TB doesn't come up with original stuff. He has confused research and quotations with intelligence, and for a good reason.

He will find a chart or study which backs his views, and try to trump other views. Or post something, then say "I didn't say that, it was a quote". Where he spends his time there are many, many spurious studies which back his political views. Common sense does not count. For instance, what is the outcome of the increasing disparity of wealth, the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer? That's a real "duh", but he can't figure it out. Common sense.

He once told me he doesn't read history because he "doesn't need anyone to tell me how to think".

Don't try to nail him down. He won't/can't take responsibility for his views because they all originated with others.