The Trump Presidency, Season 2

[Innula Zenovka]

This is my point of difference: I don't see it as a misapprehension or the myopia that comes from preconceived ideas. I believe it is conscious and deliberate. They know what they're doing and why.

I agree. And the point of the article, as I take it, is that in order to justify what they're doing they're twisting English common law out of all recognition.

 

[Beebo Brink]

America is destroying itself. It’s no surprise | Stephen Marche | The Guardian

The 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence has arrived at a moment of some embarrassment for the Republic. The United States of America, established to overthrow a mad king, has elected, 250 years later, a mad king of its very own. America is setting itself on fire at its birthday party. It always had a dramatic streak.

In 30 or 40 years, scholars of history, if they exist, will want to know how the richest country in history, with the world’s most powerful alliance network, and a scientific and research capacity fuelled by the talent of the world, chose to throw it all away.

Indeed.

 

[Innula Zenovka]

Belgian diamond group that won tariff relief gifted Trump a lavishly encrusted ring

A lavish gold ring encrusted with diamonds, sapphires, emeralds and rubies has been presented to the U.S. ambassador to Belgium to give to President Donald Trump.

apnews.com

BRUSSELS (AP) — Dozens of diamonds spell out two giant letter T’s next to the Stars and Stripes and “1776” and “2026.” Dozens more frame the numbers 45 and 47 in the shape of Superman’s logo. A diamond-winged eagle carries a ruby shield and clutches an olive branch of emeralds, below a radiant “250” and atop the phrase “250 YEARS USA” etched in 18-karat gold.

All told, 321 diamonds, 56 sapphires, 13 emeralds and six rubies encrust the watch-sized gold ring presented this week to Bill White, the U.S. ambassador to Belgium, to give to U.S. President Donald Trump.

“A very special thank you to my friends from Antwerp for the magnificent Freedom 250 ring,” Trump said in a prerecorded video message during an event marking America’s 250th birthday in Brussels.

 

[Beebo Brink]

Epic troll by The Atlantic!

The Atlantic Republishes JD Vance's Scathing Trump Op-Ed On Its 10th Anniversary | HuffPost UK Politics

Donald Trump Is an Opioid for the Masses, But He Can't Solve America's Growing Social-Cultural Crisis - The Atlantic

 

[Jopsy Pendragon]

Epic troll by The Atlantic!

The Atlantic Republishes JD Vance's Scathing Trump Op-Ed On Its 10th Anniversary | HuffPost UK Politics

“I don’t hide from that,” Vance told Sean Hannity in 2024. “I was certainly skeptical of Donald Trump in 2016 heroin, but President Trump heroin was a great president powerfully addictive drug, and he changed it rotted my mind. I think he changed it rotted the minds of a lot of Americans.”

 

[Innula Zenovka]

Epic troll by The Atlantic!

The Atlantic Republishes JD Vance's Scathing Trump Op-Ed On Its 10th Anniversary | HuffPost UK Politics

Donald Trump Is an Opioid for the Masses, But He Can't Solve America's Growing Social-Cultural Crisis - The Atlantic

 

[Bartholomew Gallacher]

Trump ordered to stop all trade with Spain, because they dared to oppose him. What this idiot doesn't understand how he cripples American power through to that.

"Spain doesn't agree to anything, and you shouldn't carry them," Trump told Rutte.

"I don't want to do any trade with them, alright?" he said, turning to Bessent, who replied: "Yes, sir."

"Take it ‌immediately, ⁠Don't even talk to them. They're hopeless. They're bad people," he added. "They make so much money with us, and we're going to see that they make a lot less. I want no business with ⁠them."

The United States has two important military bases in Spain: Naval Station Rota and Moron Air Base.

https://www.reuters.com/world/trump-says-he-ordered-cutting-off-all-trade-with-spain-2026-07-08/

 

[Noodles]

Moron Air Base.

Oh, I didn't realize Trump had military bases nammed after him already.

 

[detrius]

Oh, I didn't realize Trump had military bases named after him already.

"Rota & Moron" -> "Rotten Moron"

 

[GoblinCampFollower]

Trump ordered to stop all trade with Spain, because they dared to oppose him. What this idiot doesn't understand how he cripples American power through to that.

"Spain doesn't agree to anything, and you shouldn't carry them," Trump told Rutte.

"I don't want to do any trade with them, alright?" he said, turning to Bessent, who replied: "Yes, sir."

"Take it ‌immediately, ⁠Don't even talk to them. They're hopeless. They're bad people," he added. "They make so much money with us, and we're going to see that they make a lot less. I want no business with ⁠them."

The United States has two important military bases in Spain: Naval Station Rota and Moron Air Base.

https://www.reuters.com/world/trump-says-he-ordered-cutting-off-all-trade-with-spain-2026-07-08/

I remember as a kid seeing the Comedy Central "Man-show" parody of how a woman president would take us to war every month when she's on her period... obviously very sexist and ignorant even under the pretense of "comedy", but now, we have a MAN in charge who is literally that level of moody and petty.

 

[Dakota Tebaldi]

Since the EU is a single market, the US already doesn't do any trade with Spain specifically, they only do trade with the EU.

The President doesn't know that though because he's stupid, so his handlers will be able to tell him without even lying that his command is being obeyed without having changed anything.

 

[Noodles]

I remember as a kid seeing the Comedy Central "Man-show" parody of how a woman president would take us to war every month when she's on her period... obviously very sexist and ignorant even under the pretense of "comedy", but now, we have a MAN in charge who is literally that level of moody and petty.

Reminder, every accusation is projection. Every single one.

 

[Innula Zenovka]

Since the EU is a single market, the US already doesn't do any trade with Spain specifically, they only do trade with the EU.

The President doesn't know that though because he's stupid, so his handlers will be able to tell him without even lying that his command is being obeyed without having changed anything.

Presumably, though, the US can make any rules it wants about imports from a particular country, whether or not it's a member of the EU. Whether Trump actually has the authority to do anything of the sort without the approval of Congress is another matter, of course, as is the fact the EU would respond collectively, treating it as an attack on all the EU members (same principle as NATO). At least I think that's how it works.

 

[GoblinCampFollower]

Presumably, though, the US can make any rules it wants about imports from a particular country, whether or not it's a member of the EU. Whether Trump actually has the authority to do anything of the sort without the approval of Congress is another matter, of course, as is the fact the EU would respond collectively, treating it as an attack on all the EU members (same principle as NATO). At least I think that's how it works.

https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/LSB11398

The Supreme court just recently ruled he can't establish Tariffs himself. He certainly can't do it because Spain hurt his feelings. All he can do is beat his chest and ask companies and people to not buy Spanish products.

I'll research what I can buy from Spain just to spite him...

 

[Veritable Quandry]

Just on a quick check, "EU" is not an acceptable County of Origin for imports to the US. It is not a country, rather a union of sovereign states. Which made sense, as most things I see have the country listed on the label.

Goods shipped between EU members only need labels for specific categories like foods and anything with a regional control.

So they can track finished products but parts and ingredients do not need to be labeled: if there is a substantial transformation in another EU country (not just packaging) that becomes the designated country of origin.

A lot of what we buy grom Spain (wine, olives and olive oil, etc) is foods that require country specific labeling in any case.

 

[Veritable Quandry]

https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/LSB11398

I'll research what I can buy from Spain just to spite him...

Wine, olive oil, and specialty foods are easy to find. Pedro Almadovar films are also a good option.

 

[GoblinCampFollower]

Wine, olive oil, and specialty foods are easy to find. Pedro Almadovar films are also a good option.

Thanks! Yeah... Wine and Brandy seem easy to find based on my quick searches.

 

[Innula Zenovka]

Thanks! Yeah... Wine and Brandy seem easy to find based on my quick searches.

Spanish brandy is certainly worth a try. I generally prefer French cognac but Spanish brandy is a perfectly acceptable alternative, and makes a pleasant change now and again.