Trump 56: He Still Loves Rallies Almost As Much As He Adores Putin

[Xan]

Trump is still furious. I honestly think he's getting worried.

 

Spoiler

He's posting on Truth Social again about her today.  He absolutely can't stand that yet another woman is besmirching his good name in public.  He also takes some shots at Liz Cheney.  (I don't  have an account there but you can access his posts without an account.  You just can't see the replies.)

Quote

 

[fundiewatch]

God he sucks. Just a dystopian super villain. 

[Shrubbery]

I hope we‘re getting close to that scene in Downfall (Der Untergang) where Hitler gets a fit over the map of Berlin in the bunker’s situation room. 

(That movie is not without its own problems, but I do appreciate a good Hitler Rant meme, and it’s how I imagine the orange one right now, only with gilded instead of concrete walls and more hamberders to throw.)

Does anyone know whether any Trump/Downfall memes exist?

[Xan]

1 hour ago, Shrubbery said:

Does anyone know whether any Trump/Downfall memes exist?

The only ones that I can find are still the old ones about the election.

Spoiler

 

 

[AlmostSavedAtTacoBell]

4 hours ago, fundiewatch said:

God he sucks. Just a dystopian super villain. 

Well, not so much super. More stupid and thank goodness. 

[Xan]

Donny continues to bleat out stuff on Truth Social hoping something will stick.

For the record, this was debunked long ago.  He mentioned that he might want National Guard troops to protect his people and estimated that he'd probably have a million people there on January 6.  (No, there were thousands but certainly not a million.)  He never put in a request for troops.  Mayor Bowser requested troops on Dec. 31 because she felt that there might be trouble and got 340.  There's no record of the Pentagon or the Defense Department being handed a request by Trump or his people for any troops.

It's so Donald to call this a "totally conclusive and determinative fact".  I wonder who helped him spell those words?

[Xan]

Donny's gotten his plane repainted.  I guess now we know where some of that money from his suckers followers went.

Spoiler

 

[AlmostSavedAtTacoBell]

43 minutes ago, Xan said:

Donny's gotten his plane repainted.  I guess now we know where some of that money from his suckers followers went.

  Hide contents

 

As my beloved Mitzi would say as she drove by in Priscilla- "Tack-o-RAMA!"

[thoughtful]

That's a real "sorry about your penis, fella!" vehicle.

[Alisamer]

On 7/3/2022 at 2:49 PM, AlmostSavedAtTacoBell said:

Well, not so much super. More stupid and thank goodness. 

Stupor Villain is more like it. 

Guh. When can we get this guy put away and out of everyone's lives, already?

[AlmostSavedAtTacoBell]

23 minutes ago, Alisamer said:

Stupor Villain is more like it. 

Guh. When can we get this guy put away and out of everyone's lives, already?

Stupor Villian.  Brilliant.  You get all the upvotes! New thread title pretty please!

Edited July 6, 2022 by AlmostSavedAtTacoBell

[Xan]

Donny is worried about Cipollone's testimony Friday.

What I have found interesting in his tweets...er, "truths", is that he keeps telling his audience that he's doing this for them and that they're all in this together.  He's still hawking his overpriced book of essentially stolen photographs and the title is Our Journey Together.  Now, I don't see him returning any donations and none of the money seems to go to anyone but Donny and a few pet politicians but he is pretty effective in getting his braindead followers to think they're just as persecuted as he is.  And here he's saying that Cipollone being asked to testify is bad for the USA.  Nope, Donny -- it's just bad for you.

[Xan]

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is still issuing subpoeonas and she's hired a RICO expert.  I just love her.

Donny is flop sweating all over the place this morning.

Quote

For the record, the Washington Post retracted a couple of quotes that were attributed to Trump during the call to the Georgia elections investigator.  The wording was off but the story didn't essentially change.  

[GreyhoundFan]

Interesting: "Exclusive: Trump left Sarasota media company weeks before federal subpoenas were issued"

Quote

Donald Trump removed himself from the board of his Sarasota-based social media company, records show, just weeks before the company was issued federal subpoenas by both the Securities and Exchange Commission and a grand jury in Manhattan.

Trump, the chairman of Trump Media and Technology Group, was one of six board members removed on June 8, state business records show.

Among the board members removed were Kashyap Patel, Trump's former point man in the White House; Scott Glabe, a former assistant to Trump who was counsel for the media company; and Donald Trump, Jr.

The SEC served Trump Media and Technology Group with a subpoena on June 27, according to a regulatory filing. Trump's media company owns Truth Social, an app similar to Twitter. Trump was banned by Twitter for inflammatory remarks concerning the insurrection.

Four days later, on July 1, a grand jury in the Southern District of New York handed the company another federal subpoena, an action that typically means a potential criminal investigation is in progress.

The investigations appear to be related to a proposed merger between Trump's media company and a blank-check company called Digital World Acquisitions Corp., according to a recent regulatory filing.

Digital World is a special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC. Companies such as these raise money to go public with the intent of finding a company to merge with. SPACs are prohibited from finding a partner before going public, but the SEC is investigating potential talks between the two companies that were possibly premature, according to a filing.   

The merger between the two companies could reportedly mean $1.3 billion in capital and a listing on the stock exchange for the new company, according to the New York Times.

Digital World revealed in a recent filing that its board of directors had previously received similar subpoenas.

According to Digital World's filing, the grand jury subpoenas served on Trump's company were seeking a "subset of the same or similar documents demanded in subpoenas to Digital World and its directors."

The SEC's subpoena, according to a filing, seeks "documents relating to, among other things, Digital World and other potential counterparties for a business transaction involving TMTG."

In addition to Trump's company being served by a grand jury, "certain current and former TMTG personnel" were also subpoenaed. Those "personnel" were not identified.

In a statement, Trump Media said it "will continue cooperating fully with inquiries into our planned merger and will comply with subpoenas we've recently received, none of which were directed at the company's chairman or CEO."

What the statement did not mention was that Trump is no longer chairman, at least according to the state business filing.

Former California Congressman Devin Nunes is listed as the media company's CEO. A businessman named Phillip Juhan is the company's CFO. They are now the only two board members listed, both using the same Sarasota office address.

The removal of Trump and the other board members not only preceded two federal subpoenas but also occurred shortly after Trump registered his company in Sarasota, which happened on April 18.

Trump Media's office is on the second floor of an office building on Cattlemen Road.

A visit to the office by the Herald-Tribune on June 27 revealed Trump's company name was not on the registry in the main lobby, nor was there any reference to the name at the office suite itself. There was no receptionist either, just a note to ring the doorbell for assistance.

The visit to the office by the Herald-Tribune took place on the same day the SEC served Trump's company with the subpoena.

The lack of Trump's name – among the most recognizable in the world – in the office building was notable as the former president has a licensing agreement with Trump Media for use of his name.

A social media platform is vital to Trump, most recently evidenced by his harsh criticism on Truth Social of Cassidy Hutchinson, the former White House aide who told the House select committee of Trump's insistence that he go to the Capitol during the riots.

It is still not known why Trump selected Sarasota as home to his company, though it is close proximately to Rumble, the video media platform company used by Truth Social.

Rumble is located on Longboat Key, 11 miles from Trump Media's headquarters.

Truth Social was formed roughly a year after the Jan. 6 attacks, but the app struggled with technical issues, and its ability to attract followers lagged.

On April 22, the technical issues appeared to be solved as Rumble announced the successful migration of Truth Social's website and mobile apps to its Cloud infrastructure.

On April 18, four days prior to that announcement, Trump Media registered as a business with the state of Florida, listing Sarasota as its address and the former president of the United States as a board member.

 

[Dandruff]

16 hours ago, Xan said:

What I have found interesting in his tweets...er, "truths", is that he keeps telling his audience that he's doing this for them and that they're all in this together.  He's still hawking his overpriced book of essentially stolen photographs and the title is Our Journey Together.  Now, I don't see him returning any donations and none of the money seems to go to anyone but Donny and a few pet politicians but he is pretty effective in getting his braindead followers to think they're just as persecuted as he is.

The audience's money and Trump are in it together but the money won't move itself into Trump's account.  Therefore, some manipulation is needed.  If they want to do anything else on his behalf (without getting him into bigly trouble) then I doubt he'd mind either.

Trump has owned plenty of businesses, including casinos, and has dealt with multiple bankruptcies.  He's no stranger to encouraging people to part with $$$s.  If he can create an impression where his followers stand to gain if they stick (their wallets) with him, that they're fighting a common enemy, and that they'll be losers they quit, then some percentage of people will continue to give.

As bumbling as he seems to be sometimes, I think he's actually quite good at the parting people from their money thing.

[47of74]

Doug Douchy of Arizona may be turning against the orange fuck

Quote

"I've looked at each of the candidates for Governor this year, and there's no question who is the proven conservative ready to lead on Day One: Karrin Taylor Robson," Ducey said in a statement. 

Ducey's GOP primary endorsement wasn't terribly surprising, as he had appointed Taylor Robson to the Arizona Board of Regents five years ago.

But it was noteworthy because it put him directly at odds with former President Donald Trump. Again.

See, Trump has endorsed former local TV anchor Kari Lake in the Arizona governor's race. (Lake is a high-profile election denier.)

 

[GreyhoundFan]

"Trump’s new money-maker: Political speeches to fans"

Quote

SOUTHAVEN, Miss. — On a Saturday morning at an arena outside Memphis, Terri Owens joined the crowd streaming in to see former president Donald Trump.

They lined up according to how much they’d paid.

At the far end of a white entrance tent, near a bus wrapped with a photo of Trump’s head on a muscular, shirtless body, were attendees who paid $55 for a pair of tickets as “citizens,” a general admittance option. At the front, closest to the doors guarded by Secret Service agents, stood a “presidential” tier who shelled out $3,995 each.

Owens, a 53-year-old nurse, bought a pair of VIP tickets for $800. She wasn’t clear on where the money was going — nor did she care.

“I really wanted to do my part in contributing to where he can keep doing what he’s doing, traveling around,” Owens said. “I know he probably doesn’t need financial help by any means, but just to do my part in supporting him because I believe in what he’s doing.”

In fact, the fees aren’t going to Trump’s political action committee, his $100 million war chest. This event was not a Trump rally, where attendance is free.

Instead, it was a for-profit show, more like a rock concert. The proceeds benefit Trump personally as part of a multimillion-dollar deal to speak at the events, according to two people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations.

The program, the “American Freedom Tour,” is the work of a longtime motivational-speaker promoter with a trail of bankruptcy filings and business disputes across the country. A Trump adviser said very little vetting was done on the organizers.

A spokesman for the tour, Republican media consultant Larry Ward, said the 2020 election inspired the new business venture. “The tour was inspired by a nation of disappointed voters and a love for President Donald J. Trump,” he said. Ward declined to discuss Trump’s financial deal.

Trump’s spokesman, Taylor Budowich, also declined to discuss his fees from the events. He said the former president enjoys supplementing his own rallies with speeches at events organized by other groups, such as the American Freedom Tour, National Rifle Association, Turning Point USA and the Faith and Freedom Coalition. “There is a tremendous demand for President Trump in every corner of the country and he is driven by his love for America to continue leading the MAGA movement into 2022 and beyond by sharing his America First vision in front of massive crowds,” Budowich said. (GreyhoundFan added -- please bring me a hundred airsick bags)

Former presidents including Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama have often taken paid speaking gigs after leaving office and have been criticized for cashing in on their service. But those fees were generally paid by businesses, not individual fans who may not understand where the money is going. Clinton and Michelle Obama have charged for book talks, with no ambiguity about the use of the proceeds.

“Paid presidential speeches are nothing new. It’s nice work if you can get it,” said Mark K. Updegrove, president of the LBJ Foundation and author of “Second Acts: Presidential Lives And Legacies After The White House.” “The difference here is Trump is doing this under the guise of a political rally. There might be a little deception there.”

It is also common for politicians to offer access to big spenders, though the money usually goes to a campaign — not just a candidate’s pockets. Trump’s moneymaking is especially brazen considering that he is the only modern ex-president to contemplate running for president again.

“You have a person who is effectively running for president who is accumulating financial IOUs,” said Jeffrey A. Engel, director of the Center for Presidential History at Southern Methodist University. “Donald Trump has never cared if his financial dealings appear improper. Trump plays by different rules.”

Indeed, many gathered outside Memphis drew few distinctions from Trump’s prolific campaign fundraising. Stephen Maybank, 60, bought “citizen” tickets with his wife after hearing about the event through texts and emails similar to fundraising appeals from the campaign. “This is just another form of donation for us,” he said.

Inside the arena, the former president’s appearance had all the trappings of a Trump rally: he hugged an American flag, rattled off grievances about 2020 election and the House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, mocked transgender athletes, and hinted at a third run for the presidency.

The speaker series has attracted more than two dozen Republican luminaries, such as former secretary of state Mike Pompeo, talk radio host Dan Bongino and right-wing influencer Candace Owens. One speaker who has participated in the program said they negotiated a deal through a speakers bureau and agreed to do the speech because it was so lucrative.

Those who pay more are granted access to backstage events, such as photos and private Q&As. Top dollar garners a “patriot” experience with a private after-party and access to Trump — though the site doesn’t list how much this costs. The group declined to specify the rate, only that it was more than $4,000.

The tour’s organizer, Brian J. Forte, has produced events with motivational speaking stars such as Tony Robbins and entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk. Forte’s seminars promise to teach strategies for business success, including personal reinvention. His own career path has gone through a winding chain of setbacks.

Forte built a “Get Motivated” events business with his sister and her husband, making $200,000 a year plus monthly bonuses, according to court records. But the couple divorced in 2011, leading to a messy ownership dispute, including lawsuits in federal court in Florida and Virginia.

The parties eventually settled, but Forte’s business disputes did not end there. In 2014, a federal judge in Texas ordered a company he was working with to stop using the “Success” trademark that another firm owned. Forte was also involved in ventures that were separately accused of stiffing a production company hired to put on events in Seattle and Portland and of using the “Get Motivated” trademark and customer database without making required payments. Both those cases were dismissed. Ward said the vendor was paid and the trademark conflict was resolved.

Forte lived large, driving a Maserati and flying private, according to court records and social media posts. But the expenses caught up with him — in a 2018 bankruptcy filing, he reported making $11,500 a month but not enough to cover his expenses, plus more than $2 million in debt. The bankruptcy case was dismissed after Forte failed to make required reports and fees.

By 2020, Forte was 48 and unemployed, with no income to cover his court-ordered child support, according to an affidavit. “I am currently trying to get sponsors for new events,” Forte wrote.

His fortunes changed after the election. Forte was approached by Chris Widener, a motivational speaker who was veering from business into politics, with video blog posts echoing Trump’s false claims of mass fraud. In an interview with the far-right broadcaster OAN, Widener said he wanted to create an event that would give solace to downtrodden Trump supporters.

“They’re deplorable, they’re racist, they’re sexist, xenophobic, transphobic — they’ve been beaten up for five years,” he said. “Wouldn’t it be amazing if we did some rallies around the country, and got conservatives together, so that folks could look around and say, ‘I’m not alone.’”

The tour debuted in October in Jacksonville, Fla. The stop near Memphis on June 18 was the seventh so far, with another planned in Milwaukee in August.

Trump’s speeches at the events are often shorter than his signature political rallies. In addition to Trump, his son, Donald Trump Jr., and other right-wing stars such as pardoned author Dinesh D’Souza and Pinal County, Ariz., sheriff Mark Lamb, the tour has featured speakers offering investment advice and promoting personal finance courses.

The Fort Lauderdale event, for instance, featured Bob Kittell, a professional speaker who teaches memory-improvement techniques. He declined to comment. Melanie Cimino D’Angelo, a retired real estate agent who attended the event, said she and her husband paid about $100 for the follow-up financial seminar but couldn’t afford the six-month financial coaching course, which she recalled costing thousands of dollars. “It was crazy, I don’t think they got too many people,” she said. “If we could afford to venture into it further, they gave us a lot of good information.”

Ward, the tour’s spokesman, said the programs “come with a 100 percent money-back-guarantee.”

At the tour stop near Memphis, Widener’s vision connected with 18-year-old Maddie Cummings, a barista starting community college in the fall. Cummings said she wasn’t able to openly voice her opinions at work without leading to conflict and wanted to attend the event because “you’re spending the day with people who have the same thoughts as you.” Her grandfather, Robert Edwards, of Hernando, Miss., bought tickets after seeing an ad on the highway, for between $50 and $200 each.

The event was staffed by unpaid volunteers who got to watch the speeches free. Ronni Schwartz, 57, from Marianna, Ark., who chairs her county’s Republican women’s club, said Trump inspired her to run for justice of the peace. Schwartz said she wanted to be able to tell her grandchildren, “I did everything possible to try to save us,” she said. “I pray that we save us and that we can do this. … That’s what Trump has taught me.”

Schwartz came with Lindsey Palmer, who serves as election commissioner in Lee County, Ark. Palmer declined to say if she thought the 2020 election was stolen. “I think there was something going on,” she said.

Forte has embraced his new political persona. At the Memphis event, he declared, “There is no right and left anymore. There is right and wrong.”

 

[fundiewatch]

Wow. There are some really stupid, really entrenched Trumpers out there. Yikes on bikes! Thanks for the share. 

[GreyhoundFan]

[GreyhoundFan]

My eyes hurt from rolling at TFG. It's pitiful that his sheeple just adore his crap.

 

[Ozlsn]

 

[GreyhoundFan]

Poor widdle TFG had a sad because he was banned from twitter.

 

[47of74]

Awwww, fuck face and his buddies had to cancel their Friday bund meeting

Quote

Former President Donald Trump and a host of Republican personalities have canceled their scheduled appearances Friday in Greensboro.

News of the cancellation comes as Axios reports Trump, his son, Donald Trump Jr., and his daughter, Ivanka Trump, have been scheduled to testify under oath Friday in an investigation into Trump’s finances.

The American Freedom Tour had announced in May appearances in Greensboro by Trump, Trump Jr., television news personality Kimberly Guilfoyle, former New York state judge Jeanine Pirro, Pinal County (Arizona) Sheriff Mark Lamb and political commentator Dinesh D’Souza.

The American Freedom Tour did not publicize that the event would no longer take place Friday, but quietly removed it from its website. Tickets for the event initially sold for $9 to $3,955.

I hope they're using paper plates at Malware-a-tugjob today.

[AlmostSavedAtTacoBell]

1 hour ago, GreyhoundFan said:

Poor widdle TFG had a sad because he was banned from twitter.

 

It warms the cockles of my cold, petty bitch heart to know that being banned from Twitter upsets him so very much.  He can dish it out like two scoops of ice cream but he really is so thin skinned.  This quote just proves that he really does lose his mind over people criticizing him.  

[47of74]

1 hour ago, AlmostSavedAtTacoBell said:

It warms the cockles of my cold, petty bitch heart to know that being banned from Twitter upsets him so very much.  He can dish it out like two scoops of ice cream but he really is so thin skinned.  This quote just proves that he really does lose his mind over people criticizing him.  

It's probably why fuck face is so mad at Elon now.  He thought Elon would slide right on in there and give him his twitter account back then he would be free to say or do what he wanted and Elon would never allow him to be banned again.  So my cardiac unit is all aglow whenever fuck face is upset.