O/T Coronavirus Thread (3)

[rolymiller]

I believe it is gfire but even if it wasn't our actions are only making it worse. I just don't understand why people don't want a future for their descendants. Surely we should be aiming to pass on the world to the next generation at least in the state we have found it and if we are hoping to progress as intelligent beings, in a better state.

[Lasterman]

It's not hard to reach such a conclusion when you look at some of the things that he has said (with his comments about UV and disinfectant being prime examples), but it is difficult to accept that someone who is massively intellectually challenged could build up a vast business empire and make it to The White House. That would take a lot of luck.

I don’t claim to have any particular insights into him (although I could hold forth upon how I think he wins elections) but think it is probably unwise to simply dismiss Trump as being stupid.

Trump's wealth and 'success' is interesting. As is always the case when the numbers get high, it's hard to get to the bottom of it. However he inherited a vast sum from his father (estimates as high as $413m) and a 2016 analysis of Trump's business career in The Economist concluded that his performance since 1985 had been "mediocre compared with the stock market and property in New York". A subsequent analysis in The Washington Post similarly noted that Trump's estimated net worth of $100 million in 1978 would have increased to $6 billion by 2016 if he had invested it in a typical retirement fund, and concluded that "Trump is a mix of braggadocio, business failures, and real success."

So in a nutshell if he'd put what he had in 1978 on a spread of shares and New York property, he's be worth more than he is now. So no great business brain either.

[John2]

It's not hard to reach such a conclusion when you look at some of the things that he has said (with his comments about UV and disinfectant being prime examples), but it is difficult to accept that someone who is massively intellectually challenged could build up a vast business empire and make it to The White House. That would take a lot of luck.

It is a myth that Trump is a successful businessman. It's the reason he's hiding his tax returns.
The luck was in having a(n adjusted for inflation) billionaire dad.

Trump has taken that immense wealth on a series of failed ventures and bankruptcies and has under performed compared to the markets. He has, however, excelled as building a brand on the basis of exaggerating and misrepresenting his wealth. He's elevated himself on the back of lies throughout his entire life. Its his MO.

His being elected and widespread belief in his success is more a reflection on the intelligence of the average American than it is on him.

[great_fire]

I prefer someone like that where's it's all upfront than someone like Richard Branson who's a wolf in sheep's clothing.

[WanChaiMiller]

Ronald Reagan is evidence it doesnt take intellect to make it to top of US politics.

[rolymiller]

So there you have it from several posters Kerr. It is possible to be thick and financially successful...

if a poster come out on here and said the same stuff Trump says you would say something on the lines of you are talking bollax but when someone rich and powerful like trump says it you make some excuse up for them...all a bit inconsistent int it?

[Exiletyke]

I prefer someone like that where's it's all upfront than someone like Richard Branson who's a wolf in sheep's clothing.

That's a bit like saying I prefer mumps than measles

[Exiletyke]

It is a myth that Trump is a successful businessman. It's the reason he's hiding his tax returns.
The luck was in having a(n adjusted for inflation) billionaire dad.

Trump has taken that immense wealth on a series of failed ventures and bankruptcies and has under performed compared to the markets. He has, however, excelled as building a brand on the basis of exaggerating and misrepresenting his wealth. He's elevated himself on the back of lies throughout his entire life. Its his MO.

His being elected and widespread belief in his success is more a reflection on the intelligence of the average American than it is on him.

Well put John

[animallittle3]

Trump is just a salesman , that's all he really is in reality .

As with most salesman all he ever does is concentrate on the good things with his product and hides the negatives or blames someone else for them .

Every one of his daily press conferences is a sales pitch rather than an update on the pandemic .

The thing is by doing the daily press conference every day himself all he is doing is exposing himself more negatively , his ratings are starting to drop .

[rolymiller]

They certainly will if hundreds of thousands of yanks die because of his neglectful and barmy policies...