palmerreport--2020-12-22--This keeps getting uglier

This keeps getting uglier

What must it be like to be inside of Donald Trump ’ s head ?
Clearly , he has lost the election .
Recounts have been done and signatures verified , and the Electoral College has affirmed Joe Biden ’ s victory .
Donald Trump can not accept the facts and is continuing to “ challenge ” the election , which is beyond challenge .
Regardless of his losses , Politico reported that Trump ’ s team has filed yet another petition before the Supreme Court .
The latest suit requests the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn three rulings from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sought rejection of the voters ’ mail-in ballots and choosing an alternate slate of electors who would give their electoral votes to Trump .
This is a complete effort in futility , as the Court is not scheduled to meet again until January 8 , two days after Congress certifies the vote of the Electoral College .
None of this will stop Donald Trump .
Trump knows he can not overturn the election , but he is so far gone on the issue that he is now listening to the insanity spewed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listening to Flynn , but he is so desperate that he re-hired Sidney Powell .
Powell has been all over the country , spewing her conspiracy theories and clogging dockets with her “ kraken ” lawsuits .
According to Forbes and Newsweek , Michigan authorities are trying to find a way to punish her , with the city of Detroit asking a federal court to impose sanctions on Powell , who has filed similar suits in Georgia with another QAnon attorney , L. Lin Wood .
Powell faces posting a $ 100,000 bond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevails .
Yet , Trump has welcomed her back to his fold , showing the true desperation of Trump ’ s attempts to overturn the election that he legitimately lost .
Powell , with Flynn ’ s urgings , suggests that the government can “ seize voting machines ” from Michigan , Wisconsin , Georgia , and Pennsylvania or “ declare martial law.
” MSN reported that both Powell and Flynn are pushing Trump to issue an executive order to seize the specified voting machines .
According to MSN , either move is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported that outgoing attorney general Bill Barr said that “ there is no basis ” for the government to seize voting machines and further said that he has “ no intention ” of appointing a special counsel to investigate voter fraud allegations .
Now that Barr is no longer sucking up to Trump , Trump ’ s cronies have turned against Barr .
WaPo reported that Jenna Ellis , a Trump campaign legal advisor , tweeted : “ Maybe you should sit down now , Bill .
You certainly did enough sitting down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the moment Barr came on the scene , he was doing Trump ’ s bidding , including prematurely ending the Mueller investigation and white washing Mueller ’ s findings .
Trump could not have found a better lackey than Barr , but now that Barr no longer agrees with Trump , he is not doing his job .
Someone needs to sit down , but it is not Bill Barr .
Trump needs to accept his loss and move on .
It is over for him .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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What must it be like to be inside of Donald Trump’s head? Clearly, he has lost the election. Recounts have been done and signatures verified, and the Electoral College has affirmed Joe Biden’s victory. Donald Trump cannot accept the facts and is continuing to “challenge” the election, which is beyond challenge. Regardless of his losses, Politico reported that Trump’s team has filed yet another petition before the Supreme Court.
The latest suit requests the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn three rulings from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. These suits sought rejection of the voters’ mail-in ballots and choosing an alternate slate of electors who would give their electoral votes to Trump. This is a complete effort in futility, as the Court is not scheduled to meet again until January 8, two days after Congress certifies the vote of the Electoral College. None of this will stop Donald Trump. Trump knows he cannot overturn the election, but he is so far gone on the issue that he is now listening to the insanity spewed by Michael Flynn.
Not only is Trump listening to Flynn, but he is so desperate that he re-hired Sidney Powell. Powell has been all over the country, spewing her conspiracy theories and clogging dockets with her “kraken” lawsuits. According to Forbes and Newsweek, Michigan authorities are trying to find a way to punish her, with the city of Detroit asking a federal court to impose sanctions on Powell, who has filed similar suits in Georgia with another QAnon attorney, L. Lin Wood. Powell faces posting a $100,000 bond to file future lawsuits if the city prevails. Yet, Trump has welcomed her back to his fold, showing the true desperation of Trump’s attempts to overturn the election that he legitimately lost.
Powell, with Flynn’s urgings, suggests that the government can “seize voting machines” from Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia, and Pennsylvania or “declare martial law.” MSN reported that both Powell and Flynn are pushing Trump to issue an executive order to seize the specified voting machines. According to MSN, either move is unconstitutional. Underpinning that, Washington Post reported that outgoing attorney general Bill Barr said that “there is no basis” for the government to seize voting machines and further said that he has “no intention” of appointing a special counsel to investigate voter fraud allegations.
Now that Barr is no longer sucking up to Trump, Trump’s cronies have turned against Barr. WaPo reported that Jenna Ellis, a Trump campaign legal advisor, tweeted: “Maybe you should sit down now, Bill. You certainly did enough sitting down on the job.” Please. From the moment Barr came on the scene, he was doing Trump’s bidding, including prematurely ending the Mueller investigation and white washing Mueller’s findings. Trump could not have found a better lackey than Barr, but now that Barr no longer agrees with Trump, he is not doing his job. Someone needs to sit down, but it is not Bill Barr. Trump needs to accept his loss and move on. It is over for him.
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palmerreport--2020-12-22--Donald Trump’s Deutsche Bank contact abruptly resigns after bank testifies to New York grand jury

The night before the election , Deutsche Bank leaked to the media that if Donald Trump lost , it was planning to sell off or call in his loans .
This would likely result in the forfeiture of Trump ’ s assets , putting him in a crushing financial squeeze .
This hasn ’ t happened yet – Deutsche Bank is presumably waiting until Trump is out of office so he can ’ t abuse his powers to retaliate – but now we ’ re seeing signs of what ’ s coming .
Trump ’ s longtime go-between at Deutsche @ @ @ @ @ @ @ series of suspicious loans over the years that he didn ’ t qualify for and never paid back , is now abruptly resigning from the bank .
Nothing says “ everything is about to hit the fan ” like the abrupt resignation of those who were directly involved with whatever chicanery was going on behind the scenes .
Earlier this month it was reported that the Manhattan District Attorney has begun having unnamed Deutsche Bank employees testify to a grand jury about Donald Trump ’ s finances , in a clear sign that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial crimes .
Now the person at Deutsche Bank who worked the most closely with Trump is abruptly resigning .
It ’ s not entirely clear how these pieces fit together , but it is clear that something is about to hit the fan at Deutsche Bank .

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The night before the election, Deutsche Bank leaked to the media that if Donald Trump lost, it was planning to sell off or call in his loans. This would likely result in the forfeiture of Trump’s assets, putting him in a crushing financial squeeze.
This hasn’t happened yet – Deutsche Bank is presumably waiting until Trump is out of office so he can’t abuse his powers to retaliate – but now we’re seeing signs of what’s coming. Trump’s longtime go-between at Deutsche Bank, who helped him secure a series of suspicious loans over the years that he didn’t qualify for and never paid back, is now abruptly resigning from the bank. Nothing says “everything is about to hit the fan” like the abrupt resignation of those who were directly involved with whatever chicanery was going on behind the scenes.
Earlier this month it was reported that the Manhattan District Attorney has begun having unnamed Deutsche Bank employees testify to a grand jury about Donald Trump’s finances, in a clear sign that Trump is going to be indicted for financial crimes. Now the person at Deutsche Bank who worked the most closely with Trump is abruptly resigning. It’s not entirely clear how these pieces fit together, but it is clear that something is about to hit the fan at Deutsche Bank.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-12-22--So that was all for nothing

So that was all for nothing

Bill Barr is a corrupt criminal who belongs in prison for several counts of felony obstruction of justice .
But even though the media tried to paint him as some kind of evil genius villain , we keep seeing evidence that Barr was really just a middling bumbler whose schemes usually didn ’ t work .
Now it ’ s happened again today .
Months ago Barr ousted the U.S. Attorney for the SDNY , and tried to replace him with a Trump administration puppet , in an apparent attempt at preventing the SDNY from indicting and arresting Steve Bannon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resign until he had legal assurances that he ’ d be replaced by his own longtime deputy , Audrey Strauss .
Accordingly , Bannon ended up getting arrested .
Now the courts have determined today that Audrey Strauss , who had been serving as Acting U.S. Attorney all this time , is legitimately the permanent U.S. Attorney .
This matters , because her “ Acting ” tenure was set to expire before Trump left office .
But now she ’ s locked in place until the end of Trump ’ s term , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the SDNY .
In other words , Barr did all that for nothing .

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Bill Barr is a corrupt criminal who belongs in prison for several counts of felony obstruction of justice. But even though the media tried to paint him as some kind of evil genius villain, we keep seeing evidence that Barr was really just a middling bumbler whose schemes usually didn’t work. Now it’s happened again today.
Months ago Barr ousted the U.S. Attorney for the SDNY, and tried to replace him with a Trump administration puppet, in an apparent attempt at preventing the SDNY from indicting and arresting Steve Bannon. But the U.S. Attorney refused to resign until he had legal assurances that he’d be replaced by his own longtime deputy, Audrey Strauss. Accordingly, Bannon ended up getting arrested.
Now the courts have determined today that Audrey Strauss, who had been serving as Acting U.S. Attorney all this time, is legitimately the permanent U.S. Attorney. This matters, because her “Acting” tenure was set to expire before Trump left office. But now she’s locked in place until the end of Trump’s term, meaning Trump never will get to mess with the SDNY. In other words, Barr did all that for nothing.
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Muddying the waters

Donald Trump is nothing if not transparent .
His motivations are almost always clear and almost always predictable — he takes the position that gives him the best chances , rather than what is best for the greater good .
Not a good look for the United States President .
This last weekend , Trump did this once again , but this time it ’ s left me asking some questions .
Shortly after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made a statement that the massive federal government hack was almost certainly carried out by the Russians , Trump decided to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how China might have actually been behind the hack .
I will say that yes , this is the kind of thing that seems to be within China ’ s capabilities and that it ’ s far from impossible that China would do something like this .
China does this kind of stuff with relative frequency .
But the evidence , apparently , doesn ’ t suggest that China had any part .
The evidence suggests Russia did it .
Yet Trump felt the need to go out of his way to muddy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump ’ s persistent defense of Russia has given many of us a sense that he owes some sort of fealty to Russia .
That seems like a pretty obvious thing to say these days , but maybe that ’ s why I think this specific defense merits closer scrutiny .
Trump , mercifully , is on his way out .
Trump knows this and even Russian leader Vladimir Putin knows this considering he sent President-elect Joe Biden congratulations on his victory .
My first question is this : Why would Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia when he ’ s nearly out of office and has nothing to gain from Russia as president ?
Why not just ignore what Pompeo said and keep your head shoulder-deep in a KFC bucket ?
Furthermore , why offer a half-assed defense of Russia rather than no defense at all ?
In other words if Trump really felt strongly about defending Russia or at least saying something like “ We just don ’ t know who hacked us yet so let ’ s not throw names around , ” why proffer a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bus ?
It feels to me like Trump defended Russia out of obligation , out of transactional necessity , rather than because he truly felt otherwise .
Lastly , what does Trump really have to gain by continuing to curry favor with Russia ?
Is he really going to seek asylum there ?
I doubt it .
I think it probably has at least something to do with a Trump Tower Moscow , like what he had planned back in 2016 .
Could it be more than that ?
Who knows .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get anything out of this craven defense of Russia , he ’ s doing the nation a mighty disservice and making the US look weak at the feet of one of its longtime adversaries .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Donald Trump is nothing if not transparent. His motivations are almost always clear and almost always predictable — he takes the position that gives him the best chances, rather than what is best for the greater good. Not a good look for the United States President.
This last weekend, Trump did this once again, but this time it’s left me asking some questions.
Shortly after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made a statement that the massive federal government hack was almost certainly carried out by the Russians, Trump decided to muddy those waters and spout baselessly about how China might have actually been behind the hack. I will say that yes, this is the kind of thing that seems to be within China’s capabilities and that it’s far from impossible that China would do something like this. China does this kind of stuff with relative frequency.
But the evidence, apparently, doesn’t suggest that China had any part. The evidence suggests Russia did it. Yet Trump felt the need to go out of his way to muddy the waters in Russia’s favor. Trump’s persistent defense of Russia has given many of us a sense that he owes some sort of fealty to Russia. That seems like a pretty obvious thing to say these days, but maybe that’s why I think this specific defense merits closer scrutiny.
Trump, mercifully, is on his way out. Trump knows this and even Russian leader Vladimir Putin knows this considering he sent President-elect Joe Biden congratulations on his victory. My first question is this: Why would Trump go out of the way to defend Russia when he’s nearly out of office and has nothing to gain from Russia as president? Why not just ignore what Pompeo said and keep your head shoulder-deep in a KFC bucket?
Furthermore, why offer a half-assed defense of Russia rather than no defense at all? In other words if Trump really felt strongly about defending Russia or at least saying something like “We just don’t know who hacked us yet so let’s not throw names around,” why proffer a half-assed defense and throw China under the bus? It feels to me like Trump defended Russia out of obligation, out of transactional necessity, rather than because he truly felt otherwise.
Lastly, what does Trump really have to gain by continuing to curry favor with Russia? Is he really going to seek asylum there? I doubt it. I think it probably has at least something to do with a Trump Tower Moscow, like what he had planned back in 2016. Could it be more than that? Who knows. But regardless of whether Trump truly is trying to get anything out of this craven defense of Russia, he’s doing the nation a mighty disservice and making the US look weak at the feet of one of its longtime adversaries.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-12-22--Has Jared Kushner finally punched his ticket to prison?

What do Jared Kushner ( Senior White House advisor and son-in-law to Donald Trump ) , Lara Trump ( Eric Trump ’ s wife ) , John Pence ( Mike Pence ’ s nephew ) and Sean Dollman ( Trump campaign CFO ) all have in common ?
That ’ s a question that is going to become increasingly relevant to DOJ prosecutors and investigators as the pirate ship known as the Trump administration winds down into irrelevance .
It turns out that Kushner helped to create a shell corporation called American Made Media Consultants Corporation , also known as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ named Lara , John and Sean to the board of that corporation .
Some $ 617 million was funnelled to that corporation to spend as it saw fit .
Some of the spending was legitimate .
But $ 170 million of it was not .
That money found its way into the greedy pockets of the Trump family .
And that , my friends , is what ’ s known as campaign finance fraud — writ large .
The $ 170 million was laundered as unearned salaries for various members of the Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ various types of spending .
But it all ended up being used for the personal gain of Trump family members .
Why was this done ?
The shell corporation was created in order to hide from Trump ’ s donors the fact that their money was being funneled directly into the pockets of Trump family members , and not for the Trump campaign or to help in the defense fund to reclaim the “ stolen ” election .
In other words , those members of Trump ’ s following who dug deep into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dear Leader ” win re-election , and later , to help him take his “ rightful place ” to a second term , are really just losers and suckers financing the lifestyles of the already rich .
It turns out that the Department of Justice ( that ’ s right , Bill Barr ’ s very own DOJ ) is already looking into this .
( Apparently , when you inherit a contraption the size of the DOJ you can ’ t always control all of its moving parts . )
Once President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can pick up where they left off .
It ’ s probably no coincidence , therefore , that the defense bill that Donald Trump wants to veto also contains a rider intended to crack down on the creation of just such shell corporations as American Made Media Consultants LLC .
The more you drill down , the more self-serving and incestuous the relationships become .
Naturally , so many of Trump ’ s followers are such thoroughly glassy-eyed dybbuks that they won ’ t care about this scam , but some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the case , one does not create a shell corporation for just such an operation unless one has something to hide .
The whole thing could have been done right out in the open .
The truly hilarious part is , if they had done it right out in the open the entire shell game might have been missed .
The very act of behaving guilty is what drew attention to their guilt .
Let ’ s hope it sees each and every one of them safely to their well-deserved destination : prison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and gentlemen , brothers and sisters , comrades and friends , stay safe .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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What do Jared Kushner (Senior White House advisor and son-in-law to Donald Trump), Lara Trump (Eric Trump’s wife), John Pence (Mike Pence’s nephew) and Sean Dollman (Trump campaign CFO) all have in common? That’s a question that is going to become increasingly relevant to DOJ prosecutors and investigators as the pirate ship known as the Trump administration winds down into irrelevance.
It turns out that Kushner helped to create a shell corporation called American Made Media Consultants Corporation, also known as American Made Media Consultants LLC. Kushner named Lara, John and Sean to the board of that corporation. Some $617 million was funnelled to that corporation to spend as it saw fit. Some of the spending was legitimate. But $170 million of it was not. That money found its way into the greedy pockets of the Trump family. And that, my friends, is what’s known as campaign finance fraud — writ large.
The $170 million was laundered as unearned salaries for various members of the Trump family together with a slush fund for various types of spending. But it all ended up being used for the personal gain of Trump family members.
Why was this done? The shell corporation was created in order to hide from Trump’s donors the fact that their money was being funneled directly into the pockets of Trump family members, and not for the Trump campaign or to help in the defense fund to reclaim the “stolen” election. In other words, those members of Trump’s following who dug deep into their own pockets to help their “Dear Leader” win re-election, and later, to help him take his “rightful place” to a second term, are really just losers and suckers financing the lifestyles of the already rich.
It turns out that the Department of Justice (that’s right, Bill Barr’s very own DOJ) is already looking into this. (Apparently, when you inherit a contraption the size of the DOJ you can’t always control all of its moving parts.) Once President Biden’s administration takes over it can pick up where they left off.
It’s probably no coincidence, therefore, that the defense bill that Donald Trump wants to veto also contains a rider intended to crack down on the creation of just such shell corporations as American Made Media Consultants LLC. The more you drill down, the more self-serving and incestuous the relationships become.
Naturally, so many of Trump’s followers are such thoroughly glassy-eyed dybbuks that they won’t care about this scam, but some of the not yet thoroughly zombified will. Whatever the case, one does not create a shell corporation for just such an operation unless one has something to hide.
The whole thing could have been done right out in the open. The truly hilarious part is, if they had done it right out in the open the entire shell game might have been missed. The very act of behaving guilty is what drew attention to their guilt. Let’s hope it sees each and every one of them safely to their well-deserved destination: prison. And, as ever, ladies and gentlemen, brothers and sisters, comrades and friends, stay safe.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-12-22--This is just getting weird

This is just getting weird

As Donald Trump continues to drag out his sore loser routine after his election loss , he ’ s getting in the way of other professional grifters like Mitch McConnell and Pat Robertson , who are now publicly telling him to get off the stage .
Accordingly , Trump is now trying to turn Senate Republicans against McConnell .
Meanwhile , Trump is now reduced to plotting with the few Republicans who still think they have something to gain by propping up the rotting corpse of his presidency .
Yesterday Trump met with a handful of House Republicans including Jim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from far right districts , and think they can score partisan points back home by conspiring with Trump .
Let ’ s put this in context : a Republican President has now decided that his best course of action is to conspire with Jim Jordan and Matt Gaetz while attacking Mitch McConnell .
Does that sound like a winning strategy to you ?
This just getting weird .
Republicans with serious career ambitions no longer want anything to do with Donald Trump , because he ’ s become dead weight .
So instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lightweights and punchlines who are willing to prop up his fantasy that he can somehow magically find a happy ending in all this .
This is as seditious as it is pointless .
It ’ s guaranteed to fail .
And everyone involved knows that , except perhaps for Trump himself .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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As Donald Trump continues to drag out his sore loser routine after his election loss, he’s getting in the way of other professional grifters like Mitch McConnell and Pat Robertson, who are now publicly telling him to get off the stage. Accordingly, Trump is now trying to turn Senate Republicans against McConnell. Meanwhile, Trump is now reduced to plotting with the few Republicans who still think they have something to gain by propping up the rotting corpse of his presidency.
Yesterday Trump met with a handful of House Republicans including Jim Jordan and Matt Gaetz, who come from far right districts, and think they can score partisan points back home by conspiring with Trump. Let’s put this in context: a Republican President has now decided that his best course of action is to conspire with Jim Jordan and Matt Gaetz while attacking Mitch McConnell. Does that sound like a winning strategy to you?
This just getting weird. Republicans with serious career ambitions no longer want anything to do with Donald Trump, because he’s become dead weight. So instead Trump is humiliating himself by conspiring with lightweights and punchlines who are willing to prop up his fantasy that he can somehow magically find a happy ending in all this. This is as seditious as it is pointless. It’s guaranteed to fail. And everyone involved knows that, except perhaps for Trump himself.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-12-24--Donald Trump’s Deutsche Bank scandal just got even uglier for him

It appears that in the waning days of Trump ’ s failed presidency , his personal bankers at Deutsche Bank are resigning .
According to a statement by the bank , “ Rosemary Vrablic and Dominic Scalzi have tendered their resignations to Deutsche Bank effective as of year-end , which was accepted by the bank.
” Scalzi was a close resource for both the Trump Organization and Jared Kushner .
Vrablic had been the internal champion for Trump when the rest of the bank had turned sour on lending more to Trump .
In recent weeks , Deutsche Bank has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held fully good on the massive loans it made to Trump , and that might be part of the reason these bankers are leaving .
In addition , there are investigations into the bank and the loans .
David Enrich wrote a very insightful and informative book on the topic , “ Dark Towers : Deutsche Bank , Donald Trump , and an Epic Trail of Destruction , ” that addresses much of what is now taking place in the public light .
It is worth a read .
Trump is going down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approximately four weeks , he is going to be facing Deutsche Bank and other lawsuits , likely resulting in him ending up penniless .
Trump is busted .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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It appears that in the waning days of Trump’s failed presidency, his personal bankers at Deutsche Bank are resigning. According to a statement by the bank, “Rosemary Vrablic and Dominic Scalzi have tendered their resignations to Deutsche Bank effective as of year-end, which was accepted by the bank.”
Scalzi was a close resource for both the Trump Organization and Jared Kushner. Vrablic had been the internal champion for Trump when the rest of the bank had turned sour on lending more to Trump.
In recent weeks, Deutsche Bank has noted that it is looking to be held fully good on the massive loans it made to Trump, and that might be part of the reason these bankers are leaving. In addition, there are investigations into the bank and the loans.
David Enrich wrote a very insightful and informative book on the topic, “Dark Towers : Deutsche Bank, Donald Trump, and an Epic Trail of Destruction,” that addresses much of what is now taking place in the public light. It is worth a read. Trump is going down, he knows it, and in approximately four weeks, he is going to be facing Deutsche Bank and other lawsuits, likely resulting in him ending up penniless. Trump is busted.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-12-24--Donald Trump’s endgame pardons just got even more embarrassing tonight

This evening Donald Trump pardoned even more bad people .
The list included his pals Roger Stone and Paul Manafort , who both criminally conspired with Russia to alter the outcome of the 2016 election , in what amounted to treason .
The list also included Jared Kushner ’ s ex-con father Charles Kushner .
This is all corrupt and pathetic , but we all knew it was coming .
Moreover , none of it means that Trump is now somehow magically winning .
In fact it means the opposite .
It means Trump is at the end now and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there were even the slightest chance he might somehow manage to steal a second term , he ’ d wait until that second term was in hand before issuing these kinds of pardons , which will only serve to turn even more Americans against him .
Meanwhile , these pardons don ’ t necessarily help these guys much .
Roger Stone has already been reduced to a sad , broken shell of himself , selling autographed rocks on his website for $ 8 to try to sustain himself .
Paul Manafort did time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his health appears to be failing as a result .
Moreover , this kind of overly broad preemptive pardon won ’ t necessarily prevent Stone from being hit with the additional criminal charges that were being worked on when Mueller was forced give up .
Donald Trump will continue to pardon more people in his final days , including his advisers , his family members , and himself .
Some of these pardons will hold up , some won ’ t .
Some of these people will also face unpardonable state charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aren ’ t magic wands .
They ’ re just the only move that a defeated corrupt president has left on his way out the door .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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This evening Donald Trump pardoned even more bad people. The list included his pals Roger Stone and Paul Manafort, who both criminally conspired with Russia to alter the outcome of the 2016 election, in what amounted to treason. The list also included Jared Kushner’s ex-con father Charles Kushner.
This is all corrupt and pathetic, but we all knew it was coming. Moreover, none of it means that Trump is now somehow magically winning. In fact it means the opposite. It means Trump is at the end now and he knows it. If he thought there were even the slightest chance he might somehow manage to steal a second term, he’d wait until that second term was in hand before issuing these kinds of pardons, which will only serve to turn even more Americans against him.
Meanwhile, these pardons don’t necessarily help these guys much. Roger Stone has already been reduced to a sad, broken shell of himself, selling autographed rocks on his website for $8 to try to sustain himself. Paul Manafort did time in prison, then house arrest, and his health appears to be failing as a result. Moreover, this kind of overly broad preemptive pardon won’t necessarily prevent Stone from being hit with the additional criminal charges that were being worked on when Mueller was forced give up.
Donald Trump will continue to pardon more people in his final days, including his advisers, his family members, and himself. Some of these pardons will hold up, some won’t. Some of these people will also face unpardonable state charges, some won’t. Pardons aren’t magic wands. They’re just the only move that a defeated corrupt president has left on his way out the door.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-12-24--Donald Trump’s 2020 campaign finance shell company scandal just got even uglier

Last week the lid was blown off a scheme where more than half a billion dollars in Trump 2020 campaign money was diverted into a secret shell company that was set up by Jared Kushner and had Lara Trump on its board of directors .
Now the whole thing has gotten even uglier .
Business Insider is now reporting that the shell company wasn ’ t merely controlled by the Trump family , it was run by the Trump family as well .
In fact the company was run by one of Eric Trump ’ s top deputies .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money was illegally spent or pocketed .
But if that does turn out to be the case , everyone involved will be facing criminal liability .
There are very strict laws on what can be done with campaign money .
Meanwhile , Donald Trump ’ s campaign lawyer Rudy Giuliani insisted this week that the Arizona legislature was going to vote on Wednesday to reassign Joe Biden ’ s electoral votes in the state to Donald Trump .
Not only did that not happen today , the Arizona legislature isn ’ t even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s effort to “ contest ” the election is nothing more than a hallucination .

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Last week the lid was blown off a scheme where more than half a billion dollars in Trump 2020 campaign money was diverted into a secret shell company that was set up by Jared Kushner and had Lara Trump on its board of directors. Now the whole thing has gotten even uglier.
Business Insider is now reporting that the shell company wasn’t merely controlled by the Trump family, it was run by the Trump family as well. In fact the company was run by one of Eric Trump’s top deputies. This still doesn’t prove that the money was illegally spent or pocketed. But if that does turn out to be the case, everyone involved will be facing criminal liability. There are very strict laws on what can be done with campaign money.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s campaign lawyer Rudy Giuliani insisted this week that the Arizona legislature was going to vote on Wednesday to reassign Joe Biden’s electoral votes in the state to Donald Trump. Not only did that not happen today, the Arizona legislature isn’t even currently in session. At this point Trump’s effort to “contest” the election is nothing more than a hallucination.
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palmerreport--2020-12-23--Donald Trump indecisively flip flops over White House exit

With each passing day it becomes more obvious that there ’ s absolutely nothing to Donald Trump ’ s fantasy about somehow magically remaining in office .
He lost in court .
He lost with the state legislatures .
He lost with the Electoral College .
He has literally zero chance of overturning the election on January 6th , regardless of how delusionally hopeful his remaining supporters may be .
Of course this is really all about Trump continuing to fundraise from his gullible supporters .
Meanwhile back in the real world , the government is moving on from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House sent out a memo giving employees instructions on how to start packing up and leaving as of January 4th .
But then Trump jumped in and had the memo rescinded , after it had already been sent .
This does not mean that Donald Trump has now somehow magically found a way to remain in office .
Instead it ’ s a sign that even his own White House is admitting it ’ s over .
It ’ s also a sign of how little knowledge and control he has over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d have been able to stop this memo from going out in the first place .
Trying to rescind it after the fact is just embarrassing for him .
In fact all of this indecisive flip flopping about his exit is turning him into a more pathetic punchline by the hour .

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With each passing day it becomes more obvious that there’s absolutely nothing to Donald Trump’s fantasy about somehow magically remaining in office. He lost in court. He lost with the state legislatures. He lost with the Electoral College. He has literally zero chance of overturning the election on January 6th, regardless of how delusionally hopeful his remaining supporters may be.
Of course this is really all about Trump continuing to fundraise from his gullible supporters. Meanwhile back in the real world, the government is moving on from the Trump era. In fact the Trump White House sent out a memo giving employees instructions on how to start packing up and leaving as of January 4th. But then Trump jumped in and had the memo rescinded, after it had already been sent.
This does not mean that Donald Trump has now somehow magically found a way to remain in office. Instead it’s a sign that even his own White House is admitting it’s over. It’s also a sign of how little knowledge and control he has over his collapsing White House, or he’d have been able to stop this memo from going out in the first place. Trying to rescind it after the fact is just embarrassing for him. In fact all of this indecisive flip flopping about his exit is turning him into a more pathetic punchline by the hour.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-12-23--Donald Trump vetoes military budget as his petty tantrums grow out of control

Trump just vetoed the U.S. military budget .
Congress will override his veto , as evidenced by the veto-proof number of votes the budget got to begin with .
So he ’ s throwing a tantrum for nothing .
But don ’ t ever forget that Trump just tried to defund the military .
Speaking of tantrums , Republican House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy is saying this afternoon that he ’ ll refuse to allow Speaker Nancy Pelosi to approve $ 2000 stimulus relief checks by unanimous consent .
So even though Trump demanded last night that $ 2000 checks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given his puppet McCarthy approval to help make it happen .
What is Trump ’ s game here ?
No one knows .
He just seems to be trying to stir up whatever minor trouble he thinks he can still get away with , as he becomes more hobbled and powerless .
His reach has grown so short , he only really has the ability to stab his fellow Republicans in the back for failing to go along with his insistence that he secretly won the election .
So if he makes the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he doesn ’ t care .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Trump just vetoed the U.S. military budget. Congress will override his veto, as evidenced by the veto-proof number of votes the budget got to begin with. So he’s throwing a tantrum for nothing. But don’t ever forget that Trump just tried to defund the military.
Speaking of tantrums, Republican House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy is saying this afternoon that he’ll refuse to allow Speaker Nancy Pelosi to approve $2000 stimulus relief checks by unanimous consent. So even though Trump demanded last night that $2000 checks be issued, he hasn’t given his puppet McCarthy approval to help make it happen.
What is Trump’s game here? No one knows. He just seems to be trying to stir up whatever minor trouble he thinks he can still get away with, as he becomes more hobbled and powerless. His reach has grown so short, he only really has the ability to stab his fellow Republicans in the back for failing to go along with his insistence that he secretly won the election. So if he makes the GOP look bad on the stimulus, he doesn’t care.
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palmerreport--2020-12-23--Donald Trump is already screwing up his final election legal battle

How many times can the Supreme Court tell Donald Trump to get lost , before he stops asking them to magically overturn the election ?
At this point it turns out Trump isn ’ t even really trying anymore .
On Sunday , the Trump 2020 campaign announced it was filing a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court , asking it to overturn three rulings from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court .
To be clear , the U.S. Supreme Court has a literally 0.0 % chance of overturning these rulings .
Trump seems to know this is a lost cause , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all week demanding that the U.S. Supreme Court grant him relief by today , he didn ’ t actually file his petition until today .
Moreover , Trump ’ s newly filed petition asks for responses to be filed by noon today , yet Trump appears to have filed the petition after noon .
In other words , even if Trump did have some slim chance of winning this , which he doesn ’ t , he ’ s sabotaging his own case by screwing up the basics of the filing .
Of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to magically win this case , and he ’ s not even trying to win it .
He ’ s simply trying to drag out the illusion that he ’ s “ contesting ” the election , so he can continue fundraising off it .
Trump ’ s election legal challenges always had a 100 % chance of failing .
They ’ re just a stunt , and now they ’ re becoming a lasting punchline that could turn voters in the middle against Trump ’ s Republican Party going forward .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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How many times can the Supreme Court tell Donald Trump to get lost, before he stops asking them to magically overturn the election? At this point it turns out Trump isn’t even really trying anymore.
On Sunday, the Trump 2020 campaign announced it was filing a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court, asking it to overturn three rulings from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. To be clear, the U.S. Supreme Court has a literally 0.0% chance of overturning these rulings. Trump seems to know this is a lost cause, because even though he’s spent all week demanding that the U.S. Supreme Court grant him relief by today, he didn’t actually file his petition until today.
Moreover, Trump’s newly filed petition asks for responses to be filed by noon today, yet Trump appears to have filed the petition after noon. In other words, even if Trump did have some slim chance of winning this, which he doesn’t, he’s sabotaging his own case by screwing up the basics of the filing.
Of course Trump knows he isn’t going to magically win this case, and he’s not even trying to win it. He’s simply trying to drag out the illusion that he’s “contesting” the election, so he can continue fundraising off it. Trump’s election legal challenges always had a 100% chance of failing. They’re just a stunt, and now they’re becoming a lasting punchline that could turn voters in the middle against Trump’s Republican Party going forward.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-12-23--The Battle of Britain

The Battle of Britain

In the 24 hours since last I wrote to you , brothers and sisters , America has passed a new and shattering milestone .
Four thousand and fifty two Americans have died from coronavirus , almost a thousand more than died at the battle of Gettysburg and well over a thousand more than died on 11 September 2001 .
Meanwhile at Porton Down , England , a scant 11 miles from where I sit typing this , a puzzling new variant of coronavirus is being studied .
The variant , which is sweeping the southeast of England , is said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the standard pathogen most familiar to the rest of the world .
As a consequence , Europe is shutting its doors to Britain , and the remarkable island that brought Shakespeare and Sir Isaac Newton to the world is now once again famous for another inhabitant — a new bug a thousand times smaller than a grain of rice .
The coronavirus has ravaged Britain with the same rapacity as it has America , killing and infecting to date the same proportion of its population .
But this new variant may be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has ordered radical measures for London and the surrounding areas , what is being called here an unprecedented “ Tier 4 ” set of rules : you can not leave your house unless you have a valid excuse , you can not mix with other people , including over Christmas .
While it ’ s true that this new variant is as equally deadly as the one now touring the United States , in a way it ’ s more deadly , because it spreads more rapidly and hence more people will get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the vaccine all the more harrowing .
It ’ s a little like Quint ’ s description of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis from the movie Jaws .
We ’ re all in the water waiting for the PBY to pick us up .
Meanwhile more sharks have appeared .
Britain ’ s handling of the virus has been not unlike America ’ s .
As in America , we are infected with a Conservative government and , for that reason , the people who love money are in charge of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The irony is that greed is its own worst enemy , and if only we had taken steps to insure the long term good early , as with South Korea and New Zealand , the worst of this nightmare could now be behind us .
Now it ’ s just beginning .
Will Britain be able to isolate this new strain of coronavirus from the rest of the world ?
Almost certainly not .
A virus that spreads this rapidly will almost certainly get out .
In any case , by the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibly spring up elsewhere .
All of which makes the triumvirate of precautions all the more vital : wear a mask , maintain social distancing and wash your hands .
And , as ever , ladies and gentlemen , brothers and sisters , comrades and friends , stay safe .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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In the 24 hours since last I wrote to you, brothers and sisters, America has passed a new and shattering milestone. Four thousand and fifty two Americans have died from coronavirus, almost a thousand more than died at the battle of Gettysburg and well over a thousand more than died on 11 September 2001.
Meanwhile at Porton Down, England, a scant 11 miles from where I sit typing this, a puzzling new variant of coronavirus is being studied. The variant, which is sweeping the southeast of England, is said to be 76% more contagious than the standard pathogen most familiar to the rest of the world. As a consequence, Europe is shutting its doors to Britain, and the remarkable island that brought Shakespeare and Sir Isaac Newton to the world is now once again famous for another inhabitant — a new bug a thousand times smaller than a grain of rice.
The coronavirus has ravaged Britain with the same rapacity as it has America, killing and infecting to date the same proportion of its population. But this new variant may be a game changer. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has ordered radical measures for London and the surrounding areas, what is being called here an unprecedented “Tier 4” set of rules: you cannot leave your house unless you have a valid excuse, you cannot mix with other people, including over Christmas.
While it’s true that this new variant is as equally deadly as the one now touring the United States, in a way it’s more deadly, because it spreads more rapidly and hence more people will get it. It all makes the wait for the vaccine all the more harrowing. It’s a little like Quint’s description of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis from the movie Jaws. We’re all in the water waiting for the PBY to pick us up. Meanwhile more sharks have appeared.
Britain’s handling of the virus has been not unlike America’s. As in America, we are infected with a Conservative government and, for that reason, the people who love money are in charge of the most important decisions governing policy. The irony is that greed is its own worst enemy, and if only we had taken steps to insure the long term good early, as with South Korea and New Zealand, the worst of this nightmare could now be behind us. Now it’s just beginning.
Will Britain be able to isolate this new strain of coronavirus from the rest of the world? Almost certainly not. A virus that spreads this rapidly will almost certainly get out. In any case, by the time it does an even faster-spreading variant could possibly spring up elsewhere. All of which makes the triumvirate of precautions all the more vital: wear a mask, maintain social distancing and wash your hands. And, as ever, ladies and gentlemen, brothers and sisters, comrades and friends, stay safe.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-12-23--Joe Biden enters uncharted territory

Joe Biden enters uncharted territory

It looks like 2021 will be the year of “ firsts , ” though those “ firsts ” technically began occurring at the end of 2020 .
President-elect Joe Biden chose as his running mate Kamala Harris , who became our first female Vice President-elect .
Harris is of Black and South Asian descent , both of which are also firsts .
Then , he began filling his cabinet with many firsts .
In addition to membership in the “ firsts ” club , all have relevant experience in the areas they will lead , giving them the opportunity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s list of “ firsts ” includes Janet Yellen , the first female Secretary of the Treasury , and Deputy Secretary of the Treasury , Adewale “ Wally ” Adeyemo , the first Black person to hold this position .
Biden ’ s “ firsts ” do not stop here .
To make this as succinct as possible because of the sheer number , the remaining “ firsts ” are Lloyd Austin , first Black Secretary of Defense ; Xavier Becerra , first Latino head of Health and Human Services ; Michael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Avril Haines , first female leader of Intelligence ; Alejandro Mayorkas , first Latino and immigrant head of Department of Homeland Security ; Cecilia Rouse , first woman of color to chair the Council of Economic Advisers ; and Neera Tanden , first woman of color/Asian American , Director of Office of Management and Budget .
Two of the most important nominations Biden has made are Deb Haaland for Interior Secretary , making her the first Native American to lead the department that determines policy for natural resources and tribal lands , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first openly LGBTQ person to serve in a presidential cabinet .
Biden has also chosen a woman to lead the CDC , Rochelle Walensky , who is the chief of infectious disease at Massachusetts General , and Politico recently revealed that Biden has chosen Miguel Cardona as Education Secretary .
Cardona ’ s entire career has revolved around education , starting as an elementary school teacher , moving to principal , district administrator , assistant superintendent , and finally as adjunct professor .
Each of Biden ’ s choices will bring unique perspectives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they bring experience to the roles .
The only appointee who appears , on the surface , to lack experience is Xavier Becerra .
But as the Times reported , Beccerra was one of the biggest defenders of the Affordable Care Act and healthcare for workers in general .
Those who know Beccerra believe that he will not only efficiently lead such a large organization but has “ intimate knowledge of how badly many Americans , particularly essential workers , have suffered under the current administration ’ s policies on health insurance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appointment already overshadows Trump ’ s appointment of Alex Azar , who had little empathy for Americans ’ plight during these troubled times .
No matter how you look at these choices , we have the unique opportunity to be led by people who look like us and , in some cases , have been in our shoes .
Further , the experience that each brings to the table will be invaluable in trying to recover from COVID-19 and the resultant economic turndown .
These selections give us yet another reason to exhale @ @ @ @ @

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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It looks like 2021 will be the year of “firsts,” though those “firsts” technically began occurring at the end of 2020. President-elect Joe Biden chose as his running mate Kamala Harris, who became our first female Vice President-elect. Harris is of Black and South Asian descent, both of which are also firsts. Then, he began filling his cabinet with many firsts.
In addition to membership in the “firsts” club, all have relevant experience in the areas they will lead, giving them the opportunity to begin work on day one. Biden’s list of “firsts” includes Janet Yellen, the first female Secretary of the Treasury, and Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, Adewale “Wally” Adeyemo, the first Black person to hold this position. Biden’s “firsts” do not stop here.
To make this as succinct as possible because of the sheer number, the remaining “firsts” are Lloyd Austin, first Black Secretary of Defense; Xavier Becerra, first Latino head of Health and Human Services; Michael Regan, first Black EPA Administrator; Avril Haines, first female leader of Intelligence; Alejandro Mayorkas, first Latino and immigrant head of Department of Homeland Security; Cecilia Rouse, first woman of color to chair the Council of Economic Advisers; and Neera Tanden, first woman of color/Asian American, Director of Office of Management and Budget. Two of the most important nominations Biden has made are Deb Haaland for Interior Secretary, making her the first Native American to lead the department that determines policy for natural resources and tribal lands, and Pete Buttigieg, Transportation Secretary, the first openly LGBTQ person to serve in a presidential cabinet.
Biden has also chosen a woman to lead the CDC, Rochelle Walensky, who is the chief of infectious disease at Massachusetts General, and Politico recently revealed that Biden has chosen Miguel Cardona as Education Secretary. Cardona’s entire career has revolved around education, starting as an elementary school teacher, moving to principal, district administrator, assistant superintendent, and finally as adjunct professor.
Each of Biden’s choices will bring unique perspectives to his cabinet, and more importantly, they bring experience to the roles. The only appointee who appears, on the surface, to lack experience is Xavier Becerra. But as the Times reported, Beccerra was one of the biggest defenders of the Affordable Care Act and healthcare for workers in general. Those who know Beccerra believe that he will not only efficiently lead such a large organization but has “intimate knowledge of how badly many Americans, particularly essential workers, have suffered under the current administration’s policies on health insurance and the pandemic.” Becerra’s appointment already overshadows Trump’s appointment of Alex Azar, who had little empathy for Americans’ plight during these troubled times.
No matter how you look at these choices, we have the unique opportunity to be led by people who look like us and, in some cases, have been in our shoes. Further, the experience that each brings to the table will be invaluable in trying to recover from COVID-19 and the resultant economic turndown. These selections give us yet another reason to exhale after the last administration.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-12-23--Donald Trump just screwed the Republicans something fierce

There ’ s a reason Mitch McConnell gave Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats a choice of either a lousy $ 600 relief package or none at all : McConnell wanted to make the Democrats look bad for either accepting a bad bill , or make the Democrats look bad for not delivering a stimulus at all .
And for a day and a half , McConnell ’ s plan was almost working .
Then Donald Trump decided that he saw an opportunity .
He threatened to veto the bill unless the $ 600 was increased to $ 2,000 .
Why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was hoping that some small fraction of the money would get donated back to his election defense fund .
Maybe he realized that he ’ s going to end up on criminal trial , and in his mind he ’ s preemptively bribing the jurors .
Or maybe he was just narcissistically compelled to stick his nose into it .
But regardless of the reason , Trump just handed the Democrats a huge gift .
Now that Pelosi has quickly and emphatically agreed to have the House approve the $ 2000 package , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Either McConnell will cave , and the Democrats will get to go into the Georgia runoffs taking full credit for the increased dollar amount .
Or McConnell will force it to remain at $ 600 , and the public will clearly understand that it was the Republican Senate who screwed them .
Now consider that two of the Republican Senators are running in the Georgia runoffs , and will face voter backlash if they vote against the $ 2000 package .
Trump is a terrible negotiator and never was very good at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So maybe he doesn ’ t realize he just screwed the Republicans .
Or maybe he does , and this is part of his revenge plot against McConnell for having dared to admit that Biden won the election .
Either way , Christmas just came early for the Democrats .
If Nancy Pelosi swallowed McConnell ’ s $ 600 deal because she knew Trump would opportunistically demand more than whatever was agreed upon , and she could then call his bluff , and she actually gets more money out of this , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s ever existed .
And if no more money does come out of this , at least the public will now understand that McConnell – and not Pelosi – was to blame all along .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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There’s a reason Mitch McConnell gave Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats a choice of either a lousy $600 relief package or none at all: McConnell wanted to make the Democrats look bad for either accepting a bad bill, or make the Democrats look bad for not delivering a stimulus at all. And for a day and a half, McConnell’s plan was almost working.
Then Donald Trump decided that he saw an opportunity. He threatened to veto the bill unless the $600 was increased to $2,000. Why did Trump do this? Maybe he was hoping that some small fraction of the money would get donated back to his election defense fund. Maybe he realized that he’s going to end up on criminal trial, and in his mind he’s preemptively bribing the jurors. Or maybe he was just narcissistically compelled to stick his nose into it. But regardless of the reason, Trump just handed the Democrats a huge gift.
Now that Pelosi has quickly and emphatically agreed to have the House approve the $2000 package, one of two things will happen next. Either McConnell will cave, and the Democrats will get to go into the Georgia runoffs taking full credit for the increased dollar amount. Or McConnell will force it to remain at $600, and the public will clearly understand that it was the Republican Senate who screwed them. Now consider that two of the Republican Senators are running in the Georgia runoffs, and will face voter backlash if they vote against the $2000 package.
Trump is a terrible negotiator and never was very good at understanding how this kind of stuff works. So maybe he doesn’t realize he just screwed the Republicans. Or maybe he does, and this is part of his revenge plot against McConnell for having dared to admit that Biden won the election. Either way, Christmas just came early for the Democrats.
If Nancy Pelosi swallowed McConnell’s $600 deal because she knew Trump would opportunistically demand more than whatever was agreed upon, and she could then call his bluff, and she actually gets more money out of this, they should just give Pelosi every award that’s ever existed. And if no more money does come out of this, at least the public will now understand that McConnell – and not Pelosi – was to blame all along.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-12-24--This is about to get very ugly for Donald Trump

Donald Trump is making a mockery of the criminal justice system by pardoning his own guilty co-conspirators , as rewards for keeping quiet .
But don ’ t worry , the “ Law and Order ” part will come when Trump is on criminal trial in New York State .
One of the few guarantees in all of this is that Trump ends up in a prison cell when it ’ s all said and done .
This is about to get very ugly for him .
– Republican Senator Ben Sasse knew Trump was guilty but voted to acquit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get to take the high ground now ; he ’ s criminally complicit in everything Trump has done since the impeachment trial .
Sasse will run for President in 2024 .
We should hound the media to spend every day talking about Sasse ’ s criminal act of letting a guilty Trump off the hook .
– Roger Stone ’ s preemptive pardon is legally flimsy and may not cover the additional crimes Stone was still being investigated for when Mueller was ousted .
Stone can still end up in prison .
New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manafort .
He can end up back in prison .
This is just getting started .
If anything , the public outrage over these pardons increases the odds that prosecutors will try to bring additional charges against these thugs .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Donald Trump is making a mockery of the criminal justice system by pardoning his own guilty co-conspirators, as rewards for keeping quiet. But don’t worry, the “Law and Order” part will come when Trump is on criminal trial in New York State. One of the few guarantees in all of this is that Trump ends up in a prison cell when it’s all said and done. This is about to get very ugly for him.
– Republican Senator Ben Sasse knew Trump was guilty but voted to acquit him anyway. Sasse doesn’t get to take the high ground now; he’s criminally complicit in everything Trump has done since the impeachment trial. Sasse will run for President in 2024. We should hound the media to spend every day talking about Sasse’s criminal act of letting a guilty Trump off the hook.
– Roger Stone’s preemptive pardon is legally flimsy and may not cover the additional crimes Stone was still being investigated for when Mueller was ousted. Stone can still end up in prison. New York has criminal charges pending against Paul Manafort. He can end up back in prison. This is just getting started. If anything, the public outrage over these pardons increases the odds that prosecutors will try to bring additional charges against these thugs.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-12-24--Donald Trump’s pardons are already proving not to be magic wands

Trump is now pardoning bad people on his way out the door .
Palmer Report warned you from the very start that if Trump lost , he would do this in the end .
The fatalists are now insisting that it means “ getting away with it all.
” Really ?
He ’ s lost the presidency , he ’ s being criminally indicted in New York , creditors are about to squeeze him dry , and he ’ ll spend the rest of his life in prison .
He ’ s not “ getting away ” with anything .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are putting a lot of effort into trying to convince Trump to pardon Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse .
But he ’ s awaiting trial on state charges , and Trump can only pardon federal charges .
So that ’ s not a real thing .
In other words , pardons aren ’ t magic wands .
Since Trump ’ s pardon spree is now fully underway , it ’ s worth another reminder about the limitations and dangers of these pardons .
Broad preemptive pardons , for criminal charges not yet brought , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up in court .
Even if they do , some of these criminal cases can be transferred from federal to state jurisdiction , which Trump can ’ t pardon .
And if any of Trump ’ s pardoned co-conspirators do manage to end up facing no criminal liability , it ’ ll mean they can ’ t invoke the Fifth Amendment , meaning they must testify against Trump .
Pardons aren ’ t exactly a great strategy for keeping people quiet .
It ’ s just the only option Trump has left .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Trump is now pardoning bad people on his way out the door. Palmer Report warned you from the very start that if Trump lost, he would do this in the end. The fatalists are now insisting that it means “getting away with it all.” Really? He’s lost the presidency, he’s being criminally indicted in New York, creditors are about to squeeze him dry, and he’ll spend the rest of his life in prison. He’s not “getting away” with anything.
Speaking of endgame pardons, Trump fans are putting a lot of effort into trying to convince Trump to pardon Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse. But he’s awaiting trial on state charges, and Trump can only pardon federal charges. So that’s not a real thing. In other words, pardons aren’t magic wands.
Since Trump’s pardon spree is now fully underway, it’s worth another reminder about the limitations and dangers of these pardons. Broad preemptive pardons, for criminal charges not yet brought, are legally flimsy and may not stand up in court. Even if they do, some of these criminal cases can be transferred from federal to state jurisdiction, which Trump can’t pardon. And if any of Trump’s pardoned co-conspirators do manage to end up facing no criminal liability, it’ll mean they can’t invoke the Fifth Amendment, meaning they must testify against Trump. Pardons aren’t exactly a great strategy for keeping people quiet. It’s just the only option Trump has left.
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palmerreport--2020-12-24--Donald Trump just took a dump on everything and skipped town

In the past twenty-four hours Donald Trump has vetoed the military budget , screwed up the stimulus deal , pardoned @ @ @ @ @ ways that may not even protect them , and departed for Mar-a-Lago with everyone from @ @ @ @ @ scratching their heads over what to do next .
At this point Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ the bigger concern than any movie-style brinksmanship , which likely isn ’ t coming .
@ @ @ @ @ dump on everything and left town .
No one even knows if he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ was always going to go out in a blaze of bumbling impotence .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ lived his entire life .
Tweet of the day , from Raphael Warnock :

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In the past twenty-four hours Donald Trump has vetoed the military budget, screwed up the stimulus deal, pardoned a bunch of criminals in ways that may not even protect them, and departed for Mar-a-Lago with everyone from Congress to his own allies scratching their heads over what to do next.
At this point Trump’s increasingly erratic ineptitude may be the bigger concern than any movie-style brinksmanship, which likely isn’t coming. Trump basically just took a dump on everything and left town. No one even knows if he’s ever coming back. Trump was always going to go out in a blaze of bumbling impotence. It’s how he’s lived his entire life.
Tweet of the day, from Raphael Warnock:
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DeKalb County, did you know that you can vote early on Christmas Eve? Polls will be open from 7am to 3pm. Put your shoes on, find your polling place, and go vote! https://t.co/nNbOv8iAKb 🗳🎄 pic.twitter.com/GkeQPHt9hL — Reverend Raphael Warnock (@ReverendWarnock) December 24, 2020


palmerreport--2020-12-24--General Colin Powell drops the hammer on Michael Flynn

General Colin Powell is now urging the U.S. military to recall Michael Flynn and put him on military trial for @ @ @ @ @ the latest reminder that Donald Trump ’ s pardons aren ’ t magic wands , @ @ @ @ @ Trump and his co-conspirators is just beginning .
With the public this thoroughly outraged , @ @ @ @ @ way prosecutors will sit on their hands .
They ’ ll pursue every possible method @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s pardons .
Bet on it .
Lost in the headlines tonight is @ @ @ @ @ pardoned one of Rand Paul ’ s allies , which may help explain why Rand @ @ @ @ @ Trump cheerleader this past year .
Come to think of it , Rand Paul ’ @ @ @ @ @ during his impeachment trial should be viewed in hindsight as a quid pro quo , @ @ @ @ @ criminally prosecuted accordingly .
Tweet of the day , from Stacey Abrams :

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General Colin Powell’s Chief of Staff, Col. Wilkerson, is now urging the U.S. military to recall Michael Flynn and put him on military trial for sedition. It’s the latest reminder that Donald Trump’s pardons aren’t magic wands, and the legal pushback against Trump and his co-conspirators is just beginning. With the public this thoroughly outraged, there’s simply no way prosecutors will sit on their hands. They’ll pursue every possible method of overthrowing or working around Trump’s pardons. Bet on it.
Lost in the headlines tonight is the fact that Donald Trump pardoned one of Rand Paul’s allies, which may help explain why Rand Paul has been such a Trump cheerleader this past year. Come to think of it, Rand Paul’s vote to acquit Trump during his impeachment trial should be viewed in hindsight as a quid pro quo, and Rand Paul should be criminally prosecuted accordingly.
Tweet of the day, from Stacey Abrams:
57,429 Georgians who already cast a ballot in the Jan 5 runoffs did not vote at all in the presidential election. Half or more are people of color. Thanks to all who registered fellow Georgians and to all who are mobilizing voters. #gapol #gasen (source: https://t.co/qql3A3lfyB) — Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) December 24, 2020
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palmerreport--2020-12-25--Donald Trump has completely berserk Christmas Eve meltdown

Now that he ’ s lost the election , we rarely cover Donald Trump ’ s Twitter meltdowns anymore , as they ’ ve become far less relevant .
But Trump ’ s meltdown tonight may be instructive , both because it shows how bad of a Christmas Eve he ’ s having , and because of who ’ s being targeted .
For instance , Trump is now falsely taking credit for having gotten Mitch McConnell reelected , and accusing McConnell of now abandoning him , declaring “ I will NEVER FORGET !
” In other words , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with him .
It ’ s not clear that an increasingly hobbled Trump has this kind of reach , but it ’ s notable that Trump ’ s anger is now primarily focused on McConnell and the Republicans .
Trump is also accusing Twitter of “ communism ” for daring to put warning labels on his false election claims .
That ’ s right , communism .
Trump is also whining about Republicans in Congress because they ’ re refusing to do anything about this “ communism.
” Trump ’ s meltdown tonight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d see from an unhinged madman like the Unabomber , which gives away just how severely Trump ’ s psyche is unraveling .
But he also very much sounds like someone who knows he ’ s defeated , as he sounds like the defeated movie villain who yells “ you ’ ll never get away with it ” as he ’ s being dragged away in handcuffs .

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Now that he’s lost the election, we rarely cover Donald Trump’s Twitter meltdowns anymore, as they’ve become far less relevant. But Trump’s meltdown tonight may be instructive, both because it shows how bad of a Christmas Eve he’s having, and because of who’s being targeted.
For instance, Trump is now falsely taking credit for having gotten Mitch McConnell reelected, and accusing McConnell of now abandoning him, declaring “I will NEVER FORGET!” In other words, Trump really is threatening to take McConnell down with him. It’s not clear that an increasingly hobbled Trump has this kind of reach, but it’s notable that Trump’s anger is now primarily focused on McConnell and the Republicans.
Trump is also accusing Twitter of “communism” for daring to put warning labels on his false election claims. That’s right, communism. Trump is also whining about Republicans in Congress because they’re refusing to do anything about this “communism.”
Trump’s meltdown tonight reads like the kind of screed you’d see from an unhinged madman like the Unabomber, which gives away just how severely Trump’s psyche is unraveling. But he also very much sounds like someone who knows he’s defeated, as he sounds like the defeated movie villain who yells “you’ll never get away with it” as he’s being dragged away in handcuffs.
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palmerreport--2020-12-24--Mike Pence basically tells Donald Trump it’s over

Donald Trump and his remaining supporters are now insisting that they can somehow magically overturn the election by having Mike Pence refuse to accept the election results in his role as President of the Senate .
Here ’ s the thing , though : that would be literally impossible , because the process doesn ’ t actually work that way .
Now even Mike Pence is admitting that his role on January 6th is a mere formality and that he can ’ t just make the Electoral College results go away .
In fact Pence has gone so far as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Pence is presumably the one who leaked this conversation to CNN in order to try to take the heat off himself .
If Trump supporters are getting their hopes up for January 6th at all , then they ’ re wasting their time .
And if any Resistance members are fretting over January 6th , then they ’ re also wasting their time .
It ’ s a complete non-issue .
There is literally no path for Trump to magically overturn the election .
Instead we should be focusing on January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decide control of the Senate .
You can donate to Democratic candidates Ossoff and Warnock here .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Donald Trump and his remaining supporters are now insisting that they can somehow magically overturn the election by having Mike Pence refuse to accept the election results in his role as President of the Senate. Here’s the thing, though: that would be literally impossible, because the process doesn’t actually work that way.
Now even Mike Pence is admitting that his role on January 6th is a mere formality and that he can’t just make the Electoral College results go away. In fact Pence has gone so far as to privately explain this to Donald Trump, and Pence is presumably the one who leaked this conversation to CNN in order to try to take the heat off himself.
If Trump supporters are getting their hopes up for January 6th at all, then they’re wasting their time. And if any Resistance members are fretting over January 6th, then they’re also wasting their time. It’s a complete non-issue. There is literally no path for Trump to magically overturn the election. Instead we should be focusing on January 5th, when the Georgia runoffs will decide control of the Senate. You can donate to Democratic candidates Ossoff and Warnock here.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-12-24--Donald and Melania Trump’s Christmas card disaster

If you want to understand the current state of the Republican Party , take a look at Donald Trump ’ s and George W. Bush ’ s Christmas cards this year .
Rather than simply express well wishes and holiday cheer , these two cards together portray a failed political party that is hopelessly circling the drain .
At first glance , Trump ’ s holiday greeting seems innocent enough .
It ’ s a simple “ Merry Christmas from President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump ” message along with a photo identified as the “ official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on December 10 .
The problem is many people have noticed something curious about the photo since Melania tweeted it last Friday .
While Melania ’ s image may be real , Trump ’ s image looks photoshopped .
Several people have pointed out the uncanny similarity between a photo of Trump taken last year with Prince Charles and Camilla Bowles with this new one .
Plus , a shadow effect around Trump ’ s body doesn ’ t appear realistic given the lighting , and the lack of contact between Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is suspicious .
If Trump ’ s image was faked , is it because Trump was too lazy to throw on a tux , too grumpy about his election defeat to smile , or too busy playing golf while devising ways to take America down with him to be bothered with some holiday tradition ?
The Trumps passed on taking an official holiday portrait last year , so recycling an old photo might have been a weird compromise to ensure something got done this year .
After four years of this lazy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this would be at all surprising .
Bush ’ s Christmas card features an original painting of the Statue of Liberty from a series he painted this year celebrating immigration , according to a report from CNN , which obtained a copy .
The message inside reads , “ May the light of the holiday season shine bright in your heart now and throughout the New Year.
” The problem with Bush ’ s card isn ’ t the sentiment , which is a veiled swipe at Trump , but what it underscores @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York Times report in June that Bush was not supporting Trump ’ s reelection , he has refused to take a public stand .
Bush has denounced bigotry , lies , and conspiracy theories but painstakingly avoided uttering Trump ’ s name .
Even as Trump has been destroying America and transforming Bush ’ s beloved Republican Party into a fascist cult , Bush has sheepishly hidden behind a tradition of not criticizing successors .
Bush ’ s card serves as yet another reminder of his cowardice and fecklessness .
Since the turn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has offered up a one-two punch against American leadership and ideals in the form of Bush and Trump .
On January 20 , Democratic President Biden will take over , which means that healing , unity , and progress can finally resume .
Next year , when we say that Bush and Trump were the last two Republican Presidents of the United States , it needs to mean that they were the very last .
America can not afford another .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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If you want to understand the current state of the Republican Party, take a look at Donald Trump’s and George W. Bush’s Christmas cards this year. Rather than simply express well wishes and holiday cheer, these two cards together portray a failed political party that is hopelessly circling the drain.
At first glance, Trump’s holiday greeting seems innocent enough. It’s a simple “Merry Christmas from President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump” message along with a photo identified as the “official 2020 Christmas portrait,” purportedly taken on December 10. The problem is many people have noticed something curious about the photo since Melania tweeted it last Friday.
While Melania’s image may be real, Trump’s image looks photoshopped. Several people have pointed out the uncanny similarity between a photo of Trump taken last year with Prince Charles and Camilla Bowles with this new one. Plus, a shadow effect around Trump’s body doesn’t appear realistic given the lighting, and the lack of contact between Trump’s arm and Melania’s jacket is suspicious.
If Trump’s image was faked, is it because Trump was too lazy to throw on a tux, too grumpy about his election defeat to smile, or too busy playing golf while devising ways to take America down with him to be bothered with some holiday tradition? The Trumps passed on taking an official holiday portrait last year, so recycling an old photo might have been a weird compromise to ensure something got done this year. After four years of this lazy, hypocritical, phony presidency, none of this would be at all surprising.
Bush’s Christmas card features an original painting of the Statue of Liberty from a series he painted this year celebrating immigration, according to a report from CNN, which obtained a copy. The message inside reads, “May the light of the holiday season shine bright in your heart now and throughout the New Year.” The problem with Bush’s card isn’t the sentiment, which is a veiled swipe at Trump, but what it underscores about the messenger.
Despite a New York Times report in June that Bush was not supporting Trump’s reelection, he has refused to take a public stand. Bush has denounced bigotry, lies, and conspiracy theories but painstakingly avoided uttering Trump’s name. Even as Trump has been destroying America and transforming Bush’s beloved Republican Party into a fascist cult, Bush has sheepishly hidden behind a tradition of not criticizing successors. Bush’s card serves as yet another reminder of his cowardice and fecklessness.
Since the turn of this century, the Republican Party has offered up a one-two punch against American leadership and ideals in the form of Bush and Trump. On January 20, Democratic President Biden will take over, which means that healing, unity, and progress can finally resume. Next year, when we say that Bush and Trump were the last two Republican Presidents of the United States, it needs to mean that they were the very last. America cannot afford another.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


Four more weeks

According to American economist Jeffrey Sachs , it would cost $ 175 billion a year for twenty years to end all poverty on planet earth .
Meanwhile , the richest country in the world has a $ 900 billion defense budget pending in Congress .
That ’ s just for one year .
The United States of America spends more on national defense than China , India , Russia , Saudi Arabia , France , Germany , the United Kingdom , Japan , South Korea and Brazil — combined .
America spends more on war fantasies in a year than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decade .
I think America ’ s big stick is finally big enough , except possibly for those who have insecurities about such things .
Meanwhile , money is the number one concern in American politics .
Senatorial and Congressional campaigns have budgets bigger than medium-sized airlines .
Presidential campaigns will soon be measured not in millions or hundreds of millions but billions of dollars .
More and more lobbyists and corporations are running the country .
Meanwhile , an entire party , the Republicans , are vested in keeping the non-white population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ignorance .
They become fiscally conservative every chance they get to short-change all forward-looking or progressive social programs that help the poor , the voiceless and the marginalised .
They ’ d love to help — they really would — but they must be responsible to the taxpayer , that is , the very people who pay the taxes for whom those social programs would do the greatest amount of good .
And so on .
And Republicans keep on being fiscally conservative until suddenly , miraculously , they start spending like drunken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got paid .
That ’ s when defense contractor money is needed , or tax breaks for the rich , or minor bills stuffed with major pork .
And so on .
Meanwhile , we have a world in crisis from global warming and coronavirus .
Meanwhile , it ’ s Christmas and families are facing eviction , starvation and privation .
And so on .
All of which is to say , In four weeks time we will be rid of a psychopath , a malignant , narcissistic , child-raping , murdering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news .
That bit of good news can not be overstated .
But America still has one hell of a lot of problems .
And they are not going to go away just because Donald Trump has gone away , they are not going to go away if we ignore them .
We , those of us who care , those who fight injustice , those who speak for the voiceless , are still needed to fight the good fight .
I look forward to a day , someday in the not-too-distant future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look back and honestly say I have neither typed nor spoken the name “ Donald Trump ” for that entire day .
I am heartily sick of that whiny , insignificant , petty little man , his petulant , incoherent hate-speech and his brackish , medieval thinking .
I ’ m sick of him and the people who carry water for him , sick of their pearl-clutching outrages and counterfeit indignation over minor instances of manufactured “ scandal.
” Sick of their hypocrisy , sick of their weakness , sick of their cowardice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we will be rid of the monster .
That is when our real work begins again .
We need all of you .
To vote , to speak out , to continue the fight that was first inspired by the appalling calamity of the election of Donald Trump .
Some of you must even run for political office , at the local level , at the national level .
Our real work is about to begin .
And , as ever , ladies and gentlemen , brothers and sisters , comrades and friends @ @ @ @

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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According to American economist Jeffrey Sachs, it would cost $175 billion a year for twenty years to end all poverty on planet earth. Meanwhile, the richest country in the world has a $900 billion defense budget pending in Congress. That’s just for one year.
The United States of America spends more on national defense than China, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea and Brazil — combined. America spends more on war fantasies in a year than most countries spend on defense in a decade. I think America’s big stick is finally big enough, except possibly for those who have insecurities about such things.
Meanwhile, money is the number one concern in American politics. Senatorial and Congressional campaigns have budgets bigger than medium-sized airlines. Presidential campaigns will soon be measured not in millions or hundreds of millions but billions of dollars. More and more lobbyists and corporations are running the country.
Meanwhile, an entire party, the Republicans, are vested in keeping the non-white population of the United States in poverty and ignorance. They become fiscally conservative every chance they get to short-change all forward-looking or progressive social programs that help the poor, the voiceless and the marginalised. They’d love to help — they really would — but they must be responsible to the taxpayer, that is, the very people who pay the taxes for whom those social programs would do the greatest amount of good. And so on.
And Republicans keep on being fiscally conservative until suddenly, miraculously, they start spending like drunken sailors on leave the night after they got paid. That’s when defense contractor money is needed, or tax breaks for the rich, or minor bills stuffed with major pork. And so on.
Meanwhile, we have a world in crisis from global warming and coronavirus. Meanwhile, it’s Christmas and families are facing eviction, starvation and privation. And so on.
All of which is to say, In four weeks time we will be rid of a psychopath, a malignant, narcissistic, child-raping, murdering racist. That’s very good news. That bit of good news cannot be overstated. But America still has one hell of a lot of problems. And they are not going to go away just because Donald Trump has gone away, they are not going to go away if we ignore them. We, those of us who care, those who fight injustice, those who speak for the voiceless, are still needed to fight the good fight.
I look forward to a day, someday in the not-too-distant future I should hope, when I can look back and honestly say I have neither typed nor spoken the name “Donald Trump” for that entire day. I am heartily sick of that whiny, insignificant, petty little man, his petulant, incoherent hate-speech and his brackish, medieval thinking. I’m sick of him and the people who carry water for him, sick of their pearl-clutching outrages and counterfeit indignation over minor instances of manufactured “scandal.” Sick of their hypocrisy, sick of their weakness, sick of their cowardice.
Soon, as I say, we will be rid of the monster. That is when our real work begins again. We need all of you. To vote, to speak out, to continue the fight that was first inspired by the appalling calamity of the election of Donald Trump. Some of you must even run for political office, at the local level, at the national level. Our real work is about to begin. And, as ever, ladies and gentlemen, brothers and sisters, comrades and friends, stay safe.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-12-24--Donald Trump isn’t very good at this

Donald Trump isn’t very good at this

Trump ineptly screws up everything he touches , but we ’ re supposed to believe he ’ s a genius @ @ @ @ @ tricky preemptive pardons ?
I ’ d wager that half or more of the people @ @ @ @ @ the end of his term will still end up in prison anyway .
– Most @ @ @ @ @ years falsely insisting that Trump would pardon his co-conspirators at any minute , to scare @ @ @ @ @ .
Palmer Report spent the entire time accurately explaining why there was zero chance Trump @ @ @ @ @ after he lost .
– As long as you all keep hate-watching Rick Santorum , @ @ @ @ @ the air .
CNN doesn ’ t care that you hate him , only that @ @ @ @ @ .
Ratings drive all cable news programming decisions .
If you want to get rid @ @ @ @ @ off whenever he ’ s on the air .

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Trump ineptly screws up everything he touches, but we’re supposed to believe he’s a genius when it comes to constitutionally tricky preemptive pardons? I’d wager that half or more of the people Trump pardons between now and the end of his term will still end up in prison anyway.
– Most pundits spent the past four years falsely insisting that Trump would pardon his co-conspirators at any minute, to scare you into staying tuned in. Palmer Report spent the entire time accurately explaining why there was zero chance Trump would pardon his co-conspirators until after he lost.
– As long as you all keep hate-watching Rick Santorum, CNN will keep him on the air. CNN doesn’t care that you hate him, only that you’re watching him. Ratings drive all cable news programming decisions. If you want to get rid of Santorum, turn CNN off whenever he’s on the air.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.