ANOTHER TRUMP GRIFT BITES THE DUST

 

Blanche says DOJ ‘not moving forward’ with $1.776B anti-weaponization fund: ‘Period’

"It's the economy, Stupid!"

How's the economy working for you and your family? 

I'm doing ok, but that's because I'm retired, living alone in my own condo in a city and state that is doing well economically, but experiencing a severe housing crisis because of extreme unaffordability, critically low vacancy rates, and a massive supply deficit. This problem is part of a broader national crisis affecting many other states.

Food prices are up, especially meat, eggs, fish, and dairy. Meat prices don't affect me as much as they would have years ago, since I'm more likely to eat vegetarian meals rather than meat centered ones. I don't spend much on clothing, since I'm not part of the working world anymore. And I'm lucky to live in a state that has many choices for recreation that don't cost a lot of money. 

My one big trip this year was Ireland for my son's wedding, but that didn't cost a lot, since I made the airline reservations in January, before Trump's Iran War, and I was able to rent a lovely condo with another family member, which helped keep the cost of lodging down. We didn't rent a car, and opted for using public transportation and, one time, taxi. 

How has Trump's economy affect you?

 

497 days into Donald Trump's term GDP grew at 1.6% per year in the first quarter. Inflation is at 3.0% . 

The unemployment rate is 4.3% . The S&P 500 is up 25.3% since he took office.

"America’s economy was weaker than first thought at the start of the year, extending a sharp slowdown after a bumper 2025. GDP grew at an annualised rate of 1.6% in the first quarter, revised down from an initial estimate of 2%, after expanding by 0.5% in the fourth quarter and 4.4% in the third. The downgrade reflected weaker consumer spending and inventory investment. Growth may slow further this quarter, as the war with Iran pushes up fuel prices and squeezes household budgets." 

The Biden Boom and Trump Slump: A Serious Comparison of the Two Economies 

(The Center for Economic Policy and Research (CEPR) employs legitimate, well-credentialed economists [such as co-founders Dean Baker and Mark Weisbrot]. Its research is frequently cited by major media outlets and academic researchers.)

Key Takeaways: 

*Biden oversaw historically low unemployment, strong job growth, and rising real wages, especially for low-paid and Black workers. 

*Trump’s first year shows slower job creation, rising unemployment, and weaker labor market indicators. 

*GDP growth remained solid under Biden, while early Trump-era growth has been erratic, including a quarterly contraction. 

*Inflation was falling under Biden, but tariffs and policy shifts under Trump contributed to renewed price pressures. 

*Factory construction surged under Biden due to infrastructure, CHIPS, and clean energy legislation but slowed sharply under Trump. 

*Biden handed Trump the strongest economy in decades; early Trump policies have shown signs of weakening it.

The U.S. Economy Performs Better Under Democratic Presidents 

"The U.S. economy has performed much better under Democratic presidents than Republican presidents in the modern era. 

In almost every measure of the U.S. economy including total job growth, unemployment, economic growth, manufacturing job growth, manufacturing investment, small business creation, and contribution to the national debt, economic performance is stronger under Democrats. 

While there are many factors contributing to these trends, the throughline is clear that Democratic administrations consistently help the U.S. economy perform better than Republican administrations. 

Republicans have prioritized tax cuts that benefit the wealthy and that fail to boost economic growth or pay for themselves, while Democrats have prioritized investing in the middle class, supporting small businesses, and improving economic resilience after downturns. 

Of the 11 recessions in the modern era, 10 have begun under Republican presidents."

YOUR SUNDAY MOMENT OF ZEN

 

SATURDAY NIGHT MUSIC

 

"Dance The Night Away"

by The Mavericks

TRUMP DEMANDS HIS IMAGE ON $250 US CURRENCY

Trump wants new $250 bill to feature his Fulton County Jail mugshot 

President’s supporters try to change law so he can feature on banknote marking America’s 250th birthday 

(In a way, I think it would be fitting to have Trump, the only convicted felon and adjudicated sexual assaulter/rapist POTUS, put his mug shot on the US currency to document for posterity that 30% of the American population decided that a corrupt human being and criminal is what they worshipped and chose to represent America!)

NOTE:

In Mandarin Chinese, the number 250 (二百五, pronounced èr bǎi wǔ) is a common slang term that means "stupid person," "idiot," or "simpleton."Using it playfully calls someone a dummy, but it can be more disparaging depending on the tone. Because of this, pricing a product at ¥250 or giving it as a gift is generally avoided in Chinese culture to prevent accidentally insulting someone.

*****************************

Trump's insatiable lust for self-aggrandizement and for breaking laws is epic.

Federal law allows only deceased people to appear on currency.

Trump administration officials have pressed the office responsible for printing the nation’s money to design a $250 bill featuring the president’s portrait, according to four current and former employees, in what would be the first appearance of a living person on U.S. currency in more than 150 years.

Starting last year, two political appointees at the Treasury Department — U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach and his senior adviser, Mike Brown — repeatedly urged staff at the agency’s Bureau of Engraving and Printing to prepare prototypes of the note, according to the employees, who said the move raised concerns because federal law currently allows only deceased people to appear on bills.

As part of the effort, Beach in August and September provided bureau staff with mock-up designs for the note, including one that shows President Donald Trump’s face in the center of the $250 bill between the signatures of the president and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, according to one of the employees and records reviewed by The Washington Post.

The artist who said he designed the mock-up told The Post that he had spoken with Trump about it.

From AI:

Donald Trump would be breaking the law if he placed his image on a $250 bill as it is currently designed.

The specific legal hurdles to this proposal include: The Living Person Ban: Federal law (Title 31, Section 5114 of the U.S. Code) explicitly states that only the portraits of deceased individuals may appear on U.S. currency and securities. 

This ban has been in place since 1866.

Lack of Authorization: A $250 bill is not currently recognized as a valid, statutorily authorized denomination of U.S. currency.

What needs to happen to make it legal?

For a $250 bill featuring President Trump to become a reality, Congress would need to pass specific legislation. This would require a brand-new law that both authorizes the $250 denomination and creates a specific legal exception for living presidents.

The idea of a $250 bill featuring Trump has been pushed by some administration officials and introduced in Congress via the proposed “Donald J. Trump $250 Bill Act,” but the legislation has not yet passed.

From The Other 98%:

The Treasury just pushed out the director of the currency printing bureau because she refused to put Trump's face on American money before Congress even passed a law allowing it.

Patricia Solimene, a 24-year Army veteran and the bureau's first female director, resisted pressure from Trump appointees Brandon Beach and his aide Mike Brown to fast-track designs for a $250 bill bearing the president's portrait. She was reassigned against her will. Brown now effectively runs the bureau. 

A career public servant who said "follow the law" got removed. The people who wanted to break it stayed.

The administration has been pressing the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to design the $250 note since at least last year, in what would be the first time a living person appeared on U.S. currency in over 150 years. 

That ban traces back to 1866, when Congress passed a law explicitly barring any living person from appearing on American currency after a Treasury official put his own face on a five-cent note. The Founders themselves rejected the practice as monarchical. 

And Trump isn't stopping at the bill. His signature already appears on all newly printed money. His face hangs on a banner over the Justice Department. The Kennedy Center bears his name. So does the U.S. Institute of Peace. There's a commemorative passport, a coin, a National Parks pass. 

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries put it plainly: "Hard No on a Trump $250 bill. Get over yourself. The upcoming July 4th anniversary is not about a wannabe King." 

The Founders went to war over a king who taxed them without consent. We now have a president plastering his face on the institutions those Founders built, and firing the people who say no.

Some things don't need a monarchy to look exactly like one.

Rex gloriae! LOL!

 

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Judge Orders President’s Name Off Kennedy Center, and He Reacts With Fury

Apparently, Trump becomes infuriated when the courts tell him he's broken the law!

CORRUPTION IN PLAIN SIGHT