JD Vance, a Catholic convert who occasionally has sparred with church leaders over their criticism of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, said in an interview on Fox News Channel on Monday night that the president’s social media post with the Jesus-like image was “a joke.”
“Of course, he took it down because he realized a lot of people weren’t understanding his humor,” Vance said.
He repeatedly dismissed the focus on the president’s fight with the pope, saying it “isn’t particularly newsworthy” and there will be disagreements from time to time with the Vatican.
But Vance also suggested the pope should stay in his lane.
Trial balloon, that’s what it’s called. It’s a test to see how people react. It’s just a joke unless you’re fine with it, and then he’s serious.
I’ve also heard it described as a tolerance test; it’s a social behavior we all engage in but in the case of narcissistic personalities it’s much more nefarious and manipulative. The narcissist’s prayer sums it up well.
These types will also turn this tactic into its most extreme form, a DARVO attack, when confronted directly.
Nothing is ever their fault, they are immune to accountability and will never ever accept that they need to change. Simply step into the mind of your 5 year old self when caught doing something you knew you knew weren’t supposed to yet felt you could whine your way out of and you’ll come close to understanding this mindset.