By John Q. Hosedrinker 
President Trump is reportedly frustrated that his tactics have failed to sway Senate Democrats to end the government shutdown. He had anticipated a swift resolution, believing that drastic measures such as firing federal workers would force Democrats to concede. However, the shutdown persists, with Democrats demanding the extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies, while Republicans are accused of holding SNAP benefits hostage. Despite legal rulings mandating continued SNAP funding, Trump has expressed confusion on how to comply, and ordered his lawyers to clarify how the government can legally provide these benefits.
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Trump Baffled That Dems Aren’t Caving to His Demands
It seems that Trump is genuinely baffled by the Democrats’ current stance. His political playbook appears to be built on two primary strategies: bullying those he perceives as weaker and cozying up to those he sees as stronger. The “art of the deal,” as he calls it, seems to crumble when faced with resistance. This is because, in his mind, those he bullies are supposed to cave. When they don’t, his strategy fails. Many people are surprised by the Democrats’ newfound backbone, as they have often been more yielding in the past. It’s a complete shock to his system.
Apparently, Trump’s core misunderstanding of the situation stems from his fundamental belief that he’s the ultimate decider. His mindset, believing himself to be the CEO of America, is the very thing that makes him an ineffective leader. He seems unable to grasp that people eventually see through lies, no matter how often they’re repeated. His constant stream of fabrications, his “maga propaganda firehose,” is losing its appeal. He seems confused about why the Democrats aren’t falling in line. The situation is complicated because the Democrats don’t really have much left to lose. They’ve recognized that working with Republicans, especially with Trump at the helm, is a losing strategy for everyone.
His actions are often baffling to others as well. Trump’s demands are presented with the expectation of immediate compliance. When Democrats stand firm, it’s a completely unexpected outcome. He seems to be operating on a historical record of Democratic compromise, not realizing that things have shifted. Some wonder if this bewilderment is genuine or perhaps a manifestation of confusion. There’s speculation that his failure to understand comes from a lack of foresight that may include the early signs of dementia. Some feel this is the first time Democrats haven’t just folded.
It is worth noting that the Democrats seem to have recognized that the path forward is to stand firm. Trump has repeatedly made it clear that he will not honor any agreements. The Republicans, it would appear, are now in a precarious position. Their plan was to cause pain. It’s difficult to gauge the amount of pain the people are willing to endure. The Democrats lose nothing by holding their ground. If Democrats don’t give in, voters will know exactly who caused the consequences. The GOP will eventually be forced to negotiate.
Ultimately, Trump’s inability to comprehend why others would defy him boils down to a fundamental lack of understanding of values beyond personal gain. He doesn’t seem to grasp that some things, like standing up for the average American, are worth more than any deal he could make. He is seemingly incapable of understanding that he serves all citizens, not just those who support him. He doesn’t seem to recognize that others aren’t simply motivated by the same desires he is.