Mega-Thread: Trump Focused Discussion

[Breccia]

This is all bullshit. This is a 100% terrible idea. Republicans are trying to destroy America as quickly as they can.

Actually, let's think a move ahead. Let's say you wanted to get $5 trillion (I rounded, sue me) from tariffs.

In 2023, the US imported $3.8 trillion in goods. By the way, that was down from 2022, thanks Biden.

That would require tariffs of over 100%.

And just so we're clear, even if the point of these tariffs is met and we start importing a lot less...um...doesn't that gut the US income stream? "I have succeeded in making everyone buy American. US Army, half of you are fired."

Let's also remember that the US income tax is, at least in theory, progressive. Higher incomes have higher marginal rates. Yes, there are deductions and shit, but that's the idea. Tariffs are regressive.

It's not just a terrible idea. It's a country killer.

[Edge-]

Actually, let's think a move ahead. Let's say you wanted to get $5 trillion (I rounded, sue me) from tariffs.

In 2023, the US imported $3.8 trillion in goods. By the way, that was down from 2022, thanks Biden.

That would require tariffs of over 100%.

And just so we're clear, even if the point of these tariffs is met and we start importing a lot less...um...doesn't that gut the US income stream? "I have succeeded in making everyone buy American. US Army, half of you are fired."

Let's also remember that the US income tax is, at least in theory, progressive. Higher incomes have higher marginal rates. Yes, there are deductions and shit, but that's the idea. Tariffs are regressive.

It's not just a terrible idea. It's a country killer.

And the tariffs would disproportionately be paid by...lower/middle income folks! It would take a far larger chunk out of their budgets compared to scaling taxation that exists now.

Gosh, if I didn't know better I'd think Republicans were economically ignorant and malicious.

Oh wait I do know better and they are. Republicans hate working people and love the rich.

[Cthulhu 2020]

Trump also isn't paying with his own money.

But see, that's where you're wrong. Trump considers the government budget to be his own personal wallet of enrichment. He is also notorious for using lack of pay. On top of just simply not paying undocumented migrants who built Trump tower and his casinos, he's also used threat of non-payment during his last term as a punitive measure for those who didn't to the line.


The whole entire point of this whole funding freeze debacle that's going on RIGHT NOW is that Diaper Don wants to take the power of the purse away from congress and put it in the hands of the executive, giving him the authority to threaten political rivals by withholding funding for not kissing the ring.

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I think we are screwed reputation wise even after Trump dies the entire world will say these nut jobs elected Trump twice they are going to keep electing versions of him until their country completely collapses. The damage Trump is doing is permanent no way we can reverse it especially with the democratic party with its head up its ass either capitulating or spinning their wheels.

Yep, America's reputation with our trade partners and allies is now trash. I imagine they were able to write off one time electing him as a fluke, America being upset with the status quo and going with an unknown, and were willing to work with us again when we ousted him after one term.

But after one term Trump was a known entity, and agent of chaos and destruction, a manchild with a short temper and a wannabe dictator to the core. Electing him twice has eroded the trust other countries had in America significantly, and just tells them that America is likely to do it again even if it's not Don. I was saying we're fucked for the next 4 years, but in reality this is going to cause lasting damage for the next several decades.

Our allies and trade partners are looking to China and Putin couldn't be happier, because China is soft on Russian aggression.

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And the tariffs would disproportionately be paid by...lower/middle income folks! It would take a far larger chunk out of their budgets compared to scaling taxation that exists now.

Gosh, if I didn't know better I'd think Republicans were economically ignorant and malicious.

Oh wait I do know better and they are. Republicans hate working people and love the rich.

I dunno, maybe we should let them go through with this so that the smooth brains can finally realize the rich don't give a shit about them. Maybe they'll finally find some class solidarity.

[Edge-]

rofl

donald just learned about the astronauts "stranded" on the ISS

he thinks they need immediate rescue and he's gonna save 'em or some dumb shit

they already have plans to bring them back, they're fine, there's no issue with them being up there, they're doing fuckin science right now

truly this is the dumbest fucking administration of the dumbest fucking people voted in by a dumb, ignorant electorate

https://www.npr.org/2025/01/28/nx-s1...e-spacex-trump

[Somewhatconcerned]

Florida Woman introduces bill to put Trump on Mount Rushmore.

"Who cares what some random Florida Woman thinks?"

Her constituents. She's an elected US Representative.
@Somewhatconcerned and @tehdang I will assume you both approve of and support this bill, as you are also Trump supporters, until you specifically and directly say otherwise.

I wouldn't lose any sleep if he is or isn't on Rushmore. Seems super important to you, however.

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Thought RFK did ok during his hearing. Set the record straight on being supportive of vaccines, which was the main concern with him

IMO turn him loose on the food/pharma industry and clean up our food chains. Or at least try.

[Edge-]

I wouldn't lose any sleep if he is or isn't on Rushmore. Seems super important to you, however.

Seems important enough to a Republican Rep. from the terrible state of Florida to waste time authoring and introducing.

Or would be if you were honest.

Thought RFK did ok during his hearing.

Was his brain worm in attendance?

IMO turn him loose on the food/pharma industry and clean up our food chains. Or at least try.

Yes, we know you want to disrupt supply chains and cause more chaos. You keep cheering it on.

Y'all are very strange.

[Gelannerai]

Seems important enough to a Republican Rep. from the terrible state of Florida to waste time authoring and introducing.

Or would be if you were honest.



Was his brain worm in attendance?



Yes, we know you want to disrupt supply chains and cause more chaos. You keep cheering it on.

Y'all are very strange.

The word you’re looking for is “weird.” Carry on.

[Jtbrig7390]

IMO turn him loose on the food/pharma industry and clean up our food chains. Or at least try.

I rather the fucken brain worm run it....

[En Sabah Nur]

Thought RFK did ok during his hearing.

We definitely saw different hearings.

But the only thing I agree on is sorting out all the ultra-processed shit. But almost anyone can go about that, doesn't need this particular man.

[Breccia]

I wouldn't

Not a direct and specific denial, therefore, assumption you are in favor and support will continue.

[Endus]

I wouldn't lose any sleep if he is or isn't on Rushmore. Seems super important to you, however.

The existence of Mount Rushmore's statuary itself is deeply offensive and an act of cultural genocide. Talking about expanding on it is disgusting.

The better solution would be to destroy the figures and do whatever possible to restore a natural surface. You'll never restore it to what it should be, but you can at least erase the evidence of the atrocity that it represents. Mount Rushmore is a conscious desecration of a sacred site. Created to desecrate that site.

[Kathandira]

rofl

They already have plans to bring them back, they're fine, there's no issue with them being up there, they're doing fuckin science right now

For real. Being there for extended durations is part of the experiment. Shouldn't space man Musk know about this and have explained it to him already?!

[Edge-]

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/whi...ys-2025-01-29/

The White House Office of Management and Budget has rescinded a Trump administration directive pausing federal loans, grants and other financial assistance, a White House official said on Wednesday.

After 48 hours of complete chaos, Donald's administration is rescinding the blanket freeze on loans/grants because oops apparently things aren't all super simple and they're actually quite complicated and Republicans are fucking retarded.

Just pointless chaos to cause chaos for no other reason. The dumbest, most pointless, malicious shit ever.

[Kathandira]

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/whi...ys-2025-01-29/



After 48 hours of complete chaos, Donald's administration is rescinding the blanket freeze on loans/grants because oops apparently things aren't all super simple and they're actually quite complicated and Republicans are fucking retarded.

Just pointless chaos to cause chaos for no other reason. The dumbest, most pointless, malicious shit ever.

47 months to go.

[En Sabah Nur]

Hundreds of USAID contractors put on leave, terminated amid US freeze on global aid

Hundreds of contractors working for the U.S. Agency for International Development are being put on unpaid leave and some are being terminated after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a sweeping freeze on U.S. foreign aid worldwide.

The furloughs come even as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued overnight an additional waiver for "life-saving humanitarian assistance" while Washington undertakes the 90-day review Trump initiated just hours after he came into office on Jan. 20.

Despite the waiver, health and humanitarian groups around the world on Wednesday were still uncertain if and how they could resume work and whether their programs were covered by the exception.

The administration says it is conducting the review to ensure the tens of billions of dollars worth of U.S. foreign assistance worldwide is aligned with Trump's "America First" foreign policy and not a waste of taxpayer money.

This administration just wants to kill people, and it doesn't care where in the world they die.

All I see is continued destabilization in order to strengthen countries like China.

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https://www.reuters.com/world/us/whi...ys-2025-01-29/

After 48 hours of complete chaos, Donald's administration is rescinding the blanket freeze on loans/grants because oops apparently things aren't all super simple and they're actually quite complicated and Republicans are fucking retarded.

Just pointless chaos to cause chaos for no other reason. The dumbest, most pointless, malicious shit ever.

Certainly didn't last long, but I fear plenty of damage was already caused.

[Bwgmon]

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/whi...ys-2025-01-29/



After 48 hours of complete chaos, Donald's administration is rescinding the blanket freeze on loans/grants because oops apparently things aren't all super simple and they're actually quite complicated and Republicans are fucking retarded.

Just pointless chaos to cause chaos for no other reason. The dumbest, most pointless, malicious shit ever.

inb4 the usual louts chalk this "threatening to start a fire, dropping a lit match, and then changing their mind and putting it out after it burns a little bit" act up as a win for Republicans somehow.

Wonder if we'll get a repeat when the dumbass tariffs go into effect. Prices skyrocket and then people go "How were we supposed to know tariffs were bad? Uhhhhh UH UH WE WERE JUST KIDDING." Hopefully Canada, Mexico, etc. make full use of their newfound bargaining chip if that happens.

[Edge-]

Hundreds of USAID contractors put on leave, terminated amid US freeze on global aid

This administration just wants to kill people, and it doesn't care where in the world they die.

All I see is continued destabilization in order to strengthen countries like China.

Isolationism is a great policy to pursue if you want to cede global leadership and the lose all the soft power the United States has built up over the past century or so.

[Poopymonster]

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/whi...ys-2025-01-29/



After 48 hours of complete chaos, Donald's administration is rescinding the blanket freeze on loans/grants because oops apparently things aren't all super simple and they're actually quite complicated and Republicans are fucking retarded.

Just pointless chaos to cause chaos for no other reason. The dumbest, most pointless, malicious shit ever.

That's after a judge paused it.

[Edge-]

That's after a judge paused it.

"wait we have rules and processes to follow and can't just do whatever we want?" - republicans, consistently as of late

if i didn't know better i'd think they don't respect our institutions or laws!

oh wait i do know better and they don't respect our institutions or laws or democracy.

[Breccia]

After 48 hours of complete chaos, Donald's administration is rescinding the blanket freeze on loans/grants because oops apparently things aren't all super simple and they're actually quite complicated and Republicans are fucking retarded.

Came here to post that myself.

What this proves is that everyone just needs to challenge Trump on everything. He will try blatantly illegal, blatantly unConstitutional stuff and will get away with it, unless it's dragged into daylight.