occupydemocrats--2020-06-19--Jim Acosta confronts Trump’s press secretary over his sharing a doctored “racist baby” video

Yesterday , President Donald Trump made one of his weirdest tweets to date .
He shared a cute video of two babies embracing that had been doctored by some unhinged MAGAhead to be a parody of “ Fake News.
” It starts with the white child chasing the Black child with a chyron saying “ TERRIFIED TODDLER RUNS FROM RACIST BABY ” followed by one that reads “ RACIST BABY PROBABLY A TRUMP VOTER.
” The video then rewinds to show that the two children were simply playing .
It managed simultaneously to mock the reality of racism in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point .
At the risk of this writer repeating , it was a deeply weird thing for the President of the United States to do .
Twitter at least had the good sense to mark the tweet as containing “ Manipulated Media.
” As it turns out , some parents don ’ t take kindly to their children being used to push bigoted talking points by our monstrous president .
CNN reports that the video has been removed from Facebook because a parent of one of the babies filed a copyright claim .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way in which their child was going viral .
Jukin Media , which is representing the parents who created the video , spoke to CNN about the incident .
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump ’ s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors !
“ Neither the video owner nor Jukin Media gave the President permission to post the video , and after our review , we believe that his unauthorized usage of the content is a clear example of copyright infringement without valid fair use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The company has also requested that Twitter remove the video but Twitter , which is infamously hands-off on these kinds of issues , has yet to respond or take action .
CNN ’ s Jim Acosta ended up confronting Trump ’ s spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany about his using of children to make a “ crass political point.
” She gave , as she always does , a wholly unconvincing and sycophantic answer .
According to her , the president was simply making a point about CNN .
Repeatedly looking down at her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ salad that did nothing to address the concerns people have about Trump ’ s tweet and absolved him of any wrongdoing .
To state the obvious : this is not normal .
We should not have to talk about our president tweeting out bizarre baby videos .
At this point , there ’ s little need for more reasons to vote against Trump in November and yet that ’ s what we have here .
Let ’ s end this madness .
We want to hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NEW comment section !

Yesterday, President Donald Trump made one of his weirdest tweets to date. He shared a cute video of two babies embracing that had been doctored by some unhinged MAGAhead to be a parody of “Fake News.” It starts with the white child chasing the Black child with a chyron saying “TERRIFIED TODDLER RUNS FROM RACIST BABY” followed by one that reads “RACIST BABY PROBABLY A TRUMP VOTER.” The video then rewinds to show that the two children were simply playing.
It managed simultaneously to mock the reality of racism in this country and exploit toddlers for a political point. At the risk of this writer repeating, it was a deeply weird thing for the President of the United States to do. Twitter at least had the good sense to mark the tweet as containing “Manipulated Media.”
As it turns out, some parents don’t take kindly to their children being used to push bigoted talking points by our monstrous president. CNN reports that the video has been removed from Facebook because a parent of one of the babies filed a copyright claim. Clearly he or she did not appreciate the way in which their child was going viral.
Jukin Media, which is representing the parents who created the video, spoke to CNN about the incident.
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump’s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors!
“Neither the video owner nor Jukin Media gave the President permission to post the video, and after our review, we believe that his unauthorized usage of the content is a clear example of copyright infringement without valid fair use or other defense,” said Jukin.
The company has also requested that Twitter remove the video but Twitter, which is infamously hands-off on these kinds of issues, has yet to respond or take action.
Parent of toddler in 'manipulated' Trump video forces Facebook to remove ithttps://t.co/sIIESlgHnl — Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) June 19, 2020
CNN’s Jim Acosta ended up confronting Trump’s spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany about his using of children to make a “crass political point.” She gave, as she always does, a wholly unconvincing and sycophantic answer. According to her, the president was simply making a point about CNN. Repeatedly looking down at her notes, she served up a word salad that did nothing to address the concerns people have about Trump’s tweet and absolved him of any wrongdoing.
Watch her shameful performance below.
Jim @Acosta: "Why is the president sharing fake videos on Twitter about two toddlers…it seems as though he's exploiting children to make some sort of crass political point? Why is he sharing fake videos?"@PressSec: "He was making a point about CNN specifically…." pic.twitter.com/zLxl95Zfmh — CSPAN (@cspan) June 19, 2020
To state the obvious: this is not normal. We should not have to talk about our president tweeting out bizarre baby videos. At this point, there’s little need for more reasons to vote against Trump in November and yet that’s what we have here. Let’s end this madness.
We want to hear what YOU have to say. Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section!
OD STAFF Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-06-19--Parent intervenes and forces Facebook to take down Trump’s edited video of “racist baby”

Yesterday , President Donald Trump made one of his weirdest tweets to date .
He shared a cute video of two babies embracing that had been doctored by some unhinged MAGAhead to be a parody of “ Fake News.
” It starts with the white child chasing the Black child with a chyron saying “ TERRIFIED TODDLER RUNS FROM RACIST BABY ” followed by one that reads “ RACIST BABY PROBABLY A TRUMP VOTER.
” The video then rewinds to show that the two children were simply playing .
It managed simultaneously to mock the reality of racism in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point .
At the risk of this writer repeating , it was a deeply weird thing for the President of the United States to do .
Twitter at least had the good sense to mark the tweet as containing “ Manipulated Media.
” As it turns out , some parents don ’ t take kindly to their children being used to push bigoted talking points by our monstrous president .
CNN reports that the video has been removed from Facebook because a parent of one of the babies filed a copyright claim .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way in which their child was going viral .
Jukin Media , which is representing the parents who created the video , spoke to CNN about the incident .
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump ’ s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors !
“ Neither the video owner nor Jukin Media gave the President permission to post the video , and after our review , we believe that his unauthorized usage of the content is a clear example of copyright infringement without valid fair use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The company has also requested that Twitter remove the video but Twitter , which is infamously hands-off on these kinds of issues , has yet to respond or take action .
To state the obvious : this is not normal .
We should not have to talk about our president tweeting out bizarre baby videos .
At this point , there ’ s little need for more reasons to vote against Trump in November and yet that ’ s what we have here .
Let ’ s end this madness .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say .
Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section !

Yesterday, President Donald Trump made one of his weirdest tweets to date. He shared a cute video of two babies embracing that had been doctored by some unhinged MAGAhead to be a parody of “Fake News.” It starts with the white child chasing the Black child with a chyron saying “TERRIFIED TODDLER RUNS FROM RACIST BABY” followed by one that reads “RACIST BABY PROBABLY A TRUMP VOTER.” The video then rewinds to show that the two children were simply playing.
It managed simultaneously to mock the reality of racism in this country and exploit toddlers for a political point. At the risk of this writer repeating, it was a deeply weird thing for the President of the United States to do. Twitter at least had the good sense to mark the tweet as containing “Manipulated Media.”
As it turns out, some parents don’t take kindly to their children being used to push bigoted talking points by our monstrous president. CNN reports that the video has been removed from Facebook because a parent of one of the babies filed a copyright claim. Clearly he or she did not appreciate the way in which their child was going viral.
Jukin Media, which is representing the parents who created the video, spoke to CNN about the incident.
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump’s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors!
“Neither the video owner nor Jukin Media gave the President permission to post the video, and after our review, we believe that his unauthorized usage of the content is a clear example of copyright infringement without valid fair use or other defense,” said Jukin.
The company has also requested that Twitter remove the video but Twitter, which is infamously hands-off on these kinds of issues, has yet to respond or take action.
To state the obvious: this is not normal. We should not have to talk about our president tweeting out bizarre baby videos. At this point, there’s little need for more reasons to vote against Trump in November and yet that’s what we have here. Let’s end this madness.
Parent of toddler in 'manipulated' Trump video forces Facebook to remove ithttps://t.co/sIIESlgHnl — Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) June 19, 2020
We want to hear what YOU have to say. Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section!
OD STAFF Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-06-19--Trump’s press secretary crashes and burns when asked why Trump keeps hiring “dumb as a rock, whacko,

Trump’s press secretary crashes and burns when asked why Trump keeps hiring “dumb as a rock, whacko, incompetent” people

President Trump is infamous for claiming that he always hires “ the best people , ” despite having fired or forced resignations or otherwise alienated almost every notable person to join his cabinet .
The Trump team alumns almost inevitably publish some kind of tell-all book about the outrageous goings-on behind the scenes in the dysfunctional and chaotic Trump White House or publicly trash him in the media , which leads to Trump publicly disparaging them in return .
His latest public beef involves perenially disgraced war criminal John Bolton , who served in the White House as the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ book alleging the president committed impeachable offenses and a host of other heinous accusations .
In response , Trump called him “ dumb , ” “ whacko , ” and a “ sick puppy ” in a string of angry tweets .
NBC News correspondent Peter Alexander asked White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany about why the president keeps on hiring “ dumb , incompetent whackos , ” to which Kayleigh gave the absolutely ludicrous excuse that Trump wanted to build a “ cabinet of rivals like Lincoln.
” The idea that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abraham Lincoln ’ s cabinet is laughable in and of itself , as is the notion that the collection of leering oligarchs , reality TV stars , neocon ghouls and halfwit fascist ideologues that he ’ s staffed his administration with have any kind of serious differences in opinion .
After all , disagreeing with the president on literally anything is usually enough basis for firing in the Trump White House .
But Alexander turned her response right back around on her : “ It was obviously valuable , hiring a team of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the past , but then if you ’ re gon na hire rivals who are ‘ dumb as a rock , overrated , way over their heads , whacko , and incompetent ’ ?
”

President Trump is infamous for claiming that he always hires “the best people,” despite having fired or forced resignations or otherwise alienated almost every notable person to join his cabinet. The Trump team alumns almost inevitably publish some kind of tell-all book about the outrageous goings-on behind the scenes in the dysfunctional and chaotic Trump White House or publicly trash him in the media, which leads to Trump publicly disparaging them in return.
His latest public beef involves perenially disgraced war criminal John Bolton, who served in the White House as the National Security Advisor and has now published a book alleging the president committed impeachable offenses and a host of other heinous accusations. In response, Trump called him “dumb,” “whacko,” and a “sick puppy” in a string of angry tweets.
….He didn’t want Bolton anywhere near him. Bolton’s dumbest of all statements set us back very badly with North Korea, even now. I asked him, “what the hell were you thinking?” He had no answer and just apologized. That was early on, I should have fired him right then & there! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 18, 2020
NBC News correspondent Peter Alexander asked White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany about why the president keeps on hiring “dumb, incompetent whackos,” to which Kayleigh gave the absolutely ludicrous excuse that Trump wanted to build a “cabinet of rivals like Lincoln.”
The idea that the proudly illiterate Trump knows anything about President Abraham Lincoln’s cabinet is laughable in and of itself, as is the notion that the collection of leering oligarchs, reality TV stars, neocon ghouls and halfwit fascist ideologues that he’s staffed his administration with have any kind of serious differences in opinion. After all, disagreeing with the president on literally anything is usually enough basis for firing in the Trump White House.
But Alexander turned her response right back around on her: “It was obviously valuable, hiring a team of rivals, it’s worked well in the past, but then if you’re gonna hire rivals who are ‘dumb as a rock, overrated, way over their heads, whacko, and incompetent’?”
Q: Why does Trump hire people whom he later calls dumb, incompetent and whacko? McEnany: He wants a Team of Rivals like Lincoln Q: "Why hire rivals who are 'dumb as a rock, overrated, way over their heads, whacko, and incompetent'?" pic.twitter.com/D7fLRsSLAL — Robert Maguire (@RobertMaguire_) June 19, 2020
Good question!
OD STAFF Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-06-19--Melania Trump sparks online backlash after posting weird, gaudy Juneteenth video

One of the most excruciating experiences of the Trump presidency — and the list is lengthy — is watching the openly racist Trump family and administration put on their obligatory and painfully insincere dog-and-pony shows every time there ’ s a cultural event that isn ’ t focused on white Christians .
Today is Juneteenth , the holiday where Black Americans celebrate their freedom from institutionalized slavery in the United States .
Having openly dedicated their administration to upholding and expanding the white supremacist superstructure that still defines our nation to this day , there is perhaps no family more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holiday to the nation , but convention insists that they must , inevitably leaving us to watch deeply bizarre and uncomfortable displays like the one put together by First Lady Melania Trump : Social media users thought this was extremely inappropriate since Melania Trump eagerly participated in the racist “ birther ” smear campaign begun by her husband against President Barack Obama , baselessly accusing him of having been born in Kenya and of being unqualified to hold office .
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
Since her husband took office , she has refused to do anything to rein in her husband ’ s more divisive , authoritarian , or sadistic impulses — as Twitter users were quick to point out :

One of the most excruciating experiences of the Trump presidency — and the list is lengthy — is watching the openly racist Trump family and administration put on their obligatory and painfully insincere dog-and-pony shows every time there’s a cultural event that isn’t focused on white Christians.
Today is Juneteenth, the holiday where Black Americans celebrate their freedom from institutionalized slavery in the United States. Having openly dedicated their administration to upholding and expanding the white supremacist superstructure that still defines our nation to this day, there is perhaps no family more unqualified to make any remarks about the holiday to the nation, but convention insists that they must, inevitably leaving us to watch deeply bizarre and uncomfortable displays like the one put together by First Lady Melania Trump:
Today we celebrate #Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the U.S. In honor of today, I would like to share the story "All Different Now" by Angela Johnson, which sheds a light on the first Juneteenth through the eyes of a young girl. pic.twitter.com/ZG9zoup4yG — Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) June 19, 2020
Social media users thought this was extremely inappropriate since Melania Trump eagerly participated in the racist “birther” smear campaign begun by her husband against President Barack Obama, baselessly accusing him of having been born in Kenya and of being unqualified to hold office.
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump’s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors!
Your periodic reminder that Melania Trump was a shameless birther. pic.twitter.com/0CSpsAlqdf — Ahmed Baba (@AhmedBaba_) December 5, 2019
Since her husband took office, she has refused to do anything to rein in her husband’s more divisive, authoritarian, or sadistic impulses — as Twitter users were quick to point out:
OK. Another #PRProTip because this White House is so bad at this. When trying to show you understand the horrors of slavery using a shot that looks like the matriarch of a plantation undermines the entire message. (Unless of course that’s the exact message you’re sending) https://t.co/RDj5TmKTE3 — Fred Wellman (@FPWellman) June 19, 2020
O birther why art thou https://t.co/fw0JULvy8S — John Fugelsang (@JohnFugelsang) June 19, 2020
Melania Trump was a birther. https://t.co/Hy8giDJpFS — Ben Rhodes (@brhodes) June 19, 2020
Racist birther with relatively new kidneys is here to explain #junteenth. I really don’t care do you? 0/10 @FLOTUS pic.twitter.com/TTNh1SlB60 — Room Rater (@ratemyskyperoom) June 19, 2020
https://twitter.com/CheyenneDancer/status/1273970237252104192
https://twitter.com/JoJoFromJerz/status/1273967781059452929
https://twitter.com/kharyp/status/1273993614729699329
https://twitter.com/lesleyabravanel/status/1273980282329346053
https://twitter.com/TrentCapelli/status/1273975839290527746
OD STAFF Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-06-19--Trump erupts at FOX News after their new poll shows him losing election by 12 points

While 2016 taught us all the hard way that nothing can be taken for granted , at this point in time it certainly looks like Donald Trump ’ s re-election effort is in deep , deep trouble .
As the number of people filing for unemployment reaches a staggering 45 million people , the economy slides deeper into recession while anti-police brutality protests continue to rock the nation — and on top of that , hundreds are still dying every day from the coronavirus .
But President Donald Trump has shown remarkably little interest in dealing with any of these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the coronavirus crisis was happening at all and subsequent mismanagement has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths while he and his Republican allies refuse to lift a finger to help the tens of millions of Americans in need .
While the protests rage , Trump seems content to antagonize them and smear the marchers are “ antifa ” agitators and triple-down on his unwavering support for America ’ s out-of-control police forces .
When given a chance to address the nation in interviews , the president is more concerned with explaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slippery ramp than doing anything to soothe racial tensions in our country .
Which is probably why his polling numbers are in the gutter and don ’ t look like they ’ ll improve any time soon .
But rather than acknowledge his complete failure of leadership and appalling mismanagement of this nation , Trump instead has decided that he ’ d rather scream “ FAKE POLL !
” Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump ’ s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors !
Trump can say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News is suddenly a liberal network all he wants , but no amount of tweeting is going to erase the horrid memory of the past four interminable years from the minds of the American people .
Watch what happens indeed .
Let us know what YOU think !
Scroll down and share your thoughts in our NEW comment section !

While 2016 taught us all the hard way that nothing can be taken for granted, at this point in time it certainly looks like Donald Trump’s re-election effort is in deep, deep trouble. As the number of people filing for unemployment reaches a staggering 45 million people, the economy slides deeper into recession while anti-police brutality protests continue to rock the nation — and on top of that, hundreds are still dying every day from the coronavirus.
But President Donald Trump has shown remarkably little interest in dealing with any of these myriad crises; his efforts to deny that the coronavirus crisis was happening at all and subsequent mismanagement has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths while he and his Republican allies refuse to lift a finger to help the tens of millions of Americans in need. While the protests rage, Trump seems content to antagonize them and smear the marchers are “antifa” agitators and triple-down on his unwavering support for America’s out-of-control police forces. When given a chance to address the nation in interviews, the president is more concerned with explaining why he had trouble walking down a slippery ramp than doing anything to soothe racial tensions in our country.
Which is probably why his polling numbers are in the gutter and don’t look like they’ll improve any time soon.
But rather than acknowledge his complete failure of leadership and appalling mismanagement of this nation, Trump instead has decided that he’d rather scream “FAKE POLL!”
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump’s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors!
.@FoxNews is out with another of their phony polls, done by the same group of haters that got it even more wrong in 2016. Watch what happens in November. Fox is terrible! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 19, 2020
Trump can say the polls are fake and that FOX News is suddenly a liberal network all he wants, but no amount of tweeting is going to erase the horrid memory of the past four interminable years from the minds of the American people. Watch what happens indeed.
Let us know what YOU think! Scroll down and share your thoughts in our NEW comment section!
Colin Taylor Opinion columnist and former editor-in-chief of Occupy Democrats. He graduated from Bennington College with a Bachelor's degree in history and political science. He now focuses on advancing the cause of social justice and equality in America. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-06-20--Minnesota GOP candidate provokes hilarious backlash after claiming police are needed to stop maraudi

Minnesota GOP candidate provokes hilarious backlash after claiming police are needed to stop marauding bears

It was the kind of local news story about an animal spotted in an unusual place that is often used for filler on the evening broadcast of a slow news day .
Yet , in today ’ s explosive political climate , one retweet of the story broadcast by the local Fox affiliate on the Twin Cities turned the entire incident into a forum of opinions on the calls for police reforms that the Minnesota legislature — split between a GOP-controlled Senate and a Democratic House — left unanswered when it adjourned without reaching an agreement on the proposals to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state where George Floyd was murdered by a cop .
The story was of a black bear who wandered into a parking garage at Union Depot in St. Paul on Wednesday evening , expanding the range of the creatures who typically stay far from urban areas into a neighborhood that rarely sees that type of wildlife .
When Jason Lewis , a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Democrat Tina Smith , saw the story , he immediately retweeted it with a comment that put him squarely on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is no situation that could be handled by anyone better than a police officer .
Lewis ’ comment opened himself up to fierce criticism from those who feel that many situations now typically handled by police would be better addressed by government representatives with training in areas other than the use of force — with situations involving mentally unstable people handled by social workers and psychological experts and incidents like the wandering bear assigned to animal control officers with expertise in handling wildlife safely and returning them to their natural habitat .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ post made it clear that he was swinging against the tide of national sentiment during this time of outrage over police brutality by increasingly militarized local officers .
Sadly , the bear was not available for comment on the situation .
Luckily , one person updated the world on the bear ’ s status after his walkabout in downtown St. Paul .
A bear peacefully protesting its confinement to forested areas managed to escape any police brutality this time — no thanks to the Minnesota Republican Senate candidate — but if the Minnesota @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then perhaps its next excursion to the big city won ’ t be as fraught with potential peril — and political manipulation — as his last visit was .
We want to hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section !

It was the kind of local news story about an animal spotted in an unusual place that is often used for filler on the evening broadcast of a slow news day.
Yet, in today’s explosive political climate, one retweet of the story broadcast by the local Fox affiliate on the Twin Cities turned the entire incident into a forum of opinions on the calls for police reforms that the Minnesota legislature — split between a GOP-controlled Senate and a Democratic House — left unanswered when it adjourned without reaching an agreement on the proposals to change the way police operate in the state where George Floyd was murdered by a cop.
The story was of a black bear who wandered into a parking garage at Union Depot in St. Paul on Wednesday evening, expanding the range of the creatures who typically stay far from urban areas into a neighborhood that rarely sees that type of wildlife.
When Jason Lewis, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Democrat Tina Smith, saw the story, he immediately retweeted it with a comment that put him squarely on the side of police advocates who feel that there is no situation that could be handled by anyone better than a police officer.
But by all means, let’s abolish the police! Would love to see a “social worker” take care of this one. https://t.co/EE2WPDKg2m — Jason Lewis (@LewisForMN) June 19, 2020
Lewis’ comment opened himself up to fierce criticism from those who feel that many situations now typically handled by police would be better addressed by government representatives with training in areas other than the use of force — with situations involving mentally unstable people handled by social workers and psychological experts and incidents like the wandering bear assigned to animal control officers with expertise in handling wildlife safely and returning them to their natural habitat.
The comments Lewis received on his Twitter post made it clear that he was swinging against the tide of national sentiment during this time of outrage over police brutality by increasingly militarized local officers.
Polar bears get warnings. — Jared Millay (@moosekoenig) June 20, 2020
Thank you!! — Natalie Myers (@Catsy2Natalie) June 20, 2020
https://twitter.com/FitKrisMN/status/1274098292977270793?s=20
https://twitter.com/EstherThePig/status/1274308209977614337?s=20
They already have non police staff to handle this, it's called Minnesota Fish and Game. You'd think someone looking to represent the state would know that? — Iron Giant Resists (@JustinMHanlon1) June 20, 2020
Sadly, the bear was not available for comment on the situation. Luckily, one person updated the world on the bear’s status after his walkabout in downtown St. Paul.
A bear peacefully protesting its confinement to forested areas managed to escape any police brutality this time — no thanks to the Minnesota Republican Senate candidate — but if the Minnesota legislature reaches agreement on substantive police reforms, then perhaps its next excursion to the big city won’t be as fraught with potential peril — and political manipulation — as his last visit was.
Follow Vinnie Longobardo on Twitter.
We want to hear what YOU have to say. Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section!
Vinnie Longobardo Managing Editor Vinnie Longobardo is the Managing Editor of Occupy Democrats. He's a 35-year veteran of the TV, mobile & internet industries, specializing in start-ups and the international media business. His passions are politics, music, and art. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-06-20--Trump v. Barr: Attorney General says Trump fired SDNY’s top attorney, but Trump denies involvement

Federal prosecutors arriving for work on Monday morning at the offices of the Justice Department ’ s Southern District of New York do not know right now exactly who their boss will be when the dust settles .
The uncertainty began last night when Attorney General William Barr released a statement announcing that Donald Trump had nominated Jay Clayton , the current head of the Securities and Exchange Commission and a Trump loyalist with no prosecutorial experience , to become the new U.S. Attorney for the SDNY , considered the most prestigious and powerful position in the Justice Department after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — erroneously as it turns out — that the current head of the SDNY , Geoffrey Berman , would be stepping down from the position he has held after being appointed to the position by federal judges in the district after Trump failed to have a nominee confirmed for the position by the Senate .
While the president typically is the person who appoints U.S. attorneys after their Senate confirmation hearings , federal law allows the attorney general to temporarily appoint a prosecutor to fill a vacancy for 120 days .
Once that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Mr. Berman , the judges in the district are allowed to fill the position themselves .
The law then designates that the court-appointed prosecutor will be able to “ serve until the vacancy is filled.
” Berman , who was blindsided by Barr ’ s announcement , promptly announced that he had not resigned and had every intention of staying in the U.S. Attorney position until a Senate-confirmed replacement was ready to take over the position , setting the stage for an epic contest of wills and a likely protracted legal battle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Supreme Court since this is the first time that such a situation has ever occurred .
Oh , what a complex web can be weaved in the curse of one Friday night massacre !
By this morning , Barr took the first step in response to Berman ’ s defiance of his attempt to remove him — an attempt seen by many as a way of short-circuiting the many investigations the SDNY is currently reportedly conducting that involve Donald J. Trump , his family , his businesses , and his associates .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Berman stating that his refusal to step down from the helm of the SDNY constituted a choice of “ public spectacle over public service ” and summarily informing him that the president had ordered him removed from office .
Because the nomination of Jay Clayton to the position has yet to even be considered by the Senate , Barr appointed Berman ’ s top subordinate , Audrey Strauss , as the acting head of the SDNY in the meantime .
There was only one slight complication with Barr ’ s latest move : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the firing of Berman , saying it was entirely Barr ’ s doing .
With questions still open about who may actually have the authority to fire Berman due to his appointment by federal judges rather than the president , the outcome of this standoff is still to be determined and may not happen as quickly — and certainly not as smoothly — as the Attorney General that Trump has deferred to would like .
With Trump and Barr seemingly acting at cross purposes , it will be interesting to see where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but expect the House to open an inquiry into whether Barr ’ s — or Trump ’ s if he eventually cops to it — firing of Berman is legal or ethical considering the number of investigations involving the president that the SDNY is reportedly currently conducting .
Suffice it to say that as summer dawns , the stench from this debacle will waft in the political atmosphere for quite some time .
Original reporting by Charlie Savage at The New York Times .
We want to hear what YOU have to say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in our NEW comment section !

Federal prosecutors arriving for work on Monday morning at the offices of the Justice Department’s Southern District of New York do not know right now exactly who their boss will be when the dust settles.
The uncertainty began last night when Attorney General William Barr released a statement announcing that Donald Trump had nominated Jay Clayton, the current head of the Securities and Exchange Commission and a Trump loyalist with no prosecutorial experience, to become the new U.S. Attorney for the SDNY, considered the most prestigious and powerful position in the Justice Department after the Attorney General.
Barr also announced — erroneously as it turns out — that the current head of the SDNY, Geoffrey Berman, would be stepping down from the position he has held after being appointed to the position by federal judges in the district after Trump failed to have a nominee confirmed for the position by the Senate.
While the president typically is the person who appoints U.S. attorneys after their Senate confirmation hearings, federal law allows the attorney general to temporarily appoint a prosecutor to fill a vacancy for 120 days.
Once that temporary appointment expires, as it did with Mr. Berman, the judges in the district are allowed to fill the position themselves. The law then designates that the court-appointed prosecutor will be able to “serve until the vacancy is filled.”
Berman, who was blindsided by Barr’s announcement, promptly announced that he had not resigned and had every intention of staying in the U.S. Attorney position until a Senate-confirmed replacement was ready to take over the position, setting the stage for an epic contest of wills and a likely protracted legal battle that could soon wend its way to the Supreme Court since this is the first time that such a situation has ever occurred.
Oh, what a complex web can be weaved in the curse of one Friday night massacre!
By this morning, Barr took the first step in response to Berman’s defiance of his attempt to remove him — an attempt seen by many as a way of short-circuiting the many investigations the SDNY is currently reportedly conducting that involve Donald J. Trump, his family, his businesses, and his associates.
The Attorney General sent a letter to Berman stating that his refusal to step down from the helm of the SDNY constituted a choice of “public spectacle over public service” and summarily informing him that the president had ordered him removed from office.
“Because you have declared that you have no intention of resigning, I have asked the President to remove you as of today, and he has done so,” Barr’s letter insisted.
Because the nomination of Jay Clayton to the position has yet to even be considered by the Senate, Barr appointed Berman’s top subordinate, Audrey Strauss, as the acting head of the SDNY in the meantime.
There was only one slight complication with Barr’s latest move: Trump himself denied having any involvement whatsoever in the firing of Berman, saying it was entirely Barr’s doing.
Roy Cohn would not be this sloppy. https://t.co/pMBH5c1bge — David Corn (@DavidCornDC) June 20, 2020
With questions still open about who may actually have the authority to fire Berman due to his appointment by federal judges rather than the president, the outcome of this standoff is still to be determined and may not happen as quickly — and certainly not as smoothly — as the Attorney General that Trump has deferred to would like.
With Trump and Barr seemingly acting at cross purposes, it will be interesting to see where this particular political hot potato lands, but expect the House to open an inquiry into whether Barr’s — or Trump’s if he eventually cops to it — firing of Berman is legal or ethical considering the number of investigations involving the president that the SDNY is reportedly currently conducting.
Suffice it to say that as summer dawns, the stench from this debacle will waft in the political atmosphere for quite some time.
Follow Vinnie Longobardo on Twitter.
Original reporting by Charlie Savage at The New York Times.
We want to hear what YOU have to say. Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section!
Vinnie Longobardo Managing Editor Vinnie Longobardo is the Managing Editor of Occupy Democrats. He's a 35-year veteran of the TV, mobile & internet industries, specializing in start-ups and the international media business. His passions are politics, music, and art. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-06-20--Trump rally advance staff gets a head start on Covid-19 infections

NBC News is reporting that six members of the advance team for Donald Trump ’ s “ Coronapalooza ” rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma tonight have already tested positive for COVID-19 .
NBC ‘ s White House correspondent Geoff Bennett broke the story on Twitter , including the Trump campaign ’ s response that “ quarantine procedures were immediately implemented ” and the empty reassurances that “ No COVID-positive staffers or anyone in immediate contact will be at today ’ s rally.
” The news comes after the Oklahoma Supreme Court dismissed public health concerns about the rally becoming a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to allow it to continue despite the rapidly surging number of new coronavirus cases — both in Oklahoma and nationwide — as Trump ’ s push to reopen the nation ’ s economy to help his electoral future before states meet CDC guidelines to do so has the predictable results .
As previously reported , Trump has downplayed the risks of attending his rally as overblown despite requiring attendees to sign waivers absolving the Trump campaign of any liability for their contracting the virus at his event before allowing them to attend .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ those not now in quarantine — have promised to hand out masks at the entrance to the venue , wearing masks will not be mandated and reporters on the scene are saying that few of the people queued up to get into the rally are wearing masks and practicing social distancing as the CDC recommends .
With even his own rally staff decimated by the COVID-19 virus , Trump truly has become the pied piper of pandemics , the doctor of death .
Only truly disturbed , insane , misanthropic people without an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this president who has now overseen the 2.2 million cases of coronavirus and nearly 120 thousand deaths that have occurred on his criminally irresponsible watch .
Unfortunately , the turnout for Trump ’ s rally proves that there are still some people like that out there , and they are willing to risk their lives and those of everyone that they subsequently come into contact with to pledge their fealty to their dubious leader .
While Trump may wallow in self-pity and victimhood , it ’ s the rest of America who truly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real victims of Trump ’ s ineptitude and venality .
We want to hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section !

NBC News is reporting that six members of the advance team for Donald Trump’s “Coronapalooza” rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma tonight have already tested positive for COVID-19.
NBC‘s White House correspondent Geoff Bennett broke the story on Twitter, including the Trump campaign’s response that “quarantine procedures were immediately implemented” and the empty reassurances that “No COVID-positive staffers or anyone in immediate contact will be at today’s rally.”
NEWS: Six staffers working on the Trump Tulsa rally have tested positive for coronavirus. A campaign statement says "quarantine procedures were immediately implemented. No COVID-positive staffers or anyone in immediate contact will be at today’s rally." — Geoff Bennett (@GeoffRBennett) June 20, 2020
The news comes after the Oklahoma Supreme Court dismissed public health concerns about the rally becoming a “superspreader” event and ruled yesterday to allow it to continue despite the rapidly surging number of new coronavirus cases — both in Oklahoma and nationwide — as Trump’s push to reopen the nation’s economy to help his electoral future before states meet CDC guidelines to do so has the predictable results.
As previously reported, Trump has downplayed the risks of attending his rally as overblown despite requiring attendees to sign waivers absolving the Trump campaign of any liability for their contracting the virus at his event before allowing them to attend.
While the rally organizers — at least those not now in quarantine — have promised to hand out masks at the entrance to the venue, wearing masks will not be mandated and reporters on the scene are saying that few of the people queued up to get into the rally are wearing masks and practicing social distancing as the CDC recommends.
With even his own rally staff decimated by the COVID-19 virus, Trump truly has become the pied piper of pandemics, the doctor of death.
Only truly disturbed, insane, misanthropic people without an ounce of intelligence could still be supporting this president who has now overseen the 2.2 million cases of coronavirus and nearly 120 thousand deaths that have occurred on his criminally irresponsible watch.
Unfortunately, the turnout for Trump’s rally proves that there are still some people like that out there, and they are willing to risk their lives and those of everyone that they subsequently come into contact with to pledge their fealty to their dubious leader.
While Trump may wallow in self-pity and victimhood, it’s the rest of America who truly deserves the pity as we are the real victims of Trump’s ineptitude and venality.
Follow Vinnie Longobardo on Twitter.
Original reporting by Matthew Chapman at RawStory.
We want to hear what YOU have to say. Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section!
Vinnie Longobardo Managing Editor Vinnie Longobardo is the Managing Editor of Occupy Democrats. He's a 35-year veteran of the TV, mobile & internet industries, specializing in start-ups and the international media business. His passions are politics, music, and art. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-06-20--Trump goes full alt-right ahead of his rally, retweeting Breitbart articles and a not so-veiled thre

Trump goes full alt-right ahead of his rally, retweeting Breitbart articles and a not so-veiled threat

Donald Trump has stopped even pretending that he is anything other an extremist troll of the far-right variety .
While the president has been know to traffic in conspiracy theories and outright lies that he ’ s gleaned from the most despicable corners of the alternative media ecosystem of the right-wing cheerleaders for his drive for fascist control of our nation , Trump today — on a day when he is bringing together his followers , cheekily dubbed “ Branch Covidians ” by wags on social media , for a deadly rally in the midst of pandemic like lambs to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retweeting articles from Breitbart News , one of the most odious of the propaganda purveyors that he likes to promote in his championing of “ alternative facts.
” The first was an article claiming that Trump ’ s Justice Department would destroy the constitutional order by ignoring the Supreme Court ruling earlier this week that affirmed the rights of the LGBTQ community in matters of gender discrimination in employment .
One would think that Trump nows sees himself as unimpeachable , having been acquitted by a servile and complicit Republican-controlled Senate of charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ high crimes and misdemeanors ” that our founding fathers envisioned worthy of expelling a president from office .
Trump is proving that the “ broken windows ” theory of policing — the concept that failure to prosecute one crime invariably leads to the brazen commission of subsequent offenses — is true in his case .
Having gotten off scot-free after his quid pro quo scandal with Ukraine , Trump now feels free to simply reject the separation of powers established by the U.S. Constitution without fear of impeachment , knowing that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stop him .
Of course , it wouldn ’ t be truly offensive right-wing propaganda without an attack on Breitbart ’ s favorite bogeyman George Soros , so Trump naturally retweeted an article from the extremist news site attributing a Soros-affiliated group with being the masterminds behind the “ defund the police ” movement currently sweeping across America in reaction to the spate of unwarranted murders of unarmed black citizens .
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump ’ s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ retweeted from Breitbart will be one that he may later come to regret once the inevitable lawsuits from those infected with COVID-19 by one of his rally attendees are filed since they show how actively the president has tried to downplay the risks of the pandemic to his supporters despite requiring them to sign liability waivers in order to attend .
In about two weeks , we ’ ll see just who the idiots were as the Trump ralliers pass the incubation period for the virus and should start showing symptoms .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lies , if you don ’ t realize by now that it is Trump himself who fits that description , go ahead and head on down to the rally , because you are too far gone for redemption at this point .
Perhaps a few weeks of gasping for air is the only thing that may change your mind .
Having exhausted both his original thoughts and those likeminded expressions of deplorability that he found on Breitbart , the president began to simply retweet his previous passel of propaganda , ending with his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decide to turn up at tonight ’ s rally .
Given the political polarization that Trump has successfully exacerbated in our nation , tight could turn onto a volatile situation .
Stay tuned for a wild evening .
We want to hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section !

Donald Trump has stopped even pretending that he is anything other an extremist troll of the far-right variety.
While the president has been know to traffic in conspiracy theories and outright lies that he’s gleaned from the most despicable corners of the alternative media ecosystem of the right-wing cheerleaders for his drive for fascist control of our nation, Trump today — on a day when he is bringing together his followers, cheekily dubbed “Branch Covidians” by wags on social media, for a deadly rally in the midst of pandemic like lambs to a slaughter — went on a bender retweeting articles from Breitbart News, one of the most odious of the propaganda purveyors that he likes to promote in his championing of “alternative facts.”
The first was an article claiming that Trump’s Justice Department would destroy the constitutional order by ignoring the Supreme Court ruling earlier this week that affirmed the rights of the LGBTQ community in matters of gender discrimination in employment.
President Trump's justice department is defending women's sports from an Idaho lawsuit by transgender activists, and from the Supreme Court. https://t.co/Hc3obVXhwb — Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) June 20, 2020
One would think that Trump nows sees himself as unimpeachable, having been acquitted by a servile and complicit Republican-controlled Senate of charges that clearly rose to the level of the “high crimes and misdemeanors” that our founding fathers envisioned worthy of expelling a president from office.
Trump is proving that the “broken windows” theory of policing — the concept that failure to prosecute one crime invariably leads to the brazen commission of subsequent offenses — is true in his case.
Having gotten off scot-free after his quid pro quo scandal with Ukraine, Trump now feels free to simply reject the separation of powers established by the U.S. Constitution without fear of impeachment, knowing that his now-panicked GOP enablers will do nothing to stop him.
Of course, it wouldn’t be truly offensive right-wing propaganda without an attack on Breitbart’s favorite bogeyman George Soros, so Trump naturally retweeted an article from the extremist news site attributing a Soros-affiliated group with being the masterminds behind the “defund the police” movement currently sweeping across America in reaction to the spate of unwarranted murders of unarmed black citizens.
REVEALED: An anti-deportation group partnering with George Soros's Open Society Foundation is one of the groups behind the "defund the police" movement. https://t.co/rmSYGkC583 — Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) June 20, 2020
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump’s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors!
Perhaps the most despicable post that Trump retweeted from Breitbart will be one that he may later come to regret once the inevitable lawsuits from those infected with COVID-19 by one of his rally attendees are filed since they show how actively the president has tried to downplay the risks of the pandemic to his supporters despite requiring them to sign liability waivers in order to attend.
"They are like that one girlfriend you had that's just an idiot that believes every lie some guy tells her at a bar." pic.twitter.com/Yimr8YD1ck — Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) June 20, 2020
In about two weeks, we’ll see just who the idiots were as the Trump ralliers pass the incubation period for the virus and should start showing symptoms.
As for the guy in the bar telling lies, if you don’t realize by now that it is Trump himself who fits that description, go ahead and head on down to the rally, because you are too far gone for redemption at this point. Perhaps a few weeks of gasping for air is the only thing that may change your mind.
Having exhausted both his original thoughts and those likeminded expressions of deplorability that he found on Breitbart, the president began to simply retweet his previous passel of propaganda, ending with his violent threats giant any protestors who may decide to turn up at tonight’s rally.
Any protesters, anarchists, agitators, looters or lowlifes who are going to Oklahoma please understand, you will not be treated like you have been in New York, Seattle, or Minneapolis. It will be a much different scene! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 19, 2020
Given the political polarization that Trump has successfully exacerbated in our nation, tight could turn onto a volatile situation. Stay tuned for a wild evening.
Follow Vinnie Longobardo on Twitter.
We want to hear what YOU have to say. Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section!
Vinnie Longobardo Managing Editor Vinnie Longobardo is the Managing Editor of Occupy Democrats. He's a 35-year veteran of the TV, mobile & internet industries, specializing in start-ups and the international media business. His passions are politics, music, and art. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-06-20--BLM protestor with valid Trump rally ticket refused entry and arrested by Tulsa police

As Donald Trump prepares for his rally tonight in Tulsa , Oklahoma — an event dubbed “ Coronapalooza ” because of the accelerating rate of coronavirus infections in Oklahoma and the politicization of mask-wearing by his supporters — the open violation of civil rights and free speech taking place outside the venue where the rally is scheduled to take place has already begun .
MSNBC caught one incident on camera as police arrested a Black Lives Matter protestor wearing an “ I Can ’ t Breathe ” t-shirt while she argued with a rally organizer about why she wouldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holding a valid ticket to the event .
The organizer and police only responded by saying that the rally was “ a private event.
” “ I have tickets to your private event , ” Buck responded rationally .
“ I ’ ve been invited and have a ticket.
” “ Yeah , well , my job with the campaign is to officially uninvite you , ” the Trump rally official said with little legal justification .
Soon afterward , the police took Buck into custody despite her having committed no crime .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the authoritarian future America faces if Donald Trump wins another term in office .
It ’ s why we must not stop in our fight to ensure that that catastrophe is never allowed to happen .
You can watch MSNBC ’ s coverage of the incident ion the video clip below .
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump ’ s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors !
We want to hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment @ @

As Donald Trump prepares for his rally tonight in Tulsa, Oklahoma — an event dubbed “Coronapalooza” because of the accelerating rate of coronavirus infections in Oklahoma and the politicization of mask-wearing by his supporters — the open violation of civil rights and free speech taking place outside the venue where the rally is scheduled to take place has already begun.
MSNBC caught one incident on camera as police arrested a Black Lives Matter protestor wearing an “I Can’t Breathe” t-shirt while she argued with a rally organizer about why she wouldn’t be allowed into the rally despite holding a valid ticket to the event.
“This is my country. This is my country. This is my city,” said Sheila Buck, the protestor in question. “I have tickets for this event. I have clothes on. I’m protected. What’s the problem?”
The organizer and police only responded by saying that the rally was “a private event.”
“I have tickets to your private event,” Buck responded rationally. “I’ve been invited and have a ticket.” “Yeah, well, my job with the campaign is to officially uninvite you,” the Trump rally official said with little legal justification.
Soon afterward, the police took Buck into custody despite her having committed no crime.
It’s just another example of the authoritarian future America faces if Donald Trump wins another term in office.
It’s why we must not stop in our fight to ensure that that catastrophe is never allowed to happen.
You can watch MSNBC’s coverage of the incident ion the video clip below.
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump’s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors!
Follow Vinnie Longobardo on Twitter.
Original reporting by Matthew Chapman at RawStory.
We want to hear what YOU have to say. Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section!
Vinnie Longobardo Managing Editor Vinnie Longobardo is the Managing Editor of Occupy Democrats. He's a 35-year veteran of the TV, mobile & internet industries, specializing in start-ups and the international media business. His passions are politics, music, and art. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-06-20--Trump vows Bolton will “pay a very big price” after judge refuses to block publication of his book

As federal judge Royce Lamberth declined to block former National Security Advisor John Bolton ’ s savagely devastating memoir of his time working in the Trump White House , the president took to Twitter to attack yet another of his failed hires , demonstrating how quickly previously favored insiders become exiled pariahs once they expose the bountiful corruption and criminality of this administration .
Donald Trump went so far as to quote another one of his political nemeses — noted Republican political strategist and one of the founders of the Never Trump PAC The Lincoln Project — Steve Schmidt in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ a despicable man who failed in his duty to protect America.
” Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump ’ s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors !
While the hawkish Bolton has always been reviled by those on the left as a dangerous warmonger whose fondness for American military intervention in foreign lands has been legendary , Trump ’ s sudden realization that the left was correct in its assessment that the former National Security Advisor should never “ serve in government again ” raises the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought he was fit to hire in the first place , Combine that bit of cognitive dissonance with the logical inconsistencies inherent in Trump ’ s characterization of the revelations in Bolton ’ s book about the president ’ s treasonous and self-serving behavior in the conduct of foreign policy as blatant lies while simultaneously accusing his former advisor of trying to publish classified information and you can see why Judge Lamberth determined that there was no reason to prevent the publication of Bolton ’ s The Room Where It Happened .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s account of the president ’ s promise to quash the federal investigation into a Turkish bank to prove to authoritarian Turkish President Recep Erdoğan that his own powers were equally unquestioned could either be called a fabrication or classified — but not both — is just another example of the same disordered thinking that led him to decide to proceed with a rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma tonight that is likely to create a COVID-19 superspreader event .
The failure of the president ’ s lawsuit seeking to prevent the publication @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not unexpected , given that the book had already been cleared by the National Security Council ’ s top official in its initial prepublication review before the administration ordered a second review and that copies were already printed and in warehouses ready for distribution .
In addition , most of the most highly incriminating incidents that the book alleges have already been leaked to the media as part of the publicity campaign in advance of its publication .
Indeed , the fact that the horse had already been let out of the barn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s ruling .
The vow of vengeance against Bolton that Trump included in his tweet , however , can still be fulfilled since Judge Lamberth left open the possibility that the former National Security Advisor may have to forfeit the $ 2 million advance that he received from his publisher Simon and Schuster .
In a second set of tweets , Trump indicated that the setback in losing the argument to prevent the book ’ s publication would not stop him from continuing his vendetta against his disloyal former aide .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reality of his loss in court by simply redefining it as a “ BIG COURT WIN ” instead .
As the president revels in the violent imagery of vengeance against those who would reveal the truth of his treasonous crimes , meanwhile the nation suffers from Trump ’ s seeming abandonment of any effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus pandemic which has now seen new cases rise 6 % over the last two weeks — a number that will surely rise further as the president continues to urge states to reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so and holds a mass rally in a state currently experiencing a sharp upward trend in cases .
With Trump supporters having made mask-wearing and regulations designed to ensure public health political issues , Trump ’ s defeat in the November elections becomes more than a matter concerning the survival of American democracy .
It is now a matter of the survival of a significant number of Americans who will succumb to a disease that could have been avoided with a competent administration in place .
Original reporting by Charlie Savage in The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section !

As federal judge Royce Lamberth declined to block former National Security Advisor John Bolton’s savagely devastating memoir of his time working in the Trump White House, the president took to Twitter to attack yet another of his failed hires, demonstrating how quickly previously favored insiders become exiled pariahs once they expose the bountiful corruption and criminality of this administration.
Donald Trump went so far as to quote another one of his political nemeses — noted Republican political strategist and one of the founders of the Never Trump PAC The Lincoln Project — Steve Schmidt in describing “Wacko John Bolton” as “a despicable man who failed in his duty to protect America.”
…..who was all washed up until I brought him back and gave him a chance, broke the law by releasing Classified Information (in massive amounts). He must pay a very big price for this, as others have before him. This should never to happen again!!! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 20, 2020
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump’s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors!
While the hawkish Bolton has always been reviled by those on the left as a dangerous warmonger whose fondness for American military intervention in foreign lands has been legendary, Trump’s sudden realization that the left was correct in its assessment that the former National Security Advisor should never “serve in government again” raises the valid question as to why the president thought he was fit to hire in the first place,
Combine that bit of cognitive dissonance with the logical inconsistencies inherent in Trump’s characterization of the revelations in Bolton’s book about the president’s treasonous and self-serving behavior in the conduct of foreign policy as blatant lies while simultaneously accusing his former advisor of trying to publish classified information and you can see why Judge Lamberth determined that there was no reason to prevent the publication of Bolton’s The Room Where It Happened.
Trump’s inability to see that Bolton’s account of the president’s promise to quash the federal investigation into a Turkish bank to prove to authoritarian Turkish President Recep Erdoğan that his own powers were equally unquestioned could either be called a fabrication or classified — but not both — is just another example of the same disordered thinking that led him to decide to proceed with a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma tonight that is likely to create a COVID-19 superspreader event.
The failure of the president’s lawsuit seeking to prevent the publication of The Room Where It Happened was not unexpected, given that the book had already been cleared by the National Security Council’s top official in its initial prepublication review before the administration ordered a second review and that copies were already printed and in warehouses ready for distribution. In addition, most of the most highly incriminating incidents that the book alleges have already been leaked to the media as part of the publicity campaign in advance of its publication.
Indeed, the fact that the horse had already been let out of the barn was a major factor in Judge Lamberth’s ruling.
“With hundreds of thousands of copies around the globe — many in newsrooms — the damage is done. There is no restoring the status quo,” the judge wrote in his opinion.
The vow of vengeance against Bolton that Trump included in his tweet, however, can still be fulfilled since Judge Lamberth left open the possibility that the former National Security Advisor may have to forfeit the $2 million advance that he received from his publisher Simon and Schuster.
In a second set of tweets, Trump indicated that the setback in losing the argument to prevent the book’s publication would not stop him from continuing his vendetta against his disloyal former aide.
In typical Trumpian fashion, he ignored the reality of his loss in court by simply redefining it as a “BIG COURT WIN” instead.
….Bolton broke the law and has been called out and rebuked for so doing, with a really big price to pay. He likes dropping bombs on people, and killing them. Now he will have bombs dropped on him! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 20, 2020
As the president revels in the violent imagery of vengeance against those who would reveal the truth of his treasonous crimes, meanwhile the nation suffers from Trump’s seeming abandonment of any effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus pandemic which has now seen new cases rise 6% over the last two weeks — a number that will surely rise further as the president continues to urge states to reopen before having met CDC guidelines for doing so and holds a mass rally in a state currently experiencing a sharp upward trend in cases.
With Trump supporters having made mask-wearing and regulations designed to ensure public health political issues, Trump’s defeat in the November elections becomes more than a matter concerning the survival of American democracy. It is now a matter of the survival of a significant number of Americans who will succumb to a disease that could have been avoided with a competent administration in place.
Follow Vinnie Longobardo on Twitter.
Original reporting by Charlie Savage in The New York Times.
We want to hear what YOU have to say. Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section!
Vinnie Longobardo Managing Editor Vinnie Longobardo is the Managing Editor of Occupy Democrats. He's a 35-year veteran of the TV, mobile & internet industries, specializing in start-ups and the international media business. His passions are politics, music, and art. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-06-21--Minn. jail accused of allowing only white officers to guard cop charged with George Floyd murder

If police across America haven ’ t seemed to quite get the message being delivered by the massive protests against racism and police brutality in the past month , then it ’ s not surprising that the people who run Minnesota ’ s correctional facilities have done equally poorly at erasing systemic bias against people of color within their own operations .
That conclusion is a natural takeaway from the news that eight correctional officers with minority backgrounds have filed a discrimination lawsuit against the Ramsey County Jail alleging that they were being banned from guarding former Minneapolis police officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to infamy as video footage shared around the world showed him drain the life from George Floyd ’ s body as he pressed his knee into Floyd ’ s neck for over eight minutes .
The complaint claims that when Chauvin was brought to the jail after finally being charged with murder at the end of last month , the superintendent of the lockup segregated the workforce so that the former cop would only be watched over by white correctional officers .
According to the attorney representing the banned correctional officers of color @ @ @ @ @ @ @ informed that they could no longer work on the prison ’ s fifth floor where Chauvin was incarcerated .
Smith told NBC News that the order was given only to non-white guards who were subsequently replaced with officers of the Caucasian persuasion .
The attorney further claims that her clients were “ humiliated and debased ” by the superintendent ’ s actions because it exhibited a lack of trust in their professionalism .
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump ’ s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the guards to overcome that humiliation but is also attempting to mandate training on racial bias for all jail employees , as well as the proffering of a formal and public apology , and for the supervisors responsible for the decision to be disciplined .
The Ramsey County Sheriff ’ s office has told a different version of the events ta hand , claiming that only three correctional officers were reassigned and that the personnel shift only lasted for around 45 minutes .
They attributed the move to racial sensitivity rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ murder of George Floyd was likely to create particularly acute racialized trauma , I felt I had an immediate duty to protect and support employees who may have been traumatized and may have heightened ongoing trauma by having to deal with Chauvin , ” Ramsey County Jail superintendent Steve Lydon said in a statement .
“ Out of care and concern , and without the comfort of time , I made the decision to limit exposure to employees of color to a murder suspect who could potentially aggravate those feelings.
” The attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lydon ’ s explanation , smelling an “ after the fact justification ” at work .
Smith claims that not only did her clients not ask for protection but that the topics of “ care and concern ” were never brought up when the move was discussed with them .
An interim supervisor has been named by the Ramsey County Sheriff ’ s office to take Lydon ’ s place while the incident is being investigated .
While prisoners with a high risk of retaliation by other prisoners are often segregated from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being separated from prison guards because of the color of their skin seems to be a bridge too far .
If the superintendent doesn ’ t trust his own employees to do their job professionally , one must wonder why they were hired in the first place .
This hardly seems to be a case of blind justice .
We want to hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section !

If police across America haven’t seemed to quite get the message being delivered by the massive protests against racism and police brutality in the past month, then it’s not surprising that the people who run Minnesota’s correctional facilities have done equally poorly at erasing systemic bias against people of color within their own operations.
That conclusion is a natural takeaway from the news that eight correctional officers with minority backgrounds have filed a discrimination lawsuit against the Ramsey County Jail alleging that they were being banned from guarding former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, the man who rocketed to infamy as video footage shared around the world showed him drain the life from George Floyd’s body as he pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for over eight minutes.
The complaint claims that when Chauvin was brought to the jail after finally being charged with murder at the end of last month, the superintendent of the lockup segregated the workforce so that the former cop would only be watched over by white correctional officers.
According to the attorney representing the banned correctional officers of color, Bonnie Smith, her clients were informed that they could no longer work on the prison’s fifth floor where Chauvin was incarcerated. Smith told NBC News that the order was given only to non-white guards who were subsequently replaced with officers of the Caucasian persuasion.
The attorney further claims that her clients were “humiliated and debased” by the superintendent’s actions because it exhibited a lack of trust in their professionalism.
“My clients came to work that day fully prepared to do their work. They are highly trained, experienced professionals in dangerous and volatile situations, and were just as well equipped as their white counterparts to perform their work duties on May 29,” she said. “The fact that they weren’t allowed to do so has devastated them.”
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump’s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors!
Smith is pressing for monetary compensation for the guards to overcome that humiliation but is also attempting to mandate training on racial bias for all jail employees, as well as the proffering of a formal and public apology, and for the supervisors responsible for the decision to be disciplined.
“Their primary goal is to make sure it doesn’t happen again,” Smith said.
The Ramsey County Sheriff’s office has told a different version of the events ta hand, claiming that only three correctional officers were reassigned and that the personnel shift only lasted for around 45 minutes. They attributed the move to racial sensitivity rather than racial bias.
“Recognizing that the murder of George Floyd was likely to create particularly acute racialized trauma, I felt I had an immediate duty to protect and support employees who may have been traumatized and may have heightened ongoing trauma by having to deal with Chauvin,” Ramsey County Jail superintendent Steve Lydon said in a statement. “Out of care and concern, and without the comfort of time, I made the decision to limit exposure to employees of color to a murder suspect who could potentially aggravate those feelings.”
The attorney for the plaintiffs wasn’t buying Lydon’s explanation, smelling an “after the fact justification” at work. Smith claims that not only did her clients not ask for protection but that the topics of “care and concern” were never brought up when the move was discussed with them.
If he [Lydon] is really trying to protect my clients from racial trauma, he shouldn’t be segregating them on the basis of skin color,” Smith said. “He isn’t preventing racial trauma — he is creating it.”
An interim supervisor has been named by the Ramsey County Sheriff’s office to take Lydon’s place while the incident is being investigated.
While prisoners with a high risk of retaliation by other prisoners are often segregated from the general population for their own protection, being separated from prison guards because of the color of their skin seems to be a bridge too far. If the superintendent doesn’t trust his own employees to do their job professionally, one must wonder why they were hired in the first place.
This hardly seems to be a case of blind justice.
Follow Vinnie Longobardo on Twitter.
Original reporting by Ben Kesslen at NBC News.
We want to hear what YOU have to say. Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section!
Vinnie Longobardo Managing Editor Vinnie Longobardo is the Managing Editor of Occupy Democrats. He's a 35-year veteran of the TV, mobile & internet industries, specializing in start-ups and the international media business. His passions are politics, music, and art. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-06-21--Tom Petty estate slams Trump for unauthorised use of song at Tulsa rally

It ’ s a song of defiance and immovability so powerful that it ’ s a natural choice for politicians trying to project a hardline image to use to rally their bases .
Unfortunately for Donald Trump , the estate of the late rock elder statesman Tom Petty was adamant that they wouldn ’ t back down from their refusal to allow the use of this anthemic song in any of his campaign events ever again as they made quite clear in a post on Twitter announcing that they had issued an official cease and desist notice to the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has had a long history of progressive social activism by its leading luminaries dating back to the 1960s era of the protests against the Vietnam War through to the anti-apartheid activism of “ Sun City ” and the charitable efforts of Live Aid , “ We Are The World , ” and other similar efforts , in the genre ’ s old age , as its popularity has been surpassed by newer styles like hip hop and EDM , it has become less of a driving cultural force than it was in its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stopped artists from the Rolling Stones to Bruce Springsteen from making their displeasure known when one of their recordings has been appropriated by the Trump campaign to entertain his base at bund-like rallies and help push messages diametrically opposed to their personal values .
Springsteen made news last week when he blasted Trump for his pitiful management of the COVID-19 pandemic during an episode of his SiriusXM radio show .
“ With 100,000 plus Americans dying over the last few months and the empty , shamed response from our leaders , I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bruce said during his Wednesday episode .
“ Those lives deserve better than being simply inconvenient statistics for our president ’ s reelection efforts .
It ’ s a national disgrace.
” “ Instead of celebrating the joys of summer today , we will be contemplating our current circumstances with the coronavirus and the cost it has drawn from our nation .
We will be calculating what we ’ ve lost , sending prayers for the deceased and the families they have left behind , ” he continued , changing the planned theme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer to a meditation on coronavirus casulaties .
“ So , if you are ready for a rock & roll requiem , stay tuned , ” the Boss said before dedicating an appropirate song to Trump .
“ I ’ m going to start out by sending one to the man sitting behind the resolute desk.
” “ With all respect , sir , show some consideration and care for your countrymen and your country .
Put on a f—ing mask .
This is Bob Dylan with ‘ Disease of Conceit.
’ ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of political activism , his reputation as the bard of the working class makes his repudiation of Trump all the more effective at exposing the president ’ s hypocritical policymaking that is designed to help the wealthy while harming the very base that he is trying to convince to continue supporting him .
Let ’ s hope that more artists take a stand on their principles and prevent Trump from exploiting their artistry for his own benefit .
That the public is wising up to Trump ’ s broken promises and his incompetence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is made very clear by the suggestions of another Tom Petty song that humorists on Twitter have chosen as a better reflection of the president ’ s re-election campaign and his currently plunging poll numbers : We want to hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section !

“Well I won’t back down
No I won’t back down
You can stand me up at the gates of hell
But I won’t back down
No I’ll stand my ground, won’t be turned around
And I’ll keep this world from draggin me down
Gonna stand my ground
… and I won’t back down” — “Won’t Back Down” – Tom Petty
It’s a song of defiance and immovability so powerful that it’s a natural choice for politicians trying to project a hardline image to use to rally their bases.
Unfortunately for Donald Trump, the estate of the late rock elder statesman Tom Petty was adamant that they wouldn’t back down from their refusal to allow the use of this anthemic song in any of his campaign events ever again as they made quite clear in a post on Twitter announcing that they had issued an official cease and desist notice to the president’s campaign.
While rock music has had a long history of progressive social activism by its leading luminaries dating back to the 1960s era of the protests against the Vietnam War through to the anti-apartheid activism of “Sun City” and the charitable efforts of Live Aid, “We Are The World,” and other similar efforts, in the genre’s old age, as its popularity has been surpassed by newer styles like hip hop and EDM, it has become less of a driving cultural force than it was in its younger days.
That hasn’t stopped artists from the Rolling Stones to Bruce Springsteen from making their displeasure known when one of their recordings has been appropriated by the Trump campaign to entertain his base at bund-like rallies and help push messages diametrically opposed to their personal values.
Springsteen made news last week when he blasted Trump for his pitiful management of the COVID-19 pandemic during an episode of his SiriusXM radio show.
“With 100,000 plus Americans dying over the last few months and the empty, shamed response from our leaders, I’ve been simply pissed off,” Bruce said during his Wednesday episode. “Those lives deserve better than being simply inconvenient statistics for our president’s reelection efforts. It’s a national disgrace.” “Instead of celebrating the joys of summer today, we will be contemplating our current circumstances with the coronavirus and the cost it has drawn from our nation. We will be calculating what we’ve lost, sending prayers for the deceased and the families they have left behind,” he continued, changing the planned theme of the show from a celebration of summer to a meditation on coronavirus casulaties. “So, if you are ready for a rock & roll requiem, stay tuned,” the Boss said before dedicating an appropirate song to Trump. “I’m going to start out by sending one to the man sitting behind the resolute desk.” “With all respect, sir, show some consideration and care for your countrymen and your country. Put on a f—ing mask. This is Bob Dylan with ‘Disease of Conceit.’”
While Springsteen has had a long history of political activism, his reputation as the bard of the working class makes his repudiation of Trump all the more effective at exposing the president’s hypocritical policymaking that is designed to help the wealthy while harming the very base that he is trying to convince to continue supporting him.
Let’s hope that more artists take a stand on their principles and prevent Trump from exploiting their artistry for his own benefit.
That the public is wising up to Trump’s broken promises and his incompetence in keeping Americans safe during this pandemic is made very clear by the suggestions of another Tom Petty song that humorists on Twitter have chosen as a better reflection of the president’s re-election campaign and his currently plunging poll numbers:
“Free Falling.”
Follow Vinnie Longobardo on Twitter.
We want to hear what YOU have to say. Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section!
Vinnie Longobardo Managing Editor Vinnie Longobardo is the Managing Editor of Occupy Democrats. He's a 35-year veteran of the TV, mobile & internet industries, specializing in start-ups and the international media business. His passions are politics, music, and art. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-06-21--Fox’s Chris Wallace rips Trump campaign apologist for her Tulsa rally disaster excuses

Here ’ s a picture of Donald Trump returning to the White House last night after his much-hyped , but extremely poorly attended , rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma launched his return to the 2020 campaign trail with all the trajectory of the Space Shuttle Challenger .
It is a picture of dejection , exhaustion , and likely seething anger at his campaign staff who have probably been busy updating their resumes since it became apparent that this rally would be “ the greatest disaster in the history of campaign rallies , ” as their candidate might be expected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million requests for tickets to attend Trump ’ s first campaign event in months , the organizers of the president ’ s Tulsa rally went so far as to arrange for an overflow space to accommodate the crowds that they anticipated wouldn ’ t fit into the 19,000 seat capacity BOK Center .
Their careful planning made the stunning lack of attendance at the rally all the more obvious as the planned separate speeches by the president and vice president at the second stage were abruptly canceled at the last minute since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tulsa Fire Department estimated total attendance at the event to be a measly 6,200 people .
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump ’ s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors !
For all of the president ’ s much-vaunted digital media strategy , it was ironic that this public debacle — that was being dubbed the “ Emptysburgh Address ” by social media wags — was largely the work of teens on Tik Tok and other social media platforms who had waged a grassroots campaign to embarrass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event that they had no intention of ever showing up to attend .
As expected the Sunday morning news programs were chock full of Trump surrogates looking to place blame on anything or anyone except the president himself whose multiple missteps since the coronavirus pandemic began , combined with his bellicose reaction to the protests against police murders of African Americans have proven how out of step his reactionary values are with mainstream America .
Most tried to pass off the fable that the entrances to the BOK Center were blocked by dangerous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entering the rally , a claim that was quickly proven false by eyewitness reports .
By the time that Trump campaign spokesperson Mercedes Schlapp spoke with Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace , that claim had mutated into a belief that it was fear of running into violent protestors that had suppressed the turnout .
A skeptical Wallace didn ’ t seem to be buying Schlapp ’ s argument .
With Oklahoma experiencing a surge of coronavirus infections which the president has continued to downplay in order to focus on reopening an economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to like an anchor weight , it ’ s likely that prudent Oklahomans were more conscious of their health and safety than the Trump campaign would ever give them credit for .
While the attendance at Trump ’ s rally was extremely underwhelming , the content of the president ’ s rambling speech was even more so .
Trump spent endless minutes defending his perilous shuffle down the stage ramp at the West Point commencement address that he gave last week as well as demonstrating that he was indeed capable of lifting a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only a single hand as if this was an example of superhuman strength and agility .
That the president has no awareness of exactly how ridiculous and pitiful his rants have become was made even more painfully obvious by his politically insane admission that he had actively urged administration officials to “ slow the testing down ” for COVID-19 , the exact opposite of what every medical expert suggests is the only way to start emerging from the pandemic short of a vaccine or cure for the disease .
As Trump continues to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while the U.S. leads the world in active cases , his rally is likely to leave Oklahoma with a deadly legacy .
The most telling evidence of how massive a failure this return to the campaign trail has been for the president comes from the fact that outside of an innocuous Father ’ s Day tweet this morning , Donald Trump has been entirely silent on social media since the rally ended .
For this blissful silence , we can thank the teens on Tik Tok and their allies among K-Pop fandom who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ punked the White House .
And in an unabashed celebration of schadenfreude at Trump ’ s massive public humiliation , we will leave you with the full video footage of the president ’ s # WalkOfShame for your viewing pleasure .
We want to hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section !

Here’s a picture of Donald Trump returning to the White House last night after his much-hyped, but extremely poorly attended, rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma launched his return to the 2020 campaign trail with all the trajectory of the Space Shuttle Challenger.
This was the image captured by an @AP photographer as a rather disheveled looking Donald John Trump returned from his “fun night” in #Tulsa . pic.twitter.com/KBnefynKyi — PETER MAER (@petermaer) June 21, 2020
It is a picture of dejection, exhaustion, and likely seething anger at his campaign staff who have probably been busy updating their resumes since it became apparent that this rally would be “the greatest disaster in the history of campaign rallies,” as their candidate might be expected to hyperbolize it.
After boasting of a million requests for tickets to attend Trump’s first campaign event in months, the organizers of the president’s Tulsa rally went so far as to arrange for an overflow space to accommodate the crowds that they anticipated wouldn’t fit into the 19,000 seat capacity BOK Center.
Their careful planning made the stunning lack of attendance at the rally all the more obvious as the planned separate speeches by the president and vice president at the second stage were abruptly canceled at the last minute since the overflow space remained largely empty as the Tulsa Fire Department estimated total attendance at the event to be a measly 6,200 people.
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump’s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors!
For all of the president’s much-vaunted digital media strategy, it was ironic that this public debacle — that was being dubbed the “Emptysburgh Address” by social media wags — was largely the work of teens on Tik Tok and other social media platforms who had waged a grassroots campaign to embarrass the president by reserving tickets for an event that they had no intention of ever showing up to attend.
As expected the Sunday morning news programs were chock full of Trump surrogates looking to place blame on anything or anyone except the president himself whose multiple missteps since the coronavirus pandemic began, combined with his bellicose reaction to the protests against police murders of African Americans have proven how out of step his reactionary values are with mainstream America.
Most tried to pass off the fable that the entrances to the BOK Center were blocked by dangerous hoards of BLM protestors preventing people from entering the rally, a claim that was quickly proven false by eyewitness reports.
By the time that Trump campaign spokesperson Mercedes Schlapp spoke with Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace, that claim had mutated into a belief that it was fear of running into violent protestors that had suppressed the turnout. A skeptical Wallace didn’t seem to be buying Schlapp’s argument.
"You guys were so far off that you had planned an outdoor rally, and there wasn't an overflow crowd … the fact is, people didn't show up" — Chris Wallace grills Trump campaign spokesperson Mercedes Schlapp on Trump's underwhelming Tulsa crowd pic.twitter.com/1wdWK7Cpta — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 21, 2020
With Oklahoma experiencing a surge of coronavirus infections which the president has continued to downplay in order to focus on reopening an economy that he sees his electoral success tied to like an anchor weight, it’s likely that prudent Oklahomans were more conscious of their health and safety than the Trump campaign would ever give them credit for.
While the attendance at Trump’s rally was extremely underwhelming, the content of the president’s rambling speech was even more so.
Trump spent endless minutes defending his perilous shuffle down the stage ramp at the West Point commencement address that he gave last week as well as demonstrating that he was indeed capable of lifting a glass of water to his mouth with only a single hand as if this was an example of superhuman strength and agility.
"I don't want to get water on the tie" — Trump is now whining that people noticed that he seemed to have a hard time drinking water out of a glass at West Point last weekend. He then drinks water with one hand to prove he can do it. pic.twitter.com/MC3u3FR7RT — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 21, 2020
That the president has no awareness of exactly how ridiculous and pitiful his rants have become was made even more painfully obvious by his politically insane admission that he had actively urged administration officials to “slow the testing down” for COVID-19, the exact opposite of what every medical expert suggests is the only way to start emerging from the pandemic short of a vaccine or cure for the disease.
Here's Trump downplaying the coronavirus as "sniffles" pic.twitter.com/lKZwqOsqwG — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 21, 2020
As Trump continues to minimize the seriousness of the coronavirus problem while the U.S. leads the world in active cases, his rally is likely to leave Oklahoma with a deadly legacy.
VERDICT: Trump’s Tulsa rally was a total flop. Worse still, it’s likely to trigger a Covid spike there in a few weeks, so the rally’s legacy will sadly be measurable in disease, suffering, and death. — Laurence Tribe (@tribelaw) June 21, 2020
The most telling evidence of how massive a failure this return to the campaign trail has been for the president comes from the fact that outside of an innocuous Father’s Day tweet this morning, Donald Trump has been entirely silent on social media since the rally ended.
For this blissful silence, we can thank the teens on Tik Tok and their allies among K-Pop fandom who helped spearhead the inflated ticket requests and punked the White House.
And in an unabashed celebration of schadenfreude at Trump’s massive public humiliation, we will leave you with the full video footage of the president’s #WalkOfShame for your viewing pleasure.
Follow Vinnie Longobardo on Twitter.
We want to hear what YOU have to say. Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section!
Vinnie Longobardo Managing Editor Vinnie Longobardo is the Managing Editor of Occupy Democrats. He's a 35-year veteran of the TV, mobile & internet industries, specializing in start-ups and the international media business. His passions are politics, music, and art. Latest Posts