Ok, so all of you who think we need a Trump here.... what is it that appeals?

I think you will find the main reason for people in the UK supporting Trump is because he is brutal when it comes to immigration . That’s it. They seem ready to ignore his associations with the alt right, his many convictions, and his preposterous claims to want to purchase Greenland and take over Canada. Am pretty sure that anything and everything will be ignored in favour of his stance on immigration.
And this is a man whose mother arrived in the US on a boat from Scotland and who shares the US with very many immigrants of all nationalities. Only native Americans are indigenous and funnily enough they populated Mexico as well, so Mexicans are actually more American than Trump et al.

theworriedwell

gulligranny

Whatever else he is or isn't, he is a proud patriot and that is very appealing to his voter base. I only wish we had the same, as I'm sick of this country being talked down by the current government, which I would never have voted for in a million years.

Such a patriot that he was insulting about a truly brave patriot who didn't try to avoid military service because of his flat feet. John McCain was twice the man and ten times the patriot that Trump is.

Talk is cheap.

Yes, Trump is such a true patriot (god, I hate that word)

When President Donald Trump canceled a visit to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, near Paris, in 2018, he blamed rain for the last-minute decision, saying that “the helicopter couldn’t fly” and that the Secret Service wouldn’t drive him there. Neither claim was true.

Trump rejected the idea of the visit because he feared his hair would become disheveled in the rain, and because he did not believe it important to honor American war dead, according to four people with firsthand knowledge of the discussion that day. In a conversation with senior staff members on the morning of the scheduled visit, Trump said, “Why should I go to that cemetery? It’s filled with losers.” In a separate conversation on the same trip, Trump referred to the more than 1,800 marines who lost their lives at Belleau Wood as “suckers” for getting killed.

Is this your idea of a proud patriot? It isn't mine

I think part of the admiration we feel for Trump is that he seems so definite about things. Our own politicians are so afraid to express their true feelings, we just don't know where they stand on important matters.
Also our government(s) just don't seem to care about this country or the wishes of the British people. Once they are in power, they follow their own personal agenda.
Our history, our culture, our traditions don't seem to matter to most of them.
Those of us who do care are sick of being ridiculed and condemned for complaining about the decline in everything. People who live in traditional English towns and villages are having foreign cultures forced on them, changing the whole atmosphere of our country.
We are sick of being ignored.

gulligranny

Whatever else he is or isn't, he is a proud patriot and that is very appealing to his voter base. I only wish we had the same, as I'm sick of this country being talked down by the current government, which I would never have voted for in a million years.

There are many things to criticise this current government for, but talking down the country is not one of them. I would say that the talking down is being done by the critics.

GrannyGravy13

HousePlantQueen there was a thread started earlier in the week asking the exact same question (not by you I know)

It got taken down.

was there? I didn't see it, although I have read an awful lot of threads where Trump is supported.

But I do wonder why the question is put in the first place?
Most people have no intention of changing their minds.
And will just ridicule others, either their ideas or the person, of those who disagree with them.

It is so easy to see why polls get things wrong.
Even people when asked things lke this face to face, deny.
Who wants that hassle?

gulligranny

Whatever else he is or isn't, he is a proud patriot and that is very appealing to his voter base. I only wish we had the same, as I'm sick of this country being talked down by the current government, which I would never have voted for in a million years.

Such a patriot that he was insulting about a truly brave patriot who didn't try to avoid military service because of his flat feet. John McCain was twice the man and ten times the patriot that Trump is.

Talk is cheap.

Freya5

Have any of you actually listened to Farage, or Trump for that matter.
I heard Farage answer questions, one from a smug bespectacled journo, whose arms crossed all the time,not defensive then was he?. Farage answered clearly, calmly with passion. Unlike our wooden pm. Even disputed what the bespectacled one was trying to shout over him, re immigration of course, answered every question without starmers and the rest of the Labour Party deflecting as they always do, they never answer a direct question properly.
I even listened to Trump, "love him, or hate him, he does as he says, gets things done" American journalist on CNN.

That Trump “ gets things done “ is a fallacy .
His first Presidency he only did a 1/3 of what he promised . The wall was only built in the smallest of fractions and Mexico certainly didn’t pay for it . Yes, he signed a bunch of paperwork . Will it get implemented ? Already companies like Costco are rejecting his DEI platform . He has signed a ridiculous paper trying to rescind the right to be American if you were born there which is in our Constitution . It has already been blocked by a judge . The less fortunate of the Republicans will find that he also rescinded the right to cheaper meds and medical care . They are also finding out they may be losing their jobs to drastic cuts in the government .
Many will soon find out the real benefits will go to the billionaires on the backs of middle and lower income population . I am not sure what the appeal is except that som GN take his bluster as truth . He has few people that are competent in the new government and soon chaos will reign just like his first administration .

I wouldnt call myself a Trump supporter. Definitely not.
And pretty sure I have barely metnioned him at all on GN.

There are a few aspects of what he says that I like.

Well probably 3?

1. Make America great again.
So long as he doesnt go too far.
I almost feel sickened how far from that we are in this Country, and in a lot of European Countries.
Any one would think[and I do sometimes] that that is one of the last things on those Leaders' minds.

2.Uncontrolled immigration.
Not going to go round any usual circles and questions on that subject.

3. Energy.
See numer 1 as well, for that really.

No, I dont know all ins and outs.
But as like any voter, I dont have to.
And also, as I have said before I am a floating voter.
I dont expect people who always vote for the same party for decades, to have the same ideas and concerns as I do.

Whatever else he is or isn't, he is a proud patriot and that is very appealing to his voter base. I only wish we had the same, as I'm sick of this country being talked down by the current government, which I would never have voted for in a million years.

I can't understand it either.
I even wonder if the GNers who sound like normally empathetic people are being coerced in some way?
They want to believe the rubbish he spouts. But why? I don't know.
They would probably support Putin if they were Russian, Netanyahu if Israeli, and so on. There's quite an array of far right dictators, or would be dictators, to choose from 😞

I am guessing (I dont know the breakdown of voters by class in the states) that like the labour party the democrats are perceived as the party of the middle class - that can have its consequences.

HousePlantQueen there was a thread started earlier in the week asking the exact same question (not by you I know)

It got taken down.

Todays humour - (BBC live feed)

"And while warning of "trillions of dollars" in tariffs on foreign imports, Trump says Canada could become a US state to avoid them"

Todays awfulness about womens health, despite Trump appearing to be OK on some abortion rights before the election"
Donald Trump has pardoned 23 anti-abortion activists, including some convicted of blockading a reproductive health clinic and intimidating staff and patients

and is expected later on Friday to address via videolink America's largest annual anti-abortion rally March for Life in Washington DC. Lets see his true colours by what he says.

Galaxy

I think the question should be why were the democrats so off putting that people would rather have voted for Trump.

Yes, I agree that is an important point. The Democrats left Biden in office too late, and there never really was the time to imbed Harris as a viable candidate ( if she ever was). I can see the attraction of a candidate who wants to put your country first, but I just cannot understand supporting a man who is prepared to dismiss the laws of your country if they do not suit him.

I am sorry if you think this is a 'thread with one aim' GG13, but over the past couple of weeks we have been bombarded with antagonistic and provocative threads criticising everything that Starmer has done, blaming for everything that has gone wrong, and many of those same posters have lauded Trump and said that they would like to see a leader with his 'qualities'. Surely it is not unreasonable that the Trump supporters share their reasons for this.

I heard Farage answer questions, one from a smug bespectacled journo
disputed what the bespectacled one was trying to shout over him

I’ve never seen “bespectacled” used as a derogatory adjective before, Freya5. 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

Some of the thugs,nit if the though.

I can't understand the mentality of people who want Trump to be Prime Minister.
Why would they want a racist, who talks about his proud boys and who pardoned some if the though who took part in the insurrection. I think the morals of his supporters is questionable.

I think what Trump, Farage, Musk all have in common is an unwavering belief that they are right, and . and many people (not me) believe that they will get things done..

They also have the ability to rebuff any criticism with ease.

It doesn't seem to matter how harmful their policies will be to progressive policies..or how many people will suffer as a result.

Some people are always attracted by those who seem sure and have self-belief.

Myself I think history shows us how very dangerous that can be.

But, not withstanding the man personally, there is something a bit satisfying about watching the people who habitually ignore others, shout them down and denigrate them, getting a taste of their own medicine; at a loss because their usual tactics don’t work on someone more ntolerant than themselves 🤔

I think the question should be why were the democrats so off putting that people would rather have voted for Trump.

I agree - no idea what Trump’s appeal might be. I’m feeling very afraid for vulnerable people in the US and for the wider consequences for the world with him as President.

He delivers for his voter-base, or talks the talk of doing so. Many people admire that without endorsing what he does.

Have any of you actually listened to Farage, or Trump for that matter.
I heard Farage answer questions, one from a smug bespectacled journo, whose arms crossed all the time,not defensive then was he?. Farage answered clearly, calmly with passion. Unlike our wooden pm. Even disputed what the bespectacled one was trying to shout over him, re immigration of course, answered every question without starmers and the rest of the Labour Party deflecting as they always do, they never answer a direct question properly.
I even listened to Trump, "love him, or hate him, he does as he says, gets things done" American journalist on CNN.

Well, I’ve got my cuppa and feet up waiting to read how great Mr Trump is.. I’ll send out for popcorn and ice-cream later.