We are feeding the troll

[cyclonefence]

Reports that Trump is gleeful about the panicked reaction of Democrats to his toothless threats not to leave the White House, not to accept the results of the election, not to guarantee a peaceful transition of power confirm what we already know about this peabrain and his followers: they live to own the libs.The more they believe we've swallowed what they're selling, the more outrageous their product will be.

I think there is a danger of civil unrest when Biden wins the election, but I think the only people truly committed to supporting a losing Trump are ideologues whose motivations are beyond me, like Barr and Graham, and the thousands of idiots who don't know how to wipe themselves.

Our best strategy is to stop reacting publicly, especially in panic mode. We need to plan, of course--I think it's especially important to make sure the armed forces are ready to support and defend the Constitution, which shouldn't be too difficult given the disrespect the current commander-in-chief has shown them, and line up Constitutional lawyers ready with writs and stays.

But the more we scream and tear our hair, the better he likes it, and I see no reason why we should give him any joy at all, even if his threats are not groundless. No need to ice his cake for him.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. You are absolutely right! We must not feed the troll.

The trick is, how to keep people from reacting with fear? Even here on DU, it's impossible.

I like what the Brits say: Stay calm, and carry on.

[Mme. Defarge]

15. Stay calm and

GOTFV!!!!!

[FakeNoose]

2. We aren't, but the pundits and journos are, for sure

Chump has a brainfart and they all react. THEY are feeding the troll.

There will be a peaceful transfer of power, just like there was in 2016.
It can't happen soon enough!

[BumRushDaShow]

32. THIS

The average person isn't paying much attention as they have far too many worries - COVID, job losses, downsizing/salary cuts, what to do with their children for schooling, trying to make do when the prices of many products are skyrocketing (including price gouging, etc.) or common things are continually "out of stock".

It's all the pundits , columnists, and opinion writers who are promoting that narrative. About the only places you may see "general public reactions" are the LTTEs and rancorous discussions on some social media, although there is such a proliferation of fake accounts on that, then whatever "noise" that is there is usually manufactured by a pile of bots.

[intrepidity]

3. Hopefully, we have the last laugh

When his trolling results in the most massive electoral tsunami in history.

[Cirque du So-What]

4. I see it on here every day

All the public displays of handwringing and pants-shitting has become tiresome. If you’re on the verge of having a nervous breakdown over current events, I strongly suggest seeing a mental health professional. Dragging your free-floating anxiety onto an internet discussion board, which may have a detrimental effect on others who are already worried, is rude at best and socially depraved at worst.

[rzemanfl]

5. Buying the PSYOP. Yep.

A lot of new merchants in the biz.

[ProfessorGAC]

6. K&R!

My reply to those with breathless concern over this has been, "When he loses, he's leaving."
This is a tactic to assume R voters show up because "it ain't over 'til it's over."
So bad polling is ignored and the turnout that is mandatory to have any chance is not diluted by becoming a lost cause.
He will leave when he loses. Whining all the way. But, leave he will.

[samnsara]

7. we need to laugh at him

[crimycarny]

9. This! This! This!

There is nothing so powerful a weapon as derision. Laughing at Trump and making him look like the ridiculous clown takes all the oxygen out of his threats immediately. Like a deflated balloon.

I wish the media would stop being played like a fiddle by Trump and breathlessly bite onto whatever distraction Trump throws out—taking the focus away from all Trump’s failures.

I’m going to be on pins and needles during the debate as I know Biden needs to be flawless lest the media grab onto the SLIGHTEST clumsy phrase. Anchor: “Well Bill, Biden used an awkwardly worded sentence—I believe it’s what called a dangling participle—does this help feed the narrative that Trump has been trying to make that Joe Biden isn’t all there cognitively”.

[BComplex]

22. That's exactly how they do. That's why we need to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine. The .1% owns

the media. Almost all of it.

[Thirties Child]

8. Laugh at him or pity h im.

[Cirque du So-What]

12. Sorry, I reserve pity for those who deserve it

Pity for the guilty is treason to the innocent.

[Thirties Child]

19. My thought was that pity would drive him even crazier.

[Cirque du So-What]

21. He thrives on the pity offered by MAGAts

He’s constantly fishing for it by insisting the librul media is being mean to him, etc.

[OMGWTF]

31. Traitor Tot's rallies are just giant pity parties where he whines about how mean everyone is to him.

[kairos12]

10. Civil unrest by Chump supporters

LOL. I'll believe that when the shelves are empty of Cheetos and moon pies.

Fuck them.

[ihas2stinkyfeet]

11. anybody who doesnt think this site is watched

prolly thinks they own a bridge in new york.

[Miigwech]

13. He laughs because he is a madman, that must be stated.

[LuvJoesPartner]

14. Right on, don't feed the trump troll.

[mzmolly]

16. Don't panic - vote

early.

[crickets]

18. +1000000

[andym]

17. Use his statements against him as Un-American, Un-Republican and Un-Democratic

I think he has set himself up for being destroyed rhetorically.

[BComplex]

20. The military generals said that if trump tries to use the military they would "resign".

How's that for fighting back? I heard it on either Chris Hayes or Rachel last night, and I couldn't believe my ears.

[Thekaspervote]

23. They will not be part of his nonsense

Link to tweet

?s=21

[33taw]

26. This is true. Disputes will be settled in court if necessary. If Biden prevails - he can order the

military to remove him after he is inaugurated. It would be a legal order and they would need to comply. Being in the White House does not make you president. Why are we even asking hm these questions?

[dsharp88]

24. The best thing to do is laugh at his pathetic and weak desperation. n/t

[Sloumeau]

25. cyclonefence wrote:

Reports that Trump is gleeful about the panicked reaction of Democrats to his toothless threats not to leave the White House, not to accept the results of the election, not to guarantee a peaceful transition of power confirm what we already know about this peabrain and his followers: they live to own the libs.

Would you please be so kind to give us links to these reports? Thanks in advance.

[cyclonefence]

34. See my response to post #33 in this thread n/t

[hunter]

27. Trump is on my trash by keyword list here on DU.

The television in our house plays DVDs and Netflix. That's pretty much all it does. No broadcast, no satellite, no cable.

Whatever Trump says is the quacking of an angry duck.

I don't see him, I don't hear him.

[dlk]

28. As Obama has said, cut off Trump's cable tv

He won’t stay in the White House or any place without his cable shows.

[McKim]

29. Try this instead......

Reacting to his infantile and outrageous pronouncements only encourages more discussion of this in the media diverting attention from the really important story: What Biden Will Do for Working People to restore dignity and decency to their lives. We need to shift attention on the Biden campaign.

[ancianita]

30. Can you please reference those reports?

If this incumbent controls his campaign the way he controls his WH, if he foments election-related violence after Nov 4, it's no longer trolling but likely stochastic domestic terrorism. If Florida gets hit by Russia again, if people die over illegal militia activity, if governors call out national guard, cases are being built right now for leadup causes for those things.

I don't see reports of panicked Democrats -- maybe you could link a few -- but perhaps there are some reports that he gets as simply internal cheerleading.

imo when the dust settles, he'll find out that the blowback he gets will have been provably more than just tit-for-tat trolling.

[cyclonefence]

33. The panicked Democrats are those who appear nonstop

on cable news. They aren't running around with their heads cut off, but expressing deep concern over what will happen when Trump loses the election. There is panic in the air, even at DU until a request was made to calm it down.

Perhaps what I'm describing as "panic" is--what? concern? dismay?--any number of reactions which Trump apparently believes riles us up enough to tickle his trollish funnybone.

Your willingness to describe a possible outcome as domestic terrorism is the panicked talk I mean. Trump loves it.

[ancianita]

35. Okay. So there are no reports. And you have no examples of panicked Dems on cable news.

And this president is just a troll. Okay, then.

[scipan]

36. I think people should be prepared for what might happen

After Nov 3. We need to be patient and let any states finish counting votes. If there is another Brooks Brothers protest like the one in FL in 2000, we should probably answer with our own demonstrations.

So I am definitely in favor of spreading what Trump said about not accepting the results so we can be emotionally prepared.

I'm sorry if Trump is getting off on our reaction, but I'm not going to let that change my behavior.