Why Does Anyone Like Donald J. Trump?

Posted By Cliff Tuttle | August 10, 2015

No. 1,198

Image: obamaconspiracy.org

Everybody knows at least one person just like that big blow-hard Donald J. Trump.  Self-absorbed.  Insults people.  Behaves in a flamboyant and unguarded manner. But nobody likes such a person.  And when he is someone with power over you, life can be nearly intolerable.

So why does anyone like Donald J. Trump?

Good question.  Some have tried to answer it by suggesting that his followers think just like him.  Maybe, but I have another idea.

I have known a few lawyers who share Trump-like qualities.  They often tyrannized over their secretaries and subordinates.  They can be bombastic at the drop of a hat.  They make enemies with ease. Yet, strangely, clients frequently thought that they were fantastic lawyers.

These clients equated the bull-in-china-shop style with being a rough and tumble, two-fisted  winner.  They often expressed the belief that  best lawyers are bulldogs who chomp down on an opponent’s leg and never let go. In other words, you can get your way (or your client’s way) by being a bigger bully than the next guy. Lawyers  have word for that kind of character — Rambo.  And that denomination is not, I assure you, an expression of admiration.

The biggest problem with Ramboism is that judges don’t abide bullies acting up in their courtrooms. And they usually know exactly how to tame the savage beast.  You can’t bully the judge.  You have to persuade him.

We have a lawyer marketing program around here called Gorilla Lawyer. Their logo is a big, mean (and dumb looking) gorilla wearing a shirt and tie.  This caricature didn’t look like a lawyer to me.  It looked like a gangster.

Some people want to hire a trump-like lawyer to bully their opponent.  I suppose the same people want a Trump-like President, to bully the Mexican Government or who knows who else?.  At least for now.  Some of them will get tired of the novelty.  Some will eventually figure it out.  And some will become the target of the next wave of insults.

CLT

Welcome

CLIFF TUTTLE has been a Pennsylvania lawyer for over 45 years and (inter alia) is a real estate litigator and legal writer. The posts in this blog are intended to provide general information about legal topics of interest to lawyers and consumers with a Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania focus. However, this information does not constitute legal advice and there is no lawyer-client relationship created when you read this blog. You are encouraged to leave comments but be aware that posted comments can be read by others. If you wish to contact me in privacy, please use the Contact Form located immediately below this message. I will reply promptly and in strict confidence.

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