The Donald Trump martyrdom conspiracy theory

[Angel of Death]

If it's Trump's (somewhat) secret intention to lose the nomination in a backhanded fashion, allowing him to simultaneously play the martyr while not having any of the responsibility of governing (a la Samuel J. Tilden), then one must admit he's doing a perfect job so far.
This idea may be somewhat out there, but I see it mentioned more and more.

[Seriously?]

Because Trump is in the business of wasting his own money on being a martyr? I highly doubt this is a business strategy.

[Hammy]

Because Trump is in the business of wasting his own money on being a martyr? I highly doubt this is a business strategy.

I highly doubt this is the case, but you have to admit even if it was he isn't necessarily wasting his money as he's getting 24/7 news coverage as a result.

[Xing]

I'm pretty sure all current evidence points against the idea that Trump is actually a tactical mastermind...

[dax00]

Before he looked primed to win, he wasn't in it to win. Now he is. He wouldn't have invested so bigly into the campaign. I still stand by my assertion that, aside from knowing all the rules and tricks of the political  trade, Trump knows exactly what he's doing.

[Wisconsin+17]

If the goal being to elect Hillary, I agree.

[TJ in Oregon]

Because Trump is in the business of wasting his own money on being a martyr? I highly doubt this is a business strategy.

It would be a great business strategy--because he's not spending much of his own money at all for the publicity he's being given. And what little he is spending, he's loaning to his campaign so he can pay himself back when other people donate.

[PeteB]

I have said all along that Trump is an entertainer and was in this race to get attention for himself and his brand, not to get elected. Obviously now that he has an actual chance, he is tempted to take it.

However, with the increased stakes, Trump's potential liabilities have grown. In the past, he could always exit stage left, with a hefty increase in his brand recognition and a rolodex of political IOUs. Now, if he decides to push till the end (and fail), he could easily p.ss off enough people to do damage to his brand and the Trump Corp. He will have to weigh that carefully, and his decisions will (as always) reflect his own interests!

[Former Senator Haslam2020]

If this happens.... Trump 2020

[Mike Thick]

If this happens.... Trump 2020

And 2024, and 2028, until he dies...

I've thought this over, and... what if it actually happened? What if he kept running every cycle, and kept getting nominated or doing very well, for three or four more cycles?

[Mr. Morden]

He's not spending much of his own money at all for the publicity he's being given.

And much of the money that he is spending is going into Trump businesses:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/03/01/donald-trump-is-paying-himself-to-run-for-president.html