On January 10, 2025, President Trump released an "ethics agreement" detailing how he would handle his personal business interests while in the White House.
Contrarian view here. I couldn't care less about Trump's corrupt business deals. The tawdry, small, money grubbing grifter has been corrupt since he paid other kids to take his tests in high school, it's his brand. If governments and businesses want to give him money in exchange for getting screwed over, that's their choice and frankly not our problem. This is all a distraction from the real problem - that this unfit, demented, weak, nasty, cruel and piggish old man doesn't think he needs to protect and defend the Constitution. He doesn't think the 5th Amendment applies anymore. He thinks the 14th amendment no longer applies. And he has turned the machinery of government into a massive vengeance machine targeting all of his enemies - real and in the syphilitic residue of his brain. That's what we need to focus on, every minute of every day. From now until Satan calls him home.
All true, it’s just disgusting he’s operating out of the Oval Office like Tony Soprano used Bada-Bing. There is right and wrong, and there are definitely the wrong places. I’m really disgusted by the sheer lack of decorum and general decency in the US right now. But I guess a grifter is gonna grift.
We have to multitask somehow. We can never takes our attention off his attacks on our and world democracy. But these money deals are part of the international criminal conspiracy represented by master criminal Putin but nutured in every despotic government on the planet. Trump is a puppet for them. They let this ignorant madman play his games because he gives them more power and money. He has an insane idea and they whisper in his ear on how to make it worse. Few are seeing this.
For his whole life he has counted on getting a pass for corrupt, unethical, sometimes illegal behavior. I'm sorry, but this is simply not acceptable in the President of the United States and I do care. Other things perhaps have greater impact on how he "governs," but that does not let him off the hook for abiding by standards set by law and conventional propriety. There is an emoluments clause for a reason, not that it's being enforced. Therein lies the problem. Because the egregious behavior is so rampant, we've decided to limit which sins to acknowledge and condemn, which means our standards are meaningless. If anything, we need more explicit and enforceable laws, not just to capitulate to his bad acts.
I hear you and I agree, what Trump is doing is unacceptable. While I still believe that we need to prioritize right now, when the well deserved impeachment comes, and it will, the articles need to include everything - the grift, the abuses of power, the illegal and unconstitutional acts, everything. While the Republicans may save his sorry ass again in the Senate, the airing of all of his crimes in an impeachment trial will make it much more painful politically. I believe that Pelosi's demand that impeachment be limited to the perfect phone call was a mistake. The first impeachment should have included the obstruction of justice from Mueller, the emoluments, the sharing of secrets with Lavrov and Putin, and all of the other abuses of office including overcharging for staff to stay at his roach motels. Again, McConnell may have let him off the hook, but it would have been much more painful...and might just have made it impossible.
Unfortunately the time for impeachment has come and gone. Of course only a Democrat-run House would pass articles, so that would bring us into 2027, heading into another presidential election year. I'm not sure even a Democratic majority would or should spend its time on what would be DOA in the Senate. Hyperpartisanship neutralizes the viability of the constitutional remedy for egregious acts. Like everything else, Trump has torn that process too.
Couldn’t agree more! Yes it’s a disgusting money grab but we have much bigger fish to fry here at home as Peter deftly described. As always I appreciate Judd’s work I just am terrified of what he’s doing to the USA
But the “bigger fish to fry” responses are what they’re counting on. If we ignore the little fish, we encourage them to act more boldly and more dangerously. Pretty soon the bigger fish will swallow our Democracy whole.
Historian Jefferson Cowie ended a talk he gave last week on what he sees the candidate needs to be, by saying he could not believe that we did not fight more for voting rights, and that is the battle that comes first. He also said that if Dems win again 2026 they will again drop this battle, but getting voting rights should be a battle for the decades. Here is my summary of some of his ideas.
I think you're wrong. How many low information people voted for Drumpf based on "drain the swamp"', fighting corruption and waste and all of that rhetoric? MILLIONS I would say. Anything that helps get it out there that Agent Orange is the biggest swamp monster of them all surely goes some way to turn the tide, no?
“He lied” - shocking …not. Every time he moves his lips he lies….
Btw - Why are Welker and the rest of the spineless mainstream media not asking felon 47 why he is not investing in USA if he thinks it is so important for other companies to do that?
The tariffs are really just opportunities for Trump/GOP to rake in cash for specific carve outs. Like Apple just did. But it's best to buy Trump crypto coins direct. Starting at $30 million per exemption, put that money right into his pocket with an untraceable crypto purchase! Graft has never been more easy or convenient!
There was never any serious intent to encourage domestic manufacturing investment. Not when there's so much carve-out cash to anonymously rake in under the table.
Because we must build the biggest, most beautiful swamp ever seen. A swamp to rival the ages!
I know that tariffs weren't the main focus of this post, but what kinds of people are buying 30 dolls and 250 pencils for their children? Probably the wealthier parents among us, but that’s certainly not reflective of the majority of households or even the average household in the U.S.
Comments like this show how absurdly out of touch Trump is with average Americans. No matter. His sycophantic followers as well as the politicians and pundits who stand by him will make excuses for him.
Trump is so ignorant that he doesn’t realize how many people in this country need to scrimp and save to afford even one doll, or one pencil. His tariffs will make it impossible for them to buy anything.
The sycophants are still mouth-breathing "Biden Crime Family" as though their lives depended on it, no matter what the "Trump Family Crime Crew" might do!
Hmm, rats trapped in a corner comes to mind. Rats trapped and squealing, "But the Bidens! But Hillary's server! But Obama's economy!" What a bunch of babies. Baby rats.
What does it take for the rest of the country to wake up (I know, I know) to this blatant corruption and graft? The Constitution, the rule of law, the government itself, and the future of this planet mean exactly zip, zero, zilch to this lying asshole. He is destroying our country, AND YET THE CONGRESS DOES NOTHING. I wish we could get what's left of the GOP to honor their oath of office and impeach him, Vance, and the fascist of Christianity, Mikey Johnson, all out of our government for good... Oh well. -- Oh well, is the very attitude they are counting on so they can fleece the treasury, kill the USPS, Social Security, and Medicare/Medicaid? We need to stop them by any means necessary... NOW!
Not "Breaks Historical Norms" as MSM/NYT reports... just in your face emoluments clause violations & corruption with impunity. Trump & Co demand we abandon reality & threatens prosecution/retribution for challenging fabricated evidence & propaganda.
Oh, to live in MAGA Trumplandia where science, facts & law don’t matter. For the convicted fraudster in chief & his capos the presidency is a side hustle & the grifting & extortion never ends.
26 U.S. Code § 7217: It shall be unlawful for (the president, VP & other executive office employees) to request directly or indirectly any officer or employee of the IRS to conduct or terminate an audit or other investigation of any particular taxpayer with respect to the tax liability of such taxpayer.
Grifter, con man and his family getting richer at the expense of the American citizen. 2 doll theory is his version of "Let them eat cake."
I hope people will recognize how illegal Trump's Regime is on so many fronts. Good job here.
Just waiting to see how the Millennial and Gen Z parents will handle a Toy shortage at Christmas since so many are manufactured in China.
I don't watch Meet the Press for the obvious reason there is no journalistic integrity emitted, but read the various articles about the Trump interview. He sounded deranged as that Pope Donald pic he and White House posted on social media.
Stay safe Judd and Co. Border Czar Homan bragged last week about something big coming for those opposing the Regime.
The Golden Calf.... Here we are again! Even in the same Middle Eastern part of the world. Our amazing nation, founded on high moral principles like the separation of church and state, and all men (and women) are created equal, is led by people who value the material over anything lasting. It is possible with this move to cryto currency, all of this wealth will disintegrate the way Elon Musk's wealth and popularity have???
The "self-induced, crypto implosion" you postulate is a definite possibility. This "Wile E. Coyote" moment sponsored by the trump equivalent of "Acme Products" will be glorious!
For all the accusations flung at Presidents Biden and Obama, there is absolute silence from the Republicans. It seems corruption is not a problem when it's the Orange conman.
Give a criminal the power of the presidency and a get out of jail free card, and it is no surprise that he goes on a crime spree. He isn't investing in America because after he leaves office he will be living where his money lives. If he isn't president, then he can't stay in America.
Ah, yes the good ol’ “appearance of conflicts of interest” that the media repeatedly hung around the Clintons’ necks — but only after they had reported out false claims about actual conflicts of interest that had been shopped to them by rightwing propagandists. The completely bogus Chinagate and Uranium One “scandals” are just two examples where the optics police trashed the Clintons as well as Gore after it turned out there was no “there there”. Heaven forfend the media apologize for getting played by people like Steve Bannon.
However from what I remember the media mostly gave Bush and his administration a pass on actual as well as perceived conflicts of interest. For example when former oil industry exec Dick Cheney met privately with top oil executives — but no environmentalists or green energy experts — to plan the Bush administration’s energy policy the media was far less outraged than they were about the Clinton’s appearances of conflicts of interest. At the time there were reports that among the documents used at those meetings were maps of Iraqi oil fields. Of course we are supposed to believe that that planning had nothing to do with the later invasion of Iraq.
Ah, yes the WMDs. As I bet you know that is another example of the NYT allowing itself to be used by the right. Judith Miller, and presumably her editor, knew her sources — Ahmed Chalabi and Scooter Libby — were both working hand in glove with Cheney to manipulate us into invading and taking over Iraq. Cheney intended to install Chalabi as the head of the country and even gave him his own army. After selling the WMD lies in the pages of the Times Miller went on to write for right wing news operations.
Contrarian view here. I couldn't care less about Trump's corrupt business deals. The tawdry, small, money grubbing grifter has been corrupt since he paid other kids to take his tests in high school, it's his brand. If governments and businesses want to give him money in exchange for getting screwed over, that's their choice and frankly not our problem. This is all a distraction from the real problem - that this unfit, demented, weak, nasty, cruel and piggish old man doesn't think he needs to protect and defend the Constitution. He doesn't think the 5th Amendment applies anymore. He thinks the 14th amendment no longer applies. And he has turned the machinery of government into a massive vengeance machine targeting all of his enemies - real and in the syphilitic residue of his brain. That's what we need to focus on, every minute of every day. From now until Satan calls him home.
All true, it’s just disgusting he’s operating out of the Oval Office like Tony Soprano used Bada-Bing. There is right and wrong, and there are definitely the wrong places. I’m really disgusted by the sheer lack of decorum and general decency in the US right now. But I guess a grifter is gonna grift.
Loved the Bada Bing reference.
We have to multitask somehow. We can never takes our attention off his attacks on our and world democracy. But these money deals are part of the international criminal conspiracy represented by master criminal Putin but nutured in every despotic government on the planet. Trump is a puppet for them. They let this ignorant madman play his games because he gives them more power and money. He has an insane idea and they whisper in his ear on how to make it worse. Few are seeing this.
For his whole life he has counted on getting a pass for corrupt, unethical, sometimes illegal behavior. I'm sorry, but this is simply not acceptable in the President of the United States and I do care. Other things perhaps have greater impact on how he "governs," but that does not let him off the hook for abiding by standards set by law and conventional propriety. There is an emoluments clause for a reason, not that it's being enforced. Therein lies the problem. Because the egregious behavior is so rampant, we've decided to limit which sins to acknowledge and condemn, which means our standards are meaningless. If anything, we need more explicit and enforceable laws, not just to capitulate to his bad acts.
I hear you and I agree, what Trump is doing is unacceptable. While I still believe that we need to prioritize right now, when the well deserved impeachment comes, and it will, the articles need to include everything - the grift, the abuses of power, the illegal and unconstitutional acts, everything. While the Republicans may save his sorry ass again in the Senate, the airing of all of his crimes in an impeachment trial will make it much more painful politically. I believe that Pelosi's demand that impeachment be limited to the perfect phone call was a mistake. The first impeachment should have included the obstruction of justice from Mueller, the emoluments, the sharing of secrets with Lavrov and Putin, and all of the other abuses of office including overcharging for staff to stay at his roach motels. Again, McConnell may have let him off the hook, but it would have been much more painful...and might just have made it impossible.
Unfortunately the time for impeachment has come and gone. Of course only a Democrat-run House would pass articles, so that would bring us into 2027, heading into another presidential election year. I'm not sure even a Democratic majority would or should spend its time on what would be DOA in the Senate. Hyperpartisanship neutralizes the viability of the constitutional remedy for egregious acts. Like everything else, Trump has torn that process too.
Couldn’t agree more! Yes it’s a disgusting money grab but we have much bigger fish to fry here at home as Peter deftly described. As always I appreciate Judd’s work I just am terrified of what he’s doing to the USA
But the “bigger fish to fry” responses are what they’re counting on. If we ignore the little fish, we encourage them to act more boldly and more dangerously. Pretty soon the bigger fish will swallow our Democracy whole.
Historian Jefferson Cowie ended a talk he gave last week on what he sees the candidate needs to be, by saying he could not believe that we did not fight more for voting rights, and that is the battle that comes first. He also said that if Dems win again 2026 they will again drop this battle, but getting voting rights should be a battle for the decades. Here is my summary of some of his ideas.
https://lindaweide.substack.com/p/voting-rights-come-before-all-others?r=f0qfn
I think Trump is doing a great job of reminding the people that forgot, why they did not vote for him last time around.
I think you're wrong. How many low information people voted for Drumpf based on "drain the swamp"', fighting corruption and waste and all of that rhetoric? MILLIONS I would say. Anything that helps get it out there that Agent Orange is the biggest swamp monster of them all surely goes some way to turn the tide, no?
Another problem is this Supreme Court doesn’t think the 5th and 14th amendments mean anything either.
“He lied” - shocking …not. Every time he moves his lips he lies….
Btw - Why are Welker and the rest of the spineless mainstream media not asking felon 47 why he is not investing in USA if he thinks it is so important for other companies to do that?
The tariffs are really just opportunities for Trump/GOP to rake in cash for specific carve outs. Like Apple just did. But it's best to buy Trump crypto coins direct. Starting at $30 million per exemption, put that money right into his pocket with an untraceable crypto purchase! Graft has never been more easy or convenient!
There was never any serious intent to encourage domestic manufacturing investment. Not when there's so much carve-out cash to anonymously rake in under the table.
Because we must build the biggest, most beautiful swamp ever seen. A swamp to rival the ages!
I know that tariffs weren't the main focus of this post, but what kinds of people are buying 30 dolls and 250 pencils for their children? Probably the wealthier parents among us, but that’s certainly not reflective of the majority of households or even the average household in the U.S.
Comments like this show how absurdly out of touch Trump is with average Americans. No matter. His sycophantic followers as well as the politicians and pundits who stand by him will make excuses for him.
"His sycophantic followers as well as the politicians and pundits who stand by him will make excuses for him."
Always and Forever
The Beat Goes On
And obviously also some of his opposition. I say no.
Trump is so ignorant that he doesn’t realize how many people in this country need to scrimp and save to afford even one doll, or one pencil. His tariffs will make it impossible for them to buy anything.
He doesn't care.
WHY ON EARTH do people still give that man business deals with his track record 🤦♀️??! I swear...
Access to power. This is so grotesque
Obviously not to make money...
Why is this not being investigated!! They yelled and stomped their feet about Hunter Biden but this is ok? When is something going to be done??
The sycophants are still mouth-breathing "Biden Crime Family" as though their lives depended on it, no matter what the "Trump Family Crime Crew" might do!
Hmm, rats trapped in a corner comes to mind. Rats trapped and squealing, "But the Bidens! But Hillary's server! But Obama's economy!" What a bunch of babies. Baby rats.
Gotta stomp on em and kick them out!
The corrupt are guarding the corrupt.
What does it take for the rest of the country to wake up (I know, I know) to this blatant corruption and graft? The Constitution, the rule of law, the government itself, and the future of this planet mean exactly zip, zero, zilch to this lying asshole. He is destroying our country, AND YET THE CONGRESS DOES NOTHING. I wish we could get what's left of the GOP to honor their oath of office and impeach him, Vance, and the fascist of Christianity, Mikey Johnson, all out of our government for good... Oh well. -- Oh well, is the very attitude they are counting on so they can fleece the treasury, kill the USPS, Social Security, and Medicare/Medicaid? We need to stop them by any means necessary... NOW!
Not "Breaks Historical Norms" as MSM/NYT reports... just in your face emoluments clause violations & corruption with impunity. Trump & Co demand we abandon reality & threatens prosecution/retribution for challenging fabricated evidence & propaganda.
Oh, to live in MAGA Trumplandia where science, facts & law don’t matter. For the convicted fraudster in chief & his capos the presidency is a side hustle & the grifting & extortion never ends.
26 U.S. Code § 7217: It shall be unlawful for (the president, VP & other executive office employees) to request directly or indirectly any officer or employee of the IRS to conduct or terminate an audit or other investigation of any particular taxpayer with respect to the tax liability of such taxpayer.
Grifter, con man and his family getting richer at the expense of the American citizen. 2 doll theory is his version of "Let them eat cake."
I hope people will recognize how illegal Trump's Regime is on so many fronts. Good job here.
Just waiting to see how the Millennial and Gen Z parents will handle a Toy shortage at Christmas since so many are manufactured in China.
I don't watch Meet the Press for the obvious reason there is no journalistic integrity emitted, but read the various articles about the Trump interview. He sounded deranged as that Pope Donald pic he and White House posted on social media.
Stay safe Judd and Co. Border Czar Homan bragged last week about something big coming for those opposing the Regime.
The Golden Calf.... Here we are again! Even in the same Middle Eastern part of the world. Our amazing nation, founded on high moral principles like the separation of church and state, and all men (and women) are created equal, is led by people who value the material over anything lasting. It is possible with this move to cryto currency, all of this wealth will disintegrate the way Elon Musk's wealth and popularity have???
The "self-induced, crypto implosion" you postulate is a definite possibility. This "Wile E. Coyote" moment sponsored by the trump equivalent of "Acme Products" will be glorious!
For all the accusations flung at Presidents Biden and Obama, there is absolute silence from the Republicans. It seems corruption is not a problem when it's the Orange conman.
Shame on ALL of them for not speaking out.
Precious that 47 mocks little girls getting dolls while he conveniently overlooks his own transactional graft.
When everything is a scandal, nothing is a scandal.
Only if we accept that as true.
And MAGA accused Biden of being crooked 😂😂😂
Him and his fleet of fetid lawyers.
Give a criminal the power of the presidency and a get out of jail free card, and it is no surprise that he goes on a crime spree. He isn't investing in America because after he leaves office he will be living where his money lives. If he isn't president, then he can't stay in America.
Ah, yes the good ol’ “appearance of conflicts of interest” that the media repeatedly hung around the Clintons’ necks — but only after they had reported out false claims about actual conflicts of interest that had been shopped to them by rightwing propagandists. The completely bogus Chinagate and Uranium One “scandals” are just two examples where the optics police trashed the Clintons as well as Gore after it turned out there was no “there there”. Heaven forfend the media apologize for getting played by people like Steve Bannon.
“How Steve Bannon Weaponizes a Story”
https://washingtonmonthly.com/2016/11/04/how-steve-bannon-weaponizes-a-story/
A follow-up article with proof the media didn’t learn their lesson:
“Bannon’s Weaponization of the New York Times Continues to Pay Off:
A story he planted over two years ago continues to surface, despite being debunked.”
https://washingtonmonthly.com/2017/12/22/bannons-weaponization-of-the-new-york-times-continues-to-pay-off/
However from what I remember the media mostly gave Bush and his administration a pass on actual as well as perceived conflicts of interest. For example when former oil industry exec Dick Cheney met privately with top oil executives — but no environmentalists or green energy experts — to plan the Bush administration’s energy policy the media was far less outraged than they were about the Clinton’s appearances of conflicts of interest. At the time there were reports that among the documents used at those meetings were maps of Iraqi oil fields. Of course we are supposed to believe that that planning had nothing to do with the later invasion of Iraq.
But the WMDs!!!
Ah, yes the WMDs. As I bet you know that is another example of the NYT allowing itself to be used by the right. Judith Miller, and presumably her editor, knew her sources — Ahmed Chalabi and Scooter Libby — were both working hand in glove with Cheney to manipulate us into invading and taking over Iraq. Cheney intended to install Chalabi as the head of the country and even gave him his own army. After selling the WMD lies in the pages of the Times Miller went on to write for right wing news operations.
Fun times. The whole fuckup was so obvious.