He donated $2 million to Republicans including $920,000 to Trump between September and December of 2024, having never previously made any political donations.
the swamp was drained to make room for a golf course and country club, pay your dues and make the proper social calls and you are part of the clic that can do unto others what others cannot do unto you
A slightly more-charitable option: The supporter is willing to take a small virtuous socioeconomic hit as long as Trump/Republicans ensure that "those people" remain an underclass beneath the supporter, because that's how they think the world has to work.
Structurally similar to how another person might pay more taxes if it meant free school lunches for poor kids or whatever.
It's not normal, Trump / MAGA is a paradigm shift driven by Steve Bannon, Roger Stone, and the Heritage Foundation. They are running the playbook that was prototyped in Hungary. This is going to take multiple generations to fix and I expect it to get worse before it gets better. I almost hope for a recession so that people who voted for tfg get a clue about how bad they have been lied to. If you want to know their justification, Fox News tows the line, not as bad as the new right media (which is really why they have been so successful)
Social media, podcasts, "independent" journalism (randos cosplaying as experts)
It's really the "new media" which the right has leveraged for political aims far more effectively, the conspiracy theories and mis/disinformation flows up towards OAN, Fox News, and to the politicians
When I grew in Europe America was just the best. America this, America that. American movies, American TV.
Today... I wouldnt even call it a boycot, when McDonalds is sitting there empty. Its more like a emperor without clothes situation. People are realizing is was all just bogus.
To me it was clear there's no line after the Ukraine extortion scandal. When you extort your ally in war to make up lies about your political opponent and your supporters take your side, there's clearly no limits. I gave up arguing with MAGAs after that, it's pointless.
Though the new Signal leak is quite funny, there must be a ton of people who were so angry for Hillary's emails their face matched their hat color, but now are attacking the reporter for just reporting that he was sent classified information.
We were selling arms to Iran to fund the contras in Niaragua, and we (they, from where I sit) negotiated the hostages held by Iran to be held for an extra 100 days or so in order to make Jimmy Carter look bad. Also maybe flubbed the rescue mission to undermine him. We've not ever been too keen on lines.
Endless coverage and hyping of sometimes nebulous sometimes real scandals in their media and now it's all justified "Everyone does it." (I still don't understand the concrete accusations of "Benghazi!")
This is how the Russians and Hungarians got their governments to where they are as well
There was always corruption like Clinton pardoning Marc Rich or Biden pardoning his son (after claiming he wouldn't) but Trump is bringing it to a new level. First Blagojevich and now this guy. Really hard to justify these pardons.
I don't think Hunter Biden pardon openly stated that the US government is okay with fraud in public companies and the SEC has no power to prevent fraud, but I don't exactly read much news nowadays.
This pardon is much much worse, even worse than the Secretary of Defense using Signal to communicate military operations.
Nice. Signal to global investors that financial fraud can be excused with the right connections and undermine the trust and legal integrity that made U.S. markets a global safe haven.
You’re not looking forward. The new normal is “truthful hyperbole” and “flood the zone with shit” strategies from your financial adviser. A pardon for your financial adviser.
33 comments
[ 2.4 ms ] story [ 83.0 ms ] threadhttps://x.com/kenbensinger/status/1905412782637679041
He was convicted in 2022 on 3 counts of fraud & sentenced to 4 years + $169M in restitution & fines
Also - Trump nerfed federal enforcement of foreign anti-bribery laws, because, of course.
https://us.transparency.org/news/pause-on-enforcement-of-for...
I'm genuinely curious - I'm not from the US and don't keep up with your politics - how normal is this?
Structurally similar to how another person might pay more taxes if it meant free school lunches for poor kids or whatever.
What is the "new right media"?
It's really the "new media" which the right has leveraged for political aims far more effectively, the conspiracy theories and mis/disinformation flows up towards OAN, Fox News, and to the politicians
Today... I wouldnt even call it a boycot, when McDonalds is sitting there empty. Its more like a emperor without clothes situation. People are realizing is was all just bogus.
I even feel dirty these days visiting this site.
Though the new Signal leak is quite funny, there must be a ton of people who were so angry for Hillary's emails their face matched their hat color, but now are attacking the reporter for just reporting that he was sent classified information.
I mean, yes it is and they don't care, is about the size of it. Like, this is not exactly Trump's first blatantly corrupt thing.
This is how the Russians and Hungarians got their governments to where they are as well
This pardon is much much worse, even worse than the Secretary of Defense using Signal to communicate military operations.
"Trump says Skadden, Arps law firm will provide $100 million in pro bono legal services, avoiding executive order" - https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/28/trump-skadden-law-firm-execu...
"Legal community shaken by a powerful law firm's decision to give in to Trump's demands" - https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/legal-...