The Former Trump Presidency Thread

[LawBeefaroni]

White House is now saying that the check has been sent, though the father had not received it (when the promise was made in June).

You know, a journalist could make a good living finding out who Trump had promised to pay, contact the owed person, and promise to write an article about it in exchange for (say) 10% of the money owed.

Even better, they could get 20% from Trump for not writing it.

[Zarathud]

Or 0% because Trump doesn't pay.

[Freyland]

The check is supposed to be out of his personal account. I'm sure if it's actually written, I paid for it.

[tgb]

The check is supposed to be out of his personal account. I'm sure if it's actually written, I paid for it.

It will probably come from the Trump Foundation (if it comes at all), which means OPM.

Unless you're a contributor.

[Grifman]

I suppose Trump is right that no other president has ever done something like that.

That's kind of a weird thing to offer, and I'd find it insulting, myself, but I guess it depends on how it came about. If I had discussed having financial problems, I could see it but otherwise, it comes off as insulting, my son would be worth a lot more than $25k. Seems like a strange thing going on here. Not surprised Trump didn't pay though.

Regarding the whole phone call mess, I can understand Trump not being empathetic. Not everyone has that ability, so to that extent, I don't blame him. Obama and Bush were both good at it, but for some people it's hard. But where I blame Trump is not realizing that's not his nature and planning ahead. He should have had a script and stuck to it, and his staff should have prepared him. Instead he wings it and puts both feet in his mount. Just another example of how unprepared he is for the job - as if we need another

[malchior]

But where I blame Trump is not realizing that's not his nature and planning ahead. He should have had a script and stuck to it, and his staff should have prepared him. Instead he wings it and puts both feet in his mount. Just another example of how unprepared he is for the job - as if we need another

Trump is pretty much biologically unable to acknowledge he is bad at anything. He is winging it because he thinks everything he does is awesome.

[tgb]

That's kind of a weird thing to offer, and I'd find it insulting, myself, but I guess it depends on how it came about. If I had discussed having financial problems, I could see it but otherwise, it comes off as insulting, my son would be worth a lot more than $25k. Seems like a strange thing going on here. Not surprised Trump didn't pay though.

From what I read, that's what happened. The father was bitching to Trump that his ex-wife would get the death benefits, while he got nothing and didn't have a pot to piss in.

[GreenGoo]

That's kind of a weird thing to offer, and I'd find it insulting, myself, but I guess it depends on how it came about. If I had discussed having financial problems, I could see it but otherwise, it comes off as insulting, my son would be worth a lot more than $25k. Seems like a strange thing going on here. Not surprised Trump didn't pay though.

From what I read, that's what happened. The father was bitching to Trump that his ex-wife would get the death benefits, while he got nothing and didn't have a pot to piss in.

This. I doubt many on this board hate Drumpf more than me, but the offer was done in the context of the Dad complaining that his son's beneficiary of $100k was the Dad's ex-wife, while the Dad complained about not having 2 nickels to rub together. Drumpf is still a HUGE douche for offering the money, and then the douche grows in size when he fails to follow-up, but it's not like he called up a dead soldier's father and offered him $25k just because.

And with that said, what president offers to personally give away money? It's a no win situation, not to mention you are personally responsible for doing everything you can for the welfare of all your citizens. Giving away money just results in being asked why you didn't give x money, or why x got more than y. It's just a stupid thing to do for so many reasons.

I can't help but assume he made the offer just to remind the Dad that Drumpf is rich, and to hear the desperate thanks. He probably never even thought about it the moment he hung up.

I don't have much in the way of kind words for the dad, either.

[LawBeefaroni]

And now he's calling the congresswoman who reported the comments a liar. Because of course he is.

Democrat Congresswoman totally fabricated what I said to the wife of a soldier who died in action (and I have proof). Sad!

If you've got proof, then produce it. If not, then STFU.

I'm confused. Is this like 'Obama's Kenyan' proof, 'Dr. Oz says I'm healthy' proof, or 'I'll release my tax returns if elected' proof?

The soldier's mother has confirmed what the "Democrats Congresswoman" claimed.


Can they please put a leash on this asshole?

[Zaxxon]

And now he's calling the congresswoman who reported the comments a liar. Because of course he is.

Democrat Congresswoman totally fabricated what I said to the wife of a soldier who died in action (and I have proof). Sad!

If you've got proof, then produce it. If not, then STFU.

I'm confused. Is this like 'Obama's Kenyan' proof, 'Dr. Oz says I'm healthy' proof, or 'I'll release my tax returns if elected' proof?

The soldier's mother has confirmed what the "Democrats Congresswoman" claimed.


Can they please put a leash on this asshole?

So, the Kenyan one, then.

[Grifman]

This. I doubt many on this board hate Drumpf more than me, but the offer was done in the context of the Dad complaining that his son's beneficiary of $100k was the Dad's ex-wife, while the Dad complained about not having 2 nickels to rub together. Drumpf is still a HUGE douche for offering the money, and then the douche grows in size when he fails to follow-up, but it's not like he called up a dead soldier's father and offered him $25k just because.

And with that said, what president offers to personally give away money? It's a no win situation, not to mention you are personally responsible for doing everything you can for the welfare of all your citizens. Giving away money just results in being asked why you didn't give x money, or why x got more than y. It's just a stupid thing to do for so many reasons.

I can't help but assume he made the offer just to remind the Dad that Drumpf is rich, and to hear the desperate thanks. He probably never even thought about it the moment he hung up.

I don't have much in the way of kind words for the dad, either.

Thanks, I had read a number of articles about this but not one explained the reason or context for the $25k offer.

[funnygirl]

That's kind of a weird thing to offer, and I'd find it insulting, myself, but I guess it depends on how it came about. If I had discussed having financial problems, I could see it but otherwise, it comes off as insulting, my son would be worth a lot more than $25k. Seems like a strange thing going on here. Not surprised Trump didn't pay though.

From what I read, that's what happened. The father was bitching to Trump that his ex-wife would get the death benefits, while he got nothing and didn't have a pot to piss in.

This. I doubt many on this board hate Drumpf more than me, but the offer was done in the context of the Dad complaining that his son's beneficiary of $100k was the Dad's ex-wife, while the Dad complained about not having 2 nickels to rub together. Drumpf is still a HUGE douche for offering the money, and then the douche grows in size when he fails to follow-up, but it's not like he called up a dead soldier's father and offered him $25k just because.

And with that said, what president offers to personally give away money? It's a no win situation, not to mention you are personally responsible for doing everything you can for the welfare of all your citizens. Giving away money just results in being asked why you didn't give x money, or why x got more than y. It's just a stupid thing to do for so many reasons.

I can't help but assume he made the offer just to remind the Dad that Drumpf is rich, and to hear the desperate thanks. He probably never even thought about it the moment he hung up.

I don't have much in the way of kind words for the dad, either.

Totally agree with all of this. If the soldier in question made his mother his sole beneficiary, there is likely a reason. No idea what the situation is, other than, ex-wife got the benefit while dad got nothing. Well, for all we know, dad could be a dead beat who left the family high and dry without a nickel of child support. Or could have been an abuser, or he could have been the greatest dad in the world but the son felt his mom would need the money more, or any one of a hundred scenarios. We, and Trump, don't know the backstory. This is just another impulsive, showboat bs move by Trump because he doesn't really have a clue how the real world works. I could almost feel sorry for him having to deal with every call, letter, email that will be coming his way asking for the same consideration (of course it will be his staff dealing with it). In a pile of dumb things, this strikes me as one of the dumbest things he has done.

[Octavious]

And now he's calling the congresswoman who reported the comments a liar. Because of course he is.

Democrat Congresswoman totally fabricated what I said to the wife of a soldier who died in action (and I have proof). Sad!

If you've got proof, then produce it. If not, then STFU.

I'm confused. Is this like 'Obama's Kenyan' proof, 'Dr. Oz says I'm healthy' proof, or 'I'll release my tax returns if elected' proof?

The soldier's mother has confirmed what the "Democrats Congresswoman" claimed.


Can they please put a leash on this asshole?

So, the Kenyan one, then.

Odd that he hasn't showed any proof yet. Guess we should just take his word on it. He's so trustworthy.

[malchior]

Totally agree with all of this. If the soldier in question made his mother his sole beneficiary, there is likely a reason. No idea what the situation is, other than, ex-wife got the benefit while dad got nothing.

This was my take too - don't care why either. The son made an intentional election. That's that. Trump hearing that and thinking maybe I should be the big guy and intervene is all on him. Especially when he dropped the ball paying a bill as usual.

[Hiccup]

Odd that he hasn't showed any proof yet. Guess we should just take his word on it. He's so trustworthy.

Trump twitter 5/12 - "James Comey better hope that there are no ‘tapes’ of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press!”
Trump twitter 10/18 - "Democrat Congresswoman totally fabricated what I said to the wife of a soldier who died in action (and I have proof). Sad!"

There's a dedicated staffer there to "remind" him that there "isn't" any "secret recording devices" in the Oval Office. Not sure why his title is A/V Storage Administrator, and isn't in the communications department though.

[Rip]

Odd that he hasn't showed any proof yet. Guess we should just take his word on it. He's so trustworthy.

Trump twitter 5/12 - "James Comey better hope that there are no ‘tapes’ of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press!”
Trump twitter 10/18 - "Democrat Congresswoman totally fabricated what I said to the wife of a soldier who died in action (and I have proof). Sad!"

There's a dedicated staffer there to "remind" him that there "isn't" any "secret recording devices" in the Oval Office. Not sure why his title is A/V Storage Administrator, and isn't in the communications department though.

His proof isn't a recording, it is the word of the other half dozen people there as he made the call.

[Paingod]

Odd that he hasn't showed any proof yet. Guess we should just take his word on it. He's so trustworthy.

Trump twitter 5/12 - "James Comey better hope that there are no ‘tapes’ of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press!”
Trump twitter 10/18 - "Democrat Congresswoman totally fabricated what I said to the wife of a soldier who died in action (and I have proof). Sad!"

There's a dedicated staffer there to "remind" him that there "isn't" any "secret recording devices" in the Oval Office. Not sure why his title is A/V Storage Administrator, and isn't in the communications department though.

His proof isn't a recording, it is the word of the other half dozen people there as he made the call.

I would certainly trust people who are basically bound to remain silent, will not tell the truth if it disagrees with the Orange One, and/or people who have their heads so far up his ass that when they talk it looks like he's flexing his pecs.

[hepcat]

Odd that he hasn't showed any proof yet. Guess we should just take his word on it. He's so trustworthy.

Trump twitter 5/12 - "James Comey better hope that there are no ‘tapes’ of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press!”
Trump twitter 10/18 - "Democrat Congresswoman totally fabricated what I said to the wife of a soldier who died in action (and I have proof). Sad!"

There's a dedicated staffer there to "remind" him that there "isn't" any "secret recording devices" in the Oval Office. Not sure why his title is A/V Storage Administrator, and isn't in the communications department though.

His proof isn't a recording, it is the word of the other half dozen people there as he made the call.

I wonder how many of them were also telling us earlier this year that Trump had more people in attendance at his inauguration than any other president...while standing in front of a photo showing that wasn't true.

[GreenGoo]

His proof isn't a recording, it is the word of the other half dozen people there as he made the call.

That's not proof, it's testimony. You'll forgive me if I don't take the word of even one hundred Drumpf administration personnel. He's a liar. They are liars. Their press secretary lies to the American people on a daily basis, and not even political, policy based lies, but bald faced lies about easily verifiable facts.

So no, 6 people claiming x while 2 people claiming y does not prove x or y, but based on a preponderance of previous evidence that Drumpf is a liar in exactly these kinds of circumstances, I'm inclined to believe the 2.

[malchior]

Trump just claimed he gets a 10 out of 10 for the Puerto Rico response. I'd die laughing if people weren't actually dying due to his incompetence. Sic semper moronis futundo.

[hepcat]

Jesus H. Christ you flaming asshole...you don't rate yourself. How stupid are the people who eat this shit up when he spouts it?

[LawBeefaroni]

Odd that he hasn't showed any proof yet. Guess we should just take his word on it. He's so trustworthy.

Trump twitter 5/12 - "James Comey better hope that there are no ‘tapes’ of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press!”
Trump twitter 10/18 - "Democrat Congresswoman totally fabricated what I said to the wife of a soldier who died in action (and I have proof). Sad!"

There's a dedicated staffer there to "remind" him that there "isn't" any "secret recording devices" in the Oval Office. Not sure why his title is A/V Storage Administrator, and isn't in the communications department though.

His proof isn't a recording, it is the word of the other half dozen people there as he made the call.

They all seem to forget they there wasn't a Trump translator on the other end to explain that "he signed up for it" actually meant something completely different and totally great.

[Holman]

Trump just claimed he gets a 10 out of 10 for the Puerto Rico response. I'd die laughing if people weren't actually dying due to his incompetence. Sic semper moronis futundo.

This is his narcissism at work. He can't acknowledge even the slightest need for improvement. He's unmoored from reality.

Just this week he declared that no other president has ever done as much as he has in nine months. His toadies like Sean Hannity play the same game. Sheriff David Clarke this week insisted that there is literally no one alive more sensitive to the feelings of Gold Star families than Donald Trump.

This is Pyongyang-level bullshit.

[Enough]

Odd that he hasn't showed any proof yet. Guess we should just take his word on it. He's so trustworthy.

Trump twitter 5/12 - "James Comey better hope that there are no ‘tapes’ of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press!”
Trump twitter 10/18 - "Democrat Congresswoman totally fabricated what I said to the wife of a soldier who died in action (and I have proof). Sad!"

There's a dedicated staffer there to "remind" him that there "isn't" any "secret recording devices" in the Oval Office. Not sure why his title is A/V Storage Administrator, and isn't in the communications department though.

His proof isn't a recording, it is the word of the other half dozen people there as he made the call.

Well, you have already come around to admitting that Trump is a total doufus ass and that you only care about the policy result. So why the push back on Trumpster's bad behavior, I thought you didn't care one wit what asshole moves he makes?

[Octavious]

10 out of 10? It's so ridiculous that I can't even get upset about it. The only sad thing is that his supporters eat that up and move along. Same with the I have proof, I was wire tapped, there was rampant voter fraud, I have any idea what the fuck I'm doing...

[malchior]

So much for Kelly being upset that his son's death was 'politicized' as he does the same by minimizing the impact the President's words had on the widow and mother of the slain. I'll give Trump credit - his influence destroys the reputations of everyone around him. Even very well regarded folks. Also he tacitly acknowledged that Trump lied.

[Kurth]

I disagree that Kelly is doing anything wrong here. In fact, I think his statements today regarding what went down on the Trump call that was called into question by the congresswoman are illuminating:

Kelly said from the White House briefing room that he advised Trump to offer similar words that Gen. Joseph Dunford offered to Kelly when his son was killed in Afghanistan.

"He was doing exactly what he wanted to do when he was killed. He knew what he was getting into by joining that 1%. He knew what the possibilities were because we were at war," Kelly said, channeling Dunford's words to him upon the death of Kelly's son. "And when he died he was surrounded by the best men on this earth, his friends. That's what the President tried to say to the four families the other day."

I don't think there's anything wrong with that message, and I have no problem with Kelly advising Trump to deliver it. Of course, where the rubber hits the road is in Trump's delivery. I can just imagine Trump trying to convey those sentiments in his ham-fisted, idiotic way and completely mangling the message into something that would seem cold and heartless. But that's not on Kelly, except to the extent that Kelly is choosing to serve under such a buffoon. But then again, imagine how much worse Trump might be without Kelly giving him advice. Hard to fathom.

[hepcat]

Trump's almost autonomic need to lie about anything whatsoever, no matter how small or large, is his own worst enemy. He simply could have ignored it (adult response), or responded with the explanation that Kelly seems to be giving him (less adult, but still fairly mature). Instead he just outright lies. I seriously think he should be given a mental evaluation.

I also truly believe he's 100 percent incapable of sincerity. It's just his nature. Empathy, humility, humanity...he knows what they are, and sometimes he can mimic them to a degree, but he's just not capable of interpersonal relationships with other humans.

[LawBeefaroni]

That's what the President tried to say to the four families the other day.

Do or do not. There is no try. Trump did not.


I can certainly see how he mangled Kelly's script but I can also see how he never really understood the script in the first place.

Maybe he thinks he said what Kelly said. But he didn't.

[malchior]

I don't think there's anything wrong with that message, and I have no problem with Kelly advising Trump to deliver it.

I totally agree that the message itself is fine. Part of the problem is that Kelly is criticizing the Congresswoman because she apparently accurately reported that Trump came across as callous and cruel. If Trump had delivered Kelly's message correctly and with the right amount of sincerity that likely wouldn't have happened. But Trump is a monster so it probably was folly for Kelly to recommend something that required emotional skill and nuance. Further Kelly defended that delivery while ignoring a fellow person in grief to protect the man. That is rest of the problem I have with Kelly here.

But that's not on Kelly, except to the extent that Kelly is choosing to serve under such a buffoon. But then again, imagine how much worse Trump might be without Kelly giving him advice. Hard to fathom.

Kelly knew what he signed up for.

[El Guapo]

eh, the more important and concerning part of Kelly's speech is his disdain for civilian culture / leadership.

[Alefroth]

Odd that he hasn't showed any proof yet. Guess we should just take his word on it. He's so trustworthy.

Trump twitter 5/12 - "James Comey better hope that there are no ‘tapes’ of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press!”
Trump twitter 10/18 - "Democrat Congresswoman totally fabricated what I said to the wife of a soldier who died in action (and I have proof). Sad!"

There's a dedicated staffer there to "remind" him that there "isn't" any "secret recording devices" in the Oval Office. Not sure why his title is A/V Storage Administrator, and isn't in the communications department though.

His proof isn't a recording, it is the word of the other half dozen people there as he made the call.

And the other side has contradictory proof. How does that work? I guess proof is as subjective as facts these days.

[Blackhawk]

The difference is that saying, "He knew what he was getting into by joining that 1%" to a military officer is completely different from saying it to a mother. A soldier thinks that way and sees that as praise. A civilian probably does not. I get what he's saying - he chose to put himself at risk for the best of reasons, and that makes him a hero - but phrasing it that way to a grieving mother is terrible.

[El Guapo]

[Alefroth]

So did Kelly not really tweet that, Isg?

[Isgrimnur]

The account is not verified, and other tweets from it very much appear to be a rabble-rousing parody account. I have no specific information either way, so I'm playing it safe on this one.

[El Guapo]

Kelly didn't tweet what?

[Isgrimnur]

A Tweet about Melania having a double. It's a parody account. As far as I can tell, Gen. Kelly is not down with the Twitter. I had posted it, then delfefed it.

[GreenGoo]

I can certainly see how he mangled Kelly's script but I can also see how he never really understood the script in the first place.

Maybe he thinks he said what Kelly said. But he didn't.

As far as I'm concerned, Kelly used his credibility as a get out of jail free card for Drumpf. And that's fine. He's asking us to forgive Drumpf for sucking so hard because his intentions were good. Ok. I'll forgive Drumpf for this nightmarish condolences call. Not sure if the wife can, but I know I can.

With that said, you only have so much credibility Kelly. And you just used a HUGE portion of it to protect Drumpf from criticism (deserved, imo). I hope you don't need it for yourself in the near future, because you just dropped a couple of pegs.

But you want to defend Drumpf with your own son's death? Fine. Consider him defended. See you next time Drumpf puts his foot in it.

[Alefroth]

The account is not verified, and other tweets from it very much appear to be a rabble-rousing parody account. I have no specific information either way, so I'm playing it safe on this one.

I was typing up a WTF response. It really didn't sound like him.