Trump Isn’t Even Good at Mean Nicknames Anymore

Jonathan Chait: “The ‘Sleepy Joe’ label was likewise derivative. It’s a default nickname Trump tends to use on generic white male Democrats, like Senators Bob Casey or Joe Donnelly. (Trump has spent years aiming a similar insult at NBC News host Chuck Todd.) Obviously, ‘Sleepy’ is a somewhat damning description for anybody who works in television. The harm it would pose to a politician is less clear. Moderate Democrats, especially ones running in red states, would actively desire to be seen as sedate and low-key.”

“And as the Trump era spirals further into chaos and endless rage, that image seems more and more comforting. It seems to have dawned on Trump only recently that his nickname for Biden was doing very little to reduce his opponent’s appeal.”