Scoop: Trump urges staff to portray him as "crazy guy"..

[HipChick]

In an Oval Office meeting earlier this month, President Trump gave his top trade negotiator, Robert Lighthizer, an Art of the Deal-style coaching session on how to negotiate with the South Koreans.

Trump's impromptu coaching came in the middle of a pivotal conversation with top officials about whether or not to withdraw from the U.S.-Korean trade deal. Sources familiar with the conversation paraphrased the exchange for Axios, and the White House did not dispute this account.


A number of senior officials and cabinet secretaries were present for the conversation, including Defense Secretary Mattis, Agriculture Secretary Perdue, and Secretary of State Tillerson. At issue was whether the U.S. would withdraw from the Korean trade deal — an action Trump threatened but still hasn't done."You've got 30 days, and if you don't get concessions then I'm pulling out," Trump told Lighthizer."Ok, well I'll tell the Koreans they've got 30 days," Lighthizer replied."No, no, no," Trump interjected. "That's not how you negotiate. You don't tell them they've got 30 days. You tell them, 'This guy's so crazy he could pull out any minute.'"
"That's what you tell them: Any minute," Trump continued. "And by the way, I might. You guys all need to know I might. You don't tell them 30 days. If they take 30 days they'll stretch this out."

Trump's comments today belong to a pattern that fits the "madman" or "he might just be crazy enough to do that" theory of international relations:

Trump warned North Korean leaders in August that if they keep threatening the U.S. they "will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen."In his first speech to the U.N. General Assembly, Trump threatened to "totally destroy North Korea" and called Kim Jong-un "Rocket Man."

Trump's threats can only produce short-term results, if he doesn't follow through on them. As the senior official put it: "If you make a threat and don't carry it out — such as Obama's 'line in the sand' in Syria — your credibility is shot. 'There he goes again' will be the response to any new declaration."
https://www.axios.com/inside-trumps-crazy-train-2491643924.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=organic

[canetoad]

1. It's a pattern with him

His nature is to destabilize. Put himself at the centre of his own personal hurricane.

He think that keeping others on the edge consolidates his own power. How many times has he said, 'We'll see', when confronted with an important decision.

[Me.]

2. For Once He Tells The Truth...He Is Crazy

[C_U_L8R]

3. Trump is a shit negotiator

It’s like he read some cheesy ‘how to win’ book they sell at airport magazine stands.

[Va Lefty]

4. Nixon tried that shit with the North Vietnamese

How did that work out for him?

[Madam45for2923]

5. This idea probably comes from Bannon, they think they are clver that way.

[HipChick]

7. Good observation...that is Bannon MO

[6000eliot]

6. Crazy like a fox?

No, just crazy.

[rock]

8. Or as they say

"Only if the fox is mentally insane!"