Trump is unlike any former president. His sick ego will not allow him to let go those who he thinks have wronged him. That is what dictators and fascists do. They punish their perceived political enemies.
At the end of this list is the link to Trump's justifications, for each one of the people on this list.
Here is Trump's hit list:
President Joe Biden
Vice President Kamala Harris
Former President Barack Obama
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi
New York Attorney General Letitia James
Manhattan Justice Arthur Engoron
Former Rep. Liz Cheney
Special counsel Jack Smith
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg
Former Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley
Former FBI Director James Comey
Hunter Biden and the rest of the Biden family
Former FBI attorney Lisa Page
Rep. Adam Schiff
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg
Former Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Mark Pomerantz
Former Trump attorney Michael Cohen
U.S. Capitol Police Lt. Michael Byrd
Rep. Jamaal Bowman
51 intelligence professionals who signed letter about Hunter Biden laptop
Unspecified people engaged in election fraud
POLITICO reporters, editors and publisher
https://www.politico.com/news/2024/11/0 … t-00187725
President Trump has mentioned on several occasions in interviews he stated --- "success will be my revenge". This statement seems to reflect his belief that achieving success—whether through business, political endeavors, or personal accomplishments—serves as a form of retaliation or vindication against those who have wronged or opposed him. As I have watched him over the years, In my view, he does derive pleasure when he can score a win, and talk about it. he certainly has been able to toss eggs at those who have wronged him. He is good at that.
In this context, Trump often views his success as the best response to criticism or opposition, suggesting that his achievements are the ultimate form of proving his critics wrong. It's a sentiment he has expressed in various ways, particularly during times of personal or political challenge.
CNN’s Van Jones admits Trump is ‘smarter than me, you, and all of his critics’: ‘We’re the idiots’
“Guys, can we cut it out? Donald Trump is not an idiot. Let me just be very clear. Donald Trump is smarter than me, you, and all of his critics,” Mr. Jones told CNN reporter Chris Cilizza in an interview on Mr. Cilizza’s YouTube channel.
“You know how I know? Because he has the White House, the Senate, the House, the Supreme Court, the popular vote,” Mr. Jones said.
There’s just no arguing with his success, winning a presidential election in the face of overt mainstream media hostility and other huge headwinds, he said.
“He has a massive media ecosystem, bigger than the mainstream, built around him, and for him, and a religious fervor in a political movement around him. And his best buddy is the richest person in the history of the world, and the most relevant Kennedy is with him,” Mr. Jones added.
“We’re the idiots,” he said. “We lost. So we have to go back in the locker room and we have to sit down and figure out how in the hell did we get beat.
“And when you look at it closely, it’s the arrogance, it’s the elitism, it’s not respecting people, it’s not listening to people,” Mr. Jones explained.
So, maybe time to step back, and not assume anything about Trump... He wants to succeed, I doubt he will go after anyone, yes, maybe a few. And if he does he will choose his battles, the battles he can win.
Why not support our nation instead of hoping it falls even further—we're already on our knees. As for me, I'm excited and optimistic. My common sense tells me this person will do his job and work tirelessly to address the challenges we're facing. I believe he'll leave our country in a better position. He's already getting to work.
Success will be his revenge. Plus, Biden is still not done with pardons... My guess is he will pardon many on that list, including himself.
Just because Van Jones has said all of that does not take away Trump seeking revenge. In my view, it is not that Trump is smarter than all of us. He can afford the best lawyers in town and they know how to delay his trials and sue his opponent's. He also has stacked the courts in his favor. I don't see that as success, I see it as gaming the system. If he is successful in prosecuting half of those people on that list, then I guess he will be successful, but not as my president.
I didn't say Trump is smarter than us. My comment was focused entirely on the subject of your original post and the list mentioned in the Politico article regarding what Trump might pursue. I simply shared what he said when asked about seeking revenge—just his words—and then added my perspective. To offer additional food for thought, I included a point Van Jones made. Perhaps hearing from a dyed-in-the-wool Democrat like him might encourage you to reevaluate some of your thoughts about Trump and recognize that he strives to win. That kind of determination is tough to beat.
My main point is this: I think his primary goal will be to keep his promises to make America great again. Why can some people not hear that message? I really don’t think he’ll waste time on revenge. Sure, there may be a few instances, but very few, and only in cases where he believes he can win. He’s someone who does not like to lose.
Does he want to make MAGA great or all the people of the United State of America great? To me, his obsession with winning is a sickness, not a vitreous quality. Look at what he did on Jan.6 and everything leading up to it. Because of his obsession with winning, he was not able to accept that he lost to a duly elected president who won fair and square. It's as if he was a football coach and his team lost, but he would not accept losing, so he had his team attack the other team.
The obsession with not losing may be a great quality in combat, but not so much in peace time. As far as him not doing anything about revenge. Here is this morning news about Liz Cheney.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics … &ei=11
I can see where you're coming from, and I understand the concern about Trump’s focus on winning at all costs. His actions surrounding January 6th certainly raise serious questions about his ability to accept defeat gracefully. The comparison to a football coach refusing to accept a loss, then inciting an attack, resonates because it highlights the potential dangers of an obsession with winning. It can cloud judgment, create division, and ultimately harm the very people he's supposed to represent.
However, I also think it’s important to recognize that Trump's drive and determination to push back against what he perceives as an unfair political system is rooted in a deep frustration with the current state of American politics. For many of his supporters, his refusal to concede represents a fight against a system they believe is rigged, a fight for what they see as the true will of the people. His focus on winning may come across as excessive, but it's also a reflection of his desire to preserve the interests of those who feel left behind or ignored. Trump has tapped into a real sense of resentment among voters who feel disenfranchised, and I believe that’s why his “win at all costs” mentality resonates with them.
In this sense, it's not about making MAGA great, but about challenging the status quo and fighting for a vision of America that aligns with the values of his supporters. The issue of revenge, like what we've seen with Liz Cheney, is more complicated. Politics often involves personal grudges and payback, but the bigger picture for many is about restoring power to those who feel voiceless. While I understand the criticism, I think his persistence stems from a desire to address the larger issues at hand, even if it sometimes leads to unwise or divisive actions.
I consider that this man, Trump, could have a very nice, enjoyable life if he just stepped aside and walked away. It seems clear to me that he is someone who truly cares about America, and he has shown time and again that he's willing to fight to make it a better place. His determination to challenge the system, despite the personal costs, speaks to a deep commitment to his vision of the country. However, what constitutes a "better place" is certainly in the eye of the beholder. People have different needs, hopes, and dreams, and for some, his vision resonates deeply.
I don't think a "very nice enjoyable life" is in Trump's DNA. He needs to be spoon-fed constant adoration to feed his ego. He had a terrible childhood and did not receive love from his parents.
I read his Art of The Deal Book and His nieces' book, When is Enough, Enough?. She is a practicing clinical psychologist and her book describes what an unruly person Trump was growing up. According to her, he has never changed. In the Art of The Deal, Trump says he doesn't lie, he uses Truthful Hyperbole, his words.
I told you once before, we only have one president at a time in this country, but now we have Musk and Trump both trying to shut the government down. Both of them right now are civilians and don't have an official office..
Trump is acting like he has already taken office and the same for Musk who hasn't even been confirmed by the senate. Musk is saying that we have to wait for Trump to be in office before the budget is in put on the table.
Mean time Musk is acting as if he is in office, which does not exist. Some are even calling him "The President Elect.
Apparently, they don't realize if they shutdown the government, many of the people who would be working for Trump and companies transition would not even be working.
https://www.politico.com/news/2024/12/1 … s-00195393
Trump has been pretty straightforward, and his latest statement says it all: this continuing resolution (CR) is Biden’s problem—he’s the current president. So far, I haven’t seen or heard Biden address the issue. There’s not much more I can add to that.
Do you approve of the CR? It is full of non-necessary pork. Do you feel we should continue with a status quo habit of just passing pork-filled bills when our debt is so large? Just pass it no matter how full of pet projects?
My common sense tells me it's time to stop this unintelligent habit. Oh well
In my view, Biden is being smart. He is letting the GOP fight among themselves and he is staying out of the fray. Of course they are going to lay the blame on Biden. That is part of their game plan.
I know you already know this, but I'm posting this for the benefit of other readers. It's confusing to some, but there is a difference between the national debt and the budget
At the beginning of each new administration, the incoming president assumes the national debt of the previous president. We are a debtor nation. The national debt is not going to get smaller.
The budget on the other hand, is not only used to pay the expenses that have accumulated for the year, but also what are projected expenses for the next year.
I believe the debt ceiling, fiscal cliff, government shutdown, and CR are all political theater on both sides. We have to pay our bills that have accrued for the year. It's like a credit card that is paid at the end of the year and the government has to reload the card with credit for expected expenses for the next year, including the interest paid which is added to the national debt.
Here is a summary of the add-ons to the CR. I'll let you judge of what is necessary and what is not. I'm eager to see what you think.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/continuing … down-2024/
Here is what Trump and Company thinks about the debt ceiling.
https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/20/politics … index.html
Here is the National Debt clock in real time. It looks like when Trump takes office, he will be starting at around 36 Trillion in debt.
https://www.usdebtclock.org/
The current budget deficit is at 1.8 Trillion.
https://usafacts.org/answers/what-is-th … ed-states/
Much of the funding mentioned in the CR was already addressed in previous bills and budgets signed into law by the Biden administration. For example:
Disaster Aid: The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and subsequent relief bills allocated billions for disaster relief, including FEMA’s disaster relief fund. These were intended to address emergency needs for hurricanes, wildfires, and other disasters.
(This PASSED on DEC 7th, 2024 -- Congress passed legislation to provide FEMA with additional funds following recent hurricanes, including Tropical Storm Helene. A stopgap spending bill was introduced, allocating over $100 billion in disaster relief. Of that, $29 billion was specifically designated for FEMA's disaster relief fund. WHY MORE?
Additionally, FEMA has already obligated more than $292 million through 47 grants to support recovery efforts in North Carolina. These measures aim to strengthen FEMA's ability to respond effectively to natural disasters in the region and beyond.)
Infrastructure: The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act included funding for federal highways, roads, and infrastructure improvements, with allocations for disaster-related rebuilding efforts. WHY MORE very little has been spent
Community Development Block Grants (CDBG): This program routinely receives funding in annual budgets, often supplemented by specific disaster relief legislation to ensure timely response to emergencies.
Tribal Assistance: Provisions for tribal governments were included in ARPA, as well as in other major Biden administration bills, to address both pandemic-related and broader community needs.
Small Business Administration (SBA) Loans: The SBA’s disaster loan program has been replenished multiple times through pandemic relief packages and additional funding for natural disasters, including during the aftermath of recent hurricanes.
It’s worth ASKING why ADDITIONAL funding for these programs is being tied to the CR if they were already addressed in previous legislation. Much is not allocated to projects.
It would have been more honest if the article you offered did a bit more research and made mention that many of the asks were covered in Bidens spending Bills.
Regarding Trump's request for the debt ceiling --- It’s not unusual for a president or political leader to propose addressing larger fiscal issues, such as the debt ceiling, as part of a continuing resolution (CR) or broader budget negotiations. While CRs are typically short-term measures to fund the government and avoid a shutdown, some leaders view them as opportunities to address related fiscal challenges.
You do know Biden mirrored this issue? ---- In 2021, Biden and congressional Democrats successfully passed legislation to suspend the debt ceiling, allowing the government to borrow as needed without a fixed cap for a period. This measure was seen as crucial to avoid defaulting on existing obligations.
Biden also sought to suspend the debt ceiling to prevent a government default. In June 2023, he signed legislation that suspended the U.S. government's $31.4 trillion debt ceiling, effectively allowing the government to borrow as needed without a specific cap until January 1, 2025. REUTERS
This approach is similar to the one President Trump is advocating for now, where he proposes suspending the debt ceiling to avoid default and manage government borrowing.
Do you feel Trump should be treated differently? It is expected he will want to come in and be able to hit the ground running, as Biden most likely had hoped to do.
I am aware of our growing debt, and this is one reason I voted for Trump, he offered an agenda that he feels will bring down the debt. Yes, this will be a wait-and-see. But the other candidate never even brought it up. We only had two candidates. I liked the one that shared plans and had a clear agenda.
"Regarding Trump's request for the debt ceiling " - I think it is quite unusual. Why? If I am not mistaken, it has never been done before. He just want to clear the way for another debt and deficit busting tax give-away to his wealthy friends.
And you voted for the one person most responsible for the current size of the national debt.
The national debt has increased under both former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden, with each administration contributing to its growth through various policies and spending measures.
Donald Trump (2017–2021):
New Borrowing Approved: During his term, President Trump approved approximately $8.4 trillion in new ten-year borrowing. Excluding COVID-19 relief measures, this figure stands at about $4.8 trillion.
CRFB
Factors Contributing to Debt Increase:
Tax Cuts: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 significantly reduced corporate and individual tax rates, leading to decreased federal revenue.
Increased Spending: There was a rise in defense and discretionary spending during his tenure.
COVID-19 Relief: The onset of the pandemic in 2020 led to substantial emergency spending to mitigate economic impacts.
Joe Biden (2021–Present):
New Borrowing Approved: In his first three years and five months, President Biden has approved approximately $4.3 trillion in new ten-year borrowing. Excluding the American Rescue Plan, this amounts to about $2.2 trillion.
CRFB
Factors Contributing to Debt Increase:
COVID-19 Relief: The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 aimed to provide economic relief in response to the pandemic.
Infrastructure and Social Spending: Initiatives such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act have further increased federal expenditures.
Comparative Analysis:
Total Debt Increase: President Trump's term saw a higher total increase in new borrowing compared to the period so far under President Biden.
Excluding Emergency Measures: When excluding COVID-19 relief efforts, the new borrowing approved under President Trump remains higher than that under President Biden to date.
To summarize:
Trump increased the national debt to:
1. Give huge tax breaks to corporations and the wealthy
2. Help people suffering from the pandemic
Biden increased the national debt to:
1. Help people suffering from the pandemic
2. To rebuild the nations infrastructure and bring jobs back to America
Let's take a look at a few of those pieces of so-called pork.
Musk went after the RFK stadium transfer[/ say federal money should not be spent on a stadium in D,C. That tells me he didn't read the bill and ending up telling a lie. There is no federal money involved in the transfer, it is mainly an administrative exercise.
Baltimore bridge rebuilding. The bill said the feds would foot the upfront bill to get this main east coast artery functioning again and get paid back through insurance claims and suing the pants of those responsible.
Pay raise for members of Congress - PORK
Health care policy extenders and reforms - this Pork would The legislation also would require pharmacy benefit managers to provide detailed data on drug spending and pass on the full amount of rebates to lower drug costs for American consumers. - we certainly can't let that happen.
Transparency in ticket and hotel prices - Pork, by definition spends federal money. While this no cost item can certainly be pushed down the road, why wait?
Funding research into childhoody pediatric cancer - obviously this is a big waste of money.
Why did Trump wait until the last minute to blow up a deal between Biden, the Democrats, and the Republicans?
To carry the football team analogy a little farther, Trump's team is now in jail for attacking the other team, but he wants to release them for the next game.
He also wants to persecute the other team including their coach for trying to expose Trump and his team for attacking them.
We don't hear that message because the promises he has made will drag down America. Face it, how many of those people who voted for Trump simply because he promised to lower prices across the board find out he lied to them. That instead of driving them lower, which he can only do through a major recession or depression, he will drive them higher through his tariffs and deportations.
Trump is smarter than us in the same way that any mob boss is.
So did Hitler your point? Or, more currently, so does Putin, your point?
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