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

[Spandauer]

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

I just don't think people are going to lay blame where they should. I watched a thing of Jordan Klepper from the Daily Show after the inauguration asking people about pardoning the J6th criminals, and they all seemed to think it was a non-violent protest. He showed a man a photo from the day and the guy said he follows conservative media and had never seen that before and didn't know there had been violence. The media ecosystem has literally been designed this way.

Feeling a bit hopeless right now as one of my siblings has devoted 20 years, living all over the world, to Pepfar. 😢

The Pepfar Aids/HIV news is awful. It must be heartbreaking for your sibling and their colleagues @user22446688
The report says the overseas funding is frozen not withdrawn but I expect it will never be revived given the historically conservative attitudes to AIDS and the countries that need help.

This is a bit outing to anyone who knows me... however to illustrate how varied the anti-big government vote is... one of DH's nephews is married to someone from the Navajo Nation and they live in a red state. As a couple they are what MAGAs would, rightly or wrongly, view as members of the "left-wing, tofu-eating wokerati". They are mid-30s, both educated to Masters/PhD level in environmental/social type subjects (and have benefited from the DEI programme) and work in those areas. In the lead up to the presidential election they said they probably would not vote because they thought government is too big, not working, should be dismantled and all politicians/parties as bad as one another etc etc. When questioned, they had no real idea as to what they did want to see and neither seem willing to get involved in local politics/government/community to influence things.

We don't think they voted. They are about to start a family. Good luck to them!

@Spandauer
Its one of the things that we Brits forget about the US.
There is no national fact based broadcaster.
We have the BBC, most EU countries have a 'national' broadcaster that relays facts (OK with some bias but 75% accurate)

In the US the national news media is totally polarised
so people do not even realise they are in a bubble.

I hope for your nephew's sake that they can get to state line if needs be to ensure decent ante natal care.

@user22446688
Is it possible that something like the Gates Foundation might pick up the tab for Pepfar carrying on under a different name ?

I saw that Bloomberg is going to pay the US subs to the WHO.

Three term Trump

https://ogles.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-ogles-proposes-amending-22nd-amendment-allow-trump-serve-third-term

Hurrah

Regarding US broadcasters, we have been watching news items from PBS network, which seems a bit more measured and somewhat factual?

@SerendipityJane i likes me a bit of sax!

US Eggs up 30% in the last week

https://www.thetimes.com/us/news-today/article/why-food-prices-going-up-inflation-bgcx90qms

Oh no. The end is nigh.

The eggs thing is interesting - avian flu sweeping across the US so flocks being slaughtered wholesale. Just as federal agencies are stopped from research and advice.

Meanwhile, if reportage is correct Trump tariffs for US-hostile nations could be lower than Trump tariffs for US allies. Or as they may soon be known, former allies.

Are Canada bigly on eggs ?

Somehow I feel warmly disposed to Mexico now

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/mexico-refuses-accept-us-deportation-flight-rcna189182

I love that anyone who's already had two consecutive terms is ruled out. In case Obama were to decide to throw his hat in the ring, I guess 😅

You know that the price of eggs was a central campaign issue for Trump, right?

https://azmirror.com/2025/01/24/reports-of-navajo-people-being-detained-in-immigration-sweeps-sparks-concern-from-tribal-leaders/

PBS is govt funded. Trump tried to defund them in 2020 because they wouldn't become his propaganda machine. He's has already indicated he will propose to withdraw all govt funding this term and he has Musk's 'backing' as part of 'Govt efficiency'.

This term will be all about 'exacting revenge' for all perceived 'slights' or 'disloyalty'.

It sounds like both Mexico and Colombia are denying entry to US deportation flights

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-26/trump-slaps-tariffs-travel-ban-on-colombia-in-migrant-dispute

And so it begins

It's the small-minded, petty stuff that gets my goat.

More rewriting of history.
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trumps-anti-dei-order-yanks-air-force-video-first-black-pilots-2025-01-25/

“Another video about civilian women pilots trained by the U.S. military during World War Two, known as "Women Air Force Service Pilots," or WASPs, was also pulled, the official said.”

And it comes as no surprise that President Bone Spur has no vets in his family tree.
eu.capecodtimes.com/story/opinion/columns/2020/02/12/president-bone-spur-has-no/1724792007/#

Bit worrying if they get places wrong and they're next to the red button.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro isn’t pulling any punches in dealing with Trump.

"Overthrow me, President, and the Americas and humanity will respond.

“I’ve been informed that you’ve imposed a 50% tariff on our human labour’s fruits to enter the US. I’ll do the same.”

“You can use your economic power and arrogance to attempt a coup, as you did with Allende. But I will die standing by my principles. I’ve endured torture, and I will endure you.

“You may kill me, but I will survive in my people, who existed long before yours, in the Americas.

“You don’t like our freedom, fine. I won’t shake hands with white enslavers.

“From today, Colombia opens its arms to the world.”

Come on, Denmark - your turn!

It's not looking good for breakfasts, expensive eggs and coffee.

Right on, President Petro, levy away and stand tall.

I'm certainly not putting myself on the same level as those brave people in Allied Countries who endured rationing and deprivation during WWII. But if 'doing my bit' against Scrotus means paying more for my cup of coffee or doing without tropical fruits in the 'off season' then I will do so without complaint.

Maybe DH and I should plow up half the back pasture and plant a Victory 2028 garden.

Oh dear! The strong words didn't last long.
Now he knows the threats work. 🤬

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/26/colombia-gustavo-petro-trump-deportation-flights?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

I think it was about the shackled people rather than the deportation flight itself

Yes - so it seems.
Unfortunately, even if unshackled, it won't stop (some of) the ICE agents still being a little "rough" with the migrants. But who is going to know or care once they've gone? (Rhetorical question!)

Although Colombia is a US ally - just a hint of how it could treat the UK if it wanted.