Donald Trump the Megathread part II - Mod Warning updated in OP 12/2/26

Strazdas · 26-01-2026 10:58AM

Interesting comments from Mary Robinson on Trump this morning, effectively describing him as a power mad autocrat and his Board of Peace as a vanity project designed to feed his ego. She's not without hope for the future though and thinks the UN can survive with major reforms.

https://www.rte.ie/news/2026/0126/1555083-board-of-peace-is-delusion-of-power-by-trump-robinson/

eightieschewbaccy · 26-01-2026 11:07AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124181073#Comment_124181073

I'm not personally claim they're a third world country. About half of my family are Americans, they're currently horrified by the state of the US under Trump. The same can be said of plenty of my colleagues. If you're the wrong colour, you feel more unsafe than ever around authorities. If you're unlucky, you might get deported to El Salvador and be subjected to torture. They look like a democracy in decline, that's the reality.

So personally, while the US continues this trajectory, I'm unlikely to travel there. Given the administrations attitude towards both NATO and the EU, I think we should follow suit with the Canadians. That's not to mention their public executions etc.

You do seem to be in denial of the issues the administration is creating though.

sligeach · 26-01-2026 11:10AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124180883#Comment_124180883

Under Donald Trump's puppetry, I'd liken America to a parachute company called "No Strings Attached". 😉

And are we Irish really that bad? I know American comedy, from cartoon to movies, mock British teeth.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=PrpUSKE9p_M

josip · 26-01-2026 11:23AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124180955#Comment_124180955

I believe that happyoutscan was referring to the need of many in the US to have a perfect looking set of teeth. What we would refer to as orthodontics. Rather than basic dental health.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthodontics

Often as an indicator that you're not from a poor social class.

Do the US give a free dental checkup to pretty much everyone every year?

Cluedo Monopoly · 26-01-2026 11:27AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124180945#Comment_124180945

I think that would impact on ordinary citizens more than Trump and his cronies.

I'd look at going after the money. That's the only place Trump feels pain. Target the businesses of his large donors, target the businesses of Trump, Vance, Miller and their family/friends i.e. Boycott those businesses or have protests outside them. Publish the list at least and let people power do the rest. Not always possible obviously because many donors will have non public facing business (e.g. oil tycoons, construction etc).

Wibbs · 26-01-2026 11:32AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124181136#Comment_124181136

Wealth disparity in the US has long been a feature of the nation. Relatives of mine lived and worked there in the 50's and 60's and noted it even then, when Ireland was truly a backwater for the most part so that comparison held more weight. It was even more stark before WW2 and WW1. QV the US "Gilded Age" of a tiny minority with insane wealth and the vast majority of Americans behind them with much less, or living in near Dickensian poverty.

It's an enormous country with many different subcultures and even "mini countries" within its borders. Since the post war period "White urban and suburban America" has been generally wealthy and generally ahead of much of Europe too, but it has also long had the rural and inner city poor and not just among non White people either. This was much less visible to outsiders in the past, but has become much more visible over time. This long predates Trump and his minions, though they have weaponised that gap in many ways, ironically using billionaires to do it.

eightieschewbaccy · 26-01-2026 11:34AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124181200#Comment_124181200

Oh yep totally agree, I'm more referencing Trump in relation to how ICE are utilised etc.

RoyalCelt · 26-01-2026 11:35AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124181136#Comment_124181136

Not at all. Every admin have it's issues and my American relations are hard core democrats. Democracies go up and down. Nothing rises forever. Just look at Ireland. We've been struggling for nearly 20 years now on a lot of issues.

eightieschewbaccy · 26-01-2026 11:38AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124181210#Comment_124181210

Ireland doesn't have a government celebrating and encouraging the murder of civilians. So nope, not comparing like for like. The Trump administration are behaving like a wannabe authoritarian regime which you seem intent on downplaying.

Ozymandius2011 · 26-01-2026 11:40AM

Ex UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace says Trump supported Brexit because a golf course he wanted to build was refused in Dublin.

The former defence secretary remarked that he will ‘never forget’ Trump’s words as he told the group why he thought Britain were ‘right’ to leave the EU.

Trump asked Wallace: ‘Do you like golf?’, and told him that he had been trying to build one of the ‘best golf resorts in the world’ near Dublin.

However, European environmental legislation ‘killed it’ and that was why Trump decided to support Brexit.

https://www.msn.com/en-ie/news/uknews/trump-backed-brexit-over-failed-planning-for-dublin-golf-course/ar-AA1UVU5P?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=EDGEDB&cvid=697680186da74cac88a9044eb38ff954&ei=16

Patser · 26-01-2026 11:42AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124180659#Comment_124180659

He's already said he's not going to Suoerbowl because of half time acts

Edit : his actual excuse is its too far away - it's being held in San Francisco.

https://edition.cnn.com/2026/01/25/politics/trump-super-bowl-lx-football

Yeah Seattle fans, Boston Fans, in San Francisco - he'll have no friends in that mix. So he'll hide out at home

JDxtra · 26-01-2026 11:51AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124181073#Comment_124181073

The United States is no longer an attractive destination for visitors. I've been many times before, but these days I would not go even if was for some work trip. The country is in turmoil.

Listening to adverts on the radio for "American Holidays". Eh, sorry lads - I don't think so. I'd rather spend money in Europe.

walshb · 26-01-2026 11:56AM

I only really saw and read up on the death of the ICU nurse on Saturday. Seems he was shot several times whilst restrained and with no gun being in any way a threat to ICE. There was a lad on RTE this morning very anti Trump and ICE as regards this, but he did say one very correct thing: Comply with ICE. These lads are on a bit of a rampage.

sligeach · 26-01-2026 12:00PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124181085#Comment_124181085

Yes, it's a real comment JD Vance made.

https://m.youtube.com/shorts/gjlsdiBG-Z4

aero2k · 26-01-2026 12:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124181200#Comment_124181200

Thomas Sowell has pointed out the poorest counties in the US being predominantly white - sorry, I can't recall the exact location or time period.

J Mysterio · 26-01-2026 12:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124181256#Comment_124181256

Likewise. My travel there has been mostly around the Eastern seaboard: New Hampshire, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, N/ S Carolina, and down to Florida.

I loved the US growing up and was lucky enough to have several trips over as a kid (mostly different parts of Florida), and then later a work experience period in Boston for about 8 months as an adult.

Years ago I had a vague desire to see California some day, and maybe do a Route 66 type trip across the country, but that is completely ruled out now. I have zero intention of going back to the US for the foreseeable future, if ever again.

randd1 · 26-01-2026 12:18PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124181303#Comment_124181303

Same here. Went to America on holiday, loved it over there, had a blast.

I have no interest in going back the way things are going. I honestly want to spend future holidays in Europe, I have no interest in going to the US anymore. It isn't even a safety issue, I just don't see the US as a friendly destination anymore, and better what little money I spend stays this side of the pond than help fund (even in a miniscule way) that craziness over there.

I don't think there's roving armies of extremists of either side (more than likely MAGA if there was) over there, Trump's private militia ICE being the obvious, very dangerous, exception. I reckon the people are still as openly friendly as they were when I've been there.

But you can't have what's going on in the US right now without having a cruel and nasty undercurrent supported by a huge number of the people there. From the outside looking in, it looks like a powder keg of hate and division ready to blow. more than that, from the outside it has the feel a country where those in power are edging towards trying to install "one party under one man" rule, and the trouble for society, however that manifests.

America looks like a mental patient with multiple personalities, and the ignorant homicidal d!ckhead personality is currently the one in charge. Not sure I want to be going there (however infrequently) when that's the case.

PokeHerKing · 26-01-2026 12:21PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124181271#Comment_124181271

Comply with US law enforcement period. Even when doing so plenty have been killed throughout US history.

Driving your car against instruction, bringing a concealed firearm to an anti government protest is increasing your chances of being shot ten fold.

And decreasing the chances of the officers involved in your shooting being prosecuted by the same magnitude.

looksee · 26-01-2026 12:22PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124181180#Comment_124181180

It could well be that the shiny-white set of (sometimes tombstones) perfect teeth is not much more than a fashion fad. Are teeth really supposed to be bright white? Children's first teeth maybe, but adult teeth tend more towards ivory colour - the yellowish tinge being a sign that the surface coating of the teeth is healthy. Fair play to people getting their teeth tidied and made regular looking - mine are all over the place - but shiny white is not necessarily a good sign, except of wealth, vanity and fitting the 'ideal'.

walshb · 26-01-2026 12:24PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124181350#Comment_124181350

Yep…better still, stay well away from ICE……Too volatile

Strazdas · 26-01-2026 12:28PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124181271#Comment_124181271

Alex did nothing to provoke the thugs though. He was filming them on his phone from a good 30 feet away - they moved forward towards him, violently pushed a woman to the ground and within seconds Alex was being pepper sprayed and beaten to a pulp on the ground. Seems even his very presence at the scene was enough to instigate a violent assault on him and the woman, despite the fact they broke no law.

LambshankRedemption · 26-01-2026 12:37PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124181271#Comment_124181271

Watch one of the many videos before you comment on this again. He never got an opportunity to comply.

Ozymandius2011 · 26-01-2026 12:42PM

From House investigation into Jack Smith's investigation of Trump.

Smith says neither Biden nor Garland gave him orders on whether to charge Trump. Says he never discussed the investigation with Biden or Garland.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ELld5LdvCI

walshb · 26-01-2026 12:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124181414#Comment_124181414

I was not talking about Alex complying. Although it could be inferred. I should have been clearer.

The lad on RTE was asked what people should do if ordered to do something by ICE. The man said comply. In other words he was saying what I said, these ICE lads are too volatile.

rogber · 26-01-2026 12:55PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124181271#Comment_124181271

It's a tragedy but when we all know what reputation these ICE guys have why would anyone carry a gun, even legally, if going to confront them? It's just going to be seen as additional provocation. That is not victim blaming, it's saying you don't do anything unnecessary to provoke people that are clearly dangerous and trigger happy

walshb · 26-01-2026 12:56PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124181468#Comment_124181468

Spot on, and is exactly what the lad on RTE was implying…..it is absolutely not worth the risk with these maniacs

everlast75 · 26-01-2026 12:56PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124181446#Comment_124181446

I understand the point, but what if they don't have the legal authority to tell you to do what they say?

Should you comply regardless?

What if they want to whip you away to an internment camp?

The advice should be

People should familiarise themselves with their rights and act accordingly.

walshb · 26-01-2026 12:58PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124181472#Comment_124181472

In an ideal world, yes….but these lads have proved how dangerous they are. Is non-compliance really worth the risk when you could end up shot to death?

The past two killings to me were absolute execution-murder, but the best advice now, after people seeing what ICE are capable of, is to keep away from them.

everlast75 · 26-01-2026 01:03PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124181476#Comment_124181476

White people shrugging their shoulders while people with different coloured skin are being attacked?

Afraid not mate.

That won't end well.

walshb · 26-01-2026 01:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124181491#Comment_124181491

So what is your advice to people, or to a loved one? Go for it. Stand up, be counted, and cross your fingers that your challenging agents with loaded guns, and who are not afraid to use them at the slightest provocation, works out ok? Sorry…that is madness

Donald Trump the Megathread part II - Mod Warning updated in OP 12/2/26

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