Trump is a fraud: Report confirms the billionaire’s presidential bid is a long, calculated con job

[KamaAina]

http://www.salon.com/2016/02/01/donald_trump_is_a_fraud_report_confirms_the_billionaires_presidential_bid_is_a_long_and_calculated_con_job/

Donald Trump’s presidential campaign feels whimsical, like a practical joke or publicity tour gone awry. But it turns out the Donald is running a long con. A new report in Politico suggests Trump has been plotting this stunt for years, and he knew exactly what he had to do to succeed.

According to the report, Trump was approached two years ago by GOP operatives who wanted him to run for governor of New York. To their surprise, he declined but added that they would be useful when he ran for president. “I’m going to walk away with it and win outright,” Trump told the group, “I’m going to get in and all the polls are going to go crazy. I’m going to suck all the oxygen out of the room. I know how to work the media in a way that that they will never take the lights off of me.”

Trump knew all along that his celebrity and media savvy were sufficient to support his campaign. Although they didn’t believe him, Trump told the Republicans in that room in 2013 that he would dominate the race without spending much on paid advertising. From the report:
“’You can’t run for president on earned media,’ one attendee recalled telling Trump. The billionaire looked up, and paused for a long moment. ‘I think you’re wrong,’ Trump said. ‘Are you going to do all those little events at the Pizza Ranches?” another person asked, referring to the Iowa fast food franchises that are a staple of presidential campaign stops. ‘Maybe a little,’ Trump replied. ‘But it’s really about the power of the mass audience.’”

Trump was right. The ability to control the narrative, to dominate the coverage, is all it takes. Trump’s amorality coupled with his gift for self-promotion has turned the Republican presidential race on its head. He’s made the race about him, and anytime he isn’t the main story, he lurches back into the headlines with an outrageous comment about women or Muslims or Mexicans or disabled people – anything to win the news cycle.

[yeoman6987]

1. Ok trump sucks. But what is fraud about the run for president?

Using the media? Not sure what's fraud about it. The media is kissing his butt.

[malthaussen]

5. More misleading clickbait, I guess.

That Mr Trump knows how to work the media better than the political experts is not even surprising. I don't see how that is evidence of a con. That Mr Trump may be running a con is not a position without merit, but this article offers no proof of that.

-- Mal

[muriel_volestrangler]

6. Yeah, no fraud or con in this - it's saying he knew the media would obsess about him

There is nothing fraudulent about knowing you'll get free publicity from people who want to have something new to write about. It's marketing, not fraud (unless you're actually against the modern world of capitalism, marketing and publicity, which I don't think Salon or its writers can claim to be).

[Vinca]

2. I've always wondered if we might not be getting taken for a ride and this is all being filmed

for a reality show.

[HuckleB]

3. Interesting piece. Thanks for sharing.

[bemildred]

7. Politics is a con job, that is why Trump fits right in. nt