman or not, they see him as an opportunity.

What about the 27 letters exchanged between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and then-US President Donald Trump between April 2018 and August 2019?

"Sounds like those letters were packed with 'friendship and opportunity'—the kind that makes a guy like Kim pause his missile testing just long enough to exchange some heartfelt bromance. Guess nothing brings world peace like a few sweet nothings between 'friends'!"