Countering Bully, Tyrant Trump's Intimidating Expletives

It Could Work

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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The author argues that Donald Trump's rise to power was largely due to his aggressive use of language and insults, and that the best way to counter him is to respond in kind with memorable, on-point depictions that "ring the truth bell." The article suggests that Democrats and Trump's critics have been too passive in the past, and need to more forcefully label and define Trump using terms like "Tyrant Trump," "Crooked Donald," and "Deranged Donald" to unsettle the thin-skinned former president.

Why it matters

The author believes that Trump has been able to get away with his lies and transgressions because his critics have not been aggressive enough in labeling and defining him. By responding to Trump's bullying language with their own memorable epithets, the author argues that Trump's supporters may start to reconsider their loyalty and that the former president may even "decide to stop the daily froth from his MOUTH."

The details

The article outlines how Trump used his aggressive language and insults to dominate the 2016 Republican primary debates and then the general election. It notes that fact-checking did not deter Trump, who continued to make over 30,000 false or misleading claims during his first term. The author suggests that Democrats and Trump's critics should have responded in kind with their own memorable depictions of Trump, such as "Tyrant Trump," "Crooked Donald," and "Deranged Donald." The author believes this could have unsettled the thin-skinned former president and made him "rethink what his daily false salvos are provoking in return."

  • The article was published on February 17, 2026.

The players

Donald J. Trump

The former president of the United States, who the author describes as an "elected dictator" and "Prevaricator-In-Chief" known for his aggressive use of language and insults.

Ralph Nader

The author of the article, a longtime political activist and consumer advocate.

Glenn Kessler

A former fact-checker for The Washington Post who the author says gave up on fact-checking Trump because his fabrications were not slowing down.

Hakeem Jeffries

A Democratic leader in Congress who the author says has been "politically foolish" in not being more aggressive in labeling and defining Trump.

Chuck Schumer

A Democratic leader in Congress who the author says has been "politically foolish" in not being more aggressive in labeling and defining Trump.

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What they’re saying

“Deranged" and "traitors”

— Donald J. Trump, Former President (Counterpunch.org)

“lunatics," "communists," "crooked," "crazy," "lying," "corrupt," "murderers," and "low IQ”

— Donald J. Trump, Former President (Counterpunch.org)

“a fascist to his core”

— John Kelly, Retired General, Former Chief of Staff (Counterpunch.org)

What’s next

The author suggests that as Trump's poll numbers drop, he will become increasingly obsessed with rigging the upcoming midterm elections through voter suppression. The article implies that Democrats and Trump's critics need to be more aggressive in labeling and defining Trump in order to counter his tactics and prevent him from subverting the electoral process.

The takeaway

The article argues that the best way to counter Trump's aggressive use of language and insults is to respond in kind with memorable, on-point depictions that "ring the truth bell." By more forcefully labeling and defining Trump using terms like "Tyrant Trump," "Crooked Donald," and "Deranged Donald," the author believes Trump's supporters may start to reconsider their loyalty and the former president may even "decide to stop the daily froth from his MOUTH."