Trump Presidency

[felter]

The rumour mill is saying Musk has quit his Trump appointed post as head of DOGE, he has left saying he has done his job and made cuts of 1 trillion dollars while in reality the books only shows cuts of around 130 Billion dollars, but most of that 130 Billion was cuts made by Biden's administration and the natural end of others, meaning he has actually done very little in his short time as another boss while once again making claims of things he has not done. What he has done is probably caused a lot of heartache and problems for many others, go Musk go, and I mean out the bloody door.

Take this with a pinch of salt right now, as I couldn't verify it, but it sounds good if it's true or even just fantasy.

[Vertigo 7]

Not quite, sadly. His "planned" departure is the end of May. But he's just declaring victory, like ol' W did without having actually accomplished anything he said he was going to do beyond throwing the government into absolute chaos and destroying the lives of middleclass workers all over the country. Either way, till he's gone, i wouldn't believe he's going to leave.

[mr.WHO]

Take this with a pinch of salt right now, as I couldn't verify it, but it sounds good if it's true or even just fantasy.

Make sure it's not an April fools article - I take every article today with caution, coz I already found several well done (that are not obvious and make you wonder if they are true or not).
What is bad now, is that you should even account time zone spread, as I found some english articles/videos that are like "haha, April fools...in Japan time zone, haha ".
This means that practically, you should be doubtful towards everything from yesterday, today and tomorrow

[felter]

There's always someone who has to tell everyone else, yeah it was meant as a fool's joke, I mean if it was true every news outlet would have it as their headline so it was a pretty easy one to check up on.

Talking about April fools' joke, turns out the press don't do them any more, and they are blaming both the likes of Trump yes his name is mentioned on the reason they cannot do them because if they do, he would be all over the place accusing the press of fake news especially as he does not have a sense of humour, but they are also blaming social media as any joke story they put out someone on social media will eventually link to the story claiming it as being true.

So what's happening with the so-called freedom of speech advocates in America right now, why aren't they up in arms about Trump removing that from them as they no longer have that freedom, seeing as if you say something Trump does not like it is looking pretty much like you will be arrested for doing so, what happened to that first amendment right.

[Vertigo 7]

oh they only get pissed when private companies take down dangerous anti vax posts they liked. Government ordered book burnings, arrests and deportations without trial of those that dare to speak out against the fascist regime, etc. These things are what they voted for!

[chew-ie]

GoGoGo Cory Booker!

[Observe]

GoGoGo Cory Booker!

I haven't listened to his marathon floor speech, but he is one of my favorite Senators. Him being a long-time vegan is a plus in my book. He is one of the few Democrats that I could see supporting for next President at this stage.

[Incubi]

Apologies for whatever madness happens tomorrow. Trumps "Liberation Day" is something that I am very nervous about.

[felter]

There is no point getting nervous about it, as there is nothing you can do about it, and it is not like it's of your own doing, unless you voted for the guy of course.

Here's something I just learned, do you know how much money Elon Musk makes per day from government contracts.

Spoiler

Show

8 Million Dollars each and every day

[matthewfarmery]

Looks like I was right, signal isn't secure, The pentagon has issued a warning about signal being a target for hackers.

https://www.npr.org/2025/03/25/nx-s1-53 ... nerability

"A vulnerability has been identified in the Signal Messenger Application," begins the department-wide email, dated March 18 and obtained by NPR.
Two men stand in front of a U.S. flag. One has his arms folded.
National Security
The inside story of how a journalist was sent White House war plans

The memo continues, "Russian professional hacking groups are employing the 'linked devices' features to spy on encrypted conversations." It notes that Google has identified Russian hacking groups that are "targeting Signal Messenger to spy on persons of interest."

But then again, as one of those people who where in the chat, was already in Russia, then yeah, not secure, and should not have been used.

Signal or any other encryption ap merely encrypts the text of the data in a message or document. The text remains unencrypted on the originator or recipient’s device. If the devices are not in an electronically protected area, information can be easily gathered by those that intend to do so. The switching location devices are also not electronically protected so the sender and receiver addresses can be ascertained there or from the originating and receiving devices. This provides a clue as to which messages to read.

[felter]

Signal itself is probably pretty secure, the problem is the devices they were all using would not have been secure. The way I heard it, signal cannot be installed on a US government device or to install it, it would have to have been done illegally as you would have to bypass the security on said phone, so all of them were using their own personal phones to send and receive those messages and if you didn't know, your phone is not actually very secure, and it would be possible to intercept the messages before they were sent using signal.

[Vertigo 7]

Well, couple of problems with that. They fired everyone in the DHS and NSA that were working counter Russia cyber ops. Plus, it's awfully convenient that just days after the Secretary of Alcoholism was involved in a major security breach that they've found a mysterious russian hacker group to blame. Sounds like they're setting up the reporter to be accused of espionage and shipped off to Venezuela with the rest of the "gang members".

[chew-ie]

He, who taxed the penguins.

[Warenwolf]

He, who taxed the penguins.

But not Kremlin, the current regime's allies.

[clakclak]

Scott Bessent, US Treasury Secretary, just told other countries to "take a deep breath, don't immediately retaliate, let's see where this goes, because if you retaliate, that's how we get escalation".

So this can mean one of two things.

1. Bessent thinks that Trump is full of shit and will walk back the new tariffs before they take effect as long as the rest of the world allows him to do it while saving face.

2. The American government, truly, honestly, thinks that the rest of the world should just take their shit without making a noise about it.

[fiksal]

between threatening Canada, Greenland, I am thinking it's point two

remember maybe when Ontario PM went to US and said there was an olive branch extended? I do, and I checked, there wasn't one.

it's # 2

[Incubi]

Congress is pushing a bill that says tariffs have to meet congress approval by vote. Hopefully they will get it passed because it is about time the congress starts using their powers to rein in Trump. Congress does have that power; they have just not been using it. I'm not sure how much longer Trump can get away with acting like he is above the law. As for Musk, he has to step down on May 30th. I still do not understand that snake, but his exit is soon enough. These tariffs Trump made will be felt by every American when we drink our morning coffee, everyone will start our day with a reason to resent Trump if we didn't already have one. I disliked the guy since the 80's. I do not remember why initially, but he has been consistent in showing me that it was the right call.

I am concerned about the boycotting American made products that people are talking about. All that will achieve is hurting the blue-collar workers who will then rally behind Trump in solidarity. I do not want that. Whenever any boycott is made the question that must be asked is "Who will this hurt, and will it affect the change that I want from it?" I didn't approve of the American attitude to boycott Chinese goods either. Boycotts need to be a thoughtful and legitimately targeted by something other than knee jerk emotional response if is to mean anything at all. I am not referring to boycotting specific brands, that is another ballpark and needs less validation.

[chew-ie]

Congress is pushing a bill that says tariffs have to meet congress approval by vote. Hopefully they will get it passed because it is about time the congress starts using their powers to rein in Trump. Congress does have that power; they have just not been using it. I'm not sure how much longer Trump can get away with acting like he is above the law.

It's about time I say - better late than never.

I am concerned about the boycotting American made products that people are talking about. All that will achieve is hurting the blue-collar workers who will then rally behind Trump in solidarity. I do not want that. Whenever any boycott is made the question that must be asked is "Who will this hurt, and will it affect the change that I want from it?" I didn't approve of the American attitude to boycott Chinese goods either. Boycotts need to be a thoughtful and legitimately targeted by something other than knee jerk emotional response if is to mean anything at all. I am not referring to boycotting specific brands, that is another ballpark and needs less validation.

It's not so much about "hurting" anyone. The US has to realize that in the last few weeks they initiated a hard divorce in almost all aspects towards their former allies and trading partners. This damage is done and will have repercussions. Not because there is someone wanting to "hurt" the US. It's because the US hurt so much it's that the reaction is a natural process now.

A few points to show you the outside view on the US right now:
- The US jeopardized the Ukraine defense and did a lot of damage there by huddling with Putin. This broke the trust in everything the US does on the military sector. Right now US is no reliable ally anymore and everything is questioned in that regard (this point alone is a devastating development)
- The current US regime threw all morale values the US stood for [for a long time] out of the window by harassing it's own citizens, fighting the free speech, or to some it up - embracing dictatorship;
- On the geopolitical stage, the US regime reduced their influence and traded it for bullying only. This will have a lasting effect, especially in combination with my point one (US not being a trustworthy ally anymore); China will take over here and flex it's muscles
- The tariff escalation triggers one thing right now outside of the US: a realignment. Everybody is looking for alternatives and / or is working towards having long-term alternatives. In combination with all other actions of the Trump regime this one will hit home sooner than any other.

In other words - that trade war isn't the only problem for the US and only drastic countermeasures (fire & jail Trump, get rid of all of his helping hands) would initiate a (long) healing process and would need an immense effort for building up trust again. A "few" unsold products isn't the key problem here and I dare say it will get ugly in the next months for the "normal" US citizens. Having not enough eggs / high egg prizes might become a funny memory in comparison.

[clakclak]

Congress is pushing a bill that says tariffs have to meet congress approval by vote. Hopefully they will get it passed because it is about time the congress starts using their powers to rein in Trump. Congress does have that power; they have just not been using it. I'm not sure how much longer Trump can get away with acting like he is above the law. As for Musk, he has to step down on May 30th. I still do not understand that snake, but his exit is soon enough. These tariffs Trump made will be felt by every American when we drink our morning coffee, everyone will start our day with a reason to resent Trump if we didn't already have one. I disliked the guy since the 80's. I do not remember why initially, but he has been consistent in showing me that it was the right call.

I am concerned about the boycotting American made products that people are talking about. All that will achieve is hurting the blue-collar workers who will then rally behind Trump in solidarity. I do not want that. Whenever any boycott is made the question that must be asked is "Who will this hurt, and will it affect the change that I want from it?" I didn't approve of the American attitude to boycott Chinese goods either. Boycotts need to be a thoughtful and legitimately targeted by something other than knee jerk emotional response if is to mean anything at all. I am not referring to boycotting specific brands, that is another ballpark and needs less validation.

I am afraid we are past that nuance. America is at a point where it is threatening the territorial integrity of multiple countries. Recently Trump said he does not rule out using the military against Denmark, an EU country.

It does not really seem to take up much attention with everything that is going on in America, but the view of America has changed drastically. Boycotting American made products as a private person is one thing. However companies and countries are currently trying to switch away from American made goods when possible to avoid hickups in their supply chain. The best example is the defense sector. Sure, Poland might just have bought air defense systems for 2 billion, but that is something only Israel and America can deliver right now. I doubt you will see a lot of European countries go for American APCs or Tanks in the coming years if they can avoid it.

On a personal note, I recently bought a dremel. Looking back I should have bought a Proxxon instead. Simply out of convenience, as soon there might be EU tarrifs on Dremel products. My local hardware store has also allready stopped stocking them and switched to Proxxon.

[Incubi]

https://handsoff2025.com/

Hands off protest planned across the country. Regardless of who is supporting this, it is a solidarity where differences can be put aside for one cause that affects us all.

If you are there and not a citizen, please be careful. I can't believe I had to say that about my country. I am so angry. All my beliefs of my life are about letting people live their lives as long as they are not hurting anyone or themselves, it's no one's damned business. People do not have to like it or even participate in their own space, but in public spaces and workspaces, let people lives their dam lives equally and freely. Trumps administration and his traitorous snake lackey has set USA back so far, I am either going to raise hell or escape the country. I have children to think about so most likely the latter if things do not change. Maybe I'll just find a way to protest through art and freedom of speech, whether he takes it away or not.

Even if you do not agree with all the sponsors, it is a thing we can all stand next to each other in. Here is some news from various political bias to read in the event you can't see the webpage in your country.

https://thehill.com/homenews/administra ... istration/
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/ha ... o-suburbs/
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/pol ... 790208007/
https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/world/ha ... ngNewsVerp

those articles vary from just left of the center to just right of the center, the extremes were a waste of time, as usual. Fox is under playing it and CNN is oddly quiet about it. Maybe saving it for after the protest? Meh, both are usually a waste of time anyway.

googled it here
https://www.google.com/search?q=hands+o ... e&ie=UTF-8

It's not so much about "hurting" anyone. The US has to realize that in the last few weeks they initiated a hard divorce in almost all aspects towards their former allies and trading partners. This damage is done and will have repercussions. Not because there is someone wanting to "hurt" the US. It's because the US hurt so much it's that the reaction is a natural process now.

I know the intent isn't to hurt, it is the consequences of boycotts that are not specifically targeted to the reason for the boycott. Boycotts need to be directed and affective. otherwise, they just create division, and I think we can all agree we do not need more division.

On a related news I am glad I live in California, https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/gove ... ngNewsSerp