Mega-Thread: Trump Focused Discussion

[gondrin]

So, in a move that is obviously unconstitutional, Trump along with Musk is going to try to dismantle the Department of Education through Executive Orders by moving parts of it to other departments.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/g...d=BingNewsSerp

[Edge-]

So, in a move that is obviously unconstitutional, Trump along with Musk is going to try to dismantle the Department of Education through Executive Orders by moving parts of it to other departments.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/g...d=BingNewsSerp

yeah, someone needs to stop this continued shit by any means necessary. we cannot survive four, or even two years of this.

[Malkiah]

Oh, on a note of just purely hating people getting free stuff, Musk decided to fire the team that did the IRS free file program. Why? Well, because they happen to be left leaning. That is literally it. Right now the site is still active but who knows if it will still be.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/technology...d=BingNewsSerp

Just think. The ability for a person to file their taxes directly with the IRS without having to pay or require a 3rd party to file them online for them because, you know, leftists. Can't have that.

Ironic part is, the IRS already has your information. You only file just so they can confirm what you and they have the same information.

it's interesting (in a gross way, not a cool way) how for all the flailing and... trumpiness... of it all, everything being done right now is just the republican play book without the imitation of decorum and respectability that the GOP used to hide behind.
the IRS only recently got that site during the biden admin, because prior to that there were actually laws prohibiting the IRS from offering free tax filing at the behest of lobbyist shilling for the tax filing industry.
it was only a few years ago that was overturned and this system allowed to proceed and republicans were as expected livid about it.

anyways this crap, the computers, being a shithead to anyone that isn't the US, posturing and then backing down, going "oh hey there's fire in LA break open a dam 200 miles away that isn't connected via any waterway"... it's all so textbook republican, and yet there is still this narrative about him being some kind of rogue operative.

what scares me the most about trump isn't the man himself or the cult of personality he's fostered, it's how much he's demonstrating the true goals of conservatism in US politics in the modern era and what is going to be continually pushed for in the years beyond this administration.

[Edge-]

love when maga shows how deeply stupid they are.

yes, this is a stupid tweet from 'ol chuck and I've already reached out to his office to let them know he's a fucking failure and all.

but just highlighting how maga doesn't understand how commerce works on a seemingly basic level, even.

[gondrin]

it's interesting (in a gross way, not a cool way) how for all the flailing and... trumpiness... of it all, everything being done right now is just the republican play book without the imitation of decorum and respectability that the GOP used to hide behind.
the IRS only recently got that site during the biden admin, because prior to that there were actually laws prohibiting the IRS from offering free tax filing at the behest of lobbyist shilling for the tax filing industry.
it was only a few years ago that was overturned and this system allowed to proceed and republicans were as expected livid about it.

anyways this crap, the computers, being a shithead to anyone that isn't the US, posturing and then backing down, going "oh hey there's fire in LA break open a dam 200 miles away that isn't connected via any waterway"... it's all so textbook republican, and yet there is still this narrative about him being some kind of rogue operative.

what scares me the most about trump isn't the man himself or the cult of personality he's fostered, it's how much he's demonstrating the true goals of conservatism in US politics in the modern era and what is going to be continually pushed for in the years beyond this administration.

Oh, they already submitted bills to abolish OSHA too. From a one Mr. Andy Biggs from Arizona. Because nothing says big government then safe work environments.

https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile...al-government/

I especially love this quote.

“Arizona, and every other state, has the constitutional right to establish and implement their own health and safety measures, and is more than capable of doing so,” continued the Congressman. “It’s time that we fight back against the bloated federal government and eliminate agencies that never should have been established in the first place. I will not let OSHA push Arizona around with their bureaucratic regulations and urge my colleagues to support my effort to eliminate this unconstitutional federal agency.”

Best part is, OSHA is literally a baseline of safety. The states can already implement better safety regulations if they so choose.

[Edge-]

Oh, they already submitted bills to abolish OSHA too. From a one Mr. Andy Biggs from Arizona. Because nothing says big government then safe work environments.

https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile...al-government/

I especially love this quote.



Best part is, OSHA is literally a baseline of safety. The states can already implement better safety regulations if they so choose.

so all those regulations written in blood over all those years and they want to get rid of them

please, folks who work for a living that voted for donald, explain how this is good roflmao

[gondrin]

So, in a game of chicken with the ultimate chicken brained individual, Democrats are finally growing a bit of a spine. They are threatening shutting down the government to stop Trump, Musk and the DOGE crew from being able to do any more damage by demanding language is put in the next budget that basically prevents Musk or anyone not from the Treasury to access their computers.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/polit...0d8e972b&ei=34

[tehdang]

Up until today, he was considered a private actor that was an advisor to The President of the United States. Trump literally did this just today. When Musk was doing this, he was a private actor. That is a BIG difference.

Yeah, I'm going to need a source on this. His exact designation was reported on today, sure. If your entire argument rests on saying Trump did it late, then I'd have to see some documentation. The DOGE EO was January 27th, 2025, so it's likely that he was operating under the authority of the Executive Office of the President (in the now-renamed "USDS") since that date.

[Edge-]

So, in a game of chicken with the ultimate chicken brained individual, Democrats are finally growing a bit of a spine. They are threatening shutting down the government to stop Trump, Musk and the DOGE crew from being able to do any more damage by demanding language is put in the next budget that basically prevents Musk or anyone not from the Treasury to access their computers.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/polit...0d8e972b&ei=34

that's nice for when march rolls around but that's over a month out

last I saw MSNBC/CNN were staying on dead air for a trump speech or something instead of covering the democrats currently locked out of usaid and shit holding gaggles in front of those offices

[Xyonai]

So, in a game of chicken with the ultimate chicken brained individual, Democrats are finally growing a bit of a spine. They are threatening shutting down the government to stop Trump, Musk and the DOGE crew from being able to do any more damage by demanding language is put in the next budget that basically prevents Musk or anyone not from the Treasury to access their computers.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/polit...0d8e972b&ei=34

Normally shut-downs don't work out well for the party that initiates them, so we'll see how this pans out. (I say, agreeing with the reasons and their terms wholeheartedly)

- - - Updated - - -

Yeah, I'm going to need a source on this. His exact designation was reported on today, sure. If your entire argument rests on saying Trump did it late, then I'd have to see some documentation. The DOGE EO was January 27th, 2025, so it's likely that he was operating under the authority of the Executive Office of the President (in the now-renamed "USDS") since that date.

Yeah don't worry guys, it's okay for Elon Musk - Noted hyper billionaire and thin skinned videogame cheater - to use his vague powers to force his way into our government's financial systems and unilaterally declare which departments and NGOs are worthy of his - sorry, our - money. Nothing can go wrong having an accelerationist technocrat having every American's SSN, the personal information of literally every government employee, or the financial records of every business that deals with the federal government.

Totally fine and above board, yup.

[Edge-]

Yeah don't worry guys, it's okay for Elon Musk - Noted hyper billionaire and thin skinned videogame cheater - to use his vague powers to force his way into our government's financial systems and unilaterally declare which departments and NGOs are worthy of his - sorry, our - money. Nothing can go wrong having an accelerationist technocrat having every American's SSN, the personal information of literally every government employee, or the financial records of every business that deals with the federal government.

Totally fine and above board, yup.

the line seems to be,

"it's technically lawful so nothing to be concerned about"

i've yet to see any more than that, which is predictable and unsurprising of course

[gondrin]

Normally shut-downs don't work out well for the party that initiates them, so we'll see how this pans out. (I say, agreeing with the reasons and their terms wholeheartedly)

- - - Updated - - -



Yeah don't worry guys, it's okay for Elon Musk - Noted hyper billionaire and thin skinned videogame cheater - to use his vague powers to force his way into our government's financial systems and unilaterally declare which departments and NGOs are worthy of his - sorry, our - money. Nothing can go wrong having an accelerationist technocrat having every American's SSN, the personal information of literally every government employee, or the financial records of every business that deals with the federal government.

Totally fine and above board, yup.

Add on installing computers that gathers that data and connects to outside sources.

[Xyonai]

Add on installing computers that gathers that data and connects to outside sources.

Yeah but my sarcastic post was getting a bit long in the tooth and I couldn't fit that in in a way that felt snappy enough.

[Edge-]

Yeah but my sarcastic post was getting a bit long in the tooth and I couldn't fit that in in a way that felt snappy enough.

"there's nothing wrong with forcing officials to hand over passwords while threatening to have federal law enforcement shoot them"

apparently

[Nightmare Queen]

Ford 'ripping up' Ontario's $100M contract with Elon Musk's Starlink in wake of U.S. tariffs



Elon probably seething right. Tbh, I didn't expect Ford to do this. Canadians seem pretty united in their hate for Trump right now.

Damn, why won't he won't he run for Prime Minister?

[Xyonai]

the line seems to be,

"it's technically lawful so nothing to be concerned about"

i've yet to see any more than that, which is predictable and unsurprising of course

Conservatives have always sucked up to Billionaires, but god they're so eager to strap themselves into the cuck chair for their new favorite memelord because he promised to make pronouns go away. It's fucking embarassing.

[gondrin]

So, more Senators are starting to push for answers on why Musk needs direct access to the Treasury Payment systems. So far, it is Warren, Murphy and Wyden. Since it is making more and more news, more and more Senators will start to ask questions and demand answers.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/polit...f68b4a7a&ei=16

And before anyone replies that "Trump mandated this by EO", it isn't about that. It is about the fact you have someone that will have access to competitors business records, people's tax information and therefore their SSNs and the like that have not been properly vetted that have also installed private computers that connect to outside sources and aren't allowing actual people in the Treasury, the FBI or any other agency that would properly vet the usage of said computers to make sure they were secure.

- - - Updated - - -

"there's nothing wrong with forcing officials to hand over passwords while threatening to have federal law enforcement shoot them"

apparently

Honestly, this is where I would say, "I won't stop you from using it but I don't have to give you any passwords. Get a court order if you like but it isn't happening.".

Figure treat it like a police situation where they are demanding the ability to get in your phone. Just don't. Since they are being kicked out anyway, make them work for it.

[Fugus]

So, more Senators are starting to push for answers on why Musk needs direct access to the Treasury Payment systems. So far, it is Warren, Murphy and Wyden. Since it is making more and more news, more and more Senators will start to ask questions and demand answers.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/polit...f68b4a7a&ei=16

And before anyone replies that "Trump mandated this by EO", it isn't about that. It is about the fact you have someone that will have access to competitors business records, people's tax information and therefore their SSNs and the like that have not been properly vetted that have also installed private computers that connect to outside sources and aren't allowing actual people in the Treasury, the FBI or any other agency that would properly vet the usage of said computers to make sure they were secure.

- - - Updated - - -



Honestly, this is where I would say, "I won't stop you from using it but I don't have to give you any passwords. Get a court order if you like but it isn't happening.".

Figure treat it like a police situation where they are demanding the ability to get in your phone. Just don't. Since they are being kicked out anyway, make them work for it.

What would so you say the odds of the amount of fraud to explode because of the massive leak of the entire database to certain foreign countries? Get ready for a mountain of credit cards opened in everyone's names and attempts to get cars and homes signed over without their owners knowledge or consent all while Musk siphons off a billion a day or more from the system from the backdoor he is installing before he is removed from the place after which Trump will block any kind of audit or replacing of hardware/software to remove said backdoor.

[Xyonai]

So, more Senators are starting to push for answers on why Musk needs direct access to the Treasury Payment systems. So far, it is Warren, Murphy and Wyden. Since it is making more and more news, more and more Senators will start to ask questions and demand answers.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/polit...f68b4a7a&ei=16

And before anyone replies that "Trump mandated this by EO", it isn't about that. It is about the fact you have someone that will have access to competitors business records, people's tax information and therefore their SSNs and the like that have not been properly vetted that have also installed private computers that connect to outside sources and aren't allowing actual people in the Treasury, the FBI or any other agency that would properly vet the usage of said computers to make sure they were secure.

This is the part where someone snidely remarks about 'Oh but her emails~' like that's some kind of own and we aren't already exhausted by Conservative hypocrisy.

But yeah this is the real meat and potatoes of what has people more upset and worried; every American's tax data is now on insecure devices in the hands of close-to-litteral children at the behest of a foreign billionaire. It's just putting a target on our entire financial core and asking a bad actor to attack it.

Though the part where an agent of the executive branch is circumventing the legislative is also a big one and it's embarrassing that Congressional Republicans seem more than willing to cede their power to Trump like this (See the cuck chair comment above). Also Elon unilaterally eliminated the federal government's free tax filing service and that's just a dick move.

[Breccia]

Yeah, I'm going to-

Hypocrisy handwaved. "so it's likely" that @gondrin is telling the truth. Oh, wait, we already demonstrated that and you admitted it.