There's nothing "delusional" about Donald Trump's conspiracy theories. They are working

[Nevilledog]

Link to tweet

Tweet text:
Amanda Marcotte
@AmandaMarcotte
Trump’s latest conspiracy theory, that he’ll be “reinstated” in August, isn’t delusional. It is working exactly as intended: To rally Republicans to his side and advance his anti-democratic agenda.

There's nothing "delusional" about Donald Trump's conspiracy theories. They are working
Trump's conspiracy theories aren't delusional, they are aspirational — and so far, they are working for him
salon.com
10:21 AM · Jun 4, 2021

https://www.salon.com/2021/06/04/theres-nothing-delusional-about-donald-trumps-conspiracy-theories-they-are-working/

"Delusion." "Off the chart bonkers." "Insane." "Objectively nuts." These are some of the terms that pundits — both on the left and on the right — are using to describe Donald Trump's reported belief that he will be "reinstated" as president in August, a belief that is tied to the growing enthusiasm in QAnon circles for a Myanmar-style coup d'état.

It's a comforting story: that Trump is a doddering fool who is lost in a pathetic fantasy. After all, there is no process to "reinstate" a former president. Moreover, the people who Trump is clearly getting this idea from are total kooks like his former lawyer Sidney Powell and pillow salesman Mike Lindell. And Trump himself is the "inject bleach" guy, no one's model for rigorous empirical thinking.

Unfortunately, this is one of those situations where it's unwise to underestimate Donald Trump.

It's true, of course, that there is no pathway (outside of a true military coup, which Trump is almost certainly not up to organizing) that would oust Joe Biden and install Trump in the White House within three months. But after all of this time, one would hope that U.S. punditry would grasp the fact that Trump's conspiracy theories are often not so much literal as they are aspirational.

*snip*

[Andy823]

1. Just as long as

it gets his "cult" to send him millions in donations, it's working! If they stop with the money, then what?

[soothsayer]

2. Except... it's just so hard to know what he believes

Does he knowingly lie first and then come to believe it?

Does he knowingly lie and keep on lying?

Does he believe it from the beginning since his frail ego can’t handle the truth?

Supposedly he’s been asking trusted associates if it’s possible for him to get reinstated in august or whatever. So... does that mean he sort of believes it?

But —as one tweet noted, he can’t even get himself reinstated on Facebook.

[Mad_Machine76]

5. Based on what CNN is reporting

He seems legitimately interested in the idea that he might be "re-instated" in August and how, so much so that his aides and political allies are "desperately" trying to discourage that line of thinking. Suggests to me that he is at least seriously entertaining that "idea"

[joetheman]

3. Only because the "delusion" keeps being reported in the media. nt

[brush]

4. It's not working. There are no procedures taking place to re-install him. It's a false delusion...

that makes him feel good, hopeful. He's floating it out there like a "to God's ear" wish that maybe his supporters will hear it and somehow make it happen.

It won't.

[ProfessorGAC]

6. Agreed!

Conveniently, they don't really define what "working" means.
There's nothing realm working, and yes, he is delusional.