President Trump's good qualities

[Túrin Turambar]

During the Bush Administration, we had a thread on President Bush's good or appealing qualities. It didn't go particularly well. Still, given the heavy Democratic lean of this forum and in the spirit of the escaping the echo chamber, I thought we could try again. What do you find good, appealing or admirable about President Trump?

[Primula Baggins]

For me: I really can't think of a single thing. Probably the only living human being of whom I would say that.

I hope to be heartened and illuminated by others' responses.

[yovargas]

This question was famously asked of both candidates* during one of the campaign debates. I thought it was a great question. But I couldn't think of anything then and I can't think of anything now, and not for lack of effort. I can't recall ever feeling like any public figure in my lifetime was so wholly irredeemable.


*Hillary's answer was that he was a devoted father or something along those lines.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

He has somehow made me look back more favorably at George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan. I guess that is something.

[Primula Baggins]

I'd say that, too. Wish I couldn't.

[Primula Baggins]

Even on the occasions when he takes a position I could call admirable, (a) his manner makes clear that it's something he's been told he has to say, and (b) he slides right back to his real position, sometimes within hours (or even within the same speech).

[River]

Trump takes applause lines from his fan base, not positions.

I like the talk about reining in drug prices. But of course there's been no discernable action.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

Even on the occasions when he takes a position I could call admirable, (a) his manner makes clear that it's something he's been told he has to say, and (b) he slides right back to his real position, sometimes within hours (or even within the same speech).

Really the only exception to that that I can think of was his support for the First Step Act, the criminal justice reform bill that was passed last month and Trump signed.

[elengil]

I will give that Trump is not the worst person I can think of.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

He can, on occasion, provide an outlet for amusement.

[Primula Baggins]

Interesting to see a corporation openly poking fun at him on social media.

[Lalaith]

He does easily provide a lot of fodder for comedians and the like.

Um, let's see. I think seems to show respect to law enforcement and military. It might be fake, though.

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[Impenitent]

He has maintained an amicable relationship with former wife Ivana, and he seems to be a supportive father.

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[Voronwë the Faithful]

He has maintained an amicable relationship with former wife Ivana, and he seems to be a supportive father.

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You mean the one who accused him of raping her, until she was bought off and sort-off retracted it.

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[Impenitent]

They still hang out; she still has a position within the organisation; he hosted her most recent wedding.

Now, I can't speak to the Machiavellian shenanigans they mutually engage in, but from the outside it looks amicable.

Hey, Túrin asked! I had to come up with something!

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[Túrin Turambar]

I do like the fact that he doesn't carefully focus-group, filter and sanitise everything he says in the very risk-averse fashion of many politicians. That, I think, is a major reason why he won the election.

[Alatar]

Yeah, like Túrin, I like the fact that he says what he thinks, even when I utterly disagree with everything he says. Politicians are so carefully groomed and prepared. Now, I know he's pandering to his base same as any other politician, and I know that many of the things he says are harmful, but in principle I like the idea that you get exactly what you voted for with him. Sorta. This is hard.

[Griffon64]

He does easily provide a lot of fodder for comedians and the like.

Um, let's see. I think seems to show respect to law enforcement and military. It might be fake, though.

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Donald Trump's comments about John McCain, Adm. William WcRaven, his absence at a Veteran's Day wreath laying, his treatment of Khizr Khan's parents ... I dunno. If Barack Obama said all that, would Republicans have called him respectful to the military?

[Lalaith]

I did qualify it to say it could be fake. There are certainly plenty of clips/images out there of him schmoozing with police officers and the military. This plays very well with conservatives, and they like to plaster these images everywhere. It's one reason I was so surprised by his Veterans' Day shenanigans. He'd been careful before that to at least make a show of respect.

As for McCain, well, Trump is a terrible person, but we're supposed to be finding positive things to say.

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[yovargas]

My sister, who is, to my genuine shock and bafflement, pro-Trump, once said to me that she likes Trump because "he is a man of action". I didn't inquire further to find out what exactly that means or what made her think Trump has that quality, but there you go.