Category: Trumpland

Trump, Trumpland, Trumpland Revealed

Trump’s America: poor targeted, red carpet for wealthiest tax avoiders – Michael West

Trump’s America: poor targeted, red carpet for wealthiest tax avoiders – Michael West
Donald Trump

While Trump’s tax affairs have been widely reported, statistics show that US authorities are going after the poorest families. Just seven of the 23,400 households earning on average $30 million were audited (0.03%). Yet more than a third of households earning an average $12,600 were audited – nine times the rate for the richest. David Cay Johnston reports.

Trump’s America: poor targeted, red carpet for wealthiest tax avoiders – Michael West
Trump, Trumpland, Trumpland Revealed

Trump Reportedly ‘Plans To Declare Victory Before Election Is Called’ | HuffPost Australia

At a rally in September, he told supporters the only presidential election he would accept as legitimate would be the one he wins. “We do want a very friendly transition,” he told the crowd. “But we don’t want to be cheated, and be stupid, and say, ‘Oh, let’s transit.’

Trump Reportedly ‘Plans To Declare Victory Before Election Is Called’ | HuffPost Australia
Trump, Trumpland

US election 2020: What has Trump said about your country? – BBC News
Promo image showing Donald Trump and other world leaders

We’ve taken a look at the countries he’s mentioned most on Twitter to pick out his most notable statements and give an overview of where US relations stand as we approach the election on 3 November.

US election 2020: What has Trump said about your country? – BBC News
Trumpland

Could Texas flip? Why the GOP stronghold is worth watching on election night
Democratic vice presidential candidate Senator Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign in Fort Worth, Texas.

Bloomberg’s advertising blitz was announced shortly after word had spread that Biden’s running mate Kamala Harris would be touring suburbs across Houston, Fort Worth and McAllen today, to shore up more support from voters.

Could Texas flip? Why the GOP stronghold is worth watching on election night
Trumpland

US election 2020: The tactics used to suppress and contest the vote

Trump supporters rally outside an early voting booth in Miami, Florida.

In Florida last week, two armed men dressed as security guards stood at a campaign tent outside a voting centre, falsely claiming they had been hired by the Trump campaign to guard the area.

In Pennsylvania, Trump officials videotaped voters as they delivered their ballots into drop boxes, supposedly in a bid to catch potential violations.

Source: US election 2020: The tactics used to suppress and contest the vote

Trump, Trumpland

US election 2020: Donald Trump goes with his gut, even if America goes belly-up
John Bolton on Trump: "He doesn’t think in philosophical terms, or in terms of grand strategy, or in terms of policy as we conventionally understand it."

What of Trump’s accusation that Biden is corrupt, taking illegal payments from Russia and Ukraine and others? Bolton ran the National Security Council in the Trump White House; he had access to the most highly classified intelligence the US possesses. “I think it’s entirely made up by Trump,” says Bolton. “Hunter Biden,” Joe’s son, “as is often the case with the family members of influential politicians, probably exercised incredibly poor judgment. In the debate, Joe Biden said he’d never taken a penny from any foreign source. It’d better be true, and I’m inclined to believe it’s true. “Donald Trump just makes things up. He tries to create the world he wants you to believe in.” Fair cop. We’re about to discover exactly how many American voters believe in his alternative reality.

US election 2020: Donald Trump goes with his gut, even if America goes belly-up
Trump, Trumpland, Trumpland Revealed

Data Disappeared

Data is the lifeblood of a functioning government. Over the past four years, the Trump administration has destroyed, disappeared or distorted vast swathes of the information the state needs to protect the vulnerable, safeguard our health and alert us to emerging crises.

https://highline.huffingtonpost.com/article/disappearing-data/index.html#

Trump, Trumpland

What, me worry? Trump says worst is over as COVID rampages across US | The New Daily

The US coronavirus caseload has reached record heights with more than 83,000 infections reported in a single day, the latest ominous sign of the disease’s grip on the nation.

What, me worry? Trump says worst is over as COVID rampages across US | The New Daily
Trump, Trumpland, Trumpland Revealed

The end of democracy? If Trump loses, Trumpism still wins
Illustration: John Shakespeare

The combination of Trump’s attacks on the institutions and the principles of democracy and the Republican Party’s repressive methods means that democracy itself is on the ballot.

The end of democracy? If Trump loses, Trumpism still wins
Trump, Trumpland, Trumpland Revealed

Coronavirus: US COVID-19 single-day deaths top 1200 for first time since August
A medical worker at a coronavirus drive-through testing site in Casper, Wyoming, this month.

A report released on Wednesday by Columbia University estimated that between 130,000 and 210,000 COVID-19 deaths could have been avoided in the US, calling the federal government’s response to the pandemic an “enormous failure”. “The weight of this enormous failure ultimately falls to the leadership at the White House – and among a number of state governments – which consistently undercut the efforts of top officials at the CDC and HHS,” the report said, referring to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Health and Human Services.

Coronavirus: US COVID-19 single-day deaths top 1200 for first time since August
Trumpland, Trumpland Revealed

Over 1 million mail-in ballots could be rejected in the US election — and the rules are changing by the day

In the US election next month, record-breaking numbers of voters will cast their ballots by mail for the first time. Millions of these ballots will be processed by local election administrations inexperienced with large numbers of mail-in votes.

Over 1 million mail-in ballots could be rejected in the US election — and the rules are changing by the day
Trumpland

US election 2020: Russia, Iran aim to interfere, FBI says
US intelligence officials have revealed attempts by Iran and Russia to interfere in the election between Donald Trump and Joe Biden.
The FBI announcement could be regarded as interferance

Iran and Russia have sought to influence the US election by obtaining voter registration data in a bid to spread false information. With less than two weeks before the November poll, US officials today revealed the two countries had tried to target voters with a disinformation campaign designed to undermine the integrity of the election.

US election 2020: Russia, Iran aim to interfere, FBI says
Trumpland

The Chaos Is The Point | Washington Monthly
Donald Trump

What motivates Trump followers? Racism? Conservatism? Cruelty? Part of it may be simple disruption. A historian explains.

The Chaos Is The Point | Washington Monthly
Trumpland

The Supreme Court Is Smothering American Democracy

As Republicans ram through a Supreme Court nominee appointed by a president who lost the popular vote, the anti-democratic rule of the judiciary is on full display.

The Supreme Court Is Smothering American Democracy
Trumpland, Trumpland Revealed

US election 2020: Why it can be hard to vote in the US – BBC News
Long queues in Nevada

The most technically innovative country on the planet It’s easier to vote anywhere on the planet than it is in America why?

A fierce battle over who should vote and how has sparked hundreds of lawsuits and prompted accusations of voter suppression. So what are the barriers to voting and why do they exist?

US election 2020: Why it can be hard to vote in the US – BBC News
Trumpland, Trumpland Revealed

The Eight Things Trump Reveals About America | Washington Monthly

Michelle Obama has observed that being president does not change who you are. It reveals who you are. The same could be said of the nation: that its president does not change who we are but reveals who we are. And what Donald Trump has revealed about America has taught us sobering lessons about ourselves.

The Eight Things Trump Reveals About America | Washington Monthly
Trump, Trumpland

‘Black people are literally voting like their lives depend on it’
Crystal Clark sits on a folding stool while holding an umbrella for shade as she waits in line to vote early in Savannah, Georgia.

A 72-year-old voter in Dayton, Ohio, said, “I’m angry about everything.” A retired veterinary technician in Detroit said she voted for one reason only: “Donald Trump. To make sure he’s not reelected.” A federal employee who waited in line for 10 hours in suburban Atlanta explained simply: “I have three black sons.”

‘Black people are literally voting like their lives depend on it’
Trump, Trumpland

Amid Trump Failure to Get Pandemic Under Control, Canada Extends Border Closure With US | Common Dreams News

“The United States is not in a place where we would feel comfortable reopening those borders,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said.

Amid Trump Failure to Get Pandemic Under Control, Canada Extends Border Closure With US | Common Dreams News
Trump, Trumpland, Trumpland Revealed

China grows nearly 5%; Will historians look back at Trump’s disastrous Pandemic Response as the Moment Beijing Overtook the US?

Even if Trump loses, he can go on screwing up the country for two and a half months thereafter, and it will take years to undo the damage he has done. Pandemics are the sort of thing you want to nip in the bud. If you let them go to national community spread, they become far more difficult to quash. Some analysts are looking at winter 2023 for the US to “put the pandemic in the rear-view mirror,” and that is assuming we get an effective vaccine fairly soon (something of which there is no guarantee), and that it can be mass manufactured and widely distributed and that people will get it.

China grows nearly 5%; Will historians look back at Trump’s disastrous Pandemic Response as the Moment Beijing Overtook the US?
Trump, Trumpland, Uncategorized

Historian Timothy Snyder warns that America is already in its own “slow-motion Reichstag Fire” | Salon.com

Donald Trump considers any election in which he is not the “winner” to be null and void. Trump’s appointment of Amy Coney Barrett to the United States Supreme Court is an obvious quid pro quo to secure his “reelection” if his attorneys and other agents can sufficiently sabotage the vote on Election Day and beyond.

Historian Timothy Snyder warns that America is already in its own “slow-motion Reichstag Fire” | Salon.com
Trumpland, Trumpland Revealed

Trump Is Urging Republicans to Break the Law | The Nation
california-ballot-drop-box-vote-gty-img

Break the Law we can always defend it in the Supreme Court

He not only applauded the California GOP’s illegal use of mail-in ballot drop-boxes; he’s urging Republican officials elsewhere to do the same thing.

Trump Is Urging Republicans to Break the Law | The Nation
Trump, Trumpland

Trumpism: Its firing up the far-Right

Donald Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric appears to be informing extremism in Australia and right-wing media is helping, writes James Cutler.

Trumpism: Its firing up the far-Right
Trump, Trumpland, Trumpland Revealed

Critics Say Deregulatory Rush Shows Even If Defeated the Trump White House Willing to ‘Scorch the Earth Before They Go’ | Common Dreams News
President Donald Trump campaigned on a promise to roll back regulations, and he has largely delivered on his pledge. (Photo: Andrew Harrer/Getty Images)

With President Donald Trump’s re-election very much in doubt, his administration is rushing to ram through regulatory rollbacks that could adversely affect millions of Americans, the environment, and the ability of Joe Biden—should he win—to pursue his agenda or even undo the damage done over the past four years.

Critics Say Deregulatory Rush Shows Even If Defeated the Trump White House Willing to ‘Scorch the Earth Before They Go’ | Common Dreams News
Trumpland, Trumpland Revealed

Trump Staffers Worry About Resumes After Choosing To Work For An Authoritarian | Crooks and Liars
Trump Staffers Worry About Resumes After Choosing To Work For An Authoritarian

When all is said and done was working for Trump a career boost?

Lackeys from the Trump administration aren’t one teensy bit concerned about the mess they’ll leave behind should their impeached president lose reelection in just under 20 days. Oh no, the fact that they’re all on a superspreader tour of the country is proof of that. Like their boss, what they’re concerned about instead are their own sorry asses.

Trump Staffers Worry About Resumes After Choosing To Work For An Authoritarian | Crooks and Liars
Trump, Trumpland

A dueling town halls upside: Media finally focuses on the wide gulf between Biden and Trump | Salon.com

The nation’s top political reporters actually focused on the extreme contrast between the candidates, not spectacle

A dueling town halls upside: Media finally focuses on the wide gulf between Biden and Trump | Salon.com

Trump, Trumpland

Trump Got the Best COVID Treatment. For the Rest of Us He Wants “Herd Immunity.” | The Smirking Chimp
IT’S NOW CALLED COVID-19 RED

Trump is alive because he got the best treatment science can deliver, buttressed by data gathered from the corpses he has already caused. Upon recovery, he declared his intent to abandon millions more to a choking, solitary death so he can keep his job and salvage his junkyard ego. Not for one second does he think this Great Barrington Declaration will do anybody but him any good. It gets him out from under, and that is all that matters. Ladies and gentlemen, the president of the United States.

Trump Got the Best COVID Treatment. For the Rest of Us He Wants “Herd Immunity.” | The Smirking Chimp
Trump, Trumpland

Details Emerge On Giuliani-Post Story, And The Obvious Frame-up Looks Clearly Like Russian Propaganda | Crooks and Liars
Details Emerge On Giuliani-Post Story, And The Obvious Frame-up Looks Clearly Like Russian Propaganda

On Wednesday morning, the New York Post broke the genuinely unbelievable story about a soggy laptop with a hard drive that contains emails suggesting that Joe Biden had a previously unreported meeting with a Ukrainian businessman … and video of Hunter Biden having a crack-laced party with a sex worker. Because, sure, if you’re going to have illegal drugs while engaging in illegal sex, you have to be sure to film it, right after the email that’s a threat to your father.

Details Emerge On Giuliani-Post Story, And The Obvious Frame-up Looks Clearly Like Russian Propaganda | Crooks and Liars
Trump, Trumpland

Trump’s New Mantra: Herd Immunity | The Smirking Chimp
Politically Desperate Don caals for Herd Immunity

The White House has abandoned the idea of controlling the virus and instead is openly embracing the idea of “herd immunity.” Officials are arguing that the nation should protect our most vulnerable neighbors — the elderly and the infirm — and the rest of us should go about our lives normally, without waiting for a vaccine.

Trump, Trumpland

Plot to kidnap Michigan’s governor grew from the militia movement’s toxic mix of constitutional falsehoods and half-truths

Plot to kidnap Michigan’s governor grew from the militia movement’s toxic mix of constitutional falsehoods and half-truths
US-CRIME-MICHIGAN-GOVERNOR-POLITICS : News Photo

The U.S. militia movement has long been steeped in a peculiar – and unquestionably mistaken – interpretation of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and civil liberties. This is true of an armed militia group that calls itself the Wolverine Watchmen, who were involved in the recently revealed plot to overthrow Michigan’s government and kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Plot to kidnap Michigan’s governor grew from the militia movement’s toxic mix of constitutional falsehoods and half-truths
Trump, Trumpland, Trumpland Revealed

Opinion | Postpone the election? Voter intimidation? Amy Coney Barrett is open to it. – The Washington Post
Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett answers questions during the second day of her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.

But the most chilling moment of her Supreme Court confirmation testimony Tuesday came when she said she would “need to hear arguments” about whether President Trump can postpone the election. “President Trump made claims of voter fraud and suggested he wanted to delay the upcoming election,” Sen. Dianne Feinstein (Calif.), the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, observed. “Does the Constitution give the president of the United States the authority to unilaterally delay a general election under any circumstances? Does federal law?” AD

Opinion | Postpone the election? Voter intimidation? Amy Coney Barrett is open to it. – The Washington Post
Trump, Trumpland, Trumpland Revealed

All The President’s Men | HuffPost Australia
Mugshots of the 13 men belonging to paramilitary groups who were arrested last week related to a plot...

This past week, 13 men belonging to paramilitary groups were arrested in a horrifying plot to kidnap Michigan’s Democratic governor, Gretchen Whitmer. Based on what can be gleaned from the men’s social media pages, they fit a familiar profile of far-right vigilantism in America.

All The President’s Men | HuffPost Australia
Trump, Trumpland

Hollowness of ‘America first’ to the fore at UN meeting: China Daily editorial – Opinion – Chinadaily.com.cn

Rather than admitting that its belated and ineffective response to the novel coronavirus outbreak has cost more than 210,000 American lives and taking measures now to prevent any more loss of lives, the US administration unashamedly continues to blame other countries for the spread of the virus. The international community hoped that after testing positive for COVID-19, the US president’s attitude toward the pandemic would change. Yet the world is greeted by the same chicanery. Because when it comes to “America first”, it is the US administration first; the rest just don’t matter.

Hollowness of ‘America first’ to the fore at UN meeting: China Daily editorial – Opinion – Chinadaily.com.cn
Trump, Trumpland

Donald Trump Has Secured The All Important Taliban Endorsement | Crooks and Liars
Donald Trump Has Secured The All Important Taliban Endorsement

Donald Trump has secured a critical endorsement just 24 days before the election: the Taliban. CBS News is reporting that the Taliban really wants Donald Trump to be reelected for a second term.

I wonder how the military and the rest of the Republican Party feels about this?

Afghanistan, Trump, Trumpland

The Taliban on Trump: “We hope he will win the election” and withdraw U.S. troops – CBS News
Trump puts nation at risk by ignoring intelligence community

Only Trump

President Trump’s reelection bid received a vote of support Friday from an entity most in his party would reject: the Taliban.

The Taliban on Trump: “We hope he will win the election” and withdraw U.S. troops – CBS News
Trump, Trumpland

Toxic Chemical Smoke Grenades Used in Portland
Federal officers are surrounded by smoke

Portland protesters report severe and lasting side effects from the chemical weapons used during Trump’s “Operation Diligent Valor.

Toxic Chemical Smoke Grenades Used in Portland
Trump, Trumpland

Informed Comment- Robert Reich, Trump’s Chaos
Trump, Trumpland

US 2020 Election: Second US Presidential debate to be virtual amid concerns of Donald Trump’s COVID-19
Trump and Biden will be participating in their second election debate from remote locations.

Soon after the US President’s refusal to attend the debate, Trump’s campaign team then issued a statement suggesting pushing back the encounter to October 22, the scheduled date of a third debate between the candidates, while using the town hall-style format planned for October 15. The Trump campaign proposed holding what would be a third debate on October 29.

US 2020 Election: Second US Presidential debate to be virtual amid concerns of Donald Trump’s COVID-19
Trump, Trump's Opinion, Trumpland

Trump says COVID-19 infection ‘a blessing from god’, promises Regeneron for free
Trump talks up Regeneron and possible vaccine
Nero and his fiddle

A MODERN DAY NERO

US President Donald Trump has described his COVID-19 infection as a “blessing from God” in a new video filmed at the White House in which he promises to make the experimental drug he received available for free to all Americans. Introducing himself as “your favourite president”, Trump said he regarded the experimental antibody treatment, made by pharma company Regeneron, as a “cure” for coronavirus. There is no cure for the virus, according to medical experts.

Trump says COVID-19 infection ‘a blessing from god’, promises Regeneron for free
Trumpland, Trumpland Revealed

Don’t expect due process in the U.S. Election

Even if Joe Biden were to gain enough votes, Trump will not allow him to win the U.S. Election, writes Peter Henning.

Don’t expect due process in the U.S. Election
Trump, Trumpland

King of the Swamp – Progressive.org
Screen Shot 2020-10-06 at 12.25.00 PM.png

In fact, throughout his first—and, hopefully, only—term in office, Trump has turned the presidency into a huge swamp, rife with corruption.

King of the Swamp – Progressive.org
Trump, Trumpland

‘Promises Made, Workers Betrayed’: Trump Gave $425 Billion in Federal Contracts to Corporations That Offshored 200,000 Jobs | Common Dreams News

“

‘Promises Made, Workers Betrayed’: Trump Gave $425 Billion in Federal Contracts to Corporations That Offshored 200,000 Jobs | Common Dreams News
Auto workers rally outside the GM plant in Lordstown, Ohio on March 6, 2019, the day the factory was shuttered. (Photo: Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)
Never Trumpers now

Trump won in 2016 by pledging to voters in key industrial swing states that he would end job offshoring, but 200,000 more American jobs have been offshored during his presidency.”

‘Promises Made, Workers Betrayed’: Trump Gave $425 Billion in Federal Contracts to Corporations That Offshored 200,000 Jobs | Common Dreams News
Trumpland

McConnell Put the Senate in Recess. What Happens Now?
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C., U.S. on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020.
Barrett and Relief Stimulus shelved

The Senate went into recess Monday afternoon following the news that at least three Republican senators were waylaid with Covid-19. It was the latest in an ongoing parliamentary battle whose outcome could shape both the judiciary and the Senate for years to come. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had a near-invincible upper hand in the fight, but now his control is far from certain amid the virus outbreak, which seems to have been spread rapidly by the very ceremony that kicked off the confrontation: a reckless White House party to celebrate the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett.

McConnell Put the Senate in Recess. What Happens Now?
Trump, Trumpland

“Stand back and stand by”: New report links Trump and NRA to rise of militias behind violent threats | Salon.com
“Stand back and stand by”: New report links Trump and NRA to rise of militias behind violent threats

“These groups have been waiting for the signal from Trump for some time,” Wagner added. “Many of them explicitly reference the president in waiting for orders.”

“Stand back and stand by”: New report links Trump and NRA to rise of militias behind violent threats | Salon.com
Trump, Trumpland, Uncategorized

Trump is the architect of his own decline

Whether he recovers or not, Trump’s presidency is moribund; so utterly corrupted it is rotten to the core. Mendacity and recklessness are two of its worst traits, notes Frank Bruni. Add a third: Trump’s petty tyranny. If you wanted the boss to be happy, you left your mask at home, report Annie Karni and Maggie Haberman of The White House’s top-down culture of fear. A staff too frightened to displease their boss cannot tell him the hard truths he needs to know. In the end, this is the illness that has undone Trump. He is the architect of his own decline.

Trump is the architect of his own decline – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Trump, Trumpland, Trumpland Revealed

Old Dog Thoughts- Republican States are surging with Covid and Receding from Trump

Trump’s October surprise: The U.S. Election takes an unexpected turn

Fighting Fake News with REAL 6/10/20; Trump’s SURPRISE; The Shovel; COVID ; Fake News

Trumpland

Trump has COVID-19: More evidence that he’s always put his ego ahead of public health | Salon.com
Trump has COVID-19: More evidence that he's always put his ego ahead of public health
The media won’t write him off he’s too valuable to their bottom line

Will we now see policy discussions and debates in the media? No Effen way. (ODT

Donny SuperSpreader can’t benefit from catching a virus he has claimed affects “virtually nobody”

Trump has COVID-19: More evidence that he’s always put his ego ahead of public health | Salon.com

Trump, Trumpland

Trump shows American democracy is in terrible danger
Either victory or an attack on the election: US President Donald Trump.

Trump’s motives could not be more transparent. If he does not win the Electoral College, he’ll muddy the results so that the outcome can be decided only by the Supreme Court or the House of Representatives (where each state delegation gets one vote). Trump has advantages in both right now, which he has boasted about for the past week. I can’t say this any more clearly: Our democracy is in terrible danger — more danger than it has been since the Civil War, more danger than after Pearl Harbor, more danger than during the Cuban missile crisis and more danger than during Watergate. Advertisement

Trump shows American democracy is in terrible danger
Trumpland

2020 US Election: Republicans accused of voter suppression to help Trump in Texas
President Donald Trump arrives to speaks at the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention in Austin, Texas in January.

Republican Governor Greg Abbott, an ally of the President, today announced that counties in Texas can only have one location to collect completed mail ballots from voters – a move that critics say amounts to voter suppression in populous left-leaning cities such as Austin and Houston.

2020 US Election: Republicans accused of voter suppression to help Trump in Texas
Trumpland

As McConnell Dismisses New Covid Relief Bill as ‘Political Stunt,’ Survey Shows 60% of US Families Struggling to Get By | Common Dreams News

“He’s been blocking the original HEROES Act for 138 days. As always, his priorities are appalling.”

As McConnell Dismisses New Covid Relief Bill as ‘Political Stunt,’ Survey Shows 60% of US Families Struggling to Get By | Common Dreams News
Trumpland

No mail-in votes, proof of citizenship: the long history of preventing minorities from voting in the US

The Republican-led legislature passed a new law presenting another hurdle — felons had to pay off all their fines to vote — but last week, billionaire Michael Bloomberg donated US$16 million to a fund designed to help them do that.

No mail-in votes, proof of citizenship: the long history of preventing minorities from voting in the US