What happens when you cross a narcissist (with a desperate need for attention) with an arsonist (who actually sees themselves as a firefighter) with a guy who sees himself as a successful businessman but is actually a marketing savant/TV producer looking for a new theme for this season's show? (After the seasons of Covid, The Insurrection and My Return to Power had such high ratings...at least in his mind)
Voila..this season's theme "Tariff Man"....with ready to go DAILY episodes of "fighting for you" with footage of the daily "battles" with over 60 countries around the world who are screwing America.
My somewhat cynical (yet not implausible) point is that for someone like Trump there is NO incentive to not drag out these trade discussions as long as possible, including throughout the entirety of his term if he "believes" any country has done something to disrespect HIM/America (as those two are inseparable in his head). He needs the attention on himself being perceived as the "firefighter" (but don't expect any reminders/footage of WHO started the fire or those damaged by the fire)
The tariff fiasco, even without penguins, is seemingly idiotic but it is the story dominating news. The much larger stories: seizing and incarcerating people dissenting well within their 1st Amendment rights and deporting others to possibly horrific circumstances all without reasonable cause or due process - also previously guaranteed - is far worse yet, along with the attacks on education at all levels, all but forgotten. Trump will not back off, he will keep tariffs foremost as long as possible.
Hopefully he's destroying the GOP as thoroughly as Hoover did, and we'll get 50 years we can ignore the morons like we got between FDR and the "amiable dunce" Ronnie the Ray-Gun.
Never underestimate the quisling Congress and the QAnoninanity of Capitol Hill MAGA to go to ground and spin it like Richard Pryor: You gonna believe me or your lying eyes?
Big time cognitive dissonance for the MAGA base, and it seems to be showing in the polls and focus groups, where the belief that he knows what he's doing and he's (perfectly) keeping all his promises still seems to outweigh getting pasted financially. Go figure.
Like Putin, Trump doesn't need an actual win. He can just declare victory, remove tariffs and take credit for "fixing" the stock market. He may look weak for a few news cycles, but his cult will forget about it when the next "crisis" comes. His political opponents and other countries already know he is stupid and weak. Prolonging his stupid tariffs will not change that opinion.
Interesting that Trump’s tariff gurus admit that Trump has been a fan of tariffs for 35 years. Maybe the world has changed and developed a “global economy” in which an antiquated idea of tariffs doesn’t work anymore.
Love your stuff Mike AND your sense of humor.
What happens when you cross a narcissist (with a desperate need for attention) with an arsonist (who actually sees themselves as a firefighter) with a guy who sees himself as a successful businessman but is actually a marketing savant/TV producer looking for a new theme for this season's show? (After the seasons of Covid, The Insurrection and My Return to Power had such high ratings...at least in his mind)
Voila..this season's theme "Tariff Man"....with ready to go DAILY episodes of "fighting for you" with footage of the daily "battles" with over 60 countries around the world who are screwing America.
My somewhat cynical (yet not implausible) point is that for someone like Trump there is NO incentive to not drag out these trade discussions as long as possible, including throughout the entirety of his term if he "believes" any country has done something to disrespect HIM/America (as those two are inseparable in his head). He needs the attention on himself being perceived as the "firefighter" (but don't expect any reminders/footage of WHO started the fire or those damaged by the fire)
Buckle up...
The tariff fiasco, even without penguins, is seemingly idiotic but it is the story dominating news. The much larger stories: seizing and incarcerating people dissenting well within their 1st Amendment rights and deporting others to possibly horrific circumstances all without reasonable cause or due process - also previously guaranteed - is far worse yet, along with the attacks on education at all levels, all but forgotten. Trump will not back off, he will keep tariffs foremost as long as possible.
Hopefully he's destroying the GOP as thoroughly as Hoover did, and we'll get 50 years we can ignore the morons like we got between FDR and the "amiable dunce" Ronnie the Ray-Gun.
Never underestimate the quisling Congress and the QAnoninanity of Capitol Hill MAGA to go to ground and spin it like Richard Pryor: You gonna believe me or your lying eyes?
Cruz and Paul will lead the rehabilitation.
It's so obvious I just wish people would see.
Not even tRump could be so obtuse as to not see the disaster of a dropping stock market.
That's the point isn't it?
They shorted stock in advance of his tariffs. Lutnick owns a firm that profits from short selling ffs
It's a shell game you fools. He's stealing your retirement money and his friends will buy up the stock at bargain prices to boot.
Big time cognitive dissonance for the MAGA base, and it seems to be showing in the polls and focus groups, where the belief that he knows what he's doing and he's (perfectly) keeping all his promises still seems to outweigh getting pasted financially. Go figure.
Well said Mike!
This chaotic fiasco is consistent with the person who inherited over $300 million and, yet, went bankrupt 6 times.
Very good, thoughtful political analysis.
You're right - Baby has backed himself in a corner !
Like Putin, Trump doesn't need an actual win. He can just declare victory, remove tariffs and take credit for "fixing" the stock market. He may look weak for a few news cycles, but his cult will forget about it when the next "crisis" comes. His political opponents and other countries already know he is stupid and weak. Prolonging his stupid tariffs will not change that opinion.
Interesting that Trump’s tariff gurus admit that Trump has been a fan of tariffs for 35 years. Maybe the world has changed and developed a “global economy” in which an antiquated idea of tariffs doesn’t work anymore.
This is what happens when you surround yourself with incompetent toadies
Next diversion is threat of war with Iran.., this story has just begin,
He believes he will profit. He will not back down. He does not care about anyone else.
Is plutocracy not working for you? For a fictional fix, check out: Zeitgeist: A Prophylactic, Plutocratic Tale. https://aworldeofwordes.substack.com/p/z-e-i-t-g-e-i-s-t?r=5d7dmx