Strategic Analysis of Trump's Debate Performance Through The Art of War
Trump's debate performance, often perceived as subdued, may have been a calculated application of Sun Tzu's The Art of War. His approach seems to align with several core principles from the ancient text, which emphasize strategy, deception, and long-term planning.
1. Appearing Weak When Strong ("Appear weak when you are strong")
Trump's deliberate restraint during the debate may have been intended to make opponents underestimate him. By not directly attacking Harris, Trump could have been setting a trap, luring both her and the audience into a false sense of security. This aligns with Sun Tzu’s principle of appearing weak while preserving strength, allowing for a surprise maneuver later.
2. Avoiding Direct Confrontation ("Win without fighting")
Rather than engaging in direct confrontation, Trump focused on his past achievements and avoided creating opportunities for Harris to gain ground. This non-combative strategy aligns with the principle of winning without unnecessary battles. By not escalating tensions, Trump may have prevented his opponent from gaining the sympathy or momentum needed to turn the debate in her favor.
3. Deception and Unpredictability ("All warfare is based on deception")
Trump's unpredictability has long been one of his signature strategies. In this debate, by refraining from the aggressive tactics many expected, he kept his opponents and the media off balance. Sun Tzu’s emphasis on deception comes into play here—by behaving unpredictably, Trump prevented his opponents from forming a clear counter-strategy.
4. Avoiding Traps ("Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night")
Trump may have recognized the risks of walking into traps set by debate organizers or his rivals. By not engaging in particular lines of attack, he avoided providing them with ammunition to shift the narrative. This aligns with Sun Tzu's advice to keep plans hidden and act only when the conditions are most advantageous.
5. Outmaneuvering Opponents’ Tactics
There’s a possibility that Trump's strategy ensured Harris stayed in the race. Rather than attacking her and risking her replacement with a stronger candidate, he may have allowed a perceived weaker opponent to remain. This strategic foresight reflects an understanding of long-term gains—ensuring he faces a weaker opponent in the final contest.
6. Long-Term Strategy Over Immediate Victory
Trump’s performance may have been about positioning himself for a longer game, rather than winning the immediate debate. His calm demeanor could have been an attempt to let his opponents exhaust themselves, waiting for a moment when they are more vulnerable. This mirrors Sun Tzu’s principle of patience and striking when the time is right.
7. Controlling the Optics ("Know your enemy")
Trump likely knew the risks of appearing too aggressive. By maintaining composure, he avoided playing into the media’s portrayal of him as overly confrontational. This control over optics aligns with Sun Tzu’s advice to "know your enemy" and manipulate the narrative in your favor by limiting the opponent's opportunities for attack.
8. Mastering Symbolism
Trump’s subdued performance may also have been a calculated symbolic gesture, positioning him as the calm leader in contrast to a chaotic administration. This plays into larger narratives of leadership and control, resonating with Sun Tzu’s emphasis on the power of symbolic victories.
Conclusion
While some perceived Trump’s debate performance as a sign of weakness, it can be reinterpreted as a masterclass in strategic patience. Through Sun Tzu's principles of deception, non-confrontation, and long-term thinking, Trump may have been positioning himself for a more advantageous moment, avoiding unnecessary conflict, and keeping weaker opponents in place. His focus on optics and control further underscores the calculated nature of his approach. What seemed like a subdued performance was likely part of a larger plan.
Just for once I want to hear a politician say, "that's right, I don't like Israel. They're creepy and we give them billions each year. Why should we?"
Instead of falling over each other claiming biggest ally, blah, blah.
thomas massie, iirc
God bless him.
Didn't recall the name so I did a little search to see what popped up.
"Campaign account of Thomas Massie. Fighting for Kentucky's 4th District since 2012. Pro-Life Pro-2A, Pro-Constitution"
"Rep. Thomas Massie told Fox News Digital about his push to dismantle the Department of Education after it was a policy platform echoed by Trump."
AND I see he's speaking out about how this current badminstration (badminstration lol I'll have to remember that it just popped in my head) is to blame for the current Haitian issues and such.
he rides, shoots straight and speaks the truth. this was the latest thing I saw of him:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLKJvopAUX0
he's also been attacked by the ADL as antisemitic for not being israel-first
if you haven't been fed to the den of wolves, I don't trust you.
If the ADL has attacked you, you're probably saying something that should be heard.
That's what even brought me into this in the first place. Got tired of the green haired weirdos calling me a "literal nazi" because i wasn't 100% on board with their ideologies beliefs stances etc .... I turned right because the left was so damn wrong.
But - ((they)) don't exist, right? nope lol hold all the power that's silly oops you mad ((them)) mad and now you're kicked off the boat. better hope you can swim.
Why? Because God keeps his covenants. We have a different covenant than the original Jewish people. We the People made our promise to God when the founding fathers evoked His name in our Country and our documents. God chose His people and made Israel for the Jewish people, those who follow Him. He made the Jewish state from land used by idol worshipers and satanists. But, the whole time they had a group of dissenters, those that enjoyed living in Babylon, enjoyed controlling and working with their rulers in Rome aka Black Jews or the Deep State. Those working underneath the surface and yet telegraphing everything they do. Think Bill Gates or George Soros. Catholics have theirs - Pope Francis, Protestant’s have theirs JD Jakes, Hollywood has theirs Ophra Winfrey etc. Operating in the light while both feet are firmly planted hell. We are believers, we the people chose God and that my friend, is what makes us special. The covenant of Jesus Christ death and rising is the convent made for us when he died for our sins. It’s that covenant that will keep our Nation and her people strong. He gave us, in DJT the Moses, David and King Solomon all rolled into one. Remember He goes BEFORE us in battle so the battle is already won. Get your popcorn ready, prepare for mop up operations. There may be a few skirmishes but we will triumph, the victory is already won - keep the faith, eyes on Him. Pray.
Also many of the signers on the Mayflower compact held a sincere belief that they were actual blood descendants of Ephraim. They called on God with the birthright to make those Covenants if Time Ballard was correct with his research.
TD
TD?
True Dat
When Trump said if Kamala wins Israel won't exist I was thinking that's a GOOD thing. Maybe it has something to do with saving Israel for last but I'm really fed up with the right's love affair with zionism.
As with all people, not all Jews are bad. This is why I still support Jewish people, not their leaders. I believe bad Jews who are not working according to God's laws and commands will be punished. Judaism, the concept of the Jewish people as God's chosen people, is a recurring theme in scripture and liturgy. The Book of Deuteronomy 7:6 directly states that the Israelites are the chosen people of God. Isaiah and Jeremiah viewed God's choice of Israel as a way to teach monotheism, combat idolatry, and end violence, greed, and warfare. The Old Testament is a chronicle of Israel's repeated failure to obey God, of its refusal to keep His commandments and statutes. As early as the days of the founder of the Kingdom of Israel, Jeroboam I, God understood the direction Israel was taking. In I Kings 14:15, God warns that He will ultimately strike Israel as a reed is shaken in the water. He will uproot Israel from this good land which He gave to their fathers and will scatter them beyond the Euphrates River, because they have made their wooden images, provoking the LORD to anger.
Except the current "Israelites" are not the ones from the bible but Khazarian pretenders masquerading as them.
Revelation even states "the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but do lie"
Israel was established by the Rothschilds and the rest of the Khazarian mafia and the Star of David is a Rothschild symbol that is the geometric and numeric embodiment of 666.
So where are the true Jews then? Do you think the Mormons are right and they're actually the Native Americans?
My ancestry is mizrahi jew from Iraq, which goes back to Nebechudnezzar and there were Jews that stayed in the area after Persia invaded and expanded into their empire.
My late husband was half Welsh and half Jew, his dad was Pierce and his mom was Kaufman, his uncle was Adolph Kaufman lived in Illinois all his life never out of the US and they were practising Southern Baptists. His mother taught them as children to try to hide the Jewish linage. He knew nothing about Jews at all. He got mad at me for joking about Uncle Adolph's name, I said he was an oxymoron, he thought I was saying he was stupid...lol
Gee, I have a hymn number 666 in my church's hymnal. Does that mean it is Satanic? Or are you letting numerology go to your head?
Coincidentally getting 666 is different than a known satanic cabal family like the Rothschilds purposely choosing a 6 pointed star as their symbol
Numerology is a tool/weapon the enemy uses. Be wise as a serpent/your enemy but harmless as a dove/your savior.
Wow, I've waited so long for people to start seeing this fraud. I wonder why Trump made the move to put the embassy in Jerusalem when so many prezes before him could have (the agreement was on the books) but no action on it until Trump. I don't think Bibi really wanted that! Then Trump covers it with the "ROCK of JERUSALEM" or Jerusalem Stone! LOL jus a thought
All I say is stop letting Israel run our country and stop giving them money. I have Jewish and Israeli friends. Anyone you give billions to can become your "greatest ally."
I'm reminded of a comment I received on Voat when trying to better understand what a "Jew" is, with all of its range of complexity.
"Not all Jews are bad, but if something bad happens, it's almost always a Jew who is behind it."