Subject: Re: AOC’s thoughts on Taiwan
Tyrion's main approach to being Hand was basically to purge all the people who he felt were loyal to Cersie instead of to him (Slynt, Pycelle) and replace them with hand-picked lackeys that were on his own payroll. Because he realized that it was critically important to fill positions of power with people whose personal loyalties were to you. Which is the quintessential Trump MO.

That's a method. It's been a long time, but as I recall he installed people of competence who were also loyal. He led the defense of Westeros, resulting in that stunning visual (in movie terms) of a harbor of burning ships. He outmaneuvered opponents. He made smart deals. He was smart and cunning (like his father).

I maintain the Felon is neither. He wants people loyal to him near him, and preferably those who won't argue with him. It may be smart to have loyal people around you, but it's also rather obvious. It's not an indication of intelligence.

On the topic of wealth, I very distinctly remember in his 2016 run that an article came out which indicated he would have have something like 2x the wealth if he had just parked his inheritance in an index fund. All his deal-making did result in more than he started with, but not as much as passively parking it in the S&P. This is 10 years later, so I have no expectation I can find that article again. I do remember it was discussed at length on TMF. After his 10 years of grift, I don't know if that is still true.