Prediction: Trump "magnanimously" withdraws from the race after proving that he "won"

[oberliner]

Here's what I am thinking:

1. Trump doesn't actually want to be President.

2. Trump does not like to lose - always needs to win

3. Trump loves having power over people, loves people kissing up to him, loves having something over powerful people

With that in mind, I am envisioning this scenario: Trump gets the most delegates but not the majority needed, so he cuts "the best deal" that he can get with one candidate or another. He then says that in the name of unity he will back candidate X. Upon doing so, he will be hailed as a hero among the Republicans for saving the party.

This will enhance his brand, which in turn will lead to him making more money and everything that goes with that.

He achieves his goal of "winning" but doesn't have to deal with the mundane unpleasantness of actually having to be president.

What do you all think?

[NV Whino]

1. Certainly plausible.

[oberliner]

11. Thanks

It seems like that would be the best of all worlds for him and the Republicans alike.

And good for the rest of us as well.

[Warren Stupidity]

2. I think you're wrong.

He intends to win.

[oberliner]

7. I definitely think he intends to win

I just get the sense that he doesn't want to actually do the job and will look for a way to both win and not have the job.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

3. oh i hope so! nt

[doc03]

4. I thought at first that eventually he

would say it was some kind of joke. I think he is in for good now.

[oberliner]

6. But does he really want to be president?

It doesn't seem like that would actually be a job that interests him. It seems like winning the election is the whole fun of it from his perspective.

[Jerry442]

5. Possible, but...

...the yuuuuuge problem is the very large number of voters who have openly embraced Trump's hateful messages. They won't just disappear.

[oberliner]

8. Can't he re-direct him to the candidate of his choice?

And then they can get all excited about that person instead or take their balls and go home, so to speak.

[BlueState]

9. At this point nothing would surprise me

I had thought along the same lines recently. I thought he never planned to take it this far and was planning on bowing out somehow.

Now I think he is a megalomaniac and believes his own bullshit. He may not have planned on getting this far but he can't help himself. He'll try to win because his type just can't stand to lose.

[oberliner]

12. That's why I am imagining a scenario where he both wins and also doesn't need to do the actual job

Winning seems to be the point for him - and he can still call it a win under my prediction.

[Rex]

10. That sounds like it actually could happen.

Anyone that brings his own brands to a presser...yes I can see it happening.

[oberliner]

13. Yeah - it's a different kind of cycle

It feels plausible to me, crazy as it may seem. Because, as you've said, Trump's already brought a lot of crazy to the race.

[Rex]

17. That was a moment in modern politics that some will never see again.

Yes his brand of crazy off the wall, no idea what he will throw at you next. Not a normal election cycle at all. Worse, imo, in the wings is an even bigger evil (maybe measured in ounces) Ted Cruz!

This election cycle is do or die for this country imo and I KNOW people say that every election cycle. This one feels different. A lot more important since so many safe guards and regulations are lacking. The GOP has been a straight up horse race.

[cwydro]

14. I've seen numerous threads like this here.

I think not.

[arcane1]

15. I am in complete agreement with items 1 through 3.

Which is why the Hitler comparisons don't scare me too much: he has no plan or vision or even a desire to run the country.

It's just a matter of "when".

[procon]

18. He craves the limelight too much to just walk away without some wild closing drama.

Remember Ross Perot, another billionaire ego maniac with a cult like following who convinced voters that only he could save America? He was leading in the polls, the people loved his crazy shtick, but then he suddenly withdrew from the presidential race with some cock and bull tale about vague, unexplained threats against his daughter’s wedding. It never made any sense, but the news media was working feverishly at dishing up mad conspiracy theories to explain the fact that we very nearly had a certified loon as the next president.

Could Trump pull off some similar stunt to give him an excuse to quit, but still save face? You betcha!

[virtualobserver]

19. I would have entertained your idea.....but....

I read that he was trying to get Bush Sr. to add him to the ticket in 1988.

He doesn't know what he is getting himself into, but I believe that he really does want to be President.

[karadax]

20. No. The GOP has pissed off Trump enough for him to hold a grudge.

This open plotting against him is only the latest thing that he won't forget if he gets the nomination / wins the presidency. If he gets into a contested convention I expect him to sink the ship so to speak. If he can't have it (the presidency) nobody will.

[Chemisse]

21. If he sees they are going to seize the candidacy in a brokered convention,

which guarantees he will lose, then he might just do this.

He could claim a win, avoid embarrassment, and best of all, stay out of the White House, where he would have to work very hard.

[1939]

23. Possibly

I don't see him bowing to Cruz or Rubio, but he might go with Kasich if he and Kasich together have enough delegates for the majority.

[a kennedy]

22. how bout he does win, then just doesn't take the office oath......

[0rganism]

24. about 3 months ago i would have agreed with you, not anymore

here's my rethink:
1. Trump doesn't give a shit about anyone but himself, but he's willing to put on a big show if it pumps up his ego
2. Trump has received an ass-kissing from the media (which he constantly disparages) unparalleled in modern politics
3. Trump loves having power over people, loves people kissing up to him, loves having something over powerful people (as you say)

by my reckoning he might not want to do the president's JOB, but he'd be pleased as punch to be the president. he's getting off on the campaign in a way he couldn't have imagined -- this is something he hasn't really gone anywhere with before, and he likes the flavor. seeing 20000 people chanting his name has given him a rush that he can't get anywhere else, and being able to control all these people with a word and a gesture appeals to his sense of self-apotheosis. he's playing this like a game, sure, but he enjoys the game and he doesn't give a crap about consequences. this is pumping his ego like nothing else he's ever done, even before he's won the nomination. he wants the happy ending, the full victory trip, and he's pretty close to getting it. now he's promising jobs to his primary opponents in return for endorsements, and who knows what he's promised to his actual friends. i don't see him dropping out now.

if it comes to a convention floor fight and he gets the nomination yanked away on a 2nd ballot maneuver, i can easily see him running as an independent. he has no need for the Republican party apparatus, and he will gladly ruin their electoral chances in the name of revenge and ego gratification.