Mega-Thread: Trump Focused Discussion

[arandomuser]

Pompeo is saying the virus came from a lab

i wont trust him til i see the evidence

but i want to ask if the virus did leak from a lab, is there any real political implication except "trump is great and theres nothing wrong he did?"

i mean in terms of actual geopolitical strategy, we already have tariffs, you could sanction them i guess, but trump also threw out TPP our trade agreement with outher asian countries, Leaving the UN and who will only INCREASE chinas influence over the world ( belt and road)
we wont go to war with them due to M.A.D
unless you think trump is actually crazy enough to default on our bond debt and crash the global economy ( he might be)

[Polyxo]

I'm not even sure this makes sense. There aren't a lot of options here.

1) The Senate Chair in question might only ask pre-approved questions that Trump or he wrote. That will immediately be denounced by the Democrats, "We can't ask questions, Trump doesn't want the truth" and they'll be right.

2) Or, the Senate Chair could block questions as they happen, in public. Then everyone sees it, and that will immediately be denounced by the Democrats, "We can't ask questions, Trump doesn't want the truth" and they'll be right.

3) Or, the Senate Chair could block questions, but the testimony will be behind closed doors. Not only does a closed-door testimony fail to help the American public in any way, but once again, that will immediately be denounced by the Democrats, "We can't ask questions, Trump doesn't want the truth" and they'll be right.

4) Or, the Senate Chair could allow questions as normal, in which case, why block the House that would ask the same questions?

My pick is #3. Techincally Option 5 is "Trump fires Fauci in the next nine days, blocking all testimony". That's bordering on suicide.

Well, 5 wouldn't actually bar Fauci from testimony anymore.

[Orbitus]

Oh good grief, just withering.

https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/...is-a-travesty/

If that article is talking about you, I don't know how you don't just shrivel up into a corn cob.

But the Flynn Case isn't a travesty. The morons at National Review, and their readers that believe the bullshit think's its a travesty. Multiple other investigators have said they have done the same fucking thing that was shown in the notes. If he wasn't guilty, why did he plead guilty? Oh, right, because he is FUCKING GUILTY. He stated it multiple times, on Twitter, to the judge of the case, and several other times. This is bullshit, and I hope that traitor enjoys prison.

[Polyxo]

Oh good grief, just withering.

https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/...is-a-travesty/

If that article is talking about you, I don't know how you don't just shrivel up into a corn cob.

"But he lied so convincingly!"

[Twdft]

Is the goal now to just confuse everyone with absolute bullshit?

I think I lost my last 2 braincells trying to follow his train of thought.

[Captain N]

Is the goal now to just confuse everyone with absolute bullshit?

Well it has been effective on the Deplorables for the last few years.

[Templar 331]

Is the goal now to just confuse everyone with absolute bullshit?

I'm confused at a Saiyan interviewing Pompeo.

But yeah, typical gas lighting.

[Breccia]

Well, 5 wouldn't actually bar Fauci from testimony anymore.

Trump might try it to paint him as a disgruntled ex-employee without security clearance, or to assert Executive Time Privilege while denying him a WH lawyer, or to say "the Senate has no reason to question someone who's not part of the team, right, Mitch, right? Right? Wink wink."

Whether or not it's likely or effective doesn't really come into play here. We're talking about predicting Trump's actions. Logic left that gate ages ago.

[Odinfrost]

Is the goal now to just confuse everyone with absolute bullshit?

So the answer was: Yes, but no and its the communists fault.

... uuuurgh...

[Breccia]

DHS report: China hid virus’ severity to hoard supplies

U.S. officials believe China covered up the extent of the coronavirus outbreak — and how contagious the disease is — to stock up on medical supplies needed to respond to it, intelligence documents show.

Chinese leaders “intentionally concealed the severity” of the pandemic from the world in early January, according to a four-page Department of Homeland Security intelligence report dated May 1 and obtained by The Associated Press. The revelation comes as the Trump administration has intensified its criticism of China, with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo saying Sunday that that country was responsible for the spread of disease and must be held accountable.

In a related story, DHS is has reported a 1,300% increase in broken glass houses from all the stones they're throwing. Not that I'm defending this accused but unproven action, if China did what is claimed that's unethical and dangerous. But nobody in Team Trump gets to play the "someone else downplayed the virus and that's bad" card.

And also, if anyone else wants to take a shot at China, please make sure you bookmark that post, because if someone in the House, or the Senate, or the White House turns out to have also hoarded medical supplies, or more likely purchased shares in a medical company, while downplaying the virus, you'll be forced to condemn them, too. Just a heads-up.

In a tweet on Sunday, the president appeared to blame U.S. intelligence officials for not making clearer sooner just how dangerous a potential coronavirus outbreak could be. Trump has been defensive over whether he failed to act after receiving early warnings from intelligence officials and others about the coronavirus and its potential impact.

“Intelligence has just reported to me that I was correct, and that they did NOT bring up the CoronaVirus subject matter until late into January, just prior to my banning China from the U.S.,” Trump wrote without citing specifics. “Also, they only spoke of the Virus in a very non-threatening, or matter of fact, manner.”

That sounds like "I admit that they warned me, but it's their fault I didn't act. They should have warned me harder".

In any event, it looks like Pompeo and the rest of Team Trump are doing everything in their power to paint China as the sole reason things are bad in the US, as opposed to China lying but also Trump failing to act.

We have it totally under control. It's one person coming in from China, and we have it under control. It's going to be just fine.

That was Jan 22.

The whole world needs to be on alert now. The whole world needs to take action and be ready for any cases that come from the epicenter or other epicenter that becomes established.

That was the WHO, Jan 24.

[COVID-19 is]public health emergency of international concern over the global outbreak of novel coronavirus

The WHO, Jan 29

We only have five people. Hopefully, everything's going to be great. They have somewhat of a problem, but hopefully, it's all going to be great. But we're working with China, just so you know, and other countries very, very closely. So it doesn't get out of hand.

That was Trump, at a rally, the same day.

We pretty much shut it down coming in from China

That was Trump, to Hannity, the day he also put into place a travel restriction that he calls a ban, but didn't affect 40,000 American citizens.

Looks like by April, you know, in theory, when it gets a little warmer, it miraculously goes away. I hope that's true. But we're doing great in our country. China, I spoke with President Xi, and they're working very, very hard. And I think it's going to all work out fine

Trump, Feb 10, to another rally

To be honest, a virus is more powerful in creating political, economic and social upheaval than any terrorist attack. A virus can have more powerful consequences than any terrorist action, and that's true. If the world doesn't want to wake up and consider this enemy virus as Public Enemy Number 1, I don't think we will learn our lessons

The WHO, Feb 11

The timeline continues, "stock market looks good to me", "pretty close to zero", etc etc you all know what Trump said. The WHO had been warning the world publicly at the same time Trump was receiving specific, direct reports from his own intelligence agencies. He chose to ignore them both, and now, he's whining that someone didn't tell him using exaggerated hand movements OR ALL CAPS so that he knew a deadly virus was a deadly virus.

Trump has always told his rabid fanbase he was two things at the same time: the man in charge when everything went well, and the victim of a yuge bigly rigged hoax witch hunt by someone who somehow had control over everything when things when wrong. This is a prime example: Trump was flat-out told what he needed to do and chose not to do it. Now he's blaming China for his failure to act.

Unrelated add-ons: as we see the Flu Klux Klan out in force, they are now being denounced by Trump's own Dr. Birx for choosing to get into densely-packed crowds without PPE. Meanwhile, the governor of Michigan had to go on live TV to apologize for the protestors and their blatant deep-seeded racism.

"Wait, protesting is racist?"

It is if you bring Confederate flags.

"I mean, maybe a lit--"

And swastikas.

"...these are the very fine people Trump is backing, right?"

Heil yes, they are.

[Felya]

The over the top Trump supporter on my Facebook, has officially jumped the shark... we are in the Bill Gates conspiracy.

lol just got a Fox News alert about an article, where it’s an exclusive from Trump, on when the vaccine will be ready. Is it April 9th 2020? Is it? Oh... by the end of the year... that doesn’t seem right...

[Breccia]

Oh... by the end of the year... that doesn’t seem right...

The qualified medical professionals that have spoken on the issue has said 12 to 18 months. But there's a ton of money being thrown at this. I suppose it's possible that we could see something earlier, but even if it's developed and done testing by, say, Oct 1, I don't see how it can be mass-produced and distributed before Election Day.

This is going to dominate the news for some time. I mean, here's a story about the Pentagon warning the Taliban to stop murdering and killing people instead of following the political path -- which of course, is the definition of terrorism. Yes, the same Taliban that Trump invited to the White House lawn and then just handed them Afghanistan. Is the Pentagon shaking a stern finger basically in sarcasm, as everyone knows the US won't do anything about it? Or is the Pentagon sincere, and we're about to see the completion of Trump's failure to negotiate with terrorists as the US heads right back in there? I mean, neither trait is redeeming.

"You're leaving out the option that the Taliban take heed of this warning and stop."

Yes, because I don't think that's in character or otherwise backed by history. I think the Taliban know Trump can't come back in with military action without admitting he made a mistake (he won't say the words, it'll just be obvious to everyone). I think they don't believe he'll do it, and I think they'll continue being terrorists with effectively Trump's blessing. If Trump orders military action to stop terrorism, effectively ending his deal and being worse than square one, he loses. If he doesn't, the Taliban win.

In most news cycles, this would be a bigger deal.

- - - Updated - - -

And now, a tweet from Vice President Biden.



Incidentally, it's worth a look at how the rabid fanbase tries to respond to that. It's adorable.

[PhaelixWW]

So apparently Trump is now stating that he didn't have his first coronavirus briefing until January 23rd.

To which I'm claiming "bullshit" because the first case of coronavirus was reported on January 19th. And on January 22nd, Trump made @Breccia's favorite quote:

"It’s one person coming in from China. We have it under control. It’s going to be just fine."

So we have a few options.

1. Trump stated that everything is going to be "just fine", despite never having been briefed on the subject. Making declarations without information, that sure sounds presidential.
2. The Trump administration is thoroughly incompetent, and couldn't even put together a briefing on the subject until four days after the first coronavirus patient in the US was announced.
3. Trump is lying about when his first briefing was.

Now, I know what you're going to say: "Number 1 and number 2 aren't mutually exclusive!". And you'd be absolutely right.

But I don't think number 3 is a more palatable choice for Trump defenders.

[DarkTZeratul]

So apparently Trump is now stating that he didn't have his first coronavirus briefing until January 23rd.

To which I'm claiming "bullshit" because the first case of coronavirus was reported on January 19th. And on January 22nd, Trump made @Breccia's favorite quote:


So we have a few options.

1. Trump stated that everything is going to be "just fine", despite never having been briefed on the subject. Making declarations without information, that sure sounds presidential.
2. The Trump administration is thoroughly incompetent, and couldn't even put together a briefing on the subject until four days after the first coronavirus patient in the US was announced.
3. Trump is lying about when his first briefing was.

Now, I know what you're going to say: "Number 1 and number 2 aren't mutually exclusive!". And you'd be absolutely right.

But I don't think number 3 is a more palatable choice for Trump defenders.

I'm gonna suggest a Number 4, which is no less incompetent but probably more likely: Trump was briefed in early January, didn't pay attention, and forgot.

[Benggaul]

It's that time again.

We're up to 68,598 total deaths with the expected weekend low daily total at 1,154. I was hoping for a number below 1k as a sign that things are calming down. Tomorrow will probably also be on the low side and we can expect another peak on Tuesday as the tallies get caught up. 27,348 new cases which is right in the average it's been for the past month. Until that number starts coming down regularly I don't expect the daily death toll to drop off much. Bear in mind that's also just those who have been TESTED. Testing has expanded in some areas, but not many. As a reminder, we're still only up to 7.2 million tests TOTAL through the whole of the pandemic in the US and it's recommended there are 5 million conducted DAILY to ensure a safe "reopening".

Numbers are also being reported differently in a number of areas, so you might want to compare with other sites like JH to get an average/ballpark. On the plus side, some changes mean worldometers has been able to give SOME states separate pages. Here's Texas. You'll note they had no more than 3 days of decreasing cases at any point during the pandemic with the past week being the worst yet, but they're now open for business. Sorry, Texans.

New York, New Jersey and Illinois continue to have the most new cases per day, but Florida and Texas have both been in the top 5 at one point or another and continue hovering at the tail end of the top 10. California is still way up there as well.

Stay safe, folks.

[Polyxo]

Trump might try it to paint him as a disgruntled ex-employee without security clearance, or to assert Executive Time Privilege while denying him a WH lawyer, or to say "the Senate has no reason to question someone who's not part of the team, right, Mitch, right? Right? Wink wink."

Whether or not it's likely or effective doesn't really come into play here. We're talking about predicting Trump's actions. Logic left that gate ages ago.

Well, yeah, but executive privilege doesn't actually bar him from testifying if he wants to.

[Deja Thoris]

Oh good grief, just withering.

https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/...is-a-travesty/

If that article is talking about you, I don't know how you don't just shrivel up into a corn cob.

Haha, what kind of mindless drone slurps up that propaganda. Just look at their most read stories, it reads like a communist puff piece on Jum Jung Un or something.

[Breccia]

Until that number starts coming down regularly I don't expect the daily death toll to drop off much.

Trump disagrees.

Trump moved the goalposts to "between 75,000 and 100,000" and also blamed China for why his original prediction of 60,000 -- which would have been bigly and yuge -- is no longer possible.

We’re going to lose anywhere from 75-, 80- to 100,000 people. That’s a horrible thing. We shouldn’t lose one person over this. This should’ve been stopped in China

I really think the public has been incredible.. that’s one of the reasons we're successful. If you call losing 80- or 90,000 people successful. But it’s one of the reasons that we’re not at the high end of the plane, as opposed to the low end of the plane.

It’s going up. I used to say 65,000. Now I’m saying 80 [thousand] or 90 [thousand], and it goes up and it goes up rapidly. But it’s still going to be, no matter how you look at it, at the lower end of the plane if we did the shutdown

Actually, I'll throw this question open to the floor.

When did Trump say 65,000?

When did he say 80,000 or 90,000?

This April 30th article says Trump said 65,000 once, April 29th. I can't find 80,000 at all. Can anyone find it? Can anyone find evidence that what Trump is saying is the truth? It shouldn't be this hard, April 29th to now is four days.

The question isn't if Trump moved the goalposts. We already know he was forced to. Question is, where did he hide them? He's making claims about what he says, based on...what? Anyone?

[Benggaul]

Trump disagrees.

I saw that and he's full of shit. Also, "as many as" 100k is no longer likely. It will more likely be OVER 100k. At an average of 1k per day (and we are way above that average right now) we will be within a couple thousand of 100k by the end of May. Highly unlikely that this is over by then. The first wave, maybe.

[Breccia]

I saw that and he's full of shit. Also, "as many as" 100k is no longer likely. It will more likely be OVER 100k. At an average of 1k per day (and we are way above that average right now) we will be within a couple thousand of 100k by the end of May. Highly unlikely that this is over by then. The first wave, maybe.

Yeah...even if those new daily numbers have shown us the inflection point, we're looking at 130,000. And nobody's willing to take a stab at that second wave that the Flu Klux Klan (best name since Y'all Qaeda) forces by their actions.