Politics Moshi-tora: What if Trump wins?

[thomas]

もしトラ ...

"Moshi-tora" or "if Trump", "hobo-tora" (pretty much Trump), "maji-tora" (it will seriously be Trump), "kaku-tora" (confirmed Trump) and "mou-tora" (already Trump): the phrase "moshi-tora," translating to "if Trump," has become a viral expression in Japan, reflecting concerns about the possibility of Donald Trump's re-election. This term, symbolizing the unease about the 'America First' policy, is now a standard reference in media and conversations. The apprehension is particularly palpable in Japan, favouring stability and concise expressions. The upcoming visit of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to Washington is intensifying this sentiment, as it raises questions about future interactions with the current U.S. administration.

As a key U.S. ally in Asia reliant on American security support, Trump's scepticism about alliances and his "Tariff Man" persona, which has previously targeted Japanese car manufacturers with import taxes, raises concerns. His unorthodox stance on critical security issues involving China and North Korea adds to the unease about what his leadership could mean for Japan. Mieko Nakabayashi, an ex-lawmaker and professor, encapsulates this sentiment, suggesting that "moshi-tora" serves as a wake-up call to consider previously unimaginable scenarios. Moreover, Japan must navigate these uncertainties without Shinzo Abe, who once acted as a bridge to the U.S. president.

The WP is looking at a nation that's worried about being abandoned by the U.S.:

As prime minister, Abe forged a close relationship with Trump through flattery, attention, and golf outings, and he even nominated him for a Nobel Peace Prize, according to Trump. Days after Trump's election stunned the Japanese political establishment, Abe flew 6,700 miles to reaffirm the bilateral alliance with the president-elect at Trump Tower and gift him a gold-coloured golf driver. That early outreach laid the groundwork for Abe's personality-driven diplomacy with Trump. And while the charm offensive wasn't always practical, Abe's approach helped quell concerns about managing the unpredictable U.S. leader, said Tobias Harris, an expert on Japanese politics and an Abe biographer. The phrase "moshi-tora" captures "that feeling of vulnerability that … because Abe acted so quickly in 2016, didn't fester quite so long," Harris said. "He exuded a confidence that, whether [or not] everyone bought it, it was reassuring to at least many people." It's unclear now which Japanese politician could carry on Abe's mantle. Kishida, formerly Japan's top diplomat, lacks Abe's charismatic leadership style, Japanese media note.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/04/06/japan-donald-trump-moshi-tora/

Perhaps these concerns are not unfounded:

Paywall alert:

Trump could ask Japan to spend over 2% of GDP on defense: ex-defense chief

Former president sees U.S. alliances as transactional, says Mark Esper

asia.nikkei.com

 

[nice gaijin]

Uggggh I am not ready to deal with even the thought of another four years of that solipsistic lunatic at the helm. Reflecting on this exchange from the very first month of his administration, I shudder to think what misery that ignorant, narcissistic, petty, vengeful career criminal is capable of unleashing on the world, especially when he is backed by the "project 2025" team of psychopaths and not just installing Federalist Society weirdos into lifetime judgeships (his greatest contribution to regressive conservative policies that has had a lasting impact on the country).

(Edit: oops forgot the link and accidentally repeated a sentence)

It'll be a disaster either way (not necessarily because I think Biden is terrible but because Trump will sow chaos regardless of whether he wins or loses), so I just hope he gets absolutely crushed in the polls, loses all his court cases, files for bankruptcy but loses all his properties, sees mar-a-lago auctioned off and trump tower turned into low income housing, skips bail and gets caught trying to flee to Russia or some non-extradition nation with a pile of state secrets in his airplane's toilet, then spends the rest of his life in federal prison wishing he had pre-emptively pardoned himself for all his past and future crimes while he had the chance.

But wishful thinking aside, our only hope is for his supporters to see him for what he is and turn their backs on him.

 

[bentenmusume]

But wishful thinking aside, our only hope is for his supporters to see him for what he is and turn their backs on him.

I feel pretty confident in saying that the chances of this are several orders of magnitude less than zero percent.

Literally all of his supporters ("zealots"?) suffer from extreme cognitive dissonance -- impoverished rural folk who have convinced themselves that a grifter who literally lives in a gilded tower in the center of New York City is an ally of the "common man" (read: white people), religious fundamentalists who genuinely believe that a man who has been divorced multiple times, indicted for fraud, etc. etc. is a paragon of Christian values, "patriots" who believe he loves the United States (again, read: white people) more than anyone and of course that's why he incited an angry mob to storm the Capitol, etc. etc.

The actual only hope is for anyone and everyone who sees him for the pathological liar and pox upon society that he is -- particularly the younger generation and those who are disillusioned by the whole political process and are thus disinclined to participate at all -- to band together and vote against him, thereby outweighing the 30-something-percent of the American population who think he is literally the second coming of Jesus and would continue to think so if he literally strangled a hundred babies to death on national TV.

 

[johnnyG]

(oops)

 

[Grandpa Frank]

Be interesting to see what would happen if Trump did win. Last time all kinds of well know people claimed they would leave the country , but few did. I'd like to see someone under 50 and a former veteran run for the office who cares for the people more than lining their pockets.

 

[thomas]

I'd like to see someone under 50 and a former veteran run for the office who cares for the people more than lining their pockets.

I think no one would disagree with that.

 

[Lothor]

I feel pretty confident in saying that the chances of this are several orders of magnitude less than zero percent.

Literally all of his supporters ("zealots"?) suffer from extreme cognitive dissonance -- impoverished rural folk who have convinced themselves that a grifter who literally lives in a gilded tower in the center of New York City is an ally of the "common man" (read: white people), religious fundamentalists who genuinely believe that a man who has been divorced multiple times, indicted for fraud, etc. etc. is a paragon of Christian values, "patriots" who believe he loves the United States (again, read: white people) more than anyone and of course that's why he incited an angry mob to storm the Capitol, etc. etc.

The actual only hope is for anyone and everyone who sees him for the pathological liar and pox upon society that he is -- particularly the younger generation and those who are disillusioned by the whole political process and are thus disinclined to participate at all -- to band together and vote against him, thereby outweighing the 30-something-percent of the American population who think he is literally the second coming of Jesus and would continue to think so if he literally strangled a hundred babies to death on national TV.

Another hope is for Trump to be incapacitated by his body taking revenge on his lifestyle. I don't normally wish ill on people, but ...

 

[dracuella]

Be interesting to see what would happen if Trump did win. Last time all kinds of well know people claimed they would leave the country , but few did. I'd like to see someone under 50 and a former veteran run for the office who cares for the people more than lining their pockets.

What would be the benefit of the president being a veteran? Asking as a non-American. I can only really think of one thing; them having experienced the horrors of war first-hand meaning they'd probably not enter or start another willy-nilly. And perhaps work more actively towards ending the ones already tainting the world today. Are there other things I'm missing?

Another hope is for Trump to be incapacitated by his body taking revenge on his lifestyle. I don't normally wish ill on people, but ...

I share the sentiment and feel truly bad about it; I was looking up how old he was the other day and cursing that he's 'only' 77. I hate thinking like this but I truly think the world would be a better place if he wasn't there - or at least unable to hold office. There are so many other candidates who could pave the way for a brighter future for all Americans.

 

[mdchachi]

I think no one would disagree with that.

Depends on the veteran.

What would be the benefit of the president being a veteran? Asking as a non-American. I can only really think of one thing; them having experienced the horrors of war first-hand meaning they'd probably not enter or start another willy-nilly. And perhaps work more actively towards ending the ones already tainting the world today. Are there other things I'm missing?

Theoretically a veteran would be more likely to put the nation's and troop's best interests ahead of personal. Though there's not really any guarantees of that.

I share the sentiment and feel truly bad about it; I was looking up how old he was the other day and cursing that he's 'only' 77. I hate thinking like this but I truly think the world would be a better place if he wasn't there - or at least unable to hold office. There are so many other candidates who could pave the way for a brighter future for all Americans.

Be careful what you wish for. The next person could be worse. Trump is narcissism incarnate but he's not ideological and murderous.

 

[thomas]

Depends on the veteran.

Sorry, I agreed with Frank's statement that candidates should be under 50 or, at least, younger than the current presidential candidates.

 

[dracuella]

Be careful what you wish for. The next person could be worse. Trump is narcissism incarnate but he's not ideological and murderous.

I know; I just feel as if the normal people in politics are never considered or overshadowed by the ones that bring tonnes of crazy to the table. I know democrats and republicans work together at local levels so why can't they on the national? Every presidential campaign feels like a mud-slinging contest where the winner is the one who doesn't drown in the sludge.

 

[johnnyG]

I know democrats and republicans work together at local levels

From my reading (I've been away from the US for decades), this is apparently not (always?) the case. Eg, school policies can be a particularly troubled/contentious area.

 

[Grandpa Frank]

From my reading (I've been away from the US for decades), this is apparently not (always?) the case. Eg, school policies can be a particularly troubled/contentious area.

Here in Maine they always fight about how much money the Democrats want to spend while the Republicans cry for tax breaks. Rare they agree on anything here.