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Schrödinger's Strait - Trump Thread #162A

1000 replies

Spandauer · 19/04/2026 14:58

The Strait of Schrödinger remains open and closed, safe and dangerous, insurable and uninsurable, blockaded and free.

"You put your tanker in, you put your tanker out
In, out, in, out, you sail it all about
You do the Straits of Hormuz and you turn around
That’s what it’s all about!"

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER!

Got overwhelmed by the 🍊💩's idiot fuckery last time and missed out thread #161 so have designated this one as fake #162...A

Trump’s Final Term Ends in: - Countdown Timer
Thanks for link @CaveMum

Previous thread:
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5516057-he-has-no-deal-he-has-no-dice-trump-thread-162

He Has No Deal, He Has No Dice - Trump Thread #162 | Mumsnet

Old enough to remember whole years in which I barely thought about the American president. Previous thread: [[https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/<u&gt...

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5516057-he-has-no-deal-he-has-no-dice-trump-thread-162

OP posts:
Thread gallery
113
RedTagAlan · 25/04/2026 04:31

A reminder that Turd has the US involved in another war.

"The Trump administration has told Congress that the US is now in an “armed conflict” against drug cartels beginning with its first strike on September 2, labeling those killed “unlawful combatants” and claiming the ability to engage in lethal strikes without judicial review due to a classified Justice Department finding."

Source:

A timeline of US strikes on boats that have killed at least 182 | CNN Politics

182 dead. And clicking that link in the quote .... it's secret.

Exclusive: Classified Justice Department opinion authorizes strikes on secret list of cartels, sources say | CNN Politics

The Trump administration has produced a classified legal opinion that justifies lethal strikes against a secret and expansive list of cartels and suspected drug traffickers, according to multiple people familiar with the matter.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/06/politics/classified-justice-department-memo-cartel-strikes

Justsaynonow · 25/04/2026 05:04

Spandauer · 24/04/2026 22:19

Well, of course they are.

US is adding firing squads, electrocution and gassing to federal execution methods
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/justice-department-readopts-firing-squads-us-federal-executions-2026-04-24/

😱

logicisall · 25/04/2026 05:59

The two CNN articles are about political and moral corruption. Trump is running the US like it's a company he owns, using its resources to achieve personal power aims. Iran Lego videos called it out first. Puppet Regime.

And firing squads. I know Trump's a fan of dictators, but yikes, shades of Kim Jong Un!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Jason118 · 25/04/2026 07:16

MarmaladeorJam · 25/04/2026 02:00

What are we talking about here? I think I have missed something,,,

Harry and Meghan (can’t be arsed to check spelling) or https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/index.html

RedTagAlan · 25/04/2026 08:38

Bingo Bonus.

I thought the bingo card was a bit tired, so I made a new one up from clipping bits and bobs that I nicked. Trial post as a BONUS.

:-)

Schrödinger's Strait - Trump Thread #162A
logicisall · 25/04/2026 08:41

My withheld post is about corruption and insider trading in Trump's family and unfortunately has several necessary mentions of the C word.
His entire family needs to be indicted. If and when this happens, I don't see how a jail term can be avoided.

Spandauer · 25/04/2026 08:41

Whitehouse Correspondents Dinner this weekend and Drumpf is due to attend and give a whiny rant 'speech' I believe.

What could possibly go wrong?

...The White House correspondents’ dinner, where in 2011 Trump was infamously mocked by Barack Obama and Seth Meyers – an event some say was the moment that convinced him he had to run for president. The “nerd prom”, once a staple in the calendars of presidents and Washington power brokers, has been shunned by Trump throughout his time in office. But this year the anti-free press president will be the guest of honour.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/apr/23/white-house-correspondents-dinner-trump?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

https://www.npr.org/2026/04/23/nx-s1-5786573/oz-pearlman-mentalist-white-house-correspondents-dinner

OP posts:
CaveMum · 25/04/2026 08:53

What do we think of the Navy Seal being arrested over insider trading on the Maduro arrest?

Dead cat strategy, or an attempt to start actually cleaning things up?

<asked with tongue firmly in cheek of course>

JoshLymanSwagger · 25/04/2026 09:04

Spandauer · 25/04/2026 08:41

Whitehouse Correspondents Dinner this weekend and Drumpf is due to attend and give a whiny rant 'speech' I believe.

What could possibly go wrong?

...The White House correspondents’ dinner, where in 2011 Trump was infamously mocked by Barack Obama and Seth Meyers – an event some say was the moment that convinced him he had to run for president. The “nerd prom”, once a staple in the calendars of presidents and Washington power brokers, has been shunned by Trump throughout his time in office. But this year the anti-free press president will be the guest of honour.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/apr/23/white-house-correspondents-dinner-trump?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

https://www.npr.org/2026/04/23/nx-s1-5786573/oz-pearlman-mentalist-white-house-correspondents-dinner

I'm guessing the "Correspondents" are the press?
Why the hell would they bother attending to listen to a big orange manbaby complain to and about them?
Skip it and watch some paint grow or grass dry instead!

SerendipityJane · 25/04/2026 09:05

MarmaladeorJam · 25/04/2026 01:58

@SerendipityJane

Why do you think it will last a few years?

Hells bells...

Until the straits are declared clear enough for insurers to not want extra and sailors to not want extra, nothing sails.

US own estimates are 6 months from now to clear all mines.

That presupposes no new ones are laid and that Iran lay new ones and won't attack (no one is falling for Trumps "can't" any more) .

So they will be closed until the midterms at least.

RedTagAlan · 25/04/2026 09:19

CaveMum · 25/04/2026 08:53

What do we think of the Navy Seal being arrested over insider trading on the Maduro arrest?

Dead cat strategy, or an attempt to start actually cleaning things up?

<asked with tongue firmly in cheek of course>

Edited

Pardon ?

DuncinToffee · 25/04/2026 09:21

NEWS: Bette Midler just released a new music video for her remake of "All You Fascists Bound to Lose"—featuring Barbara Hershey, other celebrities, and crowds from the No Kings protests in a joyful, powerful show of resistance.

You have to see this.

https://bsky.app/profile/meidastouch.com/post/3mkbbp7gnzs24

logicisall · 25/04/2026 09:23

CaveMum · 25/04/2026 08:53

What do we think of the Navy Seal being arrested over insider trading on the Maduro arrest?

Dead cat strategy, or an attempt to start actually cleaning things up?

<asked with tongue firmly in cheek of course>

Edited

It's an attempt to be seen to be doing something about insider trading betting. The backlash has to do with the big fish being allowed to get away with it.
Let's see if he gets sentenced ... followed swiftly by a presidential pardon.🙄

CaveMum · 25/04/2026 09:45

RedTagAlan · 25/04/2026 09:19

Pardon ?

Apologies, it was not a Seal.

From BBC:

A US special forces soldier involved in the military operation that captured Nicolas Maduro has been arrested after he allegedly bet on the removal of Venezuela's former leader before the information was publicly available.

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has charged Gannon Ken Van Dyke after he allegedly made trades on Polymarket, a crypto-powered platform, on the basis of classified information.

"That is clear insider trading and is illegal under federal law," justice department officials said.

Van Dyke, an active-duty soldier in the US Army stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, won more than $409,000 (£303,702) as a result of his bets.

US forces seized Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores from their compound in Caracas in a dramatic, night-time raid on 3 January, and brought them to New York to face allegations of weapon and drug offences, which they deny.

Van Dyke allegedly placed bets on the timing and outcome of the operation, known as Operation Absolute Resolve, "all to turn a profit", the justice department said in a statement on Thursday.

The DOJ alleges that on or about 26 December 2025, Van Dyke created a Polymarket account and began trading on Maduro and Venezuela-related markets. He is accused of making bets of more than $33,000 (£24,500) while in possession of classified nonpublic information about Operation Absolute Resolve.

In a statement posted on social media on Thursday, Polymarket said: "When we identified a user trading on classified government information, we referred the matter to the DOJ & cooperated with their investigation."

The company added: "Insider trading has no place on Polymarket. Today's arrest is proof the system works."

Van Dyke has been charged with unlawful use of confidential government information for personal gain, theft of nonpublic government information, commodities fraud, wire fraud and making an unlawful monetary transaction, according to an indictment unsealed on Thursday.

"Our men and women in uniform are trusted with classified information in order to accomplish their mission as safely and effectively as possible, and are prohibited from using this highly sensitive information for personal financial gain," said acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche.

"Widespread access to prediction markets is a relatively new phenomenon, but federal laws protecting national security information fully apply."

US Attorney Jay Clayton for the Southern District of New York, where the case will proceed, added that prediction markets "are not a haven for using misappropriated confidential or classified information for personal gain".

The justice department officials said that as a soldier Van Dyke signed nondisclosure agreements in which he promised to "'never divulge, publish, or reveal by writing, words, conduct, or otherwise . . . any classified or sensitive information' relating to military operations".

Federal prosecutors allege that starting from 8 December 2025 until at least 6 January 2026, Van Dyke was involved in the planning and execution of Operation Absolute Resolve and had access to sensitive, nonpublic, classified information about that operation.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), an independent US federal agency, said it had also filed a complaint against Van Dyke accusing him of engaging in insider trading.

Asked about the alleged betting during an unrelated event on Thursday, US President Donald Trump said he had not heard about it but would look into it.

When asked about concerns that prediction markets could lead to insider trading, the president said he is "not happy with any of that stuff".

"The whole world, unfortunately, has become somewhat of a casino, and you look at what's going on all over the world, in Europe and every place, they're doing these betting things," he said. "I was never much in favour of it."

CaveMum · 25/04/2026 09:46

Darn it, I think that had the C-word in it. Will try to edit.

CaveMum · 25/04/2026 09:48

RedTagAlan · 25/04/2026 09:19

Pardon ?

Trying again!

Apologies, it was not a Seal.

From BBC:

A US special forces soldier involved in the military operation that captured Nicolas Maduro has been arrested after he allegedly bet on the removal of Venezuela's former leader before the information was publicly available.

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has charged Gannon Ken Van Dyke after he allegedly made trades on Polymarket, a “c-word” powered platform, on the basis of classified information.

"That is clear insider trading and is illegal under federal law," justice department officials said.

Van Dyke, an active-duty soldier in the US Army stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, won more than $409,000 (£303,702) as a result of his bets.

US forces seized Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores from their compound in Caracas in a dramatic, night-time raid on 3 January, and brought them to New York to face allegations of weapon and drug offences, which they deny.

Van Dyke allegedly placed bets on the timing and outcome of the operation, known as Operation Absolute Resolve, "all to turn a profit", the justice department said in a statement on Thursday.

The DOJ alleges that on or about 26 December 2025, Van Dyke created a Polymarket account and began trading on Maduro and Venezuela-related markets. He is accused of making bets of more than $33,000 (£24,500) while in possession of classified nonpublic information about Operation Absolute Resolve.

In a statement posted on social media on Thursday, Polymarket said: "When we identified a user trading on classified government information, we referred the matter to the DOJ & cooperated with their investigation."

The company added: "Insider trading has no place on Polymarket. Today's arrest is proof the system works."

Van Dyke has been charged with unlawful use of confidential government information for personal gain, theft of nonpublic government information, commodities fraud, wire fraud and making an unlawful monetary transaction, according to an indictment unsealed on Thursday.

"Our men and women in uniform are trusted with classified information in order to accomplish their mission as safely and effectively as possible, and are prohibited from using this highly sensitive information for personal financial gain," said acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche.

"Widespread access to prediction markets is a relatively new phenomenon, but federal laws protecting national security information fully apply."

US Attorney Jay Clayton for the Southern District of New York, where the case will proceed, added that prediction markets "are not a haven for using misappropriated confidential or classified information for personal gain".

The justice department officials said that as a soldier Van Dyke signed nondisclosure agreements in which he promised to "'never divulge, publish, or reveal by writing, words, conduct, or otherwise . . . any classified or sensitive information' relating to military operations".

Federal prosecutors allege that starting from 8 December 2025 until at least 6 January 2026, Van Dyke was involved in the planning and execution of Operation Absolute Resolve and had access to sensitive, nonpublic, classified information about that operation.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), an independent US federal agency, said it had also filed a complaint against Van Dyke accusing him of engaging in insider trading.

Asked about the alleged betting during an unrelated event on Thursday, US President Donald Trump said he had not heard about it but would look into it.

When asked about concerns that prediction markets could lead to insider trading, the president said he is "not happy with any of that stuff".

"The whole world, unfortunately, has become somewhat of a casino, and you look at what's going on all over the world, in Europe and every place, they're doing these betting things," he said. "I was never much in favour of it."

RedTagAlan · 25/04/2026 09:50

CaveMum · 25/04/2026 09:48

Trying again!

Apologies, it was not a Seal.

From BBC:

A US special forces soldier involved in the military operation that captured Nicolas Maduro has been arrested after he allegedly bet on the removal of Venezuela's former leader before the information was publicly available.

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has charged Gannon Ken Van Dyke after he allegedly made trades on Polymarket, a “c-word” powered platform, on the basis of classified information.

"That is clear insider trading and is illegal under federal law," justice department officials said.

Van Dyke, an active-duty soldier in the US Army stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, won more than $409,000 (£303,702) as a result of his bets.

US forces seized Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores from their compound in Caracas in a dramatic, night-time raid on 3 January, and brought them to New York to face allegations of weapon and drug offences, which they deny.

Van Dyke allegedly placed bets on the timing and outcome of the operation, known as Operation Absolute Resolve, "all to turn a profit", the justice department said in a statement on Thursday.

The DOJ alleges that on or about 26 December 2025, Van Dyke created a Polymarket account and began trading on Maduro and Venezuela-related markets. He is accused of making bets of more than $33,000 (£24,500) while in possession of classified nonpublic information about Operation Absolute Resolve.

In a statement posted on social media on Thursday, Polymarket said: "When we identified a user trading on classified government information, we referred the matter to the DOJ & cooperated with their investigation."

The company added: "Insider trading has no place on Polymarket. Today's arrest is proof the system works."

Van Dyke has been charged with unlawful use of confidential government information for personal gain, theft of nonpublic government information, commodities fraud, wire fraud and making an unlawful monetary transaction, according to an indictment unsealed on Thursday.

"Our men and women in uniform are trusted with classified information in order to accomplish their mission as safely and effectively as possible, and are prohibited from using this highly sensitive information for personal financial gain," said acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche.

"Widespread access to prediction markets is a relatively new phenomenon, but federal laws protecting national security information fully apply."

US Attorney Jay Clayton for the Southern District of New York, where the case will proceed, added that prediction markets "are not a haven for using misappropriated confidential or classified information for personal gain".

The justice department officials said that as a soldier Van Dyke signed nondisclosure agreements in which he promised to "'never divulge, publish, or reveal by writing, words, conduct, or otherwise . . . any classified or sensitive information' relating to military operations".

Federal prosecutors allege that starting from 8 December 2025 until at least 6 January 2026, Van Dyke was involved in the planning and execution of Operation Absolute Resolve and had access to sensitive, nonpublic, classified information about that operation.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), an independent US federal agency, said it had also filed a complaint against Van Dyke accusing him of engaging in insider trading.

Asked about the alleged betting during an unrelated event on Thursday, US President Donald Trump said he had not heard about it but would look into it.

When asked about concerns that prediction markets could lead to insider trading, the president said he is "not happy with any of that stuff".

"The whole world, unfortunately, has become somewhat of a casino, and you look at what's going on all over the world, in Europe and every place, they're doing these betting things," he said. "I was never much in favour of it."

I don't see how they can make money. Polymarket I mean.

RedTagAlan · 25/04/2026 09:56

@CaveMum

I just realised. Turds son is an advisor to Polymarket. So that explains the arrest. They did not make any money ?

SerendipityJane · 25/04/2026 10:05

logicisall · 25/04/2026 09:23

It's an attempt to be seen to be doing something about insider trading betting. The backlash has to do with the big fish being allowed to get away with it.
Let's see if he gets sentenced ... followed swiftly by a presidential pardon.🙄

The insider betting is a sideshow.

The reality is that the whole world - including the enemy - pretty quickly cottoned on to the fact that the best way to anticipate military action by the US was to simply watch the trades market.

notimagain · 25/04/2026 10:09

Yep, going to have to find the article I read that mentioned this but it's certainly been claimed that the Iranian regime may have twigged that watching certain markets might give a handy heads up.

SerendipityJane · 25/04/2026 10:14

notimagain · 25/04/2026 10:09

Yep, going to have to find the article I read that mentioned this but it's certainly been claimed that the Iranian regime may have twigged that watching certain markets might give a handy heads up.

TL;DR, anything Trump & co invest in will be the weapons and systems that will be deployed in US wars of aggression.

Imagine if Oppenheimer had suddenly bought stock in Uranium mines.

logicisall · 25/04/2026 10:36

just realised. Turds son is an advisor to Polymarket. So that explains the arrest. They did not make any money ?

Trump jr became both investor and special advisor to Polymarket around Aug 2025
Prediction markets platform Polymarket said on Tuesday it has secured an investment from venture capital firm 1789 Capital and that Donald Trump Jr, son of the U.S. president, has joined its advisory board.
Polymarket did not disclose the terms of the investment by 1789 Capital, but a source familiar with the matter told Reuters it was in the double-digit millions of dollars.

In Jan 2025 he had become a Special advisor to rival Kalshi. So no conflict of interest whatsoever.

TheGardenRose · 25/04/2026 11:17

Sorry for being dim.....what is the C word?

SerendipityJane · 25/04/2026 11:22

TheGardenRose · 25/04/2026 11:17

Sorry for being dim.....what is the C word?

If we told you, we'd have to kill you 😎

It's crpto, where you replace the "" with a "y"

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