A recent argument between myself and my best friend revolved around Donald J. Trump.
My friend believes he is “evil.”
By that he means that every bad thing he did was craftily planned and deliberate.
I am less sure of the strategy behind his tactics because I rate him as a second-rate intellect with little knowledge of history and even less of how democracy functions. His “evil” may flow more from ignorance than a dark heart. Or not.
His experience as a business titan led him to believe that when the boss gives an order, it is to be obeyed without question. It is possible that he saw the presidency as another “boss” job, and the boss must be obeyed. Checks and balances for him means an accounting ledger, not a Constitutional formula.
I know him to be a serial liar, someone who used lying as a business tactic. I learned that when I covered his business dealings in Atlantic City. I knew him slightly and was friendly with a few Trump executives.
One quick example: When the Taj Mahal opened — gaggingly opulent, with thick rugs, layers of carrera marble and enormous gold-covered chandeliers dripping crystal ornaments — the official press release said the tower was the tallest in New Jersey and claimed 52 stories, by my memory.
A friendly Trump source, with a smile, said, “Take a close look.”
Let me put it this way. The Taj is now the Hard Rock, which claims an accurate 41 stories. No one shortened the tower.
When I asked my friendly source if the 52 stories was a typo, he smiled and shook his head. “He knew no one would count.”
And the tallest building was an office tower in Jersey City, not in A.C.
Trump bet that no one would check, and his brass laughed up their sleeves about how the boss had pulled off another one.
This is an example of an obvious lie, part of his Business Lies — that of a developer, or casino mogul.
His Presidential lying began on Inauguration Day, when he claimed the crowds were larger than those attracted by President Barack Obama.
This had to be the ultimate day in his life — becoming the most powerful man in the world, only 44 men had preceeded him — but he is so small-minded and narcissistic he was obsessed by the size of the crowd.
And he called Mario Rubio “little.”
Various publications produced satellite pictures showing the inaugural crowds for each president, at the same time of day. Obama’s crowds were bigger, but Trump never accepted the visual proof.
That was his opening day. On his closing day, he said he had won the election, and “by millions of votes,” it wasn’t even close. He repeated it many times.
Is this just Presidential Lying?
There is another option that I have written about.
“Is he lying? Is he mental? It’s hard to say, and if it’s hard to say, can you get a conviction out of a jury?”
My best friend thinks I am preparing an alibi for Trump, something along the lines of an insanity defense.
He points to Trump’s actions to overturn the election as consciousness of action. It’s hard for me to disagree.
What I am actually asking: Is it possible that he actually believes the crap he spews?
In the first few rounds of the House Jan. 6 hearings, many members of his inner circle testified under oath that they had told him that facts proved he had lost the election, but he ignored them, accusing some of them of disloyalty. Is this how a sane man acts?
His actions are enough to question his grip on reality.
I am not talking about his myriad misstatements of fact, his butchery of the Queen’s English with run-on sentences and abrupt changes of topic, or his off-hand comments, such as injecting bleach to fight covid.
I am talking deliberate, oft repeated lies, among those cataloged by the Washington Post and others. Check a few out right here.
Trumpsters reject the WaPo as a Trump enemy.
But when WaPo accurately quotes him as saying something that directly contradicts known facts, what can they say?
Nothing, which is why they refuse to view anything that goes against their beliefs. It’s like questioning the existence of God.
I can’t say what is going on in their minds.
I don’t even know what is going on in Trump’s mind, but if he can question Joe Biden’s mental acuity, I can question Trump’s sanity.
I’m more concerned about the enablers in the GOP who fail to confront Trump’s lies and deceptions.
👍👍👍👍👍
Well stated Stu, as you pointed out he is not a politician, he’s a businessman and will take any measure he deems necessary to make his point. He was good for the country at that time. He tried to bring fiscal policy into play but needed the help from congress which he didn’t get.
“Failed” businessman would be more accurate. Let me count the bankruptcies. Based upon what Stu wrote above, and based upon what we’ve ALL seen and heard with our own eyes and ears, it astounds me that anyone with a brain would consider this train wreck of a human being “responsible” in any way, either fiscally or personally, and expect him to EVER do anything to benefit anyone but himself. Reagan was a Conservative. Bush was a Conservative. I didn’t think much of either of them, but that’s what they were. They knew there were things bigger than themselves. Trump is mobster who managed to run up the national debt to historic proportions, sew the seeds of dissention among the people of this country, and cause a riot at our nation’s capital during which a bunch morons FLEW THE CONFEDERATE FLAG and defecated in the halls of our capitol building. And remember, children, as a wise man once said, only the mob takes the fifth.
Freeze! Good to “see” you again. It’s hard to pin down exactly what’s wrong with this grifter. The psychiatrists who wrote about his personality disorder several years back got it right. He’s a narcissistic sociopath. And he’s managed to delude over a third of the country that he’s their great hope. I’m worried about them and the lying opportunists who continue to hang on to this shitshow. They’re as dangerous as he is.
“𝙄’𝙢 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙪𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙩𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙬. 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮’𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙨 𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙖𝙨 𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙨.”
Wanda, they are potentially more dangerous. January 6th showed us what these loonies are capable of.
Yes. Because they are deluded enough to believe everything he spouts, they are angry losers and there are far too many of them. So you are right H. And this is one of Stu’s better columns for sure. Very succinct overview of an odious con-artist. The Rembrandt of grifters.
Just a tad bit of exaggeration in your post.
I despise the man, but that does not mean he is wrong on some of his positions. I am sure there are better people that could right this country, I can only hope they are brave enough to stand up and present their beliefs and platform.
Unfortunately, we are stuck with politicians.
Trump was no politician and I believe that is part of the appeal to many. Now we have a posse of posers trying to gain support by outrage. This is exists in both parties as well as all ideologies in the political spectrum.
Biden promised to unify and he has failed. The J6 committee has also failed by editorializing the facts which were enough to convince the public, but that did not satisfy them, they had to add their narratives.
If you don’t stop with this truth-telling, I’m going to have to unfollow you. 🙂
HAPPY TUESDAY !!!
pallie,
Just for all of your bloggers out there, I am not the ‘best friend’ and I don’t think that Donald Trump is evil.
I thought hat you knew Trump from N.Y.C.. My bad. So we both picked him up at the same time and place.
To me, Donald Trump is a lot of things. He can be a construction worker wearing a suit all the way up to being President of the United States. I think that this blog is a follow-up to previous ‘ I hate Trump” columns, rather than just some friendly reminiscing.
A long time ago, I listed quite a few Presidents and I added their monikers or nick names. Trump’s one of many is, “the great exaggerator”. In construction, we would just cut to the chase and call him a ‘bulls*&^ter’. Of course he’s a bit narcissistic. Carly Simon made a mint from the word. ‘You’re so vain’….. fits, ya think. I think that he got his warm personality from his father, whom I didn’t know. The man taught him everything else.
But you are right with all of his ‘stretching of the truth. He thinks bigger than most and I don’t doubt that after a time, you believe everything that you just said about yourself. Contrary to the execs that you met, I don’t believe that he thought that he could fool all of the people all of the time with the height of the Taj. ‘He knew no one would count is nothing more than fodder for the airwaves. BTW, if memory serves me right. The height ( tower) ordinance for A.C. was amended for the casinos. Two things held them down to their present height. Airplanes and sand. Neither one likes tall buildings.
I can’t speak for Trump’s base, who may worship the ground that he walks on – or not. Just don’t count me in with them. They defend him to the point of being overly consumed by all of the bashing. Not unlike the ‘dark side’. Shame. If the Washington D.C. swamp rats actually cared about America, we wouldn’t be in this position.
For certain, Trump will run for the Presidency. All of this bad news and lousy politics is only feeding him. The dims screwed up big time.
I do believe, in spite of all of the rhetoric here, that Trump tried to help our country before and if given the chance, he will do more this time. The swamp is done. When Trump gets in, there will be a mass exodus out of D.C.. I’m hoping that he can get rid of half of the lower level- but just as corrupt – civil servants. ( civil servant. does anybody know the definition of that word ? )
Tony
So you vote for LIAR rather than nuts.
And I don’t “hate” Trump. But I have no use for him, other than entertainment. Should he run again, I will vote for the Democrat, no matter who, just to provide the biggest anti Trump vote in history.
And I did NOT vore for Biden in 2020.
pallie,
you swing on a rusty gate.
remember who you’re talking to.
What we ( used to ) have in common, is that we vote the person, not the party. Frankly, my dear, both parties suck and have for many decades!
Also boys and girls, just as when Trump was in office. The only thing that they can do as President – on a limited basis – is to use the power of the office and issue executive orders.
Same holds for governor. Congress ( assembly ) has the power.
Tony
I believe there are more republicans as well as people who voted for Trump that wish he would fade away.
I too feel, that I would vote against Trump if he ran. The reason is his antagonistic personality, he is a disrupter. While this personality trait may work well in business, this country needs healing and he can not deliver that.
That said, the other side needs to nominate a good candidate, because the majority will vote the lesser of two evils, which may be Trump.
The Democrats have some excellent choices, which are drowned out by their disrupters, which include all members of the “squad”, Bernie, Harris and Warren.
We need someone who is “Presidential” and sound on immigration, fiscal matters, foreign policy as well as law and order.
HAPPY TUESDAY !!!
Phillyborn,
We will never really know why Trump got elected. True, a change was needed at the time, but don’t forget, he beat out quite a few ‘politicians’ to win the primary. I really think that back then – just as now – we needed to get away from the standard run of the mill candidate.
Me being old school. I would campaign on ‘draining the swamp’. Knowing full well that very little would get done if the same candidates were re-elected. Playing hardball and knowing that O would be a lame duck, I would be on the airwaves naming names, places, dates, everything wrong with Washington D.C..
As for presidential material. Really. Is there any out there ? From either party ? The job of the President is, as you said, unite the country and be there for her people. After that, its schmoozing with everybody. Finding highly qualified people for cabinet positions, department heads and anyplace and everyplace you can have a say in employment – for the betterment of America.
Most of have said it before. Trump was sound on immigration, foreign matters and especially, making America great again. ( follow the money. can you imagine how many people Trump pissed off by threatening to cut the purse strings on these swamp rats ? )
Tony
Not sure where you are going with this. I said I am voting for the person — the person who happens to oppose Trump. It is only coincidence it is Democrat. As noted, in 2020 I voted for neither Biden nor Trump.
But Trump is unique. He must be stopped.
Stu, you hit the proverbial nail on the head…HE MUST BE STOPPED!
👍👍👍👍👍Mr. Clarke still drinks Trump’s ‘Jim Jones’ Kool-Aid. Trump is the biggest threat to American democracy. BTW, Trump is all-in with his buddy Putin when it comes to Ukrainian freedom. You can’t support both Zelensky & Trump. And, as the HONEST conservative Republican Liz Cheney says, you can’t be a Republican and support Trump & the Constitution. Liz is a bit hard-core conservative for me, but she does put country over party, unlike Trump, his deluded acolytes, and Tony Clarke
Tony, why are you unable to admit that the orange-skinned SOB is a liar?
Before you say something about me calling him an orange-skinned SOB I want to let you know I will use that term as long as you continue to say dimocrat, dim, etc.
sitcks and stones……..
if you clear the navel dust, you’ll see that I called Trump, ‘the great exaggerator’. Probably said that when he was running for office.
and no sweetie, I told you before that I am not on this site to play mind ( or mindless ) games with you. when you have an intelligent thought – and you do on occasions – then we’ll correspond. but to help you out, since you’re old and failing, you always liked TRump or something like that and others. Then when you get up set, you turn on the insults and brag that you are invincible.
I’ll pass, thank you very much.
Tony
BTW: SOB stands for son of a bit876h. Why would you insult the man’s mother ?
Tony, you just cannot admit that the oranged-skinned SOB is a liar.
Wrong. Trump is the “Great Prevaricator”. Biggest liar since Tricky Dicky.
Stu – this is one of your best pieces about the Village Idiot to date.
Thanks
Stu, this is one of your best posts. You really opened up on this one.
I see you are already getting flack because of it. Hopefully it does not bother you, although I doubt it does.
As a man in the middle, I am used to drawing fire from both sides depending on the issue. It does not deter me.
What swamp exactly did the mango menace threaten to drain? Tony you are getting tiresome with the use of this meaningless mantra. Here is the truth, although you won’t see it. Instead of “draining” anything, he was the worst swamp creature ever to evolve from Washington. Among other swampy behavior, he used his power as president to boost his own profits through visits to his hotels and golf courses, his relentless promotion of his properties, and countless other interactions between the Trump Organization and the government. By keeping his properties (with his decision not to divest from his business interests while in office), Trump provided corporate lobbyists, foreign actors, special interests and anyone else seeking political clout a way to gain access to his administration. Trump opened the presidency up for business, and for four years, influence was for sale. Moreover, his administration officials often mingled with special interests and foreign officials at Trump properties, rewarding them with access for their patronage. And don’t get me started about the worst of the swampsters: Pruitt, Bannon, Flynn, Manaford, Kushner and on and on. Here’s a great synopsis if you care to read it: https://www.republicreport.org/2020/ten-reasons-trump-is-the-most-corrupt-president-in-u-s-history/
HAPPY TUESDAY !!!
Wanda,
Such a pleasure to hear from someone who is well educated and civil.
Having said that, thanks for the ‘fractured fairy tales’. When someone is a CEO, they get to hire ( and fire ) as they please. The smart leaders hire people that are just as smart, if not smarter than themselves. ( I can design/build a project but I know that I can’t design the equipment to be used in that finished project )
Wanda, cool your heels. Take a look back over the last 60 years. See how we went from a nation of pride and accomplishment to what we have now. It wasn’t done by anyone person or political party. It was a long slow process masterminded by the rich and powerful. Trump – billsh*&^er and liar that he is – saw this from the out side and thought that he could fix it. NOT ! The wagons circled and fought back, and are still fighting back. Don’t you get it ? This is a generational thing. The Pelosis of the world are passing their fortunes down to their grandchildren. The Biden’s are just as crooked and evil. Then cross the aisle and go down that long list of thieves, hustlers and definitely millionaires.
DRAIN THE SWAMP ! and VOTE THEM ALL OUT !
(you have the same thing here in Philly, just on a smaller scale )
Tony
He didn’t think he could fix squat. He just wanted in on whatever action there was to be had and superseded beyond anyone else’s expectations. Funny how you think that anything that disagrees with your skewed view of the world is a fairy tale.
At the risk of getting beat up by others here, I will confess my limited knowledge of Marx. I’m a medical person who dabbles in trivia – just enough to pick out factoids that I read somewhere. But I believe that what you describe in post WWII U.S. is what he predicted as the evolution of late stage capitalism. If I am right and his prediction is accurate then your MAGAs and other cult followers should be very afraid about what the next stage brings.
Wanda, you referencing what Marx said got me curious as to what he predicted would happen. I looked it up and after reading a bit about it I must agree with you about the MAGAs and other cult followers needing to be afraid.
Trump didn’t drain the swamp, he filled it up more. Anthony Scaramucci, Omarosa Manigault, Goldman-Sachs hacks, and K Street lobbyists are who Trump appointed to posts. Trump appointed more of Tony Clark-approved LOBBYISTS to cabinet level posts than his predecessors did in 8. Mr. Clark, you are as big a phony and hypocrite as Trumpy the clown🤡🤡🤡
More in 4 yrs than 8. Sorry
way to go Keith. Lots of class. NOT !
guess what you can do with your opinions as you ride this sinking ship ?
I’m out here giving my opinion and politicing in Chester County. and you…….
Tony
Once again Tony you show what an ass your are. You feel you are entitled to give your opinions but you do not feel Keith is entitled to his.
Wanda, I am sure you know you will not get an intelligent answer from Tony. All he will post is the modern day version of Grimms’ Fairy Tales. In fact since the German defination of Grimm says it means “cruel, fierce” what Tony posts about that orange-skinned SOB, and his ilk, should be called Grim Fairy Tales.
Yeah, I know. But I find his perseverative utterances, mindset and word salad an amusing respite from the world of facts which has been really depressing as of late.
That is so true Wanda. You do not have to worry about Tony stating facts. 😀
you two keep it up and no Christmas card for you.I would get you a bag of coal but it just went up over a buck a ton, plus delivery plus fuel charge plus dark side taxes…..
you two keep it up and no Christmas card for you. I would get you a bag of coal but it just went up over a buck a ton, plus delivery plus fuel charge plus dark side taxes…..
I will vote for whomever is most likely to put an end to the current divisive policies that are ripping apart the fabric of our constitutional republic.
Fiscal and environmental lunacy as well as non-enforcement of regulations and policies at our southern border are destroying the quality of life for citizens of the United States.
Foreign policy and a socialist (utopian) world view diminish our standing in the world and threaten our national security.
The only existential threat to which I give credence is the erosion of the principals and ethics upon which the United States was founded. More than likely my concerns will not be assuaged by any Democrat candidate running for President in AD (politically incorrect) MMXXIV (a product of my white privilege since I understand roman numerals) …just sayin’!
I’m with you Tom, but why talk about what’s important when they have Trump?
Tom, why do you feel it is not important to talk about al of the lies, mis-information, deeds etc. that the orange-skinned SOB has said and done?
Not trying to speak for Tom..
What I read from his post is a desire to move forward and elect a true leader.
Trump lost the election. Stu points out some of Trumps serious character flaws and presents an alternate prospective. Very interesting analysis.
We need a leader and I am frightened by the prospects being peddled via the media. I could care less which party our next president comes from as long as they are honest and up to the task of bringing this country back together.
Sorry, just saw their are 2 Toms…
I am sorry Phillyborn, I should have made it clear I was posting tp Tom Wetten.
The flaws of DT can be found in many other presidents: George Bush famously garbled the language; Dwight Eisenhower was perplexed that his orders were rarely followed — he had been a five-star general in charge of WWII whose orders were always followed; Bill Clinton was a sex fiend and a liar (under oath, which cost his him his law license in Arkansas); Richard Nixon…well, enough said about him. And was there ANY president more in love with himself than Barry Soweto…er, Barack Obama? We expect our presidents to be better than everyone else, but they rarely are. We are — all of us — fallen creatures. The ONLY 100% exception in my opinion is the greatest president of my lifetime, Harry Truman, closely followed by the Gipper. (Say what you want about RR, he smashed the Soviet Union. That alone should get him into Heaven!) Even the sainted FDR was openly banging a woman not his wife. When you elect a president, expect the worst and you will rarely be disappointed.
HAPPY TUESDAY !!!
Vinnie,
Somehow, I always believed that us ordinary people still think that we are British subjects and therefore, have royalty in the White House. You do remember camelot, don’t you ?
Me, growing around politics, saw it for what it was. Especially in Philly. Find a good looking guy on the tall side that can stand at a podium for hours and never say anything that amounts to much. AND ! He has to kiss babies. Don’t worry about the office that he just won. We’llllll take care of business……
Tony
Why don’t you ever talk about Biden’s failed administration. Talk about lying. How about the borders are secure. Biden thinks Afghanistan was a success. We are not in a recession. Inflation is only temporary. I’d take Trump back anytime. I guess you democrats are so full of hate you forget about Trump bringing us peace and prosperity. And were just worried about petty bullshit and lies.
It is really strange you should ask why I don’t write about Biden’s lies and failures on the very day I have questioned his signature program.
In case it was too subtle, I do not believe what he said about people making up to 400K will be exempt from scrutiny.
Stu, is Daniel for real?
My reply was to your post on August 16 not August 17. Check your dates before you criticize.
Your reply was to my Trump column and my reply stands as is.
Pow! Right in the kisser!
Whenever somebody intelligent (like you, Stu) makes solid, factual points, they can’t argue facts, so they fall back on “whataboutism”. Can’t argue facts, go after the other person. Trumpism=Whataboutism.
HAPPY TUESDAY !!!
Mr. Barger,
So nice of you to join us after a long absence.
Sorry to say. I started from the bottom, looking for the latest replys, not realizing that you over exerted yourselg and wrote five replys. Looks like they’re all to me or about me.
None the least. You are still not on my Christmas card list.
Tony