The Former Trump Presidency Thread

[Max Peck]

It might be easier to make a list of advisory committees that haven't resigned. Yet.

Members of a Department of Commerce committee called the Digital Economy Board of Advisors have turned in their resignations after President Trump’s defense of white supremacists in Charlottesville.

Zoë Baird, a founding co-chair of the board and the president and CEO of the Markle Foundation, confirmed that she had submitted her resignation on Thursday in a phone call with VICE News, and that other members had as well. The president said in off-the-cuff remarks Tuesday that there were “very fine people on both sides” of the violent demonstration in the Virginia college town last weekend.

“It is the moral responsibility of our leaders to unite Americans by respecting the diversity and inclusion that enables our country to generate new opportunity and celebrate freedom,” Baird’s resignation letter reads. “In order to preserve these cherished values, there must never be equivocation in denouncing hate, bigotry, violence, and racism.”

[El Guapo]

Word is dropping that Bannon has been fired! Stephen Miller has been unchained!

This seems like an unmitigated good thing. Both because Bannon is a noxious person who wants to do awful things, and because it would presumably cause Bannon to turn on Trump at least partially, which should further erode Trump's support.

I doubt he'll turn on Trump, and actually expect the opposite. There's lots of money, power, and influence running a propaganda shop for Trump's nationalist agenda. And now he can do so while seemingly independent from the WH.

Whereas Breitbart has been publishing objective and critical pieces of the Trump administration to date?

Breitbart's not suddenly going to become Salon.com or anything. But there's not much more room for it to get more supportive, and it's entirely possible that it could start to become at least somewhat more critical (in a "he's selling us out" kind of vein"), especially since Bannon has to be at least a little annoyed about all of this.

[msteelers]

He didn't get fired he quit:

A person close to Mr. Bannon insisted the parting of ways was his idea, and that he had submitted his resignation to the president on Aug. 7, to be announced at the start of this week, but it was delayed in the wake of the racial unrest in Charlottesville, Va.

Uh-huh. Just like Trump has disbanded all of those advisory councils.

[LordMortis]

I'll believe it when he's actually out.

This. News of him leaving Trump has circulated before but he has been as constant as family.

[Octavious]

When does SNL come back? Oh god the first show will be epic.

[YellowKing]

Had an interesting lunch conversation with two co-workers who were huge Trump supporters. At least anecdotally, the dam is breaking fast. Both of them were bashing him throughout lunch, super pissed off at his Charlottesville response and questioning his ability to tie his shoes in the morning, much less lead the country. The regret factor was high for both, and both of them expressed hope he'd either get impeached or resign.

P.S. Both of these guys were solidly both on the "stop erasing our history" side of the Confederate monument equation. And they STILL thought Trump's response was insane.

[naednek]

When Bush the Younger got elected, I was as solid a Republican as you'd find. By the end of his Administration, I was not. Although that had a lot to do with things other than Rs and Ds, and more to do with a changing worldview that was beginning to be more empathetic to others, and a realization that my perceptions were based on what I saw around me, which aren't necessarily indicative of the wider reality.

I still think that I was probably 50/50 between McCain and Obama in the sense that if McCain hadn't demonstrated a remarkable lack of judgment in picking that absolute dunce for VP, I wouldn't have been able to pull the level for Obama.

Now? It will be a cold day in hell before I vote for anyone associated with this shitty political party.

Ditto.

I actually changed my party to Democrat a few months ago. I just can't stand what the R's have become. I don't agree with everything the D's do, but lately I see more and more that I can stand behind.

[Captain Caveman]

Word is dropping that Bannon has been fired! Stephen Miller has been unchained!

This seems like an unmitigated good thing. Both because Bannon is a noxious person who wants to do awful things, and because it would presumably cause Bannon to turn on Trump at least partially, which should further erode Trump's support.

I doubt he'll turn on Trump, and actually expect the opposite. There's lots of money, power, and influence running a propaganda shop for Trump's nationalist agenda. And now he can do so while seemingly independent from the WH.

Whereas Breitbart has been publishing objective and critical pieces of the Trump administration to date?

Breitbart's not suddenly going to become Salon.com or anything. But there's not much more room for it to get more supportive, and it's entirely possible that it could start to become at least somewhat more critical (in a "he's selling us out" kind of vein"), especially since Bannon has to be at least a little annoyed about all of this.

This is either misdirection, or El Guapo is a much more acute pundit than me (spoiler, he is):

https://twitter.com/gabrielsherman/stat ... 3409882112

[Max Peck]

When does SNL come back? Oh god the first show will be epic.

You haven't been watching Weekend Update Summer Edition?

Here's a sample.

[Zaxxon]

Tina Fey is awesome.

[msteelers]

Best thing I've seen all day.

[Max Peck]

Word is dropping that Bannon has been fired! Stephen Miller has been unchained!

This seems like an unmitigated good thing. Both because Bannon is a noxious person who wants to do awful things, and because it would presumably cause Bannon to turn on Trump at least partially, which should further erode Trump's support.

I doubt he'll turn on Trump, and actually expect the opposite. There's lots of money, power, and influence running a propaganda shop for Trump's nationalist agenda. And now he can do so while seemingly independent from the WH.

Whereas Breitbart has been publishing objective and critical pieces of the Trump administration to date?

Breitbart's not suddenly going to become Salon.com or anything. But there's not much more room for it to get more supportive, and it's entirely possible that it could start to become at least somewhat more critical (in a "he's selling us out" kind of vein"), especially since Bannon has to be at least a little annoyed about all of this.

This is either misdirection, or El Guapo is a much more acute pundit than me (spoiler, he is):

https://twitter.com/gabrielsherman/stat ... 3409882112

I expect the key issue may be whether it is just Bannon who goes (CTV is currently reporting it as a done deal, with the tipping point possibly being his comments regarding there being no military option for dealing with North Korea -- that apparently did not go over well with Trump's coterie of Generals) or if the entire Breitbart contingent that rode in on his coattails is purged.

Who'd have guessed that of the three main camps of infighters, Kushner would actual outlive (out maneuver?) Priebus and Bannon?

[Octavious]

When does SNL come back? Oh god the first show will be epic.

You haven't been watching Weekend Update Summer Edition?

Here's a sample.

We watched one and will be watching the next one tonight. I need a full blown all attack show.

[El Guapo]

I expect the key issue may be whether it is just Bannon who goes (CTV is currently reporting it as a done deal, with the tipping point possibly being his comments regarding there being no military option for dealing with North Korea -- that apparently did not go over well with Trump's coterie of Generals) or if the entire Breitbart contingent that rode in on his coattails is purged.

Who'd have guessed that of the three main camps of infighters, Kushner would actual outlive (out maneuver?) Priebus and Bannon?

It's grimly hilarious that Bannon may be getting fired for the one arguably sane position of his.

And it's not too surprising that Kushner looks to be the survivor here. Trump's loyal to no one, except (it seems) his kids. And Kushner is married to his favorite kid.

[LordMortis]

Trump's loyal to no one, except (it seems) his kids. And Kushner is married to his favorite kid.

Putin? Or is the secret shamalamadingdong reveal? Putin is one of Trump's Children and DonJon is not his puppet, but rather his father!

[LordMortis]

ABC claims he resigned two weeks ago. We'll see what the real details are.

[RunningMn9]

Who'd have guessed that of the three main camps of infighters, Kushner would actual outlive (out maneuver?) Priebus and Bannon?

Kushner was given control of solving almost every important issue facing humanity. Why wouldn't we think that he'd outlast them all? He has the one thing that none of the others have. Ivanka.

[coopasonic]

Trump's loyal to no one, except (it seems) his kids. And Kushner is married to his favorite kid.

Putin? Or is the secret shamalamadingdong reveal? Putin is one of Trump's Children and DonJon is not his puppet, but rather his father!

Putin is only 7 years younger than Trump.

[LordMortis]

Trump's loyal to no one, except (it seems) his kids. And Kushner is married to his favorite kid.

Putin? Or is the secret shamalamadingdong reveal? Putin is one of Trump's Children and DonJon is not his puppet, but rather his father!

Putin is only 7 years younger than Trump.

What a reveal it is going to be!

[Max Peck]

Who'd have guessed that of the three main camps of infighters, Kushner would actual outlive (out maneuver?) Priebus and Bannon?

Kushner was given control of solving almost every important issue facing humanity. Why wouldn't we think that he'd outlast them all? He has the one thing that none of the others have. Ivanka.

True enough.

[Holman]

I just realized that Putin is a year older than Bannon.

I guess Chaotic Evil ages you more quickly than Lawful Evil.

[Sepiche]

I just realized that Putin is a year older than Bannon.

I guess Chaotic Evil ages you more quickly than Lawful Evil.

From the look of Bannon, I'm going to chalk that up to the half gallon of grain alcohol he must drink every night.

[Isgrimnur]

Free radicals do tend to age one prematurely.

[Holman]

I guess now it's all a race between Bannon's drive to wreck the system from outside and Bannon's drive to be wasted before breakfast.

[LawBeefaroni]

I just realized that Putin is a year older than Bannon.

I guess Chaotic Evil ages you more quickly than Lawful Evil.

From the look of Bannon, I'm going to chalk that up to the half gallon of grain alcohol he must drink every night.

There is certainly something to be said for the finest Russian vodka.

[Kraken]

Yesterday I read a Newsweek interview with the fellow who actually wrote The Art of the Deal. He maintains that Trump will resign, most likely before the end of this year. Trump can't stand failure and he will pull the plug when he recognizes that that is the only possible outcome, as Mueller's noose tightens, his own party abandons him, his staff remains rogue, the business community continues to defect, and his ramshackle policy agenda goes nowhere.

Not linking it because it's just speculation and you can easily find it if you're so motivated.

I think that's just wishful thinking. I fully expect him to last 4 years and if he loses the election (I can't promise he will with how batshit crazy this world is) he will then claim it's an invalid election and it will be an epic meltdown of the ages.

More to the point, I doubt that Trump even knows how badly he's failing. He surrounds himself with sycophants and can only see himself as a Great Man. The greatest! So even though I agree with the author's contention that Trump always cuts his losses, I don't think he knows he's losing.

Nope, he's going to be dragged kicking and screaming and shaking his tiny fists.

(I hope I pasted this into the right thread. I got confused there for a moment)

[RunningMn9]

Remember that time when he and his followers told us that with his business acumen, he'd hire nothing but the best people.

Why is he firing them all?

[wonderpug]

Remember that time when he and his followers told us that with his business acumen, he'd hire nothing but the best people.

Why is he firing them all?

He's waiting until Sweeps to hire them, since he wants to be picked up for a new season.

[Moliere]

Citing Trump remarks, entire president's arts council quits

Actor Kal Penn, artist Chuck Close and the entire membership of the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities have announced their resignation. A letter dated Friday, and signed by 16 of 17 committee members, cited the "false equivalence" of President Donald Trump's comments about last weekend's "Unite the Right" gathering in Charlottesville, Virginia. Trump has blamed "many sides" for the demonstrations that left an anti-racism activist dead.

The White House said Trump had already decided against renewing the advisory committee for budgetary reasons.

"Ignoring your hateful rhetoric would have made us complicit in your words and actions," the letter reads. "Supremacy, discrimination, and vitriol are not American values. Your values are not American values. We must be better than this. We are better than this. If this is not clear to you, then we call on you to resign your office, too."

The only member whose name did not appear was Broadway director George C. Wolfe. Representatives for Wolfe at Creative Arts Agency said Friday that he was also resigning and that his name would be added to the letter, which seemed to contain a hidden political message beyond the ones stated openly. The first initials of the letter's six main paragraphs spell out "r-e-s-i-s-t."

[Max Peck]

In case you were wondering which way Bannon was going to break...

https://twitter.com/JoshuaGreen/status/ ... 9256142848

Just got off the phone w/ Bannon: "If there’s any confusion out there, let me clear it up: I’m leaving the White House and going to war"
"...for Trump against his opponents -- on Capitol Hill, in the media, and in corporate America.”

[Daehawk]

https://twitter.com/DavidRutz/status/898613526033563648

4 weeks of Trump.

[malchior]

The massive traffic jam wasn't part of the story but Trump landed in the middle of rush hour and closed off several main highways in NJ for Friday night rush hour. I don't know if any local OOers were affected but I know people who were suddenly all complaining about incredible traffic out of nowhere. It wasn't out of nowhere. This shithead came in and they closed 287 South, 78 W, 24 in both directions at Morristown Airport, and blocked off many local roads. Again in the middle of rush hour for a half hour. I happened to be on 287 North at the time and figured it out as it was happening. Pretty obvious when every turn around on the highway has black vans or state police blocking them. I successfully suppressed the urge to roll down my window and flash him the jersey state bird. What a fucking prick.

[Octavious]

Took me and hour and a half to get home. Traffic was past my house so I'm guessing it was unrelated.

[malchior]

Took me and hour and a half to get home. Traffic was past my house so I'm guessing it was unrelated.

Probably was - people heading north on 287 N were jacked because 78W was closed. 287 S closed probably backed up 80W. Same for 24 so people were either re-routing or severely delayed getting onto their normal routes and it spiraled out all over the area. That is why traffic is so bad in NJ. One highway having a lane or two shut down spirals out in rush hour. Three arteries closed at 5:30? It affected probably all of north NJ west of the Turnpike.

[Smoove_B]

It's Monday, give me the damage report.

Secret service is out of money:

The Secret Service can no longer pay hundreds of agents it needs to carry out an expanded protective mission – in large part due to the sheer size of President Trump's family and efforts necessary to secure their multiple residences up and down the East Coast.

Secret Service Director Randolph "Tex'' Alles, in an interview with USA TODAY, said more than 1,000 agents have already hit the federally mandated caps for salary and overtime allowances that were meant to last the entire year.

[Chaz]

This is one of those times where Congress basically just has to pass a thing granting the Secret Service more money, right?

Still, it's pretty bad if they ran through their yearly operating budget four months ahead of time. If only there was something Trump could do to help cut that down next year...

[Defiant]

This is one of those times where Congress basically just has to pass a thing granting the Secret Service more money, right?

Still, it's pretty bad if they ran through their yearly operating budget four months ahead of time. If only there was something Trump could do to help cut that down next year...

I would be OK with an executive order shortening the length of the year by four months for the next three years.

[Smoove_B]

This is one of those times where Congress basically just has to pass a thing granting the Secret Service more money, right?

Yeah, it's an administrative issue. However, for all the cries of how prior administrations were constantly on vacation or spending ridiculous amounts of money on travel, I can't say I remember reading about how the Secret Service's budget was in trouble because of it. If only we elected a business man to the office of President - a business man that would be winning so much, we'd be tired of all the winning.

Meanwhile, I believe post-election Presidential rally #8 is on tap for this week.

[Max Peck]

Meanwhile, I believe post-election Presidential rally #8 is on tap for this week.

Spoiler Alert: Nothing that happens at that rally will be remotely presidential.

[pr0ner]

This is one of those times where Congress basically just has to pass a thing granting the Secret Service more money, right?

Still, it's pretty bad if they ran through their yearly operating budget four months ahead of time. If only there was something Trump could do to help cut that down next year...

Maybe they can lift pay caps for all federal employees while they're at it.