If Someone's Name Scares You - Seek Help

The chaos resulting from Trump's attempt to rig the midterm elections has politically paralyzed voters with lies, and racial attacks coming from Republican candidates.

A desperate Republican party is trotting out old racist tropes against minorities. Again. It happens every election cycle. One year it's the Hispanics, the next it's Hattians eating cats and dogs. 

This election's top target is Muslims. One of the most polarized midterms in history is unfolding in the 2026 Michigan Senate campaign.

Mike Rogers the GOP candidate opposing Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, has been playing the race card and is attacking his faith and background. Roger's baseless allegations that El-Sayed had Muslim Brotherhood ties are lies coming from a fevered MAGA base.

One common denominator in these midterms is the use of fear. Trump has been doing his best to instill fear into voters like he did in his last two campaigns. Fear Hispanics. Fear African Americans. Fear Asians. Fear Muslims. Fear the Woke culture.

How successful has the use of fear been so far? I'll put it this way, candidates with Muslim sounding names have become the boogeyman in MAGA circles this fall. 

Ghosts that shout "Boo!" have long been part of a Halloween tradition among trick-or-treaters. This Halloween I expect to see MAGA morons dress up like El-Sayed, Zohran Mamdani, and Ilhan Omar. They'll be carrying signs with their names on them, and they will scare the shit out of faithful Trumpers.

Big money has been pouring into Roger's campaign coffers from five different PACS to the tune of $202 million dollars - according to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) - and counting.

The people of Michigan have supported El-Sayed by raising $45,175,566.89 in receipts according to the FEC. 

He didn't rely on big money PACS like Rogers has. He got $39,666,901.87 million dollars from individual contributions. El-Sayed set a Michigan fundraising record by pulling in $30.7 million in a single recent quarter, driven by a grassroots donor base averaging around $50 per contribution.

What a comparison! El-Sayed stayed away from the PACS and billionaire donors and although he's only raised about a quarter of what Rogers has, the race is too close to call. It's obvious the people of Michigan want El-Sayed but the millions the GOP is spending might deliver a corporate crony instead of a man for the people.

A focused El-Sayed commented on everyday struggles during a rally where he said, "Everybody's so worried about words, and they're less worried about the actual people who can't afford groceries."

Rogers has relied on the hope that voters will be scared every time they hear El-Sayed's name. That it will invoke fear of a Muslim takeover in America.

El-Sayed has had great responses to this line of attack. "Here's the reality," he told Michiganders' at one rally. "My name is not the reason we're in an illegal war. My name is not the reason you can't afford your healthcare. My name is not the reason you can't afford your rent or your insurance."

If El-Sayed were to win, he'd become the first Muslim ever elected to the U.S. Senate in U.S. history. More importantly, it would prove that the American people aren't all racists and that running a grass roots campaign can prevail. 

As it Stands, a friendly piece of advice; if someone's name scares you - seek help!

Here's the Top 5 Orators Among US Presidents

I watched former president Barack Obama give a speech in Ohio yesterday where he was promoting Sherrod Brown for a senate seat, and Amy Acton for governor.

Waves of nostalgia washed over me as I recalled Obama's presidency and the many magnificent speeches he gave. It got me to thinking about who are the best orators among American presidents? I decided to go with the top five.

While rankings of historical orators can vary by perspective, historical consensus among biographers and presidential scholars consistently points to these five American presidents as the finest speakers in the nation's history:

1. Abraham Lincoln is widely regarded as America's greatest presidential orator for his ability to distill complex, monumental national crises into brief, poetic, and profoundly moving language.

Key Speeches: The Gettysburg Address (1863) was a 272-word masterpiece that redefined the American democratic ideal.

The Second Inaugural Address (1865) which was a moral reflection on the Civil War, calling for "malice toward none" and "charity for all."

2. Ronald Reagan who earned the moniker the "Great Communicator" excelled at using television to connect directly with the American public. His style was warm, optimistic, conversational, and story-telling-driven, making complex political ideologies accessible to the average citizens.

Key Speeches: "A Time for Choosing" in 1964 that launched his national political career. Berlin Wall Speech (1987) His direct challenge to the Soviet leader: "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down that wall!"

3. Franklin D. Roosevelt understood the power of intimacy in mass media. He revolutionized political communication through his radio broadcasts, projecting a calm, reassuring authority that guided the nation through its two deepest 20th-century crises: the Great Depression and World War II.

Key Speeches: First Inaugural Address (1933): He reassured a panicked nation with the line, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Pearl Harbor Address (1941) He rallied the nation into war by declaring December 7 "a date which will live in infamy."

4. Barack Obama achieved national prominence largely due to his rhetorical gifts. His oratorical style blended the cadence of traditional Black church sermons with professorial prose, focusing heavily on themes of hope, and national unity.

Key Speeches: Democratic Convention Keynote (2004) was his breakout speech that introduced him to the world. "A More Perfect Union" (2008) a sophisticated, widely praised address on race in America. Selma 50th Anniversary Speech (2015) a powerful exploration of American identity and the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement.

5. John F. Kennedy brought a youthful, energetic, and highly articulate style to the presidency. Key Speeches: Inaugural Address (1961) challenged citizens with his most famous line: "Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country." "We Choose to go to the Moon" (1962): This speech galvanized support for the Apollo space program.

I bet you knew Trump wasn't going to be included in this list; despite the fact he always claims to be the best speaker in American history.

As it Stands, I feel lucky to be able to listen to Obama, one of the five greatest orators this country has ever produced.

Give Trump Credit - He Knows How Stupid His Base Is

After yesterday's Trump rally in Iowa, I have to hand it to Trump...regardless of the consequences from starting an illegal war to crippling tariffs his base still adores him.

It remains me of a domestic situation where one spouse is mistreating the other and the other accepts the cruelty just to be next to their lover.

After the rally reporters from several organizations asked attendees about being concerned about the high prices caused by Trump's illegal war.

One attendee, a Nebraska voter, replied, "I'm sure people don't like high gasoline prices, but I look at it, as soon as we get this war over with, it will be worth it."

Another voter said he was more concerned about issues affecting children than about rising prices.

"I'm not worried about the high prices at this point. I'm more worried about how our kids are getting mishandled in schools," said an Iowa voter, identified only as Corey.

Trump's loyal supporters will tolerate high prices if it stops them from admitting Trump broke a major campaign promise. 

Studies have shown this loyalty is driven by a complex mix of psychological mechanisms, differing definitions of "truth," and deep-seated political identities. 

Then you throw in the fact that MAGA is a cult and Trump is their king. The faithful perceive Trump as highly honest because he excels at "belief-speaking." When he makes an exaggerated or factually inaccurate statement, supporters frequently view it not as a lie, but an authentic expression of a deeper truth they already believe.

It helps to take into account that Trump's base lives in an "alternative reality bubble." Within this space, mainstream fact-checkers and traditional news institutions are dismissed as biased or "fake news."

Trump is always asking for, and getting money, from his base. He utilizes continuous, high urgency email and text message campaigns that rely on polarizing language to solicit recurring financial donations year-round.

By leveraging his brand Trump soaks his base through commercial products, ranging from standard campaign merchandise (like "MAGA" hats) to branded bibles, digital trading cards (NFTs), sneakers, and promotional access on platforms like Truth Social.  

As it Stands, because Trump is a malicious narcissist he doesn't love anyone but himself. His clueless base believes he loves them. Trump just grins and keeps taking advantage of their stupidity.

Fantasy Headlines Give People False Hope

As a retired newspaper editor and publisher, I've had some experience with writing and editing headlines.

Writing a great headline is a balance of psychology, grammar, and strategy. Because a headline has one primary job - getting the reader to engage with the next line - successful writers treat headline creation as a distinct skill.

In this age of social media headlines on YouTube videos and in written publications clickbait often overwhelms legitimate headlines to the point where readers can be lured into watching bullshit videos and reading articles.

Typical clickbait is sensational, exaggerated, or misleading titles, or text previews designed to grab your attention and trick you into clicking, watching, or sharing a link. The one's that I find to be really irksome are what I call, Fantasy Headlines.

Here's some recent examples:

From YouTube videos;

 "Musk is F*cked." I suspect this is one that would be popular worldwide. At first glance you assume Musk is in trouble. However, when you view the story, you find out that Musk told advertisers to go f*ck themselves.

"MAGA Violence." Readers are hoping to see MAGA unravel from within but are going to be deeply disappointed with this video.

"Trump Can't Handle it!" High hopes here that Trump poops his diaper when confronted by hecklers at rallies.

"Trump Can't Run from It." At last Trump is trapped by his own corruption and justice prevails. Democracy is saved. Sorry. You're being teased.

From written sources;

The Progressive - "The Christian Supremacist Network is involved in Brazil's Election." This headline shouts out the nefarious Christian Supremacist followers have been caught red-handed in getting involved with another country's elections. But the only one caught is the reader who thinks there will be repercussions for their involvement.

The Daily Kos - "Senators cross aisle to mitigate harms of Trump's pro-AI world." The reader is sure some bipartisan action will happen to save the day, but when they actually read the article it's just another false hope thinking spineless Republicans will stand up to their master Trump.

Common Dreams - "Israeli Settler Attack on Post Photographer Must Force a Reckoning in Washington." I agree, but the likelihood of any kind of action by Congress is zero. It's a fantasy for now. Maybe when the Democrats retake congress such a reckoning could happen.

My plea to headline writers today is to take the TACT Test before publishing your headline.

* Taste: Is it appropriate and respectful?

* Attractiveness: Is it compelling enough to grab attention?

* Clarity: Is it completely unambiguous?

* Truth: Is it 100% accurate to the story?

As it Stands, I wonder how many headline writers today could pass the TACT Test?

Big Break in Epstein's Sex Trafficking Operation: Charges Filed!

Finally.

Two people are being charged in the ongoing Jeffrey Epstein scandal. It's the first time actual legal action has been taken since the messy scandal surfaced years ago.

This story broke today;

New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez filed a federal lawsuit against Jeffrey Epstein's longtime personal attorney, Darren Indyke, and accountant, Richard Kahn.

The civil complaint accuses them of intentionally concealing Epstein's sex traffic operation at his Zorro Ranch near Santa Fe and profiting millions from the illicit enterprise. Both men are currently serving as executors or beneficiaries of the estate, which is valued at over $100 million.

The New Mexico Department of Justice alleges that both men were fully aware of the sexual abuse of girls and young women at the ranch. The state claims they actively helped hide the trafficking network and used financial mechanisms to sustain it.

I expect more charges will be leveled in the ongoing investigation. For instance, both men previously testified before a congressional committee, maintaining under oath that they had no knowledge of Epstein's abuse. If investigators are successful in proving they did have knowledge of what was happening at the Zorro Ranch, they're going to get hit with lying under oath to congress.

Attorney General Torrez stated that the resources currently held by the estate "rightfully belong in the hands of the survivors."

This is what the state is seeking:

* Freeze Estate Payments: Block Indyke and Kahn from accepting any further compensation or payments from Epstein's estate during litigation.

* Racketeering Declaration: Officially declare that both men engaged in racketeering and trafficking activities under state and federal laws.

* Financial Divestment: Force them to divest all Epstein-related interests and restrict them from future related investment activities.

* Restitution: Award compensatory damages, punitive damages, and full financial disgorgement to provide restitution to Epstein's survivors.

This is just a start.

Lawmakers in Congress will read about these stunning charges and see what links they have to their current investigation into the Epstein files.

As it Stands, some may call these charges a convenient October Surprise before the midterms. I call these new revelations and developments the tip of the iceberg.

What Would It Be Like to Live Fact Free?

Imagine living a fact free life.

For starters you have to be shameless. 

A small price to pay for rejecting reality in order to be right all the time when you think about it.

The art of being shameless is a modern psychological and entrepreneurial concept centered on freeing yourself from the paralyzing fear of social judgement when you're caught lying, in failure, and a shield against reality.

Being shameless gives you permission to believe what you want regardless of if it's true or not. The next step is finding like-minded individuals who've formed a cultural cult like MAGA. 

Shame is not physically stored as an object in organs and muscles. Instead, it is experienced as an embodied nervous system and stress responses, according to researchers. 

In order to belong in MAGA or other far-right groups where shamelessness is a virtue, a person has to learn how to suppress outward signs of shame. They have to be careful not to blush, to resist looking down, and stop avoiding eye-contact.

Living fact free means never feeling guilty for your actions no matter how toxic they are. Trump's most dedicated supporters gladly share an alternative reality with him. The key is suspending truth, and glorifying lies with no moral qualms.

As a fact-free follower you can blame former president Joe Biden for everything that's going wrong during Trump's second term. You believe that we're currently living in a "golden age" as Trump calls it and not experiencing economic woes and a never-ending illegal war.

In psychology, sociology, and political science, the phenomenon of people who seem to live "fact free" means they persistently hold beliefs that directly contradict verifiable evidence. 

Experts also note that people heavily prioritize social belonging and identity over factual accuracy.

It's amazing to me that in the 21st century a third of Americans (estimated MAGA supporters) are science deniers and willfully live in a bubble of ignorance and are proud of it.

As it Stands, if you want to know what it would be like to live fact free join MAGA or some other far-right group.

The DOJ and DHS are Disrupting States Voting Systems with Fraudulent Claims

You're more likely to be hit by lightning or ran down by a killer tortoise than to discover a massive non-citizen-voter scandal that actually effected an election in United States history.

Historical data from federal databases, academic studies, and state audits show that illegal voting by non-citizens in U.S. elections is exceedingly rare and statistically insignificant.

So why is the DOJ and DHS pushing the false narrative of massive illegal voting by non-citizens this election?

It doesn't take a "stable genius" to answer that question. Trump is intent on rigging the midterms to save his ass from being impeached by a newly elected Democratic Congress.

On Monday October the DOJ said it has charged 113 people in 20 states with illegal voting and illegal registration offenses over the last several weeks.

Isn't that interesting? A 2026 data analysis conducted by Reuters of federal court records found over a 30-year span (since the 1996 law was passed against illegal voters), only 129 individuals have been criminally prosecuted nationwide under the federal "voting by aliens" statute.

Investigative reviews show that in none of these cases did federal prosecutors allege a coordinated conspiracy or effort to alter election results despite Trump's desperate and lying narrative.

Instead, the vast majority involved legal permanent residents (green card holders) who registered or voted by mistake due to confusing paperwork or administrative errors.

Trump's DOJ shattered that record count in just several weeks. Pretty impressive if you believe it. I've got some statistics from the conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation (the same people who came up with Project 25) that might surprise you.

The foundation's own Voter Fraud Database - which aggregates election abnormalities over decades - contained entries for 99 non-citizens found to have voted across all U.S. elections as of February 2026. In another cross-section of their data looking at 2000 to 2025, they identified 71 criminal convictions nationwide.

It's important to understand that the appearance of non-citizens on voter rolls is frequently tied to administration flaws rather than fraud. The numbers are statistically negligible and far too small to impact the outcome of elections.

According to CBS News, the DOJ's Civil Rights Division has filed 31 lawsuits across the country to force states to hand over voter rolls for screening; the DOJ has lost 26 of those cases and has not secured a single definitive victory to date.

I'm concerned that Trump will try declaring martial law at the last moment and somehow decertify Democratic and Independent voters picks. I wouldn't be surprised if he attempts too.

As it Stands, each effort to rig these midterms by Trump has been more egregious than the last. 

The Richest Man in the World Owns the United States of America

When the Republican party re-installed Trump into The White House they got more than they bargained for. They hired a shadow dictator that binges on ketamine and is world-class racist.

Elon Musk is the modern-day equivalent of the Wizard in the Wizard of Oz story. But he's no fairy tale Wizard. He's more like malevolent entity that wields powers no other man on earth processes today.

It's well-documented that he's heavily influenced elections in America by pouring millions into MAGA politicians' pockets and even overtly bribing voters (as he did in the 2024 election) with promises of money if they voted for Republicans.

Once again Musk has poured millions into the upcoming midterms to protect MAGA candidates. According to federal election files and reports Musk has contributed about $366 million thus far in the 2026 election. He's easily been MAGA's biggest donor of the cycle.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton who is running for a senate seat, got a fat infusion of $168 million from Musk.

Musk owns Trump. His Starlink satellite system is stretched worldwide, and he maintains control of it by making deals with Trump's regime and other countries. 

Musk hates democracies. He especially hates the Ukraine and has been actively undermining the country's defenses for years. 

For example, a few days ago, Trump arbitrarily shut down the Musk's Starshield system for 24 hours over Ukraine that provided valuable intelligence on Russian drones and missel attacks. Numerous news stories have linked Musk to the outage who reportedly gave Trump the idea.

I suspect that Musk became a U.S. citizen in 2002 in order to get more embedded in American politics to gain the influence he now enjoys with the Trump regime. 

Who can forget Musk's DOGE team that plundered government entities like a pirate on a looting binge? Trump gave him carte blanche to pillage departments like the IRS and other government agencies.

One thing about Musk no one should lose sight of is that he's not loyal to anyone including his 14 children across four different women. He's easily as vindictive as Trump. There's been numerous times when he prodded Trump just to let him know who the real boss was.

In the Starshield scandal reporters questioned Musk about his involvement and he told them he doesn't control the system over Ukraine. "It's a U.S. government contract and Trump does" he told reporters.

It was just a sly jab to keep Donnie on his swollen toes. In his sharpest and most controversial jab, Musk suggested that Trump's name appeared in unreleased files regarding Jeffrey Epstein, claiming on X, "The realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the reason they have not been made public."

Somehow despite the smack downs Trump continues to work with Musk because he needs him and fears him at the same time. No one else mocked Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" more than Musk who called it a "disgusting abomination" that would saddle American citizens with "crushing unsustainable debt."

As it Stands, when it comes to being a malicious narcissist Musk has schooled Trump in the dark arts of self-aggrandization, extortion, retribution politics, and racism. 

A Look at Trump's Enablers: Will They Face Justice Some Day?

I'll start off with the obvious.

There's a core group of Trump enablers who are crazy cult members. They call themselves MAGA and are ready to sacrifice their lives for dear leader.

In a widely cited report published by Politico, former political operative Tim Miller categorized Trump's enablers into four distinct functional groups:

1. The Cartel Cashers. They are opportunists and business leaders motivated strictly by profit, tax cuts, and deregulation.

2. The Strivers. Career climbers and political operatives who utilize proximity to Trump to elevate their status.

3. The Messiahs. Insiders who justify working for Trump by convincing themselves they are the "only ones" preventing a worse disaster.

4. The Tribalists Trolls. Partisan figures motivated primarily by cultural grievance and "owning the left" online.

Per PBS News there are 11 key enablers in Trump's orbit. 

They are Susie Wiles (his chief of staff); Lara Trump (she's Eric Trumps wife); Dana White (president of the Ultimate Fighting Championships and Trump's longtime buddy); Linda McMahon (longtime pal who is one of Trump's most generous benefactors); Howard Lutnick (Trump's Secretary of Commerce); Boris Epshteyn (lawyer and longtime advisor); Stephen Miller (Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security advisor); Richard Grenell (who serves as Special Presidential Envoy for Special Missions; and last, but not least, Elon Musk the richest man in the world who is the head of car maker Tesla and rocket company SpaceX. 

Just to make it an even dozen I'm adding J.D. Vance who gleefully lies for Trump while making a mockery of the vice presidency.

Democratic leadership has explicitly accused top personnel at the Department of Justice of "weaponizing" their offices to target Trump's political enemies. If Democrats regain committee gavels here's four of the primary figures to face intense scrutiny and potential legal exposure:

1. Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth,

2. Former Attorney General, Pam Bondi,

3. Attorney General, Todd Blanche,

4. and FBI Director, Kash Patel.

The investigations won't stop there. Trump's sons and business partners are expected to be subpoenaed over their roles in World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency venture founded in 2024.

High-profile enablers have publicly acknowledged their own legal risks if Congress goes blue.

As it Stands, when the Democrats control Congress, it's going to set up years of reckoning for Trump's enablers.

Trump is a Traitor and He's Not Even Bothering to Hide the Fact

Treason; is about aiding and abetting the enemy.

Trump did just that when he limited Ukraine's military-grade Starlink system, known as Starshield this week.

Multiple U.S. and Western officials confirmed that the directive to throttle the service came from inside the White House, instructing the Department of Defense to limit the capabilities of the satellite network used heavily for Ukrainian front-line communication and drone operations.

Starshield is funded by the U.S. government and falls under U.S. military and executive control. In other words, Trump proved he was Putin's lackey by crippling our ally's defense against Russian drones and missiles. 

The restrictions coincideded with public tension between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy when Trump ordered Zelenskyy not to target Russian oil refineries because he blames the attacks for rising U.S. energy prices.  

Trump had announced a partial ceasefire - covering energy infrastructure in both countries - but Russia ignored it and continued to attack Ukraine. Not surprisingly Zelenskyy retaliated which was the straw that broke the camel's back. The White House claimed that Trump had nothing to do with the whole nasty affair despite his public threats against our ally.

Because Ukraine didn't get early warnings from the Starshield system six people were killed. A Ukrainian source said the restriction gave the Russians "real leverage on the frontline" That was a plan that only a traitor would come up with. Just like suspending sanctions on Russia so they can sell their oil to the U.S. and the rest of the world.

How did our ally Ukraine become an enemy when Russia invaded them? It was a slow process of pandering to Putin that began in 2016 (when Trump asked Putin to find dirt on Hillary Clinton) and continued until 2026 when Trump rolled out the red carpet for the Russian dictator in Alaska.

Along the way Trump has graduated from being a Putin admirer to his lap dog. Republicans in congress have gone along with Trump's outright admiration for the Russian strongman because they have no spines.

In less than two years, Ukraine has gone from "You don't have the cards" to "Don't play your cards" the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha told reporters this week.

For years we've watched Trump praise Putin at every opportunity and even going as far to publicly state he didn't trust American intelligence services reports about Putin. The evidence of Trump's treasonous behavior has been accumulating over his two terms.

To put a cap on his devious dealings Trump is planning to have an alternate White House at Mar-a-Lago when his term expires. He's going to play president until he physically is unable to. Putin will still give him marching orders as long as he's a useful idiot for Russia.

As it Stands, America's only hope for preserving our freedoms and republic is that the Democrats win both the House and the Senate in the midterms. They will, at least, slow down our treasonous president's efforts to sell out the nation.

The Trump Take of 'Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail '72'

The famous Gonzo journalist Hunter S, Thompson once wrote about how crazy political campaigns are in his book Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail '72. However, not even Thompson could foresee how crazy the 2026 midterms election would be.

As Trump hit the campaign trail for the midterms, factcheckers and political commentators highlighted a series of highly unconventional, mathematically impossible, and demonstrably false claims made during his rallies and convention speeches.

Here's the top seven examples of Trump's rants at rallies:

1. At his mid-October rallies, Trump drew widespread condemnation - even from California Republicans like congressional candidate Jim Desmond - after claiming that Iran is planning to launch a nuclear attack on Los Angeles and San Diego.

2. In an act of supreme self-flattery, Trump asserted during a speech that European leaders respect him so much that they have nicknamed him the "President of Europe."

3. During closing arguments on the campaign trail, Trump boasted that drug prices in the United States were being cut by up to 1500%. (!)

4. Trump repeatedly claimed at his Nebraska rally and Republican Convention speech that his administration generated $20 trillion in new foreign investment. Not even close.

5. Steering away from policy into cultural grievances, Trump launched a bizarre defense of plastic straws, arguing fiercely against their paper alternatives. He claimed the paper straws "explode" while people are trying to drink out of them.

6. With consumer polls showing that 59% of voters feel inflation is the country's top economic issue (a report today said the U.S. Consumer Price Index rose 3.7 annually in September. It increased by 2.6% year-over-year.), Trump claimed that "everybody's costs are plummeting, thanks to him." 

7. Finally, we have Trump's old standby - massive crowd fabrication. Facing visual evidence of empty arenas in deep-red states like Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Alabama, Trump repeatedly claimed that thousands of people were being turned away because his venues were completely full.

As it Stands, Trump's antics prove that the real deal is stranger than any fictional political campaign.

It's Never Been Easier for Foreigners to Influence an American President

It started out as "pump and dump" scam when the Trump family launched a crypto company in 2024 and has since become an open invitation to foreign actors seeking influence from the White House.

Enter the $TRUMP meme coin. Trump has made at least $635 million in royalties last year from the $TRUMP token according to his financial disclosure.

The devil is in the details however as the coin's market value has dropped more than 95% since its peak in January 2025. That rapid decline in value doesn't seem to bother the majority of shareholders who appear to be content with the opportunity to rub shoulders with the greatest con man in the world.

With all of the major challenges facing the American economy and an illegal war Trump thought it would be a good time to prop up his cash cow by holding an awards dinner for the top shareholders that happily pour millions into his personal coffers on Nov. 22 at the Trump National Golf Club outside Washington, DC.

This gala is the second time in two years Trump gathered shareholders to butter them up and re-assure them he's got their backs in the lucrative illegal enterprise of selling influence.

More than half of the top shareholders listed as competing for seats at Trump's meme coin dinner have used cryptocurrency exchanges that prohibit U.S. customers, indicating that many of the buyers are based overseas, according to a recent CBS News analysis.

The users that transacted on the exchanges that bar U.S. customers account for nearly $6.8 million of the more than $15 million in value reflected on the coin leaderboard as of Oct. 14.

"Foreign actors used to need a back door to try to influence a president," said Zach Everson, a researcher for the progressive consumer rights advocacy group Public Citizen. "Trump is holding the front door open and inviting them in for a steak dinner," he added.

The Trump Organization won't even talk with the media about the donor dinner and White House officials gaslighted news outlets by claiming that the Trump administration only acts in the "best interest of the American people."

The odd thing is the same lying official added the event is "a private event," not a government function, and "there is no promise of official government action in exchange for attending."

Yeah. Right.

How is this brazen display of corruption in the best interest of the American people? Common sense and experience tell us the Trump regime is gaming the government and getting richer by the day.

As it Stands, watching Trump destroy the American economy and encouraging foreigners to pay fealty to him, is a national nightmare that has to end if we're going to have a republic. 

Trump's DOJ is Openly Subverting Justice in America

According to an American myth George Washington once cut down a cherry tree on his parent's estate (for unknown reasons) and when asked by his father who chopped it down George reportedly said, "I cannot tell a lie. I did it."

Fast forward to October 2026 as a furious federal judge demands to know who illegally cut down 400 cherry blossom trees at the East Potomac Golf Course in Washington D.C.

U.S. District Court Judge Ana Reyes, who mandated that the regime provide reasonable advance notice before removing more than 10 trees, expressed immense frustration Tuesday with the regime's "gamesmanship" and stated that the government had "lost all credibility" by filing a notice late on a Friday evening immediately before executing the mass cutting.

Judge Reyes then issued an emergency freeze to halt all tree removal, but it was too late and after the fact. This method of ignoring federal rulings and going through with Trump's pet projects - like the golden ballroom - has been repeatedly used throughout his second term.

Despite at least 77 court rulings concerning Trump's second term that include sharp criticism from judges the assault against justice is ongoing. 

Trump and his weaponized Department of Justice have faced extensive accusations from federal judges for flouting or bypassing court orders in at least 31 lawsuits during its first 15 months in office. That number has increased since April as the DOJ continued to openly defy court orders.

The defiance of the DOJ was evident when their lawyers brought an unprecedented lawsuit targeting every judge on the District Court of Maryland after they imposed a temporary freeze on certain deportations to protect due process. 

The Trump regime dropped the lawsuit after U.S. District Judge Thomas Cullen dismissed the illegal attempt instead of challenging the lower court's ruling.

The attacks against the rule of law by the DOJ continue to this day. Most notably, the DOJ has 21 active lawsuits challenging state-level tuition laws. These cases, which include recent filings against states such as Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington, challenge state measures that provide reduced tuition rates and financial assistance to undocumented students.

I should point out that the courts have made good and bad decisions, but the good ones have been really important. On Oct. 9. 2026 a federal court in DC issued a summary judgement to plaintiffs in an important opinion on the DOJ's quest to seize state voting records. 

The opinion was an indictment of the entire scam that the DOJ was trying to pull off. It was illegal from the get-go. 

The court flat out stated that the DOJ wasn't authorized to collect files under any of the statutes that the DOJ brought up. 

Trump's weaponized DOJ violated federal law (The Privacy Act and the Paperwork Reduction Act) in collecting files from 18 states, in disclosing them to unidentified contractors, in sending them off to DHS, and, effectively, in introducing error into the process by getting inaccurate data back from the SAVE database DHS has by now rendered substantially less accurate.

As it Stands, how ironic it is having a Department of Justice defy state and federal laws in favor of a convicted felon and sexual abuser with dementia. 

Trump 'Resurrects' Christopher Columbus and Renames Atlantic and Pacific Oceans

Trump has been on a mission to restore Christopher Columbus's reputation since 2021 for one bigly reason; he believes every person in America with Italian descent will vote for him if he glorifies Columbus. It's a given in his twisted little brain.

In April 2025, a few months into his second term, Trump declared that he was "bringing Columbus Day back from the ashes" in a Truth Social post.

Earlier this year Trump put up a statue of the famous explorer in White House grounds. It was a replica of the sculpture of Columbus that stood in Baltimore in 2020 and was toppled by protestors.

The 13-foot replica of the piece, made from fragments of the original sculpture, is now in front of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.

Columbus Day is still marked as a federal holiday, but some states and cities instead honor the day as Indigenous People's Day.

It makes no sense to honor an Italian explorer who came to America and subjected the original inhabitants to atrocities - including devasting loss of life, tradition and lands. 

In 2021, President Biden became the first president to issue a proclamation recognizing Indigenous People's Day.

President Biden wrote, "For generations, Federal policies systematically sought to assimilate and displace Native people and eradicate Native cultures. Today we recognize Indigenous peoples' resilience and strength as well as the immeasurable positive impact they have made on every aspect of American society."

Back to the present Trump floated the idea of renaming the Pacific Ocean that Columbus sailed on to "Trump Ocean." He also said the same for the Atlantic Ocean during a rally in Clarksville, Tennessee last week. 

The fact that the midterms are just around the corner has given Trump more incentive to butter up Italian American voters in November.

As it Stands, it's also notable that Trump admires the Italian Mafia's way of doing business.

What's Next? Live Streaming Civilian Firing Squads?

The Trump Show is getting darker all the time.

The latest propaganda/entertainment act from the regime is sponsored by Pentagon Pete Hegeseth.

A public execution by (of all things) a firing squad is scheduled for Dec. 3, 2026, at Ft. Hood (the site of the 2009 mass shooting where Nidal Hasan killed 13 unarmed soldiers). Trump approved the military's first firing squad execution since WWII (1945).

He deserves to die. Just not in a public spectacle like Hegseth is pushing for. There are only six countries in the world that have public executions: Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen.

You may have noticed all six countries are run by dictators and religious extremists. And now America is going to join that despicable group if the regime follows through with a prime-time execution. 

Thanks to Trump America is no longer seen as a beacon of liberty and holding a public execution isn't going to help that new perception of what America stands for. With Trump siding with Russia and alienating all of our traditional partners in NATO and other world organizations the United States is slowly becoming an authoritarian administration.

Critics argue that broadcasting an execution reduces the United States to the level of the very terrorist groups it fights. National security experts warn that livestreaming the event could backfire and serve as a "gift to anti-American terrorist recruiters" and give the shooter exactly what he wanted: global attention and a platform for martyrdom. 

Tough-talking Hegseth told the Human Events Daily that, "We'll make sure that people are able to watch it, that its public. Because people need to understand that...there's serious consequences for these types of things."

There are also laws against what Hegseth is promoting. Existing military rules (Army Regulation 190-55) explicitly restrict who can witness executions, completely barring minors. Experts note that preventing children from seeing a public digital livestream would be nearly impossible. 

The proposal has drawn sharp, bipartisan criticism from lawmakers, military officials, and international organizations.

So far media platforms - YouTube, Meta, and X (formerly Twitter) have not responded directly to requests for comment whether they would grant the U.S. government special permission to broadcast the firing squad.

Journalists and tech experts note that allowing the stream would require these platforms to violate their own foundational guidelines. If they refuse the Pentagon has an alternative plan to stream via government domains like war.gov. I suppose Trump TV is another alternative. I doubt if it has any restrictions at all.

More ominously is this military public execution a sign of things to come for civilian firing squads?

As it Stands, the question is will Trump call off the primetime execution at the last minute in true Trumpian fashion, or will he double down and sell tickets to actually attend the event?

It's No Wonder that Trump is Fighting to Conceal the Epstein Files

In August of 2019 authorities said Jeffrey Epstein killed himself by hanging in his Manhattan federal jail cell while awaiting a federal sex-trafficking trial.

Take note that Epstein was prevented from a full courtroom proceeding regarding his alleged co-conspirators by suddenly committing suicide according to Trump's FBI at the time. It's been an open conversation among investigators that someone killed Epstein to keep him from testifying.

Three years later, on February 19, 2022, Epstein's close associate Jean-Luc Brunel was found dead by hanging in his Paris prison cell while awaiting trial on charges of raping minors and trafficking them for sexual exploitation.

Brunel's death drew immediate global parallels to Epstein's death. Both occurred prior to trial. Once again someone saw to it that these men couldn't truthfully testify in court. There are coincidences that can't be ignored when following the dots between these two sex offenders.

Then what happens?

On Sept. 23, 2026, a whistleblower Simon Andriez, a 57-year-old British former managing director at BGC Group (the financial brokerage previously run by US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick), died by suicide. The details aren't clear. I suspect they never will be. 

Andriesz previously told the BBC how he unearthed evidence indicating that Lutnick failed to disclose a business relationship with Epstein, telling the broadcaster that he had discovered an email chain from 2018 in which Lutnick and Epstein had discussed the prospects of a start-up business they were both involved in.

The case was featured in the BBC's File on 4 Investigates, which was broadcast in July in an episode titled The Epstein Files: Lutnick, the Royals and the British Whistleblower.

The DOJ has been acting like a guard dog with AG Todd Blanche refusing orders to lift redactions. At one point over 1300 FBI agents were given an instructional video on how to redact Trump and other associates names from the Epstein Files.

It doesn't take a stable genius to figure out Trump is deathly afraid of what lies in those redacted files. Here's the specific high-profile files that are being requested by the judge:

* At least eight email exchanges involving Epstein discussing a "torture video" and sexual activity with young women and minors.

* Heavily redacted FBI interview forms (FD-302s) and handwritten notes detailing a woman's allegations that she was sexually abused by Trump as a minor.

* Critical details identifying non-victim male individuals associated with the Epstein network.

House and Senate Democrats have openly accused the DOJ of creating a process that makes meaningful oversight by Congress impossible. Meanwhile the DOJ is actively tracking and monitoring what lawmakers search for and look at while they are reviewing the files.

Here's one thing I'm sure of, the Epstein Files aren't just going to fade away one day. There will be an accounting. The only question is will Trump avoid a pedophile conviction and slime his way out of trouble again?

As it Stands, I fully expect a full-court press to get to the truth by Democratic lawmakers when they take control of Congress in the midterms.

Trump's Sons Graduate from Masterclass in Nepotism

It didn't take long.

Shortly after Trump was re-elected his son Don Jr. was named as an advisor for Florida-based drone manufacturer Unusual Machines - a company which had not previously won any government contracts.

It's been a master class in Nepotism 101 since then.

The eldest Trump boys have become heavily invested in defense technology, drones, quantum computing, and raw materials through investment vehicles like 1789 Capital and American Ventures.

For years the Trump boys have been getting lessons in how to get away with hanging on to dad's coattails in shady business deals. What a proud dad Trump is now with both of his evil spawn graduating into the Big Time in grifting off of the government.

You gotta hand it to the two human parasites who have key investment sectors and companies in their portfolios...they've successfully attained Trumpian fame.

Here's a quick overview of what those two rascals have done thus far:

- Don Trump Jr. is now a partner in Anduril Industries where he's backed by 1789 Capital.

- The Trump boys are notable investors in a drone manufacturing. Don Jr. serves as a director with Unusual Machines, a drone and motor manufacturer.

- An Israeli-backed drone maker - American Ventures - is tied to the boys.

- A company that focuses on quantum computing - PsiQuantum - is backed by 1789 Capital.

The boys have also gotten into raw materials and mining to diversify their scandalous scams. They've invested in a rare-earth mining company - Vulcan Elements - which is focused on critical defense materials. They're also big investors in Tungsten/Kazakhstan projects linked to entities such as Skyline Builders and Dominari Securities. 

Pretty impressive don't you think?

When I think about how Republicans went after Hunter Biden for years over some paintings he sold, and nebulous accusations of colluding with America's enemies, I have to shake my head in disgust and disbelief.

The whole world can see what's happening with the Trump family as they openly grift their way into vast fortunes. Firms backed by Don Jr. and Eric have scored over $6 billion dollars in a cash grab for the ages.

As it Stands, there was a time when nepotism wasn't so openly accepted and virtually unchallenged.

Trump's Toxic Taxpayer Ad Ripoff Runs into Bipartisan Backlash

Nearly everyone in both political parties have called out Trump's blatant attempt to glorify himself using taxpayer money in a propaganda campaign weeks before the midterms.

Political observers immediately recognized the ads featured footage and slogans closely mirroring Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, with some spots using identical audio and video while not adding a "paid for by the U.S government" disclosure.

Over a dozen produced spots featured messages praising Trump's tax cuts and manufacturing record, alongside sharp rhetoric vowing to go after his political opponents, the media, and the "deep state."

The New York Times reported that the ad blitz was financed through a $20 million contract utilizing existing Customs and Border Protection advertising budgets. Sources said Trump personally instructed White House budget officials to initiate the federal funding from Homeland Security's budget for his personal propaganda.

After intense bipartisan backlash Trump announced he would reimburse the government and use his super PAC to pay for the spots going forward. 

To be clear, Trump got caught with his tiny hand in the cookie jar and wasn't even embarrassed upon discovery. He shrugged and made it clear he wasn't going to pay back the money he already illegally spent...giving the justice system he hates the "bird."  

In one of the weakest explanations coming from the regime and J. D. Vance was that the spots were "patriotic" and "educational public service announcements rather than political ads." I don't know how MAGA officials kept a straight face in front of reporters.

Democrats have asked federal watchdog agencies to tally spending on the commercials and issue a formal analysis of whether they're legal.

The most recent government funding law passed by Congress, for instance, states: "No part of any appropriation contained in this Act shall be used for publicity or propaganda purposes not authorized by Congress."

As it Stands, the bottom line is Trump's glorification propaganda campaign will continue to leak lies like a broken sewer pipe draining into the national discourse.

Their back! Supreme Court Justices Return in Time to Cause More Chaos in the Political System

"Spread the word around

Guess who's back in town?

You spread the word around...

the Boys are back in town." 

-Thin Lizzy

For better or worse the U.S. Supreme Court reconvenes today on the eve of the midterm elections to begin a new term that will confront a fresh wave of appeals from Trump and the prospect of explosive legal challenges to the 2026 election results.

This new term comes at a time when the public's trust in the Court is at an historic low, with recent late-2026-polls showing approval hovering between 33% and 38%. Roughly half of Americans hold an unfavorable view of the high court as an institution according to a report from the Pew Center.

The first case for oral argument involves climate change. In this first of-its-kind dispute to reach the justices local governments are suing energy companies for financial damages over alleged harms from fossil fuels. We're talking billions of dollars on the line.

It's important to note that Justice Alito has recused himself from the case. Watchdogs and legal experts are suggesting he did so due to scrutiny over his financial investments in oil and gas companies.

Briefly, the lawsuit involves Boulder, Colorado where local governments are suing energy producers Suncor Energy and ExxonMobile in state court seeking damages related to climate change impacts.

On tap, the court will look at whether states can ban semi-automatic weapons like the AR-15; deny federal ballots to voters who don't provide proof of citizenship on state registration forms; and block religious schools from taxpayer-funded programs when they discriminate against LGBTQ+ families.

None of these cases are expected to be decided before the midterms.

Here's two key Trump-related cases that are already accepted for review:

- The justices agreed to take up Trump's appeal challenging lower court rulings that rejected the regime's policy to hold noncitizens living in the U.S. without a bond hearing during deportation proceedings.

- The court will review the regime's aggressive fast-tracked expulsions of deportees to third countries where they lack prior ties, an issue where the justices previously permitted expedited removals to resume pending full arguments.

A majority of Americans believe that the justices are motivated by politics in their decision-making and that this court - with a 6-justice conservative supermajority - often rules for Trump, according to a Marquette University poll last month.

As it Stands, once again Trump will test his power over the highest court in the land, counting on his appointees to pave the way for his priorities. 

Connections Between Brazil and American Politics on Brazil's Election Day

Imagine a country that has two MAGA political parties vying for power. That's Brazil today. 

UPDATE: Neither candidate secured more than 50% of the valid votes required for an outright victory on Oct. 4. They will now face off in a second-round showdown on October 25th, 2026.

It's election day in Brazil where the country is facing a rematch of its bitter 2022 contest - with a twist. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is facing Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of the man he narrowly defeated four years ago, Jair Bolsonaro.

Like Trump's attempted coup in 2020, Jair Bolsonaro tried to overthrow a legal election in 2022 and was convicted and is currently serving a 27-year sentence for plotting the coup, unlike Trump who has gotten away with his coup attempt.

The younger Bolsonaro has promised to pardon his daddy if he gets elected. Lula, who like Trump is 80-years old, is seeking a fourth presidential term.

The result will determine whether Brazil stays with Lula's left-leaning government or returns the Bolsonaro movement to the presidency.

If no candidate for president or governor receives more than 50% of the valid votes today, the two candidates with the most votes will continue to a runoff in Oct. 25.

Brazil uses electronic voting machines and typically counts the results within hours in a clear contrast to what happens in the United States where results take days or weeks to announce.

Jair Bolsonaro and Donald Trump are buddies and have a lot of the same views on running an authoritarian regime. But Lula was no saint either. He was jailed on corruption and money laundering charges in 2018, but the Supreme Court annulled his convictions in 2021 on procedural grounds.

It's a bit of a stretch to say Lula's government has been a democratic success but it's not as aligned with Trump as Bolsonaro is. Voters will have a choice of MAGA One or MAGA Two candidates. By tonight we'll know who is going forward.

Both political camps inspire intensely loyal supporters similar to Trump's followers. Bolsonaro supports a hardline approach to crime-fighting that he's suggested could include joint work with the U.S. Military, while Lula has favored operations targeting the financiers of gangs and voiced skepticism of outside countries influencing Brazil's security problems.

It's no wonder Brazilian voters are worried about corruption like American voters who see that as a priority. The good news is Americans have a clear choice between corruption and enforcing laws if the Democrats regain control of Congress. It's not that clear cut in Brazil.

America has become an unusually visible presence in this year's campaign. Rallies for Flavio Bolsonaro have featured U.S. flags, reflecting his pledge to align more closely with the Trump regime.

Flavio's brother, Eduardo, is living in the United States, where he has urged Trump to take action against Supreme Court justices who oversaw his father's coup-plot trial. Last year, Trump cited that trial as a justification for hiking tariffs on Brazil by 40%.

Yuri Sanches, head of political analysis at Brazilian polling and analysis firm AtlasIntel, says a narrow Lulu victory could prompt Bolsonaro supporters to challenge the result. 

If that sounds familiar with what's going on in the American midterms don't be too surprised. MAGA has taken root in Brazil. Americans are fully expecting, and preparing for, numerous illegal challenges when Republican candidates lose in the fall.

As it Stands, my heart goes out to the millions of Brazilians facing such an unpalatable choice for their leader.   

Trump Has Earned a Degree in Bribery

I expect that after these midterms Trump is going to have his human printer Natalie Harper ghost write a book for him titled, "The Art of the Bribe."

Taking the most felonious route to convincing people to vote for him or his minions through bribery Trump is gleefully letting it all hang out. 

Nothing is too blatant. Laws are mere obstacles in his way to outright buy votes. His tiny hands are so deep in the cookie jar of political corruption he feels invulnerable.

Let's take a look at one of the most outlandish open bribes Trump has trotted out prior to the midterms.

Who can forget that famous Republican midterm convention on Sept. 9 when Trump explicitly pledged that he would authorize a $5,000 cash payment to every American adult on one specific condition: if Republicans retain the control of both the House and the Senate.

Political Bribery 101 clearly states that direct, specific cash payouts promised directly to individual citizens are illegal. Case closed.

Trump is amping up promises of cash payments in exchange for votes just 29 days before Americans go to the polls. 

Last week Trump announced his regime will send a one-time payment of $90 - "or nearly $100" - to more than 20 million senior citizens to help pay a portion of their Medicare benefits that his regime reduced in the Big Awful Bill (the only thing the 119th Congress passed).

The regime is now sending out $500 checks to nearly a million Americans for what it described as refunds for "excessive fees" resulting from the Biden Administration's handling of the Affordable Care Act. Another lie, but whose counting?

Here's a quick question:

When was the last time Trump actually gave non-wealthy Americans money?

I know, it's a trick question. It's never happened. So why would people believe it's going to now?

Trump's partner in crime Elon Musk has poured millions of bribery dollars into buying votes in 2024 and is busy again this election funneling money into the electoral system for votes.

We must not forget Trump is the man who tried to bribe a porn star ahead of the 2016 election and ended up being convicted of 34 felony counts of fraud in the first degree. 

With credentials like that it's no surprise he's graduated to the "in your face" phase where legal restraints don't bother him during his second - no guardrails - term.

Throughout his business career and presidency Trump has faced numerous high-profile allegations, investigations, and legal controversies related to bribery, illegal campaign contributions, and public corruption.

As it Stands, just think, if Trump University hadn't been shut down for ripping people off, Donald could have awarded himself a Doctorate Degree in Bribery...along with a trophy.