(thread) Putin’s playbook and Trump.
Since at least 2010, Trump has been getting ideas from Putin.
Example: In 2010, Russian TV “toyed” with the idea that Obama was born in Africa. Soon after, Trump picked up the theme. (See attached snippet from Snyder’s book).
Since at least 2010, Trump has been getting ideas from Putin.
Example: In 2010, Russian TV “toyed” with the idea that Obama was born in Africa. Soon after, Trump picked up the theme. (See attached snippet from Snyder’s book).
1/ It worked. As of Aug. 2016, 72% of the GOP doubted Obama’s citizenship. nbcnews.com/politics/2016-…
Trump got Birther from Russia.
In 2011, when Yanukovych (pro-Putin dictator) seized power in Ukraine, he jailed political rival Yulia Tymoshenko on false charges.
(Snyder's book 👇)
Trump got Birther from Russia.
In 2011, when Yanukovych (pro-Putin dictator) seized power in Ukraine, he jailed political rival Yulia Tymoshenko on false charges.
(Snyder's book 👇)
2/ Gates and Manafort worked closely with Yannukovych and hired a NYC legal team to help justify the jailing of Tymoshenko (see Van de Zwaan guilty plea.) russia-investigation-summary.com
So that’s where Trump’s pals got the idea to chant “lock her up.”
So that’s where Trump’s pals got the idea to chant “lock her up.”
3/ Also from Snyder: Putin dominates Russia by telling “lies so enormous that they can’t be doubted, because doubting them would mean doubting everything.”
For example, when Ukranians protested against Yannukovych, Putin’s press reported that the protesters were organized by...
For example, when Ukranians protested against Yannukovych, Putin’s press reported that the protesters were organized by...
4/. . .an LGBT group attempting a “homodoctatorship.” Thus, Trump uses another favorite of Putin and dictators everywhere: Outrageous lie + scapegoat a minority.
Trump also borrowed Whataboutism from Putin—one of Putin's favorite "propaganda tactics."
washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/styl…
Trump also borrowed Whataboutism from Putin—one of Putin's favorite "propaganda tactics."
washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/styl…
5/ Each time Trump tells an outrageous lie, lawyers & analysts explain the factual and legal errors, to knock down the lie.
Trump has everyone playing Whack-a-Mole.
But (have you noticed?) logic and facts don't work with Trump’s base.
Because they KNOW he's lying and don’t care.
Trump has everyone playing Whack-a-Mole.
But (have you noticed?) logic and facts don't work with Trump’s base.
Because they KNOW he's lying and don’t care.
6/ In the politics of “us” versus “them,” Trumpsters want to beat the liberals, and Trump will do that.
They’d rather have Trump’s authority than the liberalism dispensed in universities—which feels more oppressive to people with authoritarian tendencies.
They’d rather have Trump’s authority than the liberalism dispensed in universities—which feels more oppressive to people with authoritarian tendencies.
7/ Given what we know so far, “Witch Hunt!” & "No Collusion" are outrageous lies that are effective partly because they are outrageous.
But Trump doesn't seem to be preparing a traditional legal defense. In fact, he’s doing everything a competent lawyer would tell him NOT to do.
But Trump doesn't seem to be preparing a traditional legal defense. In fact, he’s doing everything a competent lawyer would tell him NOT to do.
8/ But Trump thinks he is going to win. @maggieNYT
reports that he feels like he’s “got this.”
Why? Because he’s on a roll with outrageous lies, which he’s coordinating with his media pals, and which his base is eating up and cheering on.
reports that he feels like he’s “got this.”
Why? Because he’s on a roll with outrageous lies, which he’s coordinating with his media pals, and which his base is eating up and cheering on.
9/ The purpose of the lies? To batter & destroy the “establishment,” including law enforcement, courts, libel laws—whatever Trump can’t control.
(IOW, Chapter 5 in How Democracies Die)
He'll "win" by becoming richer and more powerful. Just like Putin.
(IOW, Chapter 5 in How Democracies Die)
He'll "win" by becoming richer and more powerful. Just like Putin.
10/ @ThePlumLineGS (WaPo) emphasizes that there are two Mueller probes, the one presented on Fox and the one in the mainstream press.
washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-lin… …
The Fox story: Mueller is part of a deep state coup that corruptly refused to prosecute HRC.
washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-lin… …
The Fox story: Mueller is part of a deep state coup that corruptly refused to prosecute HRC.
11/ If enough people believe this, it won't matter what Mueller finds.
Warning: Lying isn't the most dangerous trick in Putin’s playbook.
Also, Trump isn't Nixon. He is not going to meekly resign when the investigation gets too close. For one thing. . .
Warning: Lying isn't the most dangerous trick in Putin’s playbook.
Also, Trump isn't Nixon. He is not going to meekly resign when the investigation gets too close. For one thing. . .
12/ For one thing, Nixon could retire to his estate. Trump can’t. Trump's “estate” is under siege by law enforcement. Besides, Trump is more dangerous than Nixon.
Do I think Trump will win? No, I don’t.
But we may have some very difficult times before this is over.
Do I think Trump will win? No, I don’t.
But we may have some very difficult times before this is over.
13/ So what do we do?
Win big in Nov. (Impeachment becomes possible, but removal needs 2/3 of the Senate. No POTUS has ever been removed)
Long term: Find a way to bridge the divide OR live with the fact that a dangerous 1/3 of the people will keep undermining our institutions.
Win big in Nov. (Impeachment becomes possible, but removal needs 2/3 of the Senate. No POTUS has ever been removed)
Long term: Find a way to bridge the divide OR live with the fact that a dangerous 1/3 of the people will keep undermining our institutions.
