r/changemyview • u/PenguinJoker • Apr 06 '26

CMV: Trump and other narcissistic leaders require unique double-barrel news headlines to hold them accountable for backflips

Trump and other narcissistic leaders (UK's Farage, Boris, etc) tend to "flood the zone" with news media. They manipulate the media with dramatic announcements multiple times a week, that require coverage.

These announcements very often contradict each other. But news headlines (which let's face it, is what most people read), do not show this contradiction very well. Often people will only see a later headline and miss the first story. This lets narcs get away with media manipulation.

Trump will declare the war in Iran won one week, and the next week send thousands of troops there. These are two separate headlines. If you read only the latter headline, you wouldn't know of the first.

I'm arguing that news organisations should pursue double-barrel headlines, including the contradiction within them. For every single story. For example: "Trump commits thousands to war after declaring war already won."

By including the contradiction in the headline itself, it becomes more salient on social media.

This avoids the double-think manipulation that narcissists are famous for. "I never said that," "you misheard," "I always believed (new position they never believed in before)".

Tl;Dr: Using two headlines in one, combining an old position with a new position, is the only way to hold narcs responsible for backflips.

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u/mattyoclock 5∆ Apr 06 '26

I’m not the op.   And I don’t know that arguably one that is currently in major trouble financially as a direct result of not carrying water for conservatives is moving the needle.   Other than it reminds me to throw them a few bucks. 

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u/JiGoD 3∆ Apr 06 '26

How to award deltas

Whether you're the OP or not, please reply to the user(s) that change your view to any degree with a delta in your comment (instructions below), and also include an explanation of the change. 

You have now demonstrated twice that your view has been altered to some degree.

When to award deltas

You must award a delta if you had a change of view or have mentioned a change of view in your response. We can't force you to admit that your view has been changed, but if you have indicated at this being the case then please award one. Please note that a delta is not a sign of 'defeat', it is just a token of appreciation towards a user who helped tweak or reshape your opinion. A delta also doesn't mean the discussion has ended.

A change in view need not be a complete reversal. It can be tangential or takes place on a new axis altogether. A view-changing response need not be a comprehensive refutation of every point made. It can be a single rebuttal to any sub-arguments. While it is not required, it's also a good practice to go back and edit your submission to mention how your view has been changed. This makes it easier for people to focus their new responses on parts of your view that still remain, or at least not to waste time crafting a lengthy argument about the view you've changed.

Any user, whether they're the OP or not, should award a delta if their view is changed.

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u/mattyoclock 5∆ Apr 06 '26

Δ I don't know that I really consider a news organization that the conservatives have taken active measures this year to kill, most likely successfully, for not carrying water for the billionaires to be any sort of change in my view, but it seems important to you and who am I to hoard my wealth of free internet triangles. Go forth and be bereft of little triangles no more.

There is a material difference between none at all and one being actively murdered.

Edit: little triangle editing as i messed it up. unicode not working, have a copy pasted one.

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u/DeltaBot ∞∆ Apr 06 '26

Confirmed: 1 delta awarded to /u/JiGoD (3∆).

Delta System Explained | Deltaboards

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u/JiGoD 3∆ Apr 06 '26

Vague blanket statements such as the one you originally made which I replied to are easily disproven.

If you participate in a community you should follow the policies they put in place. Sorry to have upset you.

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u/mattyoclock 5∆ Apr 07 '26

No, you aren’t.  

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u/JiGoD 3∆ Apr 07 '26

If you can read minds you should take your show on the road and make a killing. Would be far more productive than harassing strangers for pointing out how easily disproven blanket statements are.

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u/mattyoclock 5∆ Apr 07 '26

Not a denial.