Do You Think Donald Trump is Purposely Running to Mock the GOP and Aid Hillary?

This is one of those questions that has been popping up on Quora in one form or another almost since he declared his candidacy. The idea that he might purposefully be running to mock the Republican Party (GOP) and help Hillary Clinton win the election has intrigued many observers. However, upon closer examination, this theory faces several significant challenges.

Stupidity and Psychological Validity

First of all, the questioner claims, 'Trump can’t be that stupid.' In my experience, stupidity is one of the more powerful forces in the universe and should never be underestimated. Donald Trump’s reputation for business acumen and brand-building makes it remarkably challenging to conceive of him deliberately and willingly losing the presidential election.

Trump has spent 40 years building a brand that focuses on his personal success, his ability to 'win' every confrontation, and his belief that he is better than everyone else. His brand is a symbol of success and winning, which he has consistently reinforced. In his book The Art of the Deal, he first and most popularly argued that success is the desire everyone should have and the lesson to be learned from them. The reality show The Apprentice further exemplifies this idea, fostering the notion that ordinary people can achieve success and learn from the 'great business leader' Donald Trump. Even his business schools, like Trump University, positioned him as the ultimate winner, promising participants that they could learn to become like him.

Consistency in Statements and Actions

The comment threads and public statements from over the past several decades illustrate a consistent pattern of behavior. For instance, in 2015, Trump famously made statements such as not wanting "black guys" counting his money but "short guys who wear yarmulkes every day." In another instance, he suggested that it didn't matter what the media writes about him "as long as you’ve got a young and beautiful piece of ass." Furthermore, Trump's willingness to hold and push numerous conspiracy theories, such as the birther movement, his claims about dating his own daughter, and his controversial remarks about women's height, all reflect a consistent pattern of behavior. These statements and actions are so pervasive and longstanding that it would be highly improbable to believe that Trump would suddenly and purposely run to lose the election.

Primary vs. General Election Context

During the Republican primary, Trump's strategy was remarkably effective. He locked up the support of a significant portion of the Republican electorate, even while facing major blowback from a more diverse and divided opposition. The overarching narrative revolved around him being the voice of the "silent majority," rallying them to vote for him. However, the context has changed dramatically with the general election. Now, Trump needs to broaden his appeal to win over not just the GOP base but also the more diverse and independent voters. He is no longer competing against 16 other candidates, but just one—Hillary Clinton.

Understanding the dynamics of a general election versus a primary is critical. The primary is a call to a defined group of voters, whereas the general election requires broader, more nuanced messaging. Trump’s current strategy is not drastically different from the one he adopted in the primary. He remains the same person, with the same rhetoric and approach to attacking his opponents. His inability to appeal to a wider audience now results more from a shift in political dynamics rather than a deliberate strategy to lose the general election.

Conclusion

The theory that Trump is trying to run to lose the election for Hillary Clinton hinges on too many unforeseen and highly improbable events. Assuming Trump wanted to help Hillary win in June 2015, he would need to have foresight beyond what is reasonable. Furthermore, his consistent behavior over the decades strongly suggests he is not the type to deliberately sabotage his own brand and political career.

Ultimately, the "He's trying to lose!" theory makes little sense. His actions and statements are consistent with his long-standing personality and political strategy. Rather than deliberately losing, Trump's current electoral failure is more likely due to a mismatch in his campaign message and the changing political landscape.