General Discussion

DetlefK

(16,423 posts) Wed Jan 9, 2019, 12:11 PM Jan 2019

Ezra Klein: Trump does not actually want the wall. He wants the fight ABOUT the wall.

Link to tweet

If Donald Trump wanted the wall, he'd have negotiated away something of value to get it. Or at least tried to do so. He doesn't want the wall. He wants the fight over the wall. He wants to be seen going to war over the wall. That's what tonight is about.

People looking for persuasion from Trump are always disappointed. Trump practices polarization, not persuasion. His speeches are about firing up his side. They're about raising the stakes. Problem is, his side is getting smaller, and they no longer control the House.

This shutdown came because Trump couldn't bear the symbolism of signing a spending bill without the wall. Tonight's speech is a symbol of how hard he's fighting for it. This isn't a gamechanger, it's the game.

It fits.

Trump thrives on chaos. (Confirmed from WH-aides. That's why he's not interested in an efficiently run WH. He enjoys the infighting and backstabbing of his cronies.) He enjoys seeing people fight each other. He enjoys seeing people defeated and humiliated.

He figures that he could humiliate the Democrats by forcing them to give him his wall.

He had two years to get his wall, when Republicans were in control, and didn't try to get it. But now that the Democrats run the House, now he actually wants it.

He doesn't want the wall. He wants to brag how he got the wall from the Democrats.

If he gets his wall by negotiation, that invalidates his victory.

4 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Ezra Klein: Trump does not actually want the wall. He wants the fight ABOUT the wall. (Original Post) DetlefK Jan 2019 OP

I have similar thoughts. I just don't think his party wants it. WeekiWater Jan 2019 #1

With Trump Ohiogal Jan 2019 #2

This was and is Trump's Wellstone ruled Jan 2019 #3

The one common denominator in the chaos of trump's whole career... brush Jan 2019 #4

WeekiWater

(3,259 posts)

1. I have similar thoughts. I just don't think his party wants it.

Reply to DetlefK (Original post)

Wed Jan 9, 2019, 12:13 PM

Jan 2019

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211644962

Ohiogal

(31,995 posts)

2. With Trump

Reply to DetlefK (Original post)

Wed Jan 9, 2019, 12:40 PM

Jan 2019

it's all about the appearance of being a strong, tough-talking, he-man who "wins". No matter what the battle is.

He's all so phony and fake, from his appearance, to his perception of himself as a "tough guy". He feels like he has to keep up this image to the point where it's laughable to those of us who see right through it.

Wellstone ruled

(34,661 posts)

3. This was and is Trump's

Reply to DetlefK (Original post)

Wed Jan 9, 2019, 01:09 PM

Jan 2019

visual message that beating up on Mexicans is his main Campaign message. Got to play the Hate button.

brush

(53,776 posts)

4. The one common denominator in the chaos of trump's whole career...

Reply to DetlefK (Original post)

Wed Jan 9, 2019, 01:42 PM

Jan 2019

business and politics included, is trump.

There's always chaos and there's always trump. Take trump away from this wall/shutdown situation and a resolution would soon be reached. In fact it was reached before Christmas with the bill that was prepared and ready to go then trump happened.

The saying that everything trump touches dies is because he is incompetent in so many areas but thinks he's brilliant in all areas.

The hot mess that is the trump administration will remain as long as trump is there.

Thank God we won the House and can rein in the insanity. If the repugs had won the House and kept control of the whole government trump would have free rein to continue his chaotic destruction.

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