172 Comments
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Bonita Weis's avatar

He will decide about the merger when he figures out which buyer will prove more lucrative to him and his family.

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RichinPhoenix's avatar

I’m not sure he can do the math. Jared will inform him.

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Mike Lew's avatar

Every high profile deal now needs to include a bribe to the President. Right?

I'm so glad that American greatness included turning our nation into a corrupt banana republic.

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Oldandintheway's avatar

A banana republic implies that we are like the corrupt governments in Central America.

Really, we are a frozen tundra republic, more like Belarus, a Putin puppet state.

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Kevin Robbins's avatar

I like socialism that functions well.

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B Breivogel's avatar

Better not call it that, however.

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Mike Lew's avatar

Excellent point!

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James Richardson's avatar

He steals what he can until he dies. Then the real fascists come out into the open. I think that was always the agreement, tacit or otherwise. Fortunately the fascists are mostly focused on fighting each other, at least for now.

Scream for the Epstein files and the boat video.

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Timothy M Dwyer's avatar

Very much like, “The Golden Age”!

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Michael Ferguson's avatar

Good morning, Mike!

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Mike Lew's avatar

Yo! 😀

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Robert Jaffee's avatar

“The largesse of the emperor is never earned—it is freely bestowed by his gracious will and graciously received by the unworthy! The baldness of Ellison’s pitch seems to have rankled at least some in Trump’s orbit, who offered some real howlers of complaint to Semafor: The Paramount team seems to “believe the worst tropes” about corruption in the administration, they groused. They’re “leaning into all the stereotypes.””

All true Edward, but this is part of Project 2025; consolidate all critical industries, especially the media into the hands of a select few, who will gladly or reluctantly do Trump’s bidding, or at the very least, downplay the significance of Trump’s worst policies and instincts.

Therefore, while there may be some in the administration appalled by what’s happening, they will ultimately do nothing since Trump, and his family are the worst offenders when it comes to monetizing the presidency for their own personal gain!

And where is Congress you ask? Let’s just say this bunch of useless invertebrates will never grow a spine; they’re cowering in fear from the mob! IMHO…:)

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Keith Wresch's avatar

The old *liberal* media companies getting consolidated under the control of Trump friends and allies is the Orban play book. Indirectly controlling the media is one of the ways he has stayed in power for so long.

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Katherine B Barz's avatar

That avenue is getting smaller with the ascendancy of The Bulwark, The Contrarian, Heather Cox Richardson, Robert Reich, and so many more on line activist groups. Their population grows daily, and MSM’s diminishes.

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Keith Wresch's avatar

They are diminishing, but they still have wide reach and can shape media narratives. I am worried about how their influence will be used particularly as we head into the midterms next year. While I appreciate the role outlets such as the Bulwark play, we are somewhat of a niche audience.

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Ben Johnson's avatar

1 million subscribers is nice, but really the Bulwark needs to be at 10 million or even 100 million to really be moving the needle with the public.

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Katherine B Barz's avatar

That is my point. From very few, these group’s audience grows daily. As long as their growth continues, the MSM looses influence. It is possible to get 10 million or more if this administration keeps up the chaos.

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Steve Spillette's avatar

We need to watch carefully for any attempt to force the sale of Substack (which I think is privately held?) to a Trump-friendly owner.

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Robert Jaffee's avatar

Exactly!…:)

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Kate Fall's avatar

I would love for the Bulwark to discuss Project 2025 more. Trump is following a road map we refuse to consult. It's odd.

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Richard Kane's avatar

I think it's because some of the older Bulwark staff (I'm looking at you Bill) backed the GOP's support for the unitary executive theory (now known as Project 2025), trickle down theory, and other "theories" to create a country for the rich, by the rich.

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Robert Jaffee's avatar

Agreed!…:)

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Smike's avatar

Can I just say that I appreciate so much that this is a place where the writers and editors are totally fine with a comparison between Epstein documents and Banquo?

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Richard Kane's avatar

They're an eclectic bunch!

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RichinPhoenix's avatar

We really need to simplify the deal making here. Paramount or Netflix should offer $1 billion to Trump for the rights to his life story. If Melania was worth a $40 million payout from Amazon for her life story (I know everyone here is waiting with bated breath for the release and Sonny Bunch’s review), then The Donald’s story has to be worth at least $1 billion. Especially the part where he single handed stopped Epstein from abusing more girls.

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Steven Insertname's avatar

If Sonny has to watch that Melania documentary, he deserves a raise, I don't care how much he's making.

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RichinPhoenix's avatar

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

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Robert Jaffee's avatar

“On that same note, Trump announced yesterday a $12 billion bailout of U.S. farmers hurt by his trade wars—news that probably came as a surprise to anyone who spent the entirety of his first term in a coma. “We love our farmers,” Trump said, “and as you know, the farmers like me.””

Cheers for Trump, he figured out a solution to his own manufactured crisis.

Unfortunately, the $12 billion is pocket change compared to the way in which Argentina made off like a bandit; they took $40 billion in taxpayer money, which allowed them to steal the Chinese agricultural exports of soy from the very same people who put Trump in power.

One wonders, who exactly is Trump’s true constituent? Just saying!…:)

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jpg's avatar

I think it was in that same meeting that Trump opined that John Deere’s prices were too high, and that they needed to be lowered. I think that sets the stage for some Nixonian era price controls! Yay free market Republicans 🤣

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Jeff the Original's avatar

Not that this has to do with anything, but I did chuckle at a t-shirt down in Mexico that I saw last week...it was labelled John "Beer" and it used the John Deere colors and styling, but had a picture of a deer with a beer gut sitting on the ground surrounded by a bunch of empties...

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Bob Kohut's avatar

Didn't the republicans complain about Obama "picking winners" in the economy? Where are they now that farmers "win" bailout dollars for the second time while the small businesses getting crushed by the tariffs get squat??

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Jeff the Original's avatar

Ah geez...Bob...that'll be your first strike for posting something ladened with fact and common sense.

You only get 2 more...so post responsibly, ok?

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Katherine B Barz's avatar

Sorry Bob, you are letting sane judgement against fuzzy MAGA thinking. Felon Trump’s like facts as well as vampires like garlic. /s

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Robert Jaffee's avatar

Excellent points…:)

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Bob Kohut's avatar

And I forgot to mention looks like Trump is ready to anoint a "winner" in the battle between Netflix and Paramount.

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Alondra's avatar

I have a question or two: if/when SCOTUS rules against his tariffs, and refunds must be made to businesses which have paid tariffs, will farmers be able to keep the $12B? And, if international buyers of soy beans and other products have found other, cheaper and more reliable producers, so don't buy US products anymore, will farmer bailouts become a routine, annual thing?

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Robert Jaffee's avatar

Good questions, and I don’t have any answers. Although, I doubt SCOTUS will completely reverse the tariffs, it would mean repaying $200 billion in newly created taxes, which would be a disaster, since the money has already been spent on Trump pet projects and bailing out industries he inadvertently hurt by his inept and callous decisions.

My guess, SCOTUS will ultimately punt; the decision will be a mixed bag, and like several decisions in the past; they’ll allow some of the tariffs to stay, while sending the case back to the district courts will new rules….:)

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Timothy M Dwyer's avatar

Rob, you’re acting like money is a real thing. In the USA today, money = debt. And there is no ‘debt ceiling’, there are only new levels to reach. When the bill comes due, the Dear Leader will be but a memory and the massive incalculable debt will be the fault of the radical left according to the successor of the new Republican Party, whatever they call themselves - MAGAAgain, New South, whatever

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Kate Fall's avatar

Yup, the economic plans of MAGA are "your grandchildren are going to pay, but don't worry, you'll be dead." Which is why I don't see too many young people signing up.

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Holmes's avatar

Which conveniently is what conservatives always was The Left's plan when I was growing up. Really wild to watch.

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Robert Jaffee's avatar

Very true, and he’s counting on it; the bill won’t come due until after he’s dead and buried. The true definition of leadership these days; cause a tsunami, and leave it for the next guy to fix..:)

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Timothy M Dwyer's avatar

I guess he isn’t planning on announcing the termination of elections and formalizing rights of succession yet. That would require an act of humanity and demonstrate affinity for his namesake - whom he may or may not even remember exists depending on what day it is….

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Timothy M Dwyer's avatar

I hate to use this word, but, ‘in fairness’ this is only the continuation of a fiscal policy that began with the belief that, “job creators” didn’t need to pay taxes, and that we should be grateful to them for all their good works. This current version may be more blatantly corrupt, but what was brought forth in the 1980’s (or was it the 1880’s? I dunno) is the same story with the exception of current payoffs are mostly in full view. And our stupid citizens don’t see it or don’t care to see it because it would require a few minutes away from their favorite pastime, be that porn, kittens, or pre-pubescent dance crazes…..

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Robert Jaffee's avatar

Well said, I think most people see it, it’s just they’ve been conditioned to see the other party as worse and the ultimate enemy.

I’d equate this to the NFL Effect. If they get you hooked as a kid, or even later in life, it doesn’t matter that your team sucks, the other team will always be the enemy or worse.

Bottom line, we’re becoming a country filled with masochists; willing to burn the house down as long as the other teams inside as well!….:)

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Richard Kane's avatar

The modern version was started in the 1970's- 80's. We're now seeing their "trickle down" scheme coming to fruition. They wanted oligarchy, they got oligarchy.

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Timothy M Dwyer's avatar

And ‘Muricans’ don’t seem to mind. They’re too busy checking to see if their “T-rump coin” investments have matured into a new (fill in the blank_______ A. RV, B. Fishin’ boat, C. “For Patriots Generator”. D. Package of gummy bears

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Oregon Larry's avatar

I keep wondering where/if Congress appropriated the $12B? But I suppose that's stupid of me to even ask.

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B Breivogel's avatar

Just a formality.

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Paul K. Ogden's avatar

Not even a formality. Trump spends money that's not appropriated all the time.

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Robert Jaffee's avatar

Great question, and Congress didn’t allocate any funds for a bailout. Trump said he’s going to take it out of the tariff revenues (he said so in a press conference yesterday).

It’s as though he’s building his own private stash of tax payer dollars that will be under his full control, not Congress’s. I’m not even sure any of this is legal, but then again, is anything he’s managed to do during this administration actually LEGAL?????

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B Breivogel's avatar

Trump’s only looks out for himself and (perhaps) his family.

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Kotzsu's avatar

Back in my day, we used to think monopolies were bad. Competition was good, American even! But that was back in my day.

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Andrew Joyce's avatar

When Grandpa Simpson begins to sound reasonable, you're toast.

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Sheri Smith's avatar

*snort*

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Keith Wresch's avatar

When you start using the phrase ‘back in my day’, you’ve passed tne expiration date for being young and hip.

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Richard Kane's avatar

Back in my day I was young and hip! Now I'm old with a bad hip!

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Jeff the Original's avatar

"Hip Hop" describes my trip up from the couch to the fridge with a percussion accompaniment provided from my joints along the way.

Occasionally...I have a tuba section too....but it's a bit early to engage in potty humor...

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Alondra's avatar

Thanks all youse guys above for helping me laugh.

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Richard Kane's avatar

Just one of the services The Bulwark's comment sections provide!

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Timothy M Dwyer's avatar

Back in my day, that was true. Now, it’s ‘TRUDAT’!

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Steven Insertname's avatar

Wasssuuuuup?!?

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Brent's avatar

I want to find the string theory dimension where Kamala won and move there. Between this and HCR’s LFAA today, this is the stupidest fucking timeline. I appreciate the reporting but man if there’s not accountability for all these anti-American grifting dickheads after this, then, in the parlance of my kids, we’re cooked.

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Colleen Kochivar-Baker's avatar

Speaking of bailing out the farmers again, Trump's tariffs have been lighting up the wrong rocket economy. China now has a projected 1 trillion dollar trade surplus. Trump's rocket economy had an Elonesque unscheduled disassembly and we hit record trade deficits in July.

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Paul K. Ogden's avatar

Honestly trade deficits have never mattered. Trump's obsession on them gave us tariffs we didn't need.

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Doris's avatar

I have to say, Bill: that what keeps DJT up at night is likely nothing more than an old man’s inability to sleep (my grandmother, and most people who are really old, suffer from this malady—they nap during the day and haunt the halls at night). I continue to believe that the only thing he “worries” about is the stuff that he thinks makes him look bad. And this not because he is afraid of any consequences (he is convinced that he is invincible), but because too much bad press will force him to work harder. I suspect that whatever is in the Epstein files is pretty darned damning, and his worst fear is that too many people, upon learning the truth, will stop showing up to his parties, throwing money at him and kissing his a**.

That old line about shooting someone on Fifth Avenue? I think he still truly believes it. He also has presidential immunity (thanks SCOTUS!). But as his brain becomes more weak and feeble, the ability to self delude has got to be getting harder, and there must be some end to the number of billionaires willing to keep throwing money at him. That, if anything, is likely what is keeping his up at night.

Nothing moral or legal is of concern to him. Only his ability to rack in money and feel abject adoration motivate him.

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Carol S.'s avatar

I was appalled that Republicans were apparently not offended by the boast about getting away with murder on 5th Avenue. They didn't object to what it revealed about Trump's ethical code - or what it suggested about their own judgment. Instead, they've been proving him right - about them.

The insistence that he SHOULD have vast moral and legal impunity has been tremendously damaging to our country. It also reveals a preexisting moral rot that allowed such a person to rise - and be celebrated as a hero of Christian conservatism.

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ScottG's avatar

How is this effing legal? Since when did the president become the arbiter of winners and losers in this country? The FTC and other entities are supposed to decide on the merits of competitiveness, not play favorites.

This is Putin-level meddling and the execs who are cozying up to him are playing a very dangerous game. Tell me how that worked in Russia over time; how many enterpreneurs were jailed or stripped of their companies because Putin declared they were no longer convenient.

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Cindy's avatar

Or defenestrated.

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Kate Fall's avatar

It's legal because the Supreme Court says Trump can do anything he wants, and if anyone tries to stop him from doing illegal things, the Supreme Court smacks them down hard. Eventually people will realize John Roberts and Sam Alito are actually the ones in charge.

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Carol S.'s avatar

It became "legal" when most of the supposed "conservatives" decided that this particular president should never be held to any rules or conventional standards of ethics, and that "being Trump" was the highest standard he ever needed to meet. And then the self-styled "originalists" rewrote the Constitution to permit him to violate law without consequence.

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Jeff the Original's avatar

"Tariffs don't cause price increases, but removing them can help lower costs"

"The first missile strike was perfectly fine to be immediately released to the public, but the 2nd strike...well....we'll have to review this for security concerns....because of intelligence gathering methods, etc...don't you know?"

"It's perfectly fine to spill Top Secret real time attack operation details on a non-secure line....but don't you dare release that 2nd missile strike footage!"

It's so disheartening that 1/2 our fellow citizens can't see this obvious incompetency and corrupt behavior by our current administration. We need to remove them forcefully and to really do a reset on our government's laws and policies so this unitarian executive shix never can raise it's ugly head again.

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Katherine B Barz's avatar

That half is moving down to one third. Gallup has his approval at 34%. Yes, polls are not so good for what we need. Still, so many groups of people’ lives are being upended, they may be inclined to vent their opinions in ways they never did in the past.

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Jeff the Original's avatar

KBB - I sure do appreciate that point of light your post brought my way. Thx!

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Katherine B Barz's avatar

Jeff. You are welcome!

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Carole Langston's avatar

My dream would be to put all the Billionaire Robber Barons into a locked room with knives and water. Check it out in 4 weeks. One can go without food for 3 weeks to 2 months.

I know I won't get up votes. More of a chance than the Gaza residents or the Venezuelan fishermen have been given.

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Justin Lee's avatar

"I know I won't get up votes."

Although I'm more of a guillotine guy myself, I'll up-vote any variation of "eat the rich."

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Richard Kane's avatar

I'd cough up some reduced value dollars for that pay per view!

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J AZ's avatar

Alina Habba has a bright future. There’s a big UFC event planned in DC for America’s 250th anniversary. Alina for ring girl, 2026!

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Timothy M Dwyer's avatar

And Kash’s Gal can Sing the National Anthem!

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J AZ's avatar

😄

…or howsabout a The Voice rip off? Her, Lara Trump, and Kid Rock… crossed with Survivor, so they sing on an island, far away. Maybe in the Carribean, sort of a Hunger Games tie in with gamers participating online as Hegseth’s Heroes: Drone Force One? Produced by Harvey Weinstein in exchange for a full and complete pardon.

Huge

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Timothy M Dwyer's avatar

Jeeeze! I was just thinking they could start in matching sequins for the anthem, and then Habba-Dabba-doo could change outfits for each match. It will remind her and the crowd of the act she pulled when she so skillfully defended the dear leader in court. But I’m not gonna rain on your parade. I think we could combine our ideas and make a great new show on FOX!!!!

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J AZ's avatar

Sign me up, bro. This'll be bigger than bitcoin 💰💵😁

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Justin Lee's avatar

While "Macbeth" might have been the better parallel, 'tis the season for hackneyed references to Dickens's "A Christmas Carol." A few weeks before Christmas, shouldn't it be the ghost of Jacob Marley, not Banquo, that haunts Trump at night?

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Daphne McHugh's avatar

Justin yes, but Trump is not going to change course and is beyond redemption.

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Dan Leithauser's avatar

Trump Helsinki transcripts. Taxes. Video recordings. Financial records. Still waiting on the MRI, "not of my head, because I aced a cognitive test..." Why the bandage on the hand? IV infusions? Why did the FDA sponsor the release of Lilly Kisunla for Alzheimers over expert objections and the lack of clinical benefits and serious side effects?. Who was that guy that fainted in the White House recently? What was that MRI actually of? "Not my head"! Oh, not my head!

"You may be at higher risk of developing bleeding in the brain if you take medicines to reduce blood clots from forming (antithrombotic medicines) while receiving Kisunla. Talk to your healthcare provider to see if you are on any medicines that increase this risk. Your healthcare provider will do magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scans before and during your treatment with Kisunla to check you for ARIA. You should carry information that you are receiving Kisunla, which can cause ARIA, and that ARIA symptoms can look like stroke symptoms."

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TomD's avatar

Helsinki was Trump getting an Unsatisfactory on Relief from Financial Sanctions on his annual review.

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Sheri Smith's avatar

Yes, all this. He appears to have most of the ARIA symptoms.

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