Why Trump's Conduct Hasn’t Tanked His Chances

The Deputy Opinion Editor Patrick Healy on one of the voter insights that has stayed with him from Donald Trump's former campaign manager.
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[@MROJPC]

“Little by little the look of the country changes because of the men we admire. You're just going to have to make up your own mind one day about what's right and what's wrong” - Homer Bannon, from the film “Hud” (1963). If you want an answer to the question posed by the video then I would encourage you to find and watch this classic film about an honest old Texas cattle rancher being worn down by his brash, immoral, and popular son. America’s culture changed and not for the better. If we are going to heal this country and turn it back towards its founding principles and away from the culture of depravity, lies, cynicism that Trump represents then real, patriotic, brave Americans are going to have to sacrifice and have strength and have courage. It is a tough, hard road. Trump’s followers are promising to afflict this nation with violence unless their leader is brought to power and to kill freedom and democracy once their leader is enthroned. The path of violence and hatred is the easy road they have chosen. For those that want to fight Trump and his ideology I think it will take more than an election. Service and compassion and strength is the way you fight these kind of people. Ask what you can do to serve your communities, help out a neighbor, set the example of what a true American can be. They want to burn down this nation. Be the people would build it up. When you go vote, thank those volunteer workers. Trump has spent years harassing and threatening and encouraging his followers to attack these patriots. Those folks that are out there helping turn the wheels of democracy are real heroes setting the example of what needs to be done.

[@Spiral.Dynamics]

Well said. 👏

[@paulaoh5306]

His recent rallies have been more hateful, spiteful, and mean-spirited than ever. No talk of policy. Just pure negativity. I used to disregard the idea that people need religion to teach them how to be decent people, as I'm not religious myself. Now I think it may be true. So many seem to worship Trump's immorality, and there's nothing Christian about it, nothing Catholic, nothing Buddhist, nothing you would hear your rabbi say at temple, nothing good.

[@ananimal128]

@@paulaoh5306 i went to the rally in NYC Paula - as a minority they welcomed me and his supporters gave me seats with a great view. I was not told to leave the country or that I wasn’t a real American like comments here are telling me. I was born here and my parents worked decades to build a life for us. The media highlighted one joke by a “roast comedian” but it was a very energetic and positive event. Please reconsider your sources.

[@Trenchant468]

@@ananimal128You may want to learn about the MSG 1939 Nazi rally.

[@reubenhandel210]

Actually Trump sat down for long extended policy interviews in the final weeks. Harris popped out every once in a while to lie about things Trump said, feign outrage, and call people names

[@karenbrokken9566]

I don't understand why people think Harris hasn't campaigned on economic policy when she brings up price gouging of groceries (though she could have gone into more detail with things like recent mergers and monopolies). And similarly why housing is so expensive. During her interview with Charlemagne the God Harris also touched on the democrat house getting the stimulus checks out in 2020 where Trump/republicans stood in the way. Contrasting this with the chaos in the republican controlled congress should have been a major campaign point. Why voters who are concerned about the economy aren't alarmed by Trump's naive stance on tariffs or his inability to stay on topic enough to debate his economic policies, such as was seen in the Bloomberg interview.

[@kendallhenderson6093]

Cause she hasn't. "Groceries" prices are an output of the economy. Not a plan for growing the dollar, and value of exports.

[@FlawlessP401]

Because price gouging isn't real its a talking point she forces out to try to hide inflation and failures of economic and energy policy.

[@EarlyRiser71]

Those are gimmicks, not plans.

[@terrymckenzie857]

Largely because our media spends all of its energy on reporting the horse race, never the stakes. NYT and NPR are as guilty of this as CNN/NBC/CBS/ABC.

[@painter5391]

Because of trumpism

[@NyanSox]

i appreciate yall publishing these on youtube

[@AlonzoFyfe]

I do not understand your distinction between what affects people and what offends them. Claims such as Trump's Access Hollywood comments, saying Puerto Rico is garbage, his claims about immigrants, his tariffs, will AFFECT people. It will result in significant harm. Sexual assault AFFECTS people. The abuse and suppression of minorities AFFECTS people. It is not the case that people are merely "offended" in the way one is offended by a smell that one finds disgusting but which causes no harm. People are offended because Trump's language is a promise to cause harm. The thing is, Trump is promising to cause harm to "them" to "the other". Like autocrats across the world and across history, this message in which one portrays "them" as disgusting and promises to make "them" suffer has been a very attractive message. This is the message that is winning Trump the election - a promise to cause harm to others. People have always and often found this message attractive (even though they are reluctant to admit it, even to themselves).

[@paulaoh5306]

Good points, but his message has caused significant harm already. January 6th was one of the worst days in US history.

[@paulaoh5306]

I think that his followers are diverse but share a few things in common. Most importantly, they primarily care for themselves. They don't see that preserving our Constitution and the rule of law is the most important thing there is. They are angry that they don't have what they want in life, and rather than looking within, they look to a "strong man" for answers. They actually want an autocrat, so they don't need to think about politics or make decisions. He expresses their anger, whether it be at liberals, the media, the government as it is, immigrants, and "the other" -- black and brown people. He seems to suggest that he can wave a magic wand and fix everything and because some of them are so uneducated re politics and history, they think a president has that power and think "he" should have that power. And many of them are sexist, and no one wants to talk about that. They would never vote for a woman.

[@AlonzoFyfe]

@@paulaoh5306 This goes along with what I said. Directing private citizens to threaten or engage in violence against one's opponents is not just offensive, it affects people. So, the claim that those who oppose Trump only care about what they find offensive and don't care about what affects people is nonsense.

[@AlonzoFyfe]

@@paulaoh5306 I do not think that the idea that Trump has a magic wand and can fix everything is sufficient. Too many people make the same claim without having Trump's popularity. We need to add the fact that Trump blames "them" or "the other" for these problems and he promises to fix the problems by dealing harshly - even violently - with "them". If one looks at history, this type of claim has been extremely effective, prompting the world's worst moral atrocities. Which belies the claim that Trump's message is merely offensive and doesn't affect others.

[@paulaoh5306]

@@AlonzoFyfe Agree

[@Pier77Tampa]

The thin line between “affected vs. offended” is knowledge. Ignorance is rampant and that is why insults or facts don’t matter.

[@r8chlletters]

He affects everyone and he offends everyone. ‘Nuf said.

[@tombesson7293]

I took my son on a vacation to Hawaii when he was eleven years old. We stayed in a Waikiki Beach hotel, and could easily go to the ocean, rent surfboards, and enjoy ourselves in the sun. However, my son preferred to spend his time in a video game parlor playing Pac Man. My point is, even though many people want more calm in their life, there are those who would rather live with the noise and distraction of the video arcade than lie in the sun and enjoy the paradise that is there for the asking.

[@paulthaipaul9946]

He’s now been found guilty of what he said he did on the access Hollywood tape . No longer just talk

[@SM-gl8yo]

5:00 Exactly. His 2020 Presidential conduct is repellant to me. His continued post Presidential conduct repulses me and I believe he couldn't care less that it does. Therefore, he lost any chance for my vote. I don't understand the title, it should be "Why Trump's conduct this time around HAS tanked his chances."

[@utkphilobio]

This may be our last chance to move on from the toxicity of Trumpism America. Don't fuck it up.

[@NotShowingOff]

It’s not a question of offended. It’s a question of if you believe his way of thinking will prioritize you in the economy. The only way to know that is to listen to

[@octobrain23232]

We'll see how well this ages in 24 hours.

[@kellysharon5815]

I would argue that women are affected (in addition to being offended) by access Hollywood remarks. It’s how sexual assault is normalized.

[@thewaffle003]

Lol the only way to validate this view is to ignore the propagandasphere.

[@tetomedinawallace5955]

That was an amazing view point. Thank you for sharing.

[@cpaul9269]

Affect vs. Offend? I DEMAND any person deserving of my vote at ANY level be aware and empathetic to what affects me, and that they are mindful NOT to offend people. We CAN have both, and one candidate this year DOES appear to have both. We ALL: need to step up our standards from our elected officials. NO GOVERNMENT has EVER lasted when the governing cease to act in good faith, and the governed lose ALL their faith in it.

[@eodiete]

This is the problem . Right here is why Trump might win

[@kendallhenderson6093]

Which part. :D!

[@ocswoodlands]

1:06 Ms alternative truth... its still a lie

[@KTPurdy]

Like Trump's tariffs are going to cause hyper inflation. Are people really listening to what Trump has planned?

[@biologicalexuberance4636]

Someone should have done this earlier. Here's how tariffs work. Let's take a product manufactured in another country, any country. It costs $50. When it is imported into the US, place a tariff on it of 100%, a $50 tariff. That makes this product twice as expensive to US consumers ($50 + $50 = $100) as it would have have been without the tariff. Ths US government collects the $50 tariff. But if you want to buy the product, you, the US consumer, will pay $100 for it. You can try this with German or Japanese cars, say add 20% tariff ($30K + 20% tariff of $6K = $36K to US consumer) or a US-designed tractor now being made in Mexico ($40K + 25% tariff of $10K = $50K ). I know, the prices are silly, just given as examples. But you get the picture, the tariff is collected by our govt and then if you choose to purchase the item, you are the one paying the tariff. Yes, this may discourage purchasing foreign items and may encourage production of similar items in the US over time. But if you want that item now, you pay the tariff. It will of course make sense for the countries paying tariffs to place tariffs on US manufactured goods being imported into their countries. Thus decreased US production of these goods, with economic effects on our country, decreased jobs, etc. This of course gets even more complicated by considering an issue like computer chips imported into the US from China. With a tariff on these chips there will have to be an increased price to the consumer of any device needing these chips, including those devices made in the US. Just an example - surgical devices. Higher cost for the device, higher health costs, you get the picture.

[@funzo5]

Garbage take citing an outlier poll

[@travcat756]

Columnists who support Trump .....

[@rudeboyme]

The background noise / music / sound effects, whatever, are just distracting. I mean, I'm listening on my computer and now my computer starts making weird beeping noise, i have to turn off the radio and figure out what's making the noise, and it turns out it was the radio? Thanks. Whatever you were saying, when I turned the radio off, I didn't go back to hear it.

[@David-oy6ck]

Looks like not everyone is watching MSNBC 🤔

[@memelordlol382]

no shit

[@David-oy6ck]

@ shit no

[@Aethelia]

Is there anything that everyone is watching?

[@paolomasone3754]

I guess what you are saying is that character no longer matters....

[@beparticular1240]

I think character would matter if either candidate was a person of good character, but I don't see it in either of them.

[@reubenhandel210]

Because most of what you claimed wasn't true?

[@ashanayak3546]

🙏

[@phantasqLiving]

1. While people attacked the Minneapolis police department and shops (which actually affect business owners) after Tim Walz denied sending in the National Guard, Jan 6 primarily affected Federal property and Donald Trump wanted to send in the National Guard and was blocked by Nancy Pelosi. 2. This is still something that hasn’t affected Americans in terms of housing prices or grocery prices. This is a symbolic albatross. The only non-law enforcement person that died was a Republican, Ashley Babbitt. Please stop with this bait and switch, NYT. Your editorial team openly endorses Kamala Harris, and while I am undecided and respect objective reporting, you lumping in Jan 6 as some sort of actual teardown of a building is super off putting compared to events that actually affected small business owners.

[@phantasqLiving]

Look at the French Revolution and the storming of the Bastille, core in liberal democracy. I’m not sure using the executive ire of disenfranchised people as ammunition is on the correct side of history.

[@phantasqLiving]

I want what’s best for all Americans and all signs of history show that bowing down to a building of one of the richest neighborhoods in the country is an error, especially an untouchable building like the Bastille. The Capitol is fine and restored with cosmetic damage at best. Those arrested were wearing costumes and carrying out podiums. There will be many people fooled, but how can you be honest with yourself? I lived in China as a foreigner, and it seems you’re literally the uni-party. Max Tegmarck from MIT shows that Russians and Chinese citizens are aware of propaganda, but less so are US citizens. Probably not even your own employees. I would hope one person in NYC (I live there) at the office screenshots my comments and sends it around.

[@phantasqLiving]

I welcome any counter arguments. Thank you. I am deciding today. Grew up in California democrat.

[@phantasqLiving]

I also used to live in DC, so I don’t think I’m on the side of ignorance here.

[@ananimal128]

I didn’t know this…

[@ColleyFlak]

Why Patrick Healy is voting for Trump.

[@ananimal128]

I no longer believe Jan 6 is disqualifying. It hasn’t affected my grocery prices or my children’s ability to afford a house or raise a family. It is my impression Kamala is taking all of Trump’s economic positions to provide an alternative without the underlying principle. I used to live in Minneapolis before moving to NJ and what they did to the downtown was pretty upsetting, more than a couple government buildings by corrupted politicians. I thought all of DC was burned down like St. Paul. I don’t understand how people find it disqualifying to be honest to protest and tear down a few symbols, that don’t actually affect the livelihood and operation of day to day people

[@MROJPC]

The revulsion comes from real patriotism, the willingness to sacrifice for your country, and love for traditional American values. It comes from being an American. A REAL American. When I enlisted in the military more than 20 years ago and before I served in both Iraq and Afghanistan and before I was instructed in the most basic military lessons, I and all those who raised their right hands had to swear that we would bear true faith and allegiance and to support the Constitution and defend the United States from all enemies foreign and domestic. No power on earth can stand against a free man or woman who is willing to give their life for freedom and to protect their nation from tyranny. People who no longer believe in those values and principles should not be here. You are not American. This is not your country. There are many, many other countries that cater to your beliefs and that is where you should go. America is for Americans. And for those that want to wage another terrorist attack against America… I would think very wisely what you intend to do over the course of the next days, weeks, and months there, Animal128. The willingness to fight and die for freedom and protect the men, women, and children of this nation from those that would steal from them their liberty does not come off when you take off the uniform.

[@ananimal128]

@@MROJPCKamala has not served. Tulsi has served. JD has served. Liz Cheney has not served. What side are you taking here? I care more about the businesses burned in Minneapolis than the holy shrine of the Capitol. Thank you for your service, my sister also served. They are duping us. They are war hawks. Those that have been to war tell me they don’t want it. Another comment here said no personal or commercial property was damaged in the “insurrection”. You take an oath to the Constitution. Not the people that have been occupying and trying to take away the first and second amendment for many years.

[@ananimal128]

@@MROJPCYou’re smarter than this. You need to flip when the media, the actors, and people that didn’t serve in the military try to play up the emotions. They are fooling you.

[@utkphilobio]

How can you be ok with a violent attempt to overthrow the American government? Is saving 50 cents on eggs really worth throwing away all of our values? Is that the nation we've become? Burn down the constitution to save a couple bucks on gas? Is it really worth impoverishing your children's future? And it's not like every economist is pointing out how Trump's policies will make us poorer and cause inflation to come back. Trump is a moron and didn't do anything good during his first term, he just coasted on the Obama economy for 3 years until completely shitting the bed with his disastrous Covid response. I don't understand how anyone can be ok with a literal fascist who attempted a violent coup. I don't understand how people can delude themselves about these past 8 years and why they think a couple dollars in their pocket today is worth punishing their children and ruining the country for them in the long-run.

[@ananimal128]

@@MROJPC Do you think Tulsi and JD are bought? And the majority of the existing military? Why is your contrarian take more accurate? It’s not you. I think we agree that we should preserve the constitution. That’s why people went to the Capitol.

[@davidjames2083]

*Possibly the worst podcast in the history of podcasts* 🤔💭⁉

[@weston.weston]

I disagree with this columnist's commentary. Regarding Kamala Harris, it is all about the likeability trap. Many of the people who don't support Harris will not support her no matter what she says or promises promises them. For many, no matter what she does, they will not support her, and it isn't a matter of her strong or weak polices. JS. #RealTalk

[@paulaoh5306]

@@weston.weston We need to recognize that some of it is pure sexism. The "gender gap" is not just about abortion rights. There are many men in this country who do not think a woman can lead, despite the long list of strong female leaders throughout history. I have seen many comments to that effect.

[@paulaoh5306]

@weston.weston Voters took a chance on Trump in 2016 because he was running against Hillary, and that's what opened the Trumpism floodgates. Back then, they said that Hillary wasn't "likeable," but on my mother's soul, I can't think of anyone in politics less likeable than Trump. Hillary was the victim of a barrage of Russian and domestic propaganda that even people on the left believed. Trumpism is a complicated phenomenon, but some of it has to do with America's inability to elect a woman president. I hope and pray that I am proved wrong tomorrow.

[@kendallhenderson6093]

Wrong, I was one of the people she could have won. Instead I heard a lot of what you're saying. Which isn't an answer at all. In fact its a set up for complacency with a two party system that has never actually made a difference.

[@weston.weston]

@kendallhenderson6093 Your comment has absolutely NOTHING to do with mine. I will say again that there are many who simply don't like her, and there is nothing she can do/say/promise to win them over. Bye now.

[@SoraTheHappyEmo]

You can't tank zero.

[@kendallhenderson6093]

If she loses, the reason will be because of this attitude. Its clear that a lot of people like Trump, think he was right, or funny or whatever - and you constantly disregard it. Almost inferring that those people "don't count"

[@SoraTheHappyEmo]

@kendallhenderson6093 I blame wokeism, identity politics

[@dougmoore5252]

My vote for Trump was for normalcy.

[@paulaoh5306]

I'm sorry. That's funny.

[@memelordlol382]

“My vote for fire was for safety” ahh take

[@paulaoh5306]

My vote for a criminal was for law and order.

[@DS_P8]

The boogie man IS under your bed.

[@utkphilobio]

Trump is literally what made our politics abnormal. A vote for him is a vote for 4 more years of chaos, hatred, and division. How can his own supporters not see this? He is promising violence, ignorance, and retribution, and yet you think he stands for "normalcy"? What has gone wrong with this country?