I never cared about being popular yet never had a shortage of friends. My philosophy was always...if you want to be my friend I'll be your best friend, if you wanted to be my enemy I'll be your worst enemy.
I was the guy who took on the bullies. What I learned from that was, and its a common knowledge, a good punch to the face is generally all it takes. Somebody, Trump?, his advisers? both? apparently know this.
I think these last two attacks by us are just punches to the bullies face. Letting them know...we will hit you.