The Trump Presidency 2.0

[Atocep]

Trump dropped the military and tariff threats over Greenland and says they have the framework of a deal in place. Anyone want to bet that the deal is the same deal that's been on the table since day 1? Increased US military presence in the region and more bases if needed.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by Atocep

Trump dropped the military and tariff threats over Greenland and says they have the framework of a deal in place. Anyone want to bet that the deal is the same deal that's been on the table since day 1? Increased US military presence in the region and more bases if needed.

There is a mineral rights deal in there as well. I think it might also be one we already had.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

There is a mineral rights deal in there as well. I think it might also be one we already had.

If not, other countries already have that and it's not doing anything because, at this point, it's not economically viable to extract them.

This is all shit he could have had if he had some diplomacy skills and simply asked rather than further alienate us from our allies.

[GrantDawg]

Meanwhile, on the Epstein files...a federal judge has not assigned a "Special Master" to look over the Justice Department's handling of the realease. This has allowed the Republicans to take aim at the Judge (an Obama appointee) instead of the Justice Department, who you know are actually breaking the law. Dems tried to charge Pam Bondi and the DOJ for contempt of congress, but the Republicans said no. They instead are calling for the impeachment of the judge. In other words, they have found reasons to delay doing anything. Big surprise.

[RainMaker]

It's literally the same deal we had in place since the end of WW2.

[Lathum]

Honestly if the deal is the same and he claims victory I am good with it as opposed to the alternative. I suspect he saw the markets tank yesterday and that shook him.

[Mota]

The art of the deal for Trump is to declare everything a victory, and to accept responsibility for nothing. That way everything you do is gold.

[Danny]

Given this is Trump, this was a best case scenario result.

[RainMaker]

All you have to do to stop him is sell skme treasuries.

[JPhillips]

Who needs NATO when you have these powerhouse allies?

Trump's "Board of Peace": Belarus, Morocco, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Hungary, Armenia, Egypt, Kosovo, Pakistan, Paraguay, Albania, Uzbekistan, Bahrain, Qatar, Indonesia.

[Fidatelo]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Carney gave a nice speech but he is also partly responsible for the breakdown of that "rules based order".

What do you mean by that?

[Mota]

Re: Carney's speech

Seeing the writing on the wall does not make you responsible.

[RainMaker]

The theme of his speech was that the international rules based order is dead which is correct. You could make cases it never really existed with what we've done to Vietnam, Cambodia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Venezuela and much of the global south.

Regarding Carney, he's been a supporter of the mass genocide in Gaza. Many people warned that this would end the any semblance of order. It's a bit naive to support the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of children and then assume that won't have repercussions back home.

Just as we're seeing with ICE and the inevitable imperial boomerang. You can't compartmentalize being Hitler in one part of the world and expect to be peaceful at home. This is something not just people on the left have been saying, but also principled conservatives like Massie. Payment always comes due for your actions and Carney's hands are covered in the same blood.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

Who needs NATO when you have these powerhouse allies?

Not only is he charging member nations a billion to join, but he has sole control over veto power, choosing his replacement, changing meeting agendas, and when and what to vote on.

[Atocep]

The top 20% of earners currently make up 59% of consumer spending, which is the highest that's been since World War 2.

[Mota]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

The theme of his speech was that the international rules based order is dead which is correct. You could make cases it never really existed with what we've done to Vietnam, Cambodia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Venezuela and much of the global south.

Regarding Carney, he's been a supporter of the mass genocide in Gaza. Many people warned that this would end the any semblance of order. It's a bit naive to support the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of children and then assume that won't have repercussions back home.

Just as we're seeing with ICE and the inevitable imperial boomerang. You can't compartmentalize being Hitler in one part of the world and expect to be peaceful at home. This is something not just people on the left have been saying, but also principled conservatives like Massie. Payment always comes due for your actions and Carney's hands are covered in the same blood.

I don't really agree with your take here.

https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/stateme...tate-palestine

Carney actually really pissed off Trump with recognizing Palestine.

And Canada has almost always donated above their weight for humanitarian aid, while some other countries are backing out.

[Fidatelo]

I think RainMaker is missing a large point of the speech. Carney made it a point to acknowledge that we (Canada) have been complicit in looking the other way and by doing so benefiting and prospering. The entire conceit of the speech, centered around the green sign in the shop window, is that everyone knew that the rules-based order was not in fact reality. He's not responsible for the breakdown any more than we all are, he's simply the first on the world stage to come out and tell it like it is.

[RainMaker]

I agree with you that Canada is complicit in all of this too. But he's also the one with power. He is the one who refused to label it a genocide despite knowing it is. He has supported wars in the Middle East. Supported what took place in Venezuela. Heck, before he entered politics he was one of the main bankers responsible for gutting the Russian financial system and leaving us in the situation with Putin that we enjoy today.

His speech is factually correct but it also rings a bit hollow when the rule breaker is the one complaining about the lack of rules when it finally bites him in the ass.

[Fidatelo]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I agree with you that Canada is complicit in all of this too. But he's also the one with power. He is the one who refused to label it a genocide despite knowing it is. He has supported wars in the Middle East. Supported what took place in Venezuela. Heck, before he entered politics he was one of the main bankers responsible for gutting the Russian financial system and leaving us in the situation with Putin that we enjoy today.

His speech is factually correct but it also rings a bit hollow when the rule breaker is the one complaining about the lack of rules when it finally bites him in the ass.

You're still missing the point. He's not complaining, show me a line or clip where he complained. He simply decided to speak what everyone knows to already be true, and that pretending it's not is no longer a viable strategy for 'middle powers'. He then explained what he sees as a path forward, how the middle powers need to work together if they want to stand up to the super-powers.

[PilotMan]

Originally Posted by Lathum

Honestly if the deal is the same and he claims victory I am good with it as opposed to the alternative. I suspect he saw the markets tank yesterday and that shook him.

I took a shit in the toilet, AND wiped my ass clean! It's a win because I was telling anyone who would listen, that I didn't want to do that anymore, and instead I was gonna shit in your bed, even though we're good friends. But you gave in, and told me I could use the toilet NOW INSEAD and I averted a massive crisis. WINNING!

[RainMaker]

Democrats join Republicans to pass DHS bill despite party opposition | Fox News

[HerRealName]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Democrats join Republicans to pass DHS bill despite party opposition | Fox News

Great work by the DCCC for saving Cuellar in that primary a couple years back.

[flere-imsaho]

For those who don't want to search (don't blame you, this took a while): The seven Democrats who sided with Republicans were Reps. Henry Cuellar (Texas), Jared Golden (Maine), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Wash.), Laura Gillen (N.Y.), Don Davis (N.C.), Tom Suozzi (N.Y.) and Vicente Gonzalez (Texas).

[Lathum]

JFC- At some point the GOP needs to grow a spine. He gets more demented each day.

Trump: “Dear Prime Minister Carney:

Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canada’s joining, what will be, the most prestigious Board of Leaders ever assembled, at any time.

Thank you for your attention… pic.twitter.com/9LC3OCptDM

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 23, 2026

[Fidatelo]

Originally Posted by Lathum

JFC- At some point the GOP needs to grow a spine. He gets more demented each day.

When the dust settles the Board of Peace will all be totalitarian regimes. It's going to be 1984 Ministry of Peace doublespeak in the most literal sense.

[Mota]

Maybe the elected officials of the USA should look at the "Board of Peace" and understand that these are their greatest allies now. Are they okay with that? It really should be the "Oh no, we are the bad guys now" moment.

[cuervo72]

Yeah, might be nice if someone questioned or pushed back on the whole deal of him setting up his own personal Legion of Doom.

[HerRealName]

It is fascinating how a group of people that obsess over performative masculinity are the most submissive, beta cucks possible.

[Qwikshot]

Originally Posted by cuervo72

Yeah, might be nice if someone questioned or pushed back on the whole deal of him setting up his own personal Legion of Doom.

More like Legion of Dumb

[Mota]

The Beaverton (satire website) did it right with this one:

Carney uninvited to join Trump’s ‘Board Of Peace’ alongside Putin, Netanyahu, Lex Luthor, Megatron

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by HerRealName

It is fascinating how a group of people that obsess over performative masculinity are the most submissive, beta cucks possible.

Part of conservatism is being deeply submissive to male authority figures.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by HerRealName

Great work by the DCCC for saving Cuellar in that primary a couple years back.

They more or less support ICE. Just not the bad optics. But they know they can use them for their own causes when they're back in power. They will always find a few votes to make it happen while pretending they oppose it.

Like I've said, there is no opposition party. Just one that has different optics.

[flere-imsaho]

Originally Posted by Mota

Carney uninvited to join Trump’s ‘Board Of Peace’ alongside Putin, Netanyahu, Lex Luthor, Megatron

In terms of level of evil, how would you rank those four? I'm not 100% convinced Luthor or Megatron would rise to the top in such a ranking.

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Part of conservatism is being deeply submissive to male authority figures.

Thus Grindr crashing whenever a bunch of GOP dudes get together.

Originally Posted by RainMaker

They more or less support ICE. Just not the bad optics. But they know they can use them for their own causes when they're back in power. They will always find a few votes to make it happen while pretending they oppose it.

All of DHS should be dismantled and repatriated back to its original spots. No Democrat should be against this. Part of the situation with ICE today dates from the GOP sowing the seeds of an institutional terror apparatus starting with DHS and the Democrats never checking it. Another huge failure by Obama.

[AlexB]

Of all the things he’s said and done, I think the one that has angered the international community the most is his comments about international troops in Afghanistan, particularly given his own sterling avoidance of military service.

Trump is querying whether NATO would help defend the US if needed, TBH I think a lot of people would consider joining the attack after what he’s said.

[Ghost Econ]

If we get a Nuremberg II in 3 years I'm sprucing up my resume so I can get the job of pushing the button to drop the floor.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/23/h...nal-polio.html

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by AlexB

Of all the things he’s said and done, I think the one that has angered the international community the most is his comments about international troops in Afghanistan, particularly given his own sterling avoidance of military service.

Trump is querying whether NATO would help defend the US if needed, TBH I think a lot of people would consider joining the attack after what he’s said.

It's the second time during his second term that Trump (is reported to have) denied the existence of the support from NATO members in the 9/11 aftermath. And all that denial just a day after Trump got put in his place by the NATO Secretary General on this particular subject. Shouldn't the Republican party be done with this?

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by flere-imsaho

All of DHS should be dismantled and repatriated back to its original spots. No Democrat should be against this. Part of the situation with ICE today dates from the GOP sowing the seeds of an institutional terror apparatus starting with DHS and the Democrats never checking it. Another huge failure by Obama.

Sadly, Dems support all this. Even in power, they'll continue to increase funding but tack on some useless nonsense like "additional training" or "body cams" that won't matter. They'll use it against their enemies too.

Honestly, no real point in voting at this point. It is what it is.

[Fidatelo]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Sadly, Dems support all this. Even in power, they'll continue to increase funding but tack on some useless nonsense like "additional training" or "body cams" that won't matter. They'll use it against their enemies too.

Honestly, no real point in voting at this point. It is what it is.

Right, because everything is just as good as it was a year ago.


Forget Edward being a bot, are you a Russian psy-op trying to discourage voting? Good grief.

[RainMaker]

They literally helped pass extra funding for it yesterday. Senate Dems will do the same next week. Outside of a few meaningless speeches, the Governor of Minnesota and Mayor of Minneapolis have done jack shit to protect their constituents. No Democratic leaders have even broached the topic of cutting funding to the organization committing terrorism in their cities and states despite it being a 70-30 issue with voters.

They aren't coming to save you from fascism. They are perfectly fine with it as long as the check cashes.

[RainMaker]

People voted them in in 2020 and they couldn't even be bothered to arrest the people who tried to overthrow the country.

[RainMaker]

Just a moment...

[Mota]

Now Trump is threatening to tariff Canada 100% if they make a trade deal with China. Imagine that, pushing your best friend away, but then throwing a hissy fit when said friend makes new friends.

[PilotMan]

This one looks every bit as bad, if not worse than the last one of what in reading is accurate.

[Danny]

Public opinion will continue to turn at least somewhat with these murders being everyday americans and not immigrants. Maybe not enough though to change the direction things are going.

And RainMaker, two things can be true, democrat politicians can suck while at the same time Trump being far worse. There is not just absolutes.

[flere-imsaho]

RainMaker wants to tear the entire Democratic party down to ashes so that something new and good can rise in opposition to MAGAGOP.

[Fidatelo]

Originally Posted by flere-imsaho

RainMaker wants to tear the entire Democratic party down to ashes so that something new and good can rise in opposition to MAGAGOP.

And how is he going about that? Just telling people not to vote? How's that working out?


Good luck with the imaginary 3rd party when there aren't even elections anymore.

[JPhillips]

Bondi says they'll pull ICE if MN gives them voter data.

So it isn't about safety or immigration, it's about stealing the next election.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by Fidatelo

And how is he going about that? Just telling people not to vote? How's that working out?

Good luck with the imaginary 3rd party when there aren't even elections anymore.

The current Democrats didn't even give a shit when people tried to overthrow the government in 2021. You think they are coming to save you in 2026?

The party needs to be completely scrapped. Every leader needs to be voted out on primaries or forced to resign. Voting for the diet fascists isn't a viable strategy.

[Fidatelo]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

The current Democrats didn't even give a shit when people tried to overthrow the government in 2021. You think they are coming to save you in 2026?

I'm not asking 'the Democrats to save me'. But there is a difference between being a weak/ineffective opposition and actively instigating authoritarianism.

Originally Posted by RainMaker

The party needs to be completely scrapped. Every leader needs to be voted out on primaries or forced to resign. Voting for the diet fascists isn't a viable strategy.

Hate to break it to you but in all likelihood voting is no longer a viable strategy.

[Fidatelo]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

Bondi says they'll pull ICE if MN gives them voter data.

So it isn't about safety or immigration, it's about stealing the next election.

Always has been. Those same immigration agents are going to be keeping the voting lines extra safe later this year as well.