History Main / PromotedToScapegoat

* The [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass_cliff glass cliff]] is a phenomenon derived in part by the exploitation of this trope regarding appointing minorities in higher positions. A mostly white male-dominated company finds itself in a bad period so they nominate a woman or minority to its highest leadership role. If the new leader can navigate the crisis, no harm is done. If they (most likely) cannot, then the company manages to look more progressive for simply having tried and goes back to its discriminatory practices citing the previous leader's failure as "proof" that minorities don't make good leaders.

* ''FanFic/ConversationsWithACryptid'' posits that this is why [[PsychopathicManChild Shigaraki]] was set up to be the heir of [[TheDreaded All for One]]'s criminal empire. All for One wanted to retire, and planned to hand his operation over Shigaraki so he'd go make a big mess, get caught, and be taken for the leader, while All for One slipped away quietly because everyone thought that Shigaraki was the person behind everything. It didn't quite work because of a (canon) SpannerInTheWorks- a random civilian informed the police of the location of Shigaraki's hideout, meaning that he nearly got busted before he could inherit ''anything'', and All for One had to personally bail him out.

* Defied in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI''. Emperor Geshtal effectively uses Kefka for this, having him arrested so the Emperor can blame the Empire's crimes on him in order to placate the Returners. However, the Returners don't fall for it, and it ultimately ends up making Kefka betray the Emperor after the Floating Continent is revived.

* Admiral Dönitz from the ''Series/ThatMitchellAndWebbLook'' sketch ''The New Fuhrer'' is thrilled [[UsefulNotes/WorldWarII to have been promoted as Fuhrer, rather oblivious to his headquarters being under fire]], and eager to implement his ideas about pensions and the housing shortage. It lasts until his second in command gives him the items he needs to take his first decision: a tactical review of the dismal position of their armies "summed up [[ParentheticalSwearing in one rude word]]"; General Eisenhower's phone number; and a written translation of 'We give up' in English. He ''does'' get a "Heil Dönitz" for his troubles, though.

* In ''Literature/{{Wintersmith}}'', the witches agree that Mrs Earwig's apprentice Angaramma should get Miss Treason's cottage [[note]]A cottage in Discworld witchcraft isn't just a cottage; it's more like taking over a medical practice[[/note]]. Tiffany, who was Miss Treason's apprentice, protests that this is unfair ... on ''Anagramma'' who is clearly being set up to fail to prove a point about Mrs Earwig's brand of witchcraft.

* In general this can be exploited along with the glass ceiling to discredit any minority candidates for a high position. It's known as the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass_cliff glass cliff]].

** Beware being a promoted WanderingMinstrel in Westeros. Suddenly gaining a position as either a House or Court [[TheBard Bard]] should come with a bullseye sandwich-board for a tabard. Being a [[TheJester Court Fool]] or [[KnowledgeBroker Maester]] is, generally, a much, much safer position, though not without risks.

** In "Party Games" when Hacker is convinced by Bernard that being Chancellor or Foriegn Secretary would make him unpopular he is asked by Bernard if he wants the job in the middle, meaning Prime Minister. Initially thinking he means Home Secretary Hacker comments he'd be responsible for all the muggings, jailbreaks and race riots in the country.

** In "Party Games" when Hacker is convinced by Bernard that being Chancellor or Forieng Secretary would make him unpopular he is asked by Bernard if he wants the job in the middle, meaning Prime Minister. Initially thinking he means Home Secretary Hacker comments he'd be responsible for all the muggings, jailbreaks and race riots in the country.
** In another episode where the Prime Minister plans to close down Hacker's Department Hacker is told there is talk he may be made the Minister responsible for Industrial Harmony. Hacker comments with horror that this means every strike in the country will be his fault.

* [[http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_P._Laurel José P. Laurel]], 3rd President of UsefulNotes/ThePhilippines, was this, TheQuisling (albeit subverted), TheMole and a MoleInCharge. When UsefulNotes/ImperialJapan occupied the Philippines in World War II, the Philippines was in the middle of a ten-year transition period from being an American colony to an independent country, having internal autonomy but with foreign and defense affairs handled by the United States. The president of this autonomous government, Manuel L. Quezon, fled for the United States to head a government-in-exile when the Japanese arrived, but ordered Laurel to remain and try to head up any administration the Japanese might install. Quezon reasoned--correctly--that Laurel, who had established links with Japan[[note]]He had been given an honorary doctorate by UsefulNotes/TokyoUniversity, and his son had studied at the Imperial Japanese Army Academy, and had other contacts with senior Japanese officials[[/note]] would find it easier to work with the occupation authorities while doing what he could to keep the country from suffering too much.

* [[http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_P._Laurel José P. Laurel]], 3rd President of the Philippines, was this, TheQuisling (albeit subverted), TheMole and a MoleInCharge. When UsefulNotes/ImperialJapan occupied the Philippines in World War II, the Philippines was in the middle of a ten-year transition period from being an American colony to an independent country, having internal autonomy but with foreign and defense affairs handled by the United States. The president of this autonomous government, Manuel L. Quezon, fled for the United States to head a government-in-exile when the Japanese arrived, but ordered Laurel to remain and try to head up any administration the Japanese might install. Quezon reasoned--correctly--that Laurel, who had established links with Japan[[note]]He had been given an honorary doctorate by UsefulNotes/TokyoUniversity, and his son had studied at the Imperial Japanese Army Academy, and had other contacts with senior Japanese officials[[/note]] would find it easier to work with the occupation authorities while doing what he could to keep the country from suffering too much.

* [[http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_P._Laurel José P. Laurel]], 3rd President of the Philippines, was this, TheQuisling (albeit subverted), TheMole and a MoleInCharge. When UsefulNotes/ImperialJapan occupied the Philippines in World War II, the Philippines was in the middle of a ten-year transition period from being an American colony to an independent country, having internal autonomy but with foreign and defense affairs handled by the United States. The president of this autonomous government, Manuel L. Quezon, fled for the United States to head a government-in-exile when the Japanese arrived, but ordered Laurel to remain and try to head up any administration the Japanese might install. Quezon reasoned--correctly--that Laurel, who had established links with Japan (he had been given an honorary doctorate by TokyoUniversity, and his son had studied at the Imperial Japanese Army Academy, and had other contacts with the Japanese) would find it easier to work with the occupation authorities.

* [[http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_P._Laurel José P. Laurel]], 3rd President of the Philippines, was this, TheQuisling (albeit subverted), TheMole and a MoleInCharge. This is because Manuel Quezon thinks that Laurel's connection with the Japanese prior to the war might allow him to deal with the Japanese more easily, thus Quezon ordered Laurel to stay behind while he escaped to the US to form government-in-exile.

* [[http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_P._Laurel José P. Laurel]], 3rd President of the Philippines, was this, TheQuisling (albeit subverted), a ReverseMole and a MoleInCharge. This is because Manuel Quezon thinks that Laurel's connection with the Japanese prior to the war might allow him to deal with the Japanese more easily, thus Quezon ordered Laurel to stay behind while he escaped to the US to form government-in-exile.

* The Democratic-Republican party officially made Aaron Burr their presidential campaign manager in 1800 (and their secondary candidate) specifically so that they could scapegoat him for anything they did during that election that might damage their PR (such as cutting a deal with the Federalists to increase their chances of winning). It worked.

** The title "[[BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor Lord]] of [[WhiteElephant Harrenhal]]" should actually be read "[[SchmuckBait Gotcha, Sukka]]!". Gaining it... [[HighTurnoverRate rarely bodes well]] for those "promoted" to it, thanks to the complex sociopolitical makeup of the Riverlands practically guaranteeing you'll make you or your family a handy scapegoat for King's Landing down the line. This pattern repeats: from Maegor and the Lothstones down to the poor Slynts and the Baratheon-Lannister regime.

* ''Series/YesMinister'': In "The Bed of Nails", Jim Hacker is giving the responsibility of formulating an integrated transport policy and the title of 'Transport Supremo'. Jim is quite pleased with what he sees as a promotion. Sir Humphrey immediately recognises this for the poisoned chalice that it is, and points out that this means that Hacker is now responsible for every transport screw-up in the country. The two of them join forces to find a way to force the PM to give the job to someone else without damaging the department's reputation.

* ''TabletopGame/{{Paranoia}}'': "Congratulations, Troubleshooter Uwe-R-DMD! You are now the Assistant Squad Leader! Your job requirements are simple!" ''(Two hours later:)'' "And so you see, Friend Computer, if Assistant Squad Leader Uwe-R-DMD hadn't led the charge against the rampaging cleaning bot, we might have come back alive. Hmm? I was the ''primary'' squad leader, so where was I? Well, sir, I was busy [[ScrewThisImOutOfHere leading a detachment to the rear]], which was [[BlatantLies vitally important to what success we did have]]".

* One ''ComicStrip/{{Dilbert}}'' strip features Dilbert's company recruiting their competitor's "best manager" manager-- and immediately assigning him to an impossible task (Project Goosefood) whose failure will tank his career. Just like all the other "best managers" they recruited from their competitors.

* The plot of ''Film/TheFlintstones'' [[TheMovie live action movie]] is Fred Flinstone being promoted to an executive position, chosen solely for his high level of stupidity. It turns out that he is being used by a CorruptCorporateExecutive to embezzle money out of the company and leaving Fred to take all the blame.

Also contrast TheUriahGambit, which is putting someone on the front lines during combat in the hopes that they will end up dead, ReassignedToAntarctica, when a person receives a job as a punishment, and YouAreInCommandNow, when a person in a military position is forced to take control because everyone else is unavailable. This trope is a common tactic in SpringtimeForHitler scenarios.

* In ''Discworld/{{Wintersmith}}'', the witches agree that Mrs Earwig's apprentice Angaramma should get Miss Treason's cottage [[note]]A cottage in Discworld witchcraft isn't just a cottage; it's more like taking over a medical practice[[/note]]. Tiffany, who was Miss Treason's apprentice, protests that this is unfair ... on ''Anagramma'' who is clearly being set up to fail to prove a point about Mrs Earwig's brand of witchcraft.

* In general this can be exploited along with the glass ceiling to discredit any minority candidates for a high position. It's known as the glass cliff.

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* Admiral Dönitz from the ''Series/ThatMitchellAndWebbLook'' sketch ''The New Fuhrer'' is thrilled [[UsefulNotes/WorldWarII to have been promoted as Fuhrer, rather oblivious to his headquarters being under fire]], and eager to implement his ideas about pensions and the housing shortage. It lasts until his second in command gives him the items he needs to take his first decision: a tactical review of the dismal position of their armies "summed up [[ParentheticalSwearing in one rude word]]"; General Eisenhower's phone number; and a written translation of 'We give up' in English. He ''does'' get a "Heil Dönitz" for his troubles, though.
* On ''Series/TheOfficeUS'', Dwight is promoted to a VP position as a reward for overseeing the Sabre Store project. Unbeknownst to him, Robert California is planning to shut down the project and fire him because a store for Sabre products would be an awful idea. Jim manages to keep him from the meeting where it's supposed to go down long enough for Todd Packer to take both the promotion and the fall.
* In the final season of ''Series/HowIMetYourMother'', Barney's job is ultimately revealed to be to sign documents claiming responsibility for every illegal thing the company does, so if they get caught (again) he will go down and the company will be completely free. [[spoiler:Except that he's actually turned informant for the FBI and reports everything he signs to them as part of a 10 year long sting, [[RoaringRampageOfRevenge because his boss stole his girlfriend]].]]

* ''Series/YesMinister'': In "The Bed of Nails", Jim Hacker is giving the responsibility of formulating an integrated transport policy and the title of 'Transport Supremo'. Jim is quite pleased with what he sees as a promotion. Sir Humphrey immediately recognises this for the poisoned chalice that it is, and points out that this means that Hacker is now responsible for every transport screw-up in the country. The two of them join forces to find a way to force the PM to give the job to someone else without damaging the department's reputation.

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