By John Q. Hosedrinker 
President Trump’s sudden cancellation of a bill aimed at lowering housing costs, coupled with an unexpected demand for voter suppression legislation, blindsided his own advisors and Republican lawmakers. This decision highlighted a prioritization of disenfranchising voters over addressing economic hardship. Salon’s Amanda Marcotte attributes this action to Trump’s narcissism, suggesting it could ultimately backfire on Republicans as they navigate this political maneuver.
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It seems there’s been a lot of discussion around Donald Trump’s alleged plot to rig midterm elections, with many feeling it was so egregious that even members of his own party were taken aback. The idea is that Trump, instead of focusing on policy that might help everyday Americans, openly prioritized actions designed to disenfranchise voters. This move, apparently, was supposed to be a shocking departure from the norm, even for a Republican party often accused of bending to Trump’s will.
However, a significant portion of the conversation suggests that this supposed shock within the GOP is largely performative, or perhaps a misinterpretation of their reaction. Many point out that Republicans have, time and again, fallen back in line with Trump, even after statements or actions that seemed incredibly concerning. The argument is that those who support Trump, or the Republican party in general, shouldn’t be surprised by his actions or his intentions, as he’s been vocal about wanting to maintain power and influence election outcomes for a considerable time.
Indeed, some recall Trump’s past comments and even merchandise that seemed to hint at an indefinite stay in office or a desire to control election results. The events of January 6th are also brought up as a stark reminder of the lengths to which some are willing to go to overturn election results. There’s a sentiment that the media sometimes sensationalizes these revelations, presenting them as new when the underlying patterns have been evident for years.
The specific mention of “pushing SAVE in everything he does” suggests that this isn’t a sudden outburst but a consistent agenda. To frame it as a brand-new development or a sudden shift in focus seems to miss the ongoing nature of these political tactics. The repeated emphasis on voter suppression, rather than economic relief, is seen by some as a fundamental reveal of priorities.
The notion of Trump being “shocked” by his own revelations or the GOP being “shocked” by his willingness to be so open about it is met with a degree of cynicism. For those who have followed Trump’s political career, his actions and statements are often predictable. The idea that he would prioritize voter suppression over addressing economic hardship is not seen as surprising, but rather a consistent pattern of behavior driven by a narcissistic desire to control outcomes.
Some believe the real shock, if any, wasn’t that Trump *wants* to rig elections, but that he would so openly *admit* to it or that his plans would be laid bare in such a public manner. The focus on voter ID laws, for instance, is seen as a continuation of a long-standing strategy, not a new or shocking plot. The phrase “zero MAGA fucks were ‘shocked’ at all” captures this sentiment that his base is either in agreement or unfazed.
There’s a strong belief that Trump’s actions are driven by a desire for power and control, and that his past behavior, such as the infamous call to the Georgia Secretary of State, directly illustrates this. The argument is that if he believes he can manipulate outcomes, he will. The current political climate, with a perceived lack of strong opposition from Democrats and a compliant GOP, is seen as enabling this behavior.
The critique of the headline and the framing of the event suggests that it’s not about a novel, vile plot, but about the continued and brazen pursuit of strategies that have been in motion for a while. The headline, from this perspective, is seen as sensationalist and not reflective of the reality that many have long suspected or observed. The idea that Trump “hates America” and only cares about his own power and wealth is a recurring theme in this critique.
The notion that the GOP is “pretending to be shocked” while having no actual moral qualms about voter suppression is also prevalent. The argument is that the GOP’s focus shifts from the *idea* of voter suppression to Trump’s *method* of announcing it – his ego-driven need to reveal his strategies. This suggests a deeper, shared agenda within the party, with Trump simply being more transparent about the execution.
The recurring theme is that this isn’t new behavior. Trump has, in the past, made statements about not having to vote if he wins, and many believe he’s consistently tried to rig elections because that’s how he operates. The criticism extends to the media for presenting this as news and to Democrats for potentially not putting up enough of a fight. This cyclical pattern, some fear, will continue to weaken the country.
Ultimately, the consensus among many commenters is that Trump’s alleged plot to rig the midterms, while potentially egregious, is not surprising. It’s seen as a continuation of his established patterns of behavior, driven by a relentless pursuit of power. The “shock” is less about the nature of the plot itself and more about the audacity with which it’s allegedly being pursued and the lack of significant pushback from those who might be expected to offer it. The Republican party, in this view, is not truly shocked but rather complicit or strategically silent, while Trump, the perpetual self-server, continues his quest for absolute control.