Thread by @jenmercieca

Wow. Read @michaelkruse's great/terrifying 45 Self-Evident Truths About Donald Trump: politi.co/31SEu7j via @politico

Everyone read this. It distills Trump's essential qualities into 45 traits. Once you read it you'll realize that you can't give Trump any kind of opening to claim victory. He will claim victory anyway, even without an opening. When he loses he will still say that he won.

He will attack. He will threaten. He will sue. He will change the subject. He will lie. He will use conspiracy theory. He will use bluster. He will never stop declaring victory, even though he lost.

He'll do that for himself, and only for himself.

The other day I suggested that you prepare to repeat, "count all of the ballots." Yes.

Also prepare to repeat, "Donald Trump lost."

You have to counter his dangerous demagoguery. Make it your mantra until he concedes. Donald Trump lost.

At this moment Trump is telling his supporters that he defeated covid. Is covid defeated? No. Does that matter to Trump? No. That's what I'm talking about.

Trump will try to say that he won, even though he lost. Reality has to overwhelm his demagoguery, else his demagoguery will overwhelm reality.

What I'm saying is that you have a crucial post-election role to play as infowarriors, defending reality against Trump's propaganda army. Do not let it take you by surprise. Practice saying it now. Trump will lose. Trump has lost. There is the vote, then there is the infowar.

Election layers of contestation:

Election rules.
Voting/turnout.
Post-voting election rules.
Post-voting infowars.

And, obviously: the fact that I have to say any of this is proof that Trump is a demagogue, not a president.

Think about how the layers of contestation played out in 2000 post-voting. One side was prepared to be infowarriors (thanks to Roger Stone) while the other side was not. Prepare yourself.

This is a good thread to add here to explain how Trump's "I actually won" narrative is supported by "law & order" authoritarians who believe that the only way he'll lose is if they cheat.

https://twitter.com/JeffSharlet/status/1321843659248177154

I explain how Trump is using conspiracy theory, paralipsis, ad baculum & other strategies typically used by dangerous demagogues to try to win the election by force & why it's anti-democratic: How Trump's rhetoric is casting doubt on the election.

Prepare yourself. Don't give up in advance.