An unholy trinity or just a seedy threesome: Trump, Musk and Putin? - Trump thread #138

[Spandauer]

With a side order of Vance, Zuckerberg and Netanyahu.*
(*Other flavours are available)

Whoever is winning at the moment will always seem to be invincible.
George Orwell

Previous thread:
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5258416-trumpmusk-folie-a-deux-trump-thread-137

The DSR Daily from yesterday was good, speaking about the lack of a spine from the press and on why ordinary Americans should care.

Most citizens are still not affected by what's happening... yet. Give it a few months and more people will see their lives and bank balances being negatively impacted.

But how many will follow the leader and blame Biden ?

Remember there are a not inconsiderable number of people who swallowed the Tories line that everything was shit because of the Labour government of 2010-2024.

the comments about zelensky are just

regarding dodge: I agree that an audit of public resources is a good thing. but the shock and awe way is not sustainable

I was listening to a podcast this morning talking about just this. What most people fail to recognise is that the petty, vindictive nature of the purge going on is exactly the point. It’s not an unfortunate consequence. Project 2025 was explicit in saying that the Federal Government should be dismantled and its workers terrified into submission.

Yes it’s this and I’d also add there’s an element of truth in what Johnson said about being able to get whatever you want from Trump using flattery. It’s a dangerous combination of someone who admires dictators and can be easily manipulated by them.

Putin doesn’t need anything on him because he’s just a useful idiot anyway.

Audits are usually carried out by qualified or experienced auditors though. Not by slash and burn with no idea about what the stuff you are cutting does.

They've already had to re-hire some staff.

With a bit of luck they will be sitting on the wrong end of the branch they are sawing.

Testing the waters?

Exactly. What they are doing does not come under the descriptions auditing, peace negotiating, rationalising, but are in fact full on actions designed to destroy, exert revenge, gaslight, confuse, divide, weaken, and conquer.
In plain sight. I think it's so hard for people to actually believe the worst even when they see it with their own eyes, people will try and explain to themselves why a thing isn't as bad as it seems.
This really is. They are really dismantling the US state, and Trump is really aligning himself with the most notorious enemies of democracy around.
It's quite horrific. And will impact all of us.
I really, really hate to say it but I begin to envisage world war.

Yet another example of Musk's boorishness The sad thing is, it's not a surprise

https://pictures5.chainityai.com/elon-musk-called-for-a-boycott-of-the-view-calling-it-a-meeting-place-for-ignorant-women-immediately-after-the-entire-cast-responded-fiercely/

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/fda-staffers-told-that-woman-disabled-among-banned-words-white-house-says-its-an-2025-02-20/

REUTERS: Planned news conference of US envoy to Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, and Ukraine's President Zelenskyy had been cancelled, at the request of the US team.

Zelenskyy won't sign over the minerals so the bullies aren't happy.

Whilst I agree on the WW sentiment, with the US and Russia now in alignment it feels a bit like Europe vs the rest!

A friend mentioned this morning that she plans on going to Yosemite this summer.
I suggested she did not because Musk has fired all the staff

• parking attendants, canteen staff, fire rangers, first aiders, guides

all gone. Nobody there to acta as a First Responder in an emergency

https://bsky.app/profile/georgetakei.bsky.social/post/3limpmmfifd2g

You cast the net too widely, and you’re gonna drown in it yourself.
JD Vance’s book Hillbilly Elegy is now on a list of books to be reviewed and possibly banned, per PEN America.

I can't remember if I've shared this link here before, but anyone wanting a bit of a laugh out of this hideous situation, this episode of If Books Could Kill is a hilarious take take on Hillbilly Elegy

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/breaking-news-re-release-hillbilly-elegy/id1651876897?i=1000662457355

Tell your friend that Yosemite has put a 'pause' on this summer's campsite reservations due to the freeze, if she's a camper. Reservations for mid-June/mid-July are not bookable. They don't know if/when they'll reopen.

I think the in-park hotels (Ahwahnee, etc) are OK though. They're run by concessionaires.

I'm keeping a close eye on Yellowstone, that's where we're heading this year.

@AcrossthePond55
We only went on a day trip
but without toilets and canteens and car park attendants
it will be absolute chaos

I believe that was predicted when the EO went out

The White House spokesman told Reuters that most of the words on the FDA list didn't need to be removed from communications. He said that an error may have resulted from FDA officials misinterpreting Trump's executive order against "gender ideology."
The spokesman said the FDA does need to prohibit use of the words gender, inclusion, identity, diversity, inter, intersex, equity, equitable, transgender and trans to comply with the order.

This is odd though. Intersex is on the list of words the FDA can’t use. Some people might conclude that the people making the decisions don’t have a clue wtf they are doing.

I just want to thank everyone involved in this thread for contributing to such an excellent, educational and well thought out discussion. It is difficult to find any measured, respectful discussion of this topic anywhere online (even on MN, recently).

Thank you x

Anyone watching the WH briefing? The guy with the glasses and light blue tie...who he?

Stephen Miller

Oh wait no wrong blue tie guy 😂

I think it’s actually Michael Waltz