By John Q. Hosedrinker 
During the Biden administration, a debate arose regarding the prosecution of Donald Trump, with some advocating for accountability and others prioritizing due process. This latter group, including figures in the legal and academic fields, largely influenced the administration’s approach. Consequently, law enforcement displayed reluctance in pursuing charges and trials were delayed, allowing Trump to potentially benefit politically from the delays. The article argues that this leniency has emboldened Trump, enabling his actions, and suggesting a slide towards authoritarianism. The author asserts that the hesitancy to hold Trump accountable, which is viewed as a lack of spine and cowardly, may pave the way for future demagogues.
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Turns Out Appeasing Trump Only Emboldened Him. It’s almost comical, isn’t it? The idea that giving in to someone who thrives on power and attention would somehow lead to them becoming *less* demanding, *less* aggressive, is… well, it’s mind-boggling. The comments here hit the nail on the head, really. The whole “appeasement” strategy, as history has repeatedly shown us, is a disaster when dealing with individuals like this. It’s like trying to reason with a toddler mid-tantrum by giving them whatever they want. It just reinforces the behavior.
The reactions are all variations on the same theme: “Duh!” The shock and surprise are entirely absent. It’s a familiar pattern, playing out again. From the earliest days of his political career, it was clear he operated by testing boundaries and pushing limits. Every concession, every compromise, every time he wasn’t challenged, was seen as a victory, a green light to go further. The media, so often accused of being biased, also played a role, feeding his ego with every headline, every mention, every bit of airtime.
It’s not just about Trump, either. It’s about the system, and the people within it. The institutions that should have acted as guardrails – the press, the legal system, even his own party – often failed to do their job. They were paralyzed by fear, by a desire to maintain the status quo, or simply by a lack of courage. This created a vacuum, and as history shows, those vacuums are easily filled by those with the will to power. The parallels to other historical figures who leveraged power are glaring, and it’s a stark reminder of how quickly things can unravel when principles are compromised.
The consistent message is that freedom and democracy require strength to defend them, and in this case, that strength was conspicuously absent. To reiterate the point, it’s like the playground bully. You give them what they want once, and they’ll be back the next day demanding more. This isn’t rocket science. It’s basic human psychology. He’s literally every bully you’ve encountered since kindergarten.
The cycle of appeasement didn’t begin with Trump, of course. There’s always the tendency to try and avoid conflict, to “keep the peace” at any cost. But as the comments make clear, this approach simply doesn’t work with someone who is inherently driven by ego, and who is determined to win at all costs. The more you concede, the more they demand. The more attention you give them, the stronger their position becomes.
The frustration of those who saw this coming is palpable. From the earliest days of his campaign, there was a chorus of voices warning of what was to come. Those warnings were often dismissed, ridiculed, or ignored. But now, as we’re witnessing the fallout, the truth is unavoidable. This behavior, this constant need for affirmation and control, is a textbook example of a malignant narcissist at work. And the only thing that truly works against them is to not give them what they want.
The comparison to historical precedents, particularly the actions leading up to World War II, is unavoidable. The echoes of Chamberlain are deafening. Every attempt to placate, every concession made in the name of peace, only emboldened those who sought power and domination. It’s the same pattern, the same tragic results. How many times does history have to repeat itself before we finally learn the lesson?
The comments also highlight the importance of recognizing the warning signs. He craves attention, he operates by intimidation, and he consistently disregards rules and norms. The idea that he would somehow change, that he would become more reasonable or less demanding if only he was given what he wanted, was a fantasy. Instead, what we’ve seen is a deepening of those traits, a further entrenchment of his power.
It’s a simple truth: The time to confront an authoritarian is always now. Delaying the inevitable, hoping for the best, only makes the situation worse. It is not enough to just say “no.” It requires action. It requires standing up to bullying. It requires a collective will to defend the principles of freedom and democracy.
Ultimately, it is clear that appeasement is a failed strategy. He is a classic example of how giving someone an inch allows them to take a mile. The fact that some people are surprised is, frankly, surprising in itself. It’s a lesson learned (or re-learned) the hard way. And the consequences, as we are seeing today, are profound.