The Trump Presidency - Chapter 2

[PilotMan]

What's going to happen when pron is totally outlawed? These are the real issues at play today.

[JPhillips]

Originally Posted by PilotMan

What's going to happen when pron is totally outlawed? These are the real issues at play today.

Somebody is going to have to download it all.

[PilotMan]

Really hard to have good feelings when this is the prevailing notion from the group coming into power:

You people suck, OK?! And now you’re going to pay the price for trying to destroy this country.”

Bannon went on to say that Democrats and their institutions “don’t deserve any respect, you don’t deserve any empathy, and you don’t deserve any pity.… You deserve what we call rough Roman justice, and we’re prepared to give it to you.”

[Brian Swartz]

I don't have positive feelings. I've never been more upset about an election, even in my younger years when I was basically obsessed with politics. I was irrationally irritable today, and then even more irritated with myself for being irritated.

I'll get over it, and my life will be relatively minimally affected anyway. I'm just depressed that there doesn't appear to be any minimum standard to be President of the United States anymore. 20 years ago I wouldn't have believed anyone who told me someone convicted of dozens of felonies, nevermind all the other disqualifying stuff, would be elected again. I think the Republic will limp on for a while, but I don't think it deserves to.

I do not Hail Caesar.

[RainMaker]

One of the biggest mistakes by Biden was making Garland the AG. Just letting all these criminals who fermented violence and insurrection go free only emboldened those people to do worse. He told them that they were above the law and they took advantage of that.

[Schmidty]

Some people are really unhinged about the results of the election and it's bumming me out. Got folks on my Facebook page threatening to unfriend others and stuff if they disagree with them or voted differently. It's very unhealthy and really sad. I didn't even vote, so I can't complain (fighting the power by inaction since '16) but I really hope people don't keep up these overly emotional responses and lose actual friends and family over political crap. Good grief.

[cuervo72]

Eh, I just de friended a dude who has been a little gloaty, called Harris a communist, and showed himself to be transphobic. He’s not a real friend, just played football and baseball as a kid. Not particularly intelligent. Not gonna be a big loss.

[cuervo72]

(I know, some people will say that guy sounds more reasonable than me. Whatever.)

[PilotMan]

Nah, I've done the same today to a former neighbor. More to come I'm sure.

[JPhillips]

This is no good.

Mar-a-Lago calling. Just had my first phone conversation with President @realDonaldTrump since the elections. We have big plans for the future!

— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) November 6, 2024

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by Schmidty

Some people are really unhinged about the results of the election and it's bumming me out. Got folks on my Facebook page threatening to unfriend others and stuff if they disagree with them or voted differently. It's very unhealthy and really sad. I didn't even vote, so I can't complain (fighting the power by inaction since '16) but I really hope people don't keep up these overly emotional responses and lose actual friends and family over political crap. Good grief.

I'm pretty sure this has been happening since 2016+. It's always been around, but 2016 really blew it up. It simmered some in 2020 but suspect it's only going to get worse now.

Had a BIL that was posting MAGA stuff in 2016. That's bearable because we could ignore him easily. But then he started texting stuff to family members. There's a difference between "pulling" (facebook) and "pushing" (texting). There were other family members that were Trump supporters but it was even too much for them.

His brother got tired of it and told him to cut it off or else he/other family will put him on the phone's ignore list, off group lists etc. Worked out well.

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by Brian Swartz

I don't have positive feelings. I've never been more upset about an election, even in my younger years when I was basically obsessed with politics. I was irrationally irritable today, and then even more irritated with myself for being irritated.

2016 was the worst for me. That was a complete shock and somewhat upsetting.

2024 was not as much of a surprise. And Trump is a known. Got to the "acceptance" stage pretty quick.

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

They will repeal it and blame the Dems for it. They always seem to pull that off somehow.

I don't think they'll repeal it in full. They'll need to attack around it's edges.

They'll cut subsidies/tax credits and push more to states.

[Qwikshot]

Originally Posted by Edward64

2016 was the worst for me. That was a complete shock and somewhat upsetting.

2024 was not as much of a surprise. And Trump is a known. Got to the "acceptance" stage pretty quick.

This is me too.

I feel like Walter Matthau at the end of Fail Safe when they agree to nuke NYC to prevent WW3; he focuses on what needs to be retrieved/protected and then they go and do it.

Nothing good is going to come from this, but that's the reality. I also feel that unlike 2016 which was a fluke; 2024 was the majority speaking. If that's what they want, so be it.

Wife isn't happy; we may look to get dual citizenship, we have some connections. I don't think mainland Europe is going to be a happy place either though.

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by Qwikshot

I feel like Walter Matthau at the end of Fail Safe when they agree to nuke NYC to prevent WW3; he focuses on what needs to be retrieved/protected and then they go and do it.

It's been a while but I'll need to rewatch it!

I also feel that unlike 2016 which was a fluke; 2024 was the majority speaking. If that's what they want, so be it.

Fully agree.

Wife isn't happy; we may look to get dual citizenship, we have some connections. I don't think mainland Europe is going to be a happy place either though.

Have a German friend. He is working in Sweden and recently told me he got dual Swedish citizenship. He is also worried about the rise of the right wing. Like here, lax immigration control is one of the driving forces.

FWIW, he told me that European countries should be obligated to take in all these refugees/asylees because the west screwed up their countries. Needless to say, we agreed to disagree but it's good to discuss politics & social issues with a European progressive.

[Brian Swartz]

I voted third party in 2016, and it felt to me like the electorate throwing a fit. There was a lot of unknown regarding what Trump would actually do, and Hillary was such a bad candidate (IMO at least) that it was a lot more understandable to me.

Re-electing Trump in a clear choice after never conceding and literally trying to steal the 2020 election, Jan. 6, dozens of felony convictions and many more he should be convicted of, the way that he responded to COVID being just as bad as those things from my perspective; as has been said, I get the economic impulses for why, but the re-election is so very much worse than choosing an unknown the first time around from my perspective.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by Edward64

I don't think they'll repeal it in full. They'll need to attack around it's edges.

They'll cut subsidies/tax credits and push more to states.

I think this is exactly how it will go. "We tried to fix Obamacare flaws, but the Democrats blocked all attempts to save it. So, we just have to repeal it all together for the good of the country."

[JPhillips]

It will come down to whether or not there are two or three GOPers in the House willing to vote no. I expect ACA repeal will be a part of a larger budget bill that can pass through reconciliation. My expectation is that no GOPer votes no and kills the budget.

[Edward64]

Some demographic graphics & concerns for Trump-Kamala supporters. It would have been more helpful if it compared 2016, 2020 and 2024 but this is just for 2024.

I think the gist is that Trump increased his support across the board but need to see the historical trend.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/202...ons/exit-polls


A lot (and I mean a lot) of good stuff to pour over.

[Ghost Econ]

The most interesting thing to me is race and education.

If you aren't white you were just as likely to vote for Kamala regardless of your education. If you were white and graduated college, you were more likely to vote Kamala, but less than your non-white friends.

However, white non-collete graduates were sickeningly pro-Trump. I think this tells you everything you need to know about the electorate and their ability to comprehend even mild economic issues.

[Edward64]

Much of the demographics was expected, but what was interesting to me ...

1. For "Sex by race", the very large disparities between Latino and Black & their gender
2. American Indian supported Trump 65-34%. Not that it'd make a difference but still interesting. Wonder why?
3. Largest "Age" group for Trump at 50-65 followed by 40-49. So for you ageists, can't blame the Boomers (as much). Com'on down Gen X.
4. Trump won the "2023 total family income" at $30-50k and $50-$100k. So, solidly middle class.
5. For "Religion", Jews were 22-78% for Trump. I'd thought this would be reversed but maybe American Jews think of themselves as Americans first (and Israel/Religion secondary)
6. For "Which one of these 5 issues mattered most", GOP said Immigration & Economy by far. Dems said State of Democracy & Abortion by far.

[Atocep]

I look forward to another federal hiring freeze. It nearly crippled us and took months after it was lifted to begin to get things straightened out.

[JPhillips]

Amazing how many defenses of Trump are basically, don't worry he won't do what he and his closest advisers say they will do.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by Edward64

Some demographic graphics & concerns for Trump-Kamala supporters. It would have been more helpful if it compared 2016, 2020 and 2024 but this is just for 2024.

I think the gist is that Trump increased his support across the board but need to see the historical trend.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/202...ons/exit-polls

A lot (and I mean a lot) of good stuff to pour over.

The age stuff is interesting. She got crushed with young voters compared to Biden. A 12% swing with 18-24 year olds. But outside of that, she mostly kept it close and even gained with seniors.

[cuervo72]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

Amazing how many defenses of Trump are basically, don't worry he won't do what he and his closest advisers say they will do.

I mean, that at least gives me hope that there might be backlash when he actually does the stuff he says he will. Not a huge hope, but it's something.

[Passacaglia]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

Amazing how many defenses of Trump are basically, don't worry he won't do what he and his closest advisers say they will do.

Especially when "he says what he means" is a reason a lot of his supporters say they like him.

[kingfc22]

Originally Posted by cuervo72

I mean, that at least gives me hope that there might be backlash when he actually does the stuff he says he will. Not a huge hope, but it's something.

Come on. There is no way in hell the goal posts don't move.

He has never been held accountable for anything his entire life.

[JPhillips]

Starting to see a lot of calls to redo the census to shift more House seats to red states.

[JPhillips]

I'm down with anything that humiliates Marco.

Scoop: RFK Jr. does not want Sen. Marco Rubio to be nominated for Secretary of State, I’m told by source, who says: “He will be advocating for someone who is less neocon.”

— Hanna Trudo (@HCTrudo) November 7, 2024

[GrantDawg]

Susie Wiles has been named the new Chief of Staff for Trump. She is Pat Sumerall's daughter.

[Vegas Vic]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

Susie Wiles has been named the new Chief of Staff for Trump. She is Pat Sumerall's daughter.

Trump today: “Susie is tough, smart, innovative, and is universally admired and respected. Susie will continue to work tirelessly to Make America Great Again.”

Trump, the first time Wiles doesn't agree with him on something: "Susie is not a very smart person. She's dumb as a rock, a weak, low I.Q. person, just incompetent. I had to let her go."

[RainMaker]

One thing I am certain of is he is going to throw RFK Jr under the bus the first chance he gets. Like I'd be shocked if he was in any kind of position of power in a year.

[HerRealName]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

One thing I am certain of is he is going to throw RFK Jr under the bus the first chance he gets. Like I'd be shocked if he was in any kind of position of power in a year.

The useful idiot is no long useful. I'll go ahead and a predict a negative Scaramucci so that makes him getting dropped by Trump on 1/10.

[dubb93]

Trump and Elon’s falling out is going to be epic. I hope Trump tries to deport him.

[RainMaker]

Trump hates him but I think will stick it out because he owns Twitter and that's a pretty big outlet to tap.

[bronconick]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

The age stuff is interesting. She got crushed with young voters compared to Biden. A 12% swing with 18-24 year olds. But outside of that, she mostly kept it close and even gained with seniors.

Gonna be a shame when Trump's "concept" healthcare replaces letting 18-24 year olds staying on their parents insurance to 26.

[JPhillips]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

One thing I am certain of is he is going to throw RFK Jr under the bus the first chance he gets. Like I'd be shocked if he was in any kind of position of power in a year.

I'm torn between this and the fact that Trump desperately wants approval from people like the Kennedys. He might keep him on so long as RFK Jr. is sufficiently groveling.

[flere-imsaho]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Trump hates him but I think will stick it out because he owns Twitter and that's a pretty big outlet to tap.

Wait until someone shows him how he can nationalize a company.

And who's going to stop him, the DOJ? The courts?

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

Susie Wiles has been named the new Chief of Staff for Trump. She is Pat Sumerall's daughter.

I read that she was a reason why Trump's campaign was more disciplined than before. I really, really hope this is true. I mean, we tried generals so why not a white, elderly woman.

Don't know much about her background but hope she succeeds in reigning him from some from his more extreme instincts.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Edward64

I read that she was a reason why Trump's campaign was more disciplined than before. I really, really hope this is true. I mean, we tried generals so why not a white, elderly woman.

Don't know much about her background but hope she succeeds in reigning him from some from his more extreme instincts.

Well she aint' exactly new as of this run. She ran his FL operations in 2016, got loaned out to DeSantis (oh the irony) in 2018, parted ways with him in 2019 (a mutually miserable pairing by most accounts) and returned to run Trump's PAC.

Described as "the new honcho atop Trumpworld" back in 2021, so she's been around for a while. Which accounts for descriptions as "the most powerful woman you've never heard of"

[flere-imsaho]

It's "compliance and ethics week" at my company next week and a bunch of us are joking "why? the president is a convicted felon, does this matter anymore?"

[flere-imsaho]

Have we not talked about SCOTUS yet? There's a potential for Thomas & Alito to retire in glory (and really hit the junket circuit) and get replaced by folks who will be on the bench for 4 decades. And Sotomayor continues to have health problems.

Plus, with the GOP having more than 51 Senators, that pipeline to the federal judiciary is going to be humming.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by flere-imsaho

Have we not talked about SCOTUS yet? There's a potential for Thomas & Alito to retire in glory (and really hit the junket circuit) and get replaced by folks who will be on the bench for 4 decades. And Sotomayor continues to have health problems.

Plus, with the GOP having more than 51 Senators, that pipeline to the federal judiciary is going to be humming.

Cannon is gonna be on the Supreme Court for sure.

[JPhillips]

I think I see what's happening on inauguration day. Adams and Trump spoke yesterday and immediately afterward Adams made a change to immigrant benefits. Adams is cooked at the moment and desperately needs a pardon from Trump. I think they make this deal.

Adams is going to allow ICE to raid migrant housing in NYC and deport everyone regardless of asylum status. In exchange Trump will either drop the charges on Adams or issue a pardon.

[flere-imsaho]

Basically POTUS will be a mob boss.

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Well she aint' exactly new as of this run. She ran his FL operations in 2016, got loaned out to DeSantis (oh the irony) in 2018, parted ways with him in 2019 (a mutually miserable pairing by most accounts) and returned to run Trump's PAC.

Described as "the new honcho atop Trumpworld" back in 2021, so she's been around for a while. Which accounts for descriptions as "the most powerful woman you've never heard of"

I read more about her

'She's one of those people that has the old rule: F*** me? No. F*** you,' veteran political operative Rick Wilson told Politico.

For the DeSantis haters, some stories below on how she may have played a role in his defeat

When it came to DeSantis, Wiles 'knows where the bodies are buried,' Roger Stone, a master of the dark political arts himself, told the New York Times.

Who is Susie Wiles? Trump's new chief of staff and 'work wife' is grandma who has grown men quaking | Daily Mail Online

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by Vegas Vic

Trump today: “Susie is tough, smart, innovative, and is universally admired and respected. Susie will continue to work tirelessly to Make America Great Again.”

Trump, the first time Wiles doesn't agree with him on something: "Susie is not a very smart person. She's dumb as a rock, a weak, low I.Q. person, just incompetent. I had to let her go."

She will be gone in a year and writing a book about how much she regrets helping get him back to the white house.

[BYU 14]

From reading this article, it seems she was one of the few that tried to keep things sane in his campaign, so hopefully she isn't gone in a year, because the replacement will not be pretty.

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics...conway/680456/