The Trump identity and fashion statement

[brooklynite]

Axios

Why it matters: To his diehard supporters, Trump isn't just a candidate. He's a lifestyle choice and a vehicle for self-expression — a way to continually flip the middle finger at big media, big business, big government ... anything big.

It's all part of one of the big Trump triumphs — convincing his voters that an attack on him is actually an attack on them.
A hat, popular in rural convenience stores this summer, says it all: "If You Don't Like Trump Then You Probably Won't Like Me."

At rallies, you see people wearing Trump flags like a billowing robe. And a lot of this isn't official campaign merch — people print these up themselves.

[greenjar_01]

1. Trying to convince folks yet again that the most unpopular candidate in a generation is actually

popular.

Much of the country seethes at this shitheel's violation of our basic values and destruction of our institutions, but some writers wake up and think, "Hey, it's a good day for the 10,000th think piece about why people like the guy. We have to know! It's educational" What a fucking clown show.

Wait, wait. I know the talking (counter)point of the week, beamed out across the internet: We need to not live in a bubble! We need to understaaaaaaaaaaaaaand! Meanwhile, the only actual point of this week's "Think about the Trump Voter's Psyche" onslaught is to convince us of his inevitability, a true Putinite tactic as his campaign remains mired in the muck.

[brooklynite]

2. Understanding one's enemy is the first step in defeating it...

Nothing is this story is an attempt to make Trump more likelable. It's an explanation of the psyche of a voting group that hasn't been dealt with before.

[greenjar_01]

3. Thanks, but I already included this ridiculous counterpoint in my post

We already have 10,000 articles on this nonsense. The 10,001st doesn't have information value. It has some other rhetorical function.

[chia]

4. The psychology of cultists, wearing garb which gives them a sense of personal identity, group unity,

and helps them recognize other cult members when they see them.