this post was submitted on 19 Dec 2025
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Not to be glib but, declared war on the – s̶e̶a̶ || drugs – is there a difference? Both are abstract in a similar sense. A war on drugs will likely age into equivalent absurdity. Both are cultural schemas.
"the war on drugs" was mostly rhetoric. Like "The war on cancer" or "The war on childhood hunger" or whatever social ill they're on about. The idea against 'fighting' a social ill has always been part of the rhetoric, to express a desire to do something about that social ill. Sometimes, the efforts are well meaning (like Biden's cancer research stuff being 'a war on cancer',) and sometimes they're not (Like the GOP's war on woke)
Or, perceived social ill.
Trump, though is a moron and expects his base to be even dumber than he is. So when he declares a "drugs" are an "invasion" and "terrorist attack" or whatever batshit crazy lunacy he's peddling... he actually thinks people will just go with it. And the sad part here is, even if his base recognizes that he's confusing rhetoric for reality... they'll still go with it.
I'll leave it to history to decide who was more batshit insane- Caligula or Trump.
His base ate up so much propaganda already, I don't think that assumption is actually in error. They either actually believe his constant stream of shit, or they voted for him despite that - neither of which make them look particularly smart.
You're not wrong, really. I guess my point is that Trump thinks he's the smartest person in the room.
also just a word of caution... a steady stream of propaganda (even blatant propaganda) will have everyone starting to believe it... eventually. just the way the human brain is wired. You hear something portrayed as fact often enough for long enough, it starts to sink in. especially if you don't have something balancing it out. They don't seek the truth out because it's hard to actually find it (Seriously. My grandma lives in missouri. Fox news is the progressive news service. She still believes minneapolis is a war zone, ever since the floyd riots. Even though I've taken her around to the memorial and showed her how that's not true. She agreed for about a year or so. but it sunk back in.)
Fair enough, it's worth pointing out that propaganda does work. On top of that, I don't think Trump is a complete idiot - he is a competent manipulator, there's a method to his madness. Not quite a mastermind, but the fascist takeover wouldn't have worked nearly as well if they chose someone less charismatic as their face.