Trump Has COVID megathread (update 10/24: 2 Pence staffers test positive)

[Horus]

Yeah...Covid-downplaying when he was transported to a hospital several days ago is not a good strategy. This will hurt him.

It's not the downplaying that'll help him it's suggesting we open up. A lot of people, especially undecided younger people really want that.

Younger voters do not trust a word Trump says. I really don't know where this idea that 18-35-year-old voters are magically going to break hard towards Trump because OH YEAH BEER PONG AND 69ING, BRO is coming from, but it's not going to happen. Trump has been pushing hard for reopening for six months now and it hasn't moved the needle with young voters, or anyone else for that matter; why in the world would that change now?

The fact that it's been seven months and a lot of people are getting stir crazy. Of course that idea wasn't as popular when this was all new.

Trump's messaging will start appealing to undecided voters and make them suddenly break hard towards him any day now...any day now...any day now...

I swear, it's like you want him to win again so you can be confirmed in your low opinion of the American public.

The American public reelected an obvious war criminal with over 50% of the vote in 2004, and then gave us Donald Trump. Forgive me for having a low opinion of our electorate.

Also, this is is almost certainly a majority introvert forum (myself included) so we aren't gonna grasp it but a lot of people still feel very limited and "Let's just get on with things, we can't do this forever" becomes a talking point that really resonates.

I agree with you that it could resonate, hell I am tired of working from home and want to go back to the office. However, the 65+ age group will hate this message as it is essentially sacrificing them for the economy. If a candidate were to trade younger voters for older voters, that's a winning trade almost all the time.

Older voters have almost completely made their minds up. Most undecideds are middle aged-younger at least in the polls I've seen. Also, younger voters who have decided for now are more open to changing their vote, consistently. 95% of Biden's over 65 support is unshakeable, but something like 20% of Biden's under-35 support could still flip. I'm not saying this strategy is enough for Trump to win, but I get really tired of the "Trump is a blithering idiot with no gameplan" takes. He's always able to bounce back from things that would sink any other president and while I see how the events of the past few days could be different from previous scandals, the pattern is clear.

Remember, before Floyd and Aubrey the age gap was not very large.

[Horus]

There are legitimate reasons why presidents conceal their illnesses with both domestic and foreign implications. There is also historic precedent where presidents are not being transparent with the health.

FDR, for example, hid both his polio and the fact that he was literally dying as he sought his fourth term.

People really need to stop their blind rage at Trump. It’s tiring.

Nope.  Not when he's actively putting his own health and the health of others at risk.

The problem with thinking ‘scientifically’ (medically), is that it’s not always practical. This is why Fauci is a terrible person to listen to.

Wearing a mask is practical. Social distancing is practical. Not spreading COVID because you took the proper precautions is practical. Ignoring science and jeopardizing yourself and others isn't practical. It's dangerous and irresponsible.

Look at all of the people who still go to clubs and stuff packed into a dancefloor with lots of others. Of course we see that, but a lot of people, especially in America, have no regards for their neighbors. And not all of them are Trump supporters. But rhetoric like this appeals to those people, they want "positive vibes only" and don't want to be reminded of the virus.

[Horus]

My brain has melted after reading these last 3 pages. I swear folks' only exposure to young people has been on the news. They think everyone under 35 is a dude-bro who just wants to party at spring break, play beer pong, eat Tide pods, watch UFC and who find mask-wearing 'hella uncool'.

No surprise that those the same people paintbrushing young people are those who said Trump will win if COVID disappeared from the news are now proclaiming not only Trump's impending reelection but a newfound domination with young voters (One of his solidly worst groups) after CATCHING COVID AND BEING AN ACTIVE SPREADER!

Hacks, plain and simple. Not even doomers, because that would imply they don't want Trump to win.

I was talking about undecided and soft Biden supporting young people, not generation z as a whole. But I do think the most resistance to mask wearing comes from those ages 25-40

[Horus]

Look at all of the people who still go to clubs and stuff packed into a dancefloor with lots of others. Of course we see that, but a lot of people, especially in America, have no regards for their neighbors. And not all of them are Trump supporters. But rhetoric like this appeals to those people, they want "positive vibes only" and don't want to be reminded of the virus.

I'm sure that an introvert, full of negative energy (that constantly worries about a Biden +20 lead being good for Trump) person like yourself, certainly has his finger on the pulse on what extroverted, "positive vibes" young americans feel. Tell us more.

My predictions were virtually spot on four years ago while many thought Hillary was going to win North Carolina and even Texas. I don't really use math when I make my predictions but my gut feeling is usually right about this stuff.

[Horus]

Look at all of the people who still go to clubs and stuff packed into a dancefloor with lots of others. Of course we see that, but a lot of people, especially in America, have no regards for their neighbors. And not all of them are Trump supporters. But rhetoric like this appeals to those people, they want "positive vibes only" and don't want to be reminded of the virus.

I'm sure that an introvert, full of negative energy (that constantly worries about a Biden +20 lead being good for Trump) person like yourself, certainly has his finger on the pulse on what extroverted, "positive vibes" young americans feel. Tell us more.

My predictions were virtually spot on for years ago while many thought Hillary was going to win North Carolina and even Texas. I don't really use math when I make my predictions but my gut feeling is usually right about this stuff.

Yeah, you want Trump to win so badly just so you'll be vindicated

Not at all. I hope to God he loses and I welcome all of the snark if he does. I'll deserve it.

[Horus]

https://twitter.com/ryanstruyk/status/1313961283671281664

There were several obvious cuts in that video. I wonder if he coughed.

Is he communicating solely by recorded video at this point? Has he made any live appearances, let alone speaking appearances, since the video where it was clear he was in pain just breathing?

He doesn't want his cult to hear him cough.