The Trump Presidency 2.0

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

The FBI is currently raiding Former NSA Chief and Ambassador to the UN John Bolton's home. I imagine they won't find the Epstein files in there.

I really want Biden to come out and say he declassified whatever is in Bolton's home. Just for the fun of it.

[JPhillips]

I'm not willing to surrender to despair.

I think it will probably take a national strike or worse, but the opposition is legit and much bigger than MAGA. As the tariffs and immigration policy make the country worse those margins will grow. We aren't locked in to our future.

[Brian Swartz]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

The GOP was dead in 2008. Dems were dead in 2004. One good candidate and they'll be fine. There's always going to be an opposition to whichever party is in power.

Exactly. The pendulum always swings back, and this is esp. true with Presidential elections. People vote against things they don't like, without realizing the alternative is sometimes (often?) worse.

The 2008 example is very on point. For all of the 'idiots voted Trump because inflation', bad economy was the overwhelming reason expressed for Obama's success (which isn't to say he wasn't a great candidate and his election was historic, I'm just saying this is what so many people were voting for). The 'fierce urgency of now' and all that.

[JPhillips]

Trump's now up to 10 wars he's ended (if you count pre-wars).

How do people take seriously a guy in that hat?

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

I'm not willing to surrender to despair.

I think it will probably take a national strike or worse, but the opposition is legit and much bigger than MAGA. As the tariffs and immigration policy make the country worse those margins will grow. We aren't locked in to our future.

So the Dems take the House in 2026. Does it matter? Does anyone think Hakeem Jeffries is going to do anything besides grandstand? The problem with the Democrats is they have no real policy positions. And they can't take popular stances because of their donors.

Take a look at the rise in people like Zohran. He is hitting every single demographic the party needs to succeed. And yet the party won't support him because of donors.

Now you have a Senate race coming up in Maine which the Democrats should be able to win. They have an incredibly strong candidate running. Just check out his ad below. But the party will NEVER support him and would prefer Collins win.




[RainMaker]

By the way, Platner is the type of guy that Democrats used to run in working class states. It's why the "Senate map is against us" was a self-inflicted wound by the party. It was a conscious decision by Democrats to abandon working class voters because they felt they could win more suburban voters. This plan made them a lot of money but doesn't win them elections.

As Schumer said:

“for every blue-collar Democrat we will lose in western PA, we will pick up two, three moderate Republicans in the suburbs of Philadelphia.”

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

Pritzker has a chance to build his national exposure. There is plenty of time yet.

Circling back on this. I think Pritzker would be good but he just isn't ruthless. And as sad as it is to say, I think Newsom has the best shot because he's an insane narcissist who will say anything to get ahead. And to be President in this country, it's kind of been an attribute you need. Biden, Trump, Obama, Bush, Bill. Newsom reminds me of Bill minus the charm (although his social media team is making up for that).

I'll probably eat my words on this but I sort of think Jon Stewart might be the best candidate they could run in 2028. The party is in the gutter and anyone attached to the establishment is going to have that stink on them. Similar to 2016 with the Republicans. He gets to run as an outsider without the Democrats baggage and is a really good communicator. They desperately need someone who can sit down on a podcast and not sound like they're high on ketamine reading from a script. Could take a young Governor like Bashear on as a VP.

[GrantDawg]

Ghislaine Maxwell said in her interview that she never saw Trump act inappropriate, and that Bill Clinton never visited the island. Well, nothing to see here boys. We can just move on.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

I'm not willing to surrender to despair.

I think it will probably take a national strike or worse, but the opposition is legit and much bigger than MAGA. As the tariffs and immigration policy make the country worse those margins will grow. We aren't locked in to our future.

You're falling in to the trap of operating under the assumption we live in the same America as 20 years ago.

Things like unpopular policy and the usual measurables, economy, crime, foreign wars, etc...will not matter one iota.

The GOP has flat out told us they are going to do everything to rig the system (look at the comments from Texas GOP leaders, they are literally saying they are doing this to create 5 more republican seats in the house and not even trying to hide it). Their goal isn't to win on policy or turning the economy around. Their goal is to win by making it impossible for the opposition to win through voter suppression and changing the rules, and who is going to stop them? Not the congress, not the courts ( and even if they do they will just ignore the rulings)

Honest question. What do you think the odds are that leading up to 2028 Trump declares some made up emergency so he can stay in power indefinitely? I say at least 50/50 and he will get away with it, and the GOP knows that. The die has already been cast.

[RainMaker]

I bet he will think twice when Schumer sends a sternly worded letter.

[JPhillips]

They may win, but giving up preemptively is a terrible plan. Let's say your 50/50 estimate is right. Why should I not fight now for my 50%?

[Lathum]

Not saying to give up but you can't act like anything is normal at this point and have to be realistic about what the GOP is doing directly out in the open and there is zero indications it won't get anything but worse..

[JPhillips]

Normal? Did you miss the part where I said it will probably end in a national strike or worse? 19 states are calling up the guard and that's not just for D.C. The invasions are coming this Fall and things will get very chaotic.

But all of that is going to turn more people against them. People wanted criminals deported and cheaper groceries. There aren't a lot of Stephen Millers who signed up for this shit. I'm not giving up and letting the fascists run my daughter's future.

[RainMaker]

I don't think people realize how bad the economy is going to get.

[flere-imsaho]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Circling back on this. I think Pritzker would be good but he just isn't ruthless.

We'll see. He's currently playing all kinds of hardball with the city of Chicago and the Bears, two organization to whom past Democratic politicians would generally have quietly acquiesced.

[JPhillips]

lol

JD Vance is out there saying WW2 ended with negotiation. Yeah, a negotiation like, if you stop fighting, we'll stop killing all of you.

[NobodyHere]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I don't think people realize how bad the economy is going to get.

How bad is it going to get?

Asking for a friend who may want to move his investments somewhere to support his leanFIRE retirement.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by NobodyHere

How bad is it going to get?

Asking for a friend who may want to move his investments somewhere to support his leanFIRE retirement.

Hiring is borderline dead right now and inflation is rising. We don't have an easy way of fixing that. You'd normally drop rates to spur hiring through investment and expansion. You'd normally raise rates to get inflation in check.

It took us nearly a decade to climb out of it the last time something like this happened.

[NobodyHere]

Originally Posted by Atocep

Hiring is borderline dead right now and inflation is rising. We don't have an easy way of fixing that. You'd normally drop rates to spur hiring through investment and expansion. You'd normally raise rates to get inflation in check.

It took us nearly a decade to climb out of it the last time something like this happened.

Any suggestions on where to put my money?

ETA

I mean, my friends money?

[Atocep]

Sounds like the covid vaccine is likely getting pulled by RFK by the end of the year.

[Atocep]

Trump said the doj is suing California over its redistricting.

[PilotMan]

Originally Posted by Atocep

Sounds like the covid vaccine is likely getting pulled by RFK by the end of the year.

It's almost September. We're finally going to find out the cause of all this autism. It's exciting to just know the answers and that we got them so quickly. Imagine all the other stuff we'll discover by the end of the year!

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by PilotMan

It's almost September. We're finally going to find out the cause of all this autism. It's exciting to just know the answers and that we got them so quickly. Imagine all the other stuff we'll discover by the end of the year!

At least with the potential screwworm infestation MAGA can put that Ivermectin to use.

[whomario]

Originally Posted by Atocep

Sounds like the covid vaccine is likely getting pulled by RFK by the end of the year.

HPV going to be next, which only reduces the risk of cervical cancer but oh well, just jump in a polluted creek and drink some dr oz juice i guess.

[Ghost Econ]

Originally Posted by Atocep

At least with the potential screwworm infestation MAGA can put that Ivermectin to use.

What are you talking about, brain worms are good for you.

[JPhillips]

Small government conservative means king.

"I have the right to do anything I want to do. I'm the president of the United States."

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by Ghost Econ

What are you talking about, brain worms are good for you.

Only if you're the one directing everyone else's health.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

Small government conservative means king.

A day after he said a lot of people want him to be a dictator.

The 2nd amendment people are awfully quiet as many of the things they claimed to need their guns for are happening.

[JPhillips]

JFC

We got busted running a covert op in Greenland trying to whip up a native independence movement. Denmark is pissed.

[Ksyrup]

Good summation of the calculated way in which Trump operates, from an email I received from The Bulwark:

It’s been just two weeks since the president of the United States ordered a military occupation of the nation’s capital. I understand that it feels longer. But I want to highlight for you two things: (1) The pace at which we are moving, and (2) how Trump employs a mix of the ridiculous and the dangerous.

August 11: Trump announces he is deploying National Guard troops to take over Washington, D.C.

August 13: Trump declares that he has personally chosen the recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors for 2025.

August 15: Trump greets Vladimir Putin in Alaska with a red carpet rolled out by kneeling American soldiers and literal applause.

August 22: Trump announces that the U.S. government has taken a 10 percent ownership stake in Intel.

August 24: Trump demands that the Baseball Hall of Fame admit Roger Clemens.

August 25: Trump announces that he has removed Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.

August 26: Trump instructs Cracker Barrel to abandon its new company logo.

This is why you’re exhausted.

[Lathum]

I will never understand how people voted for him again.

[Ksyrup]

Apparently you can indict a ham sandwich, but not the guy who threw it.

Grand jury declines to indict man who threw a sandwich at federal officer in D.C.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

Good summation of the calculated way in which Trump operates, from an email I received from The Bulwark:

Aside from the Clemens thing, virtually all of that falls under the heading of "what we voted for". (the last one isn't really presented accurately, he had an opinion on it that matched that of his voters tho)

Most of us would just like to see exponentially more of that kind of two weeks.

[Ksyrup]

Enjoy your ragebait culture wars, Comrade!

The fact that anyone should have strong opinions on a restaurant's logo or want the President to choose who gets awards is just fucking ridiculous. I'd give the obligatory YMMV, but it appears your tank has run dry.

[cuervo72]

Geez, I missed the Clemens thing. No Bonds, Sosa, or A-Rod though eh?

[RainMaker]

Inside Jeffrey Epstein’s spy industry connections

[RainMaker]

If you don't have your credit locked down at all 3 bureaus, I would recommend doing so.

Whistleblower says DOGE put Social Security numbers at risk : NPR

[JPhillips]

The Head of the CDC was fired tonight and at least three other senior officials have resigned in protest. Apparently all vaccine related.

[JPhillips]

WTF is this nonsense?

RFK JR: I’m looking at kids as I walk through the airports today...and I see these kids that are just overburdened with mitochondrial challenges, inflammation—you can tell from their faces, movements, and lack of social connection

[Danny]

In his defense, I think he meant midi-chlorians

[Fidatelo]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

JFC

We got busted running a covert op in Greenland trying to whip up a native independence movement. Denmark is pissed.

You're almost certainly doing it in Alberta right now as well.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

The Head of the CDC was fired tonight and at least three other senior officials have resigned in protest. Apparently all vaccine related.

Convincing myself this is all just to lower the life expectancy in the country to save more money for tax cuts for the rich. They're doing everything they can from tariffs, selling citizenship, nationalizing companies, and now this. Takes a huge burden off social security if the life expectancy drops a few more years.

[JPhillips]

Really sucks that government data on the economy can't be trusted anymore.

[flere-imsaho]

Originally Posted by Lathum

I will never understand how people voted for him again.

Lots of people voted for exactly that list from Ksyrup (see below). Plus lots of people voted for him for tax cuts. And finally lots of people voted for him because they knew he would hurt people they didn't like (even if a lot of that turned out to be hilariously short-sighted).

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Aside from the Clemens thing, virtually all of that falls under the heading of "what we voted for".

[Mota]

Imagine the life expectancy will continue dropping once infectious diseases come back. It is frightening how much shorter life expectancy is in the USA.

[flere-imsaho]

No wonder the GOP is going all-in on voter suppression, their health policy and cuts to Medicaid are going to decimate their voter base this winter.

[Lathum]

Trump removed Kamalas security detail 11 months before it expired.

He really is such a petty little shit.

[JPhillips]

It's very conspiracy theory, but I wonder if there's something to all this smoke.

Trump's hand bruises
Trump saying he hopes to go to heaven
JD Vance saying he's ready to take over

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

It's very conspiracy theory, but I wonder if there's something to all this smoke.

Trump's hand bruises
Trump saying he hopes to go to heaven
JD Vance saying he's ready to take over

Not sure which would be worse.

[flere-imsaho]

The next person to truly capture the imagination of the MAGA base (enough so they reliably turn out to vote) and also appeal enough the rest of the GOP will be the first person to do so (besides Trump). Unless you think Vance is that person, a near-term Trump death probably hurts the GOP more than helps.

But who the fuck knows in this, the worst timeline.