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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCharles Pierce thinks its game over for ex-President Tubby and his family and accomplices.
Donald Trump Is Running Out of Scapegoats and EnablersCompanies want to survive, people want to keep their jobs, and few think it's worth going down for this guy.
By Charles P. Pierce
Feb 15, 2022
........
He may finally have run out of enablers, blind groupies, pliable bureaucrats, and general scapegoats. Companies want to survive. People want to keep their jobs. Nobody wants to pay whopping fines or risk jail time. Not for him. Not anymore. A collective decision is being made that in many ways, including on the balance sheets, the former president* is simply not worth it.
..........
MORE:
https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a39091753/trump-organization-mazars-accountants-unreliable-statements/
ificandream
(9,192 posts)Why should they stick up for him when he only gives a shit about himself and his crime family?
vlyons
(10,252 posts)His wife -- no way
His sons -- he knows they are rather stupid
His youngest daughter -- not pretty enough for him
His son in law Kushner -- no way
His daughter Ivanka -- he would sacrifice as a last resort, but he would throw her under the bus if need be
PatSeg
(46,773 posts)he would throw any of them under the bus without regret, even Ivanka. He only cares about himself........well, maybe Putin.
Bettie
(15,995 posts)throwing part first.
PatSeg
(46,773 posts)She is her father's daughter and she'll do what is best for Ivanka.
LoisB
(7,072 posts)jail if it means saving his own behind.
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,296 posts)lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)Each entity that falls brings down others.
JohnSJ
(91,937 posts)NCDem47
(2,236 posts)Trump gave no thought, whatsoever, about how running for President would bring scrutiny of his shady and, most likely, illegal business practices. In his sick mind, he has rationalized every lie, obfuscation and misdirect as simply being smarter than everyone else and that, in iteslf, is not a crime.
thucythucy
(7,983 posts)I think the whole campaign was designed to goose his brand and raise money from the rubes. After losing he'd do the right-wing media circuit and sell more of his crap, and no one would ever be the wiser.
Ligyron
(7,592 posts)Did you see the look on his face election night when he realized he had won? Not exactly one of joy and happiness.
Walleye
(30,697 posts)Alice Kramden
(2,157 posts)And he was dazed, incredulous, wandering around that stage on tv
SergeStorms
(18,880 posts)At the very end I think the prospect of being president really appealed to Big Orange. The power, the toadies, the Treasury opening right into his pockets.
Suddenly the stars aligned, and with Comey pulling the rug from beneath Hillary, there it was....the White House (shithole that it was without his gilded touch).
Donnie Darko never gave a single thought to the scrutiny the presidency brings. All he could taste was power, the ultimate power he'd so richly deserved. In his opinion anyway.
People started looking inside the Trump crime family though. He'd always been impervious to it in NYC, but this was a different ballgame. Donnie, once again, became the victim.
He's been crying crocodile tears ever since. No one has ever been fair to Donnie. His hard-scrabble youth, the mean streets of NYC always testing his strength and endurance. A self-made man. Yeah, right! 🤣
2Gingersnaps
(1,000 posts)LOL, you nailed it! World's greatest victim, through no fault of his own, ever.
sprinkleeninow
(20,132 posts)calimary
(80,693 posts)And I will NEVER forget it, either.
NOR will I forget the "excuse" when he admitted to an "oopsie" just a few days before Election Day, after that phony accusation against Hillary Clinton had been allowed to set and fester like an infected wound for DAYS. "Well, if I'd waited til after the Election, and something fraudulent HAD turned up, they woulda been all over me... "
Catherine Vincent
(34,485 posts)I'll never forget what this man did. Rethuglicans and Trumpers in their evil hearts just don't know (or do know and won't admit) if it wasn't for Comey, Trump a dump more than likely wouldn't have been in our WH.
SergeStorms
(18,880 posts)huh, calimary? I hear 'ya. I feel the exact same way. It will burn my ass until my dying day. What a sanctimonious asshole.
His "reasons" for what he did are as disingenuous as all of his other pious bullshit. He knew exactly what the effect of announcing that would be. He hated Hillary and never thought Trump would be so bad. Well, Mr. High and Mighty, you were completely wrong, and it may cost us our democracy because of your horrible decision.
calimary
(80,693 posts)I will NEVER trust Comey again.
greatbaldeagle
(157 posts)You have to remember, he made nearly $500 million dollars from his deal. Knowing what we know of him, there is no way in hell he would give that up just to be President. But the idiot blew that up with his "They're not sending their best", "they're bringing drugs, they're bringing crime, they're rapists" speech. Since he was never held accountable for his racist Birther lie (which he should have been), he thought he was at liberty to make those statements. His miscalculation was that to that point there was rarely a penalty for racism against African Americans by someone of his status. Not even towards the President. But you go further and eventually you step on a landmine. So instead of making more money by running and raising his profile, he lost all the money with his announcement speech. Only a loser like him could do that.
"Due to the recent derogatory statements by Donald Trump regarding immigrants, NBCUniversal is ending its business relationship with Mr. Trump," NBC said in a statement, adding, "At NBC, respect and dignity for all people are cornerstones of our values."
It was the only time in his life he actually made that kind of money. With that deal gone, he used the election to con people even more. To his surprise he won because even he didn't anticipate that this country had as many cruel, racist, self-destructive lunatics as we do. After he won, if he had only played golf and let everyone else handle the real job, there is no way he would be facing the scrutiny he is facing now. But he's a greedy, meddlesome, micro-managing, narcissistic psychopath, so he pissed off even more people, committed more crimes, and put an even larger target on his back. Now there is even more incentive to prosecute him, because we all experienced the four years of hoping and praying a nuclear war wouldn't start, and this is the only way short of him croaking that he'll be stopped. What a clown.
ProfessorGAC
(64,413 posts)That $500 million contract was incentive laden.
Even bad he kept his stupid mouth shut, it's doubtful he would have gotten all of it.
Also, at that point, debt payments were pushing $220 million per year in interest.
That Apprentice money wasn't even going to cover those interest payments.
greatbaldeagle
(157 posts)"President Trump made more than $427 million from "The Apprentice" and licensing deals related to the long-running NBC reality-TV show, the New York Times alleges in its latest report on his tax returns."
[link:https://www.axios.com/nyt-trump-made-427-million-from-nbc-apprentice-afe197ed-859e-4a64-afba-cecb061e0c63.html|
ProfessorGAC
(64,413 posts)We're using his tax returns as evidence? From a guy who won't release returns unless the information is favorable to him?
Not a credible root source.
Even if (!!!!) true, that still wouldn't cover interest plus principal. And the company's revenues were provably overstated from 2000-2017.
Then we saw the real revenues, which fell every year he was in office.
Sorry for my skepticism, but I get irritated by the very notion this guy actually knows how to make money, when 40 years of evidence suggest otherwise.
Skittles
(152,963 posts)it has to peel away SOME of his, er, "admirers"
Captain Zero
(6,712 posts)and he is always spewing that angle to them.
And they always fall for it because it makes him like them, victims.
It is a real deadly embrace with his folowers.
Hekate
(90,188 posts)pandr32
(11,446 posts)TFG wouldn't give a second of his precious time for anyone else. It was all bullshit all the time.
Tetrachloride
(7,721 posts)Joinfortmill
(14,229 posts)awesomerwb1
(4,256 posts)he has a cult following and they're everywhere.
Not gonna hold my breath but man, I really hope he rots in jail or dies pennyless.
wnylib
(21,146 posts)his family and some members of his closest circle of evil.
But the danger of what he started will not end with his downfall. Someone else will pick up the Trump torch and his groupies will gather around their new fuhrer. The new fuhrer might use other terminology, but will have the same racist, anti government, anti democracy "values."
The fight for democracy is not over, but Trump's downfall will be a successful battle along the way.
groundloop
(11,486 posts)I have no shame in saying that the Jan. 6 commission should use their bully pulpit for maximum political advantage. We're fucked if we can't get some meaningful voting rights legislation passed, and it's certainly not going to happen with two DINOs mucking up the works in the Senate. 45*'s dangerous rhetoric gave right wing nut jobs the cover they needed to crawl out from under their rocks, they're all around us just waiting for another chance to overthrow our government. We need to improve our majorities in the House and Senate to ensure that the next insurrection isn't successful.
wnylib
(21,146 posts)none of the fascists are left standing in the political arena and they crawl back under their rocks.
Lonestarblue
(9,874 posts)Two that have the authoritarian mindset that come to mind are Josh Hawley and Tom Cotton. Cruz might once have been on that list, but he has made a fool of himself too many times. Hawley and Cotton are dangerous for different reasons. Hawley is part of the Christian Nationalists who want to rule the US as a theocracy. The only people who would have rights under his rule would be extremist white evangelicals who also are mostly also white supremacists.
Cotton is a wannabe dictator, willing to use the military to control a domestic agenda of squashing protests by minorities for rights and equality, as he clearly wrote in a NYT opinion piece a couple of years ago. Using the military to preserve personal power is a long-time tactic of dictators.
DeSantis is a wild card at this point. I find him to be an idiot, but he has the flamboyance and lying that right-wing voters love. He would be another Trumpclueless about how to govern effectively on anything but culture wars domestically and a baboon on the world stage.
While Abbott would love to be president, he has the personality of a plain rock; i.e., none. Hes willing to lie right along with the rest of the Republicans, but I dont see him gaining a lot of support nationally. He has Texas wrapped up because hes in the pockets of the fossil fuel industry here.
Who have I left out of the rogue's gallery of those who want to out-Trump Trump?
wnylib
(21,146 posts)We need to keep on fighting.
NJCher
(35,421 posts)there's something about this crude idiot that excites these other crude idiots and no one else can capture that. It's an emotional thing, not a logical framework or idealogy.
Seriously, do you see this type of moron:
rallying around Josh Hawley?
DeSantis?
No.
That's why it's a cult. No one else can make it a cult, only trump.
That's why on television you saw this woman exclaiming "you can't take away our Trumpy Bear."
wnylib
(21,146 posts)is not likely to be replaced. But his fascism and anti government ideas are out in the open now and embraced by the Republican party. They are normalized enough now that a charismatic populist is no longer necessary to follow through on them.
NJCher
(35,421 posts)Last edited Thu Feb 17, 2022, 02:15 AM - Edit history (1)
because they have no other obvious option for capturing votes.
However, trump and fascism will not be the blueprint. It will go down hard and fast as soon as trump, his family, and his associates start getting indicted. That is happening fast as Tish James' strategy of tricking trump into losing it last night resulted in his most damning documents.
They will keep some trajectories, such as destroying the voting laws, however, many of these will be mitigated through the courts.
McConnell is formulating a strategy away from the crazies, as hard as it may seem. If it were an obvious path, we would guess it.
wnylib
(21,146 posts)will be defeated that easily. It has some wealthy backers.
NJCher
(35,421 posts)If you look at the polling results for questions on tightening voting procedures, there is not much difference between republicans and democrats. The only way that deal flies is if the big lie is carried on. Now with trump quite possibly going bankrupt and the pushback he is getting from McConnell, who will sell it?
You can have deep pockets but if there is no means to sell these fascist policies, how will they get through?
wnylib
(21,146 posts)By wealthy backers funding state and Congressional candidates who support them. If we can keep Republicans from getting control of the House and Senate, we can defeat them. Not impossible, but we have to work at it and not get lax when Trump goes down.
3catwoman3
(23,812 posts)I just want him gone. A nice quick fatal heart attack or stroke, preferably out in public while golfing so it could be seen. And, followed by an autopsy that would show no evidence of foul play so his drooling worshippers could not claim he had been poisoned or whatever.
flying_wahini
(6,513 posts)Blathering about how stupid his followers have been
Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)Believe it when I see it.
L. Coyote
(51,129 posts)The alteration in the discourse is obvious, a full blown coup is no longer considered a conjecture.
Link to tweet
Link to tweet
Link to tweet
BootinUp
(46,924 posts)Listening to Joyce Vance and Barbara McQuade, they keep saying we don't know his intent.
Wow, what do they need another semi load of information to show intent?
How many laws does Trump need to violate to prove to these lawyers his intent?
leftieNanner
(14,997 posts)Apparently, he made a lot of notes on various documents that are clearly his. This may help. I certainly hope so!
happy feet
(856 posts)Name on person who doesn't know his intent. He says it out loud!
mucifer
(23,367 posts)PoindexterOglethorpe
(25,746 posts)Pierce is about the millionth person to make such a prediction, and yet Trump, his family, and all his enablers are still free. I'll believe it when the indictments, arrrests, trials, and jail time happen.
moonscape
(4,664 posts)mostly to protect myself from yet more disappointment and disgust.
BannonsLiver
(16,161 posts)Notek
(478 posts)TFG has some serious shit on those who have decided to go down with the ship, as it were. Their only hope is that he survives the storm.
malaise
(267,784 posts)Take that to the bank
thucythucy
(7,983 posts)Last I heard they won't touch anything to do with You Know Coup.
malaise
(267,784 posts)DUzy!
I_UndergroundPanther
(12,450 posts)You know coup..heh🤣
sprinkleeninow
(20,132 posts)multigraincracker
(32,522 posts)that it happens before the midterms.
In the mean time we have to work on one thing and only one thing
.GOTV.
Im going to have to cut back on some spending and I will to donate to this cause.
Now where is the best place to donate?
LiberalFighter
(50,477 posts)This is what they should say. Referring to TFG as a dead subject.
Senator Pat Harrison of Mississippi made the statement in 1935 regarding Herbert Hoover.
TeamProg
(5,785 posts)We hope!
I can't believe that I have such a strong desire for BAD THINGS to happen to a person.
But TFG is a murderer, a thief, a cheat, a Democracy destroying wanna-be dictator, a fraudster and outright grifter of We The People.
malaise
(267,784 posts)hehehehhe
Ziggysmom
(3,374 posts)thinking about how all of this stresses him out. He hates negative press; it must be driving him nuts. I may overdose on schadenfreude.
Thunderbeast
(3,377 posts)The Department of Justice will have the political cover they hoped for to close in for the kill.
The big question is how soon the redhats will capitulate.
SoonerPride
(12,286 posts)I gave up hope when the Mueller thing fizzled into nothingness.
Let me know when an actual trial starts.
Until then it is just blather.
bullwinkle428
(20,626 posts)a day behind bars, but I guess I'll be ultimately satisfied if he achieves a status of permanent irrelevance.
tavernier
(12,322 posts)But I think some of the family will, probably Jr and Kushner. But next republican pres will pardon them all.
So
We cant let that happen.
SoonerPride
(12,286 posts)KS Toronado
(16,900 posts)anyone down the toilet who's been "mean to me" ? Or will he call on Putin to do his dirty work?
Johnny2X2X
(18,731 posts)The Accounting firm leaving will mean more delays, have to allow our new accountants 12 months to get a handle on things, then another delay.
Evolve Dammit
(16,632 posts)ECL213
(203 posts)and they know this guy would do anything to save his ass, and they know he can't keep his mouth shut to save his life, what do you think is going to happen?
LastLiberal in PalmSprings
(12,536 posts)Leaving the country may be the only choice TFG has to avoid prison. I wonder if Scotland and Ireland have extradition agreements with the U.S.?
Since he no longer has use for him, his BFF Putin is going to be, "Donald who? Never heard of him."
Wednesdays
(17,244 posts)Scotland (part of the UK) and Ireland both have extradition treaties with the USA, so he wouldn't go there.
On the other hand, Russia, China, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, and UAE don't have such treaties. Russia, China, and North Korea carry big risks for him, so my money is on Saudi Arabia or UAE.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_extradition_treaties
LastLiberal in PalmSprings
(12,536 posts)Also, the Saudis cut the hands off people who steal, and he can't play a round of golf without cheating.
AngryOldDem
(14,061 posts)Hoping hell find out what loyalty is really soon. What goes around comes around.
calimary
(80,693 posts)Its that old self-preservation instinct in many people: NOBODY wants to admit they were wrong, much less that theyve been willingly and royally HAD.
Sadly enough, I expect therell be many who will go down with the ship insisting their reality was the actual reality. That they were right to begin with and the REAL savior is trump and hes arrived to save his true-believer supporters and wreak vengeance upon all the doubters and deniers and non-believers and non-supporters (that they themselves despise).
Theyre heavily invested in this, ever since they discovered a big booming orange mouth sales-pitching the exact thoughts they held close and dear, but hadnt ever had validated because this salesman was shilling lies and more lies and more lies. Unfortunately all hes done is reinforce and exploit their resentments and yearnings in the face of the facts that just dont fit or reinforce their cockamamie worldview.
Seems to me, anyway, after a long time spent observing that bunch.
oldsoftie
(12,409 posts)He's made millions and millions since leaving office. All from his idiot followers.
SpankMe
(2,937 posts)Sure, banks and accounting firms, lawyers and commercial entities - and a few - very few - GOP politicians are starting to part ways with Orange Asshole®. But he still has crazed voters on his side who have enough heft at the ballot box (with all of the voter suppression laws that have been passed) to put him in office again.
I won't be satisfied until I see TFG in an orange jumpsuit. I'll be glad to cope with the civil unrest this would likely cause on the right because: fuck them.
Anyone who reads my posts are sick of hearing it, but voter turnout is the biggest factor in all this. That's why the GOP has focused on voter suppression so much in the last couple of years. I've pointed out that 87 million eligible voters didn't vote in 2020, many for absolutely bullshit reasons (there's no 'perfect' candidate; my one vote won't make a difference; Orange Asshole® can't possibly win; I don't vote on principle; etc., etc.). If a fraction of that 87 million in battleground states had voted for Biden, the vote wouldn't have been close enough for conservative assholes to cry about voter/election fraud.
Ever since Hillary's loss many on this board and in Democratic circles have counted chickens before they're hatched. This causes complacency and leads to surprise losses.
That's why we have Youngkin as the governor in VA. If it's not a presidential election, a lot of lower-income people who do show up every four years don't bother in between. ((After all, would you expect someone to walk a half-mile from the bus stop to the school to vote in a "nothingburger" race, then walk another half-mile to the garden apartment home; versus taking a bus directly home??))
((I worked the polls for the county for years until COVID hit. If it wasn't a presidential election, there MIGHT be 20 voters on Election Day from garden-apartment land in the precinct, sometimes less.))
By contrast, if someone is able to afford a house or a ritzy condo, they generally own cars, which IMO makes it much easier to arrive at the school and vote.
This is why if a poll says the Democrat is leading the Repug by so many points, I add 5 points to the Repug total, so if the Democrat polls 5 points ahead, I treat it as a tie.
I_UndergroundPanther
(12,450 posts)Serious investments in public transport to network it from coast to coast and have it run often and on time and 24 hours. And be convenient to get to without cars.
People I know as well as myself become very anxious riding the bus,scared of being stranded.
And people do work night and evening shifts and they need to get to work and back home.
nitpicker
(7,153 posts)How we all hung on the Mueller report...
And the trials of Flynn et al...
And the first impeachment...
And the recoil after 6 January...
And the second impeachment...
I'm not holding my breath anymore.
Blue Owl
(49,902 posts)I_UndergroundPanther
(12,450 posts)Narcissists are nobody's freind~ever.
They fail at being human beings,lacking empathy which makes humanity,humane.
Time to stop tolerating predatory assholes.
monkeyman1
(5,109 posts)scarytomcat
(1,706 posts)nobody has ever had this many lawsuits against them. I count 14 or 15 separate cases with multiple (up to ten or more) counts per investigation. This not normal. So what do the ones left in his camp do... they attack the one person they always attack, HRC to create a diversion. Who once again has done nothing wrong.
sarcasmo
(23,968 posts)Bucky
(53,786 posts)You tell the objective truth with this crowd... and you're dead to them