Thoughts on the Trump presidency

[Railwaycat]

So, he's done it again - talked about peace deal, oil prices come down, followed shortly by an attack on Iran to put them back up again.

What a crook.

 

[jupiter]

Trouble is he’s stealing from every one of us.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

So, he's done it again - talked about peace deal, oil prices come down, followed shortly by an attack on Iran to put them back up again.

What a crook.

Yup rinse and repeat and add few 100 million dollars more to the families and mates coffers

 

[Cdd89]

I wonder how many more cycles of "escalate the conflict to raise the price of oil" → "announce that a settlement is imminent" we have to endure before certain people deem themselves to have made enough money and we can actually get back to normal.

I guess the answer is at least two more! Genuinely amazed that he has any supporters left at this point, even those who are hawkish on Iran.

 

[martin butler]

I guess the answer is at least two more! Genuinely amazed that he has any supporters left at this point, even those who are hawkish on Iran.

The whole world could be on fire, and I doubt if Trump would even care,

All the adults in the room have been sacked and those he replaced them with are as bad, as corrupt as he is, Will the US ever realise they are being made fools of? most likely never, so who benefits from the chaos he creates, the tech bros, and Putin,

 

[brad465]

Another Trump loyalist given huge funding to oust a non-loyal Republican in a primary:

Texas Attorney General Paxton routs veteran incumbent Cornyn in US Senate primary

The result sets up what will be a closely watched contest in November with Paxton's Democratic opponent.

www.bbc.co.uk

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton easily defeated Senator John Cornyn in a Republican run-off primary on Tuesday night.
While the outcome had been expected for weeks, it marks a stunning defeat for an incumbent who served in Congress for 23 years, including 12 years as a high-ranking member of the Senate Republican leadership team.
The bruising contest set a record for the most expensive Senate primary campaign in US history.
It also sets up what will be a closely watched contest in November's general election between Paxton and his Democratic opponent, state legislator James Talarico.
The outcome of that race will help determine whether Democrats can win back control of the US Senate for the final two years of Donald Trump's presidency. Many Democrats have viewed Paxton as the weaker of the two candidates and relish what they believe is an opportunity to flip a Senate seat in a state with a long history of electing Republicans.
Seemingly confident of his impending primary victory, Paxton, 62, has already begun focusing on November's general election contest, airing television adverts over the past week attacking his opponent as a left-wing extremist.
Polls have indicated a tight race in a state that hasn't elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1988.

I think these moves will backfire on Trump: it makes the election of a Democrat more likely, as there is no incumbent advantage, and Trump's picks are not exactly dazzling candidates. Also, the defeat of Thomas Massie has given him a "nothing to lose" mentality and has been naming individuals linked to Epstein in the House.

 

[edwin_m]

I wonder if any other Republicans will turn against Trump once their primaries are out of the way and they're either assured of being the candidate and needing to pivot to the centre, or certain they won't be so don't care who they annoy.

 

[brad465]

I wonder if any other Republicans will turn against Trump once their primaries are out of the way and they're either assured of being the candidate and needing to pivot to the centre, or certain they won't be so don't care who they annoy.

This is the attitude Thomas Massie has already started showing.

 

[Annetts key]

I wonder if any other Republicans will turn against Trump once their primaries are out of the way and they're either assured of being the candidate and needing to pivot to the centre, or certain they won't be so don't care who they annoy.

That's one of the million dollar questions....

Every day, the popularity of Trump falls. Some of the Republican candidates will have to decide if being associated with him is an aid or a hindrance to them getting elected.

 

[martin butler]

That's one of the million dollar questions....

Every day, the popularity of Trump falls. Some of the Republican candidates will have to decide if being associated with him is an aid or a hindrance to them getting elected.

Trump can't build, he can only destroy, he will Destroy the Republican party by turning it into the trump party, He will only want senators who pledge loyalty to him, not anyone, or anything else,

Come the mid terms, a lot of them could fall because of the anti trump feeling, and he of course will be claiming fraud, telling congress to not seat anyone but his loyal lacklies etc, that will fail in a very big way, and in the end Republicans will be left with a choice, do support democracy, or a dictator,

As he loses his power, he will become more desperate and will almost try to launch another insurrection to stay in power, especially if he's told you can't stand the constitution won't let you. it will of course fail, and he will flee, most likely to Israel , and leave others to canny the can.

 

[Camberman]

BBC News item: "White House erects UFC cage ahead of US 250th anniversary celebrations"

Link: White House erects UFC cage ahead of US 250th anniversary celebrations

Image in item shows UFC arena construction begins at White House ahead of fights

Extract:

The White House has begun construction on a UFC fighting cage on its South Lawn ahead of next month's event to celebrate 250 years of American independence.

What a marvellous way to celebrate such a historic event - NOT!!

In my view, this is taking "tacky" to the extreme.

 

[Gloster]

BBC News item: "White House erects UFC cage ahead of US 250th anniversary celebrations"

Link: White House erects UFC cage ahead of US 250th anniversary celebrations

Image in item shows UFC arena construction begins at White House ahead of fights

Extract: The White House has begun construction on a UFC fighting cage on its South Lawn ahead of next month's event to celebrate 250 years of American independence.

What a marvellous way to celebrate such a historic event - NOT!!

In my view, this is taking "tacky" to the extreme.

Linda McMahon, the founder of what (by a convoluted process) became WWE (World Wresting Entertainment), is Trump’s Education Secretary. (Yes, you did read that correctly.) I am sure that there is absolutely no connection and the decision has been made with the highest ideals that the Founding Fathers would approve of.

 

[AndrewE]

Linda McMahon, the founder of what (by a convoluted process) became WWE (World Wresting Entertainment), is Trump’s Education Secretary. (Yes, you did read that correctly.) I am sure that there is absolutely no connection and the decision has been made with the highest ideals that the Founding Fathers would approve of.

maybe a bit of inverted snobbery at work, or maybe just that he's taking on the principle "No one in this world, has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people." https://quoteinvestigator.com/2020/03/01/underestimate/

(or maybe he is pandering to the rednecks.)

 

[martin butler]

I'm surprised that someone hasn't come up with a gladiatorial area, where trump could dress up as Nero, whilst screaming MAGA's call for blood

 

[BAFRA77]

Linda McMahon, the founder of what (by a convoluted process) became WWE (World Wresting Entertainment), is Trump’s Education Secretary. (Yes, you did read that correctly.) I am sure that there is absolutely no connection and the decision has been made with the highest ideals that the Founding Fathers would approve of.

He was also involved with the WWE back in the day in a couple of their storylines.

There is a Substack article written by Gaston Zarate on how he's blurred the lines between wrestling and politics

Kayfabe: How wrestling culture influenced Donald Trump

Long before reaching the White House, Donald Trump had already stepped into the WWE ring. He participated in shows, was part of storylines, and ended up being inducted into the company’s Hall of Fame. It is not surprising, then, that figures linked to the world of wrestling are part of the Trump political network. Linda McMahon, wife of Vince McMahon, the creator of WWE, is the current Secretary of Education.

 

[najaB]

It's reported that DJT is dropping the idea of the $1.776B "anti-weaponisation" fund.

Three minutes into this segment:

President Trump plans to drop the $1.776 billion "anti-weaponization" fund, a senior administration official confirms. Opinion Columnist for The New York Times David French, U.S. National Editor for the Financial Times Ed Luce and former Under Secretary of State for Diplomacy and Public Affairs Richard Stengel join Katy Tur to discuss the latest updates.

 

[AlterEgo]

It's reported that DJT is dropping the idea of the $1.776B "anti-weaponisation" fund.

Three minutes into this segment:

President Trump plans to drop the $1.776 billion "anti-weaponization" fund, a senior administration official confirms. Opinion Columnist for The New York Times David French, U.S. National Editor for the Financial Times Ed Luce and former Under Secretary of State for Diplomacy and Public Affairs Richard Stengel join Katy Tur to discuss the latest updates.

He is very weak. And losing a lot of Republican support.

 

[martin butler]

He is very weak. And losing a lot of Republican support.

That's when he will be at his most dangerous, See, without power, he has nothing to stop his past catching up with him,

He may be pure transactional, but so are those who are pulling his strings, Netanyahu, for example, Putin, Thiel, His cabinet, the Repuplican party,

As I see it once he has served his purpose, they will all want to discard him, but of course, you're dealing with a deranged narcissist, with personality disorder, plus ongoing dementure, who won't willingly give up office, and will rather see the country burn to the ground only so that he can rule over the ashes.

 

[Killingworth]

That's when he will be at his most dangerous, See, without power, he has nothing to stop his past catching up with him,

He may be pure transactional, but so are those who are pulling his strings, Netanyahu, for example, Putin, Thiel, His cabinet, the Repuplican party,

As I see it once he has served his purpose, they will all want to discard him, but of course, you're dealing with a deranged narcissist, with personality disorder, plus ongoing dementure, who won't willingly give up office, and will rather see the country burn to the ground only so that he can rule over the ashes.

Perhaps our biggest concern should be what comes during and after his inevitable downfall.

Whoever follows him, Vance or A N Other, has an almighty task ahead of them.

 

[Gloster]

Perhaps our biggest concern should be what comes during and after his inevitable downfall.

Whoever follows him, Vance or A N Other, has an almighty task ahead of them.

Indeed. So much of the money that they want has already been grabbed and the holders won’t want to give it back.

 

[martin butler]

Perhaps our biggest concern should be what comes during and after his inevitable downfall.

Whoever follows him, Vance or A N Other, has an almighty task ahead of them.

I think he will as he gets worse, announce that he's sacked Vance and Don Junior is to become his vice president, He, of course can't legally sack Vance, he will then push back, claim he needs to declare martial law, etc, suspend the constitution, call out his militia,

Congress will then have to use its powers to remove a tyrant, and call out the national guard, and military it will either become another civil war, or Trump's militia will be found to just be bully boys who can only intimidate people who can't fight back. and will collapse

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Someone has posted a very good spoof on LinkedIn - but it's pretty much exactly the sort of thing Trump would really do...

FAA Renames Bermuda Triangle

Federal Aviation Administrator Bryan Bedford announced today that the mysterious area of the world known as the “Bermuda Triangle” would be renamed by the current administration in Washington. “First of all,” Bedford said, “It is really the American Triangle.

www.linkedin.com

Federal Aviation Administrator Bryan Bedford announced today that the mysterious area of the world known as the “Bermuda Triangle” would be renamed by the current administration in Washington.

“First of all,” Bedford said, “It is really the American Triangle.” It is just east of the Gulf of America and north of the American Virgin Islands. Bermuda has nothing to do with it because they are not as awesome as us.”

Bedford unveiled a picture of the dimensions of the “old” triangle, noting that it was offensive because it was found to be equilateral – a DEI term that the administration abhors.

“We are sick and tired of this kind of left-wing nomenclature,” intoned Bryan. From now on, the “American Triangle” will be a RIGHT TRIANGLE, and not a commie inspired, palm tree-hugging “equilateral” excuse to be inclusive of all unexplained ship and airplane disasters.”

 

[The Ham]

Likewise the plot of "America is the bad place" feels a bit too far out there to be believable.

Having a US president who openly says that the UK should give up their ideas on the Falklands whist holding a president of another country with the implied goal of having access to more oil just feels like a mix between lazy plot lines but with some really out there ones mixed in to distract from from the otherwise lazy ones.

Following up from the above (in another thread, but more relevant to this one).

The writers are clearly getting lazy in that they have two core characters with basically the same name:

https://edition.cnn.com/2026/05/29/entertainment/trump-250th-concert-artists-drop-out-cec

Freedom 250 is a White House organization launched by executive order to create Trump-driven alternatives to the events planned by the nonpartisan United States Semiquincentennial Commission, America250. The announced concert lineup was heavily tilted toward legacy acts like Morris Day and Vanilla Ice, and many of them share the same booking agent in Jeff Epstein of Universal Attractions. Epstein did not respond to repeat requests for comment.

OK one's Jeff Epstein and one's Jeffery Epstein, but seriously, if this is the quality to expect from this writers of this show I'm not sure it's got long left to run.

--------------------------------

More seriously, the jokes just write themselves (probably not one to watch with kids within earshot):

Spoiler: text description of the video

an extract from YouTube of the Daily Show making fun of the fact that there's two Epsteins linked to Trump
Includes references to "Universal Attractions recruiting talent for a Donald Trump party" and "once again they leave him hanging" - clearly deliberately worded to imply a link between the stories about the two people who share the name Jeff/Jeffrey Epstein

 

[martin butler]

I'm wondering, did Trump say in a moment of delirium " My Friend Jeff always used to organise my parties, they were the biggest, the best, and someone thought, who's this Jeff, We all know Trump only employs the best, which really means only village idiots need apply.

 

[DelW]

Two more setbacks for Trump, coming on top of the temporary or possibly permanent abandonment of the $1.776bn fund for his cronies, awarded by his cronies. Maybe the "checks and balances" are at long last being reasserted? Plus several long-standing Republicans have lost primaries to Trump-backed rivals, so have no further reason to kowtow to Trump's agenda.

US House votes to halt Iran war, in rebuke to Trump

In the 215-208 vote, four Republicans joined Democrats to pass the measure, which had failed in three previous attempts.

www.bbc.co.uk

The US House of Representatives has passed a measure that seeks to halt President Donald Trump from taking further military action in Iran.

The 215-208 vote, which is largely symbolic, was successful after four Republicans joined Democrats in a public show of disapproval of the war, which began in February.

Senate advances funding bill after Republicans cut $1bn for White House ballroom

The bill to fund immigration agencies has been delayed by opposition to Trump's 'anti-weaponisation fund'.

www.bbc.co.uk

The US Senate has voted to advance a stalled immigration spending bill after Republicans removed $1bn (£745m) in funding for President Donald Trump's new White House ballroom.

The $1bn was intended for US Secret Service security upgrades as part of the construction, a request following April's shooting at a gala Trump attended at a hotel.

Trump has argued the new addition is necessary to host official state functions and update security facilities. He repeatedly said it would be funded by private donations.

 

[brad465]

Turns out the US now embraces communism:

https://www.ft.com/content/b1ab6106-77e6-4218-9eb4-e44bd56ca400

Donald Trump says US may take equity stakes in AI companies

President suggests ‘partnership’ will ease voter concerns about the technology ahead of November’s midterm elections

The US may take equity stakes in AI companies such as OpenAI so that “American people can benefit”, Donald Trump said, as a backlash to the technology deepens within his own Maga movement. The US president told reporters on Friday that he discussed a deal with major AI labs in recent days in which the federal government “essentially becomes a partner with the companies”.

 

[AlterEgo]

Turns out the US now embraces communism:

Many such cases.

Government cheese - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[najaB]

Many such cases.

Government cheese - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

That isn't the same as the government buying shares in what should be private companies.

A more relevant example would be the UK government taking a stake in the banks during the financial crisis, but that was different in that they were took that stake in order to prop up the financial system and avoid an economic collapse.

 

[martin butler]

And what possible use could trump have for Ai, ? rigging elections to ensure only he remains on the voting list

 

[jon0844]

And what possible use could trump have for Ai, ? rigging elections to ensure only he remains on the voting list

I saw a video of an Israeli politician (I forget his name, but it was in recent days) saying that AI will be important to ensure certain narratives are presented to people doing searches. Given the capabilities of generative AI to create images and video, and people using AI searches over traditional website searches, it's perfect for propaganda purposes.

I am sure Trump, and let's be honest most politicians, will be fully supportive of AI if they can rewrite history and also get people riled up about things that may or may not be true.

It's little wonder they'll be investing in AI even if the average person on the street has probably begun to see it as nothing but a negative.. but what do the people know?