Trump moved defensive weapons away from Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea, so they could be destroyed in his morally and strategically wrong war of choice against Iran. China is well aware of his fecklessness and incompetence. Look for the US to come out worse in any "negotiations" on this trip.
Just be ready for the scumbag's president idiotic victory lap after the summit and increased resolution of China to take control of Taiwan. The US have never been so morally and militarily weak and more isolated Anne. And as for Xi influencing the resolve of Iran to continue to play this regime, forget it. It might be not a good economic move by China but a great opportunity to show the world who is the responsible party and who is the irrational disrupter in the international arena. We need regime change at home, ASAP.
Thinking about the staying power of Iran in an asymettric war, look at Ukraine. Putin thought it would be over on day one. Where is Russia today? Far weaker than it was 4 years ago.
He is going to China with his massive weaknesses plainly visible. He has a progressive dementia, the attention span of a gnat, and relies on his gut feelings, and a multitude of psychiatric demons swirling in his head... and he will be sitting across from a highly intelligent and canny opponent and tRump will just cave to anything Xi says which strokes his ego. If we have the chance, future Presidents need a vetting process - not a personality pageant like the primaries. edit: fixed typo edit again : changed agent to pageant...
I rather liked your use of "pageant" though without the usual far kinder gentler implication of that word. I continue to see Dump's performance as just that: a continuation of a script running in his head probably begun well before The Apprentice but given more specific shape and content and unfortunately genuine celebrity in that role. Enough to give him the power to manufacture and play a role as president of the United States. Which he continues to play at just like in the TV show. But unfortunately the US Presidency is not a "role". Among other things it's a huge responsibility which he continues to show he is ill prepared for. Nor are we as citizens of this country, the human race, and the world.
And he will!!! He always has his fall guys ready when needed. I can hear it now, "Hegseth? It's a funny name isn't it? I think he used to work in the Pentagon. I think he's gone now."
No. He thinks he does everything by himself. He thought that when his daddy was bankrolling all of his failures, and he thinks it now, when the dictators and the oligarchs who want to rule the world, are pulling his strings.
I think he really believes he’s winning at everything, reality and basic decency notwithstanding. No one can possibly be as powerful and brilliant as himself, at least in his own overcooked brain.
DJT wants to be one of them! He thinks he has arrived! He does not get that mafia bosses don't party together. DUH? The diminishing of our military missiles and other firepower while keeping troops (many of whom are questioning DJT and Hegseth's leadership) scattered hither and yond, shows no foresight. As does staying up all night when you are his age!?! Get a grip GOP!!! Make your move when he returns.
King Charles of the UK handed p47's ass to him while addressing Congress, and in the most elegant way the British have perfected. So, no. He doesn't know he's being played.
Trump is anti-American and a fascist. He’s a moron, mentally ill and shameless. He does not care about representing the country or its people. Americans and its “allies” are in a “no win” situation as long as he’s in office. Trump will continue to burn everything to the ground just as long as he continues to line his own pockets. Good job America; anybody with a brain knew this was coming.
But isn't this so much better than having a non-white woman making decisions that would have kept the US going strong? (Heaven forbid, she may have actually worn the wrong outfit one day...)/s
It is an incredibly dangerous moment for the whole world. I will NEVER forgive Republicans for not removing this sick man from the presidency before he could wreak such damage not only here in the U.S. but on the entire world. I feel sorry for the people of Taiwan.
I totally agree. What can the Republicans be thinking? That they'll cement their 'power' for the future? There will be no future after Trump, and by extension Republicans, have finished with the destruction of our great country. It's very hard to stay optimistic in the state of things today. I hope and pray that when Democrats are in charge again, we can begin to reverse the terrible damage he's done to this country.
The Republicans fueled by Thiel, Musk and the Heritage Foundation found in Trump a useful tool. Today’s Republican Party doesn’t support democracy. The billionaires believe that they can control and thrive under authoritarian rule. The removal of Trump won’t change that trajectory as Vance was hand chosen to carry through. Democracy is fragile and we will have to continue to fight and put into place the means to give less power to the billionaires who don’t want to be constrained. Dark money and unlimited money has to go in politics. We need ethics rules with teeth, breaking up monopolies and Supreme Court reforms just for starters. All things that the general populace pays little attention to. At the same time, we will need to repair a shattered economy, something the general populace cares about a lot. The Democrats should be working on their own version of Project 2025 that lays out a sweeping and swift plans.
Oh yes the outside influencers have not only found DJT a useful tool, they have found him a useful fool. I agree about the GOP being only too willing to play the 'down with democracy game'. If an oath of office is worth taking, they all should be cast out for not upholding the tenets of that oath. And that includes the Supreme Court jurists and federal judges who do not protect our democracy or our Constitution. Why take an oath of office if you are not to be held accountable?
Grandpa Trump sundowning with dementia, with the help of his “nighttime assistant” Natalia Harp, spent the flight to China posting bizarre AI-slop, incendiary propaganda, and childish insults on his “Truth” social. The Chinese play the long game. We are sending this unwell president and a bunch of CEOs to do what? Negotiate for our economic well being???
Wouldn't it be ironic, if Xi happens to have some Epstein evidence on DJT ... and others?!?! I have suspected that Putin may have some, too. It would be just like DJT to try to buy it. Sad that is what it is, sad.
Putin, no doubt, has plenty of Kompromat on Trump. Xi must, too. There is so much vile history in the old man’s past. Trump’s base, however, have turned themselves into hypocritical pretzels defending his depravity. “Family Values” MAGA style!
Scary times. You have a narcissistic sociopath starting a war with Iran that he can't find a final solution for , he is off to China with a pack of incompetent sycophant to possibly sell out Taiwan for help settling the morass in Iran. He has the finest and largest military of the world with no folks with diplomatic skills. Any man who is just bent on ballrooms, arches, golden statues of self and reflecting pool with no worldly skills should not be going anywhere but a hospital for the criminally insane.
And lets now forget the banners in DC with his mug on it like it's the Red Square in Moscow, the soon-to-be issued "patriot passports" sporting his mug and of course his signature in gold and who the hell knows what other vanity projects he will dream up.
Alas, the sad fact is Rubin nails the core point of the horror that is Trump: "One can easily imagine a downward spiral for the U.S. under a president who has frittered away America’s geopolitical advantages and who can be easily swayed by empty compliments and plenty of pomp."
Thank you for a substantive post this morning, Jen. What I have been reading lately on many platforms are simply regurgitations of the usual drivel that we already know. The phrase that jumped out at me was this: "Trump gave Iran asymmetric leverage by starting a war without securing the Strait of Hormuz." This one statement demonstrates how utterly vacant this maladministration is. We are currently struggling with a multi-level, multivalent attack on every conceivable lever of democracy. This maladministration of Quislings, numpties, and feckless incompetents is merrily engaging in every form of graft, corruption, and self-dealing and directing their energies to destroying the economy of average Americans in order to quell dissent (historically, people don't actually rebel when they are starving and desperate; they rebel when they have the time and mental energy to think about their condition). The judiciary is determined to return our justice system to the 1880s: a time when women did not have the right to own property, let alone the right to vote; when BIPOC people had no civil rights; when marital rape was not a legal concept and femicide rarely prosecuted; when the country was ruled by the likes of J. P. Morgan, Henry Clay Frick, the Rockefellers, and the Vanderbilts. We are seeing a backlash the likes of which I never thought possible, even though I have been fighting against backlashes all my life. I admit to being dumbfounded, especially because I don't see any real energy among most of the Democrat representatives to do anything except protect their food bowls. We are not being supported by any of the players we have come to rely on. This is going to get a whole lot worse, I suspect, before we see the "arc of the universe" turning toward justice.
Agree wholeheartedly with your commentary EXCEPT your criticism of Democratic MOC who are vigorously working to oppose this incompetent regime which poses a real danger to preserve our democracy!
I noticed that. But of course Trump doesn't meet government officials at the airport either. He meets them at the Oval Office so he can show off all his gawdy gold plated everything. The only high official that Trump met at the airport was Vladimir Putin. With a red carpet, no less.
The republican-communist-fascist party has totally degraded our once honorable and strong military. All ships are due for dry dock work, soldiers are tired , leadership is lost in fantasy, and we are behind in new war tactics. After this face to face with Xi,China will know what King Charles learned from his face to face with trump; Americans are being lead by the weakest and most unqualified people in their complete history. I feel sorry for Tiwian.
A recent political cartoon showed a small figure of Trump as a puppet, with larger images of Putin and Netanyahu pulling the strings. With the meeting with Xi in Bejing, we can likely add him as one of the puppetmasters. Compared to Xi, Trump ranks somewhere between a rank amateur and an incompetent.
Everything Trump does is basically rape. Iran won't let him and as horrible and awful as their regime is, I can't help but be glad someone is finally telling that walking corpse NO.
Trump moved defensive weapons away from Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea, so they could be destroyed in his morally and strategically wrong war of choice against Iran. China is well aware of his fecklessness and incompetence. Look for the US to come out worse in any "negotiations" on this trip.
Just be ready for the scumbag's president idiotic victory lap after the summit and increased resolution of China to take control of Taiwan. The US have never been so morally and militarily weak and more isolated Anne. And as for Xi influencing the resolve of Iran to continue to play this regime, forget it. It might be not a good economic move by China but a great opportunity to show the world who is the responsible party and who is the irrational disrupter in the international arena. We need regime change at home, ASAP.
Thinking about the staying power of Iran in an asymettric war, look at Ukraine. Putin thought it would be over on day one. Where is Russia today? Far weaker than it was 4 years ago.
And where is Ukraine today? Despite the devastation at home, becoming a major international player in the field of drone manufacture and deployment.
Some days I wonder how Vladimir Putin and Xi don't both asphyxiate from laughter and sheer disbelief when they wake up every morning.
Does Trump really not know that he's being played?
He's too stupid and demented to recognize his incompetence. His entire world is focused on self-justification.
He is going to China with his massive weaknesses plainly visible. He has a progressive dementia, the attention span of a gnat, and relies on his gut feelings, and a multitude of psychiatric demons swirling in his head... and he will be sitting across from a highly intelligent and canny opponent and tRump will just cave to anything Xi says which strokes his ego. If we have the chance, future Presidents need a vetting process - not a personality pageant like the primaries. edit: fixed typo edit again : changed agent to pageant...
“A multitude of psychiatric demons swirling in his head” — a perfect description, Steve! But note that your editing history is showing!
I do the editing openly. I have a running battle with spellcheck.
I don't know; in his case, I think "pageant" may be appropriate.
So did I, but if I type ‘pageant’ wrong, it always defaults to ‘agent’.
😊
I rather liked your use of "pageant" though without the usual far kinder gentler implication of that word. I continue to see Dump's performance as just that: a continuation of a script running in his head probably begun well before The Apprentice but given more specific shape and content and unfortunately genuine celebrity in that role. Enough to give him the power to manufacture and play a role as president of the United States. Which he continues to play at just like in the TV show. But unfortunately the US Presidency is not a "role". Among other things it's a huge responsibility which he continues to show he is ill prepared for. Nor are we as citizens of this country, the human race, and the world.
I agree - he has always bought into his own propaganda, fabulism and that manufactured persona of him as the great, all-knowing businessman
Like Sergeant Schultz, Trump, truly, can say, “I know nothing!”
And he will!!! He always has his fall guys ready when needed. I can hear it now, "Hegseth? It's a funny name isn't it? I think he used to work in the Pentagon. I think he's gone now."
No. He thinks he does everything by himself. He thought that when his daddy was bankrolling all of his failures, and he thinks it now, when the dictators and the oligarchs who want to rule the world, are pulling his strings.
Most folks don’t know he had 6 bankruptcies and racist maga doesn’t care!
It was only 4 if you use trumpmath.
He has NO idea…
Even worse, he thinks he's the one doing the playing.
I think he really believes he’s winning at everything, reality and basic decency notwithstanding. No one can possibly be as powerful and brilliant as himself, at least in his own overcooked brain.
He believes he's winning because he can't spell whining .
DJT wants to be one of them! He thinks he has arrived! He does not get that mafia bosses don't party together. DUH? The diminishing of our military missiles and other firepower while keeping troops (many of whom are questioning DJT and Hegseth's leadership) scattered hither and yond, shows no foresight. As does staying up all night when you are his age!?! Get a grip GOP!!! Make your move when he returns.
King Charles of the UK handed p47's ass to him while addressing Congress, and in the most elegant way the British have perfected. So, no. He doesn't know he's being played.
Flew right over his head.
I know, I know, what a dip shit "fucking moron*". p47 said of King Charles, "We need more like him!"
*Former Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson's view of then p45.
Trump is anti-American and a fascist. He’s a moron, mentally ill and shameless. He does not care about representing the country or its people. Americans and its “allies” are in a “no win” situation as long as he’s in office. Trump will continue to burn everything to the ground just as long as he continues to line his own pockets. Good job America; anybody with a brain knew this was coming.
But isn't this so much better than having a non-white woman making decisions that would have kept the US going strong? (Heaven forbid, she may have actually worn the wrong outfit one day...)/s
None dare call him Krasnov.
It is an incredibly dangerous moment for the whole world. I will NEVER forgive Republicans for not removing this sick man from the presidency before he could wreak such damage not only here in the U.S. but on the entire world. I feel sorry for the people of Taiwan.
I'm in total agreement and aggrievement.
I totally agree. What can the Republicans be thinking? That they'll cement their 'power' for the future? There will be no future after Trump, and by extension Republicans, have finished with the destruction of our great country. It's very hard to stay optimistic in the state of things today. I hope and pray that when Democrats are in charge again, we can begin to reverse the terrible damage he's done to this country.
The Republicans fueled by Thiel, Musk and the Heritage Foundation found in Trump a useful tool. Today’s Republican Party doesn’t support democracy. The billionaires believe that they can control and thrive under authoritarian rule. The removal of Trump won’t change that trajectory as Vance was hand chosen to carry through. Democracy is fragile and we will have to continue to fight and put into place the means to give less power to the billionaires who don’t want to be constrained. Dark money and unlimited money has to go in politics. We need ethics rules with teeth, breaking up monopolies and Supreme Court reforms just for starters. All things that the general populace pays little attention to. At the same time, we will need to repair a shattered economy, something the general populace cares about a lot. The Democrats should be working on their own version of Project 2025 that lays out a sweeping and swift plans.
Oh yes the outside influencers have not only found DJT a useful tool, they have found him a useful fool. I agree about the GOP being only too willing to play the 'down with democracy game'. If an oath of office is worth taking, they all should be cast out for not upholding the tenets of that oath. And that includes the Supreme Court jurists and federal judges who do not protect our democracy or our Constitution. Why take an oath of office if you are not to be held accountable?
Grandpa Trump sundowning with dementia, with the help of his “nighttime assistant” Natalia Harp, spent the flight to China posting bizarre AI-slop, incendiary propaganda, and childish insults on his “Truth” social. The Chinese play the long game. We are sending this unwell president and a bunch of CEOs to do what? Negotiate for our economic well being???
Grandpa trump should be in an asylum or in jail and not screwing up the whole world.
Preferably in a jail cell with NO electronic access.
Wouldn't it be ironic, if Xi happens to have some Epstein evidence on DJT ... and others?!?! I have suspected that Putin may have some, too. It would be just like DJT to try to buy it. Sad that is what it is, sad.
Putin, no doubt, has plenty of Kompromat on Trump. Xi must, too. There is so much vile history in the old man’s past. Trump’s base, however, have turned themselves into hypocritical pretzels defending his depravity. “Family Values” MAGA style!
Scary times. You have a narcissistic sociopath starting a war with Iran that he can't find a final solution for , he is off to China with a pack of incompetent sycophant to possibly sell out Taiwan for help settling the morass in Iran. He has the finest and largest military of the world with no folks with diplomatic skills. Any man who is just bent on ballrooms, arches, golden statues of self and reflecting pool with no worldly skills should not be going anywhere but a hospital for the criminally insane.
And lets now forget the banners in DC with his mug on it like it's the Red Square in Moscow, the soon-to-be issued "patriot passports" sporting his mug and of course his signature in gold and who the hell knows what other vanity projects he will dream up.
Well said Al.
Alas, the sad fact is Rubin nails the core point of the horror that is Trump: "One can easily imagine a downward spiral for the U.S. under a president who has frittered away America’s geopolitical advantages and who can be easily swayed by empty compliments and plenty of pomp."
Speaking of "Mr. Trump’s gut-driven approach to complex issues," when you think with your gut, you know what the output will be.
Right on. (The Contrarian needs a "laugh" emoji.)
Thank you for a substantive post this morning, Jen. What I have been reading lately on many platforms are simply regurgitations of the usual drivel that we already know. The phrase that jumped out at me was this: "Trump gave Iran asymmetric leverage by starting a war without securing the Strait of Hormuz." This one statement demonstrates how utterly vacant this maladministration is. We are currently struggling with a multi-level, multivalent attack on every conceivable lever of democracy. This maladministration of Quislings, numpties, and feckless incompetents is merrily engaging in every form of graft, corruption, and self-dealing and directing their energies to destroying the economy of average Americans in order to quell dissent (historically, people don't actually rebel when they are starving and desperate; they rebel when they have the time and mental energy to think about their condition). The judiciary is determined to return our justice system to the 1880s: a time when women did not have the right to own property, let alone the right to vote; when BIPOC people had no civil rights; when marital rape was not a legal concept and femicide rarely prosecuted; when the country was ruled by the likes of J. P. Morgan, Henry Clay Frick, the Rockefellers, and the Vanderbilts. We are seeing a backlash the likes of which I never thought possible, even though I have been fighting against backlashes all my life. I admit to being dumbfounded, especially because I don't see any real energy among most of the Democrat representatives to do anything except protect their food bowls. We are not being supported by any of the players we have come to rely on. This is going to get a whole lot worse, I suspect, before we see the "arc of the universe" turning toward justice.
Agree wholeheartedly with your commentary EXCEPT your criticism of Democratic MOC who are vigorously working to oppose this incompetent regime which poses a real danger to preserve our democracy!
Xi did not even meet trump at the airport instead sending an underling. Xi has all the cards and trump is the subservient one.
I noticed that. But of course Trump doesn't meet government officials at the airport either. He meets them at the Oval Office so he can show off all his gawdy gold plated everything. The only high official that Trump met at the airport was Vladimir Putin. With a red carpet, no less.
The republican-communist-fascist party has totally degraded our once honorable and strong military. All ships are due for dry dock work, soldiers are tired , leadership is lost in fantasy, and we are behind in new war tactics. After this face to face with Xi,China will know what King Charles learned from his face to face with trump; Americans are being lead by the weakest and most unqualified people in their complete history. I feel sorry for Tiwian.
Spare some sympathy for those of us Americans who knew this was coming and said so LOUDLY in 2016, 2020 and 2024 only to bat .333
A recent political cartoon showed a small figure of Trump as a puppet, with larger images of Putin and Netanyahu pulling the strings. With the meeting with Xi in Bejing, we can likely add him as one of the puppetmasters. Compared to Xi, Trump ranks somewhere between a rank amateur and an incompetent.
Everything Trump does is basically rape. Iran won't let him and as horrible and awful as their regime is, I can't help but be glad someone is finally telling that walking corpse NO.
"Everything Trump does is basically rape." Yes, Angie, that's Turnip in a nutshell. He's a born predator.
Speak loudly and carry on like a fool.
Most sane appraisal of the international situation I have read to date.
Trump is the worst representative of the United States of America.
is he ? I feel he is too good a rep of the many idiot people in our country.
Sad but possibly true