I really regret the degree to which every journalist I’ve seen has fallen for the Trump-Musk break up Reality TV storyline. As many people know, Trump is a huge fan of professional wrestling and is good friends with the McMahon‘s who run the WWE. This so-called fight with Elon Musk has the makings of a wrestling storyline… down to the “good wrestler turns bad” plot point. There is no way this is a real fight. If it was, Trump would’ve already canceled Musk‘s government contracts. And Musk would’ve already published Information describing all he did to make sure Donald Trump won the election. This is political theater… Model after professional wrestling theater… And America’s journalists had better get a grip on how to cover this reality TV president asap. Because if they don’t, they’re gonna be led around by the nose for the next 3 1/2 years and never expose what is really happening! SMH
I definitely understand your point of view about this, Steve. And you may be proved right. But I believe it's a real dispute - and may well be a war - between these two malignant narcissists who were bound to lock heads. The power craved by each cannot be shared, at least not for long. Who knows how this will turn out, but I think it's real and will have substantial if unpredictable consequences. May the worst man lose. If we're fortunate, that means both of them.
This is a real feud, but Democrats shouldn’t welcome Muskrat and should use this to their advantage if they can. I’m not surprised at this because they are both malignant narcissists and sociopaths, and it was inevitable these two narcissists would have a clash of egos.
I disagree. Two fragile, self-entitled, raging, snowflake-psychopaths with the combined emotional maturity of a single 4-year-old now find themselves threatening to disembowel the other. Oh, but who could possibwee have foreseen that? 😀
Whether real or staged, I'm absolutely enjoying the knowledge that Republican panties everywhere are being soiled faster than they can be washed. Schadenfreude on a cracker...
Through the looking glass here, people; "reality" TV has destroyed any hope of critical thinking and recognizing actual reality. It's all staged, now, for ultimate entertainment....
To this point, Trump has never experienced anyone having the gall to "talk back." Worse, that person has a huge following on a more popular platform than Truth Social.
True, even though I can’t stand Muskrat. The way to deal with a bully like Trump is to confront him and call him on his garbage. Muskrat should have known that loyalty runs one way only for Trump. Trump expects loyalty and toadies. He doesn’t reciprocate the loyalty of his minions.
Absolutely! As a mental health therapist I know that you can't have two supremely narcissistic egos in relationship. Although both whack jobs need to make more and more money and each other's approval, they both went below the belt--trump threatening canceling musk's contracts and musk announcing that trump is included in the Epstein file. There's a bit more than theatrics here....
I’m going to squeeze in here for positioning to ask, no… to beg, anyone who has connections with the various protests to connect me with organizers so I may pitch my song contributions. I’ve tried repeatedly to make headway. I even foolishly drove from CT to DC to ask the stage manager at the Washington Monument on April 5 to give me a place. “No” she said. I should have known better to spend so much energy. This is my only potentially effective way to contribute to the resistance. And I can’t get in. They, the organizers are all very closed-minded. If I were Dylan or Springsteen they would be shining my shoes. My lyrics are as poignant as any. No time for modesty. I will attend the local at my state capital on June 14 but only to sell my book.
If there’s any silver lining here, it’s knowing with fair certainty that the Little Maybelline Bitch isn’t likely to come out of this smelling like a rose.
Watch "2073" on HBO - a "documentary" of how today's events caused the dystopia in 2073. It includes Palantir along with all the tech bros and authoritarians.
However Trump can take over all of Musk's businesses and banish him. Taking over X would shut Musk down, because he needs the platform to get his message out.
Kathy...I don't mean to be dark, but really....WHAT government??? IMHO... Russel and Peter and JD may need to be carefully monitored...but....by whom?? The American people assume that the democracy is still irrevocably ours. However, the party "in power" has repeatedly refused to exercise its regulating and lawful duties. It has dumped their techno-christian fantasy of a "new world order around the corner" on the American people. I can't bring the receipts, unfortunately, as I am not that organized. Nevertheless, this dark version of where we are going presently is growing, daily, after searching news and commentary, (starting with HCR, of course). I have never wanted to bet against my conclusions more!
True. We need to watch the watchers, and like you, I’m not convinced that everything will turn out right. Our system is crumbling, and we looked the other way while it crumbled. Like you, I want to bet against my biggest concerns.
I would like to see passenger rail improved in my part of Ohio and the Midwest. I would love reliable train service to and from Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, Indianapolis, Chicago, South Bend, Fort Wayne, and into Kentucky. I have taken the South Shore into Chicago from South Bend and have taken CTA trains around Chicago. I have been doing a lot of driving and it has aggravated my right knee to the point I need a knee replacement.
The federal government did run space exploration in the past, but it gave that up -- probably as too expensive. If Trump now canceled Musk's space program, the U.S. would have no program at all. Hope we bring home the astronauts on the space station before that happens. Alas, Trump is not a forward thinker. Perhaps we should count on the Russians to save the people on the space station.
Yup, Linda. Trump doesn’t need Musk anymore. Musk needs Trump!
Things to Remember:
1.) Trump does not need Musk anymore. Trump got elected for the last time. Trump doesn’t need Musk’s money. (Now, there are numerous US Representatives and Senators and Governors who are gonna need some Musketeer Money, but, if Trump’s a.) meme coin enterprise and his b.) Gaza Riviera and his c.) Arabian peninsula golf courses and hotel complexes (Don Jr. is in charge here) and his d.) golf resorts in Communist Vietnam (Eric is doing this one) make the MegaBucks that Trump is expecting, NO ONE will need Musk anymore. (Who knows, maybe there is a Greenland ski resort, glacier calving, and puffin refuge enterprise coming soon.)
2.) Musk needs Trump. Musk needs his very lucrative government contracts. Musk says, “Wait, wait, wait!! What about bringing the astronauts back from the Space Station, huh, Mr. President? You NEED ME!!!” Trump says, “Nope, TeslaTurd, I’ve got my buddy, Putie!”
The Bottom Line: Musk is getting Giuliani-ed. Be careful Elon! Bus/Train/Sledgehammer/Chainsaw Coming Your Way!!
“Epstein!!??” Good try, Elon, but…..
Also, watch Mark Zuckerberg! Looking for a way to crush X? Go for it, Zuck!
that's the point of having a 'strategic reserve' of bitcoin - paid for by US taxpayers in real US money - that gives a way for the smallish number of holders of really serious amounts of bitcoin - billions of dollars' worth - a way to cash out at public expense.
Otherwise there is no conceivable reason for such a 'reserve'. Why have a reserve of an 'asset' whose value bounces up and down like an india rubber ball.
It was obvious from the beginning that that was the risk for Musk. A predictable outcome. Now Putin is offering him asylum. Where is he safer? Still in the USA! So, seeing that, he is recognizing he has to back track, and Trump may let him for now. Still, Trump has put the idea out there that he can appropriate Musk's companies, and frankly he should. I had expected Biden to do something about Starlink once Musk used it to mess with Ukraine. The idea is out there means that it can be expanded. I am sure Steve Bannon is whispering this in his ear that he should do that.
And, as someone else pointed out, Pam Bondi can tie Musk's businesses up forever with harassment lawsuits.
I did think this was performance. We have a bill that MAGA is also questioning, and pitting Musk against the Bill and then against Musk means they have to support the bill that is going to screw them royally.
I think Musk’s choices are all made on which drug he is high on at the time. He’s mentally unbalanced and there are smart enough people out there that know how to manipulate these mentally unbalanced, drug addled people like Musk and Trump. Currently the GOP is trying to direct us to Biden’s mental abilities in office which seem super innocuous compared to DonOLD.
I confess, being naïve I didn't see this break-up between Trump and Musk coming. What was the straw that broke the camel's back? Trump's failure to strike down the removal of the tax credit for EV vehicles in the Big Bad Bloated Bill. This was a kick directly to Musk's groin. Losing that benefit will cause Tesla to lose probably at least hundreds of thousands of vehicle sales here in the U.S. Musk has also proved to be naïve and stupid, used by Trump mercilessly. Who could be more deserving? Tesla has already lost billions of dollars and the worst is yet to come. This will be a classic case study for business schools. I have numerous friends who bought Tesla cars. Never again. Never.
Thanks, Becky. I really think Getting Really, Really Rich (GRRR) has been Trump’s Ultimate Goal Left Yet (UGLY). Get elected President and Grab Obscene Power (GOP) and Go Away Golfing Always (GAGA). Too much, Becky? Ooopppsssiiee….Sorry!
Seriously? With the way this clown car is running things already, I would not want them running our rail system. Not until we have grown ups and thoughtful, strong government in place.
"Amid President Donald Trump and Elon Musk's bitter online war of words, key posts have been deleted from social media.
The most divisive post from Musk alleged that Trump is listed in the files related to the late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and that this is why they have not been fully released to the public. He did not provide evidence pertaining to this.
Musk made the allegation on Thursday, in a post shared on his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter).
But as of early Saturday morning, Musk's Epstein-related post was no longer showing, with X users instead receiving a notice that reads: "Sorry, that post has been deleted."
And it’s not the only post of Musk’s that has been deleted. Another inflammatory post from Thursday, which saw Musk respond “yes,” endorsing a message that said “Trump should be impeached” and that Vance “should replace him,” is also no longer viewable on X.
The deleted posts suggest that the explosive feud between Trump and his one-time ally could be thawing."
It would have been nice if Musk could have bribed someone with access to the Jeffrey Epstein material to share it. I feel certain that it is most likely that what Putin has on Trump is some of the same stuff in the Epstein docs - pedophilia and in Putin's case, actual footage.
but surely the hundreds of pics already available of Epstein and Trump cozying up to each other (usually with Trump in the supplicant position) and Trump's quotes about how Epstein 'likes them young' make it crystal clear what the relationship was. What would be in a DOJ report that would be news?
Not fully grasping the full extent and meaning of this "thumbdriving" of the government's private data, I have wondered and have failed to find the answer....might this data open doors to the blackmailing of said government and its people by a spurned desperado? Hopefully I am merely conjuring up a few chapters in a "fantasy" spy novel, in my worst moments...
Please do not worry. The United States Supreme court - all wise and wonderful - have declared the taking of our private information is Very Good. Wait until those Bozos realize their information was also taken. Blackmail!!
My thoughts exactly, Mary…..SCOTUS thought they’d be spared? Naw….more likely targeted! Seems like a perfect setup for lots of potential “back stabbing”, and a way to curry allegiance via subtle threats. Scary.
It opens doors to messing with our credit, our social security, our medicare, our taxes. Everything. Our bank accounts. The can target anyone who does not comply with government sanctioned behaviors of docility and accepting not earning much for a slave amount of labor, and not complaining, or else, we can be ruined. Seems pretty much like what is planned.
Beyond the our personal data, I was actually thinking about whether sensitive government data has been "thumbdrived". What international risk might that imply? If that happened, could such mining render the government vulnerable to international blackmail,"the likes of which we have never experienced before"? Might it amount to the largest spy operation in broad daylight ever accomplished? That is the part I wonder about. Did the government's sensitive data remain secure from the thumb drive caper? If not, could that mean that a business like Palantir (Peter Thiel) have access to cumulative sensitive government data (as opposed to personal data.) Once again, our government, (ruling party implied) continues its rants about trans while there were crickets about this disturbing caper.
It could, and he could be sharing with Putin, Xi and Palantir. Trump wants to create databases on each citizen and would probably contract with Palantir to do it. Muskrat also sent his incel hackers to grab confidential data from government servers in violation of numerous cybersecurity protection laws, protections under HIPAA and protections under the Privacy Act of 1974.
I had a career working with incarcerated sociopaths. If I know one thing for sure, if a person is using drugs AND remaining high functioning in business, s/he is very good at collecting “receipts”. The Anger Mango is adamantly opposed to alcohol and drugs, but he prides himself on his sexual prowess. Looks like they have each other by the throats. If the fight is real, I have my popcorn bowl at-the-ready.
But equally possible is that this ring of the trump circus is yet another deflection away from much more sinister stuff. Maybe both tableaus co-exist. It is, after all, a whole new level of bat-shyte crazy.
A good point was made herein though; Someone noted that Musk would grovel to keep those U.S. contracts he has. One thing we know for sure is that it's all about the money with both of them.
Perfectly well stated. I think two of the worst-sick lies are that Ukraine started the war with Russia and that former President Biden is a clone. The part that really saddens me is that many believe this rubbish.
But then there is also those "Jewish space lasers"...and the horror that such drivel comes from an individual sitting in a house seat, collecting government benefits and wages along with others similarly inclined towards fantasies and lies....
and tampering with election computers, if what Trump has hinted at is true ... and he usually says what he is doing or going to do - but buried in so many lies that people do not take him seriously.
The most recent information I have is that while Musk is softening, Trump is not. Because the US is now operating more like a monarchy than a constitutional democracy, personalities matter. If Trump is true to form, he will see Musk's offer of peace as weakness and he will want him to pay a price for his disloyalty. The biggest loser may be Vance who is beholden to both and may have to choose.
KYIV (The Borowitz Report)—In a bold attempt at high-stakes diplomacy, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered on Friday to broker a peace deal between Elon Musk and Donald J. Trump.
“It is time for the fighting to stop,” Zelenskyy said to Musk and Trump. “And I am willing to make the ultimate sacrifice: sitting in the same room as the two of you.”
Addressing Trump, the Ukrainian declared, "Mr. President, Elon gave you 250 million dollars, and you haven't said ‘thank you’ once."
I do wonder, though, why everyone is focused on the Trump-Musk fight and not nearly enough on the Supreme Court ruling that now gives DOGE the right to access our sensitive Social Security data?
Thanks Ronald... This Hissy Fit between Toddlers Reminds me of that Scene in "Game of Thrones" where Little Finger implies to Circe that he has Knowledge that has Power over Her... Circe then orders her Guards to Cut Little Finger's throat... Circe then corrects Little Finger by telling him that "Power Is Power"... Putin understands this... Note: "After Russian officials said they were prepared to offer Musk political asylum"... My Bet Is On DJT Prevailing... Will Elon Be Thrown Out A Window?...
Thanks Steve, we were just discussing that exact point. This is just another distraction in the long list of distractions from this regime. Neither one of the players has any morals or integrity but they both have huge egos. We all need to keep watching what their lackeys are up to while people are distracted. I am sure whatever they are doing is not good.
exactly. I got so pissed at how so many in the media fell for it and reported on it like a reality show. even representatives posting about the fight like this is a joke. Yet the news won’t keep on the headlines about musk saying trump is on the epstein files which we already knew…i’m ready for the collapse people are still downplaying what musk and trump are doing to the country supported by their evil cronies
I really don’t understand why they fall for this circus sideshow every time and do not report the horrors that are being staged and pushed. They are both like carnies selling snake oil (no offense to carnies).
As I've said before, FFOTUS is and has been treating the office of POTUS as another reality TV show that he is running, and anything that creates attention to generate "ratings" and distract from what is actually happening with the evisceration of key agencies for the public good as well as cause "observer fatigue" is his purpose while continuing to avoid prosecution and jail time in order to enrich himself and his cronies as much as possible.
Yes they do. Another of the great distractions. Steve's point is well taken. But it doesn't really matter how "real" the fight is. Who really cares what happens to Musk?
What I care about is the drive to privatize as much of the Federal Government as possible. As various programs can't deliver good services, the blame will go to the "Deep State" and Biden. Follow the money.
Example: It will take time, but 83,000 employees of the VA are being fired. Veterans will be increasingly referred to the private sector healthcare system as a result. Which is insane from an efficiency (caring what happens to vets) point of view. Our private healthcare system is already overwhelmed and dysfunctional - unless you are rich enough to buy "concierge care". Watch as vets end up in the ER because their conditions weren't addressed early on. Follow the money.
Next up, Medicare. Watch as "Advantage" plans (scams) are pushed. And if you don't think $trumpers like Charles Schwab aren't salivating over a push to privatize Social Security, I'd like to know what you are smokin'. Social Security could be immediately sustainable if the rich paid their fair share (remove the cap!). But by underfunding the program, they will say that "business people" could run it better. Follow the money.
Our space program has been privatized (Hi Elon, keep up the show business). Starlink has been installed in the White House. Follow the money.
And the overarching and so pathetically obvious tactic of blowing up our deficit and debt is the steamroller coming to tell America we can't afford all manner of social services that most other nations provide as a way of life. They have higher taxes. And they are happy. Because they have some basic human rights and services paid for. Health care, child care, education.
Follow the money. It is being rapidly redirected to a few. And the many can just grovel.
Check out Elizabeth Warren's scathing report, "130 Days of Elon Musk," and you'll see a long list of things that Musk has done and ways that he benefits financially from his bromance with *rump (whether or not it continues). Sickening.
Bill, this is exactly what I have been thinking but far better articulated. My primary concerns for this destruction has been privatization; specifically (admitting first personal, then family connection bias) are Social Security/Medicare and NOAA.
Business and government have different missions and goals. When the government runs something, they are doing it for the common good of all the people. When a business runs something, they are in it to make money and THEN provide the service. Your last paragraph is stellar. Thank you.
My thoughts as I've blatantly stated and implied all along Ally. I've tried for decades to warn democratic "it persons." I personally think they are now so embarrassed by the degrees they've been deluded, that they don't know what to do, save a few - including Biden. Evidence you say ? Joe B. struck the biggest departure from 45 years of the status quo, that was obvious - at least to me, so much that he appeared to be going 'rogue' from the approach of 45 years dependence upon democrat party leadership status quo. That my friend was 'leadership' apart from party that left them stunned, feeling left out, and ultimately resentful - then destructive towards him. He had to feel like Moses trying to lead the Israelites out of the desert - then they resented him.
I might also add, that I have convincing enough 'proof' experiences to blow the minds of most folks.
You all need to accept and act upon the sure knowledge, that close opposition research is done herein 'every' single day by professionals and weigh what's said cautiously; At least until an actual private forum can be assembled.
Bill, I have no doubt that this is part of the end game. My LMT is a vet who has an eye problem. When he went to see about it, they could not help him in a timely manner, so made a referral in the community which also took forever. He has gone to that appointment, but it is still not resolved. I once had a conversation with the mother of my nephew's wife who is from Norway and wealthy. She mentioned the higher taxes, but was glad for what they paid for and her life style is not suffering either. Meanwhile here everyone complains nonstop about taxes and government. It took three tries to pass our local fire levy for 24/365 service over a large area which includes rural parts of the county. I had no idea that we had so many people in our area who were top flight medical persons and firefighters/s. On a positive note, Salem just passed a measure that funds the library, parks, and the senior center. We are not in the city of Salem so could not vote on that. I thought it would lose, but people worked hard to pass it.
That is something I’m concerned about myself. Privatizing government services is more expensive than having experienced employees that do their jobs well, and privatizing government services removes public accountability. With private prisons, for example, there is no accountability for inhumane conditions and cutting corners to improve profits.
Stuart Stevens (the Bulwark) makes the case for nationalizing SpaceX and Starlink. After all, the R's say we're in a "national emergency" as justification for implementing the Alien Enemies Act and Trump's take over of tariff authority from congress.
Elon's j_o_b_ was to install the data and information collection networks - mission accomplished. His alleged departure and the theatrics acted out right now, is just that, theatrics. "If", by some kernel of truth, he's only being pushed 'out of the spotlight' because he may be drug addled AND he's too damn impetuous or the play of his impetuousness via DOGE blaming, is overplaying and feared to be too fast and revealing. They fear any awakening of the 'sleeping giant' of the broader public, including of course the 'greater silent majority.' That would be the ones they worry about the most. * Remember... who was it, Hirohito who oddly said that, or words to that effect: "I fear we may have awoken a sleeping giant." ( *duh; missed another important comma - lol )
You are another of the community here that I've always found compelling Bill. And as one who pays attention, you'd know that your essay is preaching to the choir with me, but I'm damn glad you wrote it out for the benefit of others. We, many of us, are singing from the same hymnal.
I did notice that you left out at least one other point of attack from the commerce congregation; The Postal Service, another of those services that government does because it can't be done cost effectively enough for private commerce - * read "profitable enough." 90 percent of the big money supporting the OiD is coming from corporate 'Merica, and the Chamber of Commerce mobsters. As harsh as that might appear, ask yourself how they spread this well thought out gospels from corner to corner in this huge country in nearly every backwater RFD ? What outlets are common to every city, town, RFD ? *Answer: bars, churches and chambers of commerce. Think what you will.
Just keep your hand on your wallet. MONEY = POWER = MONEY. It’s all about the Benjamins. Greed and avarice abound. Vote them out immediately, it’s almost too late right now. Project 2025 is taking root.
OMG Steve. You've fallen for the 4-dimensional chess crap that the right-wing media has been spouting about this rift between Trump and Musk. The whole administration is a clown show, what else could one reasonably expect of a Trump administration? The same thing happened again and again in his first term and each time people once loyal to Trump ended up under the bus - Pence, Pompeo, Bolton, Tillerson, Bannon, Cohen etc. etc. It's what he does. I guess it is in a sense a form a theatre, but they're not distractions - they're the reality of a government led by this stupid megalomaniac. You've already seen it once in his first term and you're still attributing to him qualities he clearly does not possess. The idea that the media somehow doesn't cover what the administration is doing is utterly bizarre since they're doing it in broad daylight. The professor has been covering it in copious detail for months and you'll note how often she cites sources from the serious media.
This rift has had real consequences for both men. Tesla had some $152bn wiped off its market capitalisation and Musk has personally lost $34bn according to Bloomberg. Trump's budget reconciliation bill is now in real danger of failing in the Senate. What could either of these idiots have possibly gained from this spat?
Yes I agree. Also Trump and Musk getting into a major confrontation was inevitable, although somewhat surprising that it took this long to happen. So much wreckage, needless suffering, waste, leaving a wake of destruction. With those egos and the damage done by DOGE and dimwitted Donold, its more like a fight between Godzilla and Mothra then WWE.
And in the seasonal world, my compost is heating up and decomposing so fast it's looking like it'll be usable as nutrients for plants I'll harvest this summer. Maybe this Musk/Trump spat and other wreckage underway will produce a surge of affirmation for the Constitution! Power to the people for upholding democratic values and protecting judges.
Joan, nice analogy. My husband is in charge of the composting and we have three bins going. The garden is growing and we are enjoying some or the first crops.
At the Rich Earth Institute in VT, they had a wonderful crop of lettuces growing in Feb. on a mix of worm juice and diluted pasteurized human urine. Fun, this sharing prompted here in HCRs Substack.
There's much speculation about why Musk turned on Trump. Steve Bannon suggests that their relationship began to fray when Trump decided that Musk should not be given intelligence briefing on China where he has business interests. But Bannon hates Musk: he promised to take him down (and tear his face off) before the inauguration. Some suggest it was because the FAA declined the offer to replace the Verizon system with Musk's Starlink. Trump himself blames it on the provision in the budget reconciliation bill cancelling what he refers to as the EV Mandate (there was actually no such mandate just a voluntary target). Others say that with two colossal narcissistic egos in such close proximity a collison was inevitable.
Yes indeed. Probably all of the above...and plenty of other instances too. Like Musk bringing his 5 year old kid into the Oval Office, it was such a bizarre scene that it had to be an irritation for Donold.
Gorgeous George was the best example of a wrestler that played the Heel to maximize the drama and passions of the crowds, but he also did a lot more to make it profitable for all the wrestlers.
I suspect he didn't destroy his opponent financially and professionally, preferring to help all of them make a good living off the show.
As you point out, Trump goes out of his way to violate more generous aspects of those in on the theatrics, and really wants to hurt so many of those he used so badly.
Then there are the demonstrably innocent people like the Central Park Five, that he wanted to face the death penalty even after they were proven innocent.
"...Members of the Central Park Five (also called the Exonerated Five) are suing former President Donald Trump for defamation over comments he made during last month's presidential debate, according to a lawsuit filed in federal court on Monday.
The five, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, Kevin Richardson, Antron Brown (formerly Antron McCray), and Korey Wise, were wrongfully convicted in 1989 of a brutal assault on a New York jogger in Central Park. They were just teens then and ultimately spent years in prison for crimes they did not commit before being exonerated by DNA and the confession of a convicted rapist and murderer.
But during the September debate at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Trump said that at the time the teenagers “admitted – they said, they pled guilty. And I said, well, if they pled guilty they badly hurt a person, killed a person ultimately.” The victim in the case is still alive and deals with lingering health effects from her attack. The five never pled guilty for the crimes they were charged with..."
Trump fixates on certain things: the Central Park Five case, Obama's birth certificate, the 2002 election. I can't see how either Trump or Musk have gained anything from this altercation. This is drama that neither of them needed.
They've done pretty well under Musk overall one would say and last year they voted to reaffirm a roughly $48 billion compensation package for Musk which had earlier been nullified by a judge on the ground that he had approved his own compensation without proper fiduciary management. They seem to want him to focus on the company and stay out of Trumpworld. That's hard to imagine when his financial success has been predicated on big government contracts.
People who have invested money in a bad, not so legal company will pay the (not so nice) dues. Why can't they take that $ & invest it in good, helpful companies to the benefit of their fellow citizens. Oh, forgot, greed.
A complaint of workplace discrimination (racial harassment and retaliation) at Telsa was effectively halted by the administration when it neutered the Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. Apart from this glaring deficiency obviously, I don't think there's anything essentially bad about Tesla. The US certainly needs to encourage the use of electric vehicles and have its own market for them.
MAGA does not read or listen to Heather Cox Richardson. They listen to Fox Media and spout the lines given by Fox/Trump. If serious media and HCR were believed Trump would not be in office.
Rick Sender from the MAGA-world turns up here from time to time, but one doesn't get the impression that he's ever bothered to read the professor's newsletter which always contains a high density and quality of information. It's rather a pity but it's his choice.
It’s like the couple who gets married thinking that they’ll be able to change that annoying little trait they don’t like in their partner and when the can’t the innocent children that resulted are harmed in the middle of nasty divorce and domestic violence. But hey, the GOP wants to name June natural family month and force everyone to have a natural (heterosexual) family. Put the gays back in the closet and create more misery.
One would hardly cite either the Trump or Musk families as the model 'natural' family. Trump has been married three times and Musk has had numerous partners. One of Musk's 14 children, Vivian Wilson, is a transgender woman and Trump himself only barely makes into the human race.
I think you are right about WWE storylines, but in this particular case, Musk is pouting for real. I read at one point that despite stories that Musk and Thiel are copacetic, they actually have had a long running and rather bitter rivalry. Musk is upset Thiel is going to win.
Trump used that rivalry from the very beginning, and he chose Musk because he could manipulate him more easily (drug addiction is always handy). Trump always plays people against one another so he can stay in the role of "Big Daddy". He adores the cat fighting. But this time it went a bit too far.
I do think Musk will retreat. Too much of his money and future wealth is tied up in those big juicy government contracts, and Tesla is going down, not just because of the protests against Tesla, but because over two years ago it was clear China was going to eat their EV lunch. China is now so far ahead there is no way Tesla will ever catch up. So SpaceX and Starlink with plenty of fat govt contracts are Musk's only out.
This reminds me chillingly of the moment Putin destroyed the richest Russian oligarch, parading him in a glass box at court, to make a point to the rest of the oligarchs to fall in line. We're not quite there yet, but we are heading that direction.
Or is it deliberate ignorance - because people don't want to know. If they did they would have to take responsibility and be compelled to leave their comfort zone, where they have been under the influence of bad ideas. It would be a huge psychological lift to admit they were wrong about trump.
This is very true. MAGA will go to their graves before admitting they are wrong.
I think a great deal of the deliberate ignorance for people who are not as deeply into the cult worship of Trump is due to simple exhaustion--very much part of authoritarian attacks, to exhaust us. So pace yourselves.
I suspect I'm getting a good look at that this morning. I will be going to be in person with many of my retired cop cohort at our annual LEOSA firearms qualification. Not looking forward to seeing many of them, frankly.
I absolutely agree. This is what I've thought all along. What we ought to be focusing on is the round ups and the police state. And - my soap box issue: our public lands.
The roundups and police state are despicable. I want to see us focus on the I/3 of the voters who did not vote because if there is ever a free and fair election again we need these voters.
I think you are absolutely right to question the media’s tendency to frame this as mere spectacle, and I share your frustration with how easily they fall into the reality TV trap. That said, I also think this is not just a distraction or performance. It is a symptom of something deeper. Trump has a long history of turning on those once close to him—Pence, Bolton, Tillerson, Bannon, the list goes on—and this Musk fallout seems to follow the same pattern of ego, instability, and chaos that defined his first term.
And while it is absurd theater, it is also having real consequences. Tesla’s market value has dropped by billions, and Trump’s legislative agenda is suddenly more fragile. This may not be 4D chess, but it is not just smoke and mirrors either. It is the messy and destructive reality of an administration where ego rules and competence is sidelined. You are right that journalists need to do better, but we also need to stay sharp about what this mess reveals. Not just the show, but the system.
This is such an important point. It really does have the structure and pacing of a scripted storyline, and the media’s obsession with the drama only feeds into it. The real danger is how easily spectacle can distract from deeper, ongoing abuses of power and the erosion of public institutions.
We need journalism that goes beyond the performance and digs into the systems behind it—who benefits, who’s being harmed, and what’s being hidden while everyone watches the show. Thank you for calling this out so clearly.
Steve, I agree that this is a deflection in order to shade/bury a host of other things, including the appalling decisions of the SCOTUS--some of which, mystifyingly, were unanimous decisions (such as the cis hetero white woman who successfully sued for "reverse discrimination")--that came down on Friday. However, Lev Parnas (a former trumpista turned activist), in his most recent Substack, offers a different take: it's mafia shit, not fake wrestling melodrama. In other words, Elon the drug-addled Nepo Baby should be looking for severed horses' heads in his bed. People don't seem to realize that the only emotion the Shit-covered Felon in Chief actually experiences is grievance. And he never forgets a slight. And all the breathless nonsense spewed by the traditional media (such as surprise at the idea that the Felon is "in the Epstein files"--no, REALLY??) is also self-serving burying of all the real stories that should be covered but are not.
Agreed. My friend and I were discussing yesterday that it is a distraction from the Big Bad Bill, and actually I was wondering if this was performance to get MAGA to turn on Musk and support Trump's bill which is harmful for most of MAGA as well as the rest of us normal people.
Also, I was wondering whether Putin offering asylum was part of this. As far as Musk is concerned, he is a lot safer in the US right now than he would be in Russia if he is going to be outspoken and take on the leader.
The legacy media has been led around by him for 10 years. This is nothing new. Legacy media is controlled by oligarchs. The toxic stew of distractions, lies and disinformation fed to the American consumer is deliberate. Add in Russian and Chinese interference and you have a complete lie machine. This machine elected him.
Please stop expecting legacy media to change. Instead support non-legacy such as Substack writers, the Meidas Touch, the Bulwar etc. We are building our own megaphone.
Totally agree, Steve. What’s really happening is the implementation of Project 2025. Russell Voght, Stephen Miller, et al are getting it done while TrumpMusk are entertaining the media and their audiences.
My word this is exhausting. What will happen when there really is an attack on the homeland? These appointments are absolutely mind boggling….from the twisted heads of boggled minds.
There used to be people in government paid to think, worry and plan for this day and night. Now, who knows? The danger signs are everywhere. The raging childishness, brutal incompetence and malignant klusterfuckery broadcasts but a single message to our enemies. A perfect storm is brewing.
What’s going on? If you don’t want to know, don’t read the following.
Our species’ childhood began some 12,000 generations ago at the origin of our species and ended roughly 400 generations ago at the end of the Paleolithic Period. To paraphrase Howard Thurman (1899-1981), our childish behavior, perfect in its place, is not for the new demand!
Before childhood’s end, the implicit assumption that the people who matter are the people with whom “I” have a close personal relationship was perfect in its place. When Marvin Gaye tells me, “We’ve got to find a way to bring some loving here today,” he has me thinking the new demand requires us all to recognize that the people who matter are everyone living here today on this Earth and our grandchildren’s grandchildren.
How about the future of our, or anyone's grandchildren's 400 generations?
Frankly, I don't have faith that my grandchildren will have a nice life. What should we tell them to do so they will survive this world bent on war, not love.
First, if one is thinking 400 generations ahead, then they are wasting their time, energy, and attention, but because caring about my grandparent's grandchildren's grandchildren is relatable, then so is caring about my grandchildren's grandchildren.
Second, Abraham Lincoln told us to have faith that might makes right. Donnie 2 Dolls is trying to convince us to lose faith in everything because if he succeeds, then might makes right, and he know what we all know: a POTUS, at least for now, is the most powerful person on the planet.
My advice for what you should tell your grandchildren, and what they should tell their grandchildren, is to follow Lincoln's good advice.
I have always thought "400 generations" ahead....to me that is MORE relatable.
Do not waste any resources: water being a big one. We should only use what is necessary, not drain the earth of essential goods. I felt that 60 years ago when it was unthinkable that we could ever have a water problem. Humans are draining the planet and it won't be recoverable. And, they are breeding like flies. Damn shame.
Billionaires intuited that. So they stock pile money so they can stock pile resources. They'll be living in their safety bubbles: their own military, their own clean air and water. How dumb is that? They'll be having wars in their bubbles with the relatives and friends they imprisoned them selves with.
I often listen to music while reading/writing on the 'I net". While writing my comment on Fugat or WTFE submitted about 10 minutes ago, I was listening to Marvin -Marvin - Save the Children - God Is Love - Mercy, Mercy, Me
(Detroit mix). Marvin Gay - you tube.
Little did I know what I was in for. Thank you from my heart. Speaking of speaking o my heart, it failed on me four weeks ago. It stopped, my wife of 54 years, gave me chest compressions until EMS arrived and hit me with the pads twice to get me going again. 100% blockage got me two stints. I'm home now for about 2 1/2 weeks and doing well.
Your providing the information to allow me to jump over and enjoy the Snoop Dog and Marvin. I'm over joyed thanks so much.
Marvin Gaye! Love that man; he's an absolute King. I was at his last performance. It was in NYC, where he, due to his additions...was 2 hours late. My friend and I were all over the audience space, with excess energy, frustration and anticipation...
When he finally took the stage, it was wonderful.
So tragic, that his drag dressing father, probably out of jealousy, shot him dead. ...a loss to lesser humans, everywhere.
Must’ve been a great place to live well, but I would’ve weighed 350 when I got out of there. Carnivore and pasta, war, and a good salad. I had steak three out of the five nights while we were there.
Well, we changed our itinerary a little bit so let me think we were in Zürich on the ninth and stayed three days then we went to Milan and stayed two days we were in Florence from the 14th to the 19th . We were supposed to be there five days but left early. We left after three days and headed to. Milan. Which was an unplanned stop, but we thought it's on the way down so let's do that. We did see Grinden wall in Europe, which was awe inspiring and beautiful. Despite the small streets and the ancient buildings, Florence is still our favorite town. In Italy. The food is phenomenal. It's there and Wine country. And many things to see are accessible from there. We found a great new restaurant called Il Volo.
And of course I had my mail at buca Mario.
And talk about great timing when we got to Rome we were walking the street where there were about 15 black SUVs with American flags and we had to look up what was going on to find out what was happening. It was Vance and Rubio meeting with the pope in the building, we walked right by.
And that’s why it’s best to privatized things because they’ll run better and they think because they have to in order to stay in business government offices. Don’t have that pressure. Nor do they have a functioning, modern up-to-date equipment at private businesses have and investing on a timely basis not 40 years later. And by the way, as I said earlier, there’s no brutal incompetence other than in the Democratic party right now.
The appointment of Fugate or WTFE is just another in the ongoing series of trumpian moves to consolidate access to money and direct involvement in the offices of government which provide dear leader more authoritarian power.
The humor is the obvious hunger D.L. (dear leader) has for sycophants who court his attention. Here is that twelve year old mentality again.
KSC asks, "What will happen when there really is an attack on the homeland?".
Look we all must get this right! The home land is under attack. An attack by a home grown billionaire terrorist who manged to get himself elected potus.
It's time for him and his ilk to understand they are in big trouble. Trouble they cannot run from. We know who they are, where they live and we shall not forget they deserve retribution for the damage they have done to our country and the evil they represent.
What goes around does come around. The repugniklans screwed around and now they will find out. We the people have our eyes on them.
Use/share this spreadsheet as a resource to call/email/write members of Congress, the Cabinet and news organizations. Reach out to your own reps, as well as those in other states on a specific committee important to a topic you’re sharing. Use your voice and make some “good trouble.”
And don’t forget to enjoy the same four years that are coming up. They are going to be a blessing for America. And by the way, I’ve said it before Trump may just run for three years resign and hand it over to Vance and if Vance does a good job perhaps eight more years in the White House scary thought for those here, huh then get yourself in a leader and get yourself an agenda, other than hate Trump and tell the people that are doing the speaking now to stop lying about the billionaire crap and about the racism, misogyny xenophobia, and all the other words that you’re listeners don’t understand and in many cases, Dan don’t even agree with oh sorry I left out the word Oligarch. We live in a capitalist society so people want to become rich. It’s their option to do so it’s called freedom. And it used to be called the American dream but for you, the American dream is Nirvana that is impossible to achieve.
It's not working because Trump has the strongest backbone of any president in the last 50 years. So an acronym Name has to be credible. Another huge mistake by the Democrat clowns. The best one was the clown eating a taco at his desk that was hysterical. They're calling the tacos, flavor Feng Feng . Lol. And the funniest thing Mark is that there was a saying about a year ago that said if you're looking for. Swalwell and his whereabouts just called schiffs proctologist.
Well, I’m glad you said that because it just confirms what we hear all the time people on the left into the keep repeating the lie becomes the truth but at some point in time you get found out. And all the lies that the legacy media told are now coming out, and the funniest thing is, if I’m coming out by the people that actually did the lying like Jake, Tapper and KJP. Just a riot
Stood up after getting shot in the ear and yelled fight. Not to mention the two other attempts on his life. withstood all the trials in a frozen court room in New York… fake trials. But now are all gone. 92% of negative media coverage by legacy media. Two Russia hoaxes. Peeing on a couple of Russian prostitutes, which was really funny. Forced Europe to keep their promise and made them increase their donations to NATO to the 2% committed and had the EU fulfill its commitment and billions of dollars started flowing into the NATO coffers.
What a coward. All this while Biden, Lido Beach in Delaware not even knowing he was lying on the beach in Delaware. omg.
If you want to be honest about your post, you should read it yourself in front of a really, really big mirror.
There has not been any more corruption in the past 50 years and happen in the last administration
And by the way, every administration wants people that buys into its goals this is not unique and you're frustrated because the Democrats lost the election big time. They kept the house in the Senate and so they are totally in control and will run the government the way they want to run the government in this Democratic. You just don't agree with Trump and hate comes along with that in many cases.
I am pretty much sick and tired of posting the same facts, links, and logic to what happened in the past four years and why as an example every major network and cable news network like CNN and MSNBC have lost almost all their credibility.
They have been sued for lies and defamation and lost the suits, including some of the heroes of CNN and MSNBC not to mention George Stephanopoulos.
There is now a $20 billion lawsuit against CBS I believe for 60 minutes portrayal and Trump already turned down a $15 million settlement
The Republicans were sued for $700 billion for their work against Dominion but it wasn't a personalized thing. It was a belief that the election was tainted because how does a semi cadaver like Joe Biden get 13 million more votes than Barack Obama, the god
But they paid their price. This was not an individual lawsuit as I mentioned however, Legacy media is almost dead unless they can find an agenda. Find a leader and start using common sense because every pony they've been backing lately has been the wrong pony. They back and a illegal criminal. Actually a host of a legal criminals. Versus backing the American citizens that were killed raped, maimed, trafficked, and even the illegals that were named raped and killed ans trafficked
They covered up the Biden debacle and his dementia cancer state of non compos mentis and it's gonna get worse before it gets better for him unfortunately.
They lied for four years about his health. They lied about the Russia hoax. They lied about the 51 so-called experts, who said Hunter Biden's laptop was not real.
They lied about the border being secured and they defy the Supreme Court forgiving student loans and I could go on, but I think you get the picture so take a good look at yourself and note that the Democratic Party had an approval rating from CNN of 66% a year ago April and now it's 21%
It's not Kool-Aid pal that's your problem. So you're the kind of guy that likes posting links to tell tainted stories, time and time again. Good luck with that. Your next post is going to include it as I've said many times a historical reference to the 1850s when so-and-so happened which has absolutely no bearing or relevance today. Just like all the links that you might post
Well, you didn't respond to my current examples of Liberia and Hungary, so yeah, maybe next time I'll try something from the 1850s (which was also a time of the plutocracy calling the shots, so favorite era if yours?)
We are now seeing the full effect of the Trump Presidency. This is an incompetent and foolish man in the White House who is surrounding himself with people who are loyalists and who are also incompetent and foolish and in order to be in positions of power and control only need to profess and show fealty to Trump.
We have had leaders in the past who were less than perfect but never one so incompetent and corrupt. The level of corruptions and the dismantling of government is going to have many long term consequences. We are going to see the country's leadership in science, technology, and medicine be impacted but these actions are also going to soon impact the economic stability of the country.
The Republicans need who have for years been attacking the government and economic programs are now in charge. What are they offering us, the destruction of the government, a weakening of our security, a decline in the country's economic health. All of this to support President who has only demonstrated a vision of corruption and incompetence.
Something like 70 million people — maybe more — couldn't have bothered to get off their lazy, fat, uneducated asses to vote last year. Another 70 million so disinformed and brainwashed by Faux News and even worse outlets voted to send a sick, demented, psychopathic crook convicted of 34 felonies, twice impeached for obstruction of justice and attempted blackmail back to the White House AGAIN.
All this was both predictable — and predicted. If a free people will not make the effort needed to defend their own republic, monsters will come and eat it for lunch.
Meanwhile, 80% of South Korea’s electorate just showed the world what democracy looks like. Ukraine just showed the world what intelligence, perseverance and true courage look like. Canada shows what real elbows look like. The torch passes..
Toynbee once wrote that great civilizations don’t just die or get vanquished by invaders from without — they literally commit suicide from within first. The barbarians just make it official.
I don’t think they were lazy. I think they couldn’t face voting for a black woman. Racism and misogyny being the top operating paradigms and underlying those a feeling of envy because she was more qualified than most of those in any room she entered.
I don’t know. Our voter turnout has been abysmal for decades. We’ve hovered between 50 and 60 percent turnout for a long time, almost 100 years. Some of that is apathy, and some is voter suppression. But the last election wasn’t very anomalous, and to the extent that it was, turnout was higher than normal. I don’t know why we don’t care more. I’ve only missed one election in my entire adult life, and that one was because I was sick on the day.
During the 90's I would leave to travel for 5-6-7 months..always after the Nov date for voting. 85 years old and never missed an election. I voted Harris, then was horrified to hear her say she Pledged to support Israel. Pledged!!! I wanted I could take that vote back and vote Jill Stein. I'm just not into another Holocaust in my life time.
Have fun down your rabbit hole. With tens of millions of lazy, disinformed, racist or clueless voters, you don't have to look far to uncover reasons for democratic failure. It doesn't require going out on a limb.
You say that they are incompetent, but they are successfully taking more power all the time. People behave as if the collapse of our system is not happening, and trump alone is responsible, and if not for him, the rest of the right-wingers would be pro-democracy. I wish they were as incompetent as you say they are, but they have sabotaged our system far more than they should be able to already.
As usual, you are so lost please change the channel please please please watch one week a fox, then turn to CNN and see who’s telling the truth why CNN and MSNBC have lost almost 60% of its audience because of the lies deceit and defamation. I really feel sorry for you
You haven’t felt anything yet. These first four months have been a modicum of how successful America is going to be in the near future.
They are now offering you nothing that you claim.. and if you’re looking for corruption, you need only look to the last four years. Opening the border and hoping those people get to vote, which was tried to New York, but failed of all places to fail
The Russia hoax was a total lie the three attempted assassinations, the 51 suppose experts who claimed that hunters laptop was fake. Hillary Clinton and steals fake Dossiers. Robert Mueller’s catastrophe of a hearing. The lawfare against Trump in New York, which fell on its ass. And for obvious reasons. The lying and deceitful media we are now books are coming out from the very liberals that lied which is pretty ironic. And of course, we have the liberal media which covered up Biden’s diminishing capacity for four years or more.
And why is it does it seem that everybody here is backing an illegal criminal alien versus American citizens that gave. been harmed
There was a quote yesterday that I thought was pretty interesting. It said the Democrat party is no longer a party. It is a mental health crisis, in serious metastasized TDS. Please start understanding why you lost. Please start understanding that there are probably 80 to 100,000,000 people now that would vote for Trump tomorrow because his favorite ability rating is higher than it’s ever been while the Democrat party has the lowest favorability rating on record. Let that sink in please.
Stephanie, I feel your frustration. I read it and heard him on the NewsHour.
But I disagree with David Brooks. Democrats have a deep bench and some very eloquent speakers who are calling out this abomination of a government daily.
David Brooks is a kind and thoughtful person. I'd like to have beer with him. But it is HIS party and long term philosophies that have led to this dictatorship. Blaming Democrats now seems silly to me.
And I disagree that a party that has internal debates is weak. That is the strength of a democracy. And our messages are clear and consistent.
The Climate Crisis can't be wished away by ignoring it.
Voting is a universal right and should be easy.
Science and modern medicine are a treasure.
Affordable health care is a human right.
Affordable child care would grow the economy and further women's rights
Reproductive freedom is a human right.
Building alliances around the world is smart.
Of course, we can get all muddled up about sexual identity and race issues. That is how they bait us. It's simple to me and I think almost all Democrats. Everyone deserves a level playing field - no matter who they are. If a service member is trans and performs at the required level, applaud and promote. If a company doesn't have enough diversity - is run entirely by white males - change it. Be fair.
I, for one, am have Circular Firing Squad Fatigue. We are the good guys. They are not.
Democrats argue. Good. Republicans obey their king. Bad. Democrats are about love and inclusion. Republicans are about hate and fear mongering. Wasn't that easy?
I can agree that "Americans" were not prepared for this attack on our democracy. 89 million eligible voters didn't show up. Blaming it on the 75 million Democrats who DID vote seems odd. Did we bungle it? Perhaps. But I am looking forward, not back. Blaming feels good for a while. But then what?
See you all on the streets June 14th. We are not helpless. We lost a battle. But we will win this war. We should take a hint from Ukraine. It will take a long time, but giving up is not an option for me. Slava Ukraini!
You posit a very good counter argument. I, too, am trying to make sense of the situation. Biden deserves some of the blame, and Kamala, who had little time to prepare a good campaign, wasn't very convincing, together with the attitude by some male groups who refused to be led by a woman - that's what I hear from friends whose males voted that position. The difference is policy versus politics. When Obama passed Obamacare that was policy, then the republicans lied about it - that's politics. I believe the dems lost two seats somewhere because the republicans lied about a policy that was trying to correct our national health care system. And the democrats and Obama did not sell Obamacare well, if at all. Again, they are often poor messengers. Republicans always use politics to lie and obfuscate. I'm not suggesting the dems start lying. A democratic system relies on informed voters and the evidence shows that a lot of Americans are easily misled.
David and I are attending the Pride event in DC to give our support. Every body that contributes to important causes like this demonstrate hope and eventually create space for freedom and acceptance to thrive.
Hey Bill, I'll made this analogy to you and maybe you'll take it to Heart every Sunday the NFL plays a game and every Monday they sit in a video room and look at the results of the game. The factors that either had them win or lose analyze that and then try to fix what happened THE DAY BEFORE. The Democrats have yet to do that and it's going on seven months. There is absolutely no self reflection only hate. And frustration that they don't have any control and they don't like what Trump is doing, but it's not their choice to like it or not in a democracy. This is what happens. It happened in the Obama administration as well when he had both houses of Congress and it took the vice president to approve the wonderful phenomenal Obama care that 12 1/2% of the country now have
I have to agree it would be no easy task because there were so many fowl ups and so many lies and deceptions that they have a lot to work on, but instead of working on that all they have to do is work on an agenda and a leader instead of the only agenda item they have right now on their card is we hate Trump.
There is very little common sense going on in the Democratic Party right now
They keep supporting the wrong side, like criminal illegals versus American citizens, and the legacy media has lost its credibility. And making it worse the actual same left we media now printing books that depict exactly what I'm saying, not words from my mouth, but from theirs.
David Brooks does not run this country. He's one voice on a
Left wing Loon newspaper
Ask yourself this question who is the leader of the Democrat party right now and what is their agenda?
The good news for you guys is that every time a president has taken Office with both houses of Congress. They lose one both houses of Congress at the midterm.
But if Donald Trump's big beautiful Bill passes and taxes on tips and Social Security and overtime pass which target directly to the middle and lower income folks, this could be the first time on record that he retains those bodies
And believe it or not, they actually covered this story in depth on Fox News.
And please forgive me, but if anybody believes that New York Times is anything but way left they are mistaken. 97% is what I heard and it's probably true the composition of the reporters at the New York Times and their Democratic party affiliation.
You are so incorrect you’ve only seen a touch of Trump’s presidency because he has another three years eight months to go. And perhaps he’s smarter than Biden because Biden should’ve resigned his office two years in and given it to Kamala Harris and give her a chance to run it to prove to the world that she does not qualify in most people’s eyes to be the leader of the free world. That is the scariest proposition that I’ve ever seen in my lifetime and thank God it turned out the way it
Trump could resign his presidency in three years and handed over to Vance and if Trump and Advanced have done a good job eight more years on the job
The 'if' in that last sentence is carrying an awful lot of weight given the chaos Trump has created in just a few months. No trade deals, no peace deals in Ukraine or Gaza, the economy tanking, prices still high, a lousy jobs report...
Nothing to say about the end of the bromance, Rick?
And by the way, if you think he's giving nothing to nobody if in fact this bill passes he's saving every American family $1700 in tax increase that would happen if the tax extension fails and he's and if you think any billionaires are getting wealthy on no tax tips and no tax on overtime You're a very special person
The Democrats would let this tax extension fail, and every family would suffer, especially middle and low income. Go check it out yourself. Don't listen to me. But follow up and you'll find out what happens if Trump's tax cuts from his first term expire watch what happens
The Biden debacle is just beginning has nothing to do with me, but it's gonna get a lot uglier. And there's obviously some real maleficent by his doctor because the kind of cancer that he has should've been diagnosed three or four years earlier.
FOX News Media finished May as the No. 1 news brand on YouTube with a staggering 362 million video views to dominate ABC, NBC, CBS and cable news organizations. It’s now carrying 65% of the news.
Lotta truth seekers that you guys will never understand.
Actually, it’s the people here that are the brainwasheees. If you only watch the posts here and watch liberal news. You will never know the truth. Oh, I forgot you have history to arm your crystal ball to predict tomorrow.
Unfortunately, as I have mentioned many times here societal mores are different technology is substantially different armaments are substantially different and even America is substantially different. I have to laugh when I see people starting out their post well in the 1850s. Yikes. Poor lost souls and most seemingly backing the wrong pony.
Yeah, if you wanna stay blind, deaf and dumb just turn away from facts and truth and leave your own fantasy land. No problem it’s your life you can lead it the way you like.
And I love that you're saying that because the more you do that the worse it's gonna get for your side instead of opening your eyes find a leader find an agenda other than hate Trump. The only agenda that the left has right now is hate Trump and it's not working and it will not work. And it's gonna get uglier as even liberals are now writing books about the debacle of the Biden administration
Self reflection is what's needed here and they're apparently is none you just wanna keep putting up walls and barriers. Just avoid listening to fax and Truth that's fine. Have a nice day
Jorge, I do that it's called multitasking and you should try that try not only reading Heather's article watch a weeks worth of Fox News and say who's lying and who's telling the truth. Scared huh? I don't blame you.
Why do you think I'm here? I read her articles. I also read the links you ought to do both. Why don't you see if there's any links from any organization about her story that leans right or way right not a one
And every single article she writes begins with a negative every single one against the administration and Trump
The border was closed in 60- 75 days, which was a miracle and the number one most important item to all Americans on every survey and AOC and Biden and Mallorca said it would take legislation to fix which would only delay things and Trump said no it will only take a new president.
You read her article articles there's not been one complement to anything. Trump didn't including closing the border when that was the most important thing to all
And they keep backing the wrong ponies. I keep telling you no one's listening.
You can't back in a legal criminal alien over an American mother of five who is beaten head, crushed in pull to 150 feet to a tunnel and violently raped leaving leaving five children without a mother or the 13 year-old that was killed or the jogger that was killed or the other thousand incidents like this one and you keep backing those people instead of American citizens and that's the problem with the left side of the aisle right now
If they don't get it together soon, and Trump plays his hand correctly. He'll resign in three years and give it over to Vance legally which is what Biden should've done to Harris and if he does a good job eight more years of republican leadership in the White House.
Yeah, and you keep calling at Fox News entertainment and they're now garnering between 65 and 75% of the NEWS in this country CNN and NBC combined don't measure up and ABC NBC and CBS are way down the line from that they don't have a fair minded levelheaded honest personality in my opinion.
The best news right now is the bret bear hour at 6 o'clock and Fox now holds the top 14 out of 15 news programs in the country.
And the proof is in the pudding when I say that because you think it's fun news entertainment, but the public that doesn't hang on this thread and only on this thread disagrees with you and they won the election
Actually, I accomplish a lot every day. This is my spare time. One of the most fruitful things I do is to bring facts in the spotlight here that are unknown by most of the group here. That’s very satisfying, because at least I get to see both sides of the case rather than just one
Well, other than none of what you post pretty much is honest and accurate. As the country continues to gain strength, as popularity is growing as the left sinks, because they keep supporting the wrong side of the law. Your ideas justices let’s not worry about the mother of five that was killed bashed her head and raped dragged 150 feet and then raped your five children motherless, and you want to support these people.
Then you wonder why your popularity went from your approval rating went from 66% or you were go April to 20 percent today. Legacy media is dying, a quick death, because of all the lies and coverups.
Maladmin says ICE goons wear masks so they cannot be identified and harassed. More likely they are J6 rioters earning their pardons. The masks are the first step to a police state and the end of democracy and it needs to be stopped.
Even if the claim that their lives have been threatened is accurate, people deserve to know who is arresting them. These arrests are public acts. If they are not public, they are kidnapping people.
Yes, no other law enforcement—state, local or national—hides their identity. Donnie has attacked democracy in so many other ways, but grabbing people off the street and shipping them out of the country feels very different. Very KKK. 🎃🤡💩
If we are prosecuting Kilmar Abrego Garcia for driving immigrants from Texas north, what should we do about Texas Governor Greg Abbott who bused about 120,000 immigrants north?
This should have made a headline or two. It’s something that puts two thirds of us in the crosshairs. No, all of us. The database is a master file, only the Nazis kept better records.
I’m not sure it’s inexplicable. There are at least 3 on SCOTUS who appear to have contempt for their own government and are happy to see it torched, or at least badly singed
Of course. I mean inexplicable in the sense that it defies the rule of law — which, as we know, is of almost no concern to the regime’s majority enablers.
This is completely insane and it is a liability and a threat to the people and this country to have a 22 year old with absolutely no experience being in charged of our home national security. The people of this country who believe in Democracy must act now before it is too late. Hell no we will not tolerate a police state. We must be relentless and aggressive in protesting for our Democracy. Heather, I don't how you do it in writing these newsletters. It must be challenging at times. It is just sickening and disturbing to read. Thank you Heather, for your courage and strength in keeping us informed.
The challenge for me is which terms to use for the incompetent 22 year old Fugate's appointment to have anything to do with "...overseeing the government’s main center for preventing terrorism..." It seems more like hiring a cheap fake guard who would open the doors to the Capitol Bldg for the Jan 6 insurrectionists.
I was thinking of older terms like Reckless or Public Endangerment through incompetence, but also thought of Florida's crime of culpable negligence as a way to generate more exploration of the damage such decisions can result from such appointments.
I'm more inclined to think of it as intentional sabotage of democracy's defenses.
The problem is not Mr.Fugate, it's that the people who put him in that position have no respect or understanding of how to govern the strongest nation in world. They do not respect or understand the responsibilities involved. They do not respect or understand the care and planning needed to accomplish the act of governing fairly and responsibly. They do not understand that governing is wholly different from politics and campaigning.
The biggest threat to our home national security is MAGA, like the J6ers. Why wouldn't they put one of their own in charge? It's what Mao did, and it worked.
Hmmm, where did you see that, Patricia? I couldn't find any mention of it in a quick search. But I did find a number of articles about an apparent split between MAGA and the Federalist Society, including a NYT article on May 30 in which he said he was disappointed in the FS-recommended judges he appointed in his first term, because ruled against him. Who can keep track of who's in and who's out in TrumpWorld???
Yes, these cruel, cold-hearted, hate-filled incompetents know they want a police state -- anything to make the criminal-in-chief happy. But they're all as stupid, incompetent, and clueless as is he.
Maybe the grand and grandly expensive, gaudy, obscene military parade will do the trick for them.
They need magic. To substitute for the decency they do not have, to sub for the incompetence they do have.
Doesn't matter. At the top of MAGA land only foul intentions and general ill humor matter. And as the base of those tens of millions all went to those schools of mediocrity of theirs, all can unite as they grit their teeth and try to apply the rump of government agencies none understands.
You're absolutely right, Phil. ICE agents using knock-off military weapons - flash bang grenades and smoke grenades - against peaceful protesters in LA; driving around in unmarked vehicles; dressing up in ski masks and balaclavas and arresting judges and congressional aides. They've become Trump's own Tonton Macoute. It's a police state for sure.
Not yours I realize, but these ICE agents live in our communities. In Minneapolis, they actually showed their faces so they can be identified. Ostracize their families including their parents and kids. They obviously know no shame, so let them know we don't approve of living in a hate filled police state.
Guilt by association is a hallmark of police states. They need to show their faces and take the credit and blame. Their families should be pitied and consoled with. This way is not only fairer but more effective.
And they are building the police state in front of our noses with the support and complicity of each member of the farmer republican party in Congress, the scotus, fox news and the billionaires class. We won't forget their names.
The purge we are witnessing is stressing both the individuals involved and the agencies and institutions that serve the public. There is zero integrity in the Trump system. It is shoot first and then try to mend the mistakes. Ideology replaces pragmatism. Threats and loyalty tests replace merit in government employment. MAGA types ignore facts and outright lies so Trump can both feed off of them and call them names behind their backs. We are in pain and trouble.
The only big body of ideology is right here on this website, reflecting on ancient history past history, trying to make the model for what’s happening today with a totally different societal make up technology etc. too bad Phil that we live in a democracy that you happen not to like when you’re not in control which is what’s happening right now.
Nor do many people on this thread, because all they see is one side of the aisle. They don’t get the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, and get what they want to hear and are free to visit a right leaning website or TV station to see the other side of the coin. They say to a number of people here, Phil is that you would make horrible jurors, but I would love to see you in a jury box because then YOU WOULD BE FORCED To not only hear the prosecution, which is the only side mention here, but you have to listen to the defense and then make a decision versus not having all the information and sending it right to the jury before you even know all the facts sound familiar?it Should
I just read a pretty incredible statistic and I Verified it
When all of you people call Trump a dictator and authoritarian
During Trump's first term, he gave 237 total pardons, including acts of clemency.
Biden on the other hand provided over 4000
And following Biden's lead, Trump parted about 1500 when he pardoned the whole group of J6 protesters. But can you imagine Biden the authoritarian dictator provided over 4000? I think it was 4000 300 and change. if not for G6 Trump would've pardoned another couple hundred since he took Office the second term
He is arrogant and condescending, so sure he’s right that he wants to proselytize it to us. Flooding the zone with shit is it what it really is. Shamelessly monopolizing the conversation and now I see he’s toggling between TWO different accounts!
Well, one of my first remarks to you and to everybody here is that I have sent over 100 links, including people on the left of the political center or we left including Pelosi, Schumer, Bernie Sanders, AOC, Clinton, both Bill and Hillary Obama and Biden. I have done it over and over and over again I'm not gonna continue repeating myself
I even mentioned that maybe there's a way you can see all my links, but maybe not
All my links are factual they're from the people you support and how they feel about the same thing that Trump is doing right now like tariffs Pelosi is an example has a 1996 speech in front of Congress demanding that we put a stop to China and we impose tariffs big time Bernie Sanders says the same thing as the Schumer etc.
The funny thing I find here is that you're pointing out to the minutia, ethereal and meaningless dribble of calling me, names or condescending or arrogant
The tone and tender of my post here is meaningless, but the content is the most meaningful and maybe the only meaningful thing that you need to read, but you can't deal with that and so you deflect
And your buddy Jorge is no better
And not only is he arrogant, but he's dumber than a rock when he uses the word Nazi
Nobody in today's society approximate anything like Adolf Hitler and that just demonstrates his total and utter ignorance unless he wants to go to outwits and lie down in an oven or see the video for hours about Eisenhower and what he found when he got there or the hundreds of thousands of pairs of glasses and boots and how 11 million people were destroyed
Now, if anyone he knows starts killing 11 million people please give me a heads up or any great massive people effing idiot
Content content content, which you cannot refute if it's factual, and if it's not then refute it, but you never do nor does anybody here and the reason you can't is because it's just that factual. Have a nice day.
You confuse arrogance with correctness annd facts you don’t wanna go see and search. You wanna believe everything that they tell you here and you know that only leaves the gullibility when you read one article and believe it to be the truth and you don’t compare it against other evidence just like George have to do and are forced to do
and you don’t like that because it contradicts your opinions. And maybe just maybe you might find out that your opinions are wrong. Not fun, but that’s life
The definition of arrogance is in your first sentence Sender or whoever you are. You have "correctness" but others do not. I don't see any bfacts in your comments - just opinions that have no factual basis.
Everything about these people is so sickeningly juvenile, incompetent, unprofessional, botched, derelict, misplaced, and just plain fucked-up. Not a single honorable, decent person among them. The heroes are the ones who quit. Who in their right mind wouid ever want to come work for THIS federal government? A 22-year-old intern whose only paid work experience was cutting his neighbors’s lawns to run the Office of Counterintelligence?
What’s funny for all those of you who said this is not a transparent presidency. Lololol.
What about all the cover-up by Biden Harris Majorca and all the legacy media about Biden’s diminishing capacity Behind closed doors and that’s part of part and parcel of the reason that you guys are swimming around with like fish upside down on your last breath
For once you're right, Rick. Biden's diminishing capacity does appear to have been covered up while Trump's diminishing capacity and unrivalled stupidity is absolutely transparent.
Trump claims that he's 'aced' his dementia tests so taking that at face value one is forced to the conclusion that Americans have elected the biggest dummy ever as their president.
So transparent that they pulled the transcripts of his West Point and Arlington Speeches? What a Whopper of the Big Lie type.
Seems he is also the most brazen of all Presidents in violating the Official Records Act as his appointees do so much more to avoid leaving records of their communications that should be available for FOIA requests.
You see there even that proves the ignorance of this group
If you were watching the right channel, they were posted alive. When it was happening. Oooops
And I'm sure that the base cilice of American democracy was an existential threat due to his speeches you guys are just pathetic. You're searching for issues and finding minutia. It's really a sad case.
Go get your foia that will turn around this country ? Yikes?
Stop believing everything you read change the channel and see what they say there and then compare it with what you read and perhaps you will awaken
The news is just starting to come out. It’s far from over and it’s far from in the past they’re trying to find out the legitimacy of the auto pen, the leg of the doctor that lied about his mental acuity, and obviously about his cancer, and when it was diagnosed more of a cover-up to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
On the downgrading of domestic terrorism, two stories show how farcical this has become. Firstly, the Trump administration has agreed to pay $5m to the family of 6 January rioter Ashli Babbitt after they sued for $30m for wrongful death.
I agree. Supposing all of those jailbirds decide to sue the government? What's Bondi and those clowns at the DoJ going to do then? They've opened this Pandora's Box.
When it comes down to money, he doesn't like anyone. I'm not sure how he will react if these guys come after the government for wrongful arrest or some other bollocks.
I hope people are recording these raids on their cameras. The 2026 ads practically write themselves, featuring the masked, armed "jackbooted thugs," arms decorated with extremist tattoos, kidnapping terrified people off the street. "This is your Republican Party." Of course, maybe 40% of the voting public are OK with this.
You know who isn't OK with this James, or at least they shouldn't be. Anyone that isn't white. Many of them thought that Trump and the RepubliCONs would reverse inflation and increase their pay.
Every single fucking Republican President has led us into a recession and Trump's chaotic tariff's have already done so this time around.
The corporate media is praising the Trump administration for adding 139000 jobs when the Biden administration averaged over 370,000 per month for the first 42 months. And who is reporting on all of the bankruptcies of small businesses caused by the largest tax increase of my life.
I thought that about 2024, but Dems had their focus on abortion while chump stoked fear and loathing. In Texas, chump was the answer. And fear spreads like Covid.
In the meantime, Musk's DOGE plants in federal agencies are now on the federal payroll. DOGE, and Musk, aren't going anywhere. Our data and our money (through contracts) are going to him. DOGE and Project 2025 are different and separate entities with the same goal: to enslave (remove individual rights and liberties, force to labor for someone else's benefit) everyone who is not them.
I'd like to thank those who have commented on my post for their interesting and useful additions. This is why I do Substack. And don't do other social media.
The appointment of the 22 year old intern whose only paid job was doing yard work, shows how cavalier, how dangerously unserious Trump & Co are about governance in general and national security in particular.
The Washington Post's report on the scramble to rehire staff mentions how ineptly even that process has been handled. For example, imagine that you've been sacked for no reason and then to receive an email message like this:
"Notice of Reduction in Force (RIF) issued to you…is officially RESCINDED [and] you will not be separated from employment...You are expected to return to duty the next business day following your receipt of this notice.”
That's what people arbitrarily sacked by the FDA were receiving from May. Would it be surprising if they replied 'F.O. and D'?
Wired has reported that DOGE is recruiting and enticing potential candidates with salaries of up to $195k per year, the only exception to the freeze on federal recruitment. This is apparently because DOGE sacked most of the goverment techies when they took over federal departments and now they can't handle the workload.
I really regret the degree to which every journalist I’ve seen has fallen for the Trump-Musk break up Reality TV storyline. As many people know, Trump is a huge fan of professional wrestling and is good friends with the McMahon‘s who run the WWE. This so-called fight with Elon Musk has the makings of a wrestling storyline… down to the “good wrestler turns bad” plot point. There is no way this is a real fight. If it was, Trump would’ve already canceled Musk‘s government contracts. And Musk would’ve already published Information describing all he did to make sure Donald Trump won the election. This is political theater… Model after professional wrestling theater… And America’s journalists had better get a grip on how to cover this reality TV president asap. Because if they don’t, they’re gonna be led around by the nose for the next 3 1/2 years and never expose what is really happening! SMH
I definitely understand your point of view about this, Steve. And you may be proved right. But I believe it's a real dispute - and may well be a war - between these two malignant narcissists who were bound to lock heads. The power craved by each cannot be shared, at least not for long. Who knows how this will turn out, but I think it's real and will have substantial if unpredictable consequences. May the worst man lose. If we're fortunate, that means both of them.
I'm with you. The WWE works because everyone on the stage is playing the same game. Trump and Musk are playing different games with different goals.
This is a real feud, but Democrats shouldn’t welcome Muskrat and should use this to their advantage if they can. I’m not surprised at this because they are both malignant narcissists and sociopaths, and it was inevitable these two narcissists would have a clash of egos.
No it’s a stage act. Remember Trump is a TV phoney reality star. Nothing more. This was mostly choreographed
I disagree. Two fragile, self-entitled, raging, snowflake-psychopaths with the combined emotional maturity of a single 4-year-old now find themselves threatening to disembowel the other. Oh, but who could possibwee have foreseen that? 😀
Whether real or staged, I'm absolutely enjoying the knowledge that Republican panties everywhere are being soiled faster than they can be washed. Schadenfreude on a cracker...
Perhaps it can be both - Musk wanted more but Donald had already used him up for his purposes. So why not throw him out in the most kayfabe way.
Exactly! When he threatens other people he is serious but when he threatens musk it's a show? I don't think so....
Fabulous!! Love your comment!!
Through the looking glass here, people; "reality" TV has destroyed any hope of critical thinking and recognizing actual reality. It's all staged, now, for ultimate entertainment....
To this point, Trump has never experienced anyone having the gall to "talk back." Worse, that person has a huge following on a more popular platform than Truth Social.
True, even though I can’t stand Muskrat. The way to deal with a bully like Trump is to confront him and call him on his garbage. Muskrat should have known that loyalty runs one way only for Trump. Trump expects loyalty and toadies. He doesn’t reciprocate the loyalty of his minions.
Absolutely! As a mental health therapist I know that you can't have two supremely narcissistic egos in relationship. Although both whack jobs need to make more and more money and each other's approval, they both went below the belt--trump threatening canceling musk's contracts and musk announcing that trump is included in the Epstein file. There's a bit more than theatrics here....
Perhaps so, but my gut says the director above them both is playing the cards to best advantage.
I’m going to squeeze in here for positioning to ask, no… to beg, anyone who has connections with the various protests to connect me with organizers so I may pitch my song contributions. I’ve tried repeatedly to make headway. I even foolishly drove from CT to DC to ask the stage manager at the Washington Monument on April 5 to give me a place. “No” she said. I should have known better to spend so much energy. This is my only potentially effective way to contribute to the resistance. And I can’t get in. They, the organizers are all very closed-minded. If I were Dylan or Springsteen they would be shining my shoes. My lyrics are as poignant as any. No time for modesty. I will attend the local at my state capital on June 14 but only to sell my book.
Have you contacted your local INDIVISIBLE organizers?
Yes even found the music biz activist who does pro work and he likes my stuff but and it’s always but… we don’t need you at this time .
If there’s any silver lining here, it’s knowing with fair certainty that the Little Maybelline Bitch isn’t likely to come out of this smelling like a rose.
We need more reporters working on Peter Thiel and Palantir
Jon Stewart was talking about Palantir on The Daily Show on Monday. Scary!
Did you see Heather’s interview on this yesterday with the guy from Nerd Reich?
https://www.youtube.com/live/FWjR6_qYJAw?si=ztWks-2Yr2ugJ3nI
That was fascinating and I will follow Gil Duran and keep up with our resistance!! Thank you for this link and I love HCR 💕
Thanks for the link to this conversation between Heather Cox Richardson and Gil Duran. It was extremely informative and scary at the same time.
No I didn't. Thanks Jess
Scary information on that video!
Definitely. Real investigations.
Watch "2073" on HBO - a "documentary" of how today's events caused the dystopia in 2073. It includes Palantir along with all the tech bros and authoritarians.
Good point!!
lol.. Too bad you can't post the pix here. Hilarious !
Musk has probably gathered lots of incriminating evidence against Trump and others. He can use this for blackmail.
However Trump can take over all of Musk's businesses and banish him. Taking over X would shut Musk down, because he needs the platform to get his message out.
Musk and Bezos are good examples why the government needs to take over space exploration. Musk gets most of his cash from us, the ordinary taxpayers.
Kathy...I don't mean to be dark, but really....WHAT government??? IMHO... Russel and Peter and JD may need to be carefully monitored...but....by whom?? The American people assume that the democracy is still irrevocably ours. However, the party "in power" has repeatedly refused to exercise its regulating and lawful duties. It has dumped their techno-christian fantasy of a "new world order around the corner" on the American people. I can't bring the receipts, unfortunately, as I am not that organized. Nevertheless, this dark version of where we are going presently is growing, daily, after searching news and commentary, (starting with HCR, of course). I have never wanted to bet against my conclusions more!
True. We need to watch the watchers, and like you, I’m not convinced that everything will turn out right. Our system is crumbling, and we looked the other way while it crumbled. Like you, I want to bet against my biggest concerns.
“Do not doubt, don’t second guess, and do not challenge the President of the United States Donald Trump,” - Mike Johnson
We 'had' watchers watching the watchers; OiD and muskmellon fired them all. Wonder why ?
The government should also take over our railroads as well.
I would like to see passenger rail improved in my part of Ohio and the Midwest. I would love reliable train service to and from Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, Indianapolis, Chicago, South Bend, Fort Wayne, and into Kentucky. I have taken the South Shore into Chicago from South Bend and have taken CTA trains around Chicago. I have been doing a lot of driving and it has aggravated my right knee to the point I need a knee replacement.
And the Post Office. Oppsie they already own it. Don’t send anything important through the Post Office.
The federal government did run space exploration in the past, but it gave that up -- probably as too expensive. If Trump now canceled Musk's space program, the U.S. would have no program at all. Hope we bring home the astronauts on the space station before that happens. Alas, Trump is not a forward thinker. Perhaps we should count on the Russians to save the people on the space station.
Plus a tidy profit and all the perks of a 'bidniss'
Yup, Linda. Trump doesn’t need Musk anymore. Musk needs Trump!
Things to Remember:
1.) Trump does not need Musk anymore. Trump got elected for the last time. Trump doesn’t need Musk’s money. (Now, there are numerous US Representatives and Senators and Governors who are gonna need some Musketeer Money, but, if Trump’s a.) meme coin enterprise and his b.) Gaza Riviera and his c.) Arabian peninsula golf courses and hotel complexes (Don Jr. is in charge here) and his d.) golf resorts in Communist Vietnam (Eric is doing this one) make the MegaBucks that Trump is expecting, NO ONE will need Musk anymore. (Who knows, maybe there is a Greenland ski resort, glacier calving, and puffin refuge enterprise coming soon.)
2.) Musk needs Trump. Musk needs his very lucrative government contracts. Musk says, “Wait, wait, wait!! What about bringing the astronauts back from the Space Station, huh, Mr. President? You NEED ME!!!” Trump says, “Nope, TeslaTurd, I’ve got my buddy, Putie!”
The Bottom Line: Musk is getting Giuliani-ed. Be careful Elon! Bus/Train/Sledgehammer/Chainsaw Coming Your Way!!
“Epstein!!??” Good try, Elon, but…..
Also, watch Mark Zuckerberg! Looking for a way to crush X? Go for it, Zuck!
Everything Trump touches Dies including Elon. I suppose not even the uber wealthy are immune. You lie down with dogs, you come up with fleas.
Excellent, Martha! Excellent! You made my day!
I think unregulated cryptocurrency will implode and its advocates want to leave the ordinary people holding the worthless crypto.
It does strike me as the ultimate Ponzi scheme.
that's the point of having a 'strategic reserve' of bitcoin - paid for by US taxpayers in real US money - that gives a way for the smallish number of holders of really serious amounts of bitcoin - billions of dollars' worth - a way to cash out at public expense.
Otherwise there is no conceivable reason for such a 'reserve'. Why have a reserve of an 'asset' whose value bounces up and down like an india rubber ball.
It's nothing but a Ponzi / Pyramid scheme. Those early in and connected win 'bigly' and solely. Suckers lose everything.
It was obvious from the beginning that that was the risk for Musk. A predictable outcome. Now Putin is offering him asylum. Where is he safer? Still in the USA! So, seeing that, he is recognizing he has to back track, and Trump may let him for now. Still, Trump has put the idea out there that he can appropriate Musk's companies, and frankly he should. I had expected Biden to do something about Starlink once Musk used it to mess with Ukraine. The idea is out there means that it can be expanded. I am sure Steve Bannon is whispering this in his ear that he should do that.
And, as someone else pointed out, Pam Bondi can tie Musk's businesses up forever with harassment lawsuits.
I did think this was performance. We have a bill that MAGA is also questioning, and pitting Musk against the Bill and then against Musk means they have to support the bill that is going to screw them royally.
I think Musk’s choices are all made on which drug he is high on at the time. He’s mentally unbalanced and there are smart enough people out there that know how to manipulate these mentally unbalanced, drug addled people like Musk and Trump. Currently the GOP is trying to direct us to Biden’s mental abilities in office which seem super innocuous compared to DonOLD.
I confess, being naïve I didn't see this break-up between Trump and Musk coming. What was the straw that broke the camel's back? Trump's failure to strike down the removal of the tax credit for EV vehicles in the Big Bad Bloated Bill. This was a kick directly to Musk's groin. Losing that benefit will cause Tesla to lose probably at least hundreds of thousands of vehicle sales here in the U.S. Musk has also proved to be naïve and stupid, used by Trump mercilessly. Who could be more deserving? Tesla has already lost billions of dollars and the worst is yet to come. This will be a classic case study for business schools. I have numerous friends who bought Tesla cars. Never again. Never.
Go ahead muskox, go to Russia, never to be seen or heard from again.
The only thing that bothers me about "Putin offering asylum", is why that is being allowed to leak - be known or broadcast ?
Papa - you analysis appears correct. And here I was hoping for Mutually Assured Destruction ☹️
Thanks, Becky. I really think Getting Really, Really Rich (GRRR) has been Trump’s Ultimate Goal Left Yet (UGLY). Get elected President and Grab Obscene Power (GOP) and Go Away Golfing Always (GAGA). Too much, Becky? Ooopppsssiiee….Sorry!
Now that's a better one-way look at what we know, except for the fingerprints of the coalition marionettes that are actually pulling the strings.
Right Papa; Great analysis, as usual.
Seriously? With the way this clown car is running things already, I would not want them running our rail system. Not until we have grown ups and thoughtful, strong government in place.
Sandy, I am talking about envisioning the US we want when we are past this government.
I completely agree! Too bad no one is making that connection of potential blackmail.
This just in from The Atlantic magazine:
"Amid President Donald Trump and Elon Musk's bitter online war of words, key posts have been deleted from social media.
The most divisive post from Musk alleged that Trump is listed in the files related to the late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and that this is why they have not been fully released to the public. He did not provide evidence pertaining to this.
Musk made the allegation on Thursday, in a post shared on his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter).
But as of early Saturday morning, Musk's Epstein-related post was no longer showing, with X users instead receiving a notice that reads: "Sorry, that post has been deleted."
And it’s not the only post of Musk’s that has been deleted. Another inflammatory post from Thursday, which saw Musk respond “yes,” endorsing a message that said “Trump should be impeached” and that Vance “should replace him,” is also no longer viewable on X.
The deleted posts suggest that the explosive feud between Trump and his one-time ally could be thawing."
RS: Counterintuitive to "heart" this one, but sadly, I agree.
Too bad, we've already read the posts Muskox. We won't forget them.
It would have been nice if Musk could have bribed someone with access to the Jeffrey Epstein material to share it. I feel certain that it is most likely that what Putin has on Trump is some of the same stuff in the Epstein docs - pedophilia and in Putin's case, actual footage.
but surely the hundreds of pics already available of Epstein and Trump cozying up to each other (usually with Trump in the supplicant position) and Trump's quotes about how Epstein 'likes them young' make it crystal clear what the relationship was. What would be in a DOJ report that would be news?
Not fully grasping the full extent and meaning of this "thumbdriving" of the government's private data, I have wondered and have failed to find the answer....might this data open doors to the blackmailing of said government and its people by a spurned desperado? Hopefully I am merely conjuring up a few chapters in a "fantasy" spy novel, in my worst moments...
Please do not worry. The United States Supreme court - all wise and wonderful - have declared the taking of our private information is Very Good. Wait until those Bozos realize their information was also taken. Blackmail!!
My thoughts exactly, Mary…..SCOTUS thought they’d be spared? Naw….more likely targeted! Seems like a perfect setup for lots of potential “back stabbing”, and a way to curry allegiance via subtle threats. Scary.
It opens doors to messing with our credit, our social security, our medicare, our taxes. Everything. Our bank accounts. The can target anyone who does not comply with government sanctioned behaviors of docility and accepting not earning much for a slave amount of labor, and not complaining, or else, we can be ruined. Seems pretty much like what is planned.
Beyond the our personal data, I was actually thinking about whether sensitive government data has been "thumbdrived". What international risk might that imply? If that happened, could such mining render the government vulnerable to international blackmail,"the likes of which we have never experienced before"? Might it amount to the largest spy operation in broad daylight ever accomplished? That is the part I wonder about. Did the government's sensitive data remain secure from the thumb drive caper? If not, could that mean that a business like Palantir (Peter Thiel) have access to cumulative sensitive government data (as opposed to personal data.) Once again, our government, (ruling party implied) continues its rants about trans while there were crickets about this disturbing caper.
It could, and he could be sharing with Putin, Xi and Palantir. Trump wants to create databases on each citizen and would probably contract with Palantir to do it. Muskrat also sent his incel hackers to grab confidential data from government servers in violation of numerous cybersecurity protection laws, protections under HIPAA and protections under the Privacy Act of 1974.
Did the young hackers actually get in?
They got in on Trump’s ok and have lifted terabytes of data from government agencies.
JE Hoover would have loved this!
I had a career working with incarcerated sociopaths. If I know one thing for sure, if a person is using drugs AND remaining high functioning in business, s/he is very good at collecting “receipts”. The Anger Mango is adamantly opposed to alcohol and drugs, but he prides himself on his sexual prowess. Looks like they have each other by the throats. If the fight is real, I have my popcorn bowl at-the-ready.
But equally possible is that this ring of the trump circus is yet another deflection away from much more sinister stuff. Maybe both tableaus co-exist. It is, after all, a whole new level of bat-shyte crazy.
A good point was made herein though; Someone noted that Musk would grovel to keep those U.S. contracts he has. One thing we know for sure is that it's all about the money with both of them.
Musk would never give up the “Secret Sauce” of how Trump won; they’re going to need it for the next election.
We know what the 'secret sauce' is. Money and lies.
Perfectly well stated. I think two of the worst-sick lies are that Ukraine started the war with Russia and that former President Biden is a clone. The part that really saddens me is that many believe this rubbish.
But then there is also those "Jewish space lasers"...and the horror that such drivel comes from an individual sitting in a house seat, collecting government benefits and wages along with others similarly inclined towards fantasies and lies....
MTG is unfortunately one of the Congressional kooks.
Yes, that's what makes this all so dangerous..... people believe these morons.
Sad to think there are people who believe this drivel.
Sick to think about how many do believe this drivel.
and tampering with election computers, if what Trump has hinted at is true ... and he usually says what he is doing or going to do - but buried in so many lies that people do not take him seriously.
They can’t let on how they stole the election or they both might end up in the same jail cell.
It’s not true, though I believe there were PA residents who voted in more than one state besides PA.
As of this morning, it is being reported that Musk and Trump have calmed down and may kiss and make up. (AP news)
The most recent information I have is that while Musk is softening, Trump is not. Because the US is now operating more like a monarchy than a constitutional democracy, personalities matter. If Trump is true to form, he will see Musk's offer of peace as weakness and he will want him to pay a price for his disloyalty. The biggest loser may be Vance who is beholden to both and may have to choose.
That works for me.
Vance will sit firmly on the fence and grovel to each of them in innocuous ways,
Yay! Yay! Something good out of this colossal shitshow.
I just saw this information too. You are correct.
To keep the public watching that fiasco and not watching other (daily) murderous actions.
That is the "Big Problem" a smoke screen to cover up some other, as you put it, murderous actions.
To some extent, while it’s amusing to watch the donnybrook between Trump and Muskrat, you wonder what else Trump is hiding.
Always
That is a really disgusting thought and now I can't get it out of my brain!
Michael Cohen certainly believes it is a real war -- and even uses the WWE imagery. If there is anyone who understands how Trump's brain works, it is Cohen. https://www.meidasplus.com/p/the-war-of-the-egos-round-1
From yesterday's Borowitz Report:
KYIV (The Borowitz Report)—In a bold attempt at high-stakes diplomacy, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered on Friday to broker a peace deal between Elon Musk and Donald J. Trump.
“It is time for the fighting to stop,” Zelenskyy said to Musk and Trump. “And I am willing to make the ultimate sacrifice: sitting in the same room as the two of you.”
Addressing Trump, the Ukrainian declared, "Mr. President, Elon gave you 250 million dollars, and you haven't said ‘thank you’ once."
Reminds me of 2 mean junior high girls.
I do wonder, though, why everyone is focused on the Trump-Musk fight and not nearly enough on the Supreme Court ruling that now gives DOGE the right to access our sensitive Social Security data?
Fantasy…. My god we love fantasy.
We can only hope!
Thanks Ronald... This Hissy Fit between Toddlers Reminds me of that Scene in "Game of Thrones" where Little Finger implies to Circe that he has Knowledge that has Power over Her... Circe then orders her Guards to Cut Little Finger's throat... Circe then corrects Little Finger by telling him that "Power Is Power"... Putin understands this... Note: "After Russian officials said they were prepared to offer Musk political asylum"... My Bet Is On DJT Prevailing... Will Elon Be Thrown Out A Window?...
Thanks Steve, we were just discussing that exact point. This is just another distraction in the long list of distractions from this regime. Neither one of the players has any morals or integrity but they both have huge egos. We all need to keep watching what their lackeys are up to while people are distracted. I am sure whatever they are doing is not good.
exactly. I got so pissed at how so many in the media fell for it and reported on it like a reality show. even representatives posting about the fight like this is a joke. Yet the news won’t keep on the headlines about musk saying trump is on the epstein files which we already knew…i’m ready for the collapse people are still downplaying what musk and trump are doing to the country supported by their evil cronies
Yeah, could the media get back to business reporting world happenings, not the toddler fight?
Big business, corporate media have a 'horse in this race' so to speak Cindy. Think about it
I really don’t understand why they fall for this circus sideshow every time and do not report the horrors that are being staged and pushed. They are both like carnies selling snake oil (no offense to carnies).
On Point! smh...
As I've said before, FFOTUS is and has been treating the office of POTUS as another reality TV show that he is running, and anything that creates attention to generate "ratings" and distract from what is actually happening with the evisceration of key agencies for the public good as well as cause "observer fatigue" is his purpose while continuing to avoid prosecution and jail time in order to enrich himself and his cronies as much as possible.
Indeed, it is exhausting.
They certainly have everyone's rapt attention don't they Steve ? Is it just me wondering what else is going on behind the curtains ?
Yes they do. Another of the great distractions. Steve's point is well taken. But it doesn't really matter how "real" the fight is. Who really cares what happens to Musk?
What I care about is the drive to privatize as much of the Federal Government as possible. As various programs can't deliver good services, the blame will go to the "Deep State" and Biden. Follow the money.
Example: It will take time, but 83,000 employees of the VA are being fired. Veterans will be increasingly referred to the private sector healthcare system as a result. Which is insane from an efficiency (caring what happens to vets) point of view. Our private healthcare system is already overwhelmed and dysfunctional - unless you are rich enough to buy "concierge care". Watch as vets end up in the ER because their conditions weren't addressed early on. Follow the money.
Next up, Medicare. Watch as "Advantage" plans (scams) are pushed. And if you don't think $trumpers like Charles Schwab aren't salivating over a push to privatize Social Security, I'd like to know what you are smokin'. Social Security could be immediately sustainable if the rich paid their fair share (remove the cap!). But by underfunding the program, they will say that "business people" could run it better. Follow the money.
Our space program has been privatized (Hi Elon, keep up the show business). Starlink has been installed in the White House. Follow the money.
And the overarching and so pathetically obvious tactic of blowing up our deficit and debt is the steamroller coming to tell America we can't afford all manner of social services that most other nations provide as a way of life. They have higher taxes. And they are happy. Because they have some basic human rights and services paid for. Health care, child care, education.
Follow the money. It is being rapidly redirected to a few. And the many can just grovel.
Check out Elizabeth Warren's scathing report, "130 Days of Elon Musk," and you'll see a long list of things that Musk has done and ways that he benefits financially from his bromance with *rump (whether or not it continues). Sickening.
Here's the Warren Report on Musk's 130 days:
https://www.warren.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/130_days_of_elon_musk_report.pdf
I hope it becomes as famous as the other Warren Report!
Ellen, thanks so much for this reference. I am in a Current Affairs group Berkeley, California and will pass it along.
Bill, this is exactly what I have been thinking but far better articulated. My primary concerns for this destruction has been privatization; specifically (admitting first personal, then family connection bias) are Social Security/Medicare and NOAA.
Business and government have different missions and goals. When the government runs something, they are doing it for the common good of all the people. When a business runs something, they are in it to make money and THEN provide the service. Your last paragraph is stellar. Thank you.
My thoughts as I've blatantly stated and implied all along Ally. I've tried for decades to warn democratic "it persons." I personally think they are now so embarrassed by the degrees they've been deluded, that they don't know what to do, save a few - including Biden. Evidence you say ? Joe B. struck the biggest departure from 45 years of the status quo, that was obvious - at least to me, so much that he appeared to be going 'rogue' from the approach of 45 years dependence upon democrat party leadership status quo. That my friend was 'leadership' apart from party that left them stunned, feeling left out, and ultimately resentful - then destructive towards him. He had to feel like Moses trying to lead the Israelites out of the desert - then they resented him.
I might also add, that I have convincing enough 'proof' experiences to blow the minds of most folks.
You all need to accept and act upon the sure knowledge, that close opposition research is done herein 'every' single day by professionals and weigh what's said cautiously; At least until an actual private forum can be assembled.
Bill, I have no doubt that this is part of the end game. My LMT is a vet who has an eye problem. When he went to see about it, they could not help him in a timely manner, so made a referral in the community which also took forever. He has gone to that appointment, but it is still not resolved. I once had a conversation with the mother of my nephew's wife who is from Norway and wealthy. She mentioned the higher taxes, but was glad for what they paid for and her life style is not suffering either. Meanwhile here everyone complains nonstop about taxes and government. It took three tries to pass our local fire levy for 24/365 service over a large area which includes rural parts of the county. I had no idea that we had so many people in our area who were top flight medical persons and firefighters/s. On a positive note, Salem just passed a measure that funds the library, parks, and the senior center. We are not in the city of Salem so could not vote on that. I thought it would lose, but people worked hard to pass it.
That is something I’m concerned about myself. Privatizing government services is more expensive than having experienced employees that do their jobs well, and privatizing government services removes public accountability. With private prisons, for example, there is no accountability for inhumane conditions and cutting corners to improve profits.
Bill your last line says it all.
Exactly right Bill Alstrom
Stuart Stevens (the Bulwark) makes the case for nationalizing SpaceX and Starlink. After all, the R's say we're in a "national emergency" as justification for implementing the Alien Enemies Act and Trump's take over of tariff authority from congress.
Elon's j_o_b_ was to install the data and information collection networks - mission accomplished. His alleged departure and the theatrics acted out right now, is just that, theatrics. "If", by some kernel of truth, he's only being pushed 'out of the spotlight' because he may be drug addled AND he's too damn impetuous or the play of his impetuousness via DOGE blaming, is overplaying and feared to be too fast and revealing. They fear any awakening of the 'sleeping giant' of the broader public, including of course the 'greater silent majority.' That would be the ones they worry about the most. * Remember... who was it, Hirohito who oddly said that, or words to that effect: "I fear we may have awoken a sleeping giant." ( *duh; missed another important comma - lol )
You are another of the community here that I've always found compelling Bill. And as one who pays attention, you'd know that your essay is preaching to the choir with me, but I'm damn glad you wrote it out for the benefit of others. We, many of us, are singing from the same hymnal.
I did notice that you left out at least one other point of attack from the commerce congregation; The Postal Service, another of those services that government does because it can't be done cost effectively enough for private commerce - * read "profitable enough." 90 percent of the big money supporting the OiD is coming from corporate 'Merica, and the Chamber of Commerce mobsters. As harsh as that might appear, ask yourself how they spread this well thought out gospels from corner to corner in this huge country in nearly every backwater RFD ? What outlets are common to every city, town, RFD ? *Answer: bars, churches and chambers of commerce. Think what you will.
I, too am wondering what's actually going on, while I admit that it's so twisted I can't follow the thought train for long.
Just keep your hand on your wallet. MONEY = POWER = MONEY. It’s all about the Benjamins. Greed and avarice abound. Vote them out immediately, it’s almost too late right now. Project 2025 is taking root.
D4N, it’s pretty clear that lots of people are, given comments here & in Hubbell’s comment section. That’s only 2 places. Yay!
OMG Steve. You've fallen for the 4-dimensional chess crap that the right-wing media has been spouting about this rift between Trump and Musk. The whole administration is a clown show, what else could one reasonably expect of a Trump administration? The same thing happened again and again in his first term and each time people once loyal to Trump ended up under the bus - Pence, Pompeo, Bolton, Tillerson, Bannon, Cohen etc. etc. It's what he does. I guess it is in a sense a form a theatre, but they're not distractions - they're the reality of a government led by this stupid megalomaniac. You've already seen it once in his first term and you're still attributing to him qualities he clearly does not possess. The idea that the media somehow doesn't cover what the administration is doing is utterly bizarre since they're doing it in broad daylight. The professor has been covering it in copious detail for months and you'll note how often she cites sources from the serious media.
This rift has had real consequences for both men. Tesla had some $152bn wiped off its market capitalisation and Musk has personally lost $34bn according to Bloomberg. Trump's budget reconciliation bill is now in real danger of failing in the Senate. What could either of these idiots have possibly gained from this spat?
Yes I agree. Also Trump and Musk getting into a major confrontation was inevitable, although somewhat surprising that it took this long to happen. So much wreckage, needless suffering, waste, leaving a wake of destruction. With those egos and the damage done by DOGE and dimwitted Donold, its more like a fight between Godzilla and Mothra then WWE.
And in the seasonal world, my compost is heating up and decomposing so fast it's looking like it'll be usable as nutrients for plants I'll harvest this summer. Maybe this Musk/Trump spat and other wreckage underway will produce a surge of affirmation for the Constitution! Power to the people for upholding democratic values and protecting judges.
Yes power to the people and the Constitution! And garden power as well, to summer’s bounty.
I fear this country is a laughing stock.
Sadly, we are.
Joan, nice analogy. My husband is in charge of the composting and we have three bins going. The garden is growing and we are enjoying some or the first crops.
We have a worm farm so the scraps go to the worms and they make juice we siphon off to fertilize.
Sharon, as do we. Husband grabs scraps for the worms.
At the Rich Earth Institute in VT, they had a wonderful crop of lettuces growing in Feb. on a mix of worm juice and diluted pasteurized human urine. Fun, this sharing prompted here in HCRs Substack.
There's much speculation about why Musk turned on Trump. Steve Bannon suggests that their relationship began to fray when Trump decided that Musk should not be given intelligence briefing on China where he has business interests. But Bannon hates Musk: he promised to take him down (and tear his face off) before the inauguration. Some suggest it was because the FAA declined the offer to replace the Verizon system with Musk's Starlink. Trump himself blames it on the provision in the budget reconciliation bill cancelling what he refers to as the EV Mandate (there was actually no such mandate just a voluntary target). Others say that with two colossal narcissistic egos in such close proximity a collison was inevitable.
https://theconversation.com/why-the-musk-and-trump-relationship-is-breaking-down-a-psychologist-explains-258213?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20June%206%202025%20-%203404534709&utm_content=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20June%206%202025%20-%203404534709+CID_1c8b8225bf464f4e31d53bf18e6b5638&utm_source=campaign_monitor_uk&utm_term=Why%20the%20Musk%20and%20Trump%20relationship%20is%20breaking%20down%20%20a%20psychologist%20explains
Whatever the reasons the fallout has been spectacularly bad for both men.
Yes indeed. Probably all of the above...and plenty of other instances too. Like Musk bringing his 5 year old kid into the Oval Office, it was such a bizarre scene that it had to be an irritation for Donold.
Boy, did that kid irritate him. He's lucky he didn't get socked in the eye.
https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/donald-trump-resolute-desk-oval-office-white-house-history-13865602.html
Did Trump admit that Musk fixed Pennsylvania? A Pennsylvaninia grandjury should be on the case.
Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) released a new report entitled, “Special Interests over the Public Interest: Elon Musk's 130 Days in the Trump Administration.” https://www.warren.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/130_days_of_elon_musk_report.pdf
What about other liability exposure? The other day Bill Gates accused Musk of killing 300,000 Africans.
Yesterday, Musk lost around $34 billion, primarily due to a 14% plunge in Tesla's stock price. He has billions more in federal contracts at stake.
Putin brought his black lab to a meeting with Angela Merkel.
Bannon is an ugly face that I don’t like to see.
He's got some sort of Jabba the Hutt thing going on.
Gorgeous George was the best example of a wrestler that played the Heel to maximize the drama and passions of the crowds, but he also did a lot more to make it profitable for all the wrestlers.
I suspect he didn't destroy his opponent financially and professionally, preferring to help all of them make a good living off the show.
As you point out, Trump goes out of his way to violate more generous aspects of those in on the theatrics, and really wants to hurt so many of those he used so badly.
Then there are the demonstrably innocent people like the Central Park Five, that he wanted to face the death penalty even after they were proven innocent.
See https://www.npr.org/2024/09/11/nx-s1-5108632/central-park-five-trump-debate
"...Members of the Central Park Five (also called the Exonerated Five) are suing former President Donald Trump for defamation over comments he made during last month's presidential debate, according to a lawsuit filed in federal court on Monday.
The five, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, Kevin Richardson, Antron Brown (formerly Antron McCray), and Korey Wise, were wrongfully convicted in 1989 of a brutal assault on a New York jogger in Central Park. They were just teens then and ultimately spent years in prison for crimes they did not commit before being exonerated by DNA and the confession of a convicted rapist and murderer.
But during the September debate at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Trump said that at the time the teenagers “admitted – they said, they pled guilty. And I said, well, if they pled guilty they badly hurt a person, killed a person ultimately.” The victim in the case is still alive and deals with lingering health effects from her attack. The five never pled guilty for the crimes they were charged with..."
Trump fixates on certain things: the Central Park Five case, Obama's birth certificate, the 2002 election. I can't see how either Trump or Musk have gained anything from this altercation. This is drama that neither of them needed.
When are Tesla shareholders, also losing the value of their investment, going to fatally rebel?
They've done pretty well under Musk overall one would say and last year they voted to reaffirm a roughly $48 billion compensation package for Musk which had earlier been nullified by a judge on the ground that he had approved his own compensation without proper fiduciary management. They seem to want him to focus on the company and stay out of Trumpworld. That's hard to imagine when his financial success has been predicated on big government contracts.
People who have invested money in a bad, not so legal company will pay the (not so nice) dues. Why can't they take that $ & invest it in good, helpful companies to the benefit of their fellow citizens. Oh, forgot, greed.
A complaint of workplace discrimination (racial harassment and retaliation) at Telsa was effectively halted by the administration when it neutered the Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. Apart from this glaring deficiency obviously, I don't think there's anything essentially bad about Tesla. The US certainly needs to encourage the use of electric vehicles and have its own market for them.
MAGA does not read or listen to Heather Cox Richardson. They listen to Fox Media and spout the lines given by Fox/Trump. If serious media and HCR were believed Trump would not be in office.
Rick Sender from the MAGA-world turns up here from time to time, but one doesn't get the impression that he's ever bothered to read the professor's newsletter which always contains a high density and quality of information. It's rather a pity but it's his choice.
Er…clown show…maybe
Clusterfuck for sure!
It’s like the couple who gets married thinking that they’ll be able to change that annoying little trait they don’t like in their partner and when the can’t the innocent children that resulted are harmed in the middle of nasty divorce and domestic violence. But hey, the GOP wants to name June natural family month and force everyone to have a natural (heterosexual) family. Put the gays back in the closet and create more misery.
I've seen the Trump-Musk fued compared to Godzilla vs King Kong (or Mothra, what ever that is), but this seems a more appropriate comparator to me.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/wlkPh1ipM_A
One would hardly cite either the Trump or Musk families as the model 'natural' family. Trump has been married three times and Musk has had numerous partners. One of Musk's 14 children, Vivian Wilson, is a transgender woman and Trump himself only barely makes into the human race.
I think you are right about WWE storylines, but in this particular case, Musk is pouting for real. I read at one point that despite stories that Musk and Thiel are copacetic, they actually have had a long running and rather bitter rivalry. Musk is upset Thiel is going to win.
Trump used that rivalry from the very beginning, and he chose Musk because he could manipulate him more easily (drug addiction is always handy). Trump always plays people against one another so he can stay in the role of "Big Daddy". He adores the cat fighting. But this time it went a bit too far.
I do think Musk will retreat. Too much of his money and future wealth is tied up in those big juicy government contracts, and Tesla is going down, not just because of the protests against Tesla, but because over two years ago it was clear China was going to eat their EV lunch. China is now so far ahead there is no way Tesla will ever catch up. So SpaceX and Starlink with plenty of fat govt contracts are Musk's only out.
This reminds me chillingly of the moment Putin destroyed the richest Russian oligarch, parading him in a glass box at court, to make a point to the rest of the oligarchs to fall in line. We're not quite there yet, but we are heading that direction.
Wake up, America. Wake up.
Or is it deliberate ignorance - because people don't want to know. If they did they would have to take responsibility and be compelled to leave their comfort zone, where they have been under the influence of bad ideas. It would be a huge psychological lift to admit they were wrong about trump.
This is very true. MAGA will go to their graves before admitting they are wrong.
I think a great deal of the deliberate ignorance for people who are not as deeply into the cult worship of Trump is due to simple exhaustion--very much part of authoritarian attacks, to exhaust us. So pace yourselves.
I suspect I'm getting a good look at that this morning. I will be going to be in person with many of my retired cop cohort at our annual LEOSA firearms qualification. Not looking forward to seeing many of them, frankly.
Good energy to you, Ally.
I absolutely agree. This is what I've thought all along. What we ought to be focusing on is the round ups and the police state. And - my soap box issue: our public lands.
The roundups and police state are despicable. I want to see us focus on the I/3 of the voters who did not vote because if there is ever a free and fair election again we need these voters.
I think you are absolutely right to question the media’s tendency to frame this as mere spectacle, and I share your frustration with how easily they fall into the reality TV trap. That said, I also think this is not just a distraction or performance. It is a symptom of something deeper. Trump has a long history of turning on those once close to him—Pence, Bolton, Tillerson, Bannon, the list goes on—and this Musk fallout seems to follow the same pattern of ego, instability, and chaos that defined his first term.
And while it is absurd theater, it is also having real consequences. Tesla’s market value has dropped by billions, and Trump’s legislative agenda is suddenly more fragile. This may not be 4D chess, but it is not just smoke and mirrors either. It is the messy and destructive reality of an administration where ego rules and competence is sidelined. You are right that journalists need to do better, but we also need to stay sharp about what this mess reveals. Not just the show, but the system.
This is such an important point. It really does have the structure and pacing of a scripted storyline, and the media’s obsession with the drama only feeds into it. The real danger is how easily spectacle can distract from deeper, ongoing abuses of power and the erosion of public institutions.
We need journalism that goes beyond the performance and digs into the systems behind it—who benefits, who’s being harmed, and what’s being hidden while everyone watches the show. Thank you for calling this out so clearly.
Steve, I agree that this is a deflection in order to shade/bury a host of other things, including the appalling decisions of the SCOTUS--some of which, mystifyingly, were unanimous decisions (such as the cis hetero white woman who successfully sued for "reverse discrimination")--that came down on Friday. However, Lev Parnas (a former trumpista turned activist), in his most recent Substack, offers a different take: it's mafia shit, not fake wrestling melodrama. In other words, Elon the drug-addled Nepo Baby should be looking for severed horses' heads in his bed. People don't seem to realize that the only emotion the Shit-covered Felon in Chief actually experiences is grievance. And he never forgets a slight. And all the breathless nonsense spewed by the traditional media (such as surprise at the idea that the Felon is "in the Epstein files"--no, REALLY??) is also self-serving burying of all the real stories that should be covered but are not.
Catch and Kill by Ronan Farrow.
Agreed. My friend and I were discussing yesterday that it is a distraction from the Big Bad Bill, and actually I was wondering if this was performance to get MAGA to turn on Musk and support Trump's bill which is harmful for most of MAGA as well as the rest of us normal people.
Also, I was wondering whether Putin offering asylum was part of this. As far as Musk is concerned, he is a lot safer in the US right now than he would be in Russia if he is going to be outspoken and take on the leader.
The legacy media has been led around by him for 10 years. This is nothing new. Legacy media is controlled by oligarchs. The toxic stew of distractions, lies and disinformation fed to the American consumer is deliberate. Add in Russian and Chinese interference and you have a complete lie machine. This machine elected him.
Please stop expecting legacy media to change. Instead support non-legacy such as Substack writers, the Meidas Touch, the Bulwar etc. We are building our own megaphone.
Totally agree, Steve. What’s really happening is the implementation of Project 2025. Russell Voght, Stephen Miller, et al are getting it done while TrumpMusk are entertaining the media and their audiences.
I agree with your assessment completely. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.👍
this is a great observation. Can anyone say "Butler, PA?"
Both of them on Adderall.
My word this is exhausting. What will happen when there really is an attack on the homeland? These appointments are absolutely mind boggling….from the twisted heads of boggled minds.
There used to be people in government paid to think, worry and plan for this day and night. Now, who knows? The danger signs are everywhere. The raging childishness, brutal incompetence and malignant klusterfuckery broadcasts but a single message to our enemies. A perfect storm is brewing.
Snoop Dogg & Marvin Gaye Perform “What’s Going On
https://youtu.be/ioVu_g96x6w?si=g7v31g4v5MfSZeFT
What’s going on? If you don’t want to know, don’t read the following.
Our species’ childhood began some 12,000 generations ago at the origin of our species and ended roughly 400 generations ago at the end of the Paleolithic Period. To paraphrase Howard Thurman (1899-1981), our childish behavior, perfect in its place, is not for the new demand!
Before childhood’s end, the implicit assumption that the people who matter are the people with whom “I” have a close personal relationship was perfect in its place. When Marvin Gaye tells me, “We’ve got to find a way to bring some loving here today,” he has me thinking the new demand requires us all to recognize that the people who matter are everyone living here today on this Earth and our grandchildren’s grandchildren.
Perfect assessment of all things considered here.
How about the future of our, or anyone's grandchildren's 400 generations?
Frankly, I don't have faith that my grandchildren will have a nice life. What should we tell them to do so they will survive this world bent on war, not love.
First, if one is thinking 400 generations ahead, then they are wasting their time, energy, and attention, but because caring about my grandparent's grandchildren's grandchildren is relatable, then so is caring about my grandchildren's grandchildren.
Second, Abraham Lincoln told us to have faith that might makes right. Donnie 2 Dolls is trying to convince us to lose faith in everything because if he succeeds, then might makes right, and he know what we all know: a POTUS, at least for now, is the most powerful person on the planet.
My advice for what you should tell your grandchildren, and what they should tell their grandchildren, is to follow Lincoln's good advice.
I have always thought "400 generations" ahead....to me that is MORE relatable.
Do not waste any resources: water being a big one. We should only use what is necessary, not drain the earth of essential goods. I felt that 60 years ago when it was unthinkable that we could ever have a water problem. Humans are draining the planet and it won't be recoverable. And, they are breeding like flies. Damn shame.
Billionaires intuited that. So they stock pile money so they can stock pile resources. They'll be living in their safety bubbles: their own military, their own clean air and water. How dumb is that? They'll be having wars in their bubbles with the relatives and friends they imprisoned them selves with.
War seems to be what the human animal does best.
ATTENTION: _ Jaksaa
You will not believe this, because I still don't.
I often listen to music while reading/writing on the 'I net". While writing my comment on Fugat or WTFE submitted about 10 minutes ago, I was listening to Marvin -Marvin - Save the Children - God Is Love - Mercy, Mercy, Me
(Detroit mix). Marvin Gay - you tube.
Little did I know what I was in for. Thank you from my heart. Speaking of speaking o my heart, it failed on me four weeks ago. It stopped, my wife of 54 years, gave me chest compressions until EMS arrived and hit me with the pads twice to get me going again. 100% blockage got me two stints. I'm home now for about 2 1/2 weeks and doing well.
Your providing the information to allow me to jump over and enjoy the Snoop Dog and Marvin. I'm over joyed thanks so much.
Wishing you a sustained recovery. I'm sure you're grateful for functioning medical care.
Marvin Gaye! Love that man; he's an absolute King. I was at his last performance. It was in NYC, where he, due to his additions...was 2 hours late. My friend and I were all over the audience space, with excess energy, frustration and anticipation...
When he finally took the stage, it was wonderful.
So tragic, that his drag dressing father, probably out of jealousy, shot him dead. ...a loss to lesser humans, everywhere.
The Gang That Couldn’t Govern Straight!
Well, God knows they can't govern gay...
LOL
Love this!
Me too. Seriously, they just flat out can’t govern, this is why I call Trump’s terms maladministrations.
This is only the beginning Come to this.
And you can’t name one specific thing that you’re talking about how sad is that?
🙄
And, Rick, I see you’re still here stirring the pot just like all good little sociopaths.
I have to laugh every time you start with your psychological terminology that is not applicable and is florsom and Jetson in the big ocean
It's terrible when you won't recognize your own mental distress
But I think a mirror, a long gaze into a mirror might help
Florsom and Jetson! Fabulous!
Rick were you in Firenze same time as I? May 7-May 13?
Must’ve been a great place to live well, but I would’ve weighed 350 when I got out of there. Carnivore and pasta, war, and a good salad. I had steak three out of the five nights while we were there.
Well, we changed our itinerary a little bit so let me think we were in Zürich on the ninth and stayed three days then we went to Milan and stayed two days we were in Florence from the 14th to the 19th . We were supposed to be there five days but left early. We left after three days and headed to. Milan. Which was an unplanned stop, but we thought it's on the way down so let's do that. We did see Grinden wall in Europe, which was awe inspiring and beautiful. Despite the small streets and the ancient buildings, Florence is still our favorite town. In Italy. The food is phenomenal. It's there and Wine country. And many things to see are accessible from there. We found a great new restaurant called Il Volo.
And of course I had my mail at buca Mario.
And talk about great timing when we got to Rome we were walking the street where there were about 15 black SUVs with American flags and we had to look up what was going on to find out what was happening. It was Vance and Rubio meeting with the pope in the building, we walked right by.
And that’s why it’s best to privatized things because they’ll run better and they think because they have to in order to stay in business government offices. Don’t have that pressure. Nor do they have a functioning, modern up-to-date equipment at private businesses have and investing on a timely basis not 40 years later. And by the way, as I said earlier, there’s no brutal incompetence other than in the Democratic party right now.
Time for Trump, Vance and co to get "Munched"
Nicely said Frank.
Nicely said Frank.
Nicely said Frank.
The federal government is the enemy of the people.
Siccing the military on a demonstration ...named an insurrection by Our Dear Leader
All future demonstrations will be dealt with thus.
This is an attack on your homeland!
What a paradox that Homeland security it's involved in createing insecurity Russel.
Trump perverts everything he touches.
Not just perverts Russell, but also enriches himself and family. Nice.
And he will wreck the country in his pursuit of personal profit and power
And yo are expressing this terrible situation too nicely KSC.
Guilty as charged. Maybe I am in the 5th stage of grief…
Or maybe all the stages at once KSC.
The appointment of Fugate or WTFE is just another in the ongoing series of trumpian moves to consolidate access to money and direct involvement in the offices of government which provide dear leader more authoritarian power.
The humor is the obvious hunger D.L. (dear leader) has for sycophants who court his attention. Here is that twelve year old mentality again.
KSC asks, "What will happen when there really is an attack on the homeland?".
Look we all must get this right! The home land is under attack. An attack by a home grown billionaire terrorist who manged to get himself elected potus.
It's time for him and his ilk to understand they are in big trouble. Trouble they cannot run from. We know who they are, where they live and we shall not forget they deserve retribution for the damage they have done to our country and the evil they represent.
What goes around does come around. The repugniklans screwed around and now they will find out. We the people have our eyes on them.
Fight like your ancestors did!
Keep cracking the administration/system!
Call. Write. Email. Protest. Unrelentingly.
Use/share this spreadsheet as a resource to call/email/write members of Congress, the Cabinet and news organizations. Reach out to your own reps, as well as those in other states on a specific committee important to a topic you’re sharing. Use your voice and make some “good trouble.”
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13lYafj0P-6owAJcH-5_xcpcRvMUZI7rkBPW-Ma9e7hw/edit?usp=drivesdk
Thank you for this.
You’re welcome! Thanks for speaking up right now!
And don’t forget to enjoy the same four years that are coming up. They are going to be a blessing for America. And by the way, I’ve said it before Trump may just run for three years resign and hand it over to Vance and if Vance does a good job perhaps eight more years in the White House scary thought for those here, huh then get yourself in a leader and get yourself an agenda, other than hate Trump and tell the people that are doing the speaking now to stop lying about the billionaire crap and about the racism, misogyny xenophobia, and all the other words that you’re listeners don’t understand and in many cases, Dan don’t even agree with oh sorry I left out the word Oligarch. We live in a capitalist society so people want to become rich. It’s their option to do so it’s called freedom. And it used to be called the American dream but for you, the American dream is Nirvana that is impossible to achieve.
TACO
It's not working because Trump has the strongest backbone of any president in the last 50 years. So an acronym Name has to be credible. Another huge mistake by the Democrat clowns. The best one was the clown eating a taco at his desk that was hysterical. They're calling the tacos, flavor Feng Feng . Lol. And the funniest thing Mark is that there was a saying about a year ago that said if you're looking for. Swalwell and his whereabouts just called schiffs proctologist.
Colonel BoneSpurs has a backbone?
TACO
TACO
Well, I’m glad you said that because it just confirms what we hear all the time people on the left into the keep repeating the lie becomes the truth but at some point in time you get found out. And all the lies that the legacy media told are now coming out, and the funniest thing is, if I’m coming out by the people that actually did the lying like Jake, Tapper and KJP. Just a riot
Stood up after getting shot in the ear and yelled fight. Not to mention the two other attempts on his life. withstood all the trials in a frozen court room in New York… fake trials. But now are all gone. 92% of negative media coverage by legacy media. Two Russia hoaxes. Peeing on a couple of Russian prostitutes, which was really funny. Forced Europe to keep their promise and made them increase their donations to NATO to the 2% committed and had the EU fulfill its commitment and billions of dollars started flowing into the NATO coffers.
What a coward. All this while Biden, Lido Beach in Delaware not even knowing he was lying on the beach in Delaware. omg.
🙄
Grape
https://yadontknow.blogspot.com/2025/05/corrupt.html
If you want to be honest about your post, you should read it yourself in front of a really, really big mirror.
There has not been any more corruption in the past 50 years and happen in the last administration
And by the way, every administration wants people that buys into its goals this is not unique and you're frustrated because the Democrats lost the election big time. They kept the house in the Senate and so they are totally in control and will run the government the way they want to run the government in this Democratic. You just don't agree with Trump and hate comes along with that in many cases.
I am pretty much sick and tired of posting the same facts, links, and logic to what happened in the past four years and why as an example every major network and cable news network like CNN and MSNBC have lost almost all their credibility.
They have been sued for lies and defamation and lost the suits, including some of the heroes of CNN and MSNBC not to mention George Stephanopoulos.
There is now a $20 billion lawsuit against CBS I believe for 60 minutes portrayal and Trump already turned down a $15 million settlement
The Republicans were sued for $700 billion for their work against Dominion but it wasn't a personalized thing. It was a belief that the election was tainted because how does a semi cadaver like Joe Biden get 13 million more votes than Barack Obama, the god
But they paid their price. This was not an individual lawsuit as I mentioned however, Legacy media is almost dead unless they can find an agenda. Find a leader and start using common sense because every pony they've been backing lately has been the wrong pony. They back and a illegal criminal. Actually a host of a legal criminals. Versus backing the American citizens that were killed raped, maimed, trafficked, and even the illegals that were named raped and killed ans trafficked
They covered up the Biden debacle and his dementia cancer state of non compos mentis and it's gonna get worse before it gets better for him unfortunately.
They lied for four years about his health. They lied about the Russia hoax. They lied about the 51 so-called experts, who said Hunter Biden's laptop was not real.
They lied about the border being secured and they defy the Supreme Court forgiving student loans and I could go on, but I think you get the picture so take a good look at yourself and note that the Democratic Party had an approval rating from CNN of 66% a year ago April and now it's 21%
That Kool-aid must taste great!
https://yadontknow.blogspot.com/2016/09/the-true-believer.html
It's not Kool-Aid pal that's your problem. So you're the kind of guy that likes posting links to tell tainted stories, time and time again. Good luck with that. Your next post is going to include it as I've said many times a historical reference to the 1850s when so-and-so happened which has absolutely no bearing or relevance today. Just like all the links that you might post
Talk make your case
Well, you didn't respond to my current examples of Liberia and Hungary, so yeah, maybe next time I'll try something from the 1850s (which was also a time of the plutocracy calling the shots, so favorite era if yours?)
We are now seeing the full effect of the Trump Presidency. This is an incompetent and foolish man in the White House who is surrounding himself with people who are loyalists and who are also incompetent and foolish and in order to be in positions of power and control only need to profess and show fealty to Trump.
We have had leaders in the past who were less than perfect but never one so incompetent and corrupt. The level of corruptions and the dismantling of government is going to have many long term consequences. We are going to see the country's leadership in science, technology, and medicine be impacted but these actions are also going to soon impact the economic stability of the country.
The Republicans need who have for years been attacking the government and economic programs are now in charge. What are they offering us, the destruction of the government, a weakening of our security, a decline in the country's economic health. All of this to support President who has only demonstrated a vision of corruption and incompetence.
Something like 70 million people — maybe more — couldn't have bothered to get off their lazy, fat, uneducated asses to vote last year. Another 70 million so disinformed and brainwashed by Faux News and even worse outlets voted to send a sick, demented, psychopathic crook convicted of 34 felonies, twice impeached for obstruction of justice and attempted blackmail back to the White House AGAIN.
All this was both predictable — and predicted. If a free people will not make the effort needed to defend their own republic, monsters will come and eat it for lunch.
Meanwhile, 80% of South Korea’s electorate just showed the world what democracy looks like. Ukraine just showed the world what intelligence, perseverance and true courage look like. Canada shows what real elbows look like. The torch passes..
Toynbee once wrote that great civilizations don’t just die or get vanquished by invaders from without — they literally commit suicide from within first. The barbarians just make it official.
I don’t think they were lazy. I think they couldn’t face voting for a black woman. Racism and misogyny being the top operating paradigms and underlying those a feeling of envy because she was more qualified than most of those in any room she entered.
I don’t know. Our voter turnout has been abysmal for decades. We’ve hovered between 50 and 60 percent turnout for a long time, almost 100 years. Some of that is apathy, and some is voter suppression. But the last election wasn’t very anomalous, and to the extent that it was, turnout was higher than normal. I don’t know why we don’t care more. I’ve only missed one election in my entire adult life, and that one was because I was sick on the day.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voter_turnout_in_United_States_presidential_elections
During the 90's I would leave to travel for 5-6-7 months..always after the Nov date for voting. 85 years old and never missed an election. I voted Harris, then was horrified to hear her say she Pledged to support Israel. Pledged!!! I wanted I could take that vote back and vote Jill Stein. I'm just not into another Holocaust in my life time.
Well said
Psy ops works.The odds are that the 2024 election was stolen. Lots of inconsistencies.
If the Russian intererence affected 1 vote, it was a crime. We may never get the entire story.
County in NY, Harris got ZERO, other democrats got elected. What are the odds?
Which county was that?
Have fun down your rabbit hole. With tens of millions of lazy, disinformed, racist or clueless voters, you don't have to look far to uncover reasons for democratic failure. It doesn't require going out on a limb.
Well said!
The heritage foundation .
You say that they are incompetent, but they are successfully taking more power all the time. People behave as if the collapse of our system is not happening, and trump alone is responsible, and if not for him, the rest of the right-wingers would be pro-democracy. I wish they were as incompetent as you say they are, but they have sabotaged our system far more than they should be able to already.
As usual, you are so lost please change the channel please please please watch one week a fox, then turn to CNN and see who’s telling the truth why CNN and MSNBC have lost almost 60% of its audience because of the lies deceit and defamation. I really feel sorry for you
You haven’t felt anything yet. These first four months have been a modicum of how successful America is going to be in the near future.
They are now offering you nothing that you claim.. and if you’re looking for corruption, you need only look to the last four years. Opening the border and hoping those people get to vote, which was tried to New York, but failed of all places to fail
The Russia hoax was a total lie the three attempted assassinations, the 51 suppose experts who claimed that hunters laptop was fake. Hillary Clinton and steals fake Dossiers. Robert Mueller’s catastrophe of a hearing. The lawfare against Trump in New York, which fell on its ass. And for obvious reasons. The lying and deceitful media we are now books are coming out from the very liberals that lied which is pretty ironic. And of course, we have the liberal media which covered up Biden’s diminishing capacity for four years or more.
And why is it does it seem that everybody here is backing an illegal criminal alien versus American citizens that gave. been harmed
There was a quote yesterday that I thought was pretty interesting. It said the Democrat party is no longer a party. It is a mental health crisis, in serious metastasized TDS. Please start understanding why you lost. Please start understanding that there are probably 80 to 100,000,000 people now that would vote for Trump tomorrow because his favorite ability rating is higher than it’s ever been while the Democrat party has the lowest favorability rating on record. Let that sink in please.
Rick, You’re out of your mind.
All indications to the contrary.
But you might try changing the channel and you might see the light a.k.a. the truth that's not being told here
🙄
Cherry
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/05/opinion/democrats-trump-winning.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
Dave Brooks article in the NY Times. Dems are really helpless and ill prepared for this.
Stephanie, I feel your frustration. I read it and heard him on the NewsHour.
But I disagree with David Brooks. Democrats have a deep bench and some very eloquent speakers who are calling out this abomination of a government daily.
David Brooks is a kind and thoughtful person. I'd like to have beer with him. But it is HIS party and long term philosophies that have led to this dictatorship. Blaming Democrats now seems silly to me.
And I disagree that a party that has internal debates is weak. That is the strength of a democracy. And our messages are clear and consistent.
The Climate Crisis can't be wished away by ignoring it.
Voting is a universal right and should be easy.
Science and modern medicine are a treasure.
Affordable health care is a human right.
Affordable child care would grow the economy and further women's rights
Reproductive freedom is a human right.
Building alliances around the world is smart.
Of course, we can get all muddled up about sexual identity and race issues. That is how they bait us. It's simple to me and I think almost all Democrats. Everyone deserves a level playing field - no matter who they are. If a service member is trans and performs at the required level, applaud and promote. If a company doesn't have enough diversity - is run entirely by white males - change it. Be fair.
I, for one, am have Circular Firing Squad Fatigue. We are the good guys. They are not.
Democrats argue. Good. Republicans obey their king. Bad. Democrats are about love and inclusion. Republicans are about hate and fear mongering. Wasn't that easy?
I can agree that "Americans" were not prepared for this attack on our democracy. 89 million eligible voters didn't show up. Blaming it on the 75 million Democrats who DID vote seems odd. Did we bungle it? Perhaps. But I am looking forward, not back. Blaming feels good for a while. But then what?
See you all on the streets June 14th. We are not helpless. We lost a battle. But we will win this war. We should take a hint from Ukraine. It will take a long time, but giving up is not an option for me. Slava Ukraini!
You posit a very good counter argument. I, too, am trying to make sense of the situation. Biden deserves some of the blame, and Kamala, who had little time to prepare a good campaign, wasn't very convincing, together with the attitude by some male groups who refused to be led by a woman - that's what I hear from friends whose males voted that position. The difference is policy versus politics. When Obama passed Obamacare that was policy, then the republicans lied about it - that's politics. I believe the dems lost two seats somewhere because the republicans lied about a policy that was trying to correct our national health care system. And the democrats and Obama did not sell Obamacare well, if at all. Again, they are often poor messengers. Republicans always use politics to lie and obfuscate. I'm not suggesting the dems start lying. A democratic system relies on informed voters and the evidence shows that a lot of Americans are easily misled.
Yes, all good points. Agreed. Thanks for responding.
But forward. On the streets. Maybe I am naive. I think the pendulum will swing back to sanity. But it is going to take time and a lot of effort.
David and I are attending the Pride event in DC to give our support. Every body that contributes to important causes like this demonstrate hope and eventually create space for freedom and acceptance to thrive.
Hey Bill, I'll made this analogy to you and maybe you'll take it to Heart every Sunday the NFL plays a game and every Monday they sit in a video room and look at the results of the game. The factors that either had them win or lose analyze that and then try to fix what happened THE DAY BEFORE. The Democrats have yet to do that and it's going on seven months. There is absolutely no self reflection only hate. And frustration that they don't have any control and they don't like what Trump is doing, but it's not their choice to like it or not in a democracy. This is what happens. It happened in the Obama administration as well when he had both houses of Congress and it took the vice president to approve the wonderful phenomenal Obama care that 12 1/2% of the country now have
I have to agree it would be no easy task because there were so many fowl ups and so many lies and deceptions that they have a lot to work on, but instead of working on that all they have to do is work on an agenda and a leader instead of the only agenda item they have right now on their card is we hate Trump.
There is very little common sense going on in the Democratic Party right now
They keep supporting the wrong side, like criminal illegals versus American citizens, and the legacy media has lost its credibility. And making it worse the actual same left we media now printing books that depict exactly what I'm saying, not words from my mouth, but from theirs.
David Brooks does not run this country. He's one voice on a
Left wing Loon newspaper
Ask yourself this question who is the leader of the Democrat party right now and what is their agenda?
The good news for you guys is that every time a president has taken Office with both houses of Congress. They lose one both houses of Congress at the midterm.
But if Donald Trump's big beautiful Bill passes and taxes on tips and Social Security and overtime pass which target directly to the middle and lower income folks, this could be the first time on record that he retains those bodies
And believe it or not, they actually covered this story in depth on Fox News.
And please forgive me, but if anybody believes that New York Times is anything but way left they are mistaken. 97% is what I heard and it's probably true the composition of the reporters at the New York Times and their Democratic party affiliation.
I think that just about sums it up
You are so incorrect you’ve only seen a touch of Trump’s presidency because he has another three years eight months to go. And perhaps he’s smarter than Biden because Biden should’ve resigned his office two years in and given it to Kamala Harris and give her a chance to run it to prove to the world that she does not qualify in most people’s eyes to be the leader of the free world. That is the scariest proposition that I’ve ever seen in my lifetime and thank God it turned out the way it
Trump could resign his presidency in three years and handed over to Vance and if Trump and Advanced have done a good job eight more years on the job
The 'if' in that last sentence is carrying an awful lot of weight given the chaos Trump has created in just a few months. No trade deals, no peace deals in Ukraine or Gaza, the economy tanking, prices still high, a lousy jobs report...
Nothing to say about the end of the bromance, Rick?
🙄
He’s power-hungry. Giving nothing to nobody. Get off Biden’s sss
And by the way, if you think he's giving nothing to nobody if in fact this bill passes he's saving every American family $1700 in tax increase that would happen if the tax extension fails and he's and if you think any billionaires are getting wealthy on no tax tips and no tax on overtime You're a very special person
The Democrats would let this tax extension fail, and every family would suffer, especially middle and low income. Go check it out yourself. Don't listen to me. But follow up and you'll find out what happens if Trump's tax cuts from his first term expire watch what happens
The Biden debacle is just beginning has nothing to do with me, but it's gonna get a lot uglier. And there's obviously some real maleficent by his doctor because the kind of cancer that he has should've been diagnosed three or four years earlier.
FOX News Media finished May as the No. 1 news brand on YouTube with a staggering 362 million video views to dominate ABC, NBC, CBS and cable news organizations. It’s now carrying 65% of the news.
Lotta truth seekers that you guys will never understand.
Actually, it’s the people here that are the brainwasheees. If you only watch the posts here and watch liberal news. You will never know the truth. Oh, I forgot you have history to arm your crystal ball to predict tomorrow.
Unfortunately, as I have mentioned many times here societal mores are different technology is substantially different armaments are substantially different and even America is substantially different. I have to laugh when I see people starting out their post well in the 1850s. Yikes. Poor lost souls and most seemingly backing the wrong pony.
You should try reading Heather's article instead of preaching about Fox news infotainment.
Just collapse Rick’s shit…. None of it is worth reading
Yeah, if you wanna stay blind, deaf and dumb just turn away from facts and truth and leave your own fantasy land. No problem it’s your life you can lead it the way you like.
And I love that you're saying that because the more you do that the worse it's gonna get for your side instead of opening your eyes find a leader find an agenda other than hate Trump. The only agenda that the left has right now is hate Trump and it's not working and it will not work. And it's gonna get uglier as even liberals are now writing books about the debacle of the Biden administration
Self reflection is what's needed here and they're apparently is none you just wanna keep putting up walls and barriers. Just avoid listening to fax and Truth that's fine. Have a nice day
Jorge, I do that it's called multitasking and you should try that try not only reading Heather's article watch a weeks worth of Fox News and say who's lying and who's telling the truth. Scared huh? I don't blame you.
Why do you think I'm here? I read her articles. I also read the links you ought to do both. Why don't you see if there's any links from any organization about her story that leans right or way right not a one
And every single article she writes begins with a negative every single one against the administration and Trump
The border was closed in 60- 75 days, which was a miracle and the number one most important item to all Americans on every survey and AOC and Biden and Mallorca said it would take legislation to fix which would only delay things and Trump said no it will only take a new president.
You read her article articles there's not been one complement to anything. Trump didn't including closing the border when that was the most important thing to all
And they keep backing the wrong ponies. I keep telling you no one's listening.
You can't back in a legal criminal alien over an American mother of five who is beaten head, crushed in pull to 150 feet to a tunnel and violently raped leaving leaving five children without a mother or the 13 year-old that was killed or the jogger that was killed or the other thousand incidents like this one and you keep backing those people instead of American citizens and that's the problem with the left side of the aisle right now
If they don't get it together soon, and Trump plays his hand correctly. He'll resign in three years and give it over to Vance legally which is what Biden should've done to Harris and if he does a good job eight more years of republican leadership in the White House.
Yeah, and you keep calling at Fox News entertainment and they're now garnering between 65 and 75% of the NEWS in this country CNN and NBC combined don't measure up and ABC NBC and CBS are way down the line from that they don't have a fair minded levelheaded honest personality in my opinion.
The best news right now is the bret bear hour at 6 o'clock and Fox now holds the top 14 out of 15 news programs in the country.
And the proof is in the pudding when I say that because you think it's fun news entertainment, but the public that doesn't hang on this thread and only on this thread disagrees with you and they won the election
🙄
boy, you sure talk alot. Don't you have anything else to do? Yawn
Actually, I accomplish a lot every day. This is my spare time. One of the most fruitful things I do is to bring facts in the spotlight here that are unknown by most of the group here. That’s very satisfying, because at least I get to see both sides of the case rather than just one
How many scientists and artists and others are looking for some other country to move to?
Well, other than none of what you post pretty much is honest and accurate. As the country continues to gain strength, as popularity is growing as the left sinks, because they keep supporting the wrong side of the law. Your ideas justices let’s not worry about the mother of five that was killed bashed her head and raped dragged 150 feet and then raped your five children motherless, and you want to support these people.
Then you wonder why your popularity went from your approval rating went from 66% or you were go April to 20 percent today. Legacy media is dying, a quick death, because of all the lies and coverups.
Maladmin says ICE goons wear masks so they cannot be identified and harassed. More likely they are J6 rioters earning their pardons. The masks are the first step to a police state and the end of democracy and it needs to be stopped.
Because most of these goons are NOT real law enforcement, but vigilantes that volunteered. J6 padrons are working and getting paid.
Good investment on their part Rickey.🤢
Their names should be registered somewhere and Congress should find out.
Gigi, the masks are not the first step but you arev💯% right. This must end before it gets totally out of hand.
You know Gigi if you were more aware, you’d understand that they’ve been doxxed a number of times and their lives have been threatened.
Even if the claim that their lives have been threatened is accurate, people deserve to know who is arresting them. These arrests are public acts. If they are not public, they are kidnapping people.
Yes, no other law enforcement—state, local or national—hides their identity. Donnie has attacked democracy in so many other ways, but grabbing people off the street and shipping them out of the country feels very different. Very KKK. 🎃🤡💩
Why are you here? You need to stay on X with your comrades.
🙄
If we are prosecuting Kilmar Abrego Garcia for driving immigrants from Texas north, what should we do about Texas Governor Greg Abbott who bused about 120,000 immigrants north?
Leonard, brilliant!
iklr? maggots get do whatever they want. the rest of us get brutalized.
And yet, DOGE musters on, with the SC (again inexplicably) allowing its henchmen to rummage unchecked through the entire Social Security database.
This should have made a headline or two. It’s something that puts two thirds of us in the crosshairs. No, all of us. The database is a master file, only the Nazis kept better records.
And modern technology made it worse than in nazi's times JD. Who would have thought, something worst than the nazis happening in America 🇺🇸 🤔
Indeed you are right, Mother Earth trembles
The SCOTUS decision is mind-boggling. I'm sure they came up with some BS to justify the decision.
Always. Alito is the expert
I’m not sure it’s inexplicable. There are at least 3 on SCOTUS who appear to have contempt for their own government and are happy to see it torched, or at least badly singed
Of course. I mean inexplicable in the sense that it defies the rule of law — which, as we know, is of almost no concern to the regime’s majority enablers.
At the least, it turns 235 years of constitutional precedent on its head.
This is completely insane and it is a liability and a threat to the people and this country to have a 22 year old with absolutely no experience being in charged of our home national security. The people of this country who believe in Democracy must act now before it is too late. Hell no we will not tolerate a police state. We must be relentless and aggressive in protesting for our Democracy. Heather, I don't how you do it in writing these newsletters. It must be challenging at times. It is just sickening and disturbing to read. Thank you Heather, for your courage and strength in keeping us informed.
The challenge for me is which terms to use for the incompetent 22 year old Fugate's appointment to have anything to do with "...overseeing the government’s main center for preventing terrorism..." It seems more like hiring a cheap fake guard who would open the doors to the Capitol Bldg for the Jan 6 insurrectionists.
I was thinking of older terms like Reckless or Public Endangerment through incompetence, but also thought of Florida's crime of culpable negligence as a way to generate more exploration of the damage such decisions can result from such appointments.
I'm more inclined to think of it as intentional sabotage of democracy's defenses.
The problem is not Mr.Fugate, it's that the people who put him in that position have no respect or understanding of how to govern the strongest nation in world. They do not respect or understand the responsibilities involved. They do not respect or understand the care and planning needed to accomplish the act of governing fairly and responsibly. They do not understand that governing is wholly different from politics and campaigning.
Because of the way he looks in the official picture he should be disqualified . Total moron pretending to be a strong enforcer.
Belushi clone.
The biggest threat to our home national security is MAGA, like the J6ers. Why wouldn't they put one of their own in charge? It's what Mao did, and it worked.
He is a member of the federalist society. They still play an important part within Trumps regime.
Hmmm, where did you see that, Patricia? I couldn't find any mention of it in a quick search. But I did find a number of articles about an apparent split between MAGA and the Federalist Society, including a NYT article on May 30 in which he said he was disappointed in the FS-recommended judges he appointed in his first term, because ruled against him. Who can keep track of who's in and who's out in TrumpWorld???
I want FRANK FIGLUZZI back!
" . . . you must first build the police state.”
Yes, these cruel, cold-hearted, hate-filled incompetents know they want a police state -- anything to make the criminal-in-chief happy. But they're all as stupid, incompetent, and clueless as is he.
Maybe the grand and grandly expensive, gaudy, obscene military parade will do the trick for them.
They need magic. To substitute for the decency they do not have, to sub for the incompetence they do have.
Doesn't matter. At the top of MAGA land only foul intentions and general ill humor matter. And as the base of those tens of millions all went to those schools of mediocrity of theirs, all can unite as they grit their teeth and try to apply the rump of government agencies none understands.
You're absolutely right, Phil. ICE agents using knock-off military weapons - flash bang grenades and smoke grenades - against peaceful protesters in LA; driving around in unmarked vehicles; dressing up in ski masks and balaclavas and arresting judges and congressional aides. They've become Trump's own Tonton Macoute. It's a police state for sure.
Not yours I realize, but these ICE agents live in our communities. In Minneapolis, they actually showed their faces so they can be identified. Ostracize their families including their parents and kids. They obviously know no shame, so let them know we don't approve of living in a hate filled police state.
Guilt by association is a hallmark of police states. They need to show their faces and take the credit and blame. Their families should be pitied and consoled with. This way is not only fairer but more effective.
And they are building the police state in front of our noses with the support and complicity of each member of the farmer republican party in Congress, the scotus, fox news and the billionaires class. We won't forget their names.
Stop the nonsense huh Phil.
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The purge we are witnessing is stressing both the individuals involved and the agencies and institutions that serve the public. There is zero integrity in the Trump system. It is shoot first and then try to mend the mistakes. Ideology replaces pragmatism. Threats and loyalty tests replace merit in government employment. MAGA types ignore facts and outright lies so Trump can both feed off of them and call them names behind their backs. We are in pain and trouble.
The only big body of ideology is right here on this website, reflecting on ancient history past history, trying to make the model for what’s happening today with a totally different societal make up technology etc. too bad Phil that we live in a democracy that you happen not to like when you’re not in control which is what’s happening right now.
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I have no idea what you are talking about.
Nor do many people on this thread, because all they see is one side of the aisle. They don’t get the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, and get what they want to hear and are free to visit a right leaning website or TV station to see the other side of the coin. They say to a number of people here, Phil is that you would make horrible jurors, but I would love to see you in a jury box because then YOU WOULD BE FORCED To not only hear the prosecution, which is the only side mention here, but you have to listen to the defense and then make a decision versus not having all the information and sending it right to the jury before you even know all the facts sound familiar?it Should
You sound just like a nazi at the Nuremberg trials
And you, my friend are an offense to humanity when you use the word Nazi today. Ignorant offensive beyond stupid and as callous as it can be.
I just read a pretty incredible statistic and I Verified it
When all of you people call Trump a dictator and authoritarian
During Trump's first term, he gave 237 total pardons, including acts of clemency.
Biden on the other hand provided over 4000
And following Biden's lead, Trump parted about 1500 when he pardoned the whole group of J6 protesters. But can you imagine Biden the authoritarian dictator provided over 4000? I think it was 4000 300 and change. if not for G6 Trump would've pardoned another couple hundred since he took Office the second term
You sound arrogant to me.
You know better than anyone on this site.
Perhaps it is you who can't see a bigger picture...
He is arrogant and condescending, so sure he’s right that he wants to proselytize it to us. Flooding the zone with shit is it what it really is. Shamelessly monopolizing the conversation and now I see he’s toggling between TWO different accounts!
Well, one of my first remarks to you and to everybody here is that I have sent over 100 links, including people on the left of the political center or we left including Pelosi, Schumer, Bernie Sanders, AOC, Clinton, both Bill and Hillary Obama and Biden. I have done it over and over and over again I'm not gonna continue repeating myself
I even mentioned that maybe there's a way you can see all my links, but maybe not
All my links are factual they're from the people you support and how they feel about the same thing that Trump is doing right now like tariffs Pelosi is an example has a 1996 speech in front of Congress demanding that we put a stop to China and we impose tariffs big time Bernie Sanders says the same thing as the Schumer etc.
The funny thing I find here is that you're pointing out to the minutia, ethereal and meaningless dribble of calling me, names or condescending or arrogant
The tone and tender of my post here is meaningless, but the content is the most meaningful and maybe the only meaningful thing that you need to read, but you can't deal with that and so you deflect
And your buddy Jorge is no better
And not only is he arrogant, but he's dumber than a rock when he uses the word Nazi
Nobody in today's society approximate anything like Adolf Hitler and that just demonstrates his total and utter ignorance unless he wants to go to outwits and lie down in an oven or see the video for hours about Eisenhower and what he found when he got there or the hundreds of thousands of pairs of glasses and boots and how 11 million people were destroyed
Now, if anyone he knows starts killing 11 million people please give me a heads up or any great massive people effing idiot
Content content content, which you cannot refute if it's factual, and if it's not then refute it, but you never do nor does anybody here and the reason you can't is because it's just that factual. Have a nice day.
You confuse arrogance with correctness annd facts you don’t wanna go see and search. You wanna believe everything that they tell you here and you know that only leaves the gullibility when you read one article and believe it to be the truth and you don’t compare it against other evidence just like George have to do and are forced to do
and you don’t like that because it contradicts your opinions. And maybe just maybe you might find out that your opinions are wrong. Not fun, but that’s life
The definition of arrogance is in your first sentence Sender or whoever you are. You have "correctness" but others do not. I don't see any bfacts in your comments - just opinions that have no factual basis.
Everything about these people is so sickeningly juvenile, incompetent, unprofessional, botched, derelict, misplaced, and just plain fucked-up. Not a single honorable, decent person among them. The heroes are the ones who quit. Who in their right mind wouid ever want to come work for THIS federal government? A 22-year-old intern whose only paid work experience was cutting his neighbors’s lawns to run the Office of Counterintelligence?
We are so screwed.
Includes trolls as well.
What’s funny for all those of you who said this is not a transparent presidency. Lololol.
What about all the cover-up by Biden Harris Majorca and all the legacy media about Biden’s diminishing capacity Behind closed doors and that’s part of part and parcel of the reason that you guys are swimming around with like fish upside down on your last breath
For once you're right, Rick. Biden's diminishing capacity does appear to have been covered up while Trump's diminishing capacity and unrivalled stupidity is absolutely transparent.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/K3l2X-T8BCU
You forgot to mention testing.
Trump claims that he's 'aced' his dementia tests so taking that at face value one is forced to the conclusion that Americans have elected the biggest dummy ever as their president.
So transparent that they pulled the transcripts of his West Point and Arlington Speeches? What a Whopper of the Big Lie type.
Seems he is also the most brazen of all Presidents in violating the Official Records Act as his appointees do so much more to avoid leaving records of their communications that should be available for FOIA requests.
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You see there even that proves the ignorance of this group
If you were watching the right channel, they were posted alive. When it was happening. Oooops
And I'm sure that the base cilice of American democracy was an existential threat due to his speeches you guys are just pathetic. You're searching for issues and finding minutia. It's really a sad case.
Go get your foia that will turn around this country ? Yikes?
Stop believing everything you read change the channel and see what they say there and then compare it with what you read and perhaps you will awaken
Who’s living in the past? All ya’ll keep going back to Biden, Biden, Biden…blah, blah, blah…
The news is just starting to come out. It’s far from over and it’s far from in the past they’re trying to find out the legitimacy of the auto pen, the leg of the doctor that lied about his mental acuity, and obviously about his cancer, and when it was diagnosed more of a cover-up to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
On the downgrading of domestic terrorism, two stories show how farcical this has become. Firstly, the Trump administration has agreed to pay $5m to the family of 6 January rioter Ashli Babbitt after they sued for $30m for wrongful death.
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/06/ashli-babbitt-trump-settlement-00392746
Now we learn that leader of the Proud Boys, Enrique Tarrio and others are also suing the government to see if they can cash in as well.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/06/january-6-enrique-tarrio-lawsuit
Meanwhile, the Capitol police officers who were injured during the riot have not fared so well.
https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/hundreds-of-jan-6-convictions-later-only-15-of-nearly-3m-to-repair-capitol-repaid-by-defendants-report/
This is the topsy-turvy world of a Trump government.
Why does this remind me of rapists suing to force the victim to have the rapists baby?
I agree. Supposing all of those jailbirds decide to sue the government? What's Bondi and those clowns at the DoJ going to do then? They've opened this Pandora's Box.
The Proud Boys are going to sue the government for the insurrection they helped cause. That takes a lot of chutzpah.
The $5m award to Ashley Babbitt's family might have opened the floodgates. Trump could offer to pay them in memecoins.
Maybe they will.
Same principle!
Trump likes those criminals…they are like-minded.
When it comes down to money, he doesn't like anyone. I'm not sure how he will react if these guys come after the government for wrongful arrest or some other bollocks.
I hope people are recording these raids on their cameras. The 2026 ads practically write themselves, featuring the masked, armed "jackbooted thugs," arms decorated with extremist tattoos, kidnapping terrified people off the street. "This is your Republican Party." Of course, maybe 40% of the voting public are OK with this.
You know who isn't OK with this James, or at least they shouldn't be. Anyone that isn't white. Many of them thought that Trump and the RepubliCONs would reverse inflation and increase their pay.
Every single fucking Republican President has led us into a recession and Trump's chaotic tariff's have already done so this time around.
The corporate media is praising the Trump administration for adding 139000 jobs when the Biden administration averaged over 370,000 per month for the first 42 months. And who is reporting on all of the bankruptcies of small businesses caused by the largest tax increase of my life.
I thought that about 2024, but Dems had their focus on abortion while chump stoked fear and loathing. In Texas, chump was the answer. And fear spreads like Covid.
In the meantime, Musk's DOGE plants in federal agencies are now on the federal payroll. DOGE, and Musk, aren't going anywhere. Our data and our money (through contracts) are going to him. DOGE and Project 2025 are different and separate entities with the same goal: to enslave (remove individual rights and liberties, force to labor for someone else's benefit) everyone who is not them.
Hackers in charge, what could go wrong, will go wrong
Versions of Klansmen danced in their heads ,while brain drains and money was all that was bled.
The protest sign that seems the most appreciated over the last few weeks shows Trump with a balaclava topped by a crown and the text says:
if ICE wears masks when they violate the Constitution So Should You
Besides Trump, it seems a lot of his appointees should also be wearing masks as they try to hijack this Democracy
Perfect ads and they MUST state THIS IS YOUR REPUBLICAN PARTY! Also might want to point out specific tattoos as well.
I'd like to thank those who have commented on my post for their interesting and useful additions. This is why I do Substack. And don't do other social media.
The appointment of the 22 year old intern whose only paid job was doing yard work, shows how cavalier, how dangerously unserious Trump & Co are about governance in general and national security in particular.
Theater Mis
So much blood on so many hands.
Yep, all the signs of the vitamin administration are coming out now lots of blood
Just ask Tapper and KJP. Ooooops
Sorry, Jenny I voice text, but hopefully everybody got the message that it was Biden not vitamin
The Washington Post's report on the scramble to rehire staff mentions how ineptly even that process has been handled. For example, imagine that you've been sacked for no reason and then to receive an email message like this:
"Notice of Reduction in Force (RIF) issued to you…is officially RESCINDED [and] you will not be separated from employment...You are expected to return to duty the next business day following your receipt of this notice.”
That's what people arbitrarily sacked by the FDA were receiving from May. Would it be surprising if they replied 'F.O. and D'?
Are they going to have to write a two page essay on why the support rumpy?
Wired has reported that DOGE is recruiting and enticing potential candidates with salaries of up to $195k per year, the only exception to the freeze on federal recruitment. This is apparently because DOGE sacked most of the goverment techies when they took over federal departments and now they can't handle the workload.