Simply earlier than Donald Trump stepped right into a New York courtroom Thursday, he stopped and spoke with reporters. He ranted. He raved. He didn’t make a lot sense. He referred to as all of the courtroom actions taken in opposition to him “election interference run by Joe Biden.” He then mentioned it’s a horrible time for our nation, “an actual darkish interval,” to which a reporter remarked on a live-mic “Jesus Christ.”
Jesus has nothing to do with Donald Trump, nonetheless, Trump thinks he’s being crucified. In the meantime, Manhattan got here to a standstill as Trump’s motorcade introduced him to courtroom. Dean Obeidallah, a SiriusXM host famous, “The NYPD is closing roads by me in NYC throughout rush hour to permit Trump to get to the courthouse in decrease Manhattan.” The networks coated it as if it have been a coronation, and Trump soaked up the eye.
“Some Trump supporters are pleased Trump may go to jail and defeat the Democrats whereas on the identical time consider he by no means will as a result of he’s smarter than the so-called Deep State.”
At about the identical time, Tucker Carlson, nonetheless on the Putin bandwagon, informed us Russians have it a lot better than Individuals (after buying in a Moscow grocery retailer). And if that wasn’t circus sufficient for you, Fulton County District Lawyer Fanni Willis jumped into the Trump-related drama by working into courtroom and defending herself in opposition to expenses that she abused her energy and shouldn’t be allowed to prosecute Trump on some very severe state felony expenses in Georgia. She was seen on Thursday speaking about cruises, journeys to Aruba and who paid for what dinner whereas she dodged haters, moved out of her home, took care of her father, used personal safety and dated lead prosecutor Nathan Wade who’s overseeing the Donald Trump case in Fulton County, Georgia.
What does all of this testimony must do with Donald Trump? Completely nothing. However Trump and a co-defendant in Georgia wish to delay the beginning of the one trial Trump can’t management ought to he be re-elected. Or, he needs to attempt to kill the fees outright due to the alleged inappropriate use of public funds. The allegation is Wade used cash he obtained paid as a prosecutor to go on a cruise and a few highway journeys with Willis. Even a number of members of the Trump staff that also discuss with me have mentioned, “who provides a shit?” Although in addition they like that it muddies the water “for the boss.” They usually cackled with glee watching the drama in Georgia.
“Don’t get cute with me,” Willis mentioned at one level below route questioning. My grandfather and uncle, who have been each circuit courtroom judges usually mentioned, “Attorneys make the worst witnesses. They don’t know when to close up.” Willis tried to guess what the road of questioning was about, minimize it off, and spit it again at her accusers whereas the decide sat by attempting to information her into calmer waters.
“I am not on trial irrespective of how a lot wish to put me on trial,” Willis acknowledged defiantly.
And, if that’s not drama sufficient for the day, in talking with a number of members of the Republican Social gathering, lots of them mentioned they’re embarrassed by Donald Trump, “although most (of the GOP) are loyal to him,” however some are seeing Trump’s drama coming to an finish in courtroom quickly and wish to discover a seat earlier than the music stops. It’s price saying that the variety of folks doing that is very low.
Sure, we’ve all heard this earlier than. Donald Trump is bother. Donald Trump goes down and who might be left to select up the items? Trump came upon at present that his first check in felony courtroom might be in Manhattan in what many consider is the weakest case he faces; the fee of hush cash to Stormy Daniels. Michael Cohen, his former fixer, and David Pecker (no pun supposed) the previous CEO of American Media determine prominently within the case. Cohen, Trump tells us, is a liar, a cheat and a bum. What Cohen routinely calls Trump can’t be mentioned in entrance of young children. However, regardless of Trump’s insults at Cohen’s expense, Cohen has, thus far, proved to be the spear in Trump’s aspect he can’t ignore. He may simply be the witness that helps put Trump in jail. “He deserves it,” Cohen mentioned.
Will that make a distinction to what stays of the Republican Social gathering? Most likely not. One GOP stalwart informed me, “We might have to search out one other candidate, however we in all probability received’t even when Trump goes to jail – which loads of us suppose received’t ever occur. However come on, it’s important to admit that Trump beating Biden whereas in jail could be scrumptious irony.” I might name it one thing else, however there is no such thing as a denying that some in Trump’s camp would secretly relish that end result – although others overtly admit it may destroy what’s left of the “United” within the “United States.”
Many Trump supporters have additionally informed me that this yr’s Tremendous Bowl already achieved that objective. One Q-Anon (bear in mind Q-Anon? Seems it is a story about Q-Anon) supporter proudly believes the Deep State engineered the Kansas Metropolis victory within the Tremendous Bowl to advertise LGBTQ “weirdoes who need males to play girls’s basketball.” I can’t make these items up and wouldn’t strive.
This supply was pleased about Willis’s testimony in Georgia. “She was nice for us,” he mentioned. “You couldn’t ask for a greater end result.” In accordance with Trump supporters, Willis confirmed her bottom and tainted the case in opposition to Trump. “They’ll must throw it out.” And Cohen, “A identified liar” in keeping with the identical supply mentioned, “received’t have the ability to lay gloves on Trump.”
So, some Trump supporters are pleased Trump may go to jail and defeat the Democrats whereas on the identical time consider he by no means will as a result of he’s smarter than the so-called Deep State.
That solely leaves the Mar-A-Lago categorized paperwork case to contemplate. Trump supporters say it “won’t ever be heard. It will likely be delayed till after the election that Trump will win.” These identical supporters say, “Trump solely obtained one good decide and it was in Florida.” And within the D.C. federal case, lots of Trump’s cronies consider the Supreme Courtroom, three members of which have been handpicked by Trump, will “be sure that justice is finished and Trump might be granted limitless immunity.”
I suppose if that’s the case it’ll simply be a matter of time earlier than both Trump or Biden use Seal Group 6 to take out their rivals. “I’m betting on Trump. The navy loves him and so do the leaders of all the opposite international locations. Even Putin,” I used to be informed.
Nicely, particularly Putin. Totally different story.
In the meantime, Lara Trump is being thought-about as a co-chair of the Republican Nationwide Committee (RNC) and not too long ago vowed that each cent raised by the RNC might be spent on Donald Trump. Thoughts you, that also in all probability wouldn’t repay Trump’s large authorized payments. Technically these funds shouldn’t be used for that function, however we’re speaking about Trump who makes his personal guidelines. Utilizing “each cent” for Trump may bankrupt the Republican Social gathering, and could be problematic for down poll Republican candidates – who normally depend on RNC funding to mount a aggressive race in purple states. Not serving to out different MAGA candidates (okay I’ve given up calling them Republicans, as a result of they aren’t) is impressed lunacy. Since Lara Trump mentioned this, a few of Trump’s people have walked it again a bit and mentioned that the RNC will spend cash on voter “integrity,” which to the Democrats appears like voter suppression. That can be a unique story.
Michael Cohen mentioned months in the past he thought Lara Trump was an fool, and folk, he ain’t incorrect. Left to her gadgets, she would commit political suicide for all the MAGA occasion.
Democrats are cheering. They consider they’re watching the demise of a nationwide occasion in actual time, and whereas MAGA supporters don’t see it, the truth that they’ve painted themselves right into a nook with Trump is affirmation sufficient for outsiders to agree with that sentiment.
If Donald Trump is whacked with a big high quality within the New York civil enterprise case, and if he ought to face jail time, MAGA supporters say they’ll again him it doesn’t matter what. They’ve already ex-communicated everybody within the former Republican Social gathering who has opposed Trump. Sen. Lindsey Graham as soon as famously mentioned that if the GOP embraced Trump it will be the demise of the occasion, and he has confirmed himself appropriate, although he by no means took his personal recommendation.
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Adam Kinzinger and Liz Cheney are the 2 most notorious ex-Republicans. There are various others, and whereas former Maryland Lt. Governor Michael Steele mentioned he could be like “Motel 6” and preserve the sunshine on for professional conservatives and never the MAGA cult, he has been unsuccessful in stemming the tide of racism and corruption that has swept the MAGA cult into energy.
The stench is so overpowering, the wailing of the Trump banshees so loud, the rending of hair and gnashing of tooth so full that Thursday afternoon the White Home briefing room was an afterthought within the information cycle – regardless that Biden and his administration are coping with a possible menace of nuclear weapons launched from space-based Russian satellites.
If all of it appears like theater, and in Donald’s case it at all times is. The query stays, who – if anybody – can decide up the items if Donald isn’t round?
Trump staffers see their superb chief driving excessive and reclaiming the promised land of the presidency this fall so he can then cage migrants, grow to be a dictator for a day and, as Rep. Jamie Raskin so aptly put it, “rule over the spoil and rubble.”
Nonetheless, the identical Trump staffers who privately mentioned Trump is weak additionally suppose that Nikki Haley may, certainly, be the nominee if one thing have been to occur to Trump. “The great thing about that,” I used to be informed, “is that it will kill the Democrats. If the Republicans (his phrase not mine) elected the primary feminine president – and a minority at that – it will destroy the Democrats after which I wouldn’t be happier.”
With the MAGA occasion, it’s at all times about victory in any respect prices. Democrats and most Republicans suppose Haley may by no means get the nomination as a result of she defied Trump and continues to assault him, and stubbornly stays within the presidential race. She’s a girl and that doesn’t sit properly with the getting older white rednecks of MAGA.
However, they like to win – they usually’ll in all probability shut their eyes and maintain their noses because the vote for Haley if they need to – in spite of everything they’ve already swallowed Donald Trump. They’ve confirmed they’ll swallow something.
Then, after the loss, they’ll scream that the repair was in – like Donald did earlier than, and proceed ranting and raving just like the lunatics that they’re.
Prepare for a enjoyable Spring, Summer season and Fall.
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