Because of Devin Nunes suing his mother and a cow on Twitter, Trump thought he could offset that bit of stupidity with a stunt involving Adam Schiff, to augment the House Intelligence committee Republicans’ attempt to oust him. Trump’s been workshopping nasty nicknames, but seems to reveal his own limited lexicon.
Trump chose to reduce his rhetoric to that of a professional wrestling spectacle, since that is the operative model for his campaign rallies. It also demonstrates that the Trump base ultimately devolves to the dynamics of pro-wrestling audiences.
“Pencil-neck” as in “pencil-neck geek” was a common expression used in Trump’s heyday appearing on WWE broadcasts. Wrestlers would refer to non-wrestlers as “pencil-necks”.
This bit of GOP humor is derived from the company of the former cabinet member for the Small Business Administration. Linda McMahon was even part of the ongoing kayfabe of WWE wrestling spectacles, as was Individual-1, a member of the WWE Hall of Fame.
President Trump's 2020 presidential campaign is now selling "Pencil-Neck Adam Schiff" T-shirts, after Trump coined the new nickname at a rally in Michigan on Thursday.
The shirt, which is on sale for $28, shows Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) with a pencil for a neck as well as a clown nose.
"Little Pencil-Neck Adam Schiff. He spent two years knowingly and unlawfully lying and leaking. He should be forced to resign from Congress! Everyone should buy a Pencil-Neck Adam Schiff shirt today!" the item's online description reads.
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Trump is running out of snappy insults as he tries something retro, as if the kids would understand.
The colorful phrase first started being used to mean "weak" in the 19th century but was popularized in the 20th century thanks to an unusual figure: wrestler "Classy" Freddie Blassie.
The famous wrestling villain from the 1960s and 1970s adopted the description as part of his signature catchphrase "pencil-neck geek" early in his career, when his rival was a wrestler known as "The Geek." Blassie even later turned it into a novelty song.
It's no secret that Trump has long had an affection for professional wrestling. World Wrestling Entertainment Inc., for example, inducted Trump into its Hall of Fame in 2013 for his contribution to the industry, as Trump has had a media relationship with the company since the inception of "Hulkamania" in the 1980s. Trump has even made some appearances as a guest wrestler, taking on others in the ring in full suit and tie.
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