President Trump’s second term has been characterized by a “fuck you, pay me” approach, leveraging intimidation to extract payments from corporations, universities, and even Congress. This strategy, detailed in a recent *Time* magazine cover story, has yielded millions for Trump’s presidential library fund and silenced many critics through fear of retaliation. While some institutions, like Harvard, have resisted, widespread capitulation has allowed Trump to consolidate power despite historically low approval ratings. This behavior mirrors that of notorious mob bosses, raising concerns about a trajectory towards autocracy.
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PublicSquare, a website promoting businesses aligned with Donald Trump’s ideology, has ironically become a tool for boycotts. A Reddit user, leveraging his knowledge of the site gained from prior employment, shared information about PublicSquare, enabling users to identify and avoid businesses supporting Trump. This strategy quickly gained traction across various online platforms, with users utilizing PublicSquare to inform their purchasing decisions, highlighting the power of consumer activism. The unintended consequence has seen PublicSquare’s stock price plummet, though a direct causal link remains unconfirmed.
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Contrary to President Trump’s recent claim that his promise to end the Russia-Ukraine war on “day one” was a joke, a review of his public statements reveals at least 53 instances where he seriously asserted he would resolve the conflict within 24 hours of taking office or even sooner. These comments, made across numerous rallies and interviews in 2023 and 2024, presented a swift resolution to the war as a central element of his presidential platform. He consistently justified this claim by citing his supposed credibility, peacemaking abilities, and relationships with both Putin and Zelensky. This contradicts his later assertion that the statement was made “in jest.”
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Former US President Donald Trump disregarded the official dress code at Pope Francis’s funeral, wearing a blue suit instead of the required black attire, unlike other attendees such as President Biden who wore a darker blue suit. This choice drew significant criticism on social media, with many deeming it disrespectful. In contrast, Ukrainian President Zelensky, wearing military attire, and UK Prime Minister Starmer, in black, adhered to varying interpretations of the dress code. Trump’s early departure from the ceremony further fueled controversy.
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At Pope Francis’s funeral, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re’s eulogy implicitly rebuked Donald Trump’s border wall policy, echoing the late Pope’s strong opposition to such barriers. This posthumous criticism highlighted the long-standing tension between Trump and Francis, marked by public disagreements over immigration and other policies. Trump’s presence at the funeral, amidst intense lobbying from European leaders, led to a meeting with Zelensky, raising hopes for a breakthrough in the Ukraine conflict. The White House announced a planned follow-up meeting between Trump and Zelensky, further suggesting potential diplomatic progress.
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Trump’s actions, including defying court orders and targeting universities, demonstrate a pattern of lawlessness deeply concerning to independent voters. This disregard for due process and the rule of law, exemplified by instances like the rendition of individuals to foreign prisons and the mistreatment of migrants, is a key factor driving independents away from him. Such arbitrary abuses of power undermine fundamental fairness and the principle of equal treatment under the law. The perception of these actions as totalitarian and sadistic further fuels this negative sentiment.
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In a recent TIME interview, President Trump claimed to have brokered 200 trade deals, despite none being publicly announced. He attributed the lack of announcements to the ongoing nature of negotiations, while simultaneously misrepresenting the U.S. trade deficit. Furthermore, the interview revealed conflicting statements regarding the Supreme Court’s order to return a wrongfully deported man, with Trump claiming his lawyers interpreted the order differently and denying direct involvement. The president also reiterated unsubstantiated claims about inflation and illegal immigration. These statements, made during the first 100 days of his second term, highlight continued policy inconsistencies and factual inaccuracies.
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Former President Trump’s newly announced $Trump meme coin has sparked controversy, with significant investment pouring in following the promise of an exclusive dinner for top buyers. Millions of dollars have been invested in the cryptocurrency, with the identities of major investors remaining anonymous. This fundraising scheme, launched shortly before Trump’s inauguration, has been criticized as the “most brazenly corrupt thing a President has ever done” by Senator Chris Murphy. The coin’s value, initially high, plummeted after its initial surge.
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Boris Johnson sharply criticized Donald Trump’s proposed Ukraine peace deal, arguing that it would offer Ukraine no meaningful concessions. The plan, which reportedly includes recognizing Russia’s annexation of Crimea and lifting sanctions, would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future Russian aggression. Johnson contrasted this with Ukraine’s significant sacrifices in resisting the invasion, emphasizing the need for long-term security guarantees from Western allies. He concluded that Trump’s proposal lacks a mechanism to prevent further Russian attacks.
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Since his inauguration, President Trump has mentioned Joe Biden, his family, or administration over 580 times, averaging more than six mentions daily. This frequent mention surpasses even Biden’s references to Trump during his own first 100 days in office. Analysis reveals Trump uses Biden’s name more than “America” in his early statements, employing this frequent mention across various settings, from formal speeches to casual remarks. Trump’s administration, including Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, mirrors this pattern, fueling debate over whether this is obsession or strategic political maneuvering.
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John Q. Hosedrinker