The Former Trump Presidency Thread

Skinypupy · Post by **Skinypupy** » Mon Jul 23, 2018 9:02 am

There's always a Tweet:

Trump in 2011 wrote:In order to get elected, @BarackObama will start a war with Iran.

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Mon Jul 23, 2018 9:10 am

His Twitter has been 100% nuts for 24 hours, and he's still going.

New indictments, or is the Viagra past sell-by?

Captain Caveman · Post by **Captain Caveman** » Mon Jul 23, 2018 9:16 am

Bolton is NSA. They pulled out of the Iran deal. They’ve increasingly been hyping cyber security hacks from Iran. Netanyahu has been pushing for it.

I fear a pretext is building.

msteelers · Post by **msteelers** » Mon Jul 23, 2018 9:16 am

Skinypupy wrote: ↑Mon Jul 23, 2018 8:33 am
Stefan Stirzaker wrote: ↑Sun Jul 22, 2018 11:31 pm Someone said bad word so he made demented threats

To Iranian President Rouhani: NEVER, EVER THREATEN THE UNITED STATES AGAIN OR YOU WILL SUFFER CONSEQUENCES THE LIKES OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE. WE ARE NO LONGER A COUNTRY THAT WILL STAND FOR YOUR DEMENTED WORDS OF VIOLENCE & DEATH. BE CAUTIOUS!
I thought you were jokingly paraphrasing something he said, and didn't realize that's the communication he actually sent out to the world.

What the fuck??

And from what I can tell, it doesn't seem like Iran even really threatened the United States. The comment was "America should know that peace with Iran is the mother of all peace, and war with Iran is the mother of all wars.” I take that as "peace = good, war = bad."

The full context (from what I can tell) is that Rouhani was addressing Iranian diplomats and was talking tough about the Trump administration's reported efforts to destabilize Iran's government.

Captain Caveman · Post by **Captain Caveman** » Mon Jul 23, 2018 9:25 am

Yeah, it’s a disproportionate response to be sure but the important point is that it’s totally in bad faith and self-serving.

Come to think of it, totally in bad faith and self-serving would be a good title of a documentary of the Trump years.

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Mon Jul 23, 2018 9:29 am

Rest easy. Russia doesn't want a U.S.-Iran war destabilizing its new sphere of influence.

In a few months, Putin will invite Trump and Rouhani to a summit and Trump will demand the Nobel for averting war.

Captain Caveman · Post by **Captain Caveman** » Mon Jul 23, 2018 10:10 am

Bolton is loving this. He’s been having nocturnal emissions about this moment for decades.

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Mon Jul 23, 2018 10:18 am

They will welcome us as liberators!

Also: This war will pay for itself!

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Mon Jul 23, 2018 11:03 am

Captain Caveman wrote: ↑Mon Jul 23, 2018 10:10 am Bolton is loving this. He’s been having nocturnal emissions about this moment for decades.

Follow up tweet:

That price will be paid directly to the Donald J. Trump Foundation. In return, they will receive a signed 8x10 glossy photo of your favorite president.

tjg_marantz · Post by **tjg_marantz** » Mon Jul 23, 2018 11:03 am

Stefan Stirzaker wrote:Someone said bad word so he made demented threats

To Iranian President Rouhani: NEVER, EVER THREATEN THE UNITED STATES AGAIN OR YOU WILL SUFFER CONSEQUENCES THE LIKES OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE. WE ARE NO LONGER A COUNTRY THAT WILL STAND FOR YOUR DEMENTED WORDS OF VIOLENCE & DEATH. BE CAUTIOUS!

Kraken · Post by **Kraken** » Mon Jul 23, 2018 11:13 am

Trump will not start a war until the next presidential campaign. It wouldn't be helpful for the midterms, although saber-rattling might be.

If I thought for one moment that Trump had a strategery, I'd say that he wants Iran to openly stampede to nuclear weapons so that the rest of the pact will collapse. But he doesn't think beyond the next day's Fox & Friends cast, and Tehran wouldn't fall for that anyway.

LawBeefaroni · Post by **LawBeefaroni** » Mon Jul 23, 2018 11:22 am

What Iran should to is announce that they will dismantle their nuclear weapons program completely and give 50 international inspectors from the IAEA unfettered access if Trump releases 15 years of verified tax returns.

LordMortis · Post by **LordMortis** » Mon Jul 23, 2018 11:25 am

Who benefits from US-Iranian tension related to Syrian control as "US interests" have all been completed remove? Russia? And this comes just days after a private meeting. Say it isn't so. That has be yet another conspiracy of coincidence, like the last... every day....

$iljanus · Post by **$iljanus** » Mon Jul 23, 2018 11:42 am

Holman wrote: ↑Mon Jul 23, 2018 10:18 am They will welcome us as liberators!

Also: This war will pay for itself!

And I'm sure we'll have a strong coalition of countries to back us up! Or at least maybe countries who are seeking some investments by a certain company beginning with the letter "T" and ending in "rump".

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Mon Jul 23, 2018 2:34 pm

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Mon Jul 23, 2018 3:27 pm

Sarah Sanders says that the White House is looking into revoking the security clearances of John Brennan, James Comey, Jim Clapper, Michael Hayden, Susan Rice and Andrew McCabe. Sanders says it's because these officials have allegedly made "baseless charges" against Trump.

LawBeefaroni · Post by **LawBeefaroni** » Mon Jul 23, 2018 4:01 pm

Once again, if you want insight into what these scumbags are doing, just look at what they accuse others of doing.

I mean it's laughable at this point and there is absolutely nothing we can do.

LawBeefaroni · Post by **LawBeefaroni** » Mon Jul 23, 2018 4:04 pm

Also, they are all following the same name-dropping and casual "just met with so and so" blueprint of Trump himself. It's clear they're all in.

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Mon Jul 23, 2018 4:15 pm

Rand Paul has taken a sharp turn towards tongue-bathing Trump lately.

He's bucking for Gauleiter or something.

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Mon Jul 23, 2018 4:56 pm

Holman wrote: ↑Mon Jul 23, 2018 3:27 pm

Sarah Sanders says that the White House is looking into revoking the security clearances of John Brennan, James Comey, Jim Clapper, Michael Hayden, Susan Rice and Andrew McCabe. Sanders says it's because these officials have allegedly made "baseless charges" against Trump.

It's being pointed out that neither Comey nor McCabe even have a security clearance. They gave it up when leaving their positions.

This is plain and simple demonization of critics.

Skinypupy · Post by **Skinypupy** » Mon Jul 23, 2018 5:42 pm

Holman wrote: ↑Mon Jul 23, 2018 4:56 pm
Holman wrote: ↑Mon Jul 23, 2018 3:27 pm

Sarah Sanders says that the White House is looking into revoking the security clearances of John Brennan, James Comey, Jim Clapper, Michael Hayden, Susan Rice and Andrew McCabe. Sanders says it's because these officials have allegedly made "baseless charges" against Trump.

It's being pointed out that neither Comey nor McCabe even have a security clearance. They gave it up when leaving their positions.

This is plain and simple demonization of critics.

^THIS

McCabe's spokesperson

Andrew McCabe's security clearance was deactivated when he was terminated, according to what we were told was FBI policy. You would think the White House would check with the FBI before trying to throw shiny objects to the press corps...

Hayden's direct comment

I dont go back for classified briefings. Won’t have any effect on what I say or write

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Mon Jul 23, 2018 6:29 pm

So it's just the fourth or fifth attempt to distract from Helsinki...

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Mon Jul 23, 2018 10:25 pm

Holman wrote: ↑Mon Jul 23, 2018 4:15 pm Rand Paul has taken a sharp turn towards tongue-bathing Trump lately.

He's bucking for Gauleiter or something.

Rand Paul is a spineless sycophant. He’s Nunes with better hair.

gilraen · Post by **gilraen** » Mon Jul 23, 2018 11:23 pm

"Between McConnell hiding election interference and Rand Paul defending it, looks like Russia’s already annexed Kentucky." - as seen on Twitter

GungHo · Post by **GungHo** » Tue Jul 24, 2018 1:12 am

Holman wrote: ↑Mon Jul 23, 2018 4:56 pm

This is plain and simple demonization of critics.

Yeah looks like hands aren't the only thing small on trump.

Holman wrote: ↑Mon Jul 23, 2018 10:18 am They will welcome us as liberators!

Also: This war will pay for itself!

Dude did our building of The Wall not teach you anything? The Mexicans will pay for it!

Skinypupy · Post by **Skinypupy** » Tue Jul 24, 2018 7:52 am

hepcat wrote: ↑Mon Jul 23, 2018 10:25 pm
Holman wrote: ↑Mon Jul 23, 2018 4:15 pm Rand Paul has taken a sharp turn towards tongue-bathing Trump lately.

He's bucking for Gauleiter or something.
Rand Paul is a spineless sycophant. He’s Nunes with better hair.

The idea that Rand Paul has better hair than, well, anyone is a horrifying one.

Max Peck · Post by **Max Peck** » Tue Jul 24, 2018 9:08 am

Holman wrote: ↑Mon Jul 23, 2018 10:18 am Also: This war will pay for itself!

Maybe we'll finally get to see how Trump would go about "keeping the oil" this time.

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Tue Jul 24, 2018 9:29 am

Skinypupy wrote: ↑Tue Jul 24, 2018 7:52 am
hepcat wrote: ↑Mon Jul 23, 2018 10:25 pm
Holman wrote: ↑Mon Jul 23, 2018 4:15 pm Rand Paul has taken a sharp turn towards tongue-bathing Trump lately.

He's bucking for Gauleiter or something.
Rand Paul is a spineless sycophant. He’s Nunes with better hair.
The idea that Rand Paul has better hair than, well, anyone is a horrifying one.

I give Paul the edge because he has a head full of natural curls. He lets it run wild, and it gives him a devil may care look. Nunes has the typical roman soldier haircut that every other person in Washington under the age of 60 (and not bald, obviously) sports...except for Paul.

However, both are despicable human beings. It's just that one is gifted with a better coif.

Fireball · Post by **Fireball** » Tue Jul 24, 2018 9:56 am

I wonder when Trump will come after my security clearance.

I mean, I get paid for my job, and my TS is part of my job, so I'm definitely "monetizing" it!

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Tue Jul 24, 2018 10:22 am

I wonder if anyone displayed any of the many Trump products made overseas during his recent Made in America 2018 event in D.C.?

Zarathud · Post by **Zarathud** » Tue Jul 24, 2018 10:32 am

So we can revoke Trump's security clearance the instant he profits from his job in government? Who needs the emoluments clause?

milo · Post by **milo** » Tue Jul 24, 2018 10:41 am

Fireball wrote: ↑Tue Jul 24, 2018 9:56 am I wonder when Trump will come after my security clearance.

I mean, I get paid for my job, and my TS is part of my job, so I'm definitely "monetizing" it!

Yeah, I thought that was the weirdest part of this whole fiasco. I can't think of a case where you can legally use a clearance without getting paid for it. Accessing classified information must be based on "need to know" in service of the US Government. That would only apply to a paid position (like yours) or a contracted consultancy. Either way, you're getting paid to use the clearance. If you're not getting paid to use it, that would be an argument that you don't really need it. Right?

Fireball · Post by **Fireball** » Tue Jul 24, 2018 10:48 am

milo wrote: ↑Tue Jul 24, 2018 10:41 am
Fireball wrote: ↑Tue Jul 24, 2018 9:56 am I wonder when Trump will come after my security clearance.

I mean, I get paid for my job, and my TS is part of my job, so I'm definitely "monetizing" it!
Yeah, I thought that was the weirdest part of this whole fiasco. I can't think of a case where you can legally use a clearance without getting paid for it.

Right, it's not like they issues people clearances because someone just wants to read intelligence reports for fun. Also, they are terrifying. Not fun to read at all.

Accessing classified information must be based on "need to know" in service of the US Government.

That "need to know" part sucks. I want to find out about space aliens. But do I have a legitimate "need to know" about space aliens? I'd say so, but apparently the NSA and DOD disagree.

That would only apply to a paid position (like yours) or a contracted consultancy. Either way, you're getting paid to use the clearance. If you're not getting paid to use it, that would be an argument that you don't really need it. Right?

Yup. Also, the clearance isn't a gift from the government. It's a pretty involved process — mine took months, and involved getting lots of tax paperwork, etc, together. It's issued for a certain period of time, and part of the reason some folks go through the hassle is that they can then go to a government contractor and get paid more money because the contractor doesn't have to pay to get you cleared. I don't intend to do that, but it's done.

I mean, do we honestly believe that when he leaves the government, Kushner won't try to use whatever years are left on his adorable little "Secret Level" clearance to further line his own pockets?

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Tue Jul 24, 2018 10:57 am

Obviously the point of this is just to find another angle to smear Trump's enemies in the public eye. Trump just wants to generate some headlines along the lines of "Brennan Comey et al May Have Security Clearances Revoked" to generate a vague notion that they are accused of doing something wrong.

Paingod · Post by **Paingod** » Tue Jul 24, 2018 11:45 am

Max Peck wrote: ↑Tue Jul 24, 2018 9:08 am
Holman wrote: ↑Mon Jul 23, 2018 10:18 am Also: This war will pay for itself!
Maybe we'll finally get to see how Trump would go about "keeping the oil" this time.

We're overdue for a colony, right? Maybe a 51st state?

Smoove_B · Post by **Smoove_B** » Tue Jul 24, 2018 10:15 pm

"Pay with cash"

Story on CNN is here.

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Wed Jul 25, 2018 8:04 am

The creepiest thing about the tape is how utterly banal and routine it is.

You can tell that Trump and Cohen have paid to keep secrets like this a hundred times. There's no urgency or concern in their voices. They know the drill.

Skinypupy · Post by **Skinypupy** » Wed Jul 25, 2018 8:31 am

I suppose we can hold this up as example #8,254 of why Trump is an amoral garbage person, but that's basically common knowledge at this point.

Outside of that, I'm not sure what these tapes really do to hurt him.

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Wed Jul 25, 2018 8:44 am

Skinypupy wrote: ↑Wed Jul 25, 2018 8:31 am I suppose we can hold this up as example #8,254 of why Trump is an amoral garbage person, but that's basically common knowledge at this point.

Outside of that, I'm not sure what these tapes really do to hurt him.

I'm not sure it can be made to hurt him in the current climate, but the tapes indicate a crime.

The conversation is very clearly about managing secrets for election purposes, which makes it campaign-funding-relevant, which means Trump hid a $250,000 payment that he was required to report. That's a straight-up felony (and whether Trump said "cash" or "check" or both doesn't change that).

The list will be pretty long when the reckoning comes, but this is an unambiguous item for it.

stessier · Post by **stessier** » Wed Jul 25, 2018 8:58 am

I'm in Alabama today so I decided to watch Fox as one does. You would never know a tape was released from their coverage. A lot about tariffs and how good they are making the economy.