Trump wants to call the Straits of Hormuz ‘Trump Straits’ 🙄

That's very accurate Dickens

Fallingstar

Imaround you would think that voters who support Farage et al would look at what is happening in the US with Trump and rather vote for a stuffed parrot than Reform but there is no accounting for how voters mind’s work or don’t work.

Although Trump and Farage espouse the same politics, I think it's a mistake to lump them together.

Farage is more articulate, more intelligent, more self-aware, more cunning, and isn't given to delivering long, rambling, nonsensical monologues and... as far as I know - doesn't do the toe-curling dad-dancing at the end of any meetings, rallies or conferences.

Also, Farage supporters are not a homogenous group, are they... he has some wealthy (maybe very wealthy though I'm not sure he still has the approval of Musk) backers, and his market-led ideology will also suit some of those voters whose main priority is protecting their wealth/income. Also, in spite of Labour's success in reducing the number of small-boat arrivals in 2026 - this is not felt 'on the streets', especially in deprived areas, so his anti-immigrant stance is a powerful (if fanciful in reality) part of Reform's appeal.

I just don't believe you can dismiss Farage/Reform voters as a group of people who can't think for themselves and need us to do it for them. I'm pretty sure he has his supporters - like Trump - who are well aware of his failings and alleged dodgy-dealings, but will vote for him anyway because he will, or suggests he intends to, protect their interests. In an uncertain world and economic climate, this is a powerful pull.

The 'scapegoat argument' doesn't I believe have much impact on people's thinking - suggesting that Reform will target other groups - well, it already has - doesn't work because possibly no-one sees themselves as part of that group?

I remember some time ago a woman attacking a Tory spokesman on "Question Time", having given the party her support, she discovered that the legitimate benefit she was in receipt of was going to be reduced. She voted for their 'tough-stance' on 'benefit-culture', but, as she said to the spokesman, "I didn't think you meant people like me"...

I saw some of the 'welcome' signs the Irish had prepared for him.

His treatment of women journalists is appalling - the male journalists who are present are obviously too scared to stand up to him. Did you see some of the photos of trump meeting the Irish President yesterday? She is apparently very left wing and despises him. He looks like he was chewing on a wasp!

I suppose he'll claim he has a mandate from Almighty God himself to do all this to "Make America Great Again".

I feel almost sorry for the person following on from this creature: they will have the monumental task of dismantling all these artefacts and tin-pot 'monuments' he's constructing with his name on and in his name, including repairing and restoring the East Wing of The White House which he completely demolished to build his Ballroom/Throne Room.

And there's all those miles of gold gilt he's plastered all over the interior - I saw an tv interview he did, about a month ago, and he was being his usual diplomatic self to the journalist trying to question him. The walls were thick with gold paint as could have befitted the late Colonel Gadaffi......

It’s a wonder he hasn’t called for Scotland to be called Trump Land. After all he has a golf course there.

Best option, Impeachment.

Fallingstar

How did Trump happen?
I mean how does anyone support this awful man??
He can’t even speak to people.
There is nothing normal or right about this.
Last week he was putting the flag of America over Iceland on his social media site and the leader of Iceland was incensed.
I just don’t get it.

No, I don't get it either Fallingstar, he is completely off his head, I just can't understand how anybody can admire or support him. He has absolutely no redeeming qualities at all and is getting more unstable on a daily basis.

How did Trump happen?
I mean how does anyone support this awful man??
He can’t even speak to people.
There is nothing normal or right about this.
Last week he was putting the flag of America over Iceland on his social media site and the leader of Iceland was incensed.
I just don’t get it.

🤬

imaround

Commonground

I'm sitting here open mouthed, he just called the Irish "vicious bastards "

Well he’s got away with saying he was at ground zero on 9/11. He opens his mouth; he lies. And people now just regard it as the norm.

I was very surprised the BBC made no mention of it afterwards.

Trump really knows how to make friends! Going to someone's country and calling them vicious bastards is so diplomatic.

Commonground

I'm sitting here open mouthed, he just called the Irish "vicious bastards "

I don't believe in karma or a higher power, so I don't think we've done anything to deserve it.
There are evil men and some manage to climb to powerful positions.
I managed to shock myself a few months back. As I watched a report about something he'd said or done, I actually said aloud to my dogs (I live alone) "That's nothing a bullet between the eyes wouldn't solve"
As soon as I'd said it I felt ashamed of myself. I've been described as a liberal, lefty pacifist and I wouldn't disagree with that description.

Commonground

I just turned on the tv and there he is, making a speech in Ireland.
I've listened for about 10 minutes and the foremost thought in my mind is "How the hell do the folks in the audience stay awake?"
That droning voice spouting the same old bullshit, going on and on and on........
Unbelievable that anyone could even contemplate voting for him.

I said to my partner ‘ what have we all done to have this man inflicted upon us’. He’s stirring up trouble in The Falklands and now Ireland. What right has he got to do that.

JenniRen

nanna8

Roll on the United States of Britain. You need to reclaim your territory to save the people from insanity.

Donny already owns parts of Scotland.
The Trump Estate and Trumpberry.

And look at how he treated the local people in Scotland when he created his golf course there .

I'm sitting here open mouthed, he just called the Irish "vicious bastards "

I just turned on the tv and there he is, making a speech in Ireland.
I've listened for about 10 minutes and the foremost thought in my mind is "How the hell do the folks in the audience stay awake?"
That droning voice spouting the same old bullshit, going on and on and on........
Unbelievable that anyone could even contemplate voting for him.

In a way it's clear to me. its whether people read and have enough information to make decisions, and even then...

Not knocking my NN at all, she's a nice lady, but I know she doesnt go online and gets only the DM and watches GB TV or soaps. Now nothing wrong with that - unless they are your only source of information.

And again, even if informed....for example, people told and shown proof as in reliable sources that the incoming irregular migration is 43/ down.
And they refuse to believe it, it doesn't fit their inner narratives of how things actually are.

I was at an international Quaker Zoom last night and it being the awful sad anniversary of 9/11 discussion turned to matters USA. And comments on Trump as in whinging manipulative and bribing lies...

And its the similarity in tone that strikes me: if someone points out your re doing someone/lying/illegal then turn it around to Blame - remove the complainants, whinge about how they are getting at you, faux dignity - the works, just a far lesser degree than Trump, but to keep under observation - hard, clear, observation.

Imaround you would think that voters who support Farage et al would look at what is happening in the US with Trump and rather vote for a stuffed parrot than Reform but there is no accounting for how voters mind’s work or don’t work.

I think of Farage as a mini Trump.

Trump is going to Ireland this wkd for the golf, apparently 1 in 10 Americans say they have Irish heritage.
Watch out Ireland.

greyfur16

Perhaps Trump supporters would care to offer their insights?

I think they've left the building...

Perhaps Trump supporters would care to offer their insights?

Dickens

I've read comments from people on SM sites saying that they wished Trump could be "our leader" as he'd "sort things out" here in the UK. Also heard one or two suggest we need "someone like him" to 'take charge'.

I never assume that those with an opposing view to my own are lacking in the IQ department but I'd definitely make an exception here.

Of course, we have Farage - and I think he's shifty and devious... but he's not stupid. If he were to start rambling inarticulately and metaphorically continually patting himself on the back in the way that Trump does, I believe that even his erstwhile followers would start backing away.

I think and hope I'm right that there's something in the British 'psyche' that's quite different to that in our American cousins.

I am watching Reforms popularity in the UK and am horrified. I am hoping you all don't end up like we are.