Today in Politics, Bulletin 140. 5/27/25
… Trump said the quiet part out loud and admitted today that he has been doing everything he can to help Vladimir Putin. He posted this on Truth Social: “What Vladimir Putin doesn’t realize is that if it weren’t for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia, and I mean REALLY BAD. He’s playing with fire!”
… Russia state media’s social media account RT immediately mocked Trump for his post: “President Trump warns Moscow, claiming Russia avoided ‘REALLY BAD’ consequences only thanks to him ‘Putin doesn’t realize… he’s playing with fire!’ — Trump’s message leaves little room for misinterpretation. Until he posts the opposite tomorrow morning.”
… Independent journalist Jay in Kyiv: “As Russian missile barrages again pour onto Ukraine at this hour, it's now only a question as to what Putin enjoys more - massacring the civilian population of Ukraine or humiliating Trump.”
… This was my response on social media.
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… Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) then posted this on X: “I believe president trump was sincere when he thought his friendship w Putin wld end the war. Now that being the case ITS TIME FOR SANCTIONS STRONG ENUF SO PUTIN KNOWS ‘game over’.” (I used to covert these into proper grammar, now I just leave them as is).
… Financial Times: “The US opposed a joint G7 effort to lower the $60-per-barrel price cap on Russian oil exports during last week's meeting of finance ministers. The price cap, introduced by the G7 and EU in December 2022, bans Western companies from shipping, insuring, or otherwise servicing Russian oil sold above $60 per barrel. The mechanism was designed to limit the Kremlin's ability to finance its war against Ukraine. The move received backing from the EU and G7 members France, Germany, Italy, and the UK. However, the proposal was dropped after US Treasury Sec Scott Bessent declined to support it.”
… Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) announced today on Fox that he is leaving the Senate to be the next Governor of AL: “It’s home. Today, I announce that I will be the future Governor of the great state of Alabama.”
… Tuberville lives in Florida. He now has to move to Alabama to run. Or at least pretend to move there.
… HHS Secretary RFK Jr. spent the last several days in Argentina, where he celebrated that country’s withdrawal from World Health Org with their right-wing president Javier Milei:
[SECRETARY BRAIN WORM!]
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… Politico: “The Trump admin is weighing requiring all foreign students applying to study in the US to undergo social media vetting. The admin is ordering US embassies and consular sections to pause scheduling new interviews for such student visa applicants. If the admin carries out the plan, it could severely slow down student visa processing. It also could hurt many universities who rely heavily on foreign students to boost their financial coffers.”
… The Trump admin ordered all federal agencies today to cut ties with Harvard and revoke all existing contracts and grants with the university. There are about 30 govt contracts with Harvard totally around $100 million.
… Veterans activist Fred Wellman on Harvard grants getting pulled: “This is going to horrifically impact thousands of veterans who are part of studies and clinical trials for healthcare issues ranging from cancer to nutrition to mental health. Just one study alone was to help doctors determine the risk of suicide among ER patients. This petty Trump fight will once again screw over our veteran community. He doesn’t care.”
… Sen. Chuck Grassley: “Alan Dershowitz says he is ‘persona non grata’ at Harvard. His response should not be to accept it BUT TO REGULARLY WALK THE HALLS AND CAMPUS TO REMIND THOSE FOOLISH PPL THAT ITS STAFF OF ALAN’S CALIBER THAT HAS made Harvard’s reputation.”
… Dersh has been banned from the Martha’s Vineyard book fair for years. No way he shows his face around Harvard.
ALAN DERSHOWITZ defended JEFFREY EPSTEIN
Alan Dershowitz says ‘a lot of people hung out with Epstein,’ claims document dump will exonerate him
TRAGIC END:
Virginia Giuffre, Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein accuser, dies
… NPR filed a lawsuit this morning in fed court against the Trump admin over his executive order barring the use of congressionally appropriated funds for NPR and PBS. From the lawsuit: "It is not always obvious when the govt has acted with a retaliatory purpose in violation of the First Amendment. 'But this wolf comes as a wolf. The Order targets NPR and PBS expressly because, in the President's view, their news and other content is not 'fair, accurate, or unbiased.'"
… The lawsuit alleges that Trump’s action violates the Constitution since Congress appropriated the money, which is in their sole authority - not the president’s.
… A new poll from Impact Research has MI Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s job approval rating soaring to 63% in a swing state won by Trump in 2024. Fellow presidential contender KY Gov. Andy Beshear has similar approval ratings in a state Trump won big three times. Politicians on the national stage tend to get most of the attention, but Democratic governors who can win big in swing states and red states get my attention.
… WaPo: “Credit scores are plunging for millions now that the Trump admin has resumed collection on defaulted student-loan payments. Countless borrowers are suddenly being rejected for car and housing loans.
… NYT on the credit scores: "This is the start of something big and we need to be paying attention."
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… Trump economic advisor Kevin Hassett to CNBC on Trump’s threat to impose a 25% tariff on iPhones unless they are made in the US: “Everybody is trying to make it seem like it’s a catastrophe if there’s a tiny little tariff on them right now, to try to negotiate down the tariffs. In the end, we’ll see what happens, we’ll see what the update is, but we don’t want to harm Apple.”
… CNBC: What is Tim Cook supposed to do? HASSETT: “They need to move their stuff onshore as much as possible to make it so that the US economy is secure and not prone to Chinese extortion.”
… James Surowiecki, former Financial Editor for the New Yorker: “Trump threatened Apple with a company-specific tariff because it's going to make iPhones in India, not China. Are we supposed to be worried about Indian ‘extortion’ too?”
… Reuters reports that despite overall EV sales up 27.8% in Europe in April, Tesla sales fell an astonishing 49%. It was the 4th straight month that Tesla sales have fallen in Europe. Tesla's European market share is now down to 0.7%.
… Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) has been getting abused on social media by Trump supporters after he took his strong stand against the budget bill. He responded to his MAGA trolls with this post today: “If we’re going to have campaign disclosure laws at all, the paid grifters on X and other platforms should be required to disclose who’s paying them to influence elections.”
… Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello responded to the Trump v. Springsteen feud: “Trump is just mad at him because Bruce draws a bigger audience.”
… As more details emerge on Trump’s pardon late yesterday of VA Sheriff Scott Jenkins, it just keeps getting more disgusting. BBC: “Jenkins was found guilty of 1 count of conspiracy, 4 counts of honest services fraud and 7 counts of bribery concerning programs receiving fed funds. Prosecutors said he accepted bribes from 8 people, including 2 undercover FBI agents. The men who bribed Jenkins paid for auxiliary deputy sheriff positions so they could avoid traffic tickets and carry concealed firearms without a permit.”
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… Former US Pardon Attorney Liz Oyer to CBS: "The typical way of approaching a grant of clemency would be to look for somebody who has accepted responsibility for the crime they were convicted of, and who has demonstrated growth and rehabilitation after serving some or all of the sentence that was imposed. It's not the type of case that in normal times would receive any consideration for a pardon because the sheriff has not served any of his sentence."
… Ed Martin, who is now serving as the US Pardon Attorney after his nomination for DC US Attorney was rejected by the Senate, posted this comment about his decision to recommend a pardon for Sheriff Jenkins: “No MAGA left behind.”
… NYT on another pardon: “Weeks before Trump pardoned Paul Walczak, his mother, Elizabeth Fago, attended a $1M/head ‘candlelight dinner’ with Trump for MAGA Inc. Walczak's pardon application emphasized Fago's financial support for Trump and her connection to a plot to publicize Ashley Biden's diary. A judge sentenced Paul Walczak to 18 months in prison and $4.4M in restitution, declaring there “is not a get-out-of-jail-free card” for the rich. Trump's pardon indicated otherwise, sparing Walczak from serving even 1 day in prison or paying any of the $4.4M.”
… Former Rep. Tom Malinowski: “Guy steals his workers' Social Security contributions to buy himself a yacht. His mom donates $1 million to Trump for a pardon. The pardon not only gets him out of jail - it saves him $4 million in restitution payments. Pretty good return for bribing the president.”
… Politico reports that House Democrats have set June 24 as the date of their election for the crucial ranking member of the Oversight Committee to replace Rep. Gerry Connolly who just died. The candidates will be Reps. Jasmine Crockett (TX), Stephen Lynch (MA), Kweisi Mfume (MD) and Robert Garcia (CA).
… Politico: “Trump Media, whose controlling shareholder is Trump - has entered into deals with about 50 large investors that will raise $2.5 billion for the company through both stock and debt. The company plans to use the funds to create a ‘bitcoin Treasury,’ a move that further deepens the footprint of the president’s business empire in the $3.5 trillion cryptocurrency market.”
… Trump Media CEO Devin Nunes: “We view Bitcoin as an apex instrument of financial freedom, and now Trump Media will hold cryptocurrency as a crucial part of our assets. Our first acquisition of a crown jewel asset, this investment will help defend our company against harassment and discrimination by financial institutions, which plague many Americans and US firms.”
LOL! DEVIN NUNES SUED EVERYONE & LOST, INCLUDING A COW! LOOK IT UP! LIED ABOUT 'FAMILY FARM' THAT WAS NOT IN CALIFORNIA, BUT IN IOWA, HIRING UNDOCUMENT IMMIGRANTS....
Devin Nunes’s Family Farm Is Hiding a Politically Explosive Secret
Rep. Devin Nunes is head of the House Intelligence Committee and one of President Trump’s biggest defenders. For years, he’s spun himself as a straight talker whose no-BS values are rooted in his family’s California dairy farm. So why did his parents and brother cover their tracks after quietly moving the farm to Iowa? Are they hiding something politically explosive? On the ground in Iowa, Esquire searched for the truth—and discovered a lot of paranoia and hypocrisy.
… NY Post: “Mayor Eric Adams is expected to head to Las Vegas for a massive bitcoin summit, where President Trump is slated to speak. Also expected to attend: VP JD Vance, Trump's sons, fed crypto czar David Sacks.”
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… Trump reminded people that he is only able to engage in his tariff mania because Republicans in congress voted to give him the authority: “I was extremely satisfied with the 50% Tariff allotment on the EU, especially since they were ‘slow walking’ (to put it mildly!), our negotiations with them. Remember, I am empowered to ‘SET A DEAL” for Trade into the US if we are unable to make a deal, or are treated unfairly.”
… He also posted this about Canada: “I told Canada, which very much wants to be part of our fabulous Golden Dome System, that it will cost $61 Billion Dollars if they remain a separate, but unequal, Nation, but will cost ZERO DOLLARS if they become our cherished 51st State. They are considering the offer!”
… Since I speak fluent Trump, let me explain this. Trump announced his Golden Dome thing without checking with Canada. He can’t do it without Canada’s cooperation. Now Canada is using it as leverage in trade negotiations. So dumbass Trump is clowning to find a way to make it work because Canada now has him by his tiny balls.
… Knowing how much Trump loves the British royal family and King Charles, Canada invited him to open that country’s parliament. Today he became the first British monarch to do that since 1977. Although Charles did not mention Trump by name, his speech was clearly directed at him: "Today, Canada faces another critical moment. Democracy, pluralism, the rule of law, self-determination and freedom are values which Canadians hold dear and ones which the govt is determined to protect. The system of open global trade that, while not perfect, has helped to deliver prosperity for Canadians for decades, is changing. Canada's relationships with partners are also changing."
… Charles: “Many Canadians are feeling anxious and worried about the drastically changing world around them. Fundamental change is always unsettling. Yet this moment is also an incredible opportunity. An opportunity for renewal. The govt will discharge its duty to protect Canadians and their sovereign rights, from wherever challenges may come at home or abroad.”
… Trump continues to attack Democrats on an issue that consistently polls 80-20% against them: “CA, under the leadership of Radical Left Democrat Gavin Newscum, continues to ILLEGALLY allow “MEN TO PLAY IN WOMEN’S SPORTS.” This week a transitioned Male athlete, at a major event, won “everything,” and is now qualified to compete in the “State Finals” next weekend. As a Male, he was a less than average competitor. As a Female, this transitioned person is practically unbeatable. THIS IS NOT FAIR, AND TOTALLY DEMEANING TO WOMEN AND GIRLS. Please be hereby advised that large scale Federal Funding will be held back, maybe permanently, if the Executive Order on this subject matter is not adhered to. The Governor, himself, said it is “UNFAIR.” I will speak to him today to find out which way he wants to go??? In the meantime I am ordering local authorities, if necessary, to not allow the transitioned person to compete in the State Finals. This is a totally ridiculous situation!!!”
PILL PUSHER RONNY JACKSON, NO LONGER A LICENSED PHYSICIAN, QUIETLY DEMOTED BY THE NAVY FOR HIS CONDUCT INCLUDING DRINKING ON THE JOB & INAPPROPRIATE CONDUCT...
… Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX): If the Democrats had a single brain cell, they would have learned in November that the AMERICAN PEOPLE have REJECTED their sick TRANS AGENDA! Parents across this nation are DONE with the RADICAL left’s attempts to indoctrinate and confuse our children.”
… The Trump campaign spent the most money in 2024 on ads about migrant crime. They spent the 2nd most money on ads about trans athletes in women’s sports. They did that because the polls were overwhelmingly good for them on both issues. He basically ran on those two issues in the swing states, blanketing them with ads on both. Obviously, they are going to keep doing it as long as they have the issue.
… Democrat and 9-time Wimbledon champion Martina Navratilova, commenting on that and an article about women’s rights organizations recently coming out against trans athletes in women’s sports: “When will the Democrats wake up from this regressive policy???”
… CBS reported that the Trump admin is moving 500 border agents to the interior of the country to help ICE round up migrants for deportation: “CBP teams would also include members of the agency's Office of Field Operations, which oversees legal entry points into the US, and Air and Marine Operations, a specialized law enforcement unit with maritime and aerial assets. CBP agents and officers assigned to the effort are expected to assist their counterparts in ICE's 25 field offices.”
… Immigration expert Aaron Reichlin-Melnick: “After spending YEARS attacking Biden for diverting federal border agents away from their normal duties to do other things, the Trump admin is about to divert federal border agents away from their normal duties to do other things.”
… DHS Sec DOG KILLER Kristi Noem spent the last several days in the Middle East having a good time again at taxpayer expense.
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