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Yes Richard, we all have.

But that is not the explanation, it's much deeper, more sinister.

It is hero-worship, he wants to emulate him. That is his role model - the ultimate mob boss.

The pee pee tape is a red herring.

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You could be correct on this, Christopher. There's this article in The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/books/archive/2024/03/jacob-heilbrunn-america-last-trump-putin/677609/?utm_campaign=atlantic-daily-newsletter&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=20240301&utm_term=The+Atlantic+Daily

Still, I think that someday we'll discover that there are tapes and photos.

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There probably are, Richard, but the Russians figured out that they could easily manipulate Trump without needing blackmail. It’s been said by a several knowledgeable people that while Trump was in the White House it was observed that often the last person of the day to make suggestions to Trump usually got what they were after.

He is also susceptible to flattery. Kim Kardashian & Kanye West got someone who was in prison pardoned by visiting him. Trump himself was pleased by their attention and said that’s how to do it.

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Thanks for introducing this article, I’m sure it is an interesting book. I’m not sure I could really stomach reading it, it might be more terrifying than old-school Stephen King. Wait…who needs King when we have these living nightmares walking among us? Does Manafort still have an ankle monitor?

And I learned a new word, too.

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100% correct

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Such deep affinities, the most successful robber, the Grandmaster of Crime, and the would-be Don at the head of the Cupola.

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and Ray Cohn

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There are social media musings that TFG also idolized Hitler. Very gossipy rumors that he keeps Mein Kampf on his nightstand and raised by a German Nazi nanny. But I’ve never seen nor heard of a verifiable source for the gossip.

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