What a lot of balls

I guess Trump’s tariffs (i.e. taxing the heck out of American businesses and consumers) must be raking in the cash, along with DOGE’s hatchet job on federal services.

Not only can he afford massive tax cuts for the rich, and incinerating millions of dollars worth of food and medical supplies that strife-torn countries can clearly do without, but there’s pocket change left over for a glittering new ballroom.

Because ... who doesn’t need one?

And, of course, it will be decked out with gold in abundance. Because gold just screams good taste, doesn’t it?

Poetic justice

Trump’s long and rambling welcome speech in Scotland was upstaged by his own piper playing throughout.

One bag of wind drowned out by another. Priceless.

 

To free, or not to free?

Listening to Trump prevaricate over whether he’d rule out pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell, the subtext screams loud and clear: Freedom beckons if you don’t implicate me.

Has anyone ever sounded more like a Mafia Don?

 

Clueless

Re. the trade talks (aka do as I say, or else!) Trump now says he “hasn’t had a lot of luck with Canada.”

With all the unprovoked insults, jibes, and economic chaos he’s randomly inflicted this year ... are you fucking surprised?

On drugs

“I’m going to bring down drug prices by fifteen hundred percent.”

This guy has the mental capacity of a cabbage.

Squirming

While his supporters are angrily demanding to see the Epstein files, Trump is laser-focused on far more important matters of state: Paper straws, Obama, Russia.

The message is loud and clear: Deflect, distract, deny!

Delusional

Trump is celebrating his first six months in office, and claiming to have made the US the “hottest and most respected country anywhere in the world.”

I find it hard to fathom the depths of self-deception or utter lack of self-awareness needed to make such a claim. The fact that a significant number of Americans will actually swallow this horseshit is just sad.

Corn or cane?

Trump wants Coke to change their recipe.

Setting aside the unbelievable abuse of presidential power for him to be pressuring a private business to make business decisions according to his whim, because that kind of abuse seems to have become the norm, the question is – who is it good for?

The company?

The consumers?

The farming industry?

The US economy?

The jury is still out on all of these. But if there’s one thing I can be sure of, somehow, it has to be good for Trump.

Because that is the only motivation he knows.

Off stage

Whether Trump was photoshopped out, or whether Chelsea simply chose another still from their celebrations to use as their official photo after Trump was led off like a naughty child, people can argue one way or another.

But that is missing the point.

The fact that Chelsea don’t want the president of the USA visible really says it all.

Centre stage

Trump presented the winner’s trophy at the Club World Cup final. After presenting the trophy, he was supposed to leave the stage (along with the head of FIFA) and let the players celebrate.

But of course he didn’t. Why should he not stay there front and centre? After all, it’s all about him, not the players who’ve just won!

Careful, Trump, your narcissism is showing.

Worth the paper it's written on?

Trump, once again, has proved that nothing he says can be trusted. Ever. Despite announcements and “deals”, countries like Vietnam are finding out the hard way that Trump’s approach to negotiation is nothing more than a strong-arm extortion racket.

As for Canada, it’s tiring after all these months, but I hope we keep those elbows up and not cave in to the latest round of bullying threats.

Now, more than ever, we must remember that once you have paid him the Danegeld, you will never get rid of the Dane.

A rare moment of truth

For once, Trump said something truthful. Putin has been feeding him meaningless bullshit all this time.

Never mind the fact that everyone outside his immediate protective bubble has been trying to tell him this for the last decade, it’s a rare admission, and a rare statement of truth. I wonder how long this breath of fresh air will last?

90 deals in 90 days

When Trump is not directly threatening my country with annexation, I can actually sit back and laugh at the clown show that the US has become this year.

When pressed for details about the “90 deals”, due tomorrow, Trump’s waffling reply mentioned that most will be sent a letter.

Translation: There are no deals. Most countries are ignoring his bullying.

Lying for a living

I realized a sad truth today, one that’s been apparent for years but which I’ve not properly articulated, hearing Trump today claiming China has no wind farms.

I realized we’ve become so accustomed to Trump, a supposed leader on the world stage, telling such a constant stream of lies that it’s no longer even news. It’s just an accepted part of daily life. How low has humanity sunk!

It’s one thing to doubt issues where there’s a lot of noise, confusion, and contradictory evidence flying around. Government regulation kills business – nonsense promoted by billionaire business owners. Smoking causes cancer – a fact long deliberately muddied by the tobacco industry. Fossil fuel use is altering our climate – a fact long deliberately muddied by the oil and coal industry (anyone seeing a pattern here?) Where there’s so much credible-sounding argument it gets hard to sift truth from reality.

But Trump makes statements that are so easily checked and debunked there’s no excuse. He’s been at it ever since his ridiculous (and easily disprovable) claims about the crowd at his first inauguration, and has been at it ever since. And the American people consume it like candy.

A well-educated, well-informed populace is vital to a healthy democracy. It’s also vital to a healthy and wealthy population. I’m saddened for the future of the US people. With so much willful ignorance there the future looks bleak.

Robbing Hood

The cruelty of Trump’s administration is on full display this week. Cutting services for the poor and vulnerable in order to enrich the rich.

Happy Birthday, America.

When all you have is a hammer ...

Universities – teach only my approved dogma or I’ll cut off your funding.

Lawyers – drop any cases I disapprove of or I’ll put you out of business.

Countries – buy my goods or I’ll attack your economies.

Politicians – worship me or I’ll force the party to drop your nomination for reelection.

The great dealmaker is a fraud. Trump only knows how to win when he holds the biggest stick to bully people into submission. That is the only tool in his toolbox.