All or Nothing

1. Trump's Unwavering Self-Belief Fuels Political Survival

Perhaps disgrace, too, has special power—if you refuse to accept your disgrace, it becomes righteousness.

Defiance as a strategy. Donald Trump's most remarkable trait is his unwavering belief in his own righteousness, even in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. This defiance, bordering on delusion, transforms disgrace into a form of political power, resonating with his base and confounding his opponents.

Examples of Trump's defiance:

• His insistence that the 2020 election was stolen, despite numerous recounts and court rulings
• His ability to shrug off scandals that would sink other politicians, such as the Access Hollywood tape
• His continued pursuit of the presidency despite facing multiple indictments

The power of certainty. Trump's unwavering certainty, even when divorced from reality, has a magnetic effect on his supporters. This certainty provides a sense of stability and conviction in a chaotic world, making him a compelling figure for those seeking strong leadership.

2. The "Split Screen" Reality: Legal Peril vs. Political Opportunity

Our legal strategy is our media strategy; our media strategy is our legal strategy.

Parallel realities. Trump operates in a "split screen" reality, where his legal troubles exist alongside his political opportunities. What would typically disqualify a candidate—criminal indictments, civil judgments—instead fuels his base, earns him media attention, and drives fundraising.

Examples of the split screen:

• The announcement of his indictment in New York led to a surge in campaign donations.
• His arraignment in Miami became a rally, with supporters chanting his name.
• His mugshot became a fundraising tool, emblazoned on merchandise.

Blurring the lines. Trump intentionally blurs the lines between his legal and media strategies, using each to amplify the other. He understands that in the modern media landscape, all attention is valuable, regardless of its source.

3. Trump's Lawyer Relationships: A Revolving Door of Loyalty and Grift

Why do I have such shitty lawyers? How is this happening? How did the lawyers get this so wrong?

The Roy Cohn myth. Trump seeks a lawyer who can act as a fixer, a diabolical magician who can get him out of any jam. This ideal, based on his former lawyer Roy Cohn, is impossible to meet, leading to a constant turnover of legal representation.

Qualities Trump seeks in a lawyer:

• Unwavering loyalty and abject flattery
• Aggressiveness and a willingness to fight dirty
• A telegenic presence and ability to dominate the media

The role of Boris Epshteyn. Boris, despite his questionable legal credentials and social impairments, becomes a key figure in Trump's legal defense due to his unwavering loyalty and willingness to tell Trump what he wants to hear.

4. Media Manipulation as a Core Campaign Strategy

Legal and media are the same thing, the exact same thing to me.

Controlling the narrative. Trump understands the power of media manipulation and uses it to his advantage. He dictates the terms of his coverage, often by creating chaos and controversy, and uses his platform to bypass traditional media outlets.

Examples of media manipulation:

• Announcing his own indictment on Truth Social to control the narrative
• Using rallies and press conferences to dominate the news cycle
• Leveraging social media to bypass traditional media gatekeepers

The white Bronco effect. Trump seeks to create "white Bronco" moments, where the world's cameras are focused on him, regardless of the reason. This strategy ensures that he remains at the center of attention, even during times of crisis.

5. The Power of "Weird": How Unlikely Figures Gain Influence in Trumpworld

She just loves her president.

Sycophancy as a currency. In Trumpworld, loyalty and adulation are highly valued commodities. Those who demonstrate unwavering devotion, even to the point of absurdity, often gain access and influence.

The case of Natalie Harp. Natalie, a former OAN host, rises to prominence in Trump's inner circle due to her unwavering support and willingness to cater to his every whim. She becomes a gatekeeper, controlling access to Trump and shaping his perception of events.

Undermining expertise. Trump often elevates individuals who lack traditional qualifications or experience, using their presence to undermine the authority of experts and reinforce his own sense of control.

6. The January 6 Indictment: A Defining Moment, Reimagined

They’re trying to put me away forever. Throw away the key.

From disgrace to righteousness. The January 6 indictment, which many saw as a defining moment of Trump's presidency, becomes a rallying cry for his supporters. Trump reframes the attack on the Capitol as a defense of democracy, casting himself as a martyr persecuted by the establishment.

The Nazi comparison. Trump's use of Nazi imagery and rhetoric, while shocking to many, resonates with a segment of his base who see themselves as victims of a similar kind of persecution.

The co-conspirators. The indictment names six unnamed co-conspirators, creating a climate of suspicion and paranoia within Trumpworld as individuals try to determine who might be cooperating with the authorities.

7. The Evolving Role of Family: From Dynasty to Distraction

I think part of the beauty is that mystery.

Melania's absence. Melania's increasing absence from the campaign trail becomes a source of speculation and concern. Her disinterest in politics and apparent estrangement from her husband raise questions about the state of their marriage and the future of the Trump dynasty.

Ivanka and Jared's distance. Ivanka and Jared, once key figures in Trump's inner circle, maintain a carefully curated distance from his political activities, focusing on their own business ventures and social lives.

Lara Trump's rise. Lara Trump, Eric's wife, steps into the void, becoming a more visible presence in the campaign and assuming a leadership role within the RNC.

8. The 2024 Campaign: Inevitability vs. Incompetence

Our legal strategy is our media strategy; our media strategy is our legal strategy.

A campaign of inevitability. Despite facing numerous legal challenges and controversies, Trump maintains a commanding lead in the Republican primary, creating a sense of inevitability around his nomination.

The Wiles-LaCivita team. The professional leadership of Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita brings a new level of competence and discipline to the Trump campaign, contrasting with the chaos and infighting of previous campaigns.

The Trump variable. Despite the efforts of his team, Trump remains the greatest variable in the campaign, prone to impulsive decisions and unpredictable behavior that can undermine even the best-laid plans.

9. The Debate Dodge: Trump's Calculated Absence

Do you think indictment is bigger than impeachment?

The art of counter-programming. Trump's decision to skip the Republican primary debates, while risky, allows him to control the narrative and deny his opponents valuable airtime. He understands that his presence is the main draw, and he can generate more attention by counter-programming than by participating.

The Tucker Carlson interview. Trump's decision to grant an exclusive interview to Tucker Carlson, rather than participate in the Fox News debate, demonstrates his willingness to bypass traditional media outlets and connect directly with his base.

The power of attention. Trump understands that in the modern media landscape, attention is the ultimate currency. He is willing to sacrifice traditional political strategies in order to maximize his share of the spotlight.

10. The "Fifth" Indictment and the New Legal Landscape

They’re only doing this because they’re afraid of us. This puts us in front of every camera in the world.

Technicalities vs. existential threats. Trump's legal team characterizes the various indictments as technicalities, downplaying their significance and arguing that they are politically motivated.

The "split screen" revisited. The campaign continues to operate on a "split screen," acknowledging the legal challenges while simultaneously emphasizing the political opportunities they create.

The invulnerability thesis. Trump and his inner circle cling to the belief that he is invulnerable, that his supporters will not be swayed by legal troubles, and that any attempt to bring him down will only strengthen his resolve.

11. The Power of Delusion: How Certainty Shapes Reality

I think they’re delaying this a month so that they can drop it. Mr. President, I promise you this whole thing just goes away.

Boris Epshteyn's role. Boris, as Trump's legal advisor, consistently feeds his delusion, assuring him that his legal troubles will disappear and that he is invulnerable. This constant reassurance, while divorced from reality, reinforces Trump's sense of certainty and fuels his political ambitions.

The Mar-a-Lago bubble. Mar-a-Lago becomes a haven for sycophants and opportunists who reinforce Trump's delusions and shield him from dissenting voices. This creates a distorted reality where Trump's views are constantly validated, regardless of the facts.

The art of the possible. Trump's ability to defy logic and practicality, to see himself as the rightful and deserving president even after defeat, becomes a source of power. His unwavering certainty, even when psychotic, convinces many that he knows something the rest of us don't.

12. The Unpredictable Nature of Trumpworld: Chaos and Opportunity

Our legal strategy is our media strategy; our media strategy is our legal strategy.

The constant state of flux. Trumpworld is characterized by constant change, shifting alliances, and unexpected events. What seems stable one day can be upended the next, creating a sense of perpetual uncertainty.

The role of chaos. Trump thrives on chaos, using it to disrupt the status quo, control the narrative, and keep his opponents off balance. He is a master of creating and exploiting disorder, turning it into a source of political advantage.

The ultimate gamble. Trump's third presidential campaign becomes a high-stakes gamble, where the stakes are not just political power but his own personal freedom. His proposition to voters is simple: Elect me or destroy me.

Last updated: April 23, 2025