Mega-Thread: Trump Focused Discussion

[Moralgy]

It'll be allowed because he is just kind Ole grandpa Trump ya know.

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Not to mention that you can only count on Collins vote when it doesn't matter.

If her vote will decide the outcome, Collins will vote the party line no matter what. If it won't, then she is allowed to 'go rogue'.

Collins would vote to remove women's right to vote if she were the decider rofl.

[Breccia]

Trump continues to gaslight the American people.

When Tariffs cut in, many people’s Income Taxes will be substantially reduced, maybe even completely eliminated

For those people who still don't know, apparently including Trump:

1) Trump cannot remove the federal income tax.

The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.

Trump is not Congress.

2) Congress can't either. Congress sets up the budget and can add/remove departments, we know that part by now. But they cannot introduce a new cost that removes $5 trillion of federal income per year, unless it's balanced with new income. And, yeah, Congress isn't applying tariffs. They can, but they aren't. This would take 100% of the power out of Trump's hands, meaning he would not have the power to use his bullying negotiation strategy.

3) Again, Trump likes to remove tariffs for seemingly no reason. As it stands right now, even if Congress removed the income tax (they won't) Trump could just remove them, leaving the US with no income. Congress would need to pass a new law to re-impose tariffs, which Trump could then just remove again. Congress would have to remove Trump's tariff power, and they won't.

4) And finally, the IRS says it got $5 trillion last year. Also in 2024, the US imported $4 trillion and change in goods and services, and I'm fairly sure Trump isn't tariffing services. But even if he was, that'd be an over 100% tariff required on literally everything, no exceptions.

If you're already in the poorer section of America, you're already paying no income tax. Removing it does nothing. Doubling prices does something, it makes your life much worse. Even willfully ignorant retorts like "well just buy American!" ignores the realities that many items aren't made in America and won't be for quite some time, and also, even raising some prices while keeping income level is a penalty, not a bonus.

Trump can't do this. He keeps saying that he will/wants to, but there's nothing in reality aiming in that direction. What Trump wants is for his followers to cheer the idea, only for him to later say "the Democrats won't let me". It's the Constitution and the reality of numbers that won't let him.

Maybe Trump is trying to give marching orders to Congress, but...why? Name one bill he's signed into law, there's only like five. Trump doesn't want checks and balances, as seen by his ignoring SCOTUS, declaring war in Yemen, and jailing judges. This isn't about handing out orders. This is about wanting his poll numbers to stop dropping. His $5,000 rebate isn't happening, the war in Ukraine is getting worse not better, nobody's seen Melania in months (it was her birthday last week, it didn't make the headlines because nobody cares) and Trump continues to make dictator move after dictator move, including the one @tehdang still needs to answer for, that polls showing his numbers dropping are illegal.

This isn't about the reality of the situation. I think even Trump knows Trump can't do this. This is about dangling keys before his followers and jangling them, so they forget about all the things Trump has done to make their country and their lives worse.

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Wait, I wasn't finished.

I've seen the headline making the rounds on the C-tier conservative sites that Trump took in $15 billion in tariffs in April, and that it's a new record. Yes, Trump raised taxes on Americans more than anyone else ever had, that's a cheering point for some reason.

$15 billion a month, for 48 months, is $720 billion.

The IRS makes over $5 trillion a year. Trump broke a record (again, raising taxes on Americans by his unilateral actions, objective statement) and is not even in the same order of magnitude as removing the IRS.

[Mazza]

4) And finally, the IRS says it got $5 trillion last year. Also in 2024, the US imported $4 trillion and change in goods and services, and I'm fairly sure Trump isn't tariffing services. But even if he was, that'd be an over 100% tariff required on literally everything, no exceptions.

Services don't fit Trumps agenda because the US is very much a net exporter of them. He doesn't want them anywhere near the tariffs discussion.

[Breccia]

Services don't fit Trumps agenda because the US is very much a net exporter of them. He doesn't want them anywhere near the tariffs discussion.

I agree, and goods was like $3.3 billion I think. Still over 100% of course.

[NED funded]

Trump continues to gaslight the American people.



For those people who still don't know, apparently including Trump:

1) Trump cannot remove the federal income tax.



Trump is not Congress.

2) Congress can't either. Congress sets up the budget and can add/remove departments, we know that part by now. But they cannot introduce a new cost that removes $5 trillion of federal income per year, unless it's balanced with new income. And, yeah, Congress isn't applying tariffs. They can, but they aren't. This would take 100% of the power out of Trump's hands, meaning he would not have the power to use his bullying negotiation strategy.

3) Again, Trump likes to remove tariffs for seemingly no reason. As it stands right now, even if Congress removed the income tax (they won't) Trump could just remove them, leaving the US with no income. Congress would need to pass a new law to re-impose tariffs, which Trump could then just remove again. Congress would have to remove Trump's tariff power, and they won't.

4) And finally, the IRS says it got $5 trillion last year. Also in 2024, the US imported $4 trillion and change in goods and services, and I'm fairly sure Trump isn't tariffing services. But even if he was, that'd be an over 100% tariff required on literally everything, no exceptions.

If you're already in the poorer section of America, you're already paying no income tax. Removing it does nothing. Doubling prices does something, it makes your life much worse. Even willfully ignorant retorts like "well just buy American!" ignores the realities that many items aren't made in America and won't be for quite some time, and also, even raising some prices while keeping income level is a penalty, not a bonus.

Trump can't do this. He keeps saying that he will/wants to, but there's nothing in reality aiming in that direction. What Trump wants is for his followers to cheer the idea, only for him to later say "the Democrats won't let me". It's the Constitution and the reality of numbers that won't let him.

Maybe Trump is trying to give marching orders to Congress, but...why? Name one bill he's signed into law, there's only like five. Trump doesn't want checks and balances, as seen by his ignoring SCOTUS, declaring war in Yemen, and jailing judges. This isn't about handing out orders. This is about wanting his poll numbers to stop dropping. His $5,000 rebate isn't happening, the war in Ukraine is getting worse not better, nobody's seen Melania in months (it was her birthday last week, it didn't make the headlines because nobody cares) and Trump continues to make dictator move after dictator move, including the one @tehdang still needs to answer for, that polls showing his numbers dropping are illegal.

This isn't about the reality of the situation. I think even Trump knows Trump can't do this. This is about dangling keys before his followers and jangling them, so they forget about all the things Trump has done to make their country and their lives worse.

- - - Updated - - -

Wait, I wasn't finished.

I've seen the headline making the rounds on the C-tier conservative sites that Trump took in $15 billion in tariffs in April, and that it's a new record. Yes, Trump raised taxes on Americans more than anyone else ever had, that's a cheering point for some reason.

$15 billion a month, for 48 months, is $720 billion.

The IRS makes over $5 trillion a year. Trump broke a record (again, raising taxes on Americans by his unilateral actions, objective statement) and is not even in the same order of magnitude as removing the IRS.

I know Republicans have been docile and subservient for a while now but Trump trying to replace income taxes with tariffs is a direct admission that this is a new tax he is imposing on Americans (Which he does not have the power to do).

And as you pointed out it would not be enough to cover income taxes. But like as a general thing this is like the sixth version of what we are being told the objective of tariffs are. So far:

1. Tariffs are supposed to bring back manufacturing back to the US.

2. Tariffs are supposed to be a bargaining chip to get better trade deals.

3. Tariffs are supposed to be a tool to punish China for unfair trade practices.

4. Tariffs are supposed to be a tool to protect industries critical to national security

All of these goals are in direct contradiction of collecting revenues and some of them are in direct contradiction of each other. Not to mention that the administration still doesnt know what it wants. If it wants to bring back manufacturing it, it needs to address the currency issues but doing so would harm bonds.

[Breccia]

2. Tariffs are supposed to be a bargaining chip to get better trade deals.

Well, no. This isn't true, and that only makes your point stronger.

Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 has been used by the first and second Trump administrations for steel and aluminum imports. It authorizes the president to ask the Secretary of Commerce to determine if goods are being imported in manner that threatens national security. The secretary then reports back to the president if he has any affirmative findings. “Section 232 does not require the President to follow the Secretary’s recommendations but permits him to take alternative actions or no action,” the CRS says. Under Section 232, there is no maximum time limit on the president’s tariff actions.

Another provision that requires an investigation is Section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974. The act allows the president to impose tariffs if the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) finds that an import surge is threatening a U.S. domestic industry. If the ITC makes an affirmative determination, the president can take action accordingly, including placing tariffs. Tariffs imposed under Section 201 are not meant to be permanent, and the actions have a limit of four to eight years.

Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 allows the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to authorize tariffs on foreign countries that restrict U.S. commerce in “unjustifiable,” “unreasonable,” or “discriminatory” ways. If the USTR confirms such behavior after an investigation, the president has the discretion to allow the USTR to impose tariffs for at least four years.

Among the three provisions that allow the president to act on his own to impose tariffs without an investigation, only one has ever been used: the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977. The act allows the president to declare an emergency under the National Emergency Act (NEA) and then use his extensive economic powers to regulate or prohibit imports. The CRS says that President Trump was the first chief executive to use this act in February 2025, when he announced tariffs on Canada, China, and Mexico. The emergency stated by the president can be terminated at this request, or by a joint resolution of Congress.

Congress gave the President power to put on tariffs to handle an emergency. Not to negotiate long-term deals. That's not what the law was for. That's why Trump had to yell "Fentanyl!" into the cameras first.

[Edge-]

The entire Republican party can go fuck themselves, honestly.

They're hell bent on tearing this country and everything it used to stand for to pieces.

hey now

ice may be kidnapping and deporting american toddlers and children with cancer but donald and republicans are focused on the serious issues

https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trum...-polls-2064949

he needs to know why his polls are so low so he's going to have that investigated

i can save him a ton of time and money and answer him quickly: he fucking sucks and people hate him

[En Sabah Nur]

He's been working so hard for the American people, he deserves a lil nap every now and then!

Probably.

[Edge-]

https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law...ee-her-father/

An Irish woman who has been living legally in the United States for decades has been taken into detention by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after a trip to Ireland to visit her sick father.

Cliona Ward (54), who went to the US in her early teens and is the sole carer for a son with special needs, is in an ICE facility in Tacoma, Washington state, according to the enforcement agency’s website.

Her sister, Orla Holladay, who also lives in the US, said Ward travelled back to Ireland recently with their stepmother to visit their father, who has dementia.

On her return to the US, Ward, who has been living in Santa Cruz, California, for more than 30 years, was questioned about drug possession convictions from more than a decade ago that have reportedly been “expunged” under state but not under federal law.

A holder of a valid green card, Ward was held when she landed at San Francisco International Airport as queries were raised about the past convictions.

She was then released but returned to the airport last Monday to show documentation to officials from US Customs and Border Protection recording how the convictions had been expunged.

However, she was taken into custody, moved to a detention facility outside Seattle, Washington, and, according to reports, is now due before the courts until May 7th next.

More lawful US residents being detained by ICE and harassed for no real reason.

Really: If you're a lawful US resident, just don't travel out of the country. It seems to be too much of a risk that ICE/CBP will disappear you for some minor traffic violation from decades ago because that means you're a violent criminal or something.

[Templar 331]

Hopefully we will get a full investigation about ice and hold everyone accountable for illegal acts when/if democratics retake office.

Yes including even lowest people on the totem pole. You don't get to just use the "I'm just following orders" excuse here

You're joking right? The last thing the Dems will do if they get back in power is go after officers. Even the ones who are full SS. They won't risk the same political downfall they got from "defund the police."

[Bwgmon]

He's been working so hard for the American people, he deserves a lil nap every now and then!

Probably.

I did see someone write "These sorts of things go on for hours. At his age, he can't possibly be expected to stay at full attention the entire time" on another site. I choose to believe they were taking the piss, but it's probably my favorite faux-defense from this debacle.

[Breccia]

More lawful US residents being detained by ICE and harassed for no real reason.

I just want to get ahead of the GOP script on this one:

"It's okay to deport her, she was convicted of a crime in 2008."
"Did that break her green card?"
"Well, no."
"So she's still a legal resident?"
"Well, yes. But you're defending a felon!"
"So are you."

[Edge-]

I just want to get ahead of the GOP script on this one:

"It's okay to deport her, she was convicted of a crime in 2008."
"Did that break her green card?"
"Well, no."
"So she's still a legal resident?"
"Well, yes. But you're defending a felon!"
"So are you."

the drug possession was very, very likely a bit of weed given the timeline which is why it was expunged on the state level (that shit's legal in Cali, yo) and that feds have generally never really given much of a show about minor possession etc. in states where it's lawful because it's simply not worth the time/hassle

but hey

donald's administration let in andrew tate, who is credibly accused of sex trafficking and shit

so i guess if she just did a bit of sex trafficking instead of having a dime bag of weed she'd be fine?

[TACOshake]

Ya... this one neat trick will totally fix supply chain issues. Or that trucking is already desperate for labor.

Trump to sign Executive Order mandating truckers speak English

I kinda miss those "self driving trucks alomst here!" threads. Like Elon, I wonder how much of of that discourse was driven contempt for immigrants or lower class people.

[Sunseeker]

https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law...ee-her-father/



More lawful US residents being detained by ICE and harassed for no real reason.

Really: If you're a lawful US resident, just don't travel out of the country. It seems to be too much of a risk that ICE/CBP will disappear you for some minor traffic violation from decades ago because that means you're a violent criminal or something.

I would advise the opposite, if you leave the country, dont come back. If the country youre in attempts to dsport you, just point to ICE and the risk of being deported to a foreign death camp.

[Edge-]

Ya... this one neat trick will totally fix supply chain issues. Or that trucking is already desperate for labor.

Trump to sign Executive Order mandating truckers speak English

I kinda miss those "self driving trucks alomst here!" threads. Like Elon, I wonder how much of of that discourse was driven contempt for immigrants or lower class people.

https://www.trucking.org/news-insigh...nt-flooding-us

Ah, that's why.

Because of MAGA conspiracies about millions of foreign truckers coming to the US.

Anyways, seems he's trying to use this EO to try to make English the official language as the US? Or argue he has even though it would likely require a legislative act?

This is stupid.

I miss when Republicans pretended and lied about being concerned with a president extensively using executive orders with few actual bills signed into law. Now Republicans are all like

Yes Daddy Donald, Step On My Balls Harder I Want To Pay More For Eggs Sir!

[fwc577]

it's fun because this looks like a lot more explicitly buying access to the presidents inner circle

I mean, we saw a lot of people doing that since Inauguration and look how that has gone for them? lol.

[Breccia]

In addition to proving he doesn't care about the troops, Trump proves blue lives don't matter, either.

US cancels hundreds of grants for police, crime victims, Justice Dept documents show

The U.S. Justice Department has canceled hundreds of ongoing grants that funded everything from mental healthcare for police officers to support programs for victims of crime and sexual assault, according to internal records and four people familiar with the matter.

It's clear that Trump supporters are okay with victim-blaming (see also: putting a rapist on SCOTUS, while saying "if you didn't want to be deported, you shouldn't have been two years old"). But cancelling mental healthcare for cops? That's a direct attack on public servants.

Anyone who claims Trump supports law enforcement is already a known liar, but this needs to also be rubbed in their faces.

[Edge-]

In addition to proving he doesn't care about the troops, Trump proves blue lives don't matter, either.

US cancels hundreds of grants for police, crime victims, Justice Dept documents show



It's clear that Trump supporters are okay with victim-blaming (see also: putting a rapist on SCOTUS, while saying "if you didn't want to be deported, you shouldn't have been two years old"). But cancelling mental healthcare for cops? That's a direct attack on public servants.

Anyone who claims Trump supports law enforcement is already a known liar, but this needs to also be rubbed in their faces.

damn

donald and republicans really heard democrats say "defund the police"

and then said "i bet we can do a better job of it" and here we are

how is it good that programs for victims of sexual assault are being ended, again?

how is it good that mental healthcare funding for police officers is being ended, agin?

[Rasulis]

It does not appear that US and China will be talking anytime soon.

Treasury Secretary Suggests Trade Agreement With China Still Far Away: 'Maybe They'll Call Me One Day'

Meanwhile, tens of thousand small businesses are on the brink of collapse.

DAHLSTROM-ECKMAN: Mei Zhu owns the store where Young was shopping. She says the vast majority of her products are imported from China - soy sauce, dry noodles, candies and cookies. According to Zhu, wholesalers have absorbed some of the price hikes, so she's only had to raise her prices by around 50%. But other items now cost a full 145% more - so she's stopped stocking them.

MEI ZHU: (Non-English language spoken).

DAHLSTROM-ECKMAN: It is extremely significant, she says. The higher prices are driving customers away and sales are down 30%.

ZHU: (Non-English language spoken).

DAHLSTROM-ECKMAN: She says it's already impossible to continue, and if the tariffs stay in place, she'll close her business. Down the street at Tung Fung Hai Wei Chinese Herbal (ph), Sam Liang presides over a store full of things like Goji berries and ginseng and other products used in traditional Chinese medicine.

SAM LIANG: (Non-English language spoken).

DAHLSTROM-ECKMAN: He says you can get some of these things outside of China, but they may not be exactly what his Chinese customers want - and he's worried the increase in prices will put them out of reach for his customers. These Chinatown businesses are facing an existential threat, according to Malcolm Yeung.

MALCOLM YEUNG: This has always been a community built around trade.

DAHLSTROM-ECKMAN: He's the executive director of the Chinatown Community Development Center. He says for over a century, Chinese immigrants here have leveraged their connections back in China to build successful businesses and achieve their American dream. The tariffs are changing that.

YEUNG: You're basically just sending the signal, like, that's off. That's done.

DAHLSTROM-ECKMAN: He says San Francisco's Chinatown has been around since the 1800s and has withstood all kinds of hardship - the Chinese Exclusion Act, the 1906 earthquake, and more recently, COVID and a local increase of anti-Asian hate crimes. Still, with this particular challenge, he says there's an emerging sense of powerlessness.

YEUNG: That these things are being done to us and that there's nothing, you know, we can do as a community to push back or fight back but just to simply react.

DAHLSTROM-ECKMAN: He expects that other Chinatowns across the country will be experiencing the same kind of economic upheaval. Price hikes are also being reported in Chinatowns in New York, Philadelphia and Honolulu.

Such a shame. Some of these businesses have been around for generations.