Trump is a cultural icon. How do we fight this?

[Moebym]

It occurred to me that the kind of behavior those of us on the left had mocked as weird or even as signs of dementia were qualities many have actually found charming in Trump.

Like it or not, athletes are copying his dance when they score, young people are finding him entertaining, and his manner of speaking is seen as authentic.

Despite all the fascist rhetoric, despite the 34 felony convictions, despite Jan. 6, despite his being a clear danger to women, he's become a cultural icon.

We're fighting against a man and a movement that have not only become part of the landscape here, but have become almost symbolic of America to the rest of the world. Everyone recognizes his signature appearance on sight. Everyone knows his signature phrases and way of speaking.

Harris became a kind of cultural force in her own right, but she hadn't had nearly as much time to reach the "cult" status that Trump has achieved. Her being viewed as part of the Washington establishment and an institutionalist at a time when people were losing trust in institutions probably didn't help much, either, as unfair as it is. Being a politician just isn't "cool".

This is a problem that needs to be discussed more. As much as I hate to say it, our next nominee must be someone that hasn't had the label "establishment" or "elitist" attached to him or her.

[mr715]

1. He's been a cultural phenom

since he was foretold in the book of revelation.

[Silent Type]

2. +1. Was just thinking he is a once in a century phenomenon. He will be gone at some point, and maybe

his popularity will plunge. Of course, every time it plunges he’ll deport a quarter million to appease his voters.

[Moebym]

4. He can't leave our psyche soon enough.

I'm hoping this election was just an anomaly driven by people's misplaced anger over inflation. But...

Some of the data from exit polling and post-election analysis seem to indicate that there are trends that are not favorable to the Democrats. People no longer trust our institutions, this is for certain. Young people don't care as much about loyalty to party. We're losing support from minorities, despite how openly racist the GOP has become.

[Silent Type]

13. Hopefully the mid-term primaries will give us chance to address some of those issues.

I think those same issues impact Republicans too. A bunch of them voted for Harris or someone other than trump, including blank.

All 3 elections with trump have been an anomaly. If it weren’t so grave, I’d find it interesting to observe, even humorous.

[bucolic_frolic]

3. hagiography is not useful in defining Trump's deeply flawed life.

[Moebym]

9. In case there was a misunderstanding

I hate his flipping guts and wanted him gone since way back in 2015. I think he's the most vile, venal creature to have ever slithered onto the national stage.

But we must come to grips with the fact that he appeals to a lot of people, including many in the groups we need to win back if we're ever going to win the presidency again.

[mr715]

14. My whole life in NYC

he was a B-tier player in the tabloids.

He has charisma. It is perverse, but it is real.

[Mz Pip]

5. Cultural heroin

I believe that’s how Vance described Trump before he became addicted.

[Moebym]

6. Agreed on that

And on him being our Hitler.

[cilla4progress]

7. What an astute observation.

I don't know.

[Bread and Circuses]

8. My thoughts

Yes, the Felon has captured support of ( you know) but it breaks my heart that so many have been taken in by a conman.
Yes, MAGA is a cult and their cultural norms are - rape, bullying, violence, fear, hate, lies, corruption, extortion, bribery, terrorism, misogyny, and treason. And More.

So, I would say that the Felon is the same as all dictators, rulers, chieftains who willfully harm their own people.

We may actually do better with Genghis Khan. I can’t actually believed I said this.

[Dem4life1234]

10. Wait for the KFC diet to do its natural thing

He's no spring chicken.

[Redleg]

15. Nicely crafted! I was just going to say we could just wait for him to die

Your comment has more subtlety and humor than mine.

[chowder66]

11. So is Mr. Hanky the Christmas Poo.

[Intractable]

12. His presidency will be a disaster for everyone except the very wealthy.

It will provide us with many opening through which to shoot as we prepare for 2026 midterms.