David this was sharp as hell. Appreciate the way you laid it out plain:
MAGA’s collapsing under the weight of its own performance.
You didn’t just highlight the hypocrisy nope you named the emotional whiplash of it.
That line about the “outrage machine sputtering” hit especially hard.
You also made something really clear:
This Epstein fallout isn’t just about Trump. It’s about the MAGA base realizing they were never the wrecking ball,….they were the props. Used, fired up, and now left holding silence while the files vanish and the press spins “nothing to see here.”
Where you framed it as political fracture, I’ve been looking at it from the permission structure angle and how grooming networks hide inside institutions, and how power adapts faster than outrage can hold it accountable. Trump didn’t drain the swamp, instead, he freakin expanded the ecosystem.
That’s what I’ve been writing through over at my spot.
David & X, thank you for an excellent breakdown of what we’re actually dealing with. I appreciate both of you. Just a small issue that I’ve never understood about those who surround & protect Trump. They have no clue about Trump’s loyalty. Anyone connected to him becomes either maimed, broken or destroyed when they’re no longer useful in his circle.
There still is lack of unity among the sane voting public and the sane government leaders, in my view. I do not see why this remains so. The evidence is abundantly clear. If intelligent, honest people will stand together in tightly connected unity, we can change the appalling mess this chaos-monger Mr Trump is causing worldwide. But individual wringing of hands will not move the needle. Please wake up, politicians! And citizens! We CAN fix this if we stand together and lay out an actionable plan.
Yes, all your points are true. The worst aspect, in my view, is Trump's ownership of the Supreme Court, which gives Trump the final word on any heinous, lawless action he takes. Norm Eisen and other great lawyers are winning almost all their cases against Trump in Federal Court, but Trump then can just whine and go to the Supreme Court, who roll over and expose their bellies (the only really brave one is Ketanji Brown Jackson -- take a look at her Dissenting opinions if you haven't already).
It seems to me an enormous PR/propaganda campaign (in the same effective deluge-style of the Republicans, but with facts instead of lies) might be the direction to take. Many honorable people have a built- in distaste for the idea of PR and psychological arguments carefully crafted to convince the voting public. It seems to me we ought to try this. Leonard Leo and Russ Vought have manoeuvred us into a cul de sac. How do you see this thought?
M T_ There is a terrific (free if you dont need the Certificate if you pass the course) course taught by HARVARD UNIVERSITY on-line, under the title Harvard X. The course, taught by legendary historian Thomas Patterson of the Harvard Kennedy School, is titled: AMERICAN GOVERNMENT: CONSTITUTIONAL FOUNDATIONS. It is in 6 parts, with tests and essays to write, and a final grade.
I worked for US Senator Samuel J Ervin, Jr, N.C. on the Subcommittee on Separation of Powers of the Committee on the Judiciary, up until the Senate Watergate Hearings headed by Senator Ervin in the 1970s. The Harvard course filled in a lot of holes in my prior hands-on education in actual US Government. I cannot recommend this course highly enough.
My thoughts exactly. Dems lost not only the election, but any motivation for the public to support them. Being anti-T is not enough. His message was clear, stop the invasion of illegals and drugs coming to the US. What is the Dem counter to that? Crickets. Our cities are becoming trash heaps usually under Dem leaders and not getting better. Dems just want more money to perpetuate the problems.
I like a lot of the young people (some in their 20s!) who are either in Congress (Maxwell Frost) or aspiring to serve in Congress. In my view, some of the thinking of older members does not necessarily work any longer. Exception of course for Bernie Sanders. Thanks for your good comment.
Dems need to stop "focussing" on Repubs and T and focus on their future message.
Tell Sanders and Schumer to retire as the necessary first step that major change in direction is needed NOW.
Screaming at Ts gestapo tactics for immigration enforcement does not move the needle. It just reinforces the problem. Stop banging on "comprehensive" immigration reform, when the current laws were ignored. Amnesty only invites more illegal immigration.
Stop harping on the harm done to the fragile egos of transgenders in womens sports. What about the damage done to biological women who have moved mountains to get where they are and now kicked aside. Taking rights away from one group to give it to another is not a winning strategy.
Simply because I have no proof. How about "allegedly.?" OK... here:
I believe Trump and Epstein and assorted friends and party attendees solicited sexual favors from underage girls after plying them with alcohol and promises of money and other favors. Why? because Trump's behavior is exactly what we know to happen in other situations where this goes on. He just hasn't been caught at that. But his attack and "rape" of E. Jean Carroll shows me that the man is a rapist and actually believes that he is so charming and important he can attack women (and girls) with impunity because, “When you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything.” —Donald Trump. He really believe it.
This is why, when he dies, I will gladly go piss on his grave - in his open casket if I had the chance. He is worse than a bad man, he is secretly depraved and knows it - it is why he is an over-inflated bag of foul wind and has to decorate his world with gold - to cover the shit that is his inner life. So, as far as I am concerned, this is who he is. And the fact that so many people think he is wonderful tells me exactly who they are. "You are known by the company you keep." So, not "If."
The very fact we do not aggressively go after men like Trump is more than a crying shame. He should be held to account one way or another. All of this should be out there, and used as a point where we not only nail Trump on this, but recognize the seriousness of this for girls and young women who end up being abused. I agree. The pain of living through being abused must be great.
The grand jury records, if they are released, focused on Epstein, not Trump I think. Do not expect much from that source.
All pertinent evidence needs to be released ( minus the victims’ names ). I think most of our representatives, regardless of the party, should demand that.
If they wish to continue to “REPRESENT” us. Period!
The question to me is will this be enough to break this cults trance, or will simply seek out another more terrifyingly cruel and xenophobic creature like Stephen Miller? Will he assume the mantle and puppeteer JD Vance once the Tangerine Terror is removed from office? What cost will we, a nation unsure of its identity, pay in this civli war or uncivil coup? Is there possibility that MAGA dissolves and we learn to be good humans, citizens, and the Americans we were envisioned to be by the founders? Will Lady Liberty and Justice return to thier proper place in our society? I hope so, but time will tell.
You have summed this up perfectly and precisely, David. This is not just a scandal but the dealers of corruption unwillingly being forced to face accountability. Truth and Justice matter.
Hi David, thank you for your informative article. I have been following your podcast for 4 years now, and at the ripe old age of 75, appreciate your honesty, which has become very scarce in the past several years. I think it’s harder for us baby boomers to see what is happening to our country, cause we know what it was like “way back when”. It wasn’t perfect, but there was a sense of unity, patriotism and helping one another during hard times.
It’s shows like yours, that will hopefully bring this country back to the land of equal opportunity and freedom for all.
It's unconscionable that Dems are not doing more to align, defend, and defeat this fascist government. They have to stop writing tweets and harshly-worded letters and DO SOMETHING meaningful to demonstrate that both the liberals and those who are now lost that there is a solid plan to get behind.
Yes, all that is true. However it’s important for all of us to remember that trump can not be expected to understand our righteous outrage. He is brain damaged and mentally ill.
His brain no longer functions in a normal way, if it ever did.
The deterioration in his brain function is increasingly obvious from month to month.
Sadly for him he appears to have developed the debilitating disease that killed his father. It began with dementia and soon became Alzheimer’s.
trump is terrified of developing the same thing.
Looks like he’s in the throes of it now, leaving him with a decreasing loss of simple comprehension.
He is a monster, and now one that is completely conscience free.
He is not a President, he is a dictator, He has to be removed! the army, navy our infantry has to do it. He won't leave on his own volition. There has to be an uprising against his outrageous policies.
David this was sharp as hell. Appreciate the way you laid it out plain:
MAGA’s collapsing under the weight of its own performance.
You didn’t just highlight the hypocrisy nope you named the emotional whiplash of it.
That line about the “outrage machine sputtering” hit especially hard.
You also made something really clear:
This Epstein fallout isn’t just about Trump. It’s about the MAGA base realizing they were never the wrecking ball,….they were the props. Used, fired up, and now left holding silence while the files vanish and the press spins “nothing to see here.”
Where you framed it as political fracture, I’ve been looking at it from the permission structure angle and how grooming networks hide inside institutions, and how power adapts faster than outrage can hold it accountable. Trump didn’t drain the swamp, instead, he freakin expanded the ecosystem.
That’s what I’ve been writing through over at my spot.
David & X, thank you for an excellent breakdown of what we’re actually dealing with. I appreciate both of you. Just a small issue that I’ve never understood about those who surround & protect Trump. They have no clue about Trump’s loyalty. Anyone connected to him becomes either maimed, broken or destroyed when they’re no longer useful in his circle.
Agree 100%.
So does anyone think the Democrats can stop fannying around and actually present a coherent and believable case to be seen in the mainstream media?
Sadly, I doubt it. Which is a real cause for concern.
Wake up America and get rid of the whole MAGA circus. Ignore it all at your peril.
Roger Harris
There still is lack of unity among the sane voting public and the sane government leaders, in my view. I do not see why this remains so. The evidence is abundantly clear. If intelligent, honest people will stand together in tightly connected unity, we can change the appalling mess this chaos-monger Mr Trump is causing worldwide. But individual wringing of hands will not move the needle. Please wake up, politicians! And citizens! We CAN fix this if we stand together and lay out an actionable plan.
Yes, all your points are true. The worst aspect, in my view, is Trump's ownership of the Supreme Court, which gives Trump the final word on any heinous, lawless action he takes. Norm Eisen and other great lawyers are winning almost all their cases against Trump in Federal Court, but Trump then can just whine and go to the Supreme Court, who roll over and expose their bellies (the only really brave one is Ketanji Brown Jackson -- take a look at her Dissenting opinions if you haven't already).
It seems to me an enormous PR/propaganda campaign (in the same effective deluge-style of the Republicans, but with facts instead of lies) might be the direction to take. Many honorable people have a built- in distaste for the idea of PR and psychological arguments carefully crafted to convince the voting public. It seems to me we ought to try this. Leonard Leo and Russ Vought have manoeuvred us into a cul de sac. How do you see this thought?
M T_ There is a terrific (free if you dont need the Certificate if you pass the course) course taught by HARVARD UNIVERSITY on-line, under the title Harvard X. The course, taught by legendary historian Thomas Patterson of the Harvard Kennedy School, is titled: AMERICAN GOVERNMENT: CONSTITUTIONAL FOUNDATIONS. It is in 6 parts, with tests and essays to write, and a final grade.
I worked for US Senator Samuel J Ervin, Jr, N.C. on the Subcommittee on Separation of Powers of the Committee on the Judiciary, up until the Senate Watergate Hearings headed by Senator Ervin in the 1970s. The Harvard course filled in a lot of holes in my prior hands-on education in actual US Government. I cannot recommend this course highly enough.
My thoughts exactly. Dems lost not only the election, but any motivation for the public to support them. Being anti-T is not enough. His message was clear, stop the invasion of illegals and drugs coming to the US. What is the Dem counter to that? Crickets. Our cities are becoming trash heaps usually under Dem leaders and not getting better. Dems just want more money to perpetuate the problems.
I like a lot of the young people (some in their 20s!) who are either in Congress (Maxwell Frost) or aspiring to serve in Congress. In my view, some of the thinking of older members does not necessarily work any longer. Exception of course for Bernie Sanders. Thanks for your good comment.
Dems need to stop "focussing" on Repubs and T and focus on their future message.
Tell Sanders and Schumer to retire as the necessary first step that major change in direction is needed NOW.
Screaming at Ts gestapo tactics for immigration enforcement does not move the needle. It just reinforces the problem. Stop banging on "comprehensive" immigration reform, when the current laws were ignored. Amnesty only invites more illegal immigration.
Stop harping on the harm done to the fragile egos of transgenders in womens sports. What about the damage done to biological women who have moved mountains to get where they are and now kicked aside. Taking rights away from one group to give it to another is not a winning strategy.
If Trump and Epstein preyed on girls and he continued his lechery in the beauty pageant business it needs to all come out.
IF??????
Raun Norquist, "IF??????".... the exact question that immediately came out of my mouth.
Simply because I have no proof. How about "allegedly.?" OK... here:
I believe Trump and Epstein and assorted friends and party attendees solicited sexual favors from underage girls after plying them with alcohol and promises of money and other favors. Why? because Trump's behavior is exactly what we know to happen in other situations where this goes on. He just hasn't been caught at that. But his attack and "rape" of E. Jean Carroll shows me that the man is a rapist and actually believes that he is so charming and important he can attack women (and girls) with impunity because, “When you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything.” —Donald Trump. He really believe it.
This is why, when he dies, I will gladly go piss on his grave - in his open casket if I had the chance. He is worse than a bad man, he is secretly depraved and knows it - it is why he is an over-inflated bag of foul wind and has to decorate his world with gold - to cover the shit that is his inner life. So, as far as I am concerned, this is who he is. And the fact that so many people think he is wonderful tells me exactly who they are. "You are known by the company you keep." So, not "If."
Pete, you will have to take a number and go to the end of the line. Not sure you can hold it that long.
LOVE IT !
:-) He he.
We Will Be There With YOU to "SHOWER" Trump with Our DISGUST !
AGREED ! Ain't No IF !
Give Ghislaine IMMUNITY and Have Her TALK !!
The very fact we do not aggressively go after men like Trump is more than a crying shame. He should be held to account one way or another. All of this should be out there, and used as a point where we not only nail Trump on this, but recognize the seriousness of this for girls and young women who end up being abused. I agree. The pain of living through being abused must be great.
The grand jury records, if they are released, focused on Epstein, not Trump I think. Do not expect much from that source.
All pertinent evidence needs to be released ( minus the victims’ names ). I think most of our representatives, regardless of the party, should demand that.
If they wish to continue to “REPRESENT” us. Period!
The question to me is will this be enough to break this cults trance, or will simply seek out another more terrifyingly cruel and xenophobic creature like Stephen Miller? Will he assume the mantle and puppeteer JD Vance once the Tangerine Terror is removed from office? What cost will we, a nation unsure of its identity, pay in this civli war or uncivil coup? Is there possibility that MAGA dissolves and we learn to be good humans, citizens, and the Americans we were envisioned to be by the founders? Will Lady Liberty and Justice return to thier proper place in our society? I hope so, but time will tell.
Stupid Follows Stupid !
You have summed this up perfectly and precisely, David. This is not just a scandal but the dealers of corruption unwillingly being forced to face accountability. Truth and Justice matter.
Thanks David for always speaking the truth so eloquently!
Hi David, thank you for your informative article. I have been following your podcast for 4 years now, and at the ripe old age of 75, appreciate your honesty, which has become very scarce in the past several years. I think it’s harder for us baby boomers to see what is happening to our country, cause we know what it was like “way back when”. It wasn’t perfect, but there was a sense of unity, patriotism and helping one another during hard times.
It’s shows like yours, that will hopefully bring this country back to the land of equal opportunity and freedom for all.
Thank you,
Diane
Child exploitation is a crime and anyone involved needs to be held accountable. The story is, justice for the victims, will they get any?
Mormons and some LDS Church Members have Done the Same --- Polygamy with 14 Year Old Girls --- No Justice for Those Men !
The best, most accurate, answer to the Epstein debacle I have read. Thank you, David!
It's unconscionable that Dems are not doing more to align, defend, and defeat this fascist government. They have to stop writing tweets and harshly-worded letters and DO SOMETHING meaningful to demonstrate that both the liberals and those who are now lost that there is a solid plan to get behind.
My sentiments exactly.
You Too ! TELL Us Your Plan !~
DO ? Name WHAT it is --- You Want Them to Do ?
Yes, all that is true. However it’s important for all of us to remember that trump can not be expected to understand our righteous outrage. He is brain damaged and mentally ill.
His brain no longer functions in a normal way, if it ever did.
The deterioration in his brain function is increasingly obvious from month to month.
Sadly for him he appears to have developed the debilitating disease that killed his father. It began with dementia and soon became Alzheimer’s.
trump is terrified of developing the same thing.
Looks like he’s in the throes of it now, leaving him with a decreasing loss of simple comprehension.
He is a monster, and now one that is completely conscience free.
God help us all.
I am NOT Sad That Tubby is Deteriorating ! the Faster the Better !
This is excellent, clear analysis. Every person should read it, across the board, in my view.
Well reasoned analysis. Bravo David.
He is not a President, he is a dictator, He has to be removed! the army, navy our infantry has to do it. He won't leave on his own volition. There has to be an uprising against his outrageous policies.
I’ll be there. I’m sure it will be amazing 😻 Thanks
Yes Elliot. Either we join a movement of resistance or there will be a full blown revolution. That’s the only way.
Storm the BASTILLE ! Blood Will Run in the Streets !
🤣