Category: Part-Time President

Wealthy Elites Pay Millions to Dine with Trump, Undermining Democracy and Fueling Corruption

Recent reports reveal that individuals are willing to pay exorbitant sums to dine with Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate. This trend highlights the continued allure of Trump among wealthy elites, who prioritize personal connections with powerful figures over democratic principles.

These extravagant dinners, costing millions, serve as fundraising events for the Republican Party, showcasing Trump’s ability to attract large donations while blatantly disregarding ethical considerations. Wealthy donors, often with ties to far-right agendas, are essentially purchasing access to Trump, further exemplifying the corrupt nature of American politics under his influence.

Trump’s activities at Mar-a-Lago, particularly his associations with various far-right figures, signal a troubling convergence of wealth and power. His praise for authoritarian leaders and purging dissenters from the GOP reflects a dangerous trajectory towards fascism that undermines democratic norms and erodes accountability.

This pattern is not just concerning on a domestic front; Trump’s expansionist rhetoric about acquiring territories like Greenland and his admiration for extremist counterparts abroad illustrate a deeply troubling mindset that threatens global stability and undermines international alliances.

Ultimately, Trump’s extravagant dining events not only reinforce a hierarchy prioritizing wealthy donors over ordinary citizens but also contribute to a political climate that enables corruption, autocracy, and a disregard for the foundational tenets of democracy.

(h/t: https://apple.news/AkmTF5iRgRO-OkCNEG0la0g)

Trump’s Oval Office Golf Dealings Expose Corruption

In a troubling display of ethical disregard, former President Donald Trump has leveraged the power of the Oval Office to negotiate a lucrative merger favoring his financial interests. The proposed agreement between the PGA Tour and the Saudi-funded LIV Golf directly benefits Trump’s family business, illustrating his transactional approach to governance. Trump’s efforts, which included a February 20 meeting with PGA Tour officials and Saudi investors, underscore his willingness to mix official duties with personal gain.

These meetings not only highlight Trump’s ongoing relationship with Saudi Arabia but reveal a broader pattern of prioritizing personal profit over national interests. In stark contrast to his claims of making good deals for the U.S., Trump’s actions repeatedly align with the enrichment of his family, particularly through ventures linked to foreign autocrats like Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Trump’s ties to Saudi businessmen also raise serious questions about conflicts of interest, with millions of dollars flowing into Trump businesses, thus undermining the integrity of the office he once held.

Following the January 6 Capitol riots, while many businesses distanced themselves from Trump, Saudi Arabia emerged as a key source of income, unafraid to align with a scandal-plagued brand. The Trump Organization’s ventures in Saudi Arabia, including multiple real estate projects and hosting LIV Golf tours at his properties, represent a troubling entanglement of foreign interests and Trump’s business pursuits. The ability of Trump to profit from these connections raises significant constitutional concerns regarding emoluments and foreign influence.

Despite evident controversies, Trump’s dealings in Saudi Arabia have continued to flourish. As he announced new projects in partnership with Saudi firms, questions about ethical governance and foreign entanglements linger, showcasing a blatant disregard for the norms expected from a public servant. Additionally, significant investment in Jared Kushner’s firm by the Saudi wealth fund post-White House indicates a troubling nexus of loyalty and transactional relationships that further entrench authoritarian interests.

The absence of significant public outcry against these corrupt practices demonstrates a concerning apathy towards systemic issues within the Republican party, allowing such unethical behavior to go unchecked. Trump’s actions reinforce how political power can be manipulated for personal gain, ultimately undermining American democracy and public trust. His presidency, marked by a clear pattern of corruption and self-serving deals, epitomizes the dangers of governance by individuals who prioritize profit over principles.

(h/t: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/feb/27/trump-pga-liv-saudi-arabia)

Trump Squanders $10.7M Taxpayer Funds on Golfing Trips

In his first month back in office as President, Donald Trump has reportedly squandered an astonishing $10.7 million of taxpayer money on his golf outings. Despite the rhetoric surrounding wasteful government spending led by figures like Elon Musk, who head the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Trump’s actions reveal a blatant hypocrisy.

Trump’s golfing escapades have taken him to his own properties on nine of the first 30 days in office. This includes visits to his West Palm Beach and Miami Doral golf courses. While he publicly champions reduced government expenditure, his personal benefit from these trips starkly contradicts this stance.

The extensive costs of his golfing trips are not merely for leisure; they involve taxpayer-funded expenses associated with flying Air Force One, transporting multiple vehicles, and deploying security measures, including a Coast Guard gunship. The Government Accountability Office previously calculated that each of Trump’s trips during his earlier term alone cost an average of $3,383,250.

Critics, such as Jordan Libowitz from the watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, emphasize that Trump’s definition of corruption and waste excludes the financial burden he places on taxpayers when he profits from visits to his own businesses. This prioritization of personal gain over public duty epitomizes the unethical practices rampant in his administration.

As Trump continues to prioritize his golfing over pressing national issues, the unchecked corruption and financial impropriety raise serious concerns about the integrity of his presidency. This behavior not only undermines the public’s trust but also highlights the stark reality of how Trump’s administration enhances his wealth at the expense of taxpayer dollars.

(h/t: https://m.economictimes.com/news/international/global-trends/us-news-donald-trump-golf-expenses-10-7-million-trump-has-spent-an-incredible-amount-of-taxpayer-money-golfing-in-his-first-month-as-us-president/amp_articleshow/118418730.cms)

Donald Trump’s Abrupt Interviews Reveal His Declining Mental Fitness

Donald Trump continues to demonstrate his unfitness for office as he abruptly cut short an interview with Dan Bongino, a former Fox News personality, leaving many to question his mental state. Just minutes into their conversation, Trump declared, “I gotta get going,” a clear sign of his inability to engage coherently. Bongino, visibly confused, was left in a state of disbelief, highlighting Trump’s erratic behavior that has become all too familiar.

In a moment that can only be described as bizarre, Trump expressed sympathy for Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced producer found guilty of serious sexual crimes. Trump’s comments on Weinstein, who he claimed was treated unjustly, reveal a troubling affinity for figures embroiled in scandal and misconduct. The juxtaposition of Trump’s casual dismissal of serious allegations against Weinstein alongside his own questionable past raises alarms about his judgment.

https://twitter.com/KamalaHQ/status/1847295800436474125?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1847295800436474125%7Ctwgr%5E358670c2387b8dc25d9c2c549fa2f4f64cb3440a%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rawstory.com%2Ftrump-dan-bongino-ends-interview%2F

Reactions from the political arena have been swift, with Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign questioning Trump’s well-being, posting the video and stating simply, “Is he okay?” The super PAC No Dem Left Behind went further, branding Trump as “Drowsy Don” and suggesting he is in desperate need of a nap, a critique that underscores the perception of his declining vigor and capacity to lead.

John Laprise, a Ph.D. researcher focusing on cyber warfare, pointed out that Trump’s inability to keep pace with Harris’s energetic campaign underscores his unsuitability for the presidency. He warned that if Trump were to win, the rigors of the office could prove too taxing, raising doubts about his ability to serve a full term. This assessment is corroborated by numerous observations regarding Trump’s fatigue during public engagements.

As the election approaches, Trump’s retreat from substantive interviews and his reliance on alternative figures like rapper Waka Flocka Flame instead of himself for outreach efforts signals a campaign in disarray. Trump’s consistent avoidance of challenging conversations only serves to highlight his fear of accountability and his authoritarian tendencies, further alienating potential voters and diminishing his credibility.

(h/t: https://www.rawstory.com/trump-dan-bongino-ends-interview/)

Trump Slams Fox News for Hiring Former DNC Chair Donna Brazile: ‘Where Are You Roger Ailes?’

President Donald Trump took yet another swipe at Fox News for hiring Democratic pundits, this time former DNC Chair Donna Brazile.

Brazile trended on Twitter after getting into it with co-hosts on The Five Tuesday afternoon. In response to one tweet saying Brazile should not be on Fox News, the president went after Fox in a tweet referencing the infamous CNN debate questions controversy and invoking the late Roger Ailes.

“She gets fired by @CNN for giving Crooked Hillary the debate questions, and gets hired by @FoxNews. Where are you Roger Ailes?” Trump tweeted.

UPDATE: After some Twitter comments remarking upon how Ailes is dead, the President of the United States actually tweeted a clarification that “I know better than anyone that my friend Roger Ailes died 3 years ago”:

[Mediaite]

Trump visits private golf course as US battles rapid surge in coronavirus cases

Donald Trump visited one of his own private golf courses in Virginia on Saturday as America continued to see fallout from a rapid surge in coronavirus cases. The trip came a day after the US president said he would stay in Washington DC to “make sure law and order is enforced” amid ongoing anti-racism protests.

The president has been frequently criticized for the scale of his golfing habit while in office. CNN – which tallies his golfing activities – said the visit to the Trump National course in Loudon county, just outside Washington DC, was the 271st of his presidency – putting him at an average of golfing once every 4.6 days since he’s been in office. His predecessor, Barack Obama, golfed 333 rounds over the two terms of his presidency, according to NBC.

The visit comes as the number of confirmed new coronavirus cases per day in the US hit an all-time high of 40,000, according to figures released by Johns Hopkins on Friday. Many states are now seeing spikes in the virus with Texas, Florida and Arizona especially badly hit after they reopened their economies – a policy they are now pausing or reversing.

Trump has been roundly criticized for a failure to lead during the coronavirus that has seen America become by far the worst hit country in the world. Critics in particular point to his failure to wear a mask, holding campaign rallies in coronavirus hot spots and touting baseless conspiracy theories about cures, such as using bleach.

On Friday night Trump tweeted that he was cancelling a weekend trip to his Bedminster, New Jersey golf course because of the protests which have rocked the capital, including taking down statues of confederate figures.

“I was going to go to Bedminster, New Jersey, this weekend, but wanted to stay in Washington, D.C. to make sure LAW & ORDER is enforced. The arsonists, anarchists, looters, and agitators have been largely stopped,” he tweeted.

Trump’s latest visit to the golf course put him in the way of some opposition. According to a White House pool media report: “A small group of protesters at the entrance to the club held signs that included, ‘Trump Makes Me Sick’ and ‘Dump Trump’.
A woman walking a small white dog nearby also gave the motorcade a middle finger salute.”

It is not yet known if Trump actually played a round of golf. But a photographer captured the president wearing a white polo shirt and a red cap, which is among his common golfing attire.

[The Guardian]

Trump Declares Brutal CNN Poll ‘FAKE’, Says He’s Retained Another Pollster to Analyze It

President Donald Trump continued to rail against a new CNN poll showing him trailing Joe Biden, sharing a statement from “highly respected pollster” McLaughlin & Associates.

The new poll from CNN shows Biden 14 points ahead of Trump — 55 to 41 — and puts the president’s approval rating at 38 percent.

This morning Trump called CNN polls “as Fake as their Reporting”:

But hours later, the president tweeted again about the “FAKE” poll, this time sharing a statement from McLaughlin & Associates and saying, “I have retained highly respected pollster, McLaughlin & Associates, to analyze todays CNN Poll (and others), which I felt were FAKE based on the incredible enthusiasm we are receiving.”

The statement the president shared says in part, “The latest skewed media polls must be intentional. It’s clear that NBC, ABC and CNN who have Democrat operatives like Chuck Todd, George Stephanopoulos and other Democrats in their news operations are consistently under-polling Reppublicans and therefore, reporting biased polls… Ths bias seems to be an international strategy to suppress your vote.”

The president’s latest tweet about polling got a fair amount of social media attention, with reporters calling out his use of McLaughlin in particular:

[Mediaite]

Trump tweets Brian Kilmeade’s insistence that ‘white supremest groups’ didn’t overtake protests

President Trump has made a point of emphasizing that there were no obvious “white supremests” at protests across the U.S. this weekend.

Several peaceful protests over the death of George Floyd in police custody, as well as police brutality and systemic racism as a whole, had turned violent across the country as police fired tear gas and rubber bullets on protesters and as people destroyed buildings. It all prompted Trump to declare anti-facist activists domestic terrorists on Sunday, and to share Fox & Friends host Brian Kilmeade’s condemnation of the group.

On Monday’s show, Kilmeade declared that he didn’t “see any indication that there were any white supremest groups mixing in” to protests, blaming unrest instead on “antifa.” Trump tweeted that quote, and copied Kilmeade’s oft-used, made-up term “white supremest” instead of saying “white supremacist.”

Kilmeade didn’t explain how he was able to identify “white supremest groups” or distinguish them from antifa supporters. He also mischaracterized antifa as an “organization,” while it is rather a just a broad designation for activists who oppose the oppression of minority groups. 

[The Week]

Reality

Right-wing groups are involved in the George Floyd protests as agitators and “accelerationists,” most notably setting fire to St. John’s church in Washington D. C.

Trump tears into ’60 Minutes’ after segment with whistleblower Bright

President Trump took aim at CBS News and its flagship news magazine program, “60 Minutes,” on Sunday after the program interviewed whistleblower Rick Bright, former head of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA).

In a tweet, the president excoriated CBS and its “third place anchor, @NorahODonnell,” whom he accused of “doing everything in their power to demean our Country, much to the benefit of the Radical Left Democrats.”

“Tonight they put on yet another Fake “Whistleblower”, a disgruntled employee who supports Dems, fabricates stories & spews lies. @60Minutes report was incorrect, which they couldn’t care less about. Fake News!” he tweeted.

“This whole Whistleblower racket needs to be looked at very closely, it is causing great injustice & harm. I hope you are listening [Sen. Susan Collins.] I also hope that Shari Redstone will take a look at her poorly performing gang. She knows how to make things right!” Trump added. Redstone is the chairwoman of ViacomCBS.

Bright, who last week slammed the Trump administration’s response to the COVID-19 crisis during testimony before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, told CBS News that he was not “disgruntled,” as Trump has described him, but instead was frustrated with the administration’s response to the virus threat.

“Remember, the entire leadership was focused on containment. There was a belief that we could contain this virus and keep it out of the United States,” he said. “Containment doesn’t work. Containment does buy time. It could slow. It very well could slow the spread. But while you’re slowing the spread, you better be doing something in parallel to be prepared for when that virus breaks out. That was my job.”
“I am not disgruntled,” Bright added. “I am frustrated at a lack of leadership. I am frustrated at a lack of urgency to get a head start on developing lifesaving tools for Americans. I’m frustrated at our inability to be heard as scientists. Those things frustrate me.”

Bright told the House committee last week that “unprecedented illness and fatalities” would occur if the U.S. coronavirus response does not improve in upcoming months, and cast doubt on predictions that the U.S. would see a COVID-19 vaccine developed in the next year and a half.

[The Hill]

Trump rips media, says ‘I work from early in the morning until late at night’

President Trump ripped into the media Sunday in response to a report about his work schedule, saying that he toils from morning until night in a series of tweets.

“The people that know me and know the history of our Country say that I am the hardest working President in history. I don’t know about that, but I am a hard worker and have probably gotten more done in the first 3 1/2 years than any President in history. The Fake News hates it!” the president said in the first of a string of Twitter messages.

“I work from early in the morning until late at night, haven’t left the White House in many months (except to launch Hospital Ship Comfort) in order to take care of Trade Deals, Military Rebuilding etc., and then I read a phony story in the failing @nytimes about my work schedule and eating habits, written by a third rate reporter who knows nothing about me,” he continued.

“I will often be in the Oval Office late into the night & read & see that I am angrily eating a hamburger & Diet Coke in my bedroom. People with me are always stunned. Anything to demean!” Trump said.

His ire appeared to be directed at a New York Times report published last Thursday that claimed the president has been isolated in the White House during the coronavirus pandemic and described him as a “sour president.”

Trump on Sunday also blasted “‘reporters’ who have received Noble Prizes for their work on Russia, Russia, Russia, only to have been proven totally wrong (and, in fact, it was the other side who committed the crimes),” possibly referring to the Pulitzer awards.

“I can give the Committee a very comprehensive list. When will the Noble Committee DEMAND the Prizes back, especially since they were gotten under fraud? The reporters and Lamestream Media knew the truth all along,” he said.

“Lawsuits should be brought against all, including the Fake News Organizations, to rectify this terrible injustice. For all of the great lawyers out there, do we have any takers? When will the Noble Committee Act? Better be fast!”

[New York Post]

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