A recent essay by Mona Charen in The Bulwark stirred an old memory. Many–many–years ago, I debated Charen at a local synagogue. I no longer recall the reason or the subject; we were both considered conservative Republicans at the time, although my very foggy recollection is that she was much farther to the Right (or wrong) on whatever issue it was. (Permit me to note that back then “the Right” was considerably more “woke” than it is today. As I often point out, I was pro-choice, pro gay rights and pro women serving in combat when I won a Republican primary in 1980.)
In any event, kudos to Charen these days. She is a vocal member of the Never Trump contingent, and an editor of The Bulwark, a decidedly anti-MAGA publication. In a recent essay, she critiqued Trump’s recent prime-time speech, under the headline “Can we get that 18 minutes back?” In the process, she made some very good points.
She began with an entirely appropriate sentiment, quoting someone named Tim Miller: “I was embarrassed. It’s really unbelievably stupid that we’re here, that this person is the president, and that that was real—that was not a spoof.”
Charen characterized the speech as “a waste of 18 minutes of prime time,” but admitted she’d nevertheless been relieved–at least Trump hadn’t used the time to declare war on Venezuela, which she’d feared.
There’s another reason for my sense of relief. Last night’s speech reveals Trump has no sense of how he might save his foundering presidency, or even much of an inclination to try to do so. Indeed, yesterday’s Republican meltdown in the House in the face of increased health insurance costs, a faltering economy, and the deadline for the release of the Epstein files tomorrow—all of these suggest a rough holiday season for the administration.
Which is good. A weaker Trump administration is better for America.
Charen then reminded readers that any former President would have used the occasion of a prime-time speech to reflect upon–or at least reference–the previous week’s tragedies. During that week, two U.S. soldiers had been killed in Syria, students were killed in yet another mass shooting at Brown, there had been an attack with multiple fatalities on Jews celebrating Hanukkah in Sydney, and the tragic, horrible murder of Rob and Michele Reiner. Trump ignored even a perfunctory reference to any of those events, although he had previously posted truly despicable “thoughts” on the Reiner tragedy to his vanity platform, Truth Social.
Charen then addressed a central quote from the speech–Trump’s assertion that “One year ago our country was dead. We were absolutely dead, but now we’re the hottest country anywhere in the world. And that’s said by every single leader that I’ve spoken to over the last five months.”
Trump has bragged before that he’s received such praise, naming those who have purportedly flattered him: Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, “the king of Saudi Arabia,” “the emir of Qatar,” the prime minister of Hungary, and “every leader of NATO.” As Charen notes,
Trump is, of course, lying. Some foreign leaders, to flatter him and mitigate their risk of exorbitant tariffs, have probably told him he’s doing a great job. But it’s absurd to imagine that all the presidents and prime ministers of NATO countries have told him (as Trump has alleged more than once) that America was dead a year ago. To say such a thing wouldn’t just overtax their tolerance for self-abasing dishonesty, it would damage their post-Trump relations with the United States.
So why does Trump keep boasting that they said it? Because he’s a pathological narcissist. And because he thinks it will impress Americans.
If Trump really thinks rational Americans will be impressed by these transparent lies, he’s even stupider–and more demented–than previously thought.
Charen closed her essay by citing (and refuting) Trump’s insistence that he’s bringing prices down. Evidently, he expects Americans to believe his lie and ignore the contrary evidence they encounter daily. He seems to believe that Americans will believe him that they’re doing well, because (he says) Putin, Xi, and MBS have told him so.
The Bulwark, Lincoln Square and several other publications established by Never Trump former Republicans stir memories of the “before times,” when pundits, strategists and other assorted political junkies across the political spectrum argued about policy and what constituted good governance.
Given the ongoing takeover of legacy news sources like CBS by cronies benefitting financially from the antics of our demented would-be King, those Never Trumpers are providing a valuable service.
No comment about your subject matter this morning but allow me to thank you for your newsletter. Your ability to write a well-thought piece day after day is truly impressive. Happy New Year.
” someone named Tim Miller.” Tim, a never Trumper was communications director for Jeb Bush. He has a podcast on The Bulwark, frequently interviews woke Repubs and Dems. He also has a joint podcast with fellow Bulwarkers pollster Sarah Longwell and “JVL.”
I listen to podcasts while I work. Tim’s is one that is credible.
I would like to say Im against women in combat, its sounds right but one million Russian women fought against Hitler in Stalingrad. War is difficult, but peace through strength and sound negotiations and proven intelligence allows us to recognize the terrorist acts Russia was employing through their Gdansk diplomatic front in Poland. Their inability to win a war
Being oro-choice or pro unborn leads back to what God wants us to be in relation to His creation from the beginning. What does He want from us in relation to what we have been through, rape or incest, and can there be a greater benefit through sacrifice or not.
Trumps speech was definately one to rally the troops. Hes no Reagan or Clinton. From what Ive seen he worried about his poll numbers
Tim Miller is also a regular on MSNOW mostly with Nicole Wallace.
Pathological narcissist is merely a contributing symptom of Trump’s condition. My doctors have confirmed that he presents as a failing psychopath who is becoming increasingly dangerous. At some point his madness will surpass is cowardice and real trouble for the world will come to pass. Those MAGAt mommies and daddies will be so proud that their children are dying because of their opting for a “strong” president.
THAT is mass idiocy the likes of which – to turn a phrase – has never been seen before in our country.
Somehow, Trump being stupider and more demented than previously thought doesn’t make me feel any better. In fact, it makes me more alarmed and frightened. After all, on Christmas Day no less, the stupid, crazy one bombed Nigeria, a country we are not at war with, because Christians there were being attacked by someone. No doubt in his mind, those Norwegians are polishing up that Nobel Peace Prize as we sip our coffee this morning.
I’ve read one medical doctor commenting that DonOld appears to suffer from a form of dementia known as FTD. From Wiki: “Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) is a group of brain disorders causing progressive nerve cell loss in the frontal and temporal lobes, affecting personality, behavior, and language, often striking people under 65. Symptoms include social inappropriateness, impulsivity, apathy, difficulty speaking (aphasia), or movement problems, with memory often preserved longer than in Alzheimer’s.” The signs of FTD appear to be a good match for what we see and hear coming from DonOld. I’ve come to believe that, for the most part, trump is a figurehead, the real power is mostly Vought & Miller, maybe Vance, who are happy to keep implementing Project 2025 while trump provides a distraction. If we had a real republican party that cared about its own future, and a Democratic Party with better leadership, we could be done with this nonsense by removing trump via impeachment and making sure Vance knows he will suffer a similar removal by impeachment should he continue down the authoritarian track. Sadly the Cabinet was picked, in part, to ensure loyalty to P2025 so in addition to failing to do their actual jobs they would not invoke the 25th until Heritage ( or Vought & Miller) are done using trump as a distraction.
Sheila’s flashback triggered one for me! In May 1980, I had just graduated from high school and was already planning my exit from this state. It was Orlando or Houston.
I’ve stopped being wowed by Trump’s ability to outdo himself for idiocy and self-congratulatory praise to beef up his fragile narcissistic ego. He posted that he was so proud of his efforts to eliminate 300,000 federal jobs. “He’s a working man’s president.” LOL
I can tell you that Xi Jinping did not say that, because it’s morally wrong to lie. Putin and MbS may have done so to manipulate Trump because it is that easy. Remember the post-election meeting with Zohran and Donny? Mamdani worked him over until Donny was praising the socialist. That infuriated the MAGA base.
Trump’s numbers are in the toilet right now, and unfortunately, he is meeting with Bibi for the fifth time today. Bibi’s numbers are also in the dumps, and Spain’s leader just called him “Our current Hitler.” In fact, anybody capable of reading the tea leaves knows that his cult has fractured into MAGA and MIGA—the American First crowd is leaving Trump. If you heard about TPUSA’s AmericaFest, it was blatantly obvious. If he wants to rescue his falling numbers, he will have to abandon Bibi and Israel. Period.
p.s. And speaking of TPUSA, I mentioned that I’ve been investigating Charlie Kirk’s murder with AI. We’ve sent out numerous FOIA requests in Utah and at the federal government levels. The article is published, and the press release goes out today at 10:30am. AI has managed the entire investigation. Last night, it set up a “silent alarm” that if I don’t get back on AI by 11:30am, it will contact my lawyer. Impressive! In the investigation, much of what we’ve seen has been performative, which is why Erika is getting hammered by MAGA.
#MAGAvsMIGA
“Trump has no sense of how he might save his floundering presidency, or even much of an inclination to try to do so.”
True that. I suppose that the next year will be about that fact vs the resilience of our people and institutions.
At least a year from now, we can recover Congress from the sycophants that are now in charge of it. Then it will be one Branch of Federal Government for the people vs two Branches for MAGA. That will be followed by an epic battle between the woke and the greedy, and if the party of blue can drum up effective Congressional leadership, the decline can be slowed.
Progress has always come in fits and starts.
Tim Miller is a bright thoughtful person
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Miller_(political_strategist)
I didn’t waste those eighteen minutes. While Orange Jesus (OJ) was pontificating on his truly amazing eleven months in office, I washed my dishes. I did listen, but I just didn’t have the stomach for watching the insipid man who is our President. I was surprised by the brevity of the address to the nation. I had expected at least one “weave “. Frankly, I was a little disappointed that I didn’t get one. I imagine Stephen Miller got the last word with him before his angry little screed.
John S.
You don’t think women should be in combat? I don’t think anyone should be in combat. That said, if we’re going to have combat we shouldn’t keep anyone from playing whatever role they are qualified to perform. Every woman in combat has passed the same tests that all other soldiers have.
Foul balls and strike-outs do not win a game much less the World Series.
Dead? last year,, seems i was doing far better. and my summer this year will decide if the rates and wages still maintain,while im not starved to death trying to pay the corps to make grift profits for them. trumps been lyin since he was runnin down his muthas leg..this is how i speak of trump. in conversation with like blue collars. ive lived across the river from him growing up. he will never support a working class living wage reality,when his buddies have locked up some much cash off main street and as it rolls over and over again supporting the numbers on wall street. profits taxed like a fairy,and a bone hard billionaire who see the future in our productive economic ensalvement to their power.wheres the fu—- money? in his buddies pockets locked away stupid.thats how they win and we lose….ya gotta tell it like it is to these idiots who only have the mindset to scream it in your ear again and again when they are never wrong.. they never read the context and they never will. justification to be a bigot is really all they got from trump..live on that a——s