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PaperclipPerfector  1mo ago (text post)   2279 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for May 10, 2026

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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What happens if China takes Donald Trump hostage?

Realistically, it would be such a gigantic insult to the US' standing in the world that, even though a large fraction of the country and of politicians would be happy about it, the US' leaders would feel compelled to take strong measures. Chinese nuclear weapons and enormous conventional arsenal would, I think, prevent the US from launching a full-scale conventional war against China (but full-scale war is not out of the question). The US would immediately detain every important Chinese citizen and PRC-connected individual on its soil and in territories under its control. The US would also begin a full-scale naval blockade of Chinese shipping. The question with the blockade would be, how close to Chinese soil would the US risk moving its naval forces. In any case, given geography and US naval strength, the US could certainly effectively end China's overseas trade.

It's an extreme hypothetical, however, since China has little to gain and much to lose from taking Trump hostage. Vance, whatever he privately feels about Trump's China policies, would feel politically compelled to not only continue, but even to expand on Trump's anti-China moves in response to China taking Trump hostage.

JD Vance would become president.

Yeah, but then what? Do we launch a full nuclear strike? A conventional war? Just a blockade?

An irresistible smile would fall upon JD Vance's face. A weight hitherto unknown would be lifted from his shoulders. A dream realized.

Under the 25th Amendment he would be only the acting president, not the actual president.

Ir wouldn't be formally announced. China would keep Trump off camera and the CCP would make some statement that he was enjoying an extended visit in private.

Newsrooms around the world would privately celebrate their good fortune in covering the ongoing story.

A certain subset of the American public would begin "You can keep him" campaigns, probably with hats and T-shirts, etc. These would be all over TikTok. This in the vein of the tendency of many Americans to want to mash a self-destruct button.

Democratic politicians would make statements of feigned outrage beginning with "We disagree on everything, but.." Some would suggest peaceful negotiations.

The UN, after a long session , would make a solemn statement about how such behavior in China's part is unacceptable. Then do nothing.

Markets would go into freefall. Allies would mobilize for war with an unclear objective. Even more interesting times would ensue.

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