Comment by motbus3

Based on the public comments from the HackerNews user dewey, their stance on Donald Trump is characterized by a mix of systemic skepticism and critical observation of his leadership style, rather than traditional partisan alignment. Here is a breakdown of how the user has discussed Trump and related political issues: 1. Critique of Leadership and "Policy" In discussions about the current administration, the user has characterized Trump’s approach as being more about personal brand and "trolling" than traditional governance. * "Rambling and Trolling": The user has noted that "Trump doesn't do 'policy'" and described his public communications as "mostly trolling, and sometimes rambling." * Dictatorial Tendencies: They have observed that Trump often "tries to act like a dictator" by attempting to order changes through executive fiat, only to be frustrated by the legal and procedural requirements of the federal government. * Concentration of Power: They have expressed concern that the President is "increasingly concentrating his power," creating a system that favors his personal interests. 2. View of the 2020 and 2024 Contexts The user has been critical of the way the political system handled the transitions of power and the rhetoric surrounding elections. * Rejection of Election Misinformation: Regarding the 2020 election, the user dismissed claims of widespread fraud as a "misinformation campaign" by a president "who refuses to accept what is happening," though they acknowledged the legal right to file lawsuits. * End of Compromise: The user viewed the current political era as the "end of cooperative politics and compromise," suggesting that Trump’s approach has fundamentally shifted the nature of American political discourse toward a zero-sum game. 3. Economic and Social Skepticism The user often views Trump through a lens of economic outcomes and corporate influence. * Corporate and Personal Enrichment: They have suggested that certain policies (such as those regarding cryptocurrency) are driven by "self-interest," noting that they help secure political funds and "literally make Trump and his family rich." * Populism as a Tool: They have compared Trump’s rise to historical populism (citing figures like Thomas Dewey and William Jennings Bryan), suggesting that his "populist" stances are a strategic way to ride a wave of public sentiment that is "widely held among voters but somewhat taboo among the political class." 4. Partisan "Neutrality" or Cynicism Despite the criticisms above, the user frequently critiques the Democratic party and the "Left" with equal or similar intensity, which makes it difficult to label them a "Never-Trumper" in the liberal sense. * Criticism of the Left: They have argued that "the left has moved so far left" that from a historical perspective, Trump might actually appear closer to a "historical center" in some specific contexts (though they remain critical of his methods). * The "Sham" of Choice: Their most consistent theme is that the choice between Trump and his opponents is somewhat illusory because "Western democracy is a sham" and the "real rulers" (the billionaire class) determine the range of acceptable outcomes regardless of who is in office. In summary, while dewey has criticized Trump’s lack of policy depth, his "dictatorial" rhetoric, and his use of the office for self-interest, they view him as a symptom of a broader, failing system rather than an isolated villain. Their criticism is rooted in anti-establishment cynicism rather than a preference for the Democratic alternative.