Contradiction concerning Trump

[no_hypocrisy]

On one hand, there's the story that his first wife, Ivana, reported during their divorce that Trump kept by his bedside a book of Hitler's speeches.

On the other hand, there are stories about Trump generally not being a reader. In school, in college, in business, in the WH. There is speculation whether he has dyslexia or no interest in reading.

I've tried reading the English translation of Mein Kampf, Hitler's autobiography and blueprint for Nazi Germany. It isn't easy b/c it's rambling, full of free association, and generally, unreadable. If I can't follow it with nine years of college, three degrees, and a love of reading, I don't see how Trump could have read the Hitler speeches book. And even if he did, I also don't see how he could have gotten anything out of it.

[Hugin]

1. I can believe that he did/does.

It’s common for people with learning disabilities to tokenize things that they feel are important even though they can’t utilize them for their usual purpose. I have seen it many times with certain books, musical instruments, and sporting gear.

[Irish_Dem]

3. Yes it was more of an obsession, a talisman, good luck charm.

And most likely a message to his wife.
Not a good one.

[Walleye]

2. He picked up a few catchphrases and found out you can get away with lying all the time

[Diamond_Dog]

9. Best explanation, Walleye.

[global1]

4. He Understands It Because He.....

rambles. He uses free association when putting sentences together. He can't spell and is generally, unspeakable.

[Joinfortmill]

5. I suspect it came from his father. Just a guess.

[NanaCat]

10. TSF claimed that a Jewish man gave him the book

Specifically, Marty Davis, an executive at Paramount Studios.

Davis admitted giving TSF the book, but he's not Jewish.

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/donald-trumps-history-adolf-hitler-nazi-writings-analysis/story?id=105810745

[Chakaconcarne]

6. Trump had the Cliff Notes version of Mein Kampf

[patricia92243]

7. He probably meant to read it - but never did. Happens sometimes to us all.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

8. It is the same as his holding up the Holy Bible he DOES NOT or HAS NOT read.

When asked by Mark Halpirn and John Heidleman what Bible passages meant the most to him, TSF hemmed and hawed his answer.

[link:

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[NanaCat]

13. Who cares if he's read it or not?

It's not like the bible has all that much in it that's applicable to politics or ethics in a developed country, and not having read it makes him no different than 90% of other Christians.

Yes, I consider him a Christian. He was raised one, he was a ga-ga acolyte of one (Norman Vincent Peale), he married before Christian clergy all three times, and he had at least his youngest child baptised in a Christian church. When his childhood church in Queens had a fundraising drive, he donated (real!) money, and even sent a letter gushing over his fond memories of attending services there.

Christians do those things, not people of other persuasions.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

11. Kept beside his bed because it took him years to work through it. . . . . nt

[sop]

12. Trump said his "friend Marty Davis from Paramount gave me a copy of Mein Kampf, and he's a Jew."

When asked about it, Davis told Vanity Fair: “I did give him a book about Hitler. But it was 'My New Order,' Hitler’s speeches, not 'Mein Kampf.' I thought he would find it interesting. I am his friend, but I’m not Jewish.”

Trump didn't even know the title of the book, and Trump isn't the sort of guy to read something like that in bed at nignt. Trump does like to show off expensive gifts from wealthy, important people he admires. Maybe it was a valuable first edition signed by the Fuehrer himself?

[hlthe2b]

14. The book of speeches was "My New Order"

Currently available edition credits: Adolph Hitler (Author), Count Raoul Jean Jacques Francois de Roussy de Sales (Translator), Raymond Gram Swing (Introduction), Sam Sloan (Introduction)

Having never read either, I can't say for certain, but I'd guess reading a single speech is a lot different from trying to get through the rambling musings of "Mein Kampf"... Given the rapt attention the German people gave to his speeches, I'd guess it was not merely his theatrics, but something about the speech content and construct (and ability to manipulate opinion) that made them memorable. Knowing that, the (likely) dyslexic and intensely ignorant Trump might have made studying a speech or two a night a priority--even while he read little else.

[Blue Owl]

15. It was probably just a picture book of Hitler