The word is STRONGMAN

[oldtime dfl_er]

Rachel Maddow has been using the absolutely correct word "strongman" all evening. Some are misunderstanding her and assuming she means that Trump is a "strong man". No! A strongman, according to Merriam-Webster, is "a politician or leader who uses violence or threats." And, according to the Oxford Dictionaries: "A leader who rules by the exercise of threats, force, or violence." THAT is the word she is using, and it is the absolute right word for Drumpf.

[malthaussen]

1. Unfelcitous nevertheless.

Since it is easily confused with its homonym. It might be better to use a word less easily-confused by her viewers.

-- Mal

[eleny]

2. dictator hits the nail on the head for me

[malthaussen]

4. "demagogue" works...

... although now that I think of it, two out of three idiots are liable to confuse that with "demigod."

-- Mal

[Rex]

9. 'Demagogue' is perfect wording in my book.

Also see 'malcontent' and 'narcissistic'.

[morningfog]

3. Demagogue, fascist, provocateur, megalomaniac.

[malthaussen]

7. Really, when you get to it...

... few precise synonyms for "scumbucket."

But then, John Fetterman (Mayor of Braddock, PA, long-shot hopeful for U.S, Senate) calls Mr Trump a "jagoff." Which would work splendidly if it wasn't regional dialect.

-- Mal

[morningfog]

10. Vacuous bully. I like jagoff too. And grade A asshole.

[Fairgo]

5. Strong man works for me.

Its the fascist shoe horn.

[Kip Humphrey]

6. Yes, but to Trump, being called a 'Strongman' would be a compliment.

[world wide wally]

8. How about Fuckhead?

[malthaussen]

11. No, no, she needs something she can use on TV.

Alas for truth.

-- Mal

[world wide wally]

12. Shithead?

[world wide wally]

13. Actually, I have the perfect word!

DILQUAD

[oldtime dfl_er]

15. Well, there's always the old standby

short-fingered vulgarian...

[pampango]

14. Or the 'strict father' whom conservatives adore. In politics a 'strict father' is a STRONGMAN.

"In the strict father family, father knows best. He knows right from wrong and has the ultimate authority to make sure his children and his spouse do what he says, which is taken to be what is right. Many conservative spouses accept this worldview, uphold the father’s authority, and are strict in those realms of family life that they are in charge of. When his children disobey, it is his moral duty to punish them painfully enough so that, to avoid punishment, they will obey him (do what is right) and not just do what feels good."

The strict father logic extends further. The basic idea is that authority is justified by morality (the strict father version), and that, in a well-ordered world, there should be (and traditionally has been) a moral hierarchy in which those who have traditionally dominated should dominate. The hierarchy is: God above Man, Man above Nature, The Disciplined (Strong) above the Undisciplined (Weak), The Rich above the Poor, Employers above Employees, Adults above Children, Western culture above other cultures, Our Country above other countries. The hierarchy extends to: Men above women, Whites above Non-whites, Christians above non-Christians, Straights above Gays.

http://yonside.com/why-is-trump-winning

Trump expresses admiration for the way authoritarians rule in China and Russia. His supporters understand this and want a 'strong father' to rule them.