Ramrod Hotshot posted:

To me it's pretty clear there's a plan and a strategy to ensure Trump does not become president in '24. They're starting now. The FBI raid and whatever consequences it brings are one element. Obviously, it might backfire and perfectly play into Trump's hands so he can play the martyred victim fighting against the deep state pedos, which is what he's always done but now it's for real, but put enough pressure, legal and financial, and it might simply be impossible to manage and fund a nationwide presidential campaign in the midst of all that. Or not and it could play perfectly into his hands. But it's a gamble, and it's all they've got. It's the saturation strategy - you know he has a way of resisting it, but you can break through that resistance with enough pressure.

The other leg of this are his primary opponents, and this is actually kind of clever. Pence and Cheney are 100% running, but only as strawmen. But not necessarily strawmen for Trump to knock down - DeSantis, who is also definitely running, can do it too. DeSantis can run against these dupes instead of appearing to run against Trump. He can defend Trump against them, and promise an immediate and unconditional pardon for Trump on Day One of his administration.

Whatever happens in the '24 election it's going to be completely insane. But as far as Trump goes, a) I don't think he ends up in jail, or ever faces any real consequences and b) with each passing day I am more convinced he will not be president again.