Naps or tantrums? Trump's trial dilemma

[marmar]

Sleepy Don's dilemma: Napping in court could help Trump win the case, but it hurts him with his base
Trump trial tantrums get MAGA wallets to open, but could turn a jury against him

By AMANDA MARCOTTE
Senior Writer
PUBLISHED APRIL 17, 2024 6:00AM (EDT)


(Salon) Toddlers are superior to Donald Trump in all ways, but they share one trait with the old man: A tendency to veer wildly between throwing tantrums or crashing into naps.

....(snip)....

There was much merriment in the political press over this because Trump is forever accusing his opponent, President Joe Biden, of being "sleepy." As usual with Trump, every accusation is a confession. Trump's campaign appears to be especially chagrined by this, claiming it's "100% Fake News coming from ‘journalists’ who weren’t even in the court room." (Every word of that statement, needless to say, is a lie.) Trump's team has been working overtime to weave an illusion for his MAGA base that he is not the tired and cranky old man clearly visible in the pictures, but more like a hyperactive toddler or perhaps a petulant teenager. The campaign sent out an email Monday afternoon falsely claiming Trump "stormed out of court." Even while Trump was dozing off, someone pretended to be him posting on Truth Social. Presumably, they believe Trump's loyalists are dumb enough to picture their orange savior furiously typing on his phone under the defendant's table.

....(snip)....

These lies are all an elaborate theatrical performance for the MAGA base, so they can keep telling themselves that their beloved ex-president is acting exactly how they like him: Like a 4-year-old flailing on a grocery store floor because Mom said they cannot have another candy bar. Trump supporters mistake petulance for strength. To keep the donations flowing, so Trump's fancy lawyers can get paid, it's crucial for him to pantomine belligerence, even if what is actually on display in court is a weary old man.

....(snip)....

That Trump is just a man — and a tired, old man at that — is the information Trump is most eager to conceal from his supporters. His entire mystique to the MAGA crowd is based on their faith that he's somehow impervious to the normal forces that work on the rest of us. His ability to project immunity from consequences for his crimes is a huge part of his appeal to his worshippers, of course. But he also wants them to believe that he is above petty concerns like sleep or eating right, much less that he's affected by the process of aging. The aspirational fantasy Trump sells his folllowers is one where his bad actions and stupid behaviors never catch up with him. ................(more)

https://www.salon.com/2024/04/17/sleepy-dons-dilemma-napping-in-could-help-win-the-case-but-it-hurts-him-with-his-base/

[Irish_Dem]

1. Trump's behavior is going to hurt him with the jury.

They are giving up time and trying to do their job.
And he is making a farce of it.

[RockRaven]

2. Yes, the disrespect or lack of seriousness implied by falling asleep repeatedly

will not be looked upon kindly by most of the jurors who are being enormously inconvenienced by this jury duty.

[Irish_Dem]

3. Yes they know they are in harms way too.

And trump is acting like an asshat.