S03.E03: Donald Trump

[Athena]

Leap year edition?!

 

Segments: Egyptian economic crisis, President Obama's attempts to close Guantanamo Bay, Donald Trump presidential campaign, 2016.

[OneWhoLurks]

Looks like the hats are selling for $17.50 at the HBO store: http://store.hbo.com/?v=hbo_trump-hats&ecid=PRF-HBO-803502&PA=PRF-HBO-803502

[teebax]

Looks like the hats are selling for $17.50 at the HBO store: http://store.hbo.com/?v=hbo_trump-hats&ecid=PRF-HBO-803502&PA=PRF-HBO-803502

Thanks for the link. Totally buying one of these babies.

[Lion]

Mr. Oliver and team have certainly outdone themselves tonight.  Hoping I wake up tomorrow and the segment is trending everywhere just in time for Super Tuesday.

Edited February 29, 2016 by Lion

[DrScottie]

 

Mr. Oliver and team have certainly outdone themselves tonight.  Hoping I wake up tomorrow and the segment is trending everywhere just in time for Super Tuesday.

I would hope so, but if there's anything we know thus far, it's that all of these obvious and correct criticisms and hypocrisies of Donald Drumpf are just ignored by his fans. He'll just call John Oliver a loser and a liar and that will be enough for his supporters.  

 

I don't think Drumpf believes much of any of the rhetoric he spouts. He knows it works, and he gets ratings and votes from it. I blame the media in part for their interest in turning Presidential debates into episodes of Jerry Springer and not taking the candidates to task.  They'd rather get 20 million viewers than have a rational discourse and discussion of issues to better inform the public. You know, their job.  

 

John Oliver correctly pointed out that he has been so inconsistent in his stances, we don't know what he actually would do as President. 

 

We do know one thing though: Mexico is not paying for that wall. 

[90PercentGravity]

I just ordered a hat, though I have my doubts that 17.50 is at cost.

Drumpf really is comically thinned skin.

[OneWhoLurks]

Last I checked, #MakeDonaldDrumpfAgain was trending at #2 behind #Oscars.

 

Drumpfinator Google Chrome app: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/drumpfinator/hcimhbfpiofdihhdnofbdlhjcmjopilp

[Jediknight]

I don't think amazing is a good enough word to describe that take down of Drumpf.

 

Had to love that even the Fox News people when Drumpf started talking about killing the terrorists' families, had looks on their faces that screamed "Oh my God, is this really happening?"

[TV-junkie]

This must be THE EPISODE even most GOP members in Congress can get behind.

Just read this report: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/28/us/politics/donald-trump-republican-party.html

 

Oh, and John's speech would have been even more effective if he dropped the mic at the end.

Other than that - let's see what Annoying Orange is really made of in the next few weeks.

 

Thank you, John, you are precious! 

[Victor the Crab]

Awesome destruction of the Drumpf by Ollie. Will it change people's minds about him in the primaries? Doubt it/ These people seem hell bent on making him the GOP nominee. But it should be required viewing for any independent voter out there who thinks the Drumpf is not as bad as Hillary Clinton come November.

[TV-junkie]

John's sermon is already on youtube: 

 

Please read the comments - the episode rattles the Drumpfians. Poor babies! ;-)

Edited February 29, 2016 by TV-junkie

[Mierin]

Re: The Youtube comments:  Awww, bless their heart!

[peeayebee]

Oh man. That was outstanding. Such a wonderful and well-rounded takedown of Drumpf. BTW, where did the Drumpf family come from? 

 

I would absolutely love it if Drumpf says he's going to sue John and HBO.

 

I need to decide which of the two hats I'm going to buy.

 

The rest of the show was great too. That Egyptian President is unbelievable. Actually, he reminds me of Drumpf.

 

I love you, John Oliver.

[Julia]

Oh man. That was outstanding. Such a wonderful and well-rounded takedown of Drumpf. BTW, where did the Drumpf family come from? 

 

Germany. His grandfather came to the US to make his fortune, and then since he ran out on military service during WW1 (it appears to be quite the family tradition) Germany wouldn't take him back. His wife founded the real estate empire after he died. Trump pretended to be swiss for years so he didn't have to talk about any of it.

 

The much more successful Heinz family comes from the same village.

[walnutqueen]

I would absolutely love it if Drumpf says he's going to sue John and HBO.

 

Because that worked so well for him when he sued Bill Maher.  ;-)

[Lion]

I'm almost disappointed Drumpf hasn't gone on a twitter tirade against Oliver.  Drumpf is disappointing me.  

[Traveller519]

It's not the trump supporters that bother me. It's the response of establishment Republican voters should he become the GOP candidate. Right now his supporters are 35-40% of the Republican party. I have to imagine the Ben Carson supporters and Tea Party (Cruz) supporters fall in line behind him if he becomes the candidate. That leaves the Rubio and Kasich supporters and I don't know what their response will be come the general. They're not going to want to vote for either candidate, but who will they hold their noses and vote for (or more likely vote against) or will they just stay home? If the GOP is committed to trying to take control of the White House the voting base will need to vote believing a Democratic president is worse than Trump. If they buy into that narrative, you've got your typical voting block, plus anyone who has been motivated to get out the vote by Trump, combine that with a smaller African American turn-out or less Democrat support (say a return to the 88% support levels of the Bush years, compared to the 97% support for Obama) and there may be enough to actually support him into the White House.

[Primetimer]

Surely this will be the segment that ends his candidacy once and for all! (Sigh.)

Read the story

[purplemonkey]

Re: the cost of the hat. Someone should ask Oliver if they are sweatshop free, etc. I would do it, but all my media accounts are under my real name, and I don't want to throw my hat (ha!) in the political ring there.

[Gulftastic]

Great take down of Drumpf. John was like a force of nature once he really got rolling.

 

And he didn't even have to resort to mentioning that here in the UK, the word 'trump' means 'fart'.

[dusang]

Great segment, although (as usual) the (YouTube) comments section makes me sad.

[trow125]

Trump pretended to be swiss for years so he didn't have to talk about any of it.

Actually, he pretended to be Swedish -- I was born in Sweden (yes, I'm an immigrant, but not one of those brown ones so I'm sure Trump would be OK with me living here) so I was very glad to hear he was German after all. From Wikipedia: "In a 1976 New York Times biographical profile, and again in Trump's 1987 book, The Art of the Deal, he incorrectly states that Frederick Trump was of Swedish origin, an assertion that Fred Trump had made for many years. Trump later acknowledged his German ancestry and served as grand marshal of the 1999 German-American Steuben Parade in New York City."

[Julia]

Actually, he pretended to be Swedish -- I was born in Sweden (yes, I'm an immigrant, but not one of those brown ones so I'm sure Trump would be OK with me living here) so I was very glad to hear he was German after all. From Wikipedia: "In a 1976 New York Times biographical profile, and again in Trump's 1987 book, The Art of the Deal, he incorrectly states that Frederick Trump was of Swedish origin, an assertion that Fred Trump had made for many years. Trump later acknowledged his German ancestry and served as grand marshal of the 1999 German-American Steuben Parade in New York City."

 

OK, thanks. I didn't remember well enough to be specific, and the article I found said Swiss. Not german, at any rate.

[sinkwriter]

I love John Oliver more than words can say.

I think one of my favorite parts was when he compared him to the gold-colored Sharpie (looks fancy/rich, but is really still a cheap tool).

That and the whole buildup to the very end point which is that all of these points about Trump will be a HUGE deal come January 2017, so - for the love of our entire planet - don't vote for this guy.

[represent]

Great take down of Drumpf. John was like a force of nature once he really got rolling.

And he didn't even have to resort to mentioning that here in the UK, the word 'trump' means 'fart'.

Awesome!  I was pretty close, because sometimes when I post on him, I refer to him as Dump. Had no idea I was pretty close to being on the right track. 

 

 

If the Democratic Party hasn't done this kind of research yet, this is a gift.

 

Trump later acknowledged his German ancestry and served as grand marshal of the 1999 German-American Steuben Parade in New York City."

 

Wonder "why" he didn't want to acknowledge it....

Yeah, exactly how did his father make all his money again? On the backs of who exactly, I do wonder now?

Who exactly did he do business with? Oh the many questions that are now swirling around in my mind. 

Edited February 29, 2016 by represent

[Lion]

Pretty amazing.  It's been trending on Twitter all day.  

[Nutjob]

That was incredible, and I'm a Republican. I am so embarrassed at the whole Drumpf debacle, and have been working tirelessly to try and get my friends/family to see that they are effectively being trolled by this douchenozzle, mostly to no avail. I guess I'll be sharing this on all my social media accounts to spread the word some more.

[Danny Franks]

That episode should be repeated on every channel in the USA from now until the general election. Donald Drumpf is an outright liar and charlatan, and all those people who support him are either as willfully blind to it as he is, or stupid. As John perfectly explained here, Drumpf is a fiction of a human being. He makes up whatever he wants to be true, at any given moment. Whether it's about his net wealth or about imaginary Muslims celebrating 9/11 in Jersey City. And as John says, it's tough to challenge him on it, because he is so barefaced with it that it's truly staggering.

 

I have to ask any American (or any other nationality) that honestly believes this guy is not a colossal buffoon who would make a America into the world's most dangerous joke, what the hell is wrong with you? But the trouble is, the people who support him actually probably agree with things like "you have to take out their families", so I guess that is what's wrong with them.

 

I'm about as left leaning as the average American could believe it's possible to be, and the idea of Drumpf as President scares me even more than someone like Cruz, or another Bush. He is just clearly and patently unsuitable to a job that requires intelligence, diplomacy, tact and good judgement. He just spouts whatever vitriolic nonsense there is in his head, like a drunk in a bar. And yes, I definitely understand the desire to thumb the nose at the political establishment. I understand how people feel betrayed and lied to and neglected by mainstream politicians. That's how Bernie Sanders and Jeremy Corbyn have risen to prominence. People want something different, they want to hear from someone who seems to be separate from political bickering and empty answers. But Drumpf is not that man.

 

I can only hope that John is the agent of change that your country needs to save itself. 

[Traveller519]

If Trump's impacts were to simply lead to re-shaping of American politics on the whole, I don't think it would be so bad. It would be some short term pain for long term gain. The real problem is that his foreign policy is so wonky and in-determinable there could be major worldwide repercussions before that ever had a chance of happening.

[spaceghostess]

I'm not confident this Emmy-worthy piece will turn votes away from Drumpf, but I'll be watching it countless more times today just to make myself feel better.

[tenativelyyours]

John's mention of him in regards to Wrestlemania had a lightbulb go off for me.  Because to me that is exactly what the Drumpf campaign is.  It is one of those over the top Wrestlemania bits and has crowds eating up. Crowds that will contain many that will admit they "know" it is fake but follow with all types of caveats.  And some where the events in that arena are as real as it gets. 

[TV-junkie]

Wow, 17,483 comments on youtube, almost 1.2 m clicks.

[sinkwriter]

 

If Trump's impacts were to simply lead to re-shaping of American politics on the whole, I don't think it would be so bad. It would be some short term pain for long term gain. The real problem is that his foreign policy is so wonky and in-determinable there could be major worldwide repercussions before that ever had a chance of happening.

 

I'm not a Republican so I've never been the right audience for Trump. Or most Republican candidates.

 

But I will say that at first (many, many months ago) I thought he was going over the top in some weird plot to make the actual Republican candidates look good so people would be all, "Well, I don't really like Jeb Bush but at least he's a sane choice in contrast to Donald Trump! And thank goodness we have Jeb (or Cruz, or fill in the Republican candidate here), so I don't have to vote for "whitewater" Hillary or for "socialist" Bernie! I'm going to vote for Jeb." And then when the Republicans won the election, Trump would be all, "I helped changed the face of politics. I asked the 'tough' questions. It is because of ME that the Republicans took back the White House..." blah blah blah, insert eyeroll here. I thought he was just trying to shake things up.

 

However, now he's gotten SO bad that I'm terrified he could actually win. That just cannot happen. It would be horrific for all the reasons John presented and more, and it makes me sick to my stomach at the very thought. He needs to lose and he needs to lose now. I don't even want him on the ticket as a possibility.

[KerleyQ]

Reading those YouTube comments, one person goes into this whole long drawn out explanation as to why they support him, attributing all this policy to him, and all I can think is "um, yeah, but, seem all Drumpf has said, aside from the whole wall thing, is that 'it'll be great.' He hasn't uttered a single word of actual policy."  These people are deluding themselves into thinking there's all this substance that they want to be there, but he's not bringing any substance to the table.  

[Julia]

I'm not a Republican so I've never been the right audience for Trump. Or most Republican candidates.

 

But I will say that at first (many, many months ago) I thought he was going over the top in some weird plot to make the actual Republican candidates look good so people would be all, "Well, I don't really like Jeb Bush but at least he's a sane choice in contrast to Donald Trump! And thank goodness we have Jeb (or Cruz, or fill in the Republican candidate here), so I don't have to vote for "whitewater" Hillary or for "socialist" Bernie! I'm going to vote for Jeb." And then when the Republicans won the election, Trump would be all, "I helped changed the face of politics. I asked the 'tough' questions. It is because of ME that the Republicans took back the White House..." blah blah blah, insert eyeroll here. I thought he was just trying to shake things up.

 

However, now he's gotten SO bad that I'm terrified he could actually win. That just cannot happen. It would be horrific for all the reasons John presented and more, and it makes me sick to my stomach at the very thought. He needs to lose and he needs to lose now. I don't even want him on the ticket as a possibility.

 

That's the bizarre part. I've heard from both Democrats and Republicans who are convinced that he's sucking the air out of the room on behalf of the opposing party, just because nobody can quite believe he's serious. It's worth noting that he's more than capable of doing this - and even likely to - because he's a small, sad man who is going to die railing at the unfairness of it all because nobody he wants respect from takes him seriously.

Edited February 29, 2016 by Julia

[peeayebee]

John's mention of him in regards to Wrestlemania had a lightbulb go off for me.  Because to me that is exactly what the Drumpf campaign is.  It is one of those over the top Wrestlemania bits and has crowds eating up. Crowds that will contain many that will admit they "know" it is fake but follow with all types of caveats.  And some where the events in that arena are as real as it gets. 

Funnily enough, there was an article that explains Trump's appeal via the wrestling analogy. Here's the article, from November. The writer references a French philosopher, Roland Barthes. Here are a couple of Barthes' quotes, where he compares wrestling and boxing:

 

This public knows very well the distinction between wrestling and boxing; it knows that boxing is a Jansenist sport, based on a demonstration of excellence. One can bet on the outcome of a boxing-match: with wrestling, it would make no sense. A boxing- match is a story which is constructed before the eyes of the spectator; in wrestling, on the contrary, it is each moment which is intelligible, not the passage of time… The logical conclusion of the contest does not interest the wrestling-fan, while on the contrary a boxing-match always implies a science of the future. In other words, wrestling is a sum of spectacles, of which no single one is a function: each moment imposes the total knowledge of a passion which rises erect and alone, without ever extending to the crowning moment of a result.

 

It is obvious that at such a pitch, it no longer matters whether the passion is genuine or not. What the public wants is the image of passion, not passion itself. There is no more a problem of truth in wrestling than in the theater.

 

[trow125]

That was incredible, and I'm a Republican. I am so embarrassed at the whole Drumpf debacle, and have been working tirelessly to try and get my friends/family to see that they are effectively being trolled by this douchenozzle, mostly to no avail. I guess I'll be sharing this on all my social media accounts to spread the word some more.

I would love to know if anybody actually changes their mind about Trump because of this clip, or anything else, to be honest. I have Republican relatives who would simply choose not to cast a vote in the presidential race if it was Trump vs. Clinton or Sanders, but others are backing Trump because (eye roll) he "speaks his mind," and I'm sure they wouldn't be willing to spend the 15 minutes watching John's marvelous takedown.

 

Nice to see that the clip is getting covered in Donald's ancestral homeland. 

[mojoween]

Not only was the takedown of Drumpf fucking fantastic, I love the shirt John was wearing.

Sadly, the people who need to be told the truth about ol' sausage fingers are not the people watching this show, yet again.

Fuck off, I'm eating a banana.

[sum]

If you have time to spare I recommend a documentary dealing with the same subject that was aired on Channel4 (UK) about a month ago. Just google 'The Mad World of Donald Trump'. It's done in a fairly similar tone but from a bit different angle, including a brief attempt at psychological analysis of some traits of him. I think it was equally effective, though those who watch LWT and frequent this thread may not need it.

Edited March 1, 2016 by sum

[dcalley]

he's a small, sad man who is going to die railing at the unfairness of it all because nobody he wants respect from takes him seriously.

From that, "[the] Trump family coat of arms — which he had to lobby Scotland’s heraldic authority to make official". Dammit, Scotland!

Edited March 1, 2016 by dcalley

[Jamoche]

We do know one thing though: Mexico is not paying for that wall. 

Make it "that fucking wall"!

 

Aw, the blue hat is sold out, but I got a Janice in Accounting shirt, which I totally need to wear to work.

[hoosier80]

Has the Drumpf really thought about what it means to be President?  I mean, he flits from project to project with the attention span of a gnat.  This isn't something he can give up when he tires of it in say a few months.  To think this snake oil salesman would have his little vienna sausage fingers anywhere near the 'red phone' or whatever they call the trigger for nukes is beyond frightening.  I keep hoping he'll tire of the whole deal and drop out.  Right now he's feeding off the adoration, but if shit goes badly, he'd drop it like a hot potato (here's hoping).

 

During a tour of NYC, our guide stopped at the one of Mr. Drumpf's buildings, because they had nice restrooms - her phrase was to take a Dump on Trump - er Dump on Drumpf.  

 

If he is so successful and wonderful, he can't get better hair?  A shallow point, but if I had even a mere few million, I'd sure as hell get better hair (and a better bronzer - orange is fruit not a skin color).

 

I love John Oliver.

[Danny Franks]

That's the bizarre part. I've heard from both Democrats and Republicans who are convinced that he's sucking the air out of the room on behalf of the opposing party, just because nobody can quite believe he's serious. It's worth noting that he's more than capable of doing this - and even likely to - because he's a small, sad man who is going to die railing at the unfairness of it all because nobody he wants respect from takes him seriously.

 

Honestly, I want to see what happens when Drumpf loses. Either the nomination or the election. It should be spectacular. But if he does lose the nomination, I could definitely see him attempting to put himself into the race as an independent candidate. He's promised he won't do that but, as John has demonstrated, that wouldn't stop him for one second.

 

I keep reading that Hillary will stomp Drumpf in the general election, but I fear that that complacency could be the ruin of everyone. She would need a high turnout, regardless, because I'm sure there are plenty of Republicans who would still vote for Drumpf over her, and especially over Sanders (because the scare tactics about socialism would hit overdrive, were he to win the Democratic nomination). In the UK, we have a government that was elected by about 30% of the electorate, because so many others just didn't bother voting, and they are seemingly hellbent on destroying this country.

 

Oh, and by the way, that chrome extension that John mentioned is great. Every time I see the word 'Drumpf' in an otherwise serious article about him, I laugh.

[Chaos Theory]

Drumpf is the Republican version of Hope and Change. They will have their hopes dashed pretty quickly and be bitter at how little actually does change.

I knows it's crazy and sick but there is a part of me that is curious at what mayhem he will create as president. Not that I ever want it to actually happen.

Edited March 1, 2016 by Chaos Theory

[DeLurker]

I'm almost disappointed Drumpf hasn't gone on a twitter tirade against Oliver.  Drumpf is disappointing me.  

If he wins, a lot of his supporters will eventually be feeling this.

 

Great take down of Drumpf. John was like a force of nature once he really got rolling.

 

And he didn't even have to resort to mentioning that here in the UK, the word 'trump' means 'fart'.

We need to send the UK a nice fruit basket or something as a show of our appreciation for sending/lending us John Oliver.  He's awesome.

 

Honestly, I want to see what happens when Drumpf loses. Either the nomination or the election. It should be spectacular

I, out of some sick sense of humor, want to see what happens if he wins.  Who will dare be his running mate?  And can the registered voters of the USA (collectively) be given a Darwin Award?

 

And Mexico will pay for that wall if Trump wins - just to keep US citizens from crossing the border.  Canada better put one up too.

[tenativelyyours]

What cracks me up the issue with Mexico, having just been there two weeks ago on business.  Is that I was there just two weeks ago on business.  For a client who is a private US manufacturing firm with factories all over world.  If I have my numbers right, here in the US they employ about 9,000 people.   In smaller parts shops in Europe and like the one in Mexico almost but not quite that number.

 

The issue that those jobs in the US rely in the jobs elsewhere is likely a given.  But the real kicker is when we went down to see two offices in Mexico, there were tons of companies in these business regions.  Tons.  US companies.  How thrilled are they going to be if Drumpf exercises his hyerbole better than he combs his hair?   For someone who claims to be such a savvy and knowledgeable business man he has no idea how our current economy is working. 

 

Speaking of which, if he is so determined to run because the nation is in such bad shape, where was his bloated Weeble-Like body with tiny hands in 2008?  You know?  Nation mired in wars, banks, failing, homes repossessed.  No health care for more than forty million and the cost for small business owners one of the chief proponents in bankruptcy and closure.  The auto industry on the verge of collapse.  Where was the Drumpf scion then?  Why didn't he run then?  There was no incumbent.   He could have stepped in to fix all the stuff which he blamed tons of things on Bush II for the five seconds he thought Jeb Bush was a threat.  Before going back to his original spiel of how bad Obama was and how he going to make "great". 

Edited March 1, 2016 by tenativelyyours

[Julia]

I'm a little confused about the feeling of inevitability people seem to be having about this. So far, less than half of the party with the lower registration (at a time when voters are more and more not registering with a party at all) are voting for the man. I understand why the news channels are running with it - they have ads to sell - but I genuinely don't see a path to the White House for someone who will never disclose his financials and almost certainly would be stopped by the banks who own him from separating himself from his holdings. 

[zxy556575]

I knows it's crazy and sick but there is a part of me that is curious at what mayhem he will create as president. Not that I ever want it to actually happen.

 

Considering your name, I believe it. ;)

[sacrebleu]

 

Honestly, I want to see what happens when Drumpf loses. Either the nomination or the election. It should be spectacular. But if he does lose the nomination, I could definitely see him attempting to put himself into the race as an independent candidate.

That's easy. If he loses- it's not his fault, somebody didn't play fair, the 'system' screwed' him out of what was rightfully his. He would never acknowledge a failure-- even when asked about the many many lawsuits over Drumpf University-- he continues to say it was a success, that 90 percent of attendees rated it favorably. 

 

You'll notice he learned from the mistakes the McCain/Palin ticket made. There are no sit down interviews where a reporter could press him, or edit his responses. He only agrees to live interviews, where if he doesn't like the question, he pivots to talk about his success, his popularity, his poll numbers. On Meet the Press, he ate up so much time talking about the opening of his DC hotel-- Chuck Todd didn't have time to ask follow-up questions when Drumpf clearly was dodging.

[FartyPants]

You'll notice he learned from the mistakes the McCain/Palin ticket made. There are no sit down interviews where a reporter could press him, or edit his responses. He only agrees to live interviews, where if he doesn't like the question, he pivots to talk about his success, his popularity, his poll numbers. On Meet the Press, he ate up so much time talking about the opening of his DC hotel-- Chuck Todd didn't have time to ask follow-up questions when Drumpf clearly was dodging.

 

He also does not seem to do small meet and greet type of events. All of his events seem to be a big rally type of event, where he rambles on and leaves without any personal discussions. (Or may be media only shows those and does not show any small ones)