A lot of us are shocked. But we shouldn’t be. These guys know exactly what they’re doing.

Many are asking how could Tillis, Cornyn and Cassidy do this? After being publicly mocked, vilified and demeaned and with their senator status ending, why would they kowtow in such an overt way to the very man who humiliated them and forced them out of public life?

After all, it’s not as though they had anything left to lose. Right? So why all the bowing and scraping to Trump and his MAGA dominated party?

Wrong. Actually, these three soon-to-be ex-Republican senators had a lot to lose if they dared to buck the man in the White House and the overwhelming consensus within their own Trump-compliant party.

It’s called dollars; possibly millions of them.

All three of these men---like all former United States senators---are given privileges as ex-members of that body, allowing them to come onto the floor of the Senate at virtually any time for any reason. And these privileges are extended to them until the day they die.

These are the lobbying privileges that every senator has immediately after leaving their previous job. In fact, it’s become almost commonplace for previous senators to then immediately put up a for-hire sign, letting people know that their services are now for sale to anyone hoping to influence laws and legislation.

They can argue, credibly---to any potential client seeking special favors or privileges from this lawmaking body---that no one but an ex-senator can gain such easy and rapid access to the current members of that elite club of 100 lawmakers.

Every client of an ex-senator lobbyist is well aware of the insider knowledge and influence that any former senator obviously possesses.

It’s an extremely lucrative business with average earnings well into the multiple millions annually. Nice work if you can get it. And very few people can. Being an ex-senator lobbyist is significantly better than being a nepo baby.

Here’s a quick explanation of how this works: If you offered a sitting member of Congress $3 million dollars in return for sponsoring or even just voting for a particular piece of legislation, that would be a serious felony that most people would consider a very heinous crime and a flagrant abuse of the office you were given as a public trust. You could spend years in federal prison for such a thing. And rightly so.

But if you vacated that office just one day earlier, you could immediately sell your services to pretty much anyone you liked for any reason at all. And it’s 100% legal.

THIS is why Tillis, Cornyn and Cassidy did this. It wasn’t for Trump; it was despite this awful man who they clearly find contemptuous. It was entirely for them and their own interests. Self-preservation. Future Earnings. A VERY financially secure retirement.

These guys may be cowardly, ethically challenged and deeply deceptive. But if they’re the Three Stooges they’re very astute and crafty ones; The Three (Smart) Stooges. No doubt.

So when you realize this, their inscrutable actions, including the Blanche confirmation vote, become easy to understand. It’s about money. Cashing in. Using who and what they know to clean up financially.

When Mary Lillian Ellison---the champion female wrestler better known by her ring name, The Fabulous Moolah---was asked why she chose that moniker, she replied, “Because I do this for the moolah, the Fabulous MOOLAH!”

Fabulous indeed. Just ask any former member of Congress now working as a lobbyist.

So there’s really no mystery here. This is why they, and numerous ex-members of Congress have done this and will continue to do this, until or unless we the voters demand an end to it.

We have allowed a system to be set up that essentially amounts to “Delayed Bribery.” The word is out to any and all members of Congress; after a few years of scraping by on a mere $174,000 a year, the Big Bucks WILL be coming if you can just put in this time making this modest sum, for now.

And obviously if this is your long-term game plan---to use the time and the office you’ve been given---not to improve life and the law on behalf of your constituents, but to absorb all the knowledge you can in order to “play the game” effectively on behalf of your future clients, you’re going to behave in such a way that sends a signal to those future clients; that you can be counted on to do their bidding and not challenge their economic imperatives.

These men and women who have been trusted enough by thousands of their voters to represent them and their families in Congress have a tremendous incentive to stay focused on The BIG Payday ahead if they stay in line, don’t make waves and keep their rhetoric and especially their votes and sponsorships all within clear boundaries.

This Delayed Bribery is a major reason why so little genuinely helpful legislation hasn’t come out of Congress in a very long time. And this trend shows every sign of continuing. And it comes at the cost of every American, whether they voted for any particular member of Congress or not.

The Trump era has glaringly demonstrated why we need extensive reform of how the presidency and Congress function. Many traditions and commonsense expectations of how our highest public servants are expected to behave have been deliberately ignored and gleefully exploited. In the next administration there are a plethora of these seemingly quaint expectations that need to be codified into law, with stiff criminal penalties for violating them.

Permitting former members of Congress to put out a sign saying “Open For Business Lobbying” after leaving this public trust is a deep and obvious oversight in our system. We need to change this, ASAP. Along with an absolute ban on stock transactions for Congressional members and their immediate families, we need to prohibit this revolving door of House and Senate members cashing in for FAR MORE than their previous salaries in the service of the already extremely wealthy and powerful.

We need to enact laws that would ban former members of Congress from becoming lobbyists---if not forever, then for a seven or ten year minimum. If this discourages those money-hungry types from running for higher office, that’s called an additional reason to support this.

Serving in the Congress is an honor. And this public trust should be reserved for those with integrity, diligence, values and vision; not the self-obsessed, solipsistic Trump-like clone “deal makers” who are only in it as a way to line their own pockets.

If you REALLY want to “Drain The Swamp” in our nation’s capital, this is an idea all Americans—regardless of political leanings—should support. A ban on post-Congressional lobbying transcends ideology and is actually one issue an overwhelming majority of voters will likely agree with. It addresses what is fundamentally wrong with Congress much more directly than superficial side shows such as term-limits and cushy fringe benefits.

In US political history there are few genuine “Profiles In Courage.” Their rarity is what makes them so memorable, so laudable, so legendary. But most of us admire the stories of those truly brave elected officials who risked so much to do the right thing with no guarantee of ultimate success.

While we’re waiting to admire and justifiably honor the next modern-day courageous profile, it’s important for We The People to demand a system that doesn’t provide the temptation of personal enrichment for any senator or representative possessing patience and the ability to rationalize their own self-interest as “public service” while they do little or nothing to ruffle the feathers of those who will eventually be their benefactors.

But I do have to thank Tillis, Cornyn and Cassidy---The Three (Smart) Stooges---for unintentionally spotlighting this issue. In an attempt to answer the seemingly puzzling question of how they could vote for someone so thoroughly duplicitous and discredited as Todd Blanche, their vote has raised another question; how much longer will Americans tolerate such obvious and open corruption from their elected officials---hidden and postponed behind their time served in Congress---before the floodgates open for them with this future payoff from the excessively wealthy and connected few?

The other morning I was watching an otherwise erudite and accomplished journalist on a morning talk show comparing voters who are supporting Graham Platner in his campaign for US Senate in Maine with voters who support Donald Trump, claiming that both sets of voters are overlooking or denying their candidate’s flaws for partisan reasons. Implicit in his argument was the idea that both Platner and Trump were somehow equally ethically challenged and that a vote for Platner required the same sort of willful ignorance, rationalizing or outright denial as a vote for Trump.

Stop the nonsense. These two men are vastly different, in every way imaginable. The past personal mistakes and failings of Platner---in contrast to the egregious and continuing crimes of Trump---are poles apart. And so are their respective supporters.

When you vote for Graham Platner you’re voting for a guy who yes, has a somewhat checkered and embarrassing past. He’s done some thoughtless things and exercised less than perfect judgment. He’s made bad choices. He was obviously suffering some psychological trauma from wartime service—and he’s far from alone among his fellow veterans. And all of these bad stories about him are several years old. People can and do change for the better, especially when they consciously commit to doing so.

Platner’s voters are almost always familiar with his often questionable past. But they also realize that these disturbing stories don’t rise to the level of criminal or even unethical behavior. They also realize that there is more to a person than what they regrettably did on a handful of occasions. None of us should be exclusively defined by some bad parts of our past, especially if we accept and admit the harsh truth about ourselves, apologize for it and work to better ourselves.

But most Platner voters and supporters don’t refuse to accept the reality of his past. They don’t uniformly deny any and all news accounts about the mistakes he’s made and the people he hurt. They don’t call these accounts “fake news.” Nor do they insist that their candidate is “perfect” and invariably make up laughable and ludicrous excuses for obviously bad behavior. They tend to be pragmatists, willing to forgive and understand that many good people have done bad things in the past. But interviews with most Platner backers demonstrate that they know where to draw the line, with most of them saying that if credible accounts of true criminal behavior emerge, they would likely withdraw their support.

Most Trump voters have demonstrated that even after thousands of egregious lies, hundreds of obtuse, repugnant and sickening statements and even court rulings proving sexual assault, financial fraud and more, they’ll not only continue to vote for him without reservations, they’ll also insist that he’s never wrong or mistaken and refuse to believe anything even mildly critical of him and his performance in office. They’re more like cultists worshipping a God-like figure than informed voters trying to choose who will be more competent, honest and successful in office.

Comparing most Trump voters to most Platner voters as if they were similar types on opposite sides of the ideological fence is absurd and intellectually indolent. It’s a superficial comparison based on nothing but the urge to find some sort of “equivalence” or “hypocrisy” among both voting groups that has no basis in reality.

Unlike Trump, Platner fully acknowledges and “owns” his past mistakes and questionable actions. He admits he behaved badly and hurt some people. He owns what he did and accepts full accountability for it. He doesn’t deny, twist or deflect the harsh truth about himself.

Compare this with Trump who insists that he’s always flawless, has never been wrong, knows more about anything and everything than literally everyone else on the planet and that ANY criticism or even questioning of his actions or policies is “fake” and a biased, political attack with no basis in reality.

And then Trump will often personally attack the person questioning him—especially if they’re female or a person of color—and call them all sorts of vile names, like a preteen might do when they’re really threatened and angry.

Donald Trump was accused of rape and sexual assault by 26 different women—a fact that seems to have been conveniently forgotten. He also bragged and laughed about sexually assaulting women and being allowed to do it because he was a “celebrity.” https://substack.com/@stevetroy/p-150457354

Graham Platner hasn’t been accused of anything even approaching sexual assault by even one woman.

Donald Trump was found civilly liable for battery, sexual abuse and defamation against writer E. Jean Carroll. He still owes her $91 million.

Graham Platner has never been the defendant in a lawsuit and has never been found civilly liable for anything. He’s never been arrested and never criminally charged in any court for any type of illegality.

Donald Trump is a convicted felon who was found criminally guilty of 34 felonies in 2024, has been involved in over 4000 lawsuits and has been the defendant in at least 169 federal-level civil lawsuits alone. And if it weren’t for former Attorney General Merrick Garland’s meek and incompetent tenure, Trump would have undoubtedly been facing an avalanche of other criminal charges as well.

New York State also found Donald Trump liable for committing long-term financial fraud to secure favorable loans and lower insurance premiums.

Donald Trump, with a combination of astonishing good luck, bizarre circumstances that his lawyers took full advantage of and help from the pusillanimous Garland---who waited almost two full years before taking any actions against him--- and corrupt, biased judges in Florida and on the Supreme Court who willingly allowed him to “run out the clock,” managed to evade and postpone very serious charges in federal and state courts that would have likely resulted in numerous other felony convictions.

Donald Trump and his fully subservient “Justice Department” continue to break the law by refusing to release the Epstein Files in an obvious, blatant attempt to cover up the truth about his clear involvement with the many heinous crimes of Jeffrey Epstein.

Trump outwardly and openly violates laws of this country every single day by using his office for personal enrichment. He’s also turned the presidential pardon process into a “Get Out Of Jail Free Card” for his friends and financial contributors.

Graham Platner has never done anything even approaching what Trump has done and found guilty of in local, state and federal courts. It’s truly a comparison between the molehill you discovered on your lawn and Mount Everest.

In what appears to be an egregious lapse in journalistic judgement and ethics, the New York Times published a story about Platner last week, based largely on interviews with women he previously dated, raising the implication that he could be guilty of the same type of horrific behavior and crimes perpetrated by Trump. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Out of the multiple women the NYT spoke with only one of them accused Platner of anything remotely illegal; but even she admitted that the “unsettling behavior” she accused him of never reached the level of physical or sexual assault.

Furthermore, Platner’s sole serious accuser is Lyndsey Fifield, a woman working for the far-right extremist Heritage Foundation that published the hideous “Project 2025” document that provided Trump with a specific, detailed roadmap for using his office for sick and sickening ends.

So, yes; Graham Platner WAS accused of “toxic” behavior by exactly ONE woman. And that one woman is a long-time ultra-right wing political activist who also founded “Ladies for Kavanaugh” when Kavanaugh’s nomination for a Supreme Court seat was before the US Senate while HE was facing serious accusations of sexual assault!

It’s incredible that the NYT didn’t know this or didn’t reveal this about Platner’s one and only accuser. But unfortunately even the normally rigorous and credible Paper of Record dropped the ball on this one.

Graham Platner is far from a perfect candidate for office. And it would be better for him and all of us who want to see positive change in our government if these allegations against him didn’t exist.

And there are things in his background that do give me and lots of other folks reason for questioning his fitness for the US Senate. But Platner has said repeatedly that he isn’t proud of who he was and what he did in the past. He admits his many flaws and is the first to say that he’s far from perfect. He says he’s trying to become a better person every day and never denies his previous bad actions. But none of them could be classified as anything illegal or corrupt.

Contrast this with Donald Trump who has NEVER admitted a mistake, insists that he IS “perfect” and that all of his actions, before, during and after becoming president were also flawless and that he is undoubtedly the greatest leader of all time and space, on par with Washington, Lincoln and yes, even Jesus Christ.

Platner has always WORKED for a living. Hard, physical work for modest pay that takes a lot out of a person, physically and mentally. No one ever gave Platner anything. Trump was handed today’s equivalent of $300 Million by his father, blew it all, went bankrupt multiple times and only regained his fortune and the fame needed to run for president by becoming a cheesy game show host on evening TV. Trump has never worked hard one day in his pampered, hoity-toity life.

Platner, thus far, has been truthful. He’s been accused of bad behavior but no one has accused him of lying. In contrast, Trump is a Megalomaniacal Mendacity Machine; he lies almost as often as he breathes. And so many of Trump’s lies are so obvious, from claiming that he won in “landslides” in 2016 while losing by three million votes and again in 2024 when he eked out a win over Kamala Harris by a razor-thin 1.47% margin in a race that could have gone the other way with a mere 229,726 votes out of 152,320,193 cast going the other way in three crucial states---or 0.150818% of the total---not exactly the definition of “landslide.”

Furthermore, Platner is a true American hero, having served four combat tours of duty across two branches of the military, which also clearly contributed to his struggles with PTSD after his return to civilian life. Trump used his daddy’s doctor to dodge the draft with a spurious bone spur claim while laughing years later that avoiding venereal disease was his equivalent of military service during the Vietnam War.

Like anyone looking at Trump’s never-ending list of personal, ethical and legal offenses, I could go on and on but the point should be clear by now. Graham Platner is NOT anything like Donald Trump; if anything, he’s the complete and absolute opposite.

And we’re not even talking about their vastly different stances on issues, policies and all things political.

The pundits and podcasters and politicians of any stripe who claim otherwise are either uninformed or trying hard to create a narrative that doesn’t jibe with reality. Anyone claiming that Democrats who support Platner despite his occasional bad behavior of years past---that he fully acknowledges and owns---with Republicans who constantly overlook, rationalize or outright deny Trump’s perpetual and incessant lying, corruption, criminality and mental instability, shouldn’t be taken seriously.

Nero fiddled while Rome was burning.

Marie Antoinette laughed about cake while people starved.

Donald Trump wants ONE BILLION of our tax dollars for “his ballroom” while we Americans struggle to pay for essentials.

Almost 100 years ago, President Herbert Hoover cast his Republican Party out into the political wilderness for another generation due to what voters saw as indifference and detachment in the midst of a national economic disaster.

But Hoover was never seen as mean-spirited, obtuse, vicious, corrupt, mendacious, juvenile, profane and an embarrassment to the rest of the global population. He never lined his own pockets at public expense, used the levers of government to destroy political opponents or engaged in extortion or “pay for play” schemes.

Hoover wasn't vulgar, sleazy, ignorant, self-obsessed or perceived as delusional, deranged, demented or deliberately destructive—unlike Trump who is justifiably seen as all of those and more.

Still, Hoover was crushed in his bid for re-election in 1932, bringing the previously dominant Republican Party down along with him in a landslide loss of historic proportions.

His party didn't win another presidential election for the next 20 years and remained in minority status nationwide for decades to come.

While no one can predict the future, all objective measurements are indicating that we could be seeing a historic wipeout of Trump's Republicans this November.

I’ll leave you with that thought for the moment and we'll re-visit this possibility in the next few days.

“Real men” don’t talk about it. Or have to prove it. Or constantly reassure themselves. Or brag, bluster or bloviate with the desperate hope that they can convince others. At least that’s what boys and men were raised to believe when Donald Trump was growing up and coming of age.

There’s absolutely nothing bad or wrong about femininity or what has traditionally been considered feminine traits in any gender, but given Donald Trump’s own beliefs and attitudes---if one subscribes to the archaic, woefully outdated, stereotypes of “male” vs. “female,” as he obviously does---he might be accurately described as the most “girlish” president in history.

Trump’s obsession with the very surface and superficial; what he sees in the mirror, his “must be perfectly coiffed” hair style, his showy grooming, the very pricy and ostentatious fancy clothes and the primary importance of his personal image and appearance over almost everything else. That’s Donald Trump.

Remember when Trump skipped a 2018 visit to a World War I memorial in France because he was concerned about his hair and how it might look if it rained while he was there.

But beyond his compulsive primping, Trump’s disposition is one of constant, vicious jejune putdowns regarding another’s imperfections; and his most intense ire is almost always reserved for females. His spiteful and “catty” attacks online, largely reminiscent of the hoary cliches that dominated Trump’s youth are now familiar 21st century lore; prosaic insults that someone in 1959 might describe as “typical of teenage girls vying for popularity and the attention of the cute boys.”

Trump’s constant whining, pouting, ad hominem slanders, rumor mongering and his deliberate spreading of malicious, fallacious gossip is the very type of behavior that pre-adolescent females are often lectured about and disciplined for.

It’s both very funny and puzzling. Why Donald Trump---this relic who crawled out from an age where “girls were girls and men were men”---would contradict so many of the hackneyed, discredited, myopic views about “appropriate gender behavior” from decades long past in his day to day speech and actions.

How can Trump---and his most stalwart supporters, of any gender---overlook what is so increasingly obvious to any objective observer?

When you talk about “Mean Girls” what comes to mind? None of the other 45 males who held this high office before him ever publicly uttered words like “nasty woman,” “shutup piggy,” or “she was bleeding from her whatever” about females they disliked. But my neighbor’s 14 year old daughter has at times let loose with similar epithets against girls she “hates!”

Donald Trump is---and apparently always has been---obsessed with his preening, appearance, image, brand, style, clothes, showing off and always claiming to be more beautiful than anyone else. If you see him shopping at Claire’s or Justice at any time in the future and he claims to be buying something for Melania or Ivanka...you can pretty confidently add that to his extremely long and ever growing list of prevarications.

You’re “such a girl!” Donald! Not that there’s anything wrong with that. But it’s long past time that Trump himself and his most loyal followers begin to acknowledge the obvious.

See these links for more on this:

https://tinyurl.com/ybwrwvz9

https://tinyurl.com/yavdj9we

https://tinyurl.com/ydyyspq2

https://tinyurl.com/yauq86oo

WHO WEARS MASKS?

QUESTION: Who wears masks? You know, the kind that hides your face and disguises your real identity?

ANSWER: 1) People---mainly kids---on Halloween.

2) Superheroes and sometimes Supervillians

3) Robbers, burgulars, kidnappers, muggers and other people committing heinous acts.

4) The Ku Klux Klan and similar terrorist groups that intentionally do violence to others.

5) And the “officers” employed by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Think about that. The first group above are wearing masks, all in fun and celebration.

The second group are imaginary comic book characters.

The third group are dangerous criminals.

The fourth group are organizations motivated by hatred, threatening or using violence to intimidate and murder those they hate or anyone who might oppose them.

But the fifth group is a federal government entity, paid for by OUR tax dollars with a bloated budget three times larger than it had in 2024, making it more expensive than the FBI and CIA COMBINED!

So, what exactly is going on here? And how do masks fit into it? Taking a look at recent ICE history will provide some clues.

During President Barack Obama’s administration, ICE was much smaller, received significantly less funding and used far more humane tactics to achieve their well thought out objectives. As a result, during Obama’s time in the White House, his administration deported more undocumented immigrants than any other in history.

Maybe that fact needs repeating for it to sink in: BARACK OBAMA DEPORTED MORE UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS THAN ANY OTHER PRESIDENT BEFORE HIM OR AFTER HIM, INCLUDING TRUMP!

And during the Obama Administration, ICE did this with FAR fewer employees and FAR less funding. And not one person was killed during ICE operations during those years.

Under Obama, and Joe Biden, ICE murdered no one, no children were intentionally separated from their parents, and our nation wasn’t permeated by the fear and terror that ANY of us, citizen or legal immigrant, could be taken away by masked men with lethal weapons---particularly if you’re non-white or have any sort of a “foreign accent.”

The facts speak for themselves. So why would Trump take a program that was working relatively well and actually DECREASE its effectiveness while astronomically INCREASING its budget? This raises the question if mass deportation is really Trump’s primary goal, or just a “softening up” of the general population by normalizing the horrific day to day actions of ICE Under Trump in preparation for something much worse.

With Trump, his incompetence, stupidity and mental instability is always going to be part of the answer to any question about his actions. But there is ample reason to believe that Trump’s vociferous and belligerent attacks against immigrants aren’t the main reasons for his massive expansion of ICE; rather, they need to be understood as Phase One or the Opening Volley of a much broader, nefarious plan.

Trump has used his control of ICE to recruit and fund what is effectively a new branch of the US Military; a fiercely devoted, thoroughly indoctrinated Pro-Trump Extremist Militia, ultimately answerable to him and only him.

Trump has succeeded with his first objective; expanding this “Loyal ICE Army” so rapidly that it greatly outnumbers any potential opposition---like the 3000 poorly trained, out-of-control thugs he sent into Minneapolis to overwhelm its residents and the 600 officers on that city’s police force.

Trump’s playbook, created and implemented by his functionaries, Stephen Miller and Kristi Noem, is increasingly obvious: First, they try to reassure the public by sending out word that they’re ONLY coming to apprehend and deport “the worst of the worst,” the most violent and dangerous criminals among the population of undocumented immigrants. But Trump and his henchmen know and expect that ICE will be able to intimidate and pursue ALL immigrants---undocumented AND legal---while ostensibly only pursuing murderers, drug dealers and rapists.

Trump’s next objective is to expand his targets beyond immigrants by using ICE against citizens who try to prevent their illegal and violent actions; the murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti were, in a sense, the “canaries in the coal mine” and a warning to all Americans that no one is safe with a bellicose ICE commanded by Trump.

Trump’s end game and absolute fantasy is that he’ll eventually be able to expand the reach of ICE to go after ANYONE he dislikes, regardless of citizenship or immigrant status, using phony labels like “terrorist,” “assassin,” “insurrectionist,” “rioter” or any other scary epithet that might provide a cover for him to finally get the retribution against the type of people he has always hated---those who oppose his terrible policies, speak out against him and refuse to believe his deluge of lies.

Who knows how soon this could happen and how long it would endure? And would it be possible to stop once it becomes pervasive? Will we see the modern-day, American equivalent of the truckloads of vicious, utterly brainwashed Gestapo black shirts, marauding through our city and suburban streets, coast to coast, before enough of us stand up and say “ENOUGH!”?

Or will it be too late by then, as it was in Germany by the mid-1930’s?

I sincerely wish that this was all just hyperbole or excessive paranoia. But it isn’t. Trump is already sending other armed thugs into Atlanta to seize voter records and “promising” to withdraw ICE from Minneapolis if they hand over their state’s voter lists to him.

Trump also called for the “nationalizing” of elections and claimed that at least 15 state’s elections should be under his control. Extremists like Steve “Trump’s Brain” Bannon---who was convicted of defrauding contributors to his phony, non-existent “Wall Building Project” out of $25 MILLION dollars---said this week that Trump should assign armed ICE thugs to stand in front of polling places in order to intimidate and frighten off voters who might oppose Trump and the GOP.

This is sick. And sickening. And it is REAL and happening HERE and NOW!

You don’t have to be “liberal” or even “moderate” to agree that ICE has gone too far. Much too far. And they are threatening the freedom and security of ALL Americans, regardless of our politics, nationality, religion, region or anything else.

Masks are part and parcel of ICE Under Trump. For good reason. As noted earlier, masks are only worn by adults if they are entertainers, Halloween aficionados, criminals or members of the KKK or similar terrorist organizations. If you’re not doing something heinous, harmful or illegal, there is no reason to hide your face.

But when your actions are abhorrent, immoral and illegal, of course you’re going to hide your face in an effort to avoid possible detection and the consequences of your crimes. It’s as straightforward as that. There’s no other credible explanation.

Trump’s apologists are trying to claim that these masks are necessary to avoid being targeted by terrorists and other violent actors. But that’s nonsense. No branch of the US Military has ever worn masks. Neither has any type of law enforcement at any level of government. And all of those individuals face the same possible threats from terrorists or anyone else with violent intent.

Heavily armed, truculent adult males, spouting unwavering loyalty to Trump and parroting MAGA’s dehumanizing ideology, marching into your neighborhood, intentionally looking for people to capture, abuse and remove, are truly terrifying---and the exact opposite of what America has always stood for.

When those same thugs, beholden to One (Demented) Man---as opposed to our nation and our Constitution---are ALSO wearing masks to cover their identities, it intensifies fear and terror, undermines public trust and completely invalidates any claims of legitimacy on the part of ICE Under Trump.

What time is it? It’s the 250th year of our nation’s founding. And time for all Americans to choose between Trump, ICE and Fascism or Freedom, Democracy and our Constitutional Republic, sans masks

!

Throughout modern history extremely wealthy and powerful people have engaged in “vanity projects” despite their obvious lack of talent or ability.

The laughable and ludicrous documentary called “Melania”—the immigrant and Wife v.3 of Donald Trump—is most emblematic of what a vanity project looks like in the America of the 2020’s. And of course it would have the name Trump attached to it.

Normally the very wealthy or powerful person or their family pays for that vanity book, or recording or singing appearance or any other embarrassing vanity project. Ironically, such endeavors unintentionally highlight the sheer lack of talent and ability on the part of the participant. That’s definitely the case with Melania Trump.

However, this is the first time I’ve ever heard of ANOTHER wealthy person—one who has no close family or friendship ties to the “artist”—paying 100% of the costs of their vain endeavor while also giving the beneficiary an absolutely obscene amount of money for their “performance” as if they were a well-established superstar with massive prior success.

Calling this film “Melania” was predictable, although I’m a little surprised that her husband didn’t insist on the title “KING TRUMP’S WIFE” or something similar. However, an accurate title for this shameful portrait of public capitulation should have been something like “Amazon Shakedown” or “Bezos Bends Over.” Or perhaps “Prime Protection Money” or “Quid Pro Quo Dough.”

By now, most of us understand what happened here: Jeff Bezos, like most obsessed, out of touch with reality billionaires for whom the concept of “enough” doesn’t exist, was worried that his plans for even more and more money with minimal restrictions or regulations might be impeded by the jealous, mercurial and vindictive Mafia Boss Wannabee currently occupying the White House. So, like the compliant 6th grader, terrified of the much bigger sadistic bully, Bezos handed over the lunch money demanded earlier that morning.

That’s it. That’s all this “film” is. Calling it art or entertainment is absurd. The only entertainment value it provides comes exclusively from those critiquing it. (Read a few of the reviews online if you want to experience an uncontrollable belly laugh!)

“Melania” is nothing but yet another egregious example of the habitual, endemic corruption of Trump’s spouse, kids and administration. These professional grifters, led by the convicted felon Grandpa Donny, have been using the country’s highest elected office to enrich themselves at public expense since the day Trump bellowed “AMERICA FIRST” to the smallest Inauguration Day Crowd in modern history.

Through their meretricious and sleazy hawking of crypto scams, shoes, trading cards, Bibles, hats, cheap plastic trinkets and anything else that might bring in another buck, their intimidation and implicit threats against media outlets, law firms, universities and other businesses, their self-serving deals with human rights abusers, neo-totalitarians, post-USSR thugs, murderous Saudis and other despicable tyrants, Trump’s family, cronies, fuctionaries and enablers line their pockets using these corrupt tactics, bizarrely claiming that it’s perfectly legal because they’re committing these crimes openly, in full public view. (Although there is ample reason to suspect that Trump, his family and his enablers are involved in many other criminal deals—maybe far more egregious—taking place in secrecy.)

This exceedingly poor excuse for cinema is just the latest example—the scandal of the month, the week, or the day!

As if this wasn’t bad enough, this vanity project is also directed by the odious Brett Ratner, a man justifiably shunned by the film industry for the credible accusations of sexual assault and sexual harassment made against him by multiple women. Ratner is also implicated in the latest release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, showing the two of them smirking with girls whose faces are blacked out. It’s hard to believe that Trump didn’t personally intervene to make sure that Ratner was chosen as the director. Trump has a penchant for selecting men who share his view of women as sexual objects who can be used for any reason, in any way, at any time. Why else would people like Pete Hegseth and RFK Jr. be in his cabinet? And remember that Trump’s first choice for Attorney General was Matt Gaetz until adamant opposition in Congress stopped him.

Don’t buy the spin job being pushed by Trump and his sycophants that this bribe posing as a movie exceeded initial box office expectations. There is ample reason to believe that many of these tickets were purchased in large blocks by wealthy Trump backers in an effort to snow the public and critics. It won’t work. This vanity project is as trashy as the people it portrays.

In 2018, Melania Trump wore a coat with the words “I REALLY DON’T CARE DO U?” on her back, in full view of the media. It was her way of showing her lack of conscience, dignity or kindness when confronted with the fact that her husband was deliberately separating babies and children from their parents at the southern border. Since then she has done or said virtually nothing to indicate that her mindset and attitude has changed.

So despite the widespread condemnation of this awful vanity project and its shakedown funding, Melania will undoubtedly continue with her attitude of “I don’t really care. Do U?” And if we asked her why, there is no doubt that her answer would be along the lines of “Because no matter what, I STILL get to keep the nice, beautiful $28 MILLION gift given to me and my husband from that wonderful Mr. Jeff Bezos! Hee Hee.”

Take a good, long look at that man. Pay close attention to what he’s saying and doing. And maybe it’s time for you and others to stop denying what is so very obvious.

Yes, I’m talking about THAT man. The man whose grating voice is heard and whose ubiquitous image is seen probably more than that of any other man on the planet.

What this man does and says is extremely revealing about who and what he is. But what is so astonishing is how many of us ignore, minimize or rationalize it. Or pretend that it actually means something else or that it shouldn’t be taken very seriously.

And of course, I’m talking about Donald Trump, the man who is simultaneously occupying and destroying our nation’s White House, just as he is both exploiting our nation’s power and prominence while diminishing it on a daily basis.

It’s truly bizarre to watch Trump’s behavior and the things he says and does. But what is much stranger is how we as a society appear unwilling or unable to see it and understand it for what it is and to respond to it appropriately.

Trump’s words and actions are vastly different from those of any other president. And when we think about them, the adjectives that come immediately to mind are mendacious, wacky, unhinged, crude, juvenile, obtuse, idiotic, vile, sick, sickening, disgusting, despicable, vicious, hateful, dangerous, insane, demented, demagogic, totalitarian, racist, anti-Semitic, Fascist and others that would take several pages to list.

Every one of those descriptions of the man currently occupying our nation’s highest office are absolutely true and accurate. But we Americans are acting completely irresponsible when we ignore what is so glaringly obvious and do nothing about it.

Almost all Americans over the age of thirty know that Trump is vastly different from any other President; and NOT in a good way, most of us are realizing. But why is there so little outrage and even less action to do something meaningful in response?

Roughly 1/3 of us don’t care about this because there is nothing Trump could ever do or say that would change or even slightly alter their opinion of this man. In fact, a significant portion of this group actually likes the way Trump talks and behaves. They enjoy it. They take great vicarious pleasure in Trump hating the same people that they hate and castigating them in public. And a tiny minority within this group of supporters are prepared to act out violently in support of Trump even to the point of killing other Americans and destroying our Constitutional Republic.

Approximately another third of Americans are a pretty diverse group. Some call themselves independents and they often swing back and forth from who they vote for in any election. A lot of them don’t pay very close attention to politics. And when you try to engage them in discussion, you’ll hear a lot about how “busy” they are and how their job and family obligations prevent them from learning very much about what is going on with “political stuff.” The more cynical and/or uninformed they are the more likely you are to hear cliches like “Well, ALL politicians are liars so it makes no difference who we elect” or “No president is perfect and none of them tell the truth.” But some of them who are even occasionally following the news know that Trump is different from anything we’ve ever seen before. And NOT in a good way.

And the other third of Americans are paying attention to all of this and they are largely some combination of fearful, anxious, saddened, repulsed and appropriately contemptuous of Trump, his horrific policies and his deeply corrupt and ill-intentioned administration.

But even among Trump’s most ardent and committed opponents we hear far too little about what is increasingly clear and obvious: Donald Trump is mentally unstable and getting more so every day. And his cognitive decline---which is happening every day while the whole world is watching---puts every single one of us, in our country, and throughout the entire world, at extreme risk. And when we Americans fail to recognize this and call it out loudly and repeatedly it is a dereliction of duty.

We don’t know, specifically and medically, what is going on with Donald Trump. But anyone paying even the slightest attention should be able to see what is so apparent.

Is it just that he’s really dumb? Yes. Of course he is. But Trump has ALWAYS been stupid, ignorant and unable to speak beyond the level of an obnoxious and unschooled adolescent. So maybe for a lot of people it’s easy to shrug and say “What else is new?” But Trump’s poor diction, unconnected thoughts, pointless rambling, bizarre free associations and incoherent mumbling is worse than ever and happening far more often than ever before.

Is it that Trump is very mentally ill, like millions of Americans? Clearly, that’s the case and no one, even Trump should be shamed for any illness, whether mental or physical. But most of us would normally agree that no one suffering from severe mental illness should be in a position of power and authority, whether it’s in a school, business or even the most modest public office. Certainly, a person who is as mentally unbalanced as Trump should NEVER be permitted to hold the office of president.

Or is it that Trump is in severe and rapid cognitive decline? His father had Alzheimer’s and millions of Americans, younger and older than Trump are suffering from this terrible disease or another form of dementia and our hearts should go out to them and their families while the research to understand and cure or mitigate this affliction should be funded to the highest degree possible.

Personally, I believe that Trump is suffering from all three of the aforementioned problems:

• Trump lacks the intelligence to serve in ANY leadership position, particularly that of POTUS. Just look at the numerous former members of his administration who have called him “ignorant,” “confused” and “an idiot.”

• Trump is mentally ill. There’s ample evidence of this. You don’t need to be a psychiatrist or psychologist to see the undeniable proof that something is very, very wrong with the behavior of this guy.

• Trump’s cognitive decline is more apparent every day. The “weave” as he calls it is his desperate, ludicrous attempt to explain away what we can all see. He forgets the names of people he works with every day. He confuses one thing with another on a regular basis. He says things that the average seven year old knows to be untrue and he lacks any personal judgment or control, lashing out like a bratty, obnoxious middle schooler when he’s angry or doesn’t get his way.

If YOUR grandfather behaved and spoke like Trump, even a couple of times, you and your family would be having a serious, heartfelt discussion about how he needs to be examined by a medical professional and tested for mental decline.

If Trump was the minister or priest or rabbi at your place of worship, the entire congregation would be abuzz with concerned whispering about the very strange, crude, vulgar and incoherent drivel that was supposed to be a sermon. The deacons and elders of almost any Christian church would be holding an emergency meeting, immediately, after even ONE such pulpit performance.

And, most ironically, if Trump held ANY other job---anything from salesman, to waiter, to teacher or ANY position requiring public speaking or engagement, he would probably be fired or put on extended leave, right away, probably on the very same day such behavior first happened.

YET, this clearly ill-equipped, incompetent and imbecilic person is permitted to assume the most important and vital elected office in our nation and even those surrounding him in close proximity---cabinet members, Congress, the courts and others holding positions of great influence---continue to remain silent, or overtly supportive, or in tremendous denial of what we all know and continue to see every day.

All of us who care about our country and its future need to start saying things clearly and specifically. We have to call out the obvious facts about Donald Trump EVERY SINGLE DAY and have the courage and fortitude to speak the truth about his condition and the danger it poses for all Americans and humanity itself.

Donald Trump is mentally unstable. He is the very type of person who should NEVER be in a position of such power and needs to be removed from the office he holds by any non-violent means available.

History is watching and recording. And it is always making judgments. Those with public platforms who continue to support him, or pretend that nothing is wrong, or cowardly stay silent due to what they perceive as their own career or monetary interest will justifiably be seen as Profiles In Cowardice and their names will live in infamy for all time.

We all have a role to play here. The recent events in Minnesota and the courage and determination of the average, everyday Americans who are literally in the streets, day after day, in the most bitter, extreme weather should be an inspiration to all of us. Their admirable, public resistance to Trump and his illegal actions is a prime example of what is possible for each and every one of us.

You don’t have to be a billionaire, or a celebrity, or a prominent political figure to exercise power and influence change. Every one of us has to start saying the obvious until a large and overwhelming majority of Americans fully accept it as common knowledge that needs to be acted upon immediately.

Donald Trump IS mentally ill. Delusional. Unstable. He is a real and present danger to the entire human race and the planet that sustains all of us. The first step towards the goal of removing this clearly demented and delusional man is for everyone to stop the denial and the silence. It’s time to say this out loud, regularly, until this psychotic menace is removed from office and stripped of the power to hurt anyone ever again.

?

Bill Maher has been losing it for years; losing his credibility, his values, and his ability to both make genuinely funny comments while providing a very cogent and insightful perspective on current events. Maher’s time has passed, not due to his chronological age, but due to his newfound pro-Trump posturing, which he tries much too hard to defend and rationalize. He has spent the last few years gradually cozying up to the worst right-wing extremists and creeps imaginable, as if he planned all along to use this as some sort of “stepping stone” to reach a sort of rapprochement with Trump, apparently thinking that his bizarre and shameful display of acquiescence and mutually shared hostilities would endear him to an even broader audience. And like the Tech Titans who bowed before the newly self-appointed King, Maher got on the same bandwagon of surrender and submission to the guy who won by a mere 1.47%, thinking that somehow, he’ll come out better because of it. He won’t.

Maher’s very obsequious bowing to Trump is puzzling to most people, but especially to his current fans. A lot of viewers who loved and loyally watched every episode of his show over the past 20+ years are still trying to process what happened here. To know for certain would take a direct conversation with Maher—something I don’t expect he’ll be giving me anytime soon. But we can speculate. Here are some of my thoughts.

I loved “Real Time” during the Bush and Obama eras but I gradually grew tired of his cranky gripes and confusion about virtually every cultural trend and his constant complaints about children, people who have children, twenty-somethings, current college students, women and more. I also got fed up with his incessant whining about “woke” and his dismissive and mocking attitude about any arguments in favor of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; as if those goals were the “problem” and not the fact that we still live in a society where far too many people are excluded.

In the past few years, Maher has gleefully invited a surfeit of odious hate merchants, unhinged conspiracy theorists, confused, regressive “academics” and deranged right-wingers to appear on his show---anything to generate conflict and "controversy" and thus attract attention to his declining audience. A man who was once a cutting edge comic and commentator on all things political and cultural, is now groveling to please the convicted felon and serial sexual assaulter who currently occupies the White House.

Most revealing for this aging comedian is his bitterness and anger toward younger audiences who don't find some of his "jokes" very funny. When most comics bomb with a particular routine, they accept it, and maybe change it, or come up with something different and then move on. Not Maher. He whines about their non-laughter and takes it as some sort of personal insult, as if they "really do find it funny but are just REFUSING to laugh at my hilarious joke because they're all so PC and woke..." blah, blah, blah. BULLSHIT!

Hey, "Earth To Bill Maher"...no person, not even a professional stand-up comic, is ENTITLED to a laugh. Okay? Understand? Comics or anyone else have to EARN a laugh because their audience genuinely finds them funny. Yes, sometimes people laugh even if they feel it's impolite or wrong to do so because they can't help themselves; sometimes the joke or routine is THAT funny, however inappropriate.

But Maher’s jokes aren’t landing anymore. They don’t speak to today’s audience.

Maher doesn't want to face the truth; he's not that funny any more. He reminds me of the sad and often pathetic Bob Hope in the late 60's and early 70's, angry that the young people of that generation didn't find his old schtick very funny either, as he desperately fumbled on stage, hoping that "the next one" will be received better than the last one. Hope became a walking, talking symbol of an old and dying world and the antiquated sensibility that was a part of it. But at least Hope never publicly whined and blamed the audience.

Bill Maher has devolved into the cranky old man, screaming at the kids to "GET OFF MY LAWN!" while threatening to Call The Cops if they annoy him again! The way he talks about teens and twenty somethings today reminds me of what other mean, old, out-of-it aging men said about "those hippies" 55 years ago; they were smug and dismissive too, just as “Old Fart Geezer” Bill Maher is today. And those aging males soon became a laughing stock, a symbol of a world gone by that they continued clinging to, long after it had faded away. Bill Maher, sorry to say, is most definitely in that sad and not very grand tradition.

Bob Hope, Al Capp, Georgie Jessel, Red Skelton, Sammy Davis Jr. All of these comics from an earlier era were hopelessly out of style by the late sixties and often finding that the laughs they had routinely expected were now turning into silence or even greeted with boos and hisses. They still had their fans, generally older folks, and among them was the president during that period, Richard Nixon, a self-described square who still “got” and loved their humor and who welcomed them enthusiastically into the White House in a very public way. But it did little to stem the youthful tide against them and their humor that emanated from a period that was rapidly passing.

The same fate seems to be Bill Maher’s trajectory, in politics and comedy, although someone who once had his level of extreme success will never fade away completely. A more contemporary example of Maher’s likely future fate is Dennis Miller, (who?) the comic whose material shifted more and more to the right as the decades went by and who got on board completely with George W. Bush’s invasion of Iraq in 2003, to the point where he soon became known as the “Bush White House Court Jester.”

Tellingly, Miller was also a frequent guest in the early days of Real Time. In one appearance on Maher’s show, Miller was confronted by Ariana Huffington who told him “Dennis, if you keep doing this for George Bush, you’re going to end up as his Sammy Davis Jr.” The die was already cast by that point. Miller’s popularity declined rapidly but he found a place of refuge on Fox News, as a regular segment on Bill O’Reilly’s show, doing a lame segment of “humor” and bitter, spiteful mockery of liberal opinion mixed with political character assassination.

Miller is long gone from Fox, as is O’Reilly, now replaced by an arguably even more putrid and mendacious Jesse Watters. Who knows what the future holds for Bill Maher after this bizarre and shameful display of obsequious groveling before a man who he once took great pleasure in justifiably mocking and denigrating? If HBO does what the market will soon make obvious there might always be a spot for Maher, doing his Miller to Watters’ O’Reilly. But at that point, will any of his former viewers even care enough to notice.

Make no mistake: they're coming for your Social Security and Medicare

It's now obvious that Trump and Musk are planning to go after Medicare and Social Security. They know that there would be too much outrage and pushback if they did this right away. So they are going to do this slowly... gradually...and with as little notice or transparency as possible.

Expect to hear more and more lies about these two vital programs, like the ones Trump made up during his SOTU speech last week. Trump told multiple lies about both programs, based on zero evidence, insidiously attacking their effectiveness, hoping to plant the first seeds of doubt in our minds.

Predictably, Trump’s compliant media allies and the subservient GOP congress parroted those ludicrous stories, spreading more baseless fantasies with the hope that people might start to question how well these programs were functioning. Musk then took this vile propaganda a couple of steps further, describing Social Security as “the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time” and then followed up on this deliberate bomb throwing a few days later in an interview with Trump’s previous chief economic adviser, Larry Kudlow, on Fox News, making completely false claims about widespread “fraud” in Social Security and how it was “the big one to eliminate.”

Could their intentions be more crystal clear? They want to end Social Security and Medicare. And even though both Trump and Musk show increasingly obvious signs of mental illness and/or cognitive decline due to possible drug abuse or senility, they’re apparently aware enough to know what they hate and what they want to destroy.

No doubt we'll start to hear more and more dubious anecdotes about people who supposedly didn't get promised benefits due to the "incompetent bureaucrats" running Social Security and Medicare and "how much better" a private, for-profit alternative would be.

We'll hear lots of stories, especially on Fox and from other extremist, far-right sources about the "impending financial collapse" of these two programs and then how the "only solution" is to cut back benefits or to implement a "much better PRIVATE retirement account with far better returns on your FICA contributions."

Expect constant advertising, emphasizing the word "choice" paid for by Musk and other odious, far-right billionaires, designed to brainwash us into believing that "freedom to CHOOSE which Social Security program works for you" is best and a condemnation of "cookie cutter" and "one size fits all" Social Security programs with deceptive, manipulative messages about how unfair it is that you're not allowed the "freedom to CHOOSE what to do with YOUR money!"

All of this will be false. But its ultimate objective should be clear; the enemies of Social Security and Medicare have been dreaming of the day where they can FINALLY get rid of these two essential programs they've always despised. And under the Trump regime, that "dream" just might come true for them. But ONLY if we buy the lies that they're selling.

If you are receiving or will soon be receiving Social Security or Medicare benefits, or both, you need to know what these two neo-Fascists are planning. If you’re younger, it’s even more critical to keep a careful eye on this, to insure the long term health and financial stability of these vital programs. No matter what your age, if you’re a US citizen, you’re either a current beneficiary of Social Security and Medicare or you have a parent, grandparent or another family member or friend who has earned these benefits over a lifetime of working and justifiably deserves them in their senior years.

Don’t believe those who claim these essential programs are “unsustainable” or “need to be cut back” or that “the money won’t be there when YOU reach retirement age.” Such malicious rumors have been in circulation since the 1970’s and they were no more truthful in that decade then they are today.

Contact your congressional representatives and let them know how strongly you support both of these historically successful programs. Spread the word on social media to let others know that ignorance, inaction and inattention will enable the enemies of Social Security and Medicare to begin chipping away at these programs and eliminate them over time. Don’t just listen to what politicians are SAYING about this; watch what they are voting for—and against—and hold their feet to the fire.

If we allow Trump and Musk and their propagandists and enablers to succeed with the first “tiny little reductions” in these programs, the door will be opened for them to continue with the next phase of their long-term nefarious plans; and both programs could gradually disappear in the years ahead. Watch your lawmakers closely. Accept NO cutbacks or reductions or negative changes in the COLA formulas. To do so is to give the Billionaire Vandals an entry way to decimate ironclad commitments that have served Americans well for several decades. If we’re aware and vigilant in the protection of these two vital and very successful programs, Trump and Musk will fail and Americans of every age will benefit, for generations to come.

MY VISIT TO A LOCAL TESLA DEALERSHIP

I decided I would visit the local Tesla dealership late morning, last Thursday, during a dental appointment where my dentist was putting the finishing touches on my upper left implant---absolutely coincidental location---while we both lamented the current state of our nation's politics. He comes from a political family; his father, who was both a halfback and later the head coach for the University of Washington football team, went on to serve as our state’s Lieutenant Governor for decades and was highly regarded by both political parties.

After his fine work was completed, my dentist and I continued our discussion about what, if anything, any of us can do to make a difference for the better while Trump occupies the White House and Musk Dances With Chainsaws. We both agreed that waiting until the elections in 2026 was far too long. I told him about my plan to drop by the local Tesla dealership which was on my way back home, just blocks from his office. He wished me luck.

As I approached the Tesla showroom, I was determined to be very respectful and moderate in my tone. Coming across as hostile or irate was the last thing I wanted. I arrived and pulled on the door handle and found out that it was locked! I never experienced a car showroom where the doors weren’t open. Usually car sellers will do anything to get people to enter!

A 30-something guy came to the door and let me in. He didn’t have the typically buoyant and ingratiating demeanor I normally expect from an automobile salesperson. He seemed very wary, guarded, almost as if I were the one selling something. But we were both very cordial and mutually respectful. There was something of a sobering atmosphere in that place, like a location where something tragic had recently happened there. If anything, I felt as though I was the one who had to convey the friendly and personable mien. And I quickly became aware that I was the only non-employee in the place.

I was calm but passionate. I started off by looking at the array of Teslas, gently shaking my head in a morose manner, saying “What a shame. It’s truly a real shame what’s happened here.” And by that time, less than a minute after entering, three of his co-workers had come up to the front of the room where I stood, as if they were well-prepared for the worst, coordinated in a practiced way, as if this was THE real life fire drill. I made sure that my body language wasn’t conveying anything threatening or dangerous. Which is probably why they listened attentively and didn’t interrupt while I explained that for more than a decade I've dreamed of owning a Tesla. Which is true. But that was no longer the case and I explained why.

I pointed out all of the things I’m certain they already knew about and have undoubtedly heard from others, from Musk’s many anti-Jewish postings on “X” and how he had intentionally turned it into a place where the most odious and vicious sociopaths could say whatever they wanted and connect with others like them, to his sadistic and gleeful way of describing how much “fun” it was to destroy vital programs and throw career civil servants out of their jobs with zero notice or cause, to the almost $300 million he spent to push Trump over the finish line last November and the sick and sickening Nazi salute that Musk arrogantly gave, not once, but twice, during Trump’s inaugural celebration.

But I also assured them that I had no intention of violence or even acrimony. I went out of my way to emphasize that I wasn't blaming them or anyone else working at Tesla. My issue was with Musk only, and I restated that I had no hostility towards them. And to their credit, they listened. They weren't dismissive or rude in any way. They heard me out and so I was very mindful of my voice and language. I said, truthfully, that I was actually very sad that Musk had taken this direction and that he essentially gave me no choice but to now boycott Tesla and to urge others I know to do the same.

But I also told them that I sincerely felt for them too and that I understood that this can't be fun for them either and that all of this has undoubtedly made their jobs much more stressful and less enjoyable. I pointed out that they were also among the many victims of Musk's bizarre and sickening turn and that I felt bad that they were suffering from this as well. "Musk hasn’t been fair to you guys or any other Tesla employee. You didn't deserve this and never expected this when you came to work here. You're just trying to make a living like all of us and for what I know you could privately be as opposed to what Musk is currently doing as I am. It’s terrible that he has put you in this position. You've been victimized along with the rest of us and I'm sorry that Musk’s horrific actions have made it impossible for me to do business with you.”

I then thanked them for their time and for listening to me and taking my concerns seriously. The reason for my visit was not to just come in and vent, but to let them know and to urge them to let their senior management know that Musk has greatly alienated a person who was once a VERY enthusiastic future customer and that I was now encouraging everyone I know to also boycott Tesla. "Musk has given me no choice. I HAVE TO do this. Again, let your management know that Musk’s despicable actions have real life consequences in the marketplace. I have no issues with any of you who I know are good and decent people simply trying to make a living. I am sincerely sorry that you and other Tesla employees have to suffer most directly from Musk's sick and sickening behavior. And I wish you all the best in your work and life pursuits” They said that they understood and then wished me a good day. I did the same.

I felt good about what I took the time to do and I feel confident that these guys WILL remember this experience and that they will, in one way or another, bring this to their senior management’s attention. And that can only help make things better.

Just to be clear, I’m fully supportive of the group demonstrations in front of Tesla’s showrooms, everywhere they’re located. I’m glad these are happening and I think that they put a needed spotlight on the malicious destruction of Musk and Trump. I hope and expect that they’ll continue long into the future, as needed. If we can help to reduce the sales of Tesla’s cars and make the value of his company decline, it will undoubtedly lessen Musk’s power and shrink his air of invincibility. But we shouldn’t confine our actions to just these types of demonstrations. In fact, those demonstrations will be even more efficacious if we do other things to erode Musk’s business empire---the thing that gives him his power and notoriety.

If every Tesla dealership in the country had several visitors like me, every day, showing calmness and respect, but clearly explaining why they will never be a customer, it WOULD make a real difference for the better and provide yet another form of pushback and resistance to the deeply deceptive and nefarious plans of Trump and Musk.

With anything we do in resistance to Trump, Musk and every reprehensible action they take, it’s important to remember that the people working for them are human beings, just like us, often struggling both economically and mentally, to navigate an often confusing and unsettling world. They deserve our respect, kindness and understanding. They’re much more like us than the two criminal sociopaths they’re working for, directly or indirectly. They don’t need our acrimony or belligerence. That can only make things worse.

I visited this Tesla dealership and wrote about it to provide just one single example of how each of us can individually make a difference in this challenging time. I’m not advocating that everyone reading this follow my particular example. This is just one example of a person doing SOMETHING that can move things in a more positive direction, or at least mitigate some of the deliberate harm being done every day by the corrupt and evil Nero and Caligula of our age, the Despicable Duo of Batshit Trump and BoyWonderScum Musk.

WHY Are These The ONLY Two People Whom Trump Submits To?

Trump is arrogant. Boastful. Brags about himself constantly. Trump never admits he’s wrong. Never has regrets. Never says he should have done something differently. Insists that he never makes mistakes. These are traits he acquired from his abusive, domineering father and his sociopathic mentor and lawyer, the corrupt and disgraced Roy Cohn.

Trump respects no one but himself. He even likes to mock and make fun of the people who work for him. Trump acts like an obnoxious pre-adolescent as he calls people names. And Trump is NEVER deferential to anyone. At all. Under any circumstances. Trump defers to no one.

With Two Glaring Exceptions: Vladimir Putin and Elon Musk. Think about it. Seriously. The ONLY two people he is ALWAYS deferential to are Putin and Musk. Can you think of any other human beings Trump has EVER been deferential to?

Listen to the words and the tone of voice Trump uses when he talks about Putin and Musk. Not only is he completely deferential, his behavior can more accurately be described as submissive or even groveling. He practically bows in their presence.

Trump seems absolutely terrified of doing or saying ANYTHING that might displease Putin or Musk. He becomes the obedient little boy when he speaks of them, seemingly terrified of being spanked and punished if he steps out of line. But ONLY for them.

Now, why is this? Why are these two the ONLY men in the world that make Trump behave in a meek and servile manner? Why would everyone else---and I mean EVERYONE else---be subject to Trump’s mocking, insults, name-calling and threats? Why are Putin and Musk exempt from the treatment Trump dishes out to every other person?

Well, both Musk---the very richest man in the world, who has made his wealth, in large part, through contracts with the US Government, from our tax dollars---and Putin, who it is estimated may have stolen well in excess of One Hundred Billion dollars from the Russian people, are obscenely wealthy.

Does their wealth have something to do with Trump’s silence? Is there a “private arrangement” that Trump has with both Putin and Musk that explains this?

Now, I have absolutely no proof that such a thing is occurring between Trump and either of these two guys. But what else might explain this behavior on the part of Trump? Can anyone come up with a better explanation?

We know that Musk “donated” at least $288 Million to help elect Trump in the recent election. Some would call this a “Legal Bribe” and clearly it was. But Musk’s gift to Trump was BEFORE Trump regained power. And we all know that Trump shows loyalty to no one, especially after he has used that person and gotten what he wanted out of them.

If anything, Trump loves to thumb his nose at those who were previously loyal to him and do so publicly with a few of his juvenile insults thrown in for good measure. But that didn’t happen with Musk; if anything, Trump is more subservient to him than even before the campaign ended.

Trump is 100% transactional. Like most sociopaths, Trump NEVER thinks about other people and how his actions might affect them. It never even enters his mind. Trump is all about “What have you done for ME lately?” Or, more precisely, “What are you doing for ME, NOW, TODAY, RIGHT THIS MINUTE?” So, what IS Musk---and what is Putin---doing for Trump currently? And has it been going on for a while, with plans for it to continue, as needed, far into the future?

Trump LOVES money even more than he loves power, dominance and control. Everyone knows this. And Trump has spent his entire adult life focused on maximizing his wealth, even at the expense of others. Money is everything to Trump and his grifter family. And they’ll do ANYTHING to get more of it.

I have zero proof that Musk or Putin are secretly sending Trump money in return for the many favors he has done and is doing for them. But both Putin and Musk are wealthy beyond belief and there are multiple ways of sending money privately to people.

For Musk and for Putin, laundering money, through multiple channels, into private accounts located in Switzerland and/or the Cayman Islands, would be child’s play. And for either of them, a mere 50 or even 100 million every month, covertly deposited in a Trump account would be pocket change. And it would be a great ROI for either of them, given what they’re getting from Trump in return.

Or maybe the payments to Trump are being sent to his family members, instead, or maybe they are being deferred to a future date when Trump is no longer in office. Anything is possible.

Again, I have no proof that such a thing is happening. I’m just speculating. But when we see Trump being so sheepishly obsequious to both Putin and Musk, and behaving in a way that is so out of character for him, how couldn’t we wonder about this?

Musk is obviously very threatened by his competitors and is outraged that he and his company might be held accountable for the safety and reliability of his products and his business practices. Trump has given him a HUGE GIFT that allows him to fire anyone who stands in his way and to destroy or neuter any government agency that might question his actions. Musk is obviously happy to pay large sums for this type of power.

Putin has been waiting for three years for the clock to run out and have Trump back in power so that he can finally take control of Ukraine, kill thousands more, steal their resources and begin planning the conquest of other countries. With Trump publicly saying that Ukraine “started” this war and with his threats to walk away from NATO, he has given Putin his “dream” of restoring the old Soviet Union, with Putin as the new Stalin, an absolute, bloodthirsty dictator who can do anything he wants and murder anyone standing in his way.

Again, I have no proof that either Putin or Musk is currently paying Trump under the table, or that they are promising him a HUGE LOTTERY WIN once he leaves the White House in return for the many, many favors he has done for both of these extremely wealthy, power-hungry and vicious men.

But it’s hard to think of any other reason that Trump would go out of his way on their behalf and publicly give them such praise, admiration and love; and to do so in such a shamelessly groveling way---the equivalent of bowing before them and pledging complete devotion and fealty.

What are your thoughts? Please share your comments, pass this piece around and help begin a public dialogue on all of this by asking, “Hey Trump! Why are you doing this for Musk and Putin?”

IGNORING THE OBVIOUS ABOUT THE 2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

This past weekend in the Washington Post, Rahm "Let's Privatize Education & Demonize Our Teachers" Emanuel wrote a rather clueless and self-righteous opinion piece. To read this typically arrogant screed from the former mayor of Chicago, you'd think the Democrats lost the 2024 elections by a 90-10 margin.

Emanuel, ironically, like Trump, creates a false narrative and invents a “major crisis” that he claims is destroying the Democratic Party and, again, like the man currently in the White House, Emanuel argues that only he---or someone adhering to his “brilliant” ideas---can fix this existential crisis of his own invention. A “crisis” that completely overlooks some hard truths and mathematical reality.

Look, parties can always refine and improve their messaging. But despite some of the legitimate criticisms he has of his party, Emanuel is typical of the Democrats who forget that Harris only lost by 1.47%. On another day in the same week, she could have easily made Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania go the other way and we'd all be reading pundits talking about "the many mistakes made by Trump and why voters SOUNDLY REJECTED the MAGA extremism."

Yes. The numbers don’t lie. The numbers have no biased agenda. It WAS that close.

What few people seem to understand or admit is glaringly obvious: Trump almost LOST to a Black/Asian Female who was viciously slandered as a “radical San Francisco socialist” who started her campaign far later than any presidential candidate in modern history. There is ample reason to believe that had Harris been white, or male, or both, she would have won the 2024 election.

Why aren't more of us acknowledging this "politically incorrect" fact for the credible argument that it is, based on our country's complicated history and its shameful legacy of slavery, Jim Crow, and both legal and De Facto segregation?

Too many of us, Democrat, Republican, Independent or anything else are in clear denial of this reality; and much of the retrospective soul searching and endless analysis of last fall's election continues to sidestep or ignore this major, if not determinant factor.

A razor thin plurality of voters---even in the year 2024---refused to vote for a woman, especially a woman of color, even when her opponent was a convicted felon, a serial sexual assaulter, a financial fraudster and a person whose language, behavior and actions would normally appall a vast majority of voters.

In some ways, the biggest surprise is how exceedingly close Harris came to finally overcoming that repugnant, but still enduring racist and sexist legacy.

Those of us who strongly oppose Trump and his heinous agenda---and who are, at a minimum, 50% of the voting public---must keep focused on stopping this man and his deliberately destructive plans while building an alternative for a better future.

Let’s not fall into “analysis paralysis” while we point fingers at each other, endlessly debating over how “progressive” or “centrist” Democrats need to be while ignoring the obvious: Harris came exceedingly close to winning and probably would have made it to the goal line were she male and/or white. And let’s remember that even with those racial and gender “handicaps” this election was STILL a virtual tie; a statistic that should be giving all of us reason for hope going forward.

Zuckerberg's Stupid Miscalculation

For someone who went to Harvard, and who, like him or not, has proven he knows how to make a lot of money, it's astonishing to see how mathematically obtuse Mark Zuckerberg and other tech titans truly are.

Zuckerberg has said that the recent presidential election influenced his decision to eliminate fact checkers and allow Facebook and Instagram to become havens for NeoNazis, KKK creeps and other right wing extremists. He cites the election results as the major factor in his shameful decision to grovel before Trump and obediently kiss his buttocks in full view of the world.

You would think that Trump won the election by a margin of 90-10 the way Zuckerberg and other billionaires are bowing before him. Most 5th graders can understand that "winning" by just slightly more than 1% of the vote doesn't indicate some sort of landslide, even though Trump and the GOP would like everyone to believe such nonsense.

The election, in statistical terms, was essentially a tie. Yes, Trump got more votes, but this election was won by a razor thin margin. If the election was held on another day that same week, it could have easily gone the other way and the pundits would all be wondering "What Went Wrong For Trump And The MAGA Republicans."

So for Zuckerberg to conclude that the United States---which, incidentally is only about 4.22% of the global population---is now a country dominated by the extremist right wing is both myopic and downright laughable. (Was Zuckerberg a math major at our country's most famous college?)

But it's even more bizarre and ludicrous to completely revamp your business brand and marketing strategy on the basis of one presidential election which only reaffirmed a 50-50 electorate.

If Zuckerberg was a Marketing Analyst or Sales Director working within Meta, he'd be laughed out of the room and filing for unemployment for even suggesting such a foolish course of action.

However, Zuckerberg will see, in the coming weeks and months, what a catastrophic error in judgement he has made as his subscriber base starts dropping significantly, along with advertising revenue and the stock price.

He may, ultimately, be able to salvage what was once the premiere social media company on the planet but Meta will NEVER be what it once was. (And something tells me he'll still be able to withstand any financial downturns even if he needs to cut back a bit and scrape by with a mere 10 to 20 BILLION as opposed to his current 200 Billion Plus.)

But the one thing Zuckerberg will NEVER be able to regain is his reputation and the public regard he once had. His shameful and despicable words and deeds are a permanent stain on his legacy; one that he and the people close to him will have to endure forever.

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Can we at least say their names? Twenty-Five women have accused Donald Trump of rape and/or sexual assault. These are very serious allegations. Even ONE such charge should merit an extensive and thorough inquiry. Journalists, commentators, opinion leaders and legal authorities SHOULD be investigating each one of these claims with the focus such claims of such heinous crimes requires. 

Why hasn’t this happened yet? Why hasn’t the mainstream media---or ANY media---really opened up this vital question---especially since we first heard about it eight years ago this month? 

Let’s begin by acknowledging that the least we can do is to Say Their Names. These are real human beings who were sexually attacked by Donald Trump. These women are friends, family, daughters, mothers, grandmothers, sisters, cousins, co-workers, classmates and much more to many, many people in their lives. They are Americans just like us. And they deserve to have their names stated and not covered up or ignored. They had the great courage to come forward---and there could be dozens more who haven’t yet. At a minimum, let’s respect and support what they’ve done, beginning with stating and honoring their names. 

Here they are for all of us to see and remember:

LIST of Trump Rape and Sexual Assault Victims (Current Total: 25)

Alva Johnson

Amy Dorris

Bridget Sullivan

Cassandra Searles

Cathy Heller

E. Jean Carroll

Jennifer Murphy

Jessica Drake

Jessica Leeds

Jill Harth

Juliet Huddy

Karen Johnson

Karena Virginia

Kristin Anderson

Lisa Boyne

Mariah Billado

Melinda McGivillivray

Natasha Stoynoff

Ninni Laaksonen

Rachel Crooks

Samantha Holvey

Summer Zervos

Tasha Dixon

Temple Taggart

Victoria Hughes

Rape and sexual assault are heinous crimes. They’re in the unspeakable category. Most people would agree that maybe only murder is worse on the list of truly horrific felonies. Usually just ONE allegation of rape is enough to convince people that the accused shouldn’t ever be trusted. With anything. Being accused twice can put you in the category of “serial rapist,” considered among the most dangerous and truly sick criminals in our society. 

How then can a man who is asking the American people to install him in the White House, as the next president of the United States, be accused of this despicable crime by 25 women---TWENTY-FIVE!---and have close to half of all voters planning to cast their ballots for him? It’s staggering. 

Perhaps the tape recording that almost all voters assumed would immediately doom his candidacy weirdly worked in Trump’s favor. These 25 accusations were made in October 2016, shortly after the release of the infamous “Access Hollywood” video in which Trump laughed and bragged about being able to do “anything he wants” with any women, including grabbing them by their genitals. Afterwards, Trump defended himself by claiming that his statements were “just words” and “locker room talk” and that absolutely nothing of the sort had ever happened in reality. It’s all just talk, Trump and his defenders insisted. 

Yet, when these 25 courageous women came forward to tell their stories, and underscore that Trump’s words reflected his real actions---and that they were directly victimized by his sexual attacks---it all seemed too surreal, hard to understand and too difficult to believe. After all, how could any serial rapist advance to being a millionaire developer, a reality TV Star, and now the nominee of one of the two major political parties for president? 

Looking back, maybe it was too much to take in, too much to process just days before a presidential election. Trump’s people, like Steve Bannon, effectively muddied the perceptions of reality by producing six women who claimed to have affairs with President Bill Clinton, just prior to the next presidential debate between Trump and Hillary Clinton. 

And, miraculously for Trump, he was further helped, almost immediately, by the release of private emails on Wikileaks, shifting the focus to his opponent and raising “questions” about “her behavior”---questions that amounted to nothing ultimately, but worked as a tactic for Trump in the closing hours of that campaign. 

Then FBI Director, James Comey, provided a “Dream Rescue” to Trump, by releasing a statement, 11 days before the election, that implied new reasons to suspect Clinton of wrongdoing regarding her emails; an issue that was settled back in early July by Comey himself. 

So in the midst of all this, the REAL people who WERE victims of Trump were never taken seriously. There was little or no followup on that story by any members of the media. Not even one of these women had their story told to a public that needed to hear it before Election Day; and there were 24 more who also needed to be heard. 

This was one of the great failures in the history of American journalism. And one that will undoubtedly be examined and written about in the years ahead. 

But unfortunately, Trump has been given a “Free Pass” regarding his sexual attacks for eight years. And now, before this crucial election, the media is once again ignoring these women and this vitally important story. 

I can speculate further as to why this is the case. But right now, that would be a waste of time. Leave it to the writers, academics and social scientists of the future to explore and examine WHY this has happened and why these women continue to be ignored and dismissed.

What is critical, NOW, today, with so few days left before we Americans choose who we want to lead our country, the media has a responsibility to raise the profile of these women. The victims of Donald Trump’s sexual attacks deserve to be heard, and to tell their stories in detail. They’ve been ignored too long despite the courage and fortitude they’ve demonstrated over these past eight years, at great risk to them and their families. 

We The People---the American voters---need to hear from these women and to be aware of each specific accusation against Donald Trump BEFORE Election Day. 

If you’re reading this, please contact as many media outlets and journalists as possible to ask them to “Open The Book” on the stories told by these 25 women. We deserve to know all about this story; one that is still unknown or forgotten to millions of voters and citizens. 

And if you’re a journalist, or commentator, or media figure, you need to candidly consider your professional integrity, and your values, and give this very important story a full and extensive examination. This story speaks directly to CHARACTER, HONESTY and DECENCY. How can you ignore it at such a critical time in our country’s history? 

Will we allow a serial rapist to run our country and sit in the White House for four more years---or even more? There’s still time to bring this to the public’s attention. And it’s imperative that the media do this before the clock runs out

.

“They’re all lying---every single one of them! All of these things being said by these 25 different women are 100% false, untrue and completely made up just to hurt Trump!” 

“They know Trump is rich and they’re just trying to get money from him!” 

“All these women just hate Trump. They’re making up these stories just to make him look bad right before an election!” 

“Every one of these women just wants the spotlight, the attention, publicity and fame that comes with accusing a celebrity of doing something wrong.” 

“Uh...George Soros or some other liberal guy with lots of money is just paying these women to make up these stories.” 

“And remember, Bill Clinton did the same exact thing. No difference!” 

Blah blah blah blah blah...Yadda yadda yadda...Everything above is nonsense. Clearly. But in a desperate attempt to rationalize or “normalize” the sick and sickening behavior of a serial sexual predator named Donald Trump, his stalwart apologists have come up with all sorts of ridiculous excuses, rationalizations, irrelevant comparisons and “tribal-based” outright denials. 

The list above is typical of what you’ll hear from Trump’s defenders. And each one of them is absolutely absurd. Laughable. Putrid tripe. 

The need to change the subject, quickly, and focus on something else is imperative for Trump and his most loyal followers; thus the risible list of familiar explanations listed above. 

Let’s take a look at some of them and how well each stands up to scrutiny:

“They’re all lying---every single one of them! All of these things being said by these 25 different women are 100% false, untrue and completely made up just to hurt Trump!” 

• Really? Well, that’s interesting. We’re expected to believe that all of these 25 women are making up stories out of whole cloth? 100% concocted. Never even occurred. Never once even met Donald Trump. Total fiction. Every detail of all 25 stories never happened. All 25 are either insane and delusional or maliciously mendacious. All 25 are just obsessed with being “famous” or getting rich at any cost. Not a single grain of truth from any of these women’s harrowing experiences. Really? 

So what number of women WOULD be considered credible? At what numeric value do these accusations go from “nonsense” to truth? Is 25 “cockamamie” but 99 “undeniable?” Does that make a mere 9 accusations “implausible”? Under this “logic” would 47 be considered “indeterminate?”

How many women have to come forward for them to be believed? And if it was proven that “just one” of the allegations of sexual assault against Trump was true---as was recently proven in a court of law with the E. Jean Carroll verdict--- does that make the other 24 accusations more acceptable or understandable?

If the other 24 women who have accused Trump of similar heinous sexual attacks were also given their day in court to tell their stories in detail, do people really believe that each and every one of them would be exposed as complete liars? Or is it more likely that each of them would expound on narratives that were clear, compelling and completely credible?

(Check out our previous post: He Said, 25 Of Them Said: Is Trump REALLY the only one telling the truth about all of the Sexual Assault Allegations against him?)

“They know Trump is rich and they’re just trying to get money from him!” 

• In virtually every one of the accusations against Trump, the statute of limitations has long passed. All of the 25 women who came forward with their stories did so before the election, some of them sought out by intrepid reporters who were prodded by the 2016 release of the “Access Hollywood” tape just days earlier. Was money ever mentioned by any of these women, before or after? 

The only women we know of who actually received money from Trump were two who admitted to having had consensual sexual relations with him; Karen McDougal and Stormy Daniels. If it was “all about the money” there are apparently easier ways to get it from Donald Trump.

“All these women just hate Trump. They’re making up these stories only to make him look bad right before an election!” 

• Again, these types of stories about Donald Trump and his sexual aggressions had been circulating for years. With the help of loyal, obsequious lackeys, business partners and expensive lawyers, Trump initially managed to keep these stories from gaining media exposure. However, once the Access Hollywood tape was exposed, roughly one month before Election Day in 2016, it created a climate where these women’s stories were much more likely to be believed and where reporters were now actively investigating them. None of the original 25 stories were “timed just before election day.” 

“Every one of these women just wants the spotlight, the attention, publicity and fame that comes with accusing a celebrity of doing something wrong.” 

• Spotlight? Attention? Publicity? Fame?!?! Think it out. Imagine yourself as a victim of sexual assault committed by a rich and famous person who is now running for president---particularly one who can summon an aggressive, violent mob of countless followers to hunt you down and threaten to kill you and is known for aggressively hiring lawyers to discredit and threaten anyone who dares to tell the truth and reveal things he’s trying to cover up. Put yourself in their position for a moment; How likely would you be to come forward under these circumstances?

There is now a widespread awareness that many, if not most, women who are 

raped or sexually assaulted don’t come forward and report the crime. The reasons for this are numerous and complex; and those reasons are that much intensified when the person is any sort of celebrity or person of power.

Women who have the courage and fortitude to come forward, publicly, to accuse someone of great wealth, power and fame of sexual misconduct are exceptional, courageous and willing to risk almost everything in their lives. And in the case of someone in the political arena, with a vast number of fanatic followers who worship and adore him, the risks to their lives and well-being are significantly higher. 

Once you come out publicly and tell the truth about being sexually assaulted by Donald Trump you’re heading into a reality where everything you value and cherish is now on the line. Everyone in the world now knows who you are. You could lose your job as few employers need that type of “controversy” in their workplace. Your family and friends might be greatly displeased with your decision, sometimes cutting off communications with you. At a minimum it will inevitably impact the quality of many of your relationships in a negative way.

But that’s not even the worst of it; you’ll be trashed savagely and relentlessly on social media, slandered beyond all decency, and called every vile name in the book. Your reputation---even among millions of people you don’t know and will likely never meet---will be destroyed in many places, as if YOU were the criminal, the perpetrator of this awful crime instead of the innocent victim. 

And then there are the death and rape threats. The vicious hate coming through email, postal mail, voicemail, text and more. Men telling you that “you deserved it” and that they’re going to rape you and/or kill you and even your family members. Sickos crawling out from under every rock gleefully promising to destroy you and end your very life. And it often adds up to dozens or even hundreds of such disgusting threats daily for weeks or months or years on end.

So, can someone explain the “gain” or the “benefits” of coming out publicly against your sexual attacker? None of this sounds like wanted attention, publicity or fame. It sounds more like your life becoming a living nightmare.

Given these realities for any woman who comes out to accuse Donald Trump of sexual assault, it’s astonishing that 25 of them had the guts and the bravery to do this. It’s not hard to imagine that there must be many more who haven’t come forward and that these 25 fearless women are probably just the tip of the iceberg. 

“Uh...George Soros or some other liberal guy with lots of money is just paying these women to make up these stories.” 

• The reason for the “uh” is to underscore how desperately impromptu this particular response truly is. You could substitute the name of other very wealthy supporters of progressive causes and candidates but right-wing extremists seem to have a particular obsession, bordering on fetishism and/or anti-Semitism, when it comes to George Soros. So, of course, if these 25 women have come forward, not only are all of them lying but they MUST be getting paid to create these 100% false narratives. And who better to blame for funding all of it but the ultra-right’s favorite bogeyman, George Soros. (And the fact that Soros happens to be Jewish makes him that much more of a “perfect villain ” for so much of today’s “MAGA Right.”)

“And remember, Bill Clinton did the same exact thing to just as many women. No difference!” 

• This is one of the more egregious and mendacious claims made by Trump defenders. Anyone saying this is either truly obtuse, woefully ignorant of the facts, mathematically challenged, or just trying to manipulate and muddy public perceptions with the hope that the average person is too lazy or incurious to know or care about the truth. 

Donald Trump is accused of sexual assault or rape by 25 different women. Twenty-Five. Bill Clinton, in stark contrast, has admitted to having a consensual affair with two different women and accused by a total of four different women of sexual assault and/or sexual misconduct. 

But in stark contrast to Trump, who has thus far avoided even a cursory investigation of just one of these 25 allegations, each of these six allegations against Clinton been thoroughly investigated in a never-ending avalanche of articles, books, documentaries, public discussions and most intensely by the Kenneth Starr-led Whitewater investigation that was supposed to be about his family’s private investments and possible financial entanglements but soon became an “anything goes” fishing expedition in desperate search of some sort of criminal offense. 

A good deal of ambiguity remains with each of these four serious allegations against former President Clinton, and in more than one case prior claims were contradicted upon formal investigation. 

But here’s the crux of the issue; there WAS a long, drawn-out, detailed, formal legal inquiry of these claims against William Jefferson Clinton. There were also a plethora of journalistic investigations of these accusations that went on for years.  When will we see even the most perfunctory legal or journalistic investigation of the 24 remaining criminal claims against Donald John Trump?

Let’s assume for the sake of argument that each and every one of these FOUR allegations against Bill Clinton was absolutely true and that he is indeed guilty of these four horrific charges; Donald Trump was accused of 22 more such crimes and NONE of them have been investigated. Why? Twenty-Six is substantially more than four. 

But even IF Bill Clinton was guilty of each and every one of these four accusations---and even if the actual events were far more horrific than anything alleged by any of these four women---what does any of that have to do with the accusations against Donald Trump?

Would the fact that another elected official did the same thing exonerate the accused in a completely separate case? If more than one person is guilty of a similar offense does that mitigate or even excuse someone else? Do two wrongs equal a right?

Pointing the finger at someone else is a Trump specialty. It’s another example of his trademark sleazy tactic of trying to shift attention from the subject at hand to something else. But such attempts at spinning and distraction don’t constitute innocence. Does anyone in the mainstream media understand or acknowledge this?

It doesn’t matter who else might have been accused of something similar; if you’ve committed a serious offense, even once, or twice but especially if these sexual attacks have been alleged twenty-five times, those crimes must be thoroughly investigated and given the scrutiny that they deserve. Trying to minimize what you did by pointing to the accusations against others is an obvious attempt to confuse and distract from your own serious misdeeds.

It’s long past time for the media to begin asking these questions BEFORE the nation votes on November 5th. It’s also time to open up a formal investigation regarding each and every one of these 25 criminal allegations against Donald Trump. He’s managed to run and hide from this type of needed inquiry for almost nine years. It’s now time for we Americans, prior to this year’s election, to learn the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth about Donald Trump and the very real possibility of his being a serial sexual assaulter.
                                                                

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"She wouldn't be my first choice!" First choice for what, exactly? To grab? To force? To molest? To sexually assault? To rape? But that was the "joke" that Donald Trump first made in October 2016 in reference to just one of the numerous accusations of sexual assault made against him earlier that month. 

His bizarre and offensive statement begs the question: Okay then, Donald, please tell us what woman WOULD be your "first choice" for...sexual assault or rape? This little "joke" about his "first choice" wasn't just stated in public; it was SHOUTED with a smirk during one of Trump's signature "rallies" filled with thousands of rapturous worshippers and viewed by countless millions shortly afterwards. Why, all of these years later, haven't any journalists or commentators asked that question? It would be good to see it come up as a direct question to Trump in these remaining days before this critical election.

It is still incredible that Trump's "Cute Little Rape Joke" received so little attention, so little coverage, and so little outrage immediately after several of these women---now totaling 25---came forward. It is especially surprising when even one such allegation, if proven after a thorough and fair investigation, should be enough to absolutely disqualify anyone from holding the highest elective office in the United States of America.

Indeed, a 2018 article in the New York Times reported that 201 prominent men had lost their posts or positions in the wake of similar and even far less serious allegations at the height of the “Me Too” movement. How is it then, that Trump---thus far, all these years later, with the one exception of the E. Jean Carroll sexual abuse and defamation lawsuit against him---has faced no serious consequences whatsoever as a result of these allegations? 

Do most people really believe that ONLY Trump is telling the truth and that ALL 25 WOMEN are lying? This writer thinks not. We’ve watched this man, up close, as a political figure, for nearly ten years now and we know that this is just the type of thing that Donald Trump would be most likely to lie about. 

Let’s consider some prime examples of Trump’s behavior and shine a light on the flimsy and laughable excuses that his apologists have made to deflect attention from the fact that our ex-president has been accused of rape and sexual assault by so many women. 

Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire

Most people were absolutely disgusted and appalled by what they heard on the Access Hollywood tape. But very few were entirely SHOCKED, stunned, or astonished when it first came to light. Indeed, these vile and loathsome comments were very much in character.

After all...this is Donald Trump. He’s obsessed with force, power, control and dominance--- particularly regarding women. He personifies the gleefully crude, vulgar, obnoxious and boorish loudmouth know-it-all who fancies himself to be a dashing ladies’ man and “hot, irresistible playboy.” This tape, his sick and sickening words and the sexual assault allegations that followed all seemed to...well...fit...so perfectly with who and what he claims to be and the image that he’s been so proud of projecting for decades.

Remember that Trump is the man who made “jokes” about lusting after his own daughter. He remarked to several people that a 10-year-old girl he saw on an escalator would be someone “I’ll be dating in 10 years!” Trump publicly bragged that he purchased the “Little Miss America Beauty Pageant” because he wanted to be able to walk in on underage girls while they were undressing. Even his ex-wife Ivana accused him of rape during their divorce proceedings.

Like a schoolyard bully, Trump has always mocked his male and female political rivals with puerile name calling, befitting your average third grader. But Trump almost exclusively reserves his most negative comments for his female electoral opponents, particularly about their appearance. But he doesn’t stop there. Female actors, spokespeople, beauty pageant winners, reporters, and TV personalities have all been subject to Trump’s most personal and vicious slanders. Every woman who Trump dislikes is objectified with language targeting them for their looks that do not measure up to his scale for what he classifies as “a 10.” Check out this Vox article detailing 28 years of Trump insulting women, usually about their appearance. And in the four years since it was published, Trump has gone on to insult dozens more women in a similar way.

So, was it a shock when we were shown incontrovertible evidence of the extent to which Trump disrespects women? Not at all. Again, this is who Donald Trump is. And who he is actually proud of being.

What’s the Magic Number? 

In contrast to Trump’s well documented behavior and statements, the vast majority of people WERE completely and totally SHOCKED when “America’s Dad”, Bill Cosby, was accused by multiple women of sexually attacking them and in many cases of also drugging them as a means of forcing them to engage in sex with him against their will. Even after several women came forward to tell their harrowing stories, often in sickening detail, Cosby still retained a legion of admirers and defenders who posited that his accusers made phony claims due to their lust for his money and “publicity” for themselves. Others dismissed this handful of women as just another symptom of “political correctness gone wild!”

But the Cosby accusations became harder and harder to deny as more and more women came forward. When the numbers jumped into the teens...and then the twenties and thirties...fewer and fewer people were standing by Cosby. When the number of women making accusations reached into the forties and fifties it was no longer much of a credible debate. 

So, regarding the equally serious sexual assault accusations against Donald Trump, where is the cutoff? What is the “magic number” for believability? How many straws does it take to finally break the proverbial camel’s back? 

Would four women coming forward be enough? Apparently not. What about 9, 12, 18, or even the current number of 25? Does the total have to exceed 50 or even 60 for people to stop denying what should be crystal clear? How many more women need to come forward for people to begin believing that Donald Trump IS a sexual predator, a serial assaulter and yes, a rapist?

Does Sexual Assault Disqualify Someone from Being President? 

Of course they shouldn’t, but belief in Trump’s guilt or innocence regarding these allegations appeared to break down along party lines, even as far back as eight years ago. Apparently, political leanings and ideology are more of a determinant than the facts and the testimony of numerous women. Would the Trump backers who buy his claim that every single one of these women are lying and that there isn’t one iota of truth to their stories feel the same way if 25 women accused Joe Biden, Barack Obama or some other prominent Democrat of the same thing? 

In your workplace---regardless of what you do for a living---would a person be able to retain their job it they were accused of sexual assault and rape by 25 different women? You’d probably be forced to resign or be fired regardless if you were a “high status” physician, lawyer, engineer or corporate executive, or “low status” retail clerk, truck driver or janitor---or any position in between.

But yet, if you’re the President of the United States of America you not only get to keep your job after committing these crimes---you’ll still be treated with absolute respect and deference like any other previous person who held this office. 

More surprisingly than just dismissing each of these accusations as “false,” some Trump loyalists even question the relevance of such allegations, believing that even if Trump is proven to have sexually assaulted one or more women, that does not disqualify him from being president. Let’s keep in mind that Al Franken was pressured to give up his senate seat based on the accusation of just one woman---and for an alleged “offense” that pales in comparison to what 25 women have accused Trump of doing to them. Matt Lauer and many other men were fired from jobs not nearly as high profile or consequential as president and leader of the free world. How can it be that the standard for behavior of the president is so low for pro-Trump/MAGA voters---as long as the name of that president is Donald Trump?

A Burning Question for the Press and For All Of Us

This issue and the claims of these 25 women haven’t been taken very seriously in the eight years since the first 25 went public. It’s a major failing of the mainstream media, and our political and legal system that something this serious could be underplayed and largely ignored for so long, and that Donald Trump was effectively granted “absolute immunity” from even being investigated for things that would result in a significantly long prison sentence for anyone else. 

It’s now October 2024 and long past time for all of us to dig into this critical issue, asking detailed questions and taking the claims of each of these 25 women seriously. To do otherwise is to show absolute disrespect to these women and the importance of the “Me Too” movement that had such a powerful and profound effect upon all of us, for the better.

What does it say about our nation if we all turn a blind eye to the very real possibility that we will once again allow a serial rapist and sex criminal to control the White House?

Giving Donald Trump a “pass” on all of these horrific accusations would be a blight on all of us, our free press and the system of law and justice which holds our social fabric together.

If we disregard the stories of these 25 women, pretend they never happened, sweep them all under the rug, claim that there “are more important issues in this election” or that it would be “unfair” or “inappropriate” to give this the close and serious attention it deserves---BEFORE Election Day---then we are neglecting our responsibilities as citizens and voters. Worst of all, we’ll be sending a signal to ALL girls and women, that they’re not to be taken seriously when they have the courage to come forward to face their assaulters and to demand justice.

The time has come for a very open, candid and detailed public discussion of these very serious accusations against Donald Trump. It’s up to each one of us to insist that each one of these claims FINALLY be given the time, attention and coverage that they should have received a long time ago---especially with so much at stake in this critical election. 

Want to Read More?

Trump and his team are counting on us to lose interest in these and other very real allegations about his immoral, unethical and criminal behavior as he continues his campaign of distraction. Trump’s apologists have ready answers to throw those who look deeper off the trail. Check out the next post: Can All 25 Be Lying? Part Two: Debunking Flimsy Excuses & Conspiracy Theories Related to Trump Sexual Assault Allegations for answers to their feeble and ludicrous defenses of Trump’s sexual attacks and an refutation of their tactics.