By John Q. Hosedrinker 
In a Christmas Eve rant, former President Donald Trump threatened to terminate the broadcast licenses of television networks critical of him and his allies. Trump’s ire was fueled by perceived negative coverage, including a decision by CBS to pull a “60 Minutes” story. He also targeted late-night hosts like Stephen Colbert, demanding his show be removed from the air. This outburst follows similar threats and actions against media figures, reflecting Trump’s ongoing criticism of what he views as unfair media coverage.
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Trump, 79, Delivers Deranged Threat to TV Networks in Yuletide Meltdown – That’s the headline, and frankly, it feels like we’ve seen this movie before. The Christmas season, it seems, has become a trigger for a particularly volatile mix of grievances and threats from the former president. It’s almost as if the festive cheer grates against his perpetually aggrieved spirit, and the result is a public display that veers between the bizarre and the genuinely alarming.
The core of this “Yuletide Meltdown” centers on the television networks. They’re painted as the enemy, the purveyors of “fake news,” and the primary obstacle to his supposed greatness. He’s reportedly delivering threats, promising retribution for any perceived slights or unfavorable coverage. It’s the classic bully tactic – trying to silence criticism by intimidation. He wants them to report his achievements “accurately,” a term that translates to “presenting events in a way that aligns with his version of reality,” no matter how far-fetched.
The language used is telling. Phrases like “licenses must be ‘pulled’,” suggest a desire for control and a willingness to abuse the power he once held. It’s a throwback to his time in office, a period marked by attacks on the media and attempts to undermine the institutions that hold him accountable. The insistence on his accomplishments, even the clearly fabricated ones, reveals a desperate need for validation. The constant barrage of self-praise feels increasingly detached from reality, a symptom of a mind struggling to reconcile its self-image with the world around it.
There’s also a deeply personal edge to these outbursts. The constant references to the “War on Christmas,” a manufactured narrative designed to stoke outrage among his base, underscores a sense of persecution. He portrays himself as a victim, fighting against forces that are supposedly trying to destroy America. This victimhood narrative is a cornerstone of his political strategy, a way to rally his supporters and deflect attention from his own misdeeds.
A key element in understanding his current state, and increasingly so, is the speculation around his cognitive abilities. The potential diagnosis of Frontotemporal Dementia, if accurate, paints a disturbing picture. According to the insights shared, this form of dementia leads to “confabulation,” the creation of false memories to fill gaps in knowledge, and a diminished capacity for empathy. The former, if true, might explain his penchant for making things up on the spot and believing them. The latter, to the extent he had any empathy to begin with, would help explain the often callous and cruel nature of his pronouncements.
The fact that his “announcements” seem to have so little impact is another sign of his diminishing influence. His attempts to grab headlines, by making claims, offering false promises, and issuing threats, are increasingly falling flat. The media, and the public, seem to have grown weary of his antics. The “big announcement” about military checks, for example, failed to gain any traction because it was seen as a blatant lie. He is a man running out of tricks.
The response from the public, and frankly the tone, is one of increasing concern, and rightly so. The calls for invoking the 25th Amendment, getting him into a nursing home or, even more appropriately, a jail cell, reflect a growing sense of alarm. The question of whether he is fit to hold any position, given his behavior, looms large. The potential for him to further undermine the democratic process, or even create a political crisis, is a very real possibility.
The whole situation also highlights a deeper, more troubling issue. The rise of Trump, and the fervent support he still enjoys from his base, reveals the darker currents running through American society. The obsession with capitalism, the “me-first” attitude, the willingness to embrace propaganda – these are the factors that have allowed him to gain and maintain power. His “shameful legacy” is as much a reflection of America’s problems as it is of his own.
The mention of Stephen Colbert, the ongoing threat against him, which certainly sounds like a death threat, and other figures, is particularly concerning. The former president’s attacks on individuals, his willingness to use his platform to incite violence, reflects a dangerous disregard for the norms of civil discourse. It’s a reminder that even after all this time, he continues to pose a threat to those who dare to criticize him.
And of course, we can’t forget the context of the holidays. The juxtaposition of his rage and the spirit of Christmas makes it all the more disturbing. The contrast between the message of peace and goodwill, and his own vitriol and threats, is a stark reminder of the moral and political crisis that continues to plague the nation. The fact that this is all happening at a time when people should be celebrating with their families, only adds to the sense of unease.
So, here we are, facing another chapter in the saga of Trump’s increasingly erratic behavior. The threats, the distortions, and the general air of unhinged fury are becoming a norm, the price we pay for the MAGA cult. The key question is whether the country can weather this storm, and whether the institutions that are supposed to protect us can withstand his onslaught.