I have long wondered why people scratch their heads when it comes to Donald Trump‘s popularity. Even those who acknowledge his mendacity, criminality, and vulgarity continue to support him. The reason? He‘s entertaining. Like a turtle with two heads, he inspires both disgust and fascination. One never knows what will come out of his mouth next, and it is this anticipation that keeps people in his orbit.

On this subject of entertainment, it seems appropriate to reference Mark Twain, who had a keen eye for fraud and bunkum. I am struck by how prescient America‘s preeminent humorist was, and how well he anticipated Donald Trump. Here‘s a short tour of some of his best lines:

The most outrageous lies that can be invented will find believers if a man only tells them with all his might.

Consider that the Washington Post logged more than 30,000 Trump lies over his four-year term in office. Is it any wonder that Trump struggles to keep his stories straight? Recall the 2016 election, when, referencing his opponent Hillary Clinton, he led cheers of “Lock her up!” Now he swears – with all his might -— that he never said those words, despite video evidence to the contrary. There are times when it seems that everything he utters is a lie. But again, the lies are often so fantastic(“[The Haitians] are eating the dogs…”)that their entertainment value is the reason so many of his supporters abide them.

All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure.

Donald Trump doesn’t read. He believes that the Justice Department is an arm of the executive branch. He thinks that he can wheel and deal for Greenland. He openly mocks those with disabilities. In an age that thrives on ignorant outrage, he is a master of the art. There is entertainment value in this, and even those of his supporters who know better, who are well educated, are seduced by the spectacle.

When angry count four; when very angry, swear.

A hallmark of Trump‘s supporters is that they are angry, although the anger seems to be very vague and diffuse — It‘s hard to put a finger on exactly what their beef is. But it‘s my impression that these supporters feel they have been hurt in some way, and that it‘s time for someone else to get hurt. Donald Trump is willing to do the hurting. His supporters cheer when Trump says that police violence against reporters is “a beautiful sight,” and he has voiced using the military against the “radical left.” His anger boils over, and it is contagious, especially when he is profane. This, too, has entertainment value.

Noise proves nothing. Often a hen who has laid an egg cackles as if she has laid an asteroid.

Donald Trump‘s “speeches” are remarkably devoid of content, but heavy on superlatives. If one takes him at his word, he is the greatest U.S. president that God ever created, had the best economy in history, was “always the best athlete” and had “the best words” (whatever that means). These are, to say the least, extraordinary claims, and constitute so much noise. But because any other candidate would be ashamed to utter such absurdities, they are novel, and therefore entertaining.

The human race has only one really effective weapon and that is laughter.

Trump‘s critics have tried registering horror, taking him to court, embarrassing him, fact-checking him, and calling out his lies. None of these tactics have succeeded in moving the needle of his support. Since he is less a politician than an entertainer, it‘s time to treat him as the stand-up comedian he is.

Laugh at, not with him. It‘s the only thing we haven‘t tried, and it will do everyone good. Not least of all, the country.