Teflon Don
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English
[edit]Etymology 1
[edit]From teflon (“able to easily shrug off or deflect criticism or blame”) + don (“mafia boss”), after three high-profile trials in the 1980s resulted in acquittals.
Proper noun
[edit]- (colloquial) John Gotti.
- 2020 June 22, “Mafia boss John Gotti, aka "Teflon Don," sentenced to life”, in History.com[1]:
- On June 23, 1992, Mafia boss John Gotti, who was nicknamed the "Teflon Don" after escaping unscathed from several trials during the 1980s, is sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty on 14 accounts of conspiracy to commit murder and racketeering.
Etymology 2
[edit]From teflon (“able to easily shrug off or deflect criticism or blame”) + Don (diminutive of Donald), for Trump’s supposed ability to dodge legal matters.
Proper noun
[edit]- (colloquial, humorous) Donald Trump.
- 2023 June 10, “Trump faces biggest challenge yet to 'Teflon Don' persona”, in The Hill[2]:
- Former President Trump – long deemed Teflon Don for his ability to dodge legal matters – is facing a series of serious criminal charges brought by the Justice Department, which unsealed a 37-count indictment on Friday related to his handling of classified documents.