The Trump Presidency – 2016

[PilotMan]

That generation needs to be shown the door in the most expedient way possible.

[Thomkal]

Oprah says she does "not have the DNA" to be President.

[cuervo72]

Elected president anyway.

[Ben E Lou]

So....path to citizenship in return for Mexico not paying for the wall. Trumpists still liking him?

[NobodyHere]

Originally Posted by Ben E Lou

So....path to citizenship in return for Mexico not paying for the wall. Trumpists still liking him?

Look, a non Trumpist like you will never be able to understand the stable genius that is Trump.

[NobodyHere]

Trump Ordered Mueller Fired, but Backed Off When White House Counsel Threatened to Quit

[Thomkal]

well that should make the session between Trump and Mueller just a bit awkward

[Jas_lov]

Trying to stop an obstruction of justice investigation by obstructing justice. Yeah, he has nothing to hide. No collusion.

[bronconick]

Originally Posted by NobodyHere

Trump Ordered Mueller Fired, but Backed Off When White House Counsel Threatened to Quit

Almost went full Nixon.

[Thomkal]

I bet the Republicans will release that report tomorrow on the FBI to try to get everyone's attention away from this story.

[albionmoonlight]

Originally Posted by Thomkal

I bet the Republicans will release that report tomorrow on the FBI to try to get everyone's attention away from this story.

I think that Hannity has already successfully changed the story:

Hannity’s lead story tonight. pic.twitter.com/ZaqE1vDO9V

— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) January 26, 2018

[Thomkal]

wait, did someone say something about Trump? It's working already

[Edward64]

Trump doesn't get all the credit (the shale boom started under Obama) but its good to know our dependence on ME oil is declining. The trade-off is the environment but if it buys us time to get off ME oil and into electric cars, I'm all for it.

The Dark Side of America’s Rise to Oil Superpower - Bloomberg

The results are historic. In October, American net imports of crude and refined products dropped below 2.5 million barrels a day, the lowest since official data were first collected in 1973. A decade ago, U.S. net oil imports stood at more than 12 million barrels a day. “For the last 40 years, since the Arab oil embargo, we’ve had a mindset of energy scarcity,” says Jason Bordoff, founding director of the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University and a former Obama administration official. “As a result of the shale revolution, the U.S. has emerged as an energy superpower.”

[cuervo72]

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

I think that Hannity has already successfully changed the story:

Dave Itzkoff on Twitter:
"CNN: Trump tried to fire Mueller
MSNBC: Trump tried to fire Mueller
Fox News: Here's a photo of Obama and Farrakhan from 2005"¦ https://t.co/EL6G6eKNXr"

[bronconick]

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

I think that Hannity has already successfully changed the story:

Hannity’s lead story tonight. pic.twitter.com/ZaqE1vDO9V
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) January 26, 2018

HANNITY at 9:15pm: "How many times has The New York times & others gotten it wrong?"

HANNITY at 9:55pm: "Yeah maybe Donald Trump wanted to fire the special counsel for conflict. Does he not have the right to raise those questions? You know, we'll deal with this tomorrow night."

[nol]

Originally Posted by bronconick

HANNITY at 9:15pm: "At this time the New York Times is trying to distract you. They have a story that Trump wanted Muller fired sometime last June. [...] How many times has The New York times & others gotten it wrong?"

HANNITY at 9:55pm: "Yeah maybe Donald Trump wanted to fire the special counsel for conflict. Does he not have the right to raise those questions? You know, we'll deal with this tomorrow night. We have a shocking video of the day to bring you, by the way. This footage comes to us from Arizona where, you see that red SUV? High speed police chase..."

You omitted the best parts, which made me think it was some kind of parody since I didn't entirely remember what Sean Hannity really looked like.

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by Thomkal

Donald J. Trump‏Verified account @realDonaldTrump 3h3 hours ago




Will soon be heading to Davos, Switzerland, to tell the world how great America is and is doing. Our economy is now booming and with all I am doing, will only get better...Our country is finally WINNING again!


Yes yes I'm sure all those countries will love being told how much better America is. Honestly I hope they laugh him out of the building.

Is the economy in the USA really booming (in which case the follow up would be: has Obama done something right in the years prior to Trump, has Trump that much in so little time, or is this pure random luck?), or is this propaganda speak?


To compare, I think the economy in the Netherlands is on the rise again, but it's basically impossible the current government can take any credit for it, and as always some of the weaker demographic groups aren't feeling or seeing any progress at all. Granted, much smaller country, but economic progress rarely comes alone for countries. And at the same time, it seems the economy in the UK is taking a big hit after the Pound has fallen hard as a result of the Brexit.

[Edward64]

I caught bits and pieces of his speech. The parts I did hear showed preparation and restraint relatively speaking, overall I thought the delivery was good.

Whether or not he really means to be the "polite" or if he'll remember what he said is a different story.

[QuikSand]

Originally Posted by MIJB#19

Is the economy in the USA really booming ... or is this propaganda speak?

The US economy is fine, a continuation of the pattern we've been on for some time -- decent but unspectacular growth, and some continued recovery in the job markets. The stock markets are up, that's a measure of something pretty different than the overall economy, but they are genuinely up.

The Trump administration is committed to a form of self-worship and constant repetition of boastful claims, that the substance doesn't matter to them or their followers. It's not exactly the same thing as conventional propaganda, but it's not far off, I guess.


If, in a year or two, the US economy begins a spiral into recession -- most say we're basically "due" -- that won't really be the fault of the President, either (unless there's something specific that triggers it). There is an element of the momentary economic performance that is, indeed, a function of people's general optimism (warranted or not)... and it's arguable that political leaders play a role there. But in general, the forces behind inflation, labor movement, availability of capital, and market demands are pretty much unaffected by the on-the-margin stuff our political leaders actually do.

[Thomkal]

Trump faces an interesting deadline tomorrow-he has to sign the sanctions against Russia that the Senate approved 98-2 to implement:

Deadline looms for Trump and Russia sanctions - POLITICO

[Warhammer]

Originally Posted by Edward64

Trump doesn't get all the credit (the shale boom started under Obama) but its good to know our dependence on ME oil is declining. The trade-off is the environment but if it buys us time to get off ME oil and into electric cars, I'm all for it.

The Dark Side of America’s Rise to Oil Superpower - Bloomberg

We've been frackling here since the 90s. It started to get big under Bush, but it got massive under Obama.

[JPhillips]

Strava released heat maps for people using GPS fitness tracking and apparently it gives away a lot of formerly secret military and intelligence locations for the U.S., China, Russia, EU countries, even North Korea.

[Thomkal]

And a Trump tweet in 3.2.1...

Hillary Clinton reads from 'Fire and Fury' in surprise Grammy appearance | TheHill

[Thomkal]

Trump-still an idiot about climate change and global warming:

Trump: Polar ice caps are ‘at a record level’ | TheHill

[Groundhog]

To be fair, they are at record levels, just not the record level Trump was presumably alluding to...

[albionmoonlight]

Originally Posted by Thomkal

And a Trump tweet in 3.2.1...

Hillary Clinton reads from 'Fire and Fury' in surprise Grammy appearance | TheHill

Trump hasn’t tweeted about Hillary at the Grammys yet so whoever they have in charge of jangling a set of keys to distract him today is doing a great job.

— (((𝕺𝖍𝕹𝖔𝕾𝖍𝖊𝕿𝖜𝖎𝖙𝖓&#120217)) (@OhNoSheTwitnt) January 29, 2018

[Vince, Pt. II]

That's a pretty fantastic Twitter handle.

[Thomkal]

yeah I saw he hadn't tweeted-maybe they convinced him it wouldn't be a good idea right before his State of the Union.

[Marc Vaughan]

So these Russian sanctions - what are the odds they go into force today on the deadline? ..

[Thomkal]

I think I read in that article I posted that he can delay it, not sure if that's accurate or what the parameters are, but if he can do that, he'll likely do that.

[Thomkal]

So the much embattled #2 man at the FBI Andrew McCabe, takes terminal leave from the FBI, ahead of his planned retirement in March, and also before this memo the Republicans have been dying to release on the FBI. Fox news says he was "forcibly removed" which no one else is reporting.

McCabe out as FBI's No. 2 - POLITICO

[RainMaker]

https://t.co/rmXRsFtnVc pic.twitter.com/e08Fk1ear7

— Shane Goldmacher (@ShaneGoldmacher) January 29, 2018

[JPhillips]

Trump has decided the Russia sanctions aren't needed.

I'm sure the GOP will get right on enforcing them.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

Trump has decided the Russia sanctions aren't needed.

I'm sure the GOP will get right on enforcing them.

I am shocked I tell you.

The Trump admin has notified Congress that last year’s bipartisan Russia sanctions bill is serving as a “deterrent” and as such, specific sanctions aren’t needed at this time. From a State Dept spox: pic.twitter.com/rwkd6Vzh66

— Elana Schor (@eschor) January 29, 2018

[Atocep]

For an administration trying to convince everyone there was no collusion with Russia they sure as hell act like there was collusion with Russia.

[JPhillips]

And on the same day the CIA Chief says he expects the Russians to interfere in the midterms and has seen no evidence that the Russians are slowing their activity in the U.S. or Europe.

[JPhillips]

dola

Classy.

President Trump is seeking to parlay his first State of the Union address on Tuesday into cash for his reelection campaign by offering supporters a chance to see their name flashed on the screen during a broadcast of the speech.

In a fundraising solicitation on Monday, Trump offered those willing to pay at least $35 the opportunity to see their name displayed during a live streaming of the address on his campaign website.

[digamma]

If you're lucky, Pence or Paul Ryan will answer your pledge call live right behind Trump while he is speaking!

Yes, folks, it's a State of the Union Telethon!

[Logan]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I am shocked I tell you.

The Trump admin has notified Congress that last year’s bipartisan Russia sanctions bill is serving as a “deterrent” and as such, specific sanctions aren’t needed at this time. From a State Dept spox: pic.twitter.com/rwkd6Vzh66

— Elana Schor (@eschor) January 29, 2018

Having a time machine to read this to a bunch of Republicans 20 years ago and watch their reactions would almost be entertaining enough to make up for all that we are experiencing today.

[bronconick]

Originally Posted by Logan

Having a time machine to read this to a bunch of Republicans 20 years ago and watch their reactions would almost be entertaining enough to make up for all that we are experiencing today.

I figure that 5% of wind power produced in California is Ronald Reagan's grave spinning.

[BBT]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

And on the same day the CIA Chief says he expects the Russians to interfere in the midterms and has seen no evidence that the Russians are slowing their activity in the U.S. or Europe.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42864372

Even though there has been co-operation in counter-terrorism (the CIA helped stop a plot in St Petersburg last year), Mr Pompeo says he still sees Russia primarily as an adversary, sharing the concerns in many European countries about its subversion. "I haven't seen a significant decrease in their activity," he said.

Asked if his concerns extended to the upcoming US mid-term elections in November, he replied: "Of course. I have every expectation that they will continue to try and do that, but I'm confident that America will be able to have a free and fair election [and] that we will push back in a way that is sufficiently robust that the impact they have on our election won't be great."

Pompeo is a Trump appointee so take that into consideration on the last part of the quote.

He also says in the article that North Korea will have the ability to reach the US with nuclear weapons in a few months...and then goes onto say that Trump's rhetoric on Twitter towards North Korea is a good thing.

[BBT]

DOLA...found this one funny as the NFL is now considered a liberal brand:

The Most Polarizing Brands in America: Over 300,000 survey interviews determine which brands divide Democrats and Republicans the most
https://t.co/p14wxk48Fc pic.twitter.com/GlZdw0uGcF

— Raju Narisetti (@raju) January 29, 2018

[JPhillips]

The WH refuses to acknowledge that Trump has any speechwriters.

“Unfortunately we will not be able to facilitate an interview with the speechwriting team,” Lindsay Walters, a deputy press secretary, told me in an email. “On record,” she added, “when President Trump communicates with the American people, his words are his own and come directly from his heart. His unparalleled ability to speak to and connect with people from across the country, including those who have felt forgotten by Washington for many years, will never waver.”

[Flasch186]

Kim Jong Un has no butthole.

[HomerSimpson98]

I'm offended that they think we are that fucking stupid.

[NobodyHere]

Originally Posted by HomerSimpson98

I'm offended that they think we are that fucking stupid.

We did elect Trump after all.

[jeff061]

People that voted for him are.

[Edward64]

I'm all for some new thinking on private sector healthcare. I like the quote "free from profit-making incentives and constraints". Should be interesting.

Jeff Bezos, Warren Buffett and Jamie Dimon want to fix health care - Jan. 30, 2018

Amazon is partnering with Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan Chase, the nation's largest bank, to get into the health insurance business.

The three companies unveiled an as yet unnamed company to give their U.S. workers and families with a better option on health care. The statement said the new company will be "free from profit-making incentives and constraints."

As of a year ago, the three companies had 840,000 global employees between them, though they did not break down how many of them are in the U.S. As of now, the companies are concentrating on a product for their own employees and family members, not a product to offer to other companies.

"The ballooning costs of health care act as a hungry tapeworm on the American economy," said Buffett. "We share the belief that putting our collective resources behind the country's best talent can, in time, check the rise in health costs while concurrently enhancing patient satisfaction and outcomes."

The three leaders of the companies -- Buffett, Amazon (AMZN) founder Bezos, and JPMorgan Chase (JPM) CEO Dimon, are all friends who have talked for years about the problems involved with providing health care for their employees, especially those based in the U.S., according to an executive familiar with their discussions.

"It wasn't they saw each other one place and a light bulb went off," said the executive. "These guys talk all the time. It's the result of a lot of talk they've had both formally and informally over the years. 'No one has to deal with buying a product like this other than health care.'"

[JPhillips]

The speed and ease with which Trumpkins willingly throw away their dignity is astonishing. This, from Sec. Pruitt:

“After meeting him, and now having the honor of working for him, it is abundantly clear that President Trump is the most consequential leader of our time. No one has done more to advance the rule of law than President Trump"

[RainMaker]

GOP still talking about "rule of law". Think you guys lost your moral high ground on that one.