Been a long time, Donald, but I’d like to hit some, um, “highlights” from your Twitter stream over the past week. Because some of it was highly entertaining.
I’m going to ignore most (but not all) of the various Iran and Pakistan and North Korea and Palestine tweets, because your throwing gasoline onto campfires in diplomatic matters is pretty well known already. I’ll just pick a few others to look at.
Crooked Hillary Clinton’s top aid, Huma Abedin, has been accused of disregarding basic security protocols. She put Classified Passwords into the hands of foreign agents. Remember sailors pictures on submarine? Jail! Deep State Justice Dept must finally act? Also on Comey & others
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018
It may seem a foreign concept, Donald, but have you ever heard that old saying about flies, honey, and vinegar? Are you really accusing the Justice Dept. of being some sort of “Deep State” conspirator (apparently so) and then expecting them to do stuff for you?
As to the Abadin matter, the reality of what was released doesn’t seem to align with your description, nor with anything to do with “sailors pictures on submarines”.
Since taking office I have been very strict on Commercial Aviation. Good news – it was just reported that there were Zero deaths in 2017, the best and safest year on record!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018
Yeah, Donald, pretty much everyone had a laugh over this fraudulent erroneous tweet. Commercial jet deaths have been in decline for twenty years. There were no commercial passenger deaths world-wide in 2017, not just in the one country where you have some indirect control, for one thing. And the last US commercial passenger jet death in the US was back in 2009.
And the White House explained what you meant by “very strict”: an announcement that the Air Traffic Control system would be modernized and semi-privatized (no work on which has happened yet), and the various travel bans announced through DHS (which don’t seem at all related to “Zero deaths in 2017”).
So no idea what you’re going on about, Donald.
On the other hand, your FAA head has just left, and you have no replacement nominated. Tell me how that helps your safety record going forward, Donald. [6]
The Failing New York Times has a new publisher, A.G. Sulzberger. Congratulations! Here is a last chance for the Times to fulfill the vision of its Founder, Adolph Ochs, “to give the news impartially, without fear or FAVOR, regardless of party, sect, or interests involved.” Get…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018
….impartial journalists of a much higher standard, lose all of your phony and non-existent “sources,” and treat the President of the United States FAIRLY, so that the next time I (and the people) win, you won’t have to write an apology to your readers for a job poorly done! GL
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018
Whining that you’re not being treated fairly is what 9-year-olds do, Donald. I mean, really.
Oh, by the way, Donald, the NYT is still not failing. Just saying.
Democrats are doing nothing for DACA – just interested in politics. DACA activists and Hispanics will go hard against Dems, will start “falling in love” with Republicans and their President! We are about RESULTS.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018
So what “RESULTS” are you and the GOP showing for DACA, aside from saying, “No deal unless I get my wall“? Nothing much I can see.
…peace treaty with Israel. We have taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, but Israel, for that, would have had to pay more. But with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018
Oh, Donald.
First off “We have taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table” isn’t negotiation, it’s bullying. I mean, really, Donald.
Also, so what have the Israeli (to whom we contribute BILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year in just military aid) actually done about talking peace?
North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the “Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.” Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018
What are you, Donald, ten years old?
Or just compensating for something else by touting your “bigger & more powerful” “button”?
Yeesh.
Many mostly Democrat States refused to hand over data from the 2016 Election to the Commission On Voter Fraud. They fought hard that the Commission not see their records or methods because they know that many people are voting illegally. System is rigged, must go to Voter I.D.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018
As Americans, you need identification, sometimes in a very strong and accurate form, for almost everything you do…..except when it comes to the most important thing, VOTING for the people that run your country. Push hard for Voter Identification!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018
So Donald “I never quit” Trump is admitting that opposition from states to turn over personally identifiable private information on their voters, sometimes in violation of their own laws, to be dumped into an unsecured database through an insecure process, is enough to make you quit?
Of course. Because it was all just for show, Donald. You just want to be able to continue to claim that you lose the popular vote in 2016 because of “voter fraud.”
Oh, the whole “mostly Democratic States” thing? Really not all that true, Donald. Nor is your assertion that “many people are voting illegally.” [13]
So let’s try this, Donald. Push for an initiative for a national identification card, with the primary purpose to make sure that everyone can get one, that it won’t be subject to additional fees and weird document needs and limited hours and oh, yeah, we just closed the place that does that in your neighborhood shenanigans that the GOP has pulled on state voter ID.
Do that, and I might be inclined to think you’re actually serious about this, Donald.
So beautiful….Show this picture to the NFL players who still kneel! https://t.co/tJLM1tvbvb
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018
Are you still going on about that, Donald?
At any rate, the ideas that (a) the national anthem is played as a tribute to soldiers, or (b) that soldiers consider NFL players taking a knee in protest of police violence against minorities as an insult to them, and that therefore (c) glurgy Facebook memes of a veteran’s widow at a military cemetery is somehow a germane argument is …
… well, it’s another case of not knowing whether you are goofy enough to believe it, Donald, or simply want to stir up your hyper-nationalist base.
MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! pic.twitter.com/iONbr1DkVk
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018
That’s accompanied by a (of course) Fox News chart about the Dow Jones Industrial Average breaking 25K.
Actually, a look at the DJIA for the last ten years shows a pretty steady climb from the depths of the Great Recession brought on by the last GOP Administraion. I mean, I know that you prefer to look at the last year alone, rather than the preceding decade (as that means that your Democratic predecessor gets some credit, the horror!), but it’s sort of sloppy statistics to take credit for everything when you’re standing on the record of those who come before.
The Fake News Media barely mentions the fact that the Stock Market just hit another New Record and that business in the U.S. is booming…but the people know! Can you imagine if “O” was president and had these numbers – would be biggest story on earth! Dow now over 25,000.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018
Really? Because I’m pretty sure I saw it headlined everywhere, Donald.
I authorized Zero access to White House (actually turned him down many times) for author of phony book! I never spoke to him for book. Full of lies, misrepresentations and sources that don’t exist. Look at this guy’s past and watch what happens to him and Sloppy Steve!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018
That’s kind of a misleading statement, Donald.
Michael Wolff is a total loser who made up stories in order to sell this really boring and untruthful book. He used Sloppy Steve Bannon, who cried when he got fired and begged for his job. Now Sloppy Steve has been dumped like a dog by almost everyone. Too bad! https://t.co/mEeUhk5ZV9
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018
We all love it when you come up with names for your ostensible enemies. It’s even funnier (or more pathetic) when you do it to people who you used to call allies and advisors and friends and supporters.
Brian Ross, the reporter who made a fraudulent live newscast about me that drove the Stock Market down 350 points (billions of dollars), was suspended for a month but is now back at ABC NEWS in a lower capacity. He is no longer allowed to report on Trump. Should have been fired!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018
Vindictive, much?
Aside from the unfounded assertion that it was a “fraudulent” comment, vs. an erroneous one (something he clearly stated later in the day in issuing a correction), you’ve not only (once more) gone over his punishment for it, but called for greater punishment.
You are kind of a mean person, you know that, Donald?
Now that Russian collusion, after one year of intense study, has proven to be a total hoax on the American public, the Democrats and their lapdogs, the Fake News Mainstream Media, are taking out the old Ronald Reagan playbook and screaming mental stability and intelligence…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018
….Actually, throughout my life, my two greatest assets have been mental stability and being, like, really smart. Crooked Hillary Clinton also played these cards very hard and, as everyone knows, went down in flames. I went from VERY successful businessman, to top T.V. Star…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018
….to President of the United States (on my first try). I think that would qualify as not smart, but genius….and a very stable genius at that!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018
So, first off, Donald, if “there’s no such thing as bad publicity,” then you scored big time with this triptych of tweets. I mean, amazing, zany stuff.
Not to be contradictory or anything, but just to clarify a few points.
- Russian collusion has not been proven a total hoax. I’m not sure where you get that from, Donald, but it’s clearly untrue.
- Ronald Reagan was, in fact, suffering from dementia during his time in the White House. It was covered up by White House staff and family at the time, but it was known to be the case and is a matter of record today. So … really, not the best defense.
- I don’t know that anyone has ever talked about your having a reputation for mental stability, but you have been known in the past as a very sharp, clever operator (which I guess we can take as a proxy for “smart”). However, as I’m sure you are aware (or once would have been), Donald, being “smart” and “stable” at age 20, or 30, or 40, or 50, or 60, is not at all an indicator of where you are at age 71.
- Hillary Clinton did not go down in flames. She garnered more popular votes than you, and your electoral victory was a modest one. That doesn’t mean you aren’t President, but, really, Donald, it’s unbecoming and a bit worrisome that you keep repeating the same (inaccurate) attacks over, and over, and over.
- Hyperbole is not your friend, Donald. You are not a sharpie real estate mogul any more. Claiming to be a “genius,” “and a very stable genius at that!” is not only really kind of goofy, but … well, it’s not really the sort of thing that is proven by asserting it, but by others observing it in your actions and words.
I’ve had to put up with the Fake News from the first day I announced that I would be running for President. Now I have to put up with a Fake Book, written by a totally discredited author. Ronald Reagan had the same problem and handled it well. So will I!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2018
Actually, Donald, you’ve decried any criticism — even stuff using live quotes from you — as “fake news” from the first day you announced. This followed a long pattern of threatening to sue media outlets that posted material that you didn’t like.
The real problem, Donald, is that it’s unclear whether this is merely a rhetorical tactic (the quasi-grown-up equivalent of a grade-schooler answering ever accusation or criticism with a loud “Nuh-UH!”), or whether you’ve actually slipped a cog and simply believe that by denying it you can you make it all untrue.
Jake Tapper of Fake News CNN just got destroyed in his interview with Stephen Miller of the Trump Administration. Watch the hatred and unfairness of this CNN flunky!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2018
I think, perhaps, it’s best to let the public make that judgment by watching the video of the interview (where Tapper basically had to cut off Miller who simply wanted to tout Trump as a triumphant genius without answering any questions) [2]
I will be announcing THE MOST DISHONEST & CORRUPT MEDIA AWARDS OF THE YEAR on Monday at 5:00 o’clock. Subjects will cover Dishonesty & Bad Reporting in various categories from the Fake News Media. Stay tuned!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018
The Fake News Awards, those going to the most corrupt & biased of the Mainstream Media, will be presented to the losers on Wednesday, January 17th, rather than this coming Monday. The interest in, and importance of, these awards is far greater than anyone could have anticipated!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2018
I have to ask our studio audience, is anyone else disturbed by the President of the United States not merely letting truth prevail (as Jefferson put it) when he feels falsely accused, but personally supporting creating a Media Event to mock journalists and news organizations he claims are “corrupt and biased”?
Because I’m disturbed by it.
Harry Truman suggested that those who can’t stand the heat should get out of the kitchen. Perhaps you consider that advice, Donald.
The Stock Market has been creating tremendous benefits for our country in the form of not only Record Setting Stock Prices, but present and future Jobs, Jobs, Jobs. Seven TRILLION dollars of value created since our big election win!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2018
That is to say that people who have the money to invest in the stock market are making (if they cash out before it dips back down again) oodles of money. How much of that money is actually benefiting the folk who aren’t gambling on the market?
And let’s also be real — that creation of “value” is illusory. It’s creation of electronic records of wealth — nothing tangible is actually produced when the market goes up (or is lost when it goes down). And because of the nature of the market, the value only “exists” while a minimum number of people actually try to draw on it. If everyone went and sold off all their stock value increases over the past year, the market itself would crash and “lose” tremendous value.
Also the whole job thing? Kind of weird that you’d take credit there, given that job growth in 2017 was actually lower than job growth in 2016. Obama also managed to take the unemployment rate from 10% in the depths of the Great Recession down to 4.8% when he left office; the current 4.1% is nice, but not that huge of a change — certainly nothing in improvement approaching the continued stock market records.
—
Welp, that’s about it. Man, these things take a long time to write up, which is why I’ve largely given up doing so regularly, but it’s good to see the zaniness, narcissism, fragile ego, and lies haven’t diminished any since I stopped doing so. Hang in there Donald — I’m sure the rest of 2018 will be a hoot ad a half as well.
"I'm a very unstable facist" would have been far more honest from dear leader Trump.
If you need to identify yourself as a genius, you're not.
"Noise proves nothing. Often a hen who has merely laid an egg cackles as if she had laid an asteroid."
— Mark Twain (1835-1910), Following the Equator, ch. 5, Epigraph (1897)
Daniel:7 seems to be appropriate as well, now that we're tossing bible quotes about
actually I sometimes identify as a genius to keep matters simple. But I suppose when a professor working on a nuclear fusion generator approaches you with the question to solve the central mystery of quantum physics due to the reputation you've built you kind of have a right to say that?
+Koos Swart Not sure which part of Daniel 7, but when it comes to Trump, "my thoughts greatly terrified me, and my face turned pale."
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=daniel+7&version=NRSV
Not having Twitter, I've missed these posts.
Thank-you.
+Simon B I fear they have been few and far between. There are only so many hours in the day. 😛