Donald Trump the Megathread part II - mod warnings in OP, Updated 18/03/25

MrMusician18

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123150987#Comment_123150987

Presumably it's because it confers an advantage not based on merit but immutable characteristics.

Leroy42

When the bar is so low, and everyone has been conditioned to accept lies and 'alternative facts' then performance becomes all that matters.

And whatever one thinks of Trump he is great at the performance.

He hasn't reduced grocery prices. He hasn't stopped the Ukraine war. So even though a majority accept that he hasn't done what he promised to do then they say they are happy that he has done what he promised to do.

A perfect example of why Trump continues to be popular

A Dub in Glasgo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123152570#Comment_123152570

A bullshitter is still a bullshitter no matter how happy the people are to accept bullshit

Strazdas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123152621#Comment_123152621

But the point defenders of the idea would make is that those it refers to are coming from a position of disadvantage i.e. women, gay people, ethnic minorities, immigrants, religious minorities, people from deprived areas etc. If you're white, middle class and male, you already have a load of built in advantages in life and are ahead of everyone else.

MrMusician18

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123152785#Comment_123152785

That can be true too, but the individuals that the policy hurts didn't create that disadvantage. Rather than actually fostering equality, it could be considered to be making the current generation pay for the sins of the past.

Equality movements aren't often really actually about equality at all. Suggest for example that maternity leave should be available to be passed to the father for example is met with resistance.

Sometimes it can be more about getting an advantage for your own group in reality

ancapailldorcha

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123152626#Comment_123152626

There are promises and there are promises though. The tacit promise between Trump and the MAGA masses is that he'll torment the people they hate in return for unwavering support. They don't care about eggs, Ukraine, the Gulf of Mexico or any of that nonsense. They just want to bully certain groups but are too weak and pathetic to do it themselves. Truly the master race.

donaghs

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123152785#Comment_123152785

Interestingly, Class rarely comes into these corporate DEI programs - although it’s the one clear obstacle to getting hired. Which is a criticism of “woke capitalism” generally. The focus away from Class and wealth inequality toward skin colour and gender/sexuality allow companies to say look we hired “x” more of these groups (albeit middle class graduates also) - while actually doing nothing to address the main societal issue of wealth inequality and Class divides.

Glaceon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123151047#Comment_123151047

I've been to a Pittsburgh Steelers game at Heinz Field (when it was still called that). It's a very different experience when you're there in person. I find myself getting distracted and disconnected when watching it on television. But when you're there, you can still take in the atmosphere even when the ball isn't in play.

A Dub in Glasgo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123153035#Comment_123153035

Sunk cost fallacy

Glaceon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123153108#Comment_123153108

Not sure what you mean by that. My wife is from Pittsburgh so of course I'm going to find myself doing American things!

threeball

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123152570#Comment_123152570

It's been proven beyond doubt that Americans are thick as sh!t so to see them double down on the orange felon is hardly surprising. American exceptionalism extends only to how low they can push their average IQ nationally

Mod Edit: Warned for ignoring mod instruction

lawred2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123153233#Comment_123153233

What a patently ridiculous comment.

InAtFullBack

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123147546#Comment_123147546

This is pretty damning. No wonder trust in the media is pretty much on the floor.

The same codology is going on in Irish and EU media also -

European Parliament proud to grant over half a million Euro to Irish civil society and media organisations | News & Press | European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland

TheJournal.ie benefitted to the tune of €350,000.

Journal Media was awarded €350,000. TheJournal.ie's project will create a space for Irish news consumers to learn more about topics which impact their lives, understand where to seek facts and trustworthy news out and become equipped to pass on the information and those skills to others in their networks.

TheJournal.ie Editor Sinéad O'Carroll said, "This will be an impactful collaboration with our readers. Together, we will identify challenges facing our country, our democracy and our place in the EU and wider world. Our journalists will interrogate all aspects of those key issues, with their findings becoming central to the ongoing conversations with the audience.”

The European Parliament is looking forward to supporting these organisations throughout the duration of their respective projects. The awards are subject to the signing of the grant agreement between the recipients and the EP.

No Journal.ie article is ever going to criticise any EU policy following that award of cash. No mention ever of how the EU's Marginal Pricing Policy when it comes to electricity prices in particular is hammering EU customers (acutely Irish and German consumers). It's effectively buying silence from the media.

No wonder the MSM hate Trump. The MSM is living in the past and think they still should be the gatekeepers (only) to information that gets to the public. Trump berates the media for their entitled and old hat outlook. Irish Government meanwhile are examining ways to widen the TV licence payout to cover Newspapers (Traditional MSM) and even supposed independent media (Virgin Media) to ensure that the NUJ and it's members (regardless of where they are employed) are grant funded to keep pumping one-sided and biased reporting.

Frank Bullitt

https://www.thestar.com/business/trump-will-formally-announce-steel-and-aluminum-duties-monday-including-on-canada/article_4af03216-5d6c-55bf-9c70-b8e88e947640.html

Trump reiterates his desire for Canada to be the 51st state.

For those that say he is joking, jokes have punchlines…

Wolf359f

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123153363#Comment_123153363

“It’s too much. Why are we paying $200 billion a year essentially in subsidy to Canada? Now, if they’re a 51st state I don’t mind doing it.”

I think he is the punchline coming up with ludicrous figures. The steel tariffs will affect target Canada, Mexico & Brazil, I wonder if they will retaliate. I know the EU has until March to reinstate the tariff on US whiskey at 50% in retaliation to the previous tariffs on steel & aluminum. I'm thinking the Buy Canada trend will keep gaining popularity in Canada.

MrMusician18

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123153363#Comment_123153363

The 51st state is a bit of a distraction but I could see the US attempt to Belarusify it's neighbours.

Great powers have always had client States

Frank Bullitt

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123153400#Comment_123153400

You’re probably right, if it’s done anything it’s united Canada more and is killing the lead the conservatives had in the polls over here. So it’s not all bad.

banie01

The man is an uncouth, loudmouth, blowhard. His latest act of distractive prickery.

https://www.the-express.com/news/us-news/163136/donald-trump-gulf-of-america

https://www.the-express.com/news/us-news/163136/donald-trump-gulf-of-america

One potential bright spot due to the rise of Trump's 51st state bollox? Is that Poilievre and the Canadian conservatives are starting to feel the backlash.

The downside of that backlash, is IMHO the rise in jingoistic nationalism and the impact that has on diplomacy, trade and the day to day lives of people and particularly immigrant communities.

MrMusician18

During the week I noticed a two opinion pieces in the Irish media on the Trump presidency and the decisions it's taken. Paraphrasing here but one remarked along the lines that that the anti-woke push back was inevitable because it had gone too far. The other was on USAID, and that it's spending included programmes that were unjustifiable.

One would have to wonder about Irish journalism on why they couldn't say those things a couple of months ago.

Wolf359f

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123153471#Comment_123153471

Well as you state, they were only opinion pieces.
On the USAID, why was it ok under Trump's first term, but not now? I mean his own daughter championed it FFS.

Tell me how

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123153471#Comment_123153471

anti-woke push back was inevitable because it had gone too far

What do you think they mean by this? Can you give concrete examples of woke going too far in say, the last 12 months? in America or Ireland given the article was in in the Irish media.

Because all I've seen with the anti-woke narrative is agenda pushing by incel-type conservatives abhorred at the thoughts that straight white male english speaking views aren't the forefront of every conversation.

extra gravy

Booed at the Superbowl, his favourite team trounced and a half time show full of black men...not a good night for the racist halfwit.

Mod Edit: Warned for ignoring mod instruction

Frank Bullitt

So much for the putting off of tariffs for 30 days. Trust in American politics and discourse is totally broken for the world to see.

The Buy Canadian movement is really picking up here as well in Canada. I hope it continues as well.

Frank Bullitt

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123152570#Comment_123152570

Now that’s mad, a CBS poll. Why is that mad, you say?

https://deadline.com/2025/02/trump-cbs-60-minutes-lawsuit-1236282589/

Nothing to see here at all.

ceadaoin.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123153729#Comment_123153729

He wasn't booed though, he was cheered. Unless you're getting him mixed up with Taylor swift?

https://twitter.com/Outkick/status/1888733796863766745

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/taylor-swift-booed-eagles-super-bowl-trump-b2695121.html

"Taylor Swift booed by Eagles fans at Super Bowl – while Trump is cheered"

everlast75

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123153775#Comment_123153775

I understand Trump shared a video of Taylor being booed.

Wherever you think you have seen the most petty and petulant example from him, he goes even lower.

What a sad, sad man.

Detritus70

99% of what we hear in the media and what his bots are pushing online, be that Superbowl, tariffs, war against woke, the casual racism, transphobia, homophobia, North Korean style propaganda about Dear Leader, all that is the distraction. It's just a sideshow. It's the accomplice clowning around in front of you whilst the pickpocket is stealing your wallet.
What almost nobody is talking about is the real issue, and that is Musk as an unelected migrant having access to the inner workings of government in the US and keeping himself busy dismantling it from within, stealing people's data and cutting vulnerable people off from their financial support.
The courts are still able to stop him, but Musk and Vance (fighting hard to stay relevant) are calling for defiance against court orders and what will happen when that happens?
This YouTuber points out that this could trigger a constitutional crisis and I think he has a point. And my guess is that this is the goal. To see if they can break the government.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqNlrinddCA

extra gravy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123153775#Comment_123153775

They were both booed and both cheered, which makes his social media post about her even more pathetic.

Field east

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123152570#Comment_123152570

one thing is to carry out actions . What has yet to happen the impact of these actions which will be experienced as time marches on . A survey then might throw up very different figures

Oscar_Madison

We can start to see some more detail on Trumps stance on Gaza- he’s still adamant on owning it- but allowing other nations to build on it in certain parts (presumably not on the seafront) and definitely doesn’t want Hamas back.

So slightly diluted from his opening statement - for any country, if they’re committed to rebuilding Gaza , they won’t want a threat of war - so Hamas or whatever other military wing will need to stand down I would imagine - which means very clear peace talks and a rock solid agreement - again, taking Northern Ireland as the historical case study, not at all easy to achieve. And of course a strong likelihood of a breakaway faction of extremists emerging .

This is not going to be sorted under the next 3 American presidents no less Trumps tenure

“Separately, Mr Trump said he is committed to buying and owning Gaza, but could allow sections of the war-ravaged land to be rebuilt by other states in the Middle East.“

https://www.rte.ie/news/us/2025/0210/1495718-us-politics/