On JVL's good recommendation, I watched Hamilton on the big screen Sunday. First time seeing this remarkable show. It definitely was the infusion of hope I needed. Thank you for the nudge.
This is what authoritarians do to those that they determine are their political opponents and is illegal and unconstitutional, period, and so just one more issue to hang Trump for.
I wouldn't normally give him the time of day because I don't agree with him on policy. But when I heard this, I bought his book, "The Room Where It Happened". It at least allows me to fight the fascists from the comfort of my own home.
OK, people, it's Friday, and the Bolton FBI raid is the big thing that we are supposed to talk about all day. Now that we are all distracted by the theme for Trump's Friday, what is President Donny really trying to hide today? The Epstein Files? Maybe they're in Bolton's garage??
Remember in Trump's America, every day is Donny Day, and we celebrate Donny Day or else he'll send in Kash Patel or worse, Stephen Miller to attack you and your children.
You must admit, this has been the greatest Presidency ever for exactly 1 citizen in this country, yes, that is President Donny! The rest of the 325 million Americans can go to hell, but make sure to leave Donny your money before you make that journey.
OK, everybody, let's go on our day, but make sure to only talk and think about the theme of today's "Donny Only Day!"
This is just to remind us that they're fascists. You are supposed to fear fascists.
That's why I bought Bolton's book. I'm not afraid of the fascists. I think they are silly. But they shouldn't be allowed to violate the law. And this looks entirely political, so my take is that it is illegal.
My good friend, of course, it's illegal. If it is a DJT operation, you can be sure it's illegal.
But don't lose sight of the fact that he was dealt two major legal blows yesterday, our economy is in ruins, Epstein Epstein Epstein, Russia is bombing the crap out of Ukraine after President Donny's Baked Alaska Summit, and his popularity polls are crashing through Laura Loomer's floorboards. All he wants us to do today is to talk about his raids on Bolton. This will continue to be an insane world until we stop taking the daily bait he dangles for us. We should be focused on all of his constant and increasingly dangerous failures, and how quickly we can remove this insane man from power. That is the only thing that matters in "The Upside Down!"
The Bolton attack is not a distraction. It's part of the main event: setting up a fascist dictatorship. I give it 1 Mussolini, where I think sending troops into DC is maybe 2 or a 3 Mussolinis.
Our response, however, should probably be to talk about the money. What does all this fascism cost? How much is the DC occupation costing the taxpayers?
People care about money. Heck, they picked Criminal Trump over a competent person because they were upset about their pocketbooks.
So, what does a Mussolini cost the taxpayers? If the current threat level is about 25 Mussolinis, how much money is that wasting?
When I see things like this my reaction is to think about the most powerful way to respond. In political terms, hammering the fascist Republicans about the money looks like the best way to get the American people to turn against them.
You may be right, but I admit to a bias. I met him in the 80s, and as a credit manager, was asked to sit in for a credit presentation by the Trump Org. to refinance their already past-due Atlantic City past due loans. Our nickname for him then was "3-card Monty Donny' because of his constant lies and distractions. It was the 2nd-worst loan presentation we had ever witnessed, and after they left, we all shared a huge laugh. Virtually everything that the baby boy said that day was a distraction, and that bias has never left me. (no he didn't get approved for the loan, and yes he sued us and lost in court against our litigators from Seattle, Perkins and Coie. You might have heard of them.
The worst loan presentation featured a CFO who, when caught presenting fraudulent financial statements, asked us, "What would you like the financial statements to say?" in order to get the loan. He didn't get the loan, but who knows, maybe he is now working with "3-card Monty Donny".
I have no doubt Donny would love to be a dictator, but at his core, all he wants is the same thing all of the Wall Street Nepo Babies want: all the money in the world, never to pay any taxes, but most importantly, never to have to pay for anything. And you are right to attack Republicans on the money angle, and best of luck to you.
That's quite a story. I understand better where you're coming from, and I'm with you on that. Criminal Trump just wants people to give him whatever will please him. South Park had it right, with people lined up to see him carrying their gifts. Tim "Apple" carrying a crystal globe on a solid gold base.
Probably the Russians gave him money because they weren't making a financial investment. They probably look at it the same way the Mafia does. "Of course, we'll give you the money. But some day, we are going to ask for a favor."
You are right, and they are asking now for their "favor". In the 80s NYC world, the Trumps are "small potatoes" and deadbeats. As a result, US banks stopped working with them. But a miracle happened in the mid-90s, and the Russians loaned him money, which he used to buy US property for the Russians. It was a money laundering scheme sponsored by the Russians and funded through loans from the German bank Deutsche Bank. I hate retelling this story, but it is common knowledge amongst international bankers and others. And now I'd better shut up, or else the FBI "will come a knockin". LMAO!!
I am in awe of Benjamin Wittes. He's standing out there in the dawn, with flashing red and white police lights, holding his phone pretty steady, and offering a logical analysis of these events, featuring how this action against Bolton is likely motivated by the administration's inability to go after any of the other security professionals they've been threatening. (Not to mention managing the inclusion of Tim Miller and others into his stream.) This is the kind of citizen journalism that actually does far surpass what the traditional media have ever been able to do in similar situations.
On JVL's good recommendation, I watched Hamilton on the big screen Sunday. First time seeing this remarkable show. It definitely was the infusion of hope I needed. Thank you for the nudge.
Frightening times.
great scoop, ben. great reporting, ben & tim. we need you.
When are we going to stop the madness?
*What* are we doing to stop the madness? That might be part of the problem. If we don’t know how, then we can’t know when.
This is what authoritarians do to those that they determine are their political opponents and is illegal and unconstitutional, period, and so just one more issue to hang Trump for.
Another fascist operation wasting our money.
Makes me sick. What an effing show!
This is PUTIN all over.
I wouldn't normally give him the time of day because I don't agree with him on policy. But when I heard this, I bought his book, "The Room Where It Happened". It at least allows me to fight the fascists from the comfort of my own home.
Thanks for this; don't forget the deadline for the EPSTEIN FILES approaches -- let's not stop asking that question... Where are the Epstein files...
Great coverage guys. Thank you!
Thank you Ben Wittes
OK, people, it's Friday, and the Bolton FBI raid is the big thing that we are supposed to talk about all day. Now that we are all distracted by the theme for Trump's Friday, what is President Donny really trying to hide today? The Epstein Files? Maybe they're in Bolton's garage??
Remember in Trump's America, every day is Donny Day, and we celebrate Donny Day or else he'll send in Kash Patel or worse, Stephen Miller to attack you and your children.
You must admit, this has been the greatest Presidency ever for exactly 1 citizen in this country, yes, that is President Donny! The rest of the 325 million Americans can go to hell, but make sure to leave Donny your money before you make that journey.
OK, everybody, let's go on our day, but make sure to only talk and think about the theme of today's "Donny Only Day!"
This is just to remind us that they're fascists. You are supposed to fear fascists.
That's why I bought Bolton's book. I'm not afraid of the fascists. I think they are silly. But they shouldn't be allowed to violate the law. And this looks entirely political, so my take is that it is illegal.
My good friend, of course, it's illegal. If it is a DJT operation, you can be sure it's illegal.
But don't lose sight of the fact that he was dealt two major legal blows yesterday, our economy is in ruins, Epstein Epstein Epstein, Russia is bombing the crap out of Ukraine after President Donny's Baked Alaska Summit, and his popularity polls are crashing through Laura Loomer's floorboards. All he wants us to do today is to talk about his raids on Bolton. This will continue to be an insane world until we stop taking the daily bait he dangles for us. We should be focused on all of his constant and increasingly dangerous failures, and how quickly we can remove this insane man from power. That is the only thing that matters in "The Upside Down!"
The Bolton attack is not a distraction. It's part of the main event: setting up a fascist dictatorship. I give it 1 Mussolini, where I think sending troops into DC is maybe 2 or a 3 Mussolinis.
Our response, however, should probably be to talk about the money. What does all this fascism cost? How much is the DC occupation costing the taxpayers?
People care about money. Heck, they picked Criminal Trump over a competent person because they were upset about their pocketbooks.
So, what does a Mussolini cost the taxpayers? If the current threat level is about 25 Mussolinis, how much money is that wasting?
When I see things like this my reaction is to think about the most powerful way to respond. In political terms, hammering the fascist Republicans about the money looks like the best way to get the American people to turn against them.
You may be right, but I admit to a bias. I met him in the 80s, and as a credit manager, was asked to sit in for a credit presentation by the Trump Org. to refinance their already past-due Atlantic City past due loans. Our nickname for him then was "3-card Monty Donny' because of his constant lies and distractions. It was the 2nd-worst loan presentation we had ever witnessed, and after they left, we all shared a huge laugh. Virtually everything that the baby boy said that day was a distraction, and that bias has never left me. (no he didn't get approved for the loan, and yes he sued us and lost in court against our litigators from Seattle, Perkins and Coie. You might have heard of them.
The worst loan presentation featured a CFO who, when caught presenting fraudulent financial statements, asked us, "What would you like the financial statements to say?" in order to get the loan. He didn't get the loan, but who knows, maybe he is now working with "3-card Monty Donny".
I have no doubt Donny would love to be a dictator, but at his core, all he wants is the same thing all of the Wall Street Nepo Babies want: all the money in the world, never to pay any taxes, but most importantly, never to have to pay for anything. And you are right to attack Republicans on the money angle, and best of luck to you.
That's quite a story. I understand better where you're coming from, and I'm with you on that. Criminal Trump just wants people to give him whatever will please him. South Park had it right, with people lined up to see him carrying their gifts. Tim "Apple" carrying a crystal globe on a solid gold base.
Probably the Russians gave him money because they weren't making a financial investment. They probably look at it the same way the Mafia does. "Of course, we'll give you the money. But some day, we are going to ask for a favor."
You are right, and they are asking now for their "favor". In the 80s NYC world, the Trumps are "small potatoes" and deadbeats. As a result, US banks stopped working with them. But a miracle happened in the mid-90s, and the Russians loaned him money, which he used to buy US property for the Russians. It was a money laundering scheme sponsored by the Russians and funded through loans from the German bank Deutsche Bank. I hate retelling this story, but it is common knowledge amongst international bankers and others. And now I'd better shut up, or else the FBI "will come a knockin". LMAO!!
I am in awe of Benjamin Wittes. He's standing out there in the dawn, with flashing red and white police lights, holding his phone pretty steady, and offering a logical analysis of these events, featuring how this action against Bolton is likely motivated by the administration's inability to go after any of the other security professionals they've been threatening. (Not to mention managing the inclusion of Tim Miller and others into his stream.) This is the kind of citizen journalism that actually does far surpass what the traditional media have ever been able to do in similar situations.
Is it petty of me to think that while he was denouncing Trump he should have probably endorsed Harris?
This is nuts. What’s even crazier is we haven’t seen the EPSTEIN files yet.