Trump Labels Democrats “Terrorist-Supporting” in Sycophantic Poll

Last updated on: January 9, 2020 at 9:17 am by Libby Anne

Trump Labels Democrats “Terrorist-Supporting” in Sycophantic Poll 2020-01-09T09:17:35-04:00 Libby Anne

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I’m old enough to remember when presidents didn’t create bizarre sycophantic approval polls after their speeches.

Here, let me help you out in case the images give you trouble:

Official Presidential Address Approval Poll

Q: How would you rate President Trump’s Address?

— Historic
— Great
— Good
— Other

Can literally no one in the Trump campaign use capitalization correctly?

More seriously, though, there’s no way to choose a negative rating. If you didn’t like Trump’s address, your only option is to select “other.” This is reminiscent of dictatorial regimes where presidents get 99% of the vote—almost like there was no other option.

Q: Who do you think is most fit to serve as Commander-in-Chief of the United States?

— President Trump
— A terrorist-apologist Democrat

Can you even imagine if Obama had tried something like this? This is utterly absurd—and is also a reminder of how broken Congress has become under Mitch McConnell. If you’re not for us, you’re a terrorist traitor not fit to live. Only here, it’s the president of the United States labeling literally every single Democrat a “terrorist-apologist.” Out loud and in public.

How are you supposed to fill out this poll if you don’t think Trump is fit, but you also don’t think Democrats are terrorist apologists? You can’t. But then, my guess is that this isn’t supposed to be an actual poll. It seems more about ego stroking.

Q: Do you believe President Trump did the right thing by eliminating Iran’s Terrorist-in-Chief, Qassem Soleimani?

— Yes
— No

I’m kind of surprised this was a simple “yes” or “no,” and not “yes, President Trump is an American hero” and “no, I love terrorists.” That said, the question is still misleading. It labels Soleimani “Iran’s Terrorist-in-Chief” with capitalization that suggests that that was his title. It wasn’t. Those critical of Trump’s actions point out that Soleimani was an Iranian major general, and that we don’t usually assassinate sovereign nation’s military officials when we’re not at war with them.

You wouldn’t get any sense of this debate from the way this question is framed. But then, the point is not to inform, or to solicit informed opinions. The point is to create leading gotcha questions that solidify the base and give Trump adoring, fawning, positive feedback (something Trump seems to need in the same way others need air or water). Oh—and also to grow Trump’s email list. The poll finishes by asking for the survey taker’s name, email, and zip code, both growing Trump’s email list and forestalling anyone who isn’t a Trump supporter from taking the poll if they don’t want to end up on said list.

So that’s lovely.

I’m utterly baffled that our president can act like this and so many people can just act like it’s normal—like there aren’t a dozen signs that something is very wrong with him. It’s utterly absurd. And dangerous.

I have a Patreon! Please support my writing!

Politics

Previous Post

January 8, 2020

"Make Women Great Again" Conference Promises Women "Unlimited" Babies

Next Post

January 10, 2020 Door in the Dragon's Throat: The Racist Adult Protagonist

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Atheism Evangelicalism/Fundamentalism Family Feminism Homeschool Meta Parenting Patriarchy Politics Purity Quiverfull Social Justice Uncategorized Worthwhile reads

Select a Month February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

According to 1 Peter, Jesus bore our sins in his body where?

Select your answer to see how you score.

On the mountain In the tomb On the tree (cross) In the garden