I Was Wrong on Trump, the Historic Defier
of World Odds

DJT knocked it outt'a the park this week because he connected. For contrast, I offer Tim Walz: football and truck repairs.

This is a great article. Thank you for posting, OP. The underestimation of Donald Trump has been his single biggest advantage. I repeatedly misjudged him before 2016 and have vociferously supported him ever since. I would have voted for Trump in 2025 just becase I felt so strongly that I owed him so much. But for what it's worth, I think there is one thing that I got right. A lot of people speculate why Trump ran in 2016 in the absence of prior political qualifications or visible ideology. I think President Trump is the political manifestation of personal vengeance. I think he ran in 2016 because President Obama made fun of him at the White House Correspondents Dinner. When you see the clip of Obama mocking Trump to the uproarious laughter of the liberal press, they cut to him. He does not look amused. He looks like somebody who's made a decision to destroy the man who is mocking him publicly. Becoming president and undoing everything that President Obama did was one way to do that. Since that was exactly what conservatives like me wanted, he became a hero to us. Likewise, I think part of what's going on now is President Trump taking revenge on all the institutions, companies, celebrities, and foreign countries and politicians who delighted in his downfall in 2020 and feared his return in 2024. Where this clearly aligns with America's national interest, there is much to celebrate in his choice of targets: The media industrial complex, the FBI, the IRS, the State department, the FDA, and so on. All of these institutions desperately needed reform or removal. And there are foreign governments whose policies are inimical to the United States and treating them as such is a much-needed correction, China first and foremost, and Mexico last and least. But Denmark? Canada? I get disliking Trudeau. Most Canadians did as well, and if he'd been left alone to run for re-election, he would have lost, and might have a Conservative government now. Instead, Trump helped to force him out and then intervene to repeatedly in ways that helped to elect his liberal party successor. An inability to recognize a friend can be almost as dangerous as a failure to recognize an enemy. America had more friends in the world 6 months and has fewer today because of gratuitous insults and intemperate rhetoric I hope President Trump learns to govern himself as well as he hopes to govern us.

An interesting article by a person obviously still struggling to understand Trump. So he focused on the mechanisms that surround Trump and politics in general and gives Trump his due. But he also sees Trump as the great disrupter with no confidence that things will work out to the better. He knows the old ways have been irreparably swept away but what the future holds???? This is the author's continued failure. Trump has been here before. He transformed America and accomplished success measured transcendance of records for the past 40 or 50 years. That should be a hint. Trump's style may be unique, and the author grudgingly accepts that it works, but it is also Trump's clear understanding of economics on a grand scale that is bringing success, as it did the last time. His style may be chaotic but his intent is NOT. He knows what must be done and forces it to happen. A lot of what he is doing seems strange because things haven't been done that way for decades, maybe for a century or more. But that doesn't make the principles wrong. Countries have been taking advantage of the US since WWII and before by using tariffs, because the US was helping them rebuild. We came out of the war with great industrial capacity and put it to use. The problem is, we got stuck in this mode even after they had long since recovered. Trump simply has said, Enough!. The concept is simple. The economic effect is massive and terrifying to the rest of the world. Trump is not a monster and is not trying to kill the other economies; just trying to make things more fair. But the world is scared to give up their advantage and face where this might lead. It is right and necessary for the US. The rest of the world will have to make due. This author focuses on the nice words and presentation of past presidents, like that is the most important focus. Trump is focused on America as a Shining City on a Hill and why it IS and SHOULD BE that way.

#3, thank you for your substantial and thoughtful, as always, post. Even though I don't agree with all of it, I enjoyed reading it. And it also makes my egregiously long-winded post above look slightly less out of place. {;-)

Up yours too, Marty.

I also do not like to listen to Trump speak. He speaks for too long and rambles to much for me. I would not have attended a rally. But that doesn't mean I don't agree with a lot of what he says. I did enjoy his Super Bowl winners speech. He can be humorous. While he is a billionaire and accomplished man I think most of us truly believe they could sit down to dinner with him and have an enjoyable evening. We feel that he does not think he is superior to us. Yes, he is messy but that is his style and I have learned to live with it. It's his way. He is strong and bull headed and I appreciate that. Sometimes I want to be his mother and tell him it is now time to shut up but again I have learned to live with it. In the end I believe he does love America and Americans. He wants the best for us. I think this was a good article for those who are coming to grips with the thought he might not be so wrong on what he wants to do. He can take some getting use to. But that's okay. Hillary? Kamala? Dear Lord, thank you for saving us.

Tell it to your psychiatrist Marty and change your diaper while you are at it.

This author comes off as overbearingly narcissistic and feeling superior to everyone else. He came close to realizing the problem lies within him, but missed the fact he is blinded by his own prejudice. President Trump is actually a kind person who likes people and wants to see our nation succeed. He's not in it for the fame money recognition. At great personnel sacrifice He truly wants to make America great again. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

This clown/fool of a former CIA analyst shows two things. First, why the CIA reports are so full of feces, and second that he just cannot grasp that Trump is literally sent here by God to save this country. He writes that "Trump is a "strange attractor" who defies all odds" yep, God's hand there, buddy.

I won't ever trust the judgment of anyone who didn't understand Trump from the start.

At least one Never Trumper has seen the light... Those others, the paedophiles, will never, they are much too envolved with their own self-interest and to Hell with the country!

FTA: "How did he resurrect his popularity after the disaster of Jan. 6, 2021?" January 6th was not Trump's doing.

The writer sounds like an overeducated swamp creature and proud of it. The sort who would look at an elephant and go read copious books and studies before declaring that he believes it to be an elephant. It is not difficult to account for Trump’s public persona. He loves interacting with crowds and he is a very wealthy achiever who understands and has a heart for the common man.

"He may be the only American politician who currently displays, and knows how to convey, a visceral affection for voters." This is his key to bonding. A skill he learned in construction - the ability to connect to the common man. This is a polar opposite to the democrat politicians, who want to carry the helpless voter and then pat themselves on the back for helping the people. In reality they want them to stay helpless and needy. They would not be caught dead having a meal with any of them, other than at a fundraiser.

I wish I could have a conversation with the writer of this article. I do not want to write a full explaination to all of his questions or counter all of his opinions. Its very simple however, the reason WHY Trump is back in office and WHY he has support which never wavers is because we KNOW that the Gov't and Media (one of the same) were lying about him, his family, his business, his beliefs, his actions, etc. WE KNEW IT. Just because the media and Trump haters are so blinded and biased doesn't make what "they" believe correct. We saw right through every news report condemning him because we have eyes too. Trump will not replace the "system" with one of his own, The American Voter will DO that. Trump has reset Gov't which was out of control and we haven't seen anything yet. I know what I think, it has never been based on "feelings" so many in the media/govt all go by "feelings" and that is what messed up the entire Country. example one of many "A dude may feel like a woman" but he's a dude. We see a dude, we KNOW he's a dude, but the media/govt refers to the dude as female and allows the dude in female spaces". THAT is not reality. As The Great MaHaRushie once said, I Live In Realville. That has never been more true.

I saw this article a little differently. My first thought was that the writer might have done a couple of cannabis gummies before he wrote it. This kind of total obsession with Trump is just weird. It’s certainly true that he’s one of a kind and a great President. My worship however is reserved for my Lord. People who invest this much time trying to get inside Trump’s head either need therapy or a new hobby.

Instead of dissecting President Trump's beliefs and actions, I wish we will accept that he wants the best for America and her citizens. Please use your time to help this American Patriot, Hero, and Genius fulfill his commitment to MAGA. Time-after-time he has been proven right in his statements and actions...Bless him and give him continued fortitude, health.. and happiness, too!

Get over yourself, Marty.

FTA - "Similarly, the photo taken of him shaking a fist at destiny, blood trickling down his face, Secret Service agents wrapped protectively around him, American flag flying in the background — what are the odds against such an image occurring spontaneously? And yet it did." Martin, you can analyze all you want about Trump beating the political odds in his life. Which he has. But has the thought occurred to you, yet that Trump walks this earth firmly wrapped in God's Heavenly arms? You know that Divine Intervention thing that was here for all to see on July 13, 2024 in Butler?

Threads like this are the reason I read L.Dotters.

Memo to Martin Gurri: you're still misjudging President Trump. That is your choice. And a bad one.

"[T]he disaster of January 6, 2021"? It certainly was a disaster for the two women killed in cold blood. And it was a resume' builder for one of the killers. For millions of us, we saw the lies perpetrated by the usual liars that the author apparently believes. We saw the incarceration of many people without a trial, without the "due process" so beloved by leftists who love illegal invaders of our country, and it makes us furious about the media corruption and the continuing cover-up by the Democrats in power. We know what Trump said and we know he offered to send the National Guard to help subdue the crowds simply by their presence, instead of killing people. This offer was refused by the authorities who exacerbated the situation for political gain.

This guy came to see. This is an excellent article. It feels like he is seeing how history is being made right now.

I have to agree with two and six. Trump‘s style of speaking is like fingernails on a chalkboard to me, and he does have a woeful tendency to needlessly aggravate friends and allies. I lay at his feet the not-inconsequential revival of the Liberals in Canada, from certain defeat, based on Trump‘s hectoring and broadbrush approach. Had he merely stayed focused on Trudeau, and dispensed with that 51st state nonsense and the non-targeted tariffs, we’d be congratulating Prime Minister Poilivere today, and both countries be better off. But in the bigger picture, Trump has succeeded beyond any reasonable expectation. His style may be chaotic, but a chaotic steamroller is precisely what was and is needed to destroy an ossified system bent on nothing but its own preservation, aggrandizement and enrichment. I’m not a disinterested observer here; my own son quit his position as a highly-placed Federal cybersecurity expert rather than remain on tenterhooks in a department decimated by serial indiscriminate axe cuts. But nibbling around the edges would never work with the Leviathan, and when removing a cancer, cutting some healthy tissue is inevitable. Trump has choked off illegal alien infiltration, As for the writer of the Post piece, he had me up until he used the term “Hegelian.” I have no idea what he means; the Post readership has no idea what he means; I doubt even he knows what he means. In the immortal words of Inigo Montoya, “You used that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” Trump would understand.

I understood Donald J Trump perfectly since he gave the golden escalator speech on June 15, 2015 ten years ago. Very clear: Mexico is not sending their best and China is stealing our lunch. Trump is the best communicator I have ever seen. I thank God He sent US such a great leader who is changing the world.

I disagree with all of the negative posters here. I will admit that I wasn't on board with Donald Trump in 2016. My preference would have been for Scott Walker or Ben Carson. Well, I voted for Donald Trump anyways. He is a man that cares for people and his country. I guess some people on this thread have not listened to his United Nations speeches. There is one in particular that was awesome listening. I imagine that wealthy people like him have to endure all of the negatives that come their way. There are some very generous wealthy people and Donald Trump has not hesitated to share his wealth with people. I guess one could say that wealthy people have to endure the shots taken at them. Donald Trump literally. Yes, sometimes he can be very direct and brusque but I find he is usually responding to someone who has smeared his character. A person hardly ever has to wonder what he is thinking. Transparency is a virtue.

#20 has the shortest and truest comment here. I too am grateful for all the thoughtful comments on this thread. #24, I empathize with your son and admire your position. I am also not a disinterested observer. I've had solid work opportunities evaporate as a result of President Trump's actions. (This is not speculation--one, a U.S. mail order export business suspended all new contracts the weekend after President Trump announced his tariffs.) So be it. I voted for Trump to save my country. Adding to your stream roller metaphor, he is not a bull in a china shop; he is a bull in a stadium full of political matadors who mean to do him in. I'm on his side because, as President Trump once brilliantly put it: "They're not after me; they're after you. I'm just in their way." In terms of style, if Ronald Reagan was the Great Communicator, President Trump is Donald the Disruptor. He is doing the essential disruptive things our country has needed for decades and no one had the courage and guts to do. That some of this doesn't always serve my immediate self interest is beside the point: If my country goes down the tubes, I go with it. They are after me, my country, and the world only our country can help protect, and I'm deeply grateful he's in their way.