Source: Persuasion
by Sam Kahn
“Why am I so sure that Trump is not, as The New York Times assures me, joking when he discusses a third term? Well, for one rather literal-minded reason, because he told NBC News ‘I’m not joking’ in a recent interview. That brings us, of course, into one of the finer political arts of the Trump era: the deciphering of Donald Trump’s sense of humor. The theory here — which has gained surprisingly wide-ranging acceptance — is that Trump’s sense of humor is a kind of carefully calibrated ultrasonic instrument designed to infuriate liberals, whereas his supporters can take everything with an easygoing swagger. … But, like the sort of school bully who’s just kidding right up until the moment he snatches your lunch bag out of your hand (and then assures you afterwards that it was no big deal), Trump’s gags deserve to be taken seriously.” (04/01/25)
https://www.persuasion.community/p/dont-assume-trump-is-joking-about