So, Trump is too stupid to realize he is being manipulated

[ProfessorPlum]

meaning that all the people around him will be struggling against each other to be the one's with his ear. Chris Christie clearly lost the first round of wangling, but who will pull Trump's marionette strings going forward?

What a dummy.

[BainsBane]

1. I don't know

Trump successfully manipulated the media and the public to get elected. I have little doubt he'll get exactly what he wants out of the presidency, while the country gets screwed.

[ProfessorPlum]

2. oh yes

the self-dealing and corruption will be legendary, I'm sure.

But as far as policy goes, the fight is on to control his little orange head.

[BainsBane]

4. He doesn't care about policy

He never has. He cares about Trump.

[Wellstone ruled]

6. Best discribes who Trump really is.

The Guy has crafted his Image over a fifty year time span. Once he figured out how to Bully people into giving him what he wanted,he just moved that style to the next level.

We are seeing the real Trump every day,and watch for some type of Reality Show Themed DVD or online Video to be released on a Monthly or quarterly basis. It never was anything but a Trump branding operation from the get go. Getting elected was a Coup facilitated by a eager Media wanting access and Power.

[Warpy]

3. Actually, it will be a case of distracting him rather than manipulating him

because he really doesn't listen to anyone else, ever.

Once he's completely distracted, they can do whatever they want to.

[ProfessorPlum]

5. keep him on Twitter

while they rob us blind

[Warpy]

7. Exactly

The only questions are how long it will take them to discover this and how long after that the crash happens.

[TheBlackAdder]

8. Trump will be like Kim Jong-un, You'll have his ear until he calls for the firing squad on you.

[madokie]

9. So very true

He is a bad person to the core

[loyalsister]

10. He has spent the last few years being stage managed

"Reality TV" participants do have directors and producers who make demands on their behaviors. Trump has been doing it for a long time. Maybe he sees the presidency as an acting gig and really isn't interesed in what the actual policy makers and advocates in his administration do?

[0rganism]

11. yes, and as a result he will be very hard to beat in 2020

even if we presume fair elections and a reasonably unbiased ( ) media
he will have 4 additional years of practice in controlled lying and a real claim to experience and qualification, two areas in which he clearly lacked this year (perhaps to his advantage)

[JI7]

12. Schumer could take advantage of it

Trump personally likes Schumer. I think part of it is culture and being from the same part of the country.

It's why he likes christie. But kushner does not like christie and he was able to have more influence through ivanka.

He likes the cheering at rallies from the "middle america" crowd but i don't think he would like to spend time with them on a personal level.