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Trump+Musk: Folie à Deux - Trump thread #137

1000 replies

Spandauer · 22/01/2025 20:37

The clock is already ticking and he's an old man. Mid-terms: November 3, 2026

Thanks to @AcrossThePond55 for the thread title.

Previous thread:
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5206120-the-grown-ups-have-left-the-building-trump-thread-136

Trump+Musk: Folie à Deux - Trump thread #137
OP posts:
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93
DemonicCaveMaggot · 05/02/2025 14:37

I suspect that he comes out with these horrendous proposals, such as throwing everyone in Gaza out of their homes and ancestral lands, because while everyone is focusing on that in horror his minions are busy doing stuff that would normally cause an outcry - such as people with no security clearance accessing the private health information and social security numbers of millions of people with no oversight. Next week he'll back track in the meantime Musk's company will have had the opportunity to data suck the personal information of millions of current and former US government employees.

BustinBaoBun · 05/02/2025 14:42

To summarise the summary: anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job

Absolutely. It's like Groucho Marx who said "I don't want to belong to any club that would accept people like me as a member"

SerendipityJane · 05/02/2025 15:28

The problem with the Founding Fathers is that they assumed anyone seeking the Presidency would be an all-round decent chap and that no megalomaniac man-baby would be allowed within spitting distance of the White House.

One view of America is it was built on and by the self selected rejects of Britain. Primarily England. Added to the self selected lite thinkers of the Pilgrim Fathers who had a hissy fit at the DEI of Stuart Britain and decided it was better to setup a new paradigm of intolerance.

Here's a ChatGPT analysis. I gave it a limit of 200 words. It seemed cruel to limit it to 2 and get "Spot on". By the way, does the following style have a vague ring of familiarity to it ?

This statement presents a provocative interpretation of America’s origins, framing its early settlers as “self-selected rejects” and “lite thinkers” who rejected the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) of Stuart-era Britain. While this is an oversimplification, it raises interesting questions about the motivations and ideological leanings of early American colonists.
The Pilgrims, for example, were not merely religious dissidents but sought to establish a society based on their strict theological interpretations, often at odds with the pluralism of Stuart England. Their migration was not just about escaping persecution but enforcing their own brand of religious exclusivity. The broader colonial project, however, was far more complex. Many settlers came for economic opportunity rather than ideological reasons, and the colonies quickly became diverse in composition and belief systems.
Labeling them as “rejects” overlooks the fact that many were skilled laborers, traders, and thinkers who contributed to the foundation of a new nation. However, the charge of intolerance is not without merit—colonial America often enforced rigid social and religious structures. Ultimately, this characterization is a sharp critique rather than a comprehensive historical analysis, but it does highlight the tensions between exclusionary and inclusive tendencies in America’s founding.

AcrossthePond55 · 05/02/2025 16:16

I think it was more along the lines of the Pilgrim Fathers 'rejecting' England rather than the other way round. Since time immemorial people have left one place because of dissatisfaction and gone to a new place to live as they chose. So we started with 'religious migrants' as it were and later came the 'economic migrants'. All 'undocumented' BTW as far as my maternal ancestors were concerned.

I agree that the Founding Fathers simply couldn't conceive of a man like Trump ever getting into a position of such power. But of course back then voting was restricted to (white) male property owners, which usually meant a more educated group. And that was what they foresaw for 'down the years'.

And of course, back then there was much more of a belief in 'honour' as a personal virtue. And along with a sense of honour comes a sense of justice and fairness. Something sorely lacking in the Cult and the Broligarchy.

Has anyone been watching Rachel? It's interesting that, although in small ways, the Administration is backing down from some of their wholesale orders when there are large and public protests. A lot of "Oh, we didn't mean YOU/THEM" when it comes to shutting down, cutting off, or firing certain segments. It's not much, but it's something. And as they say "Mighty oaks from little acorns grow".

So I lurch from despair to hope from day to day.

SerendipityJane · 05/02/2025 16:20

I think it was more along the lines of the Pilgrim Fathers 'rejecting' England rather than the other way round.

<sniffily>

I did say self-selecting rejects ....

DuncinToffee · 05/02/2025 16:59

https://bsky.app/profile/fpwellman.bsky.social/post/3lhgrpuz4vc2o

The United States Military Academy has just eliminated all Cadet clubs and activities for POC. Most of these have existed for decades like the Society of Black Engineers. They were there when I was a Cadet in 1987. All of the religious ones remain.

This isn’t DEI. It’s white Christian Nationalism.

Fred Wellman (@fpwellman.bsky.social)

The United States Military Academy has just eliminated all Cadet clubs and activities for POC. Most of these have existed for decades like the Society of Black Engineers. They were there when I was a Cadet in 1987. All of the religious ones remain. Thi...

https://bsky.app/profile/fpwellman.bsky.social/post/3lhgrpuz4vc2o

AcrossthePond55 · 05/02/2025 17:13

"This isn’t DEI. It’s white Christian Nationalism."

I agree. And it's 'performative' nationalism. The Broligarchy couldn't care less about white nationalism other than that it keeps them popular with a certain segment of the US population.

AcrossthePond55 · 05/02/2025 17:14

SerendipityJane · 05/02/2025 16:20

I think it was more along the lines of the Pilgrim Fathers 'rejecting' England rather than the other way round.

<sniffily>

I did say self-selecting rejects ....

I guess I was pointing out that they were the 'rejectors', not the rejects (self or otherwise) themselves.

But anyway you look at it, they were 'illegal aliens' (to my people).😉

SerendipityJane · 05/02/2025 17:25

AcrossthePond55 · 05/02/2025 17:14

I guess I was pointing out that they were the 'rejectors', not the rejects (self or otherwise) themselves.

But anyway you look at it, they were 'illegal aliens' (to my people).😉

Edited

No argument from me. I cried reading Dee Brown. Should be on the syllabus in all Anglophone countries. .

AcrossthePond55 · 05/02/2025 17:51

@SerendipityJane

Absolutely! I got kicked out of my 11th grade American History class & given a 5 day 'sit in the hall' suspension for citing (OK, waving) Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee to my teacher, who was a big fan of Manifest Destiny.

He made a racial slur after I left that some classmates reported to the Girl's Dean. She lost family to the Holocaust, her own family making a perilous journey out of Germany after Kristallnacht. Needless to say neither his slur nor Manifest Destiny (which she equated to 'Lebensraum' and Nazi Genocide) sat very well with her. He was forced to issue an apology to me in front of the entire class.

No one knew about her family history. As teens do with 'higher authority', we always made fun of her. But I learnt so much from her about compassion and standing up for yourself and others during that incident, that I never made fun of her again. RIP Ms Edelstein.

Errolwasahero · 05/02/2025 18:23

@AcrossthePond55 I am avidly watching her - my favourite person on the telly and my go-to on YouTube. I just love how she rolls her eyes, etc!

Igotjelly · 05/02/2025 18:32

Watching the White House briefing, my goodness Karoline Leavett is a petulant brat. She’s absolutely insufferable.

PerkingFaintly · 05/02/2025 18:55

DuncinToffee · 05/02/2025 16:59

https://bsky.app/profile/fpwellman.bsky.social/post/3lhgrpuz4vc2o

The United States Military Academy has just eliminated all Cadet clubs and activities for POC. Most of these have existed for decades like the Society of Black Engineers. They were there when I was a Cadet in 1987. All of the religious ones remain.

This isn’t DEI. It’s white Christian Nationalism.

(my partial transcription of that memorandum)

04 February 2025

MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD
SUBJECT: United States Corps of Cadets Directorate of Club Activities Club Guidance

[…]

  1. Effective immediately, all Directorate of Cadet Activities (DCA) sanctioned clubs listed below are hereby disbanded. This directive cancels all trip sections, meetings, events and other activities associated with these clubs. Moreover, these clubs are no authorized to continue informal activities using Government time, resources, or facilities.
  1. The following clubs are hereby disbanded:
• Asian-Pacific Forum Club • Contemporary Cultural Affairs Seminar Club • Corbin Forum • Japanese Forum Club • Korean-American Relations Seminar • Latin Cultural Club • National Society of Black Engineers Club • Native American Heritage Forum • Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers • Society of Women Engineers Club • Spectrum • Vietnamese-American Cadet Association
  1. All clubs listed in paragraph 3 of this memorandum are directed to permanently cease all activities on club External Official Presences (EOPs) and will unpublish, deactivate, archive, or otherwise remove all public facing content. In accordance Army Regulation 25–400–2 (Army Records Management Program), these clubs will ensure records associated with these EOPs are maintained. Individual club records managers are to coordinate with the USCC PAO/G5 to ensure compliance with this requirement.
  1. All other Directorate of Cadet Activities sanctioned clubs not listed in paragraph 3 are directed to cease all activities on club EOPs until such a time as the club’s status has been reviewed and revalidated in accordance with paragraph 6 below.
  1. The Directorate of Cadet Activities is directed to review and revalidate all other sanctioned clubs not listed in paragraph 3 to ensure that they are aligned with applicable Presidential Executive Orders, Department of Defense guidance, and Department of the Army guidance.
PerkingFaintly · 05/02/2025 18:57

I notice someone's very keen to have the records of the clubs. Explicitly so.

Are we talking protecting the past from erasure? Or someone getting their hands on the membership lists?

AcrossthePond55 · 05/02/2025 19:07

@PerkingFaintly

I think the latter. It's all about creating 'enemies lists' then using the Govt computer systems to track them down. If they're 'dangerous', they'll find a way to silence them.

PerkingFaintly · 05/02/2025 19:21

<sigh> MN ate my formatting.

Paragraph 3 is the list of clubs.

DuncinToffee · 05/02/2025 19:54

Leavitt peddling conspiracy nonsense

Leavitt: "I was made aware of the funding from USAID to media outlets, including Politico, who I know has a seat in this room. I can confirm the more than 8m taxpayer dollars that have gone to subsidizing subscriptions to Politico will no longer be happening. The DOGE team is working on canceling."

(This is all based on a conspiracy theory peddled by MAGA Twitter after Politico missed payroll yesterday due to a tech issue, which they tied to USAID funding getting turned off. It took mere hours for that to make its way to the White House, which of course lent it credence)

Errolwasahero · 06/02/2025 07:47

Ah, shit! I’m flying there soon 😳

countrygirl99 · 06/02/2025 09:01

Transiting via Houston in a few weeks. Will just have to keep my fingers crossed while we are in US airspace.

DuncinToffee · 06/02/2025 09:06

One of Leons's dodgy kids is 19 years old and uses the handle big balls Hmm

https://bsky.app/profile/wired.com/post/3lhimaqrnsc22

Experts question whether Edward Coristine, a DOGE staffer who has gone by “Big Balls” online, would pass the background check typically required for access to sensitive US government systems.

Igotjelly · 06/02/2025 09:42

Seems the Democrats, through Al Green, have begun the process of impeachment. Fairly sure it’ll go nowhere given the stranglehold Trump has over all arms of Govt. it’s a brave move given the fact that we know Trump will seek revenge for even suggesting he be impeached (again)!

SerendipityJane · 06/02/2025 10:19

If Canada does join the US, then it’s 10 provinces and 3 territories would become US states, giving Canada 26 US senators and a minimum of 13 US Congressmen (plus more Congressmen depending on how 385 congressional seats are redistributed based on population). This would effectively end Republicans’ control in the Senate and Congress, and allow Congress to impeach Trump, remove his appointees, and pass multiple amendments to the US Constitution preventing the abuse of Presidential powers and reforming the Supreme Court. Then when Congress is finished with that, they could vote to kick Canada out of the US (returning them to their sovereign nation status) and resetting everything back to normal more or less.

Pollydoodles · 06/02/2025 11:28

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