8 Tips for Debating Donald Trump Supporters

Free
Free Posts: 3,562
in A Moving Train
Excellent, Smithers. One I didn't see here is what I do: simply walk away.

http://www.forwardprogressives.com/here-are-8-tips-for-debating-donald-trump-supporters/
While I would highly advise against doing it, I do realize that there are quite a lot of people out there who still actively engage in debating Donald Trump supporters. To those folks, I applaud your persistence. As for myself, I gave up trying to reason with Trump folks months ago. I have a rule that you don’t try to use rational, factual arguments with people who aren’t rational. To be on “Team Donald,” you have to be irrational to the point of willful ignorance if not outright mental instability.

But because I like to try to help out when I can, I thought I’d give a few tips for those of you out there who will undoubtedly engage with those who think Trump should be our next president.

1. Don’t get emotional: When you’re dealing with angry people who are driven by irrational fear, paranoia and Trump mythologies, the last thing you want to do is get emotional. Remember, you’re a lot smarter than they are.

2. It’s pointless to use facts: For most people who support Donald Trump, the only “facts” they believe are the words that come out of his mouth. It’s absolutely pointless to use fact checkers; math; history; video footage (even if it’s of Donald Trump himself saying something); news articles that quote Trump directly; or anything that debunks the endless stream of drivel that spills out of his mouth – they’re not going to believe any of it.

3. Since you can’t use facts, ask them for theirs: Since people who are fueled by propaganda and lies are impervious to being fact checked (see #2), a tactic I typically use is asking them to provide sources to back up their claims. Be sure you specifically ask for credible, non-conservative sources. Otherwise you’re going to end up with a Breitbart-level article that “proves” something by quoting someone connected to Trump’s campaign. I’ve found it’s easy for anyone to spout off talking points, but it’s a whole heck of a lot more difficult for them to actually back up (with credible evidence) the nonsense that they believe.

4. Make up fake Trump quotes: Since the vast majority of Trump supporters aren’t exactly rocket scientists, what I like to do is make up a quote or two, implying it’s something he’s said on a policy issues, just to see if they’ll defend it. Then I push them on this “quote,” often with them defending it feverishly – only to finally tell them I made it all up. Then I laugh at the fact that they just realized (though they’ll never admit it) that they’re a mindless sheep who’ll support anything he says.

5. Find quotes from Adolf Hitler – then tell them that they’re from Trump: Nothing is funnier than finding quotes from one of the worst monsters who’s ever lived, passing them off as Trump quotes to one of his supporters, then watching them frantically try to defend themselves after you reveal that they’re actually Hitler quotes – and they just agreed with all of them.

6. Inquire about specifics related to his policies: While Donald Trump says a lot of stuff – he’s almost never specific about any of it. His entire campaign has been built off infomercial-style rhetoric rather than actual policies. Sure, Trump supporters can regurgitate rhetoric with the best of them, but you won’t find very many who know anything specific about how he plans to accomplish any of his lofty promises. And that’s because, for practically every policy promise he’s made, he hasn’t given any.

7. Ask them how it feels to support someone who said POWs aren’t war heroes: Let’s be honest, a few months ago Donald Trump literally said that he doesn’t view war POWs as “heroes” because he likes people who don’t get captured. These folks will dance around all the other vile things Trump has said, but watch them try to defend someone who flat-out said war POWs aren’t American heroes because they were captured.

8. Ask them what would it take for them not to support Trump: I good way to twist these folks around is not to ask them why they support him, but to ask them what he would have to do for them to not support him. Then, when they list a few things (if they list anything at all), ask them if they really, truly believe what they listed (trust me, it will probably be something really dumb) is worse than mocking a man with disabilities, calling women fat pigs or belittling a war veteran and American hero.

There are more, but I think if you get through these eight you’ll be doing alright. Or you’ll have gone insane because you willingly engaged in a political debate with a Donald Trump supporter.


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Comments

  • PJfanwillneverleave1
    PJfanwillneverleave1 Posts: 12,885
    Don't forget to ask why millions of people are giving him their vote.
  • rgambs
    rgambs Posts: 13,576
    PJfanwillneverleave1 said:

    Don't forget to ask why millions of people are giving him their vote.

    Because you can't fix stupid!
    Monkey Driven, Call this Living?
  • Free
    Free Posts: 3,562
    edited March 2016
    I love #4 and 8. :lol:
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,813
    So I guess saying, "Are you out of your frickin mind!" is not the best approach? haha!

    But seriously, my general approach (in person anyway) with Trump supporters is exactly the same as it was when I occasionally conversed with Sarah Palin supporters: Just nod my head, smile, and back away slowly, giving a friendly wave the whole time.
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • JimmyV
    JimmyV Boston's MetroWest Posts: 19,620
    I've been fortunate enough not to encounter many Trump supporters in everyday life. That said...I am already dreading Easter dinner with an uber-Conservative Uncle.

    Why, yes, I will have another glass of wine thank you.
    ___________________________________________

    "...I changed by not changing at all..."
  • Free
    Free Posts: 3,562
    I can't wait to try #4 at Easter dinner. Might as well have fun with it right?
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,813
    Seriously, my hat's off to those of you who actually brave discussing politics with Trump supporters.

    My best friend growing up once said, in the middle of a discussion with other friends that had gotten out of hand, "Did you know there are no wax museums in Maryland?!" If I were with a group of people and the subject of conversation turned toward Donald Trump that is exactly what I would say. "Did you know there are no wax museums in Maryland?!"
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • Thirty Bills Unpaid
    Thirty Bills Unpaid Posts: 16,881
    Remember... you're smarter than them.

    Hahahaha.

    It's funny. Mostly funny because it's true.

    Those goofy bastards! I gotta lighten up and just have fun with them. They're a gift when you think about it.
    "My brain's a good brain!"
  • PJfanwillneverleave1
    PJfanwillneverleave1 Posts: 12,885
    Gifts like Frankincense (libs) and Myrrh (everyone else)
  • PJfanwillneverleave1
    PJfanwillneverleave1 Posts: 12,885
    Feel the Trump.
    Be the Trump
    image
  • Free
    Free Posts: 3,562
    Usamammasan is Pjfanwillneverleave?
  • josevolution
    josevolution Posts: 32,220
    JimmyV said:

    I've been fortunate enough not to encounter many Trump supporters in everyday life. That said...I am already dreading Easter dinner with an uber-Conservative Uncle.

    Why, yes, I will have another glass of wine thank you.

    Yeah I hear you , I always shut the convo down in family settings I'll say I'm here to enjoy your company & the food please don't spoil my appetite thanks !!
    jesus greets me looks just like me ....
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,813
    josevolution said:

    JimmyV said:

    I've been fortunate enough not to encounter many Trump supporters in everyday life. That said...I am already dreading Easter dinner with an uber-Conservative Uncle.

    Why, yes, I will have another glass of wine thank you.

    Yeah I hear you , I always shut the convo down in family settings I'll say I'm here to enjoy your company & the food please don't spoil my appetite thanks !!
    I guess I must be lucky. My family is made up mostly of libtards, old goats, dandruff flakes, geezers, commie pinkos, Libbys, Obummer Supporters, counter-culture freaktoids, bongo beaters, hippies, bohemians and green freaks.
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • DarthMaeglin
    DarthMaeglin Toronto Posts: 3,056
    Sad that (on both sides) only an small minority apparently consider this type of condescension as ugly as the ignorance it claims to be struggling against.
    "The world is full of idiots and I am but one of them."

    10-30-1991 Toronto, Toronto 1 & 2 2016, Toronto 2022
  • DarthMaeglin
    DarthMaeglin Toronto Posts: 3,056
    Sad that (on both sides) only an small minority apparently consider this type of condescension as ugly as the ignorance it claims to be struggling against.
    "The world is full of idiots and I am but one of them."

    10-30-1991 Toronto, Toronto 1 & 2 2016, Toronto 2022
  • hedonist
    hedonist Posts: 24,524
    brianlux said:

    josevolution said:

    JimmyV said:

    I've been fortunate enough not to encounter many Trump supporters in everyday life. That said...I am already dreading Easter dinner with an uber-Conservative Uncle.

    Why, yes, I will have another glass of wine thank you.

    Yeah I hear you , I always shut the convo down in family settings I'll say I'm here to enjoy your company & the food please don't spoil my appetite thanks !!
    I guess I must be lucky. My family is made up mostly of libtards, old goats, dandruff flakes, geezers, commie pinkos, Libbys, Obummer Supporters, counter-culture freaktoids, bongo beaters, hippies, bohemians and green freaks.
    My family, like this forum, runs the gamut on politics and as I'm pretty thankful for that.

    Also thankful my family doesn't shit on each other for their views.
  • Free
    Free Posts: 3,562
    brianlux said:

    josevolution said:

    JimmyV said:

    I've been fortunate enough not to encounter many Trump supporters in everyday life. That said...I am already dreading Easter dinner with an uber-Conservative Uncle.

    Why, yes, I will have another glass of wine thank you.

    Yeah I hear you , I always shut the convo down in family settings I'll say I'm here to enjoy your company & the food please don't spoil my appetite thanks !!
    I guess I must be lucky. My family is made up mostly of libtards, old goats, dandruff flakes, geezers, commie pinkos, Libbys, Obummer Supporters, counter-culture freaktoids, bongo beaters, hippies, bohemians and green freaks.
    You're in good company! :lol:
  • Bentleyspop
    Bentleyspop Craft Beer Brewery, Colorado Posts: 11,673
    brianlux said:

    josevolution said:

    JimmyV said:

    I've been fortunate enough not to encounter many Trump supporters in everyday life. That said...I am already dreading Easter dinner with an uber-Conservative Uncle.

    Why, yes, I will have another glass of wine thank you.

    Yeah I hear you , I always shut the convo down in family settings I'll say I'm here to enjoy your company & the food please don't spoil my appetite thanks !!
    I guess I must be lucky. My family is made up mostly of libtards, old goats, dandruff flakes, geezers, commie pinkos, Libbys, Obummer Supporters, counter-culture freaktoids, bongo beaters, hippies, bohemians and green freaks.
    You forgot pot smoking long hairs
  • WhatYouTaughtMe
    WhatYouTaughtMe Posts: 4,957
    Bentleyspop said:

    brianlux said:

    josevolution said:

    JimmyV said:

    I've been fortunate enough not to encounter many Trump supporters in everyday life. That said...I am already dreading Easter dinner with an uber-Conservative Uncle.

    Why, yes, I will have another glass of wine thank you.

    Yeah I hear you , I always shut the convo down in family settings I'll say I'm here to enjoy your company & the food please don't spoil my appetite thanks !!
    I guess I must be lucky. My family is made up mostly of libtards, old goats, dandruff flakes, geezers, commie pinkos, Libbys, Obummer Supporters, counter-culture freaktoids, bongo beaters, hippies, bohemians and green freaks.
    You forgot pot smoking long hairs
    And oxygen thieves.
  • hedonist
    hedonist Posts: 24,524
    I'm a pot-smoking long hair!

    Literally.

    Wish the dividing camps weren't so prevalent but have resigned myself to it.

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