Trump Redux: The Death of Democracy, or Overblown Hyperbole?

[Trollheart]

Now that the unthinkable - but perhaps inevitable - has happened, and America and the world at large is faced with a second Trump administration, I'd like to use this thread to keep an eye on what he does, and what he does not do. I'm definitely not one for giving him a second chance, but is it even possible he may have learned from the mistakes of his previous term? Will he even have seen them as such? Will he keep the promises/act on the threats he made during his campaign, and how will America suffer, or even benefit from his presidency?

Post your thoughts here. I intend to try to keep pace with his progress (or regress) over the next four years, in as much as I can. If nothing else, this thread will serve as a place to discuss, moan about, air your fears about and comment on the new presidency.

[Trollheart]

For now, the promises/threats on his "first day" are:

* Deportation of all undocumented/illegal immigrants, no matter how long they've been in the USA

* Large tariffs on foreign imports (10 - 20%)

* Weaponise the Department of Justice by firing "disloyal" employess and installing his own yes men and women

* Clear house in Federal organisations such as the FBI, again replacing those he considers not loyal to him with those who will rubberstamp his decisions

[Trollheart]

Other worries (not specifically threatened, but based on his first term)

Reduction of action on climate change

Withdrawal from NATO

Stoppage of support for Ukraine

Nationwide abortion ban

Tightening of the grip of Big Business/Big Pharma/Insert Big here on the economy, squeezing out the little guy

Increase in Racial disparity

Increasing isolation of America

Possible cozying up to North Korea

Refusal to recognise, never mind deal with the next big pandemic

and of course, the big one...

Project 2025

[Trollheart]

A little tune to usher in the second Trump presidency.

To the tune of "What the World Needs Now"

What the Trump years bring is hate, just hate
It's the only thing that he knows how to create.
What we know we'll see is just more hate
Oh but just for some, not those earning millions.

Look, we don't need another four years
Of a man who'll bring hatred to the world
Of black people, Asians and Mexicans too
Girls who want to be boys, boys who want to be girls

There's enough injustice in the world
To satisy the most hate-filled xenophobe
And people don't need to be feeling scared
What they need is real hope.

(Fucked up a little on the verses, but it ain't easy, believe me)

[innerspaceboy]

Trump Planning to Unleash Artificial Intelligence by Repealing Restrictions

"We will repeal Joe Biden's dangerous Executive Order that hinders AI innovation and imposes radical left-wing ideas on the development of this technology."

[Trollheart]

Trump won't be so smart when AI works out quickly that it doesn't need him...

[SGR]

Elon must have shown Trump this AI-created video of him and Biden eating spaghetti and he was completely sold.

[Lexi Darling]

Pssh, AI could never hope to create true art, like the masterpiece that is Skibidi Biden.

[Trollheart]

[Saulaac]

A little tune to usher in the second Trump presidency.

To the tune of "What the World Needs Now"

What the Trump years bring is hate, just hate
It's the only thing that he knows how to create.
What we know we'll see is just more hate
Oh but just for some, not those earning millions.

Look, we don't need another four years
Of a man who'll bring hatred to the world
Of black people, Asians and Mexicans too
Girls who want to be boys, boys who want to be girls

There's enough injustice in the world
To satisy the most hate-filled xenophobe
And people don't need to be feeling scared
What they need is real hope.

(Fucked up a little on the verses, but it ain't easy, believe me)

I think it was Alan Partridge who first turned me onto Burt Bacharach, but that change in tempo at 2:40 with the ensuing chord progressions was a right explosion. 

[Janszoon]

At the very least he's going to fuck up this country for years to come. 

[Trollheart]

Undoubtedly, but this time there are so many more people who have themselves to blame, outside of the shit-weak Democrats. It's not just the MAGA crowd now; more people voted for him than almost any other president in recent history possibly. It's like that scene out of Star Wars Revenge of the Sith, when Padme says "So this is how democracy dies: to thunderous applause." You also have to recall Orwell: "If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on an upturned human face forever." Shudder.

[Trollheart]

Here are the nominations he's made so far. More to follow obviously. If anyone wants to add comments about any of them, feel free: as an Irishman and definitely not-expert on American politics, I'm getting my information from the usual sources. These are, obviously, the merest pencil sketches of people about whom I know nothing.


Name: Susan Wiles
Age: 67
Position: Chief of Staff
Previous experience: Trump's Campaign Advisor, for both presidential runs. Also ran Reagan's successful 1980 campaign.
Historic interest: First woman to hold the position ever in a US administration.
Trump says: "Susie Wiles just helped me achieve one of the greatest political victories in American history, and was an integral part of both my 2016 and 2020 successful campaigns. [She is]tough, smart, innovative, and is universally admired and respected. It is a well-deserved honour to have Susie as the first-ever female Chief of Staff in United States history."


Talk about dealing with the devil! Seems Susan Wiles also lent her expertise to one Ron De Santis, who described her as "the best in the business"! She later reportedly described this as "the worst mistake of my life", and it seems that her stepping back from the 2020 campaign at the request (order?) of the Florida governor is widely seen as a key reason why Trump had trouble in that state, De Santis playing his own power games no doubt. She is CEO of the Trump PAC "Save America", which, among other things, has dealt with the legal fees of Trump cronies indicted on crimes, and she is seen as almost the power behind the throne.

[DJChameleon]

Name: Lee Zeldin

Age: 44

Position: Environmental Protection Agency

Previous experience: NY State Senate and NY House of Representatives


I hate this guy so much as a NYer. He takes money from Fossil Fuel lobbyists and he's basically being put in charge of the EPA to gut it. Cut staff, cut regulations and just go full tilt. A case of the wolf in the hen house. We are so fucking cooked.

[DJChameleon]

Ugh Elon Musk is taking his meme show to the government as part of a made up Agency Department Of Government Efficiency. (DOGE)

Vivek is joining him. The department is so efficient that it needs two heads of the department. Will do the official write up later unless Troll wants to do it.