Donald Trump’s Double Down

double down - poker chips
I cannot make this stuff up. Billionaire real estate/entertainment magnate Donald Trump – the 2016 Republican president candidate who basically broke the internet with the incendiary remarks he made three weeks ago about Mexico and Mexicans entering the US – could have walked back his comments. He should have apologized and turned the page. Trump would have still been riding high with his base if he had. Apparently, those actions were entirely too common sense-based and politically savvy. The Donald couldn’t do the right thing. He wouldn’t. Instead, he engaged in one of the most tried and tired strategies found within the Grand Old Party playbook. Trump went all in on foolishness. He doubled down.
 
This past Monday, Trump decided that the dumpster fire that is his political campaign wasn’t burning big enough, bright enough, or hot enough. So he added fuel to the fire in the form of an extremely ill-conceived press release. Trump’s statement read thusly:
 
“I don’t see how there is any room for misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the statement I made on June 16th during my Presidential announcement speech.
 
“What can be simpler or more accurately stated? The Mexican Government is forcing their most unwanted people into the United States. They are, in many cases, criminals, drug dealers, rapists, etc. This was evident just this week when, as an example, a young woman in San Francisco was viciously killed by a 5 time deported Mexican with a long criminal record, who was forced back into the United States because they didn’t want him in Mexico. In other words, the worst elements in Mexico are being pushed into the United States by the Mexican government. The largest suppliers of heroin, cocaine and other illicit drugs are Mexican cartels that arrange to have Mexican immigrants trying to cross the borders and smuggle in the drugs. The Border Patrol knows this. Likewise, tremendous infectious disease is pouring across the border. The United States has become a dumping ground for Mexico and, in fact, for many other parts of the world. On the other hand, many fabulous people come in from Mexico and our country is better for it. But these people are here legally, and are severely hurt by those coming in illegally. 
 
“The Mexican Government wants an open border as long as it’s a ONE WAY open border into the United States. Not only are they killing us at the border, but they are killing us on trade… and the country of Mexico is making billions of dollars in doing so.
 
“I have great respect for Mexico and love their people and their peoples’ great spirit. The problem is, however, that their leaders are far smarter, more cunning, and better negotiators than ours. I have pointed this out during my speeches and it is something Mexico doesn’t want me to say. In actuality, it was only after my significant rise in the polls that Univision, previously my friend, went ballistic. I believe that my examples of bad trade deals for the United States was of even more concern to the Mexican government than my talk of border security. 
 
“I have lost a lot during this Presidential run defending the people of the United States. I have always heard that it is very hard for a successful person to run for President. Macy’s, NBC, Serta and NASCAR have all taken the weak and very sad position of being politically correct even though they are wrong in terms of what is good for our country. Univision, because 70% of their business comes from Mexico, in my opinion, is being dictated to by the Mexican Government. The last thing Mexico wants is Donald Trump as President in that I will make great trade deals for the United States and will have an impenetrable border – only legally approved people will come through easily. 
 
“The issues I have addressed, and continue to address, are vital steps to Make America Great Again! Additionally, I would be the best jobs President that God ever created. Let’s get to work!”
 
Let’s get to work? Who’s Trump fooling?
 
If you’ve ever seen the movie “Fight Club,” you know that there are rules which must be followed in virtually any pursuit in this life. Rule #1 in politics: Listen to the people. Rule #2 in politics: Do your political party no harm. Rule #3 in politics: Do not embarrass yourself. Rule #4: Your soul is not for sale. Finally, Rule #5: never, ever double down unless you know you’re standing up for what is right.” Mr. Trump, I regret to inform you that you’re currently 0-for-5. 
 
This man is considered a serious candidate? This guy is surging in Republican polls? This dude thinks he can make America great again? Here’s my double down – he’s playing his supporters and trolling America. After all, Trump rhymes with chump.
 
 

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