https://www.justplainpolitics.com/th...cliche.224863/
Read the full article at the link above.
The Myth of TDS, 'Trump Derangement Syndrome', the Ultimate Thought-Terminating Cliché
Let’s start with a bold declaration: the phrase "Trump Derangement Syndrome" isn’t an argument. It’s not a diagnosis. It’s not even a clever piece of rhetoric. No, it’s a weaponized non-thought, a crutch for the intellectually bankrupt, designed to shut down discourse and delegitimize dissent. It’s a cheap parlor trick employed by those who lack the courage or the evidence to defend Donald Trump on his record, his rhetoric, or his relentless assault on democratic norms. Let’s dismantle this pernicious little construct?
The Origins of TDS: A Propaganda Playbook
The term "Trump Derangement Syndrome" did not emerge organically from the public square. It was born in the fever swamps of right-wing media and right wing think-tank boardrooms, a calculated response to growing criticism of Trump’s overwhelming unhinged behavior, policies, and ethics and horrible acts. It was designed not to describe a real psychological condition, but to delegitimize critics by branding them as irrational, hysterical, and emotionally compromised. It’s a derivative of an earlier term like "Bush Derangement Syndrome" (coined by Charles Krauthammer [RIP] in 2003) but with a sinister twist: it absolves Trump and his supporters of accountability by shifting the conversation to his critics and they use it practically daily as I don't recall BDS really catching on.
TDS is the ultimate exercise in projection. Trump’s most ardent defenders -- who themselves exhibit an almost cultish devotion to their leader—accuse others of being unhinged, not because there’s evidence to support the claim, but because it’s an effective way to dodge legitimate criticism. When confronted with Trump’s mountain of lies, corruption, and incompetence, they don’t engage on the merits. They don’t refute the facts. They cry “TDS!” and pretend the conversation is over.
TDS as a Thought-Terminating Cliché
And that is precisely what makes TDS so insidious: it is the textbook definition of a thought-terminating cliché. A term that, when invoked, is meant to foreclose critical thinking, derail meaningful discussion, and stifle debate. The phrase doesn’t encourage examination of Trump’s actions or policies; it dismisses criticism as irrational, unworthy of further consideration. "Why are you upset about the Muslim ban, the family separations, or the January 6th insurrection?" “Oh, you must have TDS.” Case closed. Oh, sure, the left has a few buzz words they toss about, but nothing as a thought-terminating cliche magnitude as that of TDS which is literally designed to curb critical thinking and kill the conversation/dissent, etc.
This is propaganda 101: if you can’t argue on substance, attack the person. If you can’t win the debate, delegitimize the debate itself. It’s a lazy shortcut for people unwilling to grapple with the catastrophic implications of their own beliefs. Come up with a powerful TTC and pass it onto your flock, your fellow Trump base believers & fans.