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

Oscar_Madison

Watching documentary on BBC right now on the Balkans - Kosovo is still being rebuilt- but a lot of money has come from Turkey and Saudi Arabia - a lot of mosques naturally enough - but with these brought forth a lot of radicalised men who went on to fight for ISIS- and it’s still happening today. The “fight” for influence in this region by foreign powers.

Then you look at Trump and his stance on the future of Gaza- essentially no Palestinians allowed. There’s similarities here- just different actors that’s all -This is a battle for territory, for land, for position, for influence and protecting interests- Americas own.

China is doing it in Africa albeit in a less overt way - Russia in Ukraine.

This isn’t about Trump per se- it’s about the world super powers playing their chess games - we’re not used to America playing these games so close to home and of course adopting their very radical stance on such a protected position that is Gaza and the Palestinian people.

It’s a new game - but we’re likely going to have to get used to it - not just Gaza situation but many other aspects - climate, trade, support- all of these things will have a price- we will likely either not be able to afford the asking price or will have to concede something of value to us in order to still receive what we need.

Chinas interests in Serbia mount to approx 20 billion dollars- it relies on Russia for gas and has some European aid too - but China now has huge influence in Serbia - it’s very strategic so will continue to be pulled and dragged between the 3 superpowers

Expect America to start acting like Russia, China and others known for taking what they want- and it’s not “Trump” per se- this really is MAGA in action - forget about the America you once knew- if/when America takes victories and sees benefits for themselves in the months ahead with such an approach to the rest of the world, the American people will follow - not all of them, but enough - and both Reps and Dems-to ensure we’re writing and living a completely new chapter in world history

briany

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123156747#Comment_123156747

It shows the supreme confidence Steve Bannon has in flooding the zone that he's been able to do several public interviews that lay out the tactic as plain as day and yet it still works as well as the first day it was employed.

Even while pundits in the media say that he's trying to distract everyone and then in the next breath go, "…and this just in, Trump wants Canada to become the 51st state!"

The problem is that even if there are some journalists doing good reporting on what Trump and Musk are actually doing, they just get drowned out by the louder voices who crow about Trump's insane pronouncement of the day.

trashcan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123157139#Comment_123157139

The thing is, it’s highly arguable that The good old US of A has always played these games - certainly post WW2 anyway. This new breed are just more overt about it, and in Trump they’ve stumbled upon someone who can (somehow) bring millions along with him. I honestly don’t think he has an ideological bone in his body. He likes the power and personal enrichment, the validation of winning, and the adoration of his crowd. See how easily Harris got under his skin at the debate when she claimed his crowds were falling. This is where he lives. The mundane day to day Government business he’s happy to leave to the likes of Musk. Some are suggesting that fall out between them is inevitable, and that Donnie will be upset by Musk seeming to usurp him, and that’s undoubtedly true, but if push does come to shove, is he going to ditch Musk, who holds the purse strings and could be a very bad enemy for Trump if they were to split.

looksee

The way Trump talks about Gaza gives a lot away about how he thinks. He talks about the US taking over Gaza, which is bad enough in itself, but when he said 'I am committed to buying and owning Gaza' it was very debateable whether he meant he himself or 'I' as president. I am not sure that he knows.

Other countries will be allowed to do development - does that mean they will own bits of it or is the US going to become a landlord/estate agent, or what? He has not given any of it any thought beyoned 'mine' and 'build resorts' and 'make money'. None of it is going to happen, it cannot happen, the logistics are impossible for a start, before you even get to morality, but he is having a little daydream for himself, who cares how much international damage he does to the US, he has his fantasy.

joseywhales

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123157299#Comment_123157299

The funny thing is, he is terrible at building resorts and making money from them.

Irish Aris

Mod note:

Good evening everyone.

I have deleted approximately a dozen post that were a result of a post earlier in the thread that has since been modified/edited. Most of them were off topic and people sniping at each other.

Back on topic please and keep it civil.

Thank you.

MrMusician18

I see the it's being reported that DJTs approval ratings have increased since inauguration.

Just shows the massive disconnect between online and real life as well as the US and the rest of the western world

Cookie_Monster

Denmark launches bid to buy california, lol

https://www.stuff.co.nz/world-news/360576846/denmark-launches-bid-buy-california-response-trumps-greenland-plans

RickBlaine

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123155705#Comment_123155705

I saw a post on Twitter a few days ago saying that there is no country in the world with a two party system that could function normally when the head of one of those parties is treated like a cult leader especially by his own party.

Frank Bullitt

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123157499#Comment_123157499

And can you link that here so the rest of us can see it?

drunkmonkey

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123157599#Comment_123157599

it was headline news on a few US news outlets yesterday, cbs, cnn, Forbes etc. This is just a cbs poll, cnn blended a few polls which still gave the same result.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-approval-opinion-poll-2025-2-9/#

Akrasia

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123157624#Comment_123157624

This is one of the hallmarks of populism, they can benefit from positive public opinion as they promise change and people are willing to give them time to implement it.

Nothing to do with the intelligence of the population (unless you think 1930s germans were inherently stupid) but everything to do with the populists successful propaganda campaigns and their alliances with the media.

Populism uses psychology to control the people, not intellectual arguments. They rely on emotional manipulation, division, and human natural tribal instincts.

Trump and Musk are successful because they are charismatic liars. Rule number 1 in the fascist playbook is tell the big lie, loud enough and often enough and with enough confidence, and people will believe you. Rule number 2 is to get the wealthy and powerful to believe that you are going to help them to achieve their own goals. If you have the elites, and a core of grassroots support, you have the foundation for a successful populist fascistic government.

rossie1977

"football, beer, and above all, gambling, filled up the horizon of their minds. To keep them in control was not difficult"

I think the week that's in it in the US that quote was never more appropriate

fergiesfolly

Its no surprise his approval rating has risen. He's following through on his promises regarding the border, tariffs, middle east etc

Its when those policy's start to bear fruit that the American population might start to rue their choices.

Cody montana

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123157696#Comment_123157696

War in Ukraine over, prices down?

eightieschewbaccy

In ridiculous news, this is how the Gulf of Mexico shows on Google maps now…

Quin_Dub

I see Trump utterly humiliated Vance on National TV last night.

“Do you view Vice President JD Vance as your successor, the Republican nominee in 2028?” Baier asked.

“No,” Trump replied. 

“But by the time you get to the midterms, he’s going to be looking for an endorsement,” Baier pressed.

“Yeah, a lot of people have said this has been the greatest opening, almost three weeks, in the history of the presidency,” Trump said, weaving into a rant about how amazing he is at being president.

So , a single word destruction of all his VPs hopes, dreams and aspirations followed by a quick pivot back to his favourite topic - His own awesomeness.

thereiver

Theres a long discussion on YouTube This Week in Tech podcast this week starts at 1.35 minutes re how what Doge is doing is illegal they gave no authority to access computer systems that hold data on millions of Americans what Americans can do about this

thereiver

Musk is running spacex Twitter Tesla I don't think he's capable of running doge without destroying the rights of American citizens the federal government was setup by Congress and the senate to serve the American people in a democratic open way

aloyisious

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123157139#Comment_123157139

Trump may have meant empire building with his latest E.O. deleting the law under which US citizens could be prosecuted if they bribed foreign officials. Its now official US policy to bribe foreign government officials without fear of prosecution in the US. All you need is the money.

Quin_Dub

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123157832#Comment_123157832

Everyone knows it's illegal and any one with a clue can see the obvious targeting of people/areas that have "wronged" Musk or Trump (in their twisted minds).

But the question is , Who is going to stop them??

Judges are issuing rulings blocking their actions , but who will actually enforce those rulings?

It's not like Pam Bondi as head of the DOJ is going to allow the FBI , US Marshalls or whoever else to actually enforce the law and stop Trump/Musk from doing whatever they want.

If they are allowed to ignore these courts orders , they will ignore them all.

The US is at a truly catastrophic tipping point here.

TinyMuffin

they’re like our own Enoch Burke on steroids. Rule of law doesn’t seem to apply or deter.

RoyalCelt

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

Yes they do.

DEI hires are bad because we want to live in a meritocracy not one where the native majority is discriminated against.

That's pretty logical if you ask me.

Oscar_Madison

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123157499#Comment_123157499

In fairness I’d have been surprised if they didn’t increase - he’s been “active” in the news hourly, not even daily.

Anything that people feel will make America great again will bring a feel good factor - owning Gaza probably feels right to many, if not most in America - the rest, well they’re still silent and licking their wounds or just don’t care either way what happens in a country they know nothing about and is “far away”.

Thats how I’m viewing Trumps actions now- whilst we know he doesn’t actually “care” about most Americans, he knows he needs to keep them on side- so he’s feeding this guff to them.

Outwardly to the world, I think he’s saying -Russia, China- we’re going to act like them because we can and why shouldn’t we- they’re doing it too.

Nermal

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123157139#Comment_123157139

I'm sure an apology for creating an Islamist beachhead in Europe will be forthcoming from the interventionists any day now.

aloyisious

About the only thing holding the line now are the lower courts, prosecutors and police, like the ones who put one of Trumps pardoned pals into prison for fire-arm offences he committed in 2022. His defence was that they were covered by the pardon. If only the highest court would look at them for guidance and drop the pretence that it is not in his pocket.

Strazdas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123157499#Comment_123157499

Those numbers shouldn't come as a surprise for a moment. The Trump voters / MAGA crowd clearly strongly approved of his manifesto, so all the crazy stuff that has happened in the meantime is probably going down a storm with them : starting trade wars, imposing tariffs, threatening to invade Greenland, Musk gutting the federal government and shutting down USAID, describing Gaza as a piece of 'real estate' etc. Trump, Musk and the average MAGA voter are all singing from the same hymn sheet, there is no disconnect.

MrMusician18

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123157937#Comment_123157937

I don't think so. Activeness doesn't always equal popularity.

Particularly in relation to the federal government headcount cuts - there will be a lot of families impacted, so you'd think removing their job security would absolutely wreck approval

eightieschewbaccy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123157882#Comment_123157882

In fairness, your "native majority" reference doesn't make a huge amount of sense. I work in software, I hire based on ability and guess what, the best people I've hired over the years aren't Irish.... So you both talk about a meritocracy but then declare that the "natives" are being discriminated against. Much of the time, the best hires aren't necessarily from the US etc. Also many of the "native majority" aren't white, straight, free of disability etc. You seem to think diversity means not American. 🤣

Rawr

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123157813#Comment_123157813

Serves Vance right to be frank. Of course Donnie doesn't actually care about any other ticket than his own, it wouldn't surprise me if he has it in his mind to try to illegally run again.

This sort of feeds into my theory that beyond the whole Heritage Foundation skullduggery at play, that Vance was little more than a prop for the election. Essentially a younger canditate designed to show up how old Biden was. Donnie certainly didn't have any future GOP tickets in mind, since he doesn't actually give a flying feck about the GOP, and probably never did.