After nearly a decade of being forced to take Trump seriously, Democrats increasingly call BS on the whole charade

Sure, Donald Trump is a threat to democracy — a would-be dictator on day one who has called for terminating the U.S. Constitution so he can hold onto power even after losing a free and fair election. But while draped in the rhetoric of populism, Trump and his MAGA movement are not actually popular; the man himself has never won more votes than the person he ran against, a majority of Americans twice rejecting him and his off-putting cult of personality. That he was ever president is more or less because a few thousand swing voters in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania thought it would be fun.

President Joe Biden won in 2020 largely by promising to a return to normalcy and baseline competency. In 2024, Democrats are making a similar argument but more forcibly: They’re pointing, laughing and dismissing Trump and his circus as a total freak show to which we can’t return.

  • candybrie@lemmy.world
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    3 months ago

    It already is a synonym for creepy, grotesque, and ghastly. This isn’t a new use. When I pull out my paper thesaurus, that’s what’s there. It isn’t becoming that; it is that.

    It’s also a synonym for funky and eccentric and quirky and kooky. It’s not a word with an inherent judgement unless you think “different” is inherently good or bad.

    • Ech@lemm.ee
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      3 months ago

      What a comfort that your dictionary backs you up. That definitely mitigates the harm you’re supporting.

      • candybrie@lemmy.world
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        3 months ago

        I’m sorry you identify so strongly with your bullies taunts that you have trouble dealing with the reality that there is good weird and bad weird.

        • Ech@lemm.ee
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          3 months ago

          Ah, another traditional bully line - “You’re too emotional!”

          I’m starting to see why you don’t think any of this is problematic.

          • candybrie@lemmy.world
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            3 months ago

            I am genuinely sorry that you have your identity wrapped up in something people used to insult you. That seems really tough. I didn’t say you were too emotional.

            • Ech@lemm.ee
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              3 months ago

              I didn’t say you were too emotional.

              Right…

              “you have trouble dealing with…reality” / " you have your identity wrapped up in [this]"

              I’d recommend making use of that handy thesaurus you have, but that would suggest you don’t know what you’re doing.