GOP debates this week as Trump still leads, DeSantis collapses
The David Pakman Show - August 21, 2023
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Terrified Trump backs out of ALL DEBATES, cancels his own press conference
In a surprising turn of events, Donald Trump has officially declined to participate in the inaugural Republican primary debate for the 2024 election cycle, hinting at his withdrawal from future debates as well. This represents a notable deviation from the grandstanding and bravado that Trump was known for in his previous campaigns. Instead, Trump has chosen to sidestep the traditional format and engage in a controlled, pre-recorded interview with Tucker Carlson, set to air on X (formerly Twitter) on the night of the debate. This unconventional decision comes hand in hand with Trump's abrupt cancellation of a press conference focused on his baseless claims of election fraud. These selective tactics underscore Trump's calculated avoidance of public scrutiny and direct confrontation. While this strategic maneuvering may provide an opening for his competitors, Trump's ironclad dominance in the GOP race persists, exposing the party's disquieting allegiance to a candidate ensnared in four criminal indictments.
Panicked, hunched-over Trump's sick pre-arrest Fox interview
Former president Donald Trump, facing his fourth arrest, gave a bizarre and chaotic interview on Fox News where he remained fixated on water pressure and toilet flushing. In the interview with his former economic adviser Larry Kudlow, Trump repeated familiar lies about his economic record, claiming he left the "greatest economy in history" despite unemployment statistics under Biden showing stronger job creation. Kudlow, acting as a sycophant, praised Trump's supposed negotiation skills and echoed Trump's false statements without challenge. This brown-nosing interview highlights Trump's counter-programming strategy for the upcoming debates, suggesting he aims to leverage his base's loyalty for an advantage in the Republican primary.
From the weekend:
Joe Manchin promises to fight climate law he voted for
Joe Manchin, who once proudly received the pen used to sign the Inflation Reduction Act, has now vocally opposed the climate provisions of the same act he voted for just a year ago. Expressing his displeasure with the administration's shift towards climate-focused implementation, Manchin's motivations seem to intertwine with personal grievances, such as the halted construction of his fossil fuel pipeline. This change of heart is also linked to his sinking poll numbers, with the latest data indicating a 22% gap behind his Republican rival in the upcoming Senate race. As Manchin pivots to maintain his political standing, he is risking the health of West Virginians, promoting dirty energy while the state grapples with distressingly high cancer and pollution-related illness rates. This maneuver highlights his willingness to put his own interests above the well-being of his constituents and the planet.
Marjorie Taylor Greene is desperate to be Trump's VP
In a recent interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, GOP Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has left open the possibility of a Senate run in Georgia, stating, "I haven't made up my mind whether I will do that or not. I have a lot of things to think about." While aligning herself as a steadfast supporter of the leading Republican presidential contender, Greene has hinted at her potential pursuit of higher offices. She mused about being part of President Trump's Cabinet if he secures victory and contemplated the role of vice president. Greene admitted that if asked, she would heavily consider being Trump's running mate. This presents a haunting realization: Marjorie Taylor Greene could wind up being just one heartbeat away from the U.S. presidency. Although Greene is indisputably one of the most devoted Trump loyalists in elected office, it’s worth noting that both Greene and Trump have a propensity to seize the spotlight and court attention, so Trump might be hesitant to select Greene as his running mate if it means that the media might give her more attention than they’d otherwise give him.
More on the show:
-- On the Show:
-- Donald Trump is still surging in 2024 Republican primary polling, while Ron DeSantis' campaign continues to fail, and Vivek Ramaswamy sees a modest increase to his level of support
-- 66-year-old southern California store owner Laura Ann Carleton was shot and killed by a man who objected to an LGBT pride flag that she displayed at her clothing store
-- A terrified Donald Trump backs out of all debates and cancels his own supposedly "blockbuster" press conference
-- When Donald Trump is arrested and booked in Georgia later this week, we will finally learn his real height and weight
-- 2024 Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy says that he would give Russian President Vladimir Putin parts of Ukraine, and then would visit him
-- A panicked. hunched-over Donald Trump gives a disgusting interview to Fox News' Larry Kudlow, who happens to be a former advisor to Trump
-- Donald Trump completely melts down on Truth Social days before his fourth arrest
-- 2024 presidential contender Cornel West owes more than $500,000 in taxes and child support
-- Voicemail caller attacks David for letting his "boyfriend" fill in for him during his recent vacation
-- On the Bonus Show: David's vacation, his trip to Spain, observations about Spanish culture, run-ins with very sick people, getting recognized by fans in Europe, and more
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Faron’s deconstruction of MTG is brilliant and hysterical !
My fantasy/my fear:
gust 2033
I was 76 years old in 2023. I still remember the date I became most afraid for our beloved wonderful country. It was the 15th of August, 2023.
I was listening to an MSNBC newscast with Rachel Maddow and Hillary Clinton. They were discussing the fourth indictment of Trump. During the discussion, they mention DeSantis who had removed two Democrats from their elected positions. The votes of the people no longer mattered. You may remember DeSantis. He became Trump’s lapdog for the next six years. I was surprised when Trump had him hung over a comment he did not like, but Trump has not aged well and has gotten more and more erratic. DeSantis’s removal of elected officials in 2023 really bothered me, but I thought that is Florida. I did not know the country would embrace what Florida was doing including restricting and limiting knowledge to their children. Ten year olds now do not know what a tremendously admired and respected country we had.
History has been completely rewritten and our current caste system restricts what nearly all people can do. Many have been added to the “untouchables level” at the whim of Trump.
In this frightening news cast, Rachel Maddow made mention of a law Republicans (now known as loyalists) had passed in Georgia. Rachel Maddow disappeared in 2025 when the military raided MSNBC and took over their broadcasting system. That is when the “Nightly Trump” broadcast was instituted and was strongly encouraged (required) to be tuned in and listened to.
Ms Maddow said the Georgia Republicans had passed a law which would allow them to remove elected officials, and it would take effect in 7-8 weeks.! Why would they do that?
Georgia was a STATE! If by some “miracle” Trump were elected president, he could change or eliminate the Department of Justice. He could also be pardoned for all of his multiple crimes which were prosecuted at the federal level. However, he could not be pardoned for prosecution at the state level. The facts were overwhelming. Unless the jury was well-threatened or extremely well-paid, he would definitely be found guilty of crimes of insurrection, fraud, and other methods to overturn the election results in Georgia and in the country. The 11,780 votes that Trump asked the Georgia Secretary of State to find and flip the state’s electors became a number etched in people’s heads. Despite Trump’s belief in his cult, Trump did not win in 2020 and he was still furious.
I was proud of Fani Willis and her courage! I even wrote her a letter telling her so. I believed her indictment and prosecution of Trump would help save our country and our democracy. Unfortunately, the law passed by the Republicans allowed them to remove Fani Willis and replace her with a more “understanding” prosecutor.
Things have gone downhill from that moment. The rich are even richer. I had to sell my home to survive and was put in half a room in a “nursing home.”
I can no longer afford health care. My kidney disease has progressed even more rapidly as I cannot eat what is best for my body any longer. I must eat the fare served here if I eat anything.
I could not afford to keep my 2002 Stratus, so I have no car.
There is no transportation to take me to shops that still exist, and the “home” takes all but $15 of my social security each month which was basically cut in half and is being phased out.
I know I most likely do not have much longer. I would like to write (darn censorship!) and let the young people know what it was like when we had our “Camelot!” instead of tyranny. I would love for them to develop hope and a dream for a better future. A dream where teachers could teach and workers could work! A dream of choices–choosing their own leader, their own professions, their own place to live, their own ways to raise their families, their own mates, their own vacation spots, their freedom to travel, and learning to find joys in life. A strong dream that will motivate them to learn and to reach for a better future beyond Trump and his minions with truth and real democracy!