August 10th, 2017 - August 14th, 2017. 271-275 days since the Nov 8, 2016, election and 202- 206 days since the Jan 20th inauguration
Loser: the rich asshole drops to new low in Gallup poll as the nation increasingly despises him
AUGUST 14, 2017
some rich asshole's approval ratings have hit another new low in the Gallup poll, as the walls continue to close in on his failing and corrupt presidency.
some rich asshole’s basement-level approval rating in Gallup’s latest poll is 34 percent — his lowest rating yet. Meanwhile, his disapproval rating is at an all-time high of 61 percent.
The poor marks come as the rich asshole has been widely condemned for his lackluster response to racial terrorism in Charlottesville, Virginia.
the rich asshole’s administration — as well as his family — is also the subject of multiple investigations involving collusion between his presidential campaign and Russia, including an investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller after the rich asshole purged FBI Director James Comey.
the rich asshole entered the presidency with the lowest support in recent history, a full 25 percent below his predecessor, President Barack Obama. At the same point in his presidency, Obama’s approval rating was at 54 percent.
the rich asshole had his previous low from Gallup at the end of March, with only 35 percent approval. And he had the lowest approval rating over the first full quarter of his presidency, well below any other president in the modern era. There doesn’t seem to be a floor on how low he can go.
the rich asshole’s poor polling has also hurt his legislative agenda, which has run aground. His effort to repeal Obamacare failed in the Senate, and polls show massive opposition to the effort to cut Medicaid and throw millions off of health insurance.
Other polls show erosion of support for the rich asshole, as an increasing number of Americans believe he can’t be trusted to live up to his promises.
The decision to launch airstrikes at Syrian targets did nothing to increase his ratings, perhaps a sign that voters didn’t buy his cover story for engaging in military combat. His chaotic bluster on North Korea certainly is not helping to ease concerns about his leadership.
the rich asshole is unpopular, his agenda is widely hated, and his tyrannical actions are driving him lower and lower in the minds of the voters. Which may be one reason why he is throwing tantrums on Twitter, but that will not work to distract the American people from the truth: His presidency is a disaster, and his time in office may well be up soon.
AUTHOR
Senior Writer
Oliver Willis
Former research fellow at Media Matters for America who has been blogging about politics since 2001. Follow him on Twitter @owillis.
the rich asshole makes last-minute remarks to nation furious over his silence on white supremacy
Two days after some rich asshole blamed "many sides" for the white supremacist riot in Charlottesville, Virginia, he interrupted his 17-day "working vacation" at his New Jersey golf club to address the nation.
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some rich asshole has thus far refused to condemn white supremacists and Nazis for the horrific and tragic events that unfolded in Charlottesville, Virginia, over the weekend.
He has been condemned for his silence by everyone from his own Republican Party to the chancellor of Germany. And yet his White House, including Vice President Mike Pence, have continued to falsely claim that the rich asshole did issue a strong condemnation.
The fact is that he did not. Instead of denouncing the white supremacist groups who support him and marched in his name, wearing his hat, he blamed “many sides.”
the rich asshole’s address from the White House was not on his daily schedule. He is expected to belatedly condemn the actions of his “alt-right” supporters. It is hard, however, to imagine that the rich asshole could say anything at this point to undo the damage his silence over the weekend has already done. Or to convince anyone at all that he did not give tacit approval to those who waved the Confederate and Nazi flags, quoting Hitler — and the rich asshole.
12:42 p.m.: the rich asshole opens his address about the white supremacist riot by bragging about his economic policies. That is not what the nation is tuning in to hear from its president.
12:43 p.m.:
Trump: I would like to give Americans an update on the "horrific attack and violence that was witnessed by everyone"
12:44 p.m.: the rich asshole finally — finally and oh so belatedly — said the words the nation has demanding to hear from him. “Racism is evil, and those who cause violence in its name are criminals and thugs, including the KKK, neo-Nazis, white supremacists.” He probably wants a shiny medal for it now.
12:46 p.m.: And that’s it. the rich asshole took no questions from reporters. He did not apologize for his stubborn refusal all weekend to condemn these groups. And while he eventually condemned them, his words for these organizations were not nearly as harsh as the words he has used to attack others, including members of his own party.
Bottom line? That was not good enough. Not nearly good enough.
Merck CEO resigns from presidential council over the rich asshole remarks
BY REBECCA SAVRANSKY - 08/14/17 08:47 AM EDT 6,603
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Merck CEO resigns from presidential council over the rich asshole remarks
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An African-American CEO of a major pharmaceutical company has resigned from a presidential council in a direct response to President the rich asshole's remarks about "many sides" being to blame for violence over the weekend in Charlottesville, Va.
Merck chairman and CEO Kenneth Frazier said he was leaving the rich asshole's American Manufacturing Council, arguing U.S. leaders must "clearly reject expressions of hatred, bigotry and group supremacy."
"Our country's strength stems from its diversity and the contributions made by men and women of different faiths, races, sexual orientations and political beliefs," Frazier said in a statement that did not mention the rich asshole by name.
"America's leaders must honor our fundamental values by clearly rejecting expressions of hatred, bigotry and group supremacy, which run counter to the American ideal that all people are created equal," he continued.
"As CEO of Merck, and as a matter of personal conscience, I feel a responsibility to take a stand against intolerance and extremism."
the rich asshole quickly fired back at the CEO, saying Merck would "have more time to LOWER RIPOFF DRUG PRICES!"
Now that Ken Frazier of Merck Pharma has resigned from President's Manufacturing Council,he will have more time to LOWER RIPOFF DRUG PRICES!
Frazier previously served as the chairman of a commission that investigated the pedophilia scandal at Pennsylvania State University. The commission's report found that Penn State administrators failed to take action to stop Jerry Sandusky, a football coach convicted of sexual abuse.
the rich asshole faced backlash this weekend for denouncing the violence in Charlottesville, where one person died and numerous more were injured in clashes Saturday between white supremacists and counterprotesters, but not directly putting blame on any particular group.
"We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides — on many sides," the rich asshole said at a press conference from his New Jersey golf course.
The White House on Sunday sought to clarify the rich asshole's position.
"The president said very strongly in his statement yesterday that he condemns all forms of violence, bigotry, and hatred," the White House said on Sunday. "He called for national unity and bringing all Americans together."
‘You’re fake news’: the rich asshole blasts CNN’s Jim Acosta for grilling him over Charlottesville violence
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President some rich asshole and CNN’s Jim Acosta briefly sparred Monday in the White House.
After the president signed a memo regarding China’s alleged theft of American intellectual property, Acosta asked the rich asshole why he didn’t condemn hate groups over the weekend.
“They’ve been condemned. They have been condemned,” the rich asshole replied.
“And why are we not having a press conference today? You said on Friday we would have a press conference?” Acosta asked.
“We just had a press conference,” the rich asshole said.
“Can we ask you some more questions?” Acosta wondered.
“It doesn’t bother me at all, but you know I like real news, not fake news,” the rich asshole remarked. “You’re fake news.”
‘3 days to say the KKK is bad’: ‘Modern Family’ producer rips the rich asshole who responded faster to defend TV ratings than violence
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Danny Zuker, the executive producer of “Modern Family,” ripped President some rich asshole’s delayed response to the immense violence that went down over the weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia.
“I once challenged @RealDonaldTrump ’s ratings & he tweeted me in 15 minutes. It took him 3 days to say the KKK is bad. Sorry, it’s too late,” Zuker fired off in his tweet.uker’s tweet was sent shortly after the rich asshole finally addressed the KKK and other hate groups by name Monday at the White House following the weekend’s violence at a white nationalist rally.
Back in 2013, Zuker and the rich asshole engaged in a Twitter war when the former mocked the poor ratings of the rich asshole’s former TV show, “The Celebrity Apprentice.”
‘Hostage video’: Internet flays ‘too little, too late’ the rich asshole for uncomfortable ‘racism is evil’ speech
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U.S. President some rich asshole pauses during remarks on the protests in Charlottesville, Virginia, from his golf estate in Bedminster, New Jersey, U.S. August 12, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
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Three days after the death of a counter-protester at a white nationalist march in Charlottesville, President some rich asshole finally called out the white supremacists and neo-Nazis who attended, saying” racism is evil.”
the rich asshole’s second address to the nation was considered to be damage control after his disastrous speech on Sunday when he tried to spread the blame for violence “on many sides.”
the rich asshole’s apparent discomfort with the speech — read from a teleprompter — caused one commentator to say he read the speech, “like he was recording a hostage video.”
Many on Twitter agreed, with some calling it “too little, too late.”
Trump: “No matter the color of our skin, we all live under the same laws. We all salute the same great flag.” snpy.tv/2fF6k1u
Raised in the overtly racist cold war era I hear "let's placate the people so we can accomplish larger goal" in the rich asshole speech.— TrumpTVisFake (@cfenner5) August 14, 2017
Trump’s speech was given with as much sincerity as a child being forced to apologize to the neighbor for knocking over their mailbox.
the rich asshole ‘seriously considering’ pardon for ‘birther’ pal Sheriff Arpaio
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Joe Arpaio (Photo: Gage Skidmore/Wikipedia)
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President some rich asshole’s first pardon might go to former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
A Fox News exclusive with the rich asshole revealed the president is pondering the option.
“I am seriously considering a pardon for Sheriff Arpaio,” the rich asshole told Fox News Sunday. “He has done a lot in the fight against illegal immigration. He’s a great American patriot and I hate to see what has happened to him.”
The Arizona sheriff was voted out of office in November, and was convicted of criminal contempt after he defied a state judge’s order to stop traffic patrols of assumed undocumented immigrants. Arpaio was an early supporter of the rich asshole’s and frequently accompanied him at rallies.
Arpaio is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 5 and could earn as much as six months in jail, though few think he’ll actually serve it given his advanced age and lack of a criminal record.
He’s already been caught begging for money to navigate his legal fees now that he’s no longer in office. Arpaio’s actions have already cost the county $13 million in anticipated settlements to lawsuits from individuals suing the department. Arpaio’s legal fees were reported to have exceeded $50 million in Sept. 2016.
Arpaio lost his election due to Republicans who also voted for the rich asshole.
the rich asshole angrily attacks black CEO for leaving manufacturing council over ‘hatred, bigotry and group supremacy’
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some rich asshole's grandparents fled poverty in Germany to go to America (AFP Photo/Timothy A. Clary)
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President some rich asshole attacked the CEO of Merck on Monday, after the black business executive announced he was resigning from President the rich asshole’s American Manufacturing Council.
Kenneth C. Frazier said Monday he was resigning from the council over the rich asshole’s response to a racist terror attack in Charlottesville over the weekend.
“America’s leaders must honor our fundamental values by clearly rejecting expressions of hatred, bigotry and group supremacy, which run counter to the American ideal that all people are created equal,” he said in a statement.
“As CEO of Merck, and as a matter of personal conscience, I feel a responsibility to take a stand against intolerance and extremism.”
the rich asshole responded to his announcement by accusing Frazier of ripping people off.
“Now that Ken Frazier of Merck Pharma has resigned from President’s Manufacturing Council,he will have more time to LOWER RIPOFF DRUG PRICES!” the president wrote on Twitter
WATCH: the rich asshole Calls Half Of America ‘Enemies’ Just One Day After Unity Plea
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August 13, 2017
What a wonderful thought! What a refreshing break from his normal xenophobic, anti-Muslim, hateful rhetoric. It sure made me feel good, you know? That is, of course, until I saw the rich asshole’s new campaign commercial today, in which he calls Democrats and the media his “enemies” for “standing in his way.”
Maybe I’m just rough on math after so many years after college, but I feel like losing an election by 3 million votes should indicate to you that when you other-ize people who didn’t vote for you, you’re talking about more than half of the voters in this country. Maybe I’m just missing the nuance of the rich asshole’s statement yesterday, but it seems like “…or political party” should include more political parties than just Republicans.
And here’s the thing: Obviously the rich asshole didn’t have the commercial made in the 24 hours since a Republican Nazi murdered a young girl in Charlottesville with his car. That’s what makes this so disgusting. A normal president, no matter how dedicated to their ideology, would realize how tone-deaf it is to go ahead with a commercial like this after the events of the weekend.
But there is nothing normal about some rich asshole, and we must never accept or normalize his behavior.
Aside from the pointed attack on his “enemies,” the ad is full of garbage. the rich asshole claims credit for jobs, stocks, and military preparedness that have nothing to do with any of his own policies — none of which are in effect yet.
Once again, the rich asshole’s lies and divisiveness fracture an America still reeling from the terrorist attack yesterday by one of his supporters.
Watch the campaign ad here:
This is proof that some rich asshole has only emboldened white nationalists.
In the aftermath of the attack that killed a counter-protester in Charlottesville, Virginia, the rich asshole reacted by refusing to directly condemn white nationalists, instead blaming both sides as if the woman who died got herself murdered by domestic terrorists.
“We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides ― on many sides,” the rich asshole said.
Clearly, the rich asshole was unwilling to anger his most ardent supporters, and they praised him for it.
Neo-Nazi publication The Daily Stormer was very pleased with the rich asshole’s remarks, especially the part where he basically gave them permission to keep terrorizing the nation.
“He didn’t attack us,” wrote site founder Andrew Anglin, according to the Huffington Post.
“He just said the nation should come together. Nothing specific against us. He said that we need to study why people are so angry, and implied that there was hate … on both sides! So he implied the antifa [anti-fascists] are haters. There was virtually no counter-signaling of us at all. He said he loves us all. Also refused to answer a question about White Nationalists supporting him. No condemnation at all. When asked to condemn, he just walked out of the room. Really, really good. God bless him.”
In short, white nationalists believe that the rich asshole’s non-condemnation means that he stands with them.
And that’s a serious threat to the safety of every citizen in this nation.
White nationalists now believe they can do whatever they want and that they have the rich asshole’s approval.
This is why some rich asshole must condemn white nationalists. But even if he did so now, it’s too little, too late.
The vile racists and Nazis who comprise white supremacy movement will simply ignore it and insist that the rich asshole’s true feelings about their group were already stated in his initial reaction.
So, the rich asshole may have just made the most dangerous blunder of his presidency. He just gave white nationalists a green light to continue spewing hate and being violent in their push to make America racist again.
That was made even more clear by KKK Grand Wizard David Duke.
“We are determined to take our country back,” Duke said. “We are going to fulfill the promises of some rich asshole. That’s what we believed in, that’s why we voted for some rich asshole. Because he said he’s going to take our country back. That’s what we gotta do.”
It’s time for this generation of Americans to renew the fight against Nazis and white nationalists. American troops did not sacrifice their lives fighting in Europe during World War II so that Nazis could take power in our own country. They would be horrified by the rich asshole’s coddling of this hateful anti-American movement and they would be ashamed that the American people aren’t doing more to put an end to it once and for all.
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the rich asshole suspects Bannon of leaking, putting job in jeopardy
Lazaro Gamio / Axios
President the rich asshole has told close associates that he believes Steve Bannon is behind damaging leaks about White House colleagues, putting the chief strategist's job in fresh jeopardy, sources close to the president tell me.
· the rich asshole has told associates he's fed up with what he sees as self-promotion by Bannon, who did not join the core team this week at the president's golf club in Bedminster, N.J.
· Bannon's time with the rich asshole has diminished since the new chief of staff, retired Marine Gen. John Kelly, took over and imposed discipline on the circus around the Oval Office.
· Bannon declined to comment.
· Why it matters: POTUS has been frustrated with Bannon in the past, but he never had as easy a vehicle for getting rid of him. Kelly is expected to make West Wing changes, anyway. As one top aide said: "Kelly can do the dirty work."
· Now Bannon is a man on an island, with very few true allies in the building.
· Some caveats: the rich asshole's anger with Bannon is nothing new, and Bannon survived Jared Kushner's attempt to get rid of him early in the administration. It's always perilous to say the rich asshole is going to oust anybody.
How Bannon ran afoul of the rich asshole:
· Key West Wing colleagues believe Bannon is an instigator of leaks targeting National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster. The stories have been driven by Breitbart News, where Bannon was executive chairman before joining the rich asshole's presidential campaign as chief executive in August. On Thursday, the rich asshole backed McMaster as "our friend."
· Sources close to the rich asshole say he was irritated about Bannon's extensive cooperation with a book by Bloomberg Businessweek's Josh Green, "Devil's Bargain," with a cover that gave Bannon equal billing with the rich asshole.
· This was a rerun of one of the key factors that put the chief strategist in the rich asshole's doghouse months ago: a TIME magazine cover dubbing Bannon "THE GREAT MANIPULATOR."
· In a New York Post interview in April, the rich asshole refused to definitively back Bannon, and declared himself "my own strategist." After that, Bannon lowered his profile, then temporarily redeemed himself as he helped organize the White House response to Robert Mueller.
Now, Kelly has changed the dynamic:
· He's a chain-of-command military guy who was initially mystified, and then horrified, when he learned about the relentless campaign against McMaster, coming from Breitbart and others.
· When Reince Priebus was chief of staff and facing his own problems, the rich asshole didn't have an easy vehicle to evict Bannon from the White House. Priebus and Bannon became allies of convenience in a war against Jared and Ivanka (or "Javanka" as Bannon calls them to associates.)
· Bannon has told associates he has nothing to do with the campaign against McMaster — that it's a spontaneous effort by the base.
· A source familiar with the president's thinking said the rich asshole didn't believe that Bannon was some kind of puppeteer in charge of conservative media. "That would be overstating Steve's influence," the source said.
· But the source wondered why Bannon hasn't raised a finger to stop the hit pieces against McMaster that have run on Breitbart, a publication he used to run. The source pointed out that when the media began reporting, early in the administration, that Bannon was warring with Reince, the two went to extraordinary lengths to prove their friendship, and Bannon went to extraordinary lengths to shut down the narrative.
Be smart: The best card Bannon has to play is that he's an important voice inside the building, and a key channel to the rich asshole's populist nationalist base.
· Bannon is more aligned philosophically with the President than many of the rich asshole's other senior aides. Bannon has been on the winning side of a number of internal policy battles, including the rich asshole's withdrawal from the Paris climate accord and the new aggressive turn against China on trade. On Monday, the rich asshole returns to D.C. to announce he's signing a memo to investigate China for intellectual property theft and other trade abuses against the U.S. Bannon has been pushing hard behind that policy.
· Bannon has a genuine, deeply-felt policy disagreement with McMaster. Bannon's and McMaster's world views are diametrically opposed, and Bannon believes the globalists pose the greatest internal threat to the rich asshole presidency, and could send it veering off course with foreign interventions.
Other questions circulating the West Wing:
· How would two Republican mega-donors, Bob and Rebekah Mercer, react if Kelly were to fire Bannon on the rich asshole's behalf? Given the financial support they've given to Bannon and Breitbart, would they turn against the rich asshole, whom they've also supported?
· How will the rich asshole's base react to Bannon's firing?
· What kind of havoc could Bannon wreak on the outside, unencumbered by his West Wing responsibilities?
Mueller eyeing permission to talk with Reince Preibus as Russia probe hits interrogation phase: report
Special counsel Robert Mueller and former White House chief of staff Reince Priebus.
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Special counsel Robert Mueller is in talks with the rich asshole Administration, requesting that his investigators be allowed to interview current and former administration officials, including recently fired White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus.
According to the New York Times, Mueller’s investigation into Russian connections to the 2016 the rich asshole campaign has reached the interrogation phase.
“In a sign that the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election will remain a continuing distraction for the White House, the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, is in talks with the West Wing about interviewing current and former senior administration officials, including the recently ousted White House chief of staff, Reince Priebus” The Times explained. “Mr. Mueller has asked the White House about specific meetings, who attended them and whether there are any notes, transcripts or documents about them, two of the people said. Among the matters Mr. Mueller wants to ask the officials about is President the rich asshole’s decision in May to fire the F.B.I. director, James B. Comey,” the two sources added.
Such questions go beyond collusion during the campaign, showing Mueller is investigating obstruction of justice by the White House.
“No interviews have been scheduled, but in recent weeks Mr. Mueller’s investigation has appeared to intensify. Late last month, he took the aggressive step of executing a search warrant at the home of Paul J. Manafort, some rich asshole’s former campaign chairman, in Alexandria, Va. Legal experts say Mr. Mueller may be trying to put pressure on Mr. Manafort to cooperate with the investigation,” The Times noted. “Although it has been clear for months that Mr. Mueller would interview some rich asshole’s closest advisers, Mr. Mueller’s recent inquiries come as some rich asshole is heading into the fall pushing his priorities in Congress, including a tax overhaul, with the constant distraction of a federal investigation.”
The administration declined to comment.
“Mr. Priebus appears on the calendar of Mr. Manafort on the same day in June 2016 that Mr. Manafort and other campaign officials — including some rich asshole’s eldest son and son-in-law — attended a meeting with Russians who claimed to have damaging information about Hillary Clinton, according to two people briefed on the matter,” The Times reminded.
Before dawn on Wednesday, the feds raided the home of former some rich asshole campaign manager Paul Manafort. the rich asshole, as intelligence expert Malcolm Nance says, is getting buggy. The investigation is getting closer and closer to him, and his poll numbers are in a free-fall, so from the safety of 17 day golf vacation in New Jersey, the rich asshole is threatening war against not one, not two, but three countries.
Most of the media has been covering his exchange of provocative nuclear threats with North Korean Dictator Kim Jong Un. If that’s not terrifying enough, the rich asshole also hinted that he’s planning to attack Iran because, well, they may or may not be abiding by the nuclear deal. All indications are that they are, but that doesn’t stop a commander-in-chief who desperately, so desperately, needs a way to wag the dog.
On Friday, the rich asshole announced that there might be a third war on the table. This one against Venezuela.
“We have many options for Venezuela, including a possible military option, if necessary,” the rich asshole told reporters at his New Jersey golf club on Friday.
The president did not answer a question about whether American troops would lead a potential operation.
“We don’t talk about it. But a military operation, a military option, is certainly something we could pursue,” he responded.
Source: CNBC
To be fair, Venezuela isn’t exactly our friend. Two years ago, President Obama issued sanctions against the oil-rich country, in part over its human rights abuses.
The White House said the order targeted people whose actions undermined democratic processes or institutions, had committed acts of violence or abuse of human rights, were involved in prohibiting or penalizing freedom of expression, or were government officials involved in public corruption.
“Venezuelan officials past and present who violate the human rights of Venezuelan citizens and engage in acts of public corruption will not be welcome here, and we now have the tools to block their assets and their use of U.S. financial systems,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest said in a statement.
“We are deeply concerned by the Venezuelan government’s efforts to escalate intimidation of its political opponents,” he added.
Source: Reuters
the rich asshole, whose only political tactic is to try to intimidate his political opponents, also complained about the human rights abuses, despite having no problems with the human rights abuses of Saudi Arabia, Russia and the Philippines.
One fact, and only one fact, might indicate that the rich asshole is just bluster. the rich asshole’s cozy relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin might actually be keeping us safer, at least as far as the idea of the rich asshole waging war against Venezuela or North Korea. Venezuela is a strong trading partner of Russia. Putin also backs North Korea, as does our largest trading partner, China.
This whole show could be just the rich asshole trying to boost his poll numbers, or it could be his way of pretending to create distance between him and Putin, but regardless, the talk is reckless and potentially deadly. The people he’s threatening don’t see his talk as political posturing. They are taking it very seriously and even if the rich asshole doesn’t pull the trigger first, they certainly could.
the rich asshole ‘submissive’ to Putin, say former envoys
August 11, 2017
Graham Lanktree
Posted with permission from Newsweek
President Donald Trump’s praise of Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s expulsion of hundreds of American diplomats is making America look weak in front of the foreign strongman, say diplomats who have served both Republican and Democrat presidents.
At his New Jersey golf course Thursday Trump told reporters he wants to thank Putin for expelling the diplomats “because we're trying to cut down our payroll.”
“There's no real reason for them to go back,” Trump said. “I'm very thankful that he let go of a large number of people because now we have a smaller payroll,” the president added. “We're going to save a lot of money.”
The president’s remarks are the first he has made in response to Putin’s announcement late last month that Moscow will force the U.S. to cut 755 staff from its Russian embassies and consulates by September 1. Many of those employees are locally hired Russians, but hundreds are American diplomats and spies.
“It's astonishing to see our President submissively take Putin's side against U.S. State Dept personnel,” tweeted Congressman Don Beyer, a Democrat who served as Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein from 2009 to 2013.
“Having served at State for 25 yrs under R/Ds, Trump's defense of Putin over expelled U.S. diplomats one of most shameful of his presidency,” wrote Aaron David Miller, an advisor to both Republican and Democratic secretaries of state who worked on Arab–Israeli negotiations during the George W. Bush administration.
“Imagine wanting to know less about Russia's military modernization! That's what Trump praised today,” tweeted former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul. “There is nothing conservative, Republican, patriotic or MAGA-ish about appeasement of Putin. Nothing.”
Trump’s decision to commend Putin “shows that he doesn't understand diplomacy,” McFaul wrote.
Before Trump praised Putin, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that the U.S. would formulate a response to the Kremlin’s move before September 1. Trump’s response makes plain he is OK with letting letting the embassy staff go.
The Kremlin’s expulsion of American diplomats comes in response to the Obama administration’s expulsion of 35 diplomats and the seizure of two Russian diplomatic properties in the U.S. late last year. The move was made after key American intelligence agencies found they were used for spying and interference in the 2016 election. Moscow has said it will also seize two American diplomatic properties.
Early this year Tillerson said that U.S.-Russia relations had reached an all-time low point. But relations with the Kremlin have become even more tense after Congress passed a bipartisan law last month by a veto-proof majority that limits Trump’s power to roll back a series of American sanctions against Russia.
In a briefing to reporters at the State Department last Tuesday, Tillerson said that “neither the president nor I were very happy” about Congress’s recent decision to pass the bill. When Trump signed the bill the following day, he said it was “seriously flawed” because “it encroaches on the executive branch’s authority to negotiate” and “strike good deals for the American people.”
Congress’s distrust of the Trump administration’s handling of U.S.-Russia relations stems from the president’s response to Russia’s interference in the 2016 election, which he calls a “hoax.” An investigation is currently probing whether the Trump campaign assisted the Russian interference.
The State Department has even resisted spending money to counter Russian disinformation campaigns against the U.S. for fear of aggravating Russia.
Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations from 2013 to 2017, Samantha Power, called Trump’s response to Putin “unfathomable” because he is “thanking a foreign dictator for deciding America's business.”
the rich asshole launches spiteful campaign to defeat insufficiently loyal Senate Republicans
the rich asshole and his backers are raking in campaign cash. But not all of it is to help Republicans. Some of it may be to defeat the ones who dare criticize him — even while voting for his agenda.
Arizona Republican Jeff Flake is a reliable vote for the rich asshole's agenda, but the rich asshole's targeting him anyway.
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Much attention has been given to how successful some rich asshole’s fundraising efforts have been in the first year of his presidency.
A month ago, the rich asshole held a massive fundraiser at his D.C. hotel that netted $10 million. And despite the fact that their president is lurching from scandal to scandal, Republicans generally have been outraising Democrats for the past few months.
But this may not entirely be good news for Republicans. the rich asshole is not planning to use all of this money to help them. In fact, there are signs he is planning to use some of it against Senate Republicans who have drawn his ire.
the rich asshole has never much liked the Senate Republican caucus. Outraged by their failure to repeal Obamacare, the rich asshole is trying to threaten Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s job, and on Thursday, he took a break from his 17-day golf vacation to demand McConnell “get back to work.”
But there are specific senators he has special anger for, to the point that he and his allies are actually toying with the idea of spending money to defeat them.
Back when it looked as if Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV) might vote against Obamacare repeal, the rich asshole openly threatened his job at a conference, saying “He wants to remain a senator, doesn’t he?”
And pro-the rich asshole outside spending group America First Policies announced a seven-figure ad buy against Heller, warning “we’re not giving him a second chance” if he voted no on repeal. They canceled the campaign only after Heller had safely voted yes.
Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) is facing similar threats. Robert Mercer, technology billionaire and the rich asshole megadonor, is spending $300,000 to back Flake’s primary challenger, Kelli Ward. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders recently refused to rule out the possibility the rich asshole himself will follow suit, saying, “Sen. Flake would serve his constituents much better if he was less focused on writing a book and attacking the president.”
It is worth noting that neither Heller nor Flake has ever actually voted against the rich asshole on any matter of political significance. While they have publicly criticized some of his beliefs and policies on occasion, they confirmed all his nominees and voted the way he told them to. The unpopular and vulnerable Heller even voted for the rich asshole’s health care bill, despite overwhelming opposition from his constituents.
It makes no strategic sense for the rich asshole to spend money and political capital trying to take down two Republicans crucial to his narrow Senate majority. He has no plan here — just sheer pettiness. It’s also counterproductive for the rich asshole to attack the very Republicans whose support he needs if he has any hopes of passing any of his legislative agenda.
In another political climate, the rich asshole’s fundraising might be cause for GOP optimism. But it is clear that the rich asshole is out for only himself — and is not above using his war chest to stab his Republican compatriots in the back.
Former Ambassador to Russia goes on epic rant after the rich asshole ‘disses Americans – to praise Putin’
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Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul was furious when he heard President some rich asshole celebrate Russian President Vladimir Putin’s expulsion of 755 embassy employees from the country.
“I want to thank him because we’re trying to cut down our payroll and as far as I’m concerned I’m very thankful that he let go of a large number of people,” the rich asshole told reporters during an impromptu press conference in Bedminster, New Jersey. “There’s no real reason for them to go back.”
McFaul, who served as the ambassador from 2011-2014 under former President Barack Obama also served as the former Special Assistant to the President at National Security Council. He knows firsthand the strategic value of diplomats and staff living and working in Russia on behalf of the United States.
“the rich asshole just applauded cuts of 755 in Russian embassy,” McFaul said Thursday. “Maybe he should look to trim his own staff? You realize Mr. President that the State Dept organizes US delegations to [the Global Entrepreneurship Summit] — those same people you just said were not needed in Russia.”
He went on to allege that the comment from the rich asshole proves that the president doesn’t know anything about foreign diplomacy.
“Our diplomats, professional staff, and military serving in Russia provide Washington with invaluable information about Russia,” McFaul continued. “Imagine wanting to know less about Russia’s military modernization! That’s what the rich asshole praised today. Imagine wanting to know less about Russian foreign policy intentions and plans! That’s what embassy personnel reductions will do. Imagine wanting to have less capability to gather data about dangerous transnational diseases originating in Russia! the rich asshole seems to want that. Imagine dissing Americans — patriots serving our country under difficult conditions in Russia — to praise Putin. Our president did today.”
You can see the full tweetstorm below:
Trump just applauded cuts of 755 in Russian embassy. Maybe he should look to trim his own staff? twitter.com/dandrezner/sta…
You realize Mr. President that the State Dept organizes US delegations to GES -- those same people you just said were not needed in Russia. twitter.com/realdonaldtrum…
That @realDonaldTrump praised Putin today for cutting 755 people from our embassy in Russia shows that he doesn't understand diplomacy.
Our diplomats, professional staff, and military serving in Russia provide Washington with invaluable information about Russia. twitter.com/mcfaul/status/…
Imagine wanting to know less about Russia's military modernization! That's what Trump praised today. twitter.com/mcfaul/status/…
Imagine wanting to know less about Russian foreign policy intentions and plans ! That's what embassy personnel reductions will do. twitter.com/mcfaul/status/…
Imagine wanting to have less capability to gather data about dangerous transnational diseases originating in Russia!Trump seems to want that twitter.com/mcfaul/status/…
Imagine dissing Americans --patriots serving our country under difficult conditions in Russia -to praise Putin. Our president did today. twitter.com/mcfaul/status/…
Punk Putin?! Cmon man ! I know Putin. He is not punked by these silly comments. Putin will see Trumps comments as another sign of weakness twitter.com/jjcarafano/sta…
If that was his intent, he has failed in achieving his objectives twitter.com/jjcarafano/sta…
asshole's Awesome Trail of
Humiliated Republicans Grows Longer by the Day
the rich asshole's Awesome Trail of Humiliated Republicans Grows Longer by the Day
Here are the Republicans who have sacrificed their dignity and integrity to align themselves with the president, only to be discarded by the rich asshole for their efforts.
08-10-2017
OURS AGO
One of the reasons people hate politics is that truth is rarely a politician’s objective. Election and power are. –Cal Thomas.
As a political writer, I’ve always found voluntary humiliation in the political world fascinating to witness. The men and women who enter politics are often contradictory, hypocritical and inconsistent. But that is to be expected given the vast amounts of money involved in politics. However, there comes a time when political calculations go to the core of a person, their character and the content of their soul.
some rich asshole has made a sport out of humiliating his political opponents, a list of which is growing longer by the day. They have sacrificed their integrity to align with the rich asshole, and put political ambition ahead of their own dignity.
Many of us remember Mitt Romney going after some rich asshole in a speechby calling him an unfit imbecile. Months later, Romney was seen having dinner with the rich asshole, making a pitch for the Secretary of State position. After dangling the position in front of him the rich asshole ultimately gave the position to Rex Tillerson because Romney wouldn’t apologize to him. The public humiliation effectively ended Romney’s political career and we haven’t heard a peep from him since.
Chris Christie quickly saw his once promising political career descend intoscandal, historic unpopularity in New Jersey and his presidential aspirations get flushed down the political toilet. In response, Christie strongly aligned himself with some rich asshole and it backfired in embarrassing fashion. Christie was on the end of the rich asshole’s fat jokes,, humiliated with unusual demands and kicked off the transition committee. (Only an ambitious fool would actually think you could arrest the father of the rich asshole’s son in law Jared Kushner and not anticipate political vengeance if the opportunity presented itself.)
Senator Ted Cruz during his Republican presidential run listened to some rich asshole insult his wife and father with language that crossed many, many lines. But the rich asshole’s attacks on Cruz’s family was not enough for him to withdraw his support for the rich asshole, and Cruz stood by the president despite the emasculating humiliation, ostensibly for some political payoff down the line
The draft dodging the rich asshole attempted to smear Senator John McCain, a prisoner of war who was tortured for years in Vietnam, going as far as to ridicule his heroism. McCain’s muted response was disappointing to say the least, and “The Maverick” has lost much of his stature in the eyes of the public.
Senator Marco Rubio, who once called some rich asshole a con-man, was reduced to new levels of embarrassment as he allowed himself to engage in penis size discussions on the national stage with the rich asshole. After his crushing defeat in the presidential primary, Rubio stated he would retire from the Senate at the end of 2016. Unsurprisingly, Rubio was not being honest and cynically used the Orlando tragedy as the reason why he decided to run for Senate again, riding the con-man’s coattails to another victory. Since being in office, Rubio has been a reliable vote for anything the rich asshole wants to do thus far.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan have been negligent in protecting democracy and holding some rich asshole accountable for his daily disregard for the constitution and democratic institutions. The Russian scandal is the latest example in their refusal to seek truth on behalf of America and its ideals, and their inaction speaks volumes about their lack of character and unwillingness to stand up to the rich asshole.
Kellyanne Conway, once known in some circles as a respectable Republican pollster, has become a vile, pathological liar who has destroyed her own credibility.
Former Press Secretary Sean Spicer had a background in public relations before he decided to join the the rich asshole administration. While in this position, Spicer helped Saturday Night Live regain comedic relevance with their humorous depictions of his temper, lies and incoherence. Sean Spicer also had to deal with constant rumors of unhappiness from his boss until he was fired.
H.R. McMaster forever damaged his reputation by trying to cover up some rich asshole’s unforgivable act of revealing classified information to the Russians. Now if recent rumors are true, McMaster is finding himself on the receiving end of smears and attacks with the hope of pushing him out.
Anthony Scaramucci, once a harsh critic of some rich asshole, convinced the rich asshole to hire him as white house communications director. In the process, Scaramucci did an interview with the New Yorker expressing his infatuation with male genitalia and hatred for then Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, and was unceremoniously fired after only a week and a half on the job. Scaramucci reportedly missed the birth of his son to be at a rich asshole event and his wife also filed for divorce.
The former Republican National Chairman Preibus, was also reported to be under constant scrutiny, shamed and ridiculed before he was fired.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions is the latest Republican being tormented by some rich asshole (Sessions thus far is tolerating the humiliation because he is committed to executing his white supremacist agenda at the Department of Justice)
The trail of Republicans enlisting themselves for some form of humiliation and disgrace by the president gets longer and longer every day. As the rich asshole remains in office, it leaves us with the inevitable question: Who is next?
BY SHANNON BARBER NEWS, POLITICSAUGUST 10, 2017
THE RICH ASSHOLE COMES FOR MCCONNELL AGAIN WITH LATEST STATEMENT: ‘FULFILL MY CAMPAIGN PROMISES FOR ME OR QUIT’
some rich asshole seems to think that he can bully Congress into doing his bidding, even though they are a separate and co-equal branch of government. His current target is Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who the rich asshole is blaming for the failure of the disastrous Trumpcare bill that would have taken healthcare from millions. First, the rich asshole ordered McConnell to “get back to work” on the healthcare bill, as if McConnell works for him. Now, during a presser amid the North Korea crisis, the rich asshole suggested that at some point McConnell should step down as Senate Majority Leader.
When the rich asshole was asked about his attacks on McConnell and his feelings on whether or not the Senate GOP leader should continue in the post, he said:
“I’ll tell you what, if he doesn’t get repeal and replace done, and if he doesn’t get taxes done, meaning cuts and reform, and if he doesn’t get a very easy one to get done, infrastructure, he doesn’t get them done, then you can ask me that question.”
the rich asshole then made it clear that he intends to continue hammering McConnell in public, and he wants the help of the press in doing so:
“That means ask me that question. Let’s hope he gets it done.”
This is a very clear warning shot, and we know that the rich asshole is a bully. He is angry that he has been humiliated on his signature campaign promise, which is to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act on day one. It is now well past the 200 day mark, and the GOP has proven that even with control of all three branches of the federal government they cannot achieve anything major on the legislative front. It is clear that the rich asshole is taking this personally, that he is feeling aggrieved, and that right now he blames Mitch McConnell for that failure.
McConnell better use his Article 1 powers and check the orange fool sitting at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. He should see now that no one is safe from the rich asshole’s ire if he believes they have done something disloyal, something to betray him.
McConnell would be wise to push back, lest he allow the rich asshole to believe that he can be pushed out by an unruly wannabe dictator.
The Rich Asshole Thanks Russia’s Putin For Slashing U.S. Diplomatic Staff
U.S. President some rich asshole speaks to reporters after a security briefing at his golf estate in Bedminster, New Jersey U.S. August 10, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
August 10, 2017
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President some rich asshole on Thursday thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for slashing the number of U.S. diplomatic staff in Russia, “because now we have a smaller payroll.”
“I want to thank him because we’re trying to cut down our payroll and as far as I’m concerned I’m very thankful that he let go of a large number of people,” the rich asshole told reporters at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. “There’s no real reason for them to go back.”
Putin, reacting to new sanctions imposed by the U.S. Congress, on July 30 ordered Washington to cut 755 of its 1,200 embassy and consulate staff by September. Many of those affected are likely to be local Russian staffers. [nL5N1KM3ZT]
It was unclear if the rich asshole was joking in his comments, his first substantive reaction to Putin’s move.
Nicholas Burns, formerly the State Department’s third-ranking official, called the rich asshole’s comments “grotesque.”
“If he was joking, he should know better,” said Burns, now a professor at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. “If he wasn’t, it’s unprecedented. A president has never defended the expulsion of our diplomats.”
the rich asshole’s remarks are at odds with the State Department’s reaction to Putin’s order. A State Department official on July 30 called the Russian move “a regrettable and uncalled-for act.”
the rich asshole also said he has not given any thought to the possibility of firing special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating possible collusion between his presidential campaign and Russia.
He said he was surprised by the FBI raid last month on his former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, adding that it sent a “strong signal.”
(Reporting by Warren Strobel and Jonathan Landay; Additional reporting by Yeganeh Torbati; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and Sandra Maler)
Eric the rich asshole Posts Ridiculous Photo On Twitter And Gets Laughed Off The Internet
some rich asshole’s son, Eric the rich asshole, decided to brag about how great his family’s hotels are by posting a picture on Twitter that got him laughed off the internet. According to the the rich asshole heir, their hotels are the greatest hotels — and the boiler rooms are all the proof you need. Seriously.
Eric tweeted the following photo on his daddy’s favorite social media platform to show the world just how tremendous all the rich asshole properties are.
If you want to see the pride we take in each & every inch of our properties, just look at our mechanical rooms! @TrumpLasVegas @TrumpHotels
I must admit, at first I stared at this tweet blankly while trying to figure out WTF he was so proud of. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one.
Impartial question: What are we supposed to be impressed by here
But to be clear, not everyone thought the cleanliness of the rich asshole’s mechanical room was all that astounding at all and some even pointed out some very serious problems that can be seen in these pictures.
Nothing special, I'm a pipefitter in Boston and almost every hospital/pharma company is as good or better lol
Suggest checking code consultants about this one! Appears to be unprotected power conductors. Suggest tweets be reviewed by professionals
Sloppy and unprofessional loose wiring attached with wire ties is typically not something most knowledgeable developers allow or brag about
Consult with engineer to verify wiring is completed to spec. Instrument wiring held in place with adhesive backed wire ties?#unprofessional
Suggest you have the chiller compressor section insulation repaired.
RELATED: Kellyanne Conway Gets Called Out On Twitter For Calling Democrats Baby Killers
Well, now that we have figured what point he was trying to prove (even though he failed miserably), we can move on to the straight up mockery. And boy oh boy was there plenty of that to go around.
Meanwhile daddy o threatens N.Korea. But hey we have a great boiler room. Omg.really?
You must lead a boring life if you are taking crap photos. Do something better in life like join the Army. Sorry All Trumps are cowards
I wonder how many of the workers that built this were stiffed their full compensation.....
Isn't this Mechanical Room of now defunct Premiere Ivy League Trump University
Built w/ 100% Real Russian Rubles
& 100% Chinese Steel Pipes?
White House seeks somebody — anybody — “desperate” enough to work for the rich asshole
AUGUST 10, 2017
It's an indisputable fact at this point that working for some rich asshole is a miserable, thankless task. Which is why no one wants to do it.
Anyone? Anyone at all?
(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
While some rich asshole is enjoying endless rounds of golf on his “working vacation,” his team is trying to find someone willing to assume the inevitably doomed role of White House communications director.
It is not going well.
“There are very few out there that would want to, honestly, serve in this White House,” a source told the Washington Examiner.
the rich asshole’s last communications director, the instantly scandal-plagued and shocking foul-mouthed Anthony Scaramucci, lasted all of 10 days before he was shown the door.
the rich asshole’s first would-be communications director, Jason Miller, did not even make it to Inauguration Day. He was consumed with his own scandal: an affair with a fellow the rich asshole campaign staffer after a night at a Vegas strip bar, while his wife was pregnant with the couple’s second child. The campaign “love child” was born a month ago, and the mother, A.J. Delgado, has been complaining on Twitter about Miller’s lack of child support.
It is painfully obvious, from the rich asshole’s own unscripted and bombastic statements, and of course his Twitter feed, that his communications team is incapable of enforcing any kind of discipline on the impulsive, hot-headed, message-crushing president.
The Washington Examiner reports that while officials have reached out to potential replacements, no one is willing to take the job. Given the rich asshole’s uncontrollable behavior, not to mention his gleeful willingness to throw his own staff and cabinet members under the bus when it suits him, that certainly should not be a surprise to this White House.
the rich asshole has struggled to keep this position filled since the beginning. The first communications director, Mike Dubke, quit after a mere three months. At the time, BuzzFeed spoke with nearly two dozen Republican operatives, almost all of whom said they wouldn’t want the job. One said it would be “career suicide.” Another said, “Oh my god, I’m crying of laughter. Why would anyone in their right mind want to be his communications director?”
The job has only become less appealing since then.
One name that has surfaced is Scott Reed, who managed the 1996 presidential campaign of Bob Dole. He’s not exactly an up-and-comer in the world of Republican politics, but even he has refused to comment.
One source said it will probably end up being someone who is “so desperate for a title” that they’re willing to take on the impossible responsibility of trying to keep the rich asshole and his team on message. Until then, the position remains unfilled while others in the White House scramble to control the damage the rich asshole does to himself and the country on a near-daily basis.
Maybe there just isn’t anyone desperate enough at this point to say yes.
THE RICH ASSHOLE SHARES PATHETIC TWITTER POLL AS PROOF HE’S MORE POPULAR THAN OBAMA, THE INTERNET LAUGHS OUT LOUD
Posted by Stephen D. Foster Jr. on 10 Aug 2017
some rich asshole’s obsession with President Obama has reached a new level of desperation.
The notoriously thin-skinned egomaniac finally found a poll he liked on Thursday morning. And, of course, it was a totally unscientific poll conducted on Twitter.
The Twitter poll asked whether the rich asshole or Obama is better President of the United States. the rich asshole came out ahead 61 percent to 39 percent.
But unlike real polls that are based on a representative sample of Americans, Twitter polls are easily manipulated as they can be swarmed by supporters of either subject and titled unfairly in one direction or the other.
In this case, the rich asshole supporters swarmed the poll and tilted it in favor of their dear leader, who was quick to retweet it as proof that he is more popular than his predecessor.
The Internet immediately laughed in the rich asshole’s face.
My, oh my! SOMEBODY is feeling very insecure this morning. @realDonaldTrump#ImpeachTrumpaol.com/article/news/2… via @AOL
Trump derides "fake news suppression polls", but he tweeted this poll—which is completely unscientific.
I think it's pretty sad that Trump retweeted this poll. It is more evidence of his crippling insecurity.
Internet roasts the rich asshole for telling McConnell to ‘get back to work’ while on a 17-day golf vacation
President some rich asshole on Thursday once again publicly lashed out at Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) over his failure to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.
“Mitch, get back to work and put Repeal & Replace, Tax Reform & Cuts and a great Infrastructure Bill on my desk for signing,” the president wrote. “You can do it!”
Mitch, get back to work and put Repeal & Replace, Tax Reform & Cuts and a great Infrastructure Bill on my desk for signing. You can do it!
the rich asshole right now is in the middle a 17-day vacation at one of his golf courses in Bedminster, New Jersey, and he has spent much of that time not only golfing, but angrily tweeting about this that he’s seen on cable news.
This irony was not lost on other Twitter users, who torched the rich asshole for telling someone else to get back to work even as he took a long break for golfing.
Read the top responses below.
Meanwhile, you are golfing and having lunch today. Remember when you said you would have no time for golf?
.@realDonaldTrump What chapter of "Art of the Deal" can I find this negotiating tactic in?
Chapter 11: Twitter Tantrums?
You spent yesterday golfing with the owner of a staffing agency and his buds. You're the last person to tell anybody to get back to work.
I suggest "getting back to work" might not be your strongest line of attack.
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