Great news reporting,as usual. Organized and factual which paints a fair picture, like it or not. However, I’m confused about this statement: “The fight against ‘wokeness’ has largely already been won, even without government action.” In what ways? You mean the removal of webpages honoring women and people of color, banning of books, etc? Very curious about what you mean. Or, maybe I am just reading this all wrong. Thank you.
Fireside Chats : I remember my mother telling me about them and that Americans, at least some of them, listened consistently. To a large degree, they lent support and hope.
Isn’t it interesting to see how our social media comments from the White House are not about support and hope at all. They are about bragging revenge and criticism. This is very symbolic I think.
Excellent analysis. Thank you. You showed that Trump doesn’t plan or think deeply (in fact he thinks very little; he isn’t very smart.) His primary strength is bullying. Unfortunately he has intimidated most of the folks and institutions that could slow or stop him.
I'm wondering what Tulsi Gabbard is doing. Trump can't stop the world's fighting wars and Pete Hegseth is openly announcing aggression by this administration. He was supposed to bring peace to Ukraine on his first day. She was supposed to be all about peace. Remember trumpsters putting out the political signs when Tulsi went their way (peace not war)?
Brilliant- love the part that that points out that Trump has gotten a lot of attention but diminishing support.
I also really appreciate the seven points of major news that has occurred. What I hate is how many things make headlines that were actually only “fun ideas“ but never got followed up — Adds to confusion of course.
An excellent report, Gabe. Now the question is when the Republican elected officials will find Trump's numbers negative enough for them to push back...finally.
Though no one is talking about I think what we are starting to see with blacks, Hispanics and younger people is the pocket book issue. Trump promised relief and it isn’t happening
Now if the Democrats can figure that out and go after it.
It’s about the economy stupid It’s about the left behinds stupid
I read this article with great interest and many Yes!'s in thought balloons. Equally interesting, though, is what ISN'T being covered, or is being soft-pedaled. Pretending that this is still a democracy and that we could vote on whether we should put hotels up in Gaza, attack the Houthis, annex Canada, buy Greenland -- let's have a show of hands. Yeah. I doubt that "dementia" and "meshuga" have ever been translated in so many languages in any previous President's first 100 days. Also, the mainstream media seem unwilling to comment on glaring irony (militant defense of borders while selling "Make the World Trumpland"), questionable appropriateness of giving war advice to Putin using Truth Social, questionable appropriateness of assessing tariffs "instinctively", when those same business instincts resulted in bankruptcy, not once, but six times. In my reading (admittedly, not exhaustive), there has been little attention paid to "why" questions. (Your column is often an exception that proves the rule, Mr. Fleisher.) For example, why is Elon Musk entitled to know what I had for lunch? In medical practice, any procedure must be explained; explanation must include rationale, potential complications, alternative options. Yet with ZERO explanation or solicitation of consent, I can have my children's inheritance amputated from my investment portfolio by someone who believes that drinking bleach cures Covid. Hell, yes, I'm yippy.
Excellent analysis, Gabe. Thank you. I have been trying to keep up with news that is not about Trump. I’ll scan headlines to get an idea of what is going on, but unless Trump “shoots someone on 5th Avenue” I’ll move on. Where’s FDR when you need him?
If I may answer: 1. Yes but it generally pales in comparison and importance to the news Trump creates. 2. No, but all the news channels are reporting on Trump's 100 days, some spending all week on it.
"[I]t is hard to describe an enduring political project his policies are trying to cohere around."
It's not so hard. The following is not a description I would ask you to make, but I would describe Trump's enduring political project as "the wrecking of the United States of America."
Honest question - do you genuinely think that’s Trump’s *goal*? As in, that’s the outcome he’s trying to pursue? And what would he have to gain (personally, politically, on behalf of his legacy, his movement, etc) if so?
I honestly don't know. I wish I did, and I like to think that I want to live long enough to find out.
I won't dive into any of the rabbit holes regarding his motives, his personality, or any debts he may have incurred or may believe he has incurred over the years. You are no stranger to the subject of the phenomenon that is the ascendancy of Donald Trump, and you are clear-eyed and stable of judgment.
Through wanting to avoid stepping into any traps of speculation, I find I may have maneuvered myself into a position of not being able to provide any more helpful a response to your question. So I'll try this -- I think he wants his name displayed in big letters on big buildings. I think he wants people -- many people, even all people -- to publicly make it known to him that he is smart and clever and strong and successful and always right. He may be willing to do whatever he thinks he has to do or can get away with to maintain at least a public display of immense personal wealth. I don't think he has any conception of a political legacy, or even cares about the subject.
Great news reporting,as usual. Organized and factual which paints a fair picture, like it or not. However, I’m confused about this statement: “The fight against ‘wokeness’ has largely already been won, even without government action.” In what ways? You mean the removal of webpages honoring women and people of color, banning of books, etc? Very curious about what you mean. Or, maybe I am just reading this all wrong. Thank you.
Fireside Chats : I remember my mother telling me about them and that Americans, at least some of them, listened consistently. To a large degree, they lent support and hope.
Isn’t it interesting to see how our social media comments from the White House are not about support and hope at all. They are about bragging revenge and criticism. This is very symbolic I think.
Excellent analysis. Thank you. You showed that Trump doesn’t plan or think deeply (in fact he thinks very little; he isn’t very smart.) His primary strength is bullying. Unfortunately he has intimidated most of the folks and institutions that could slow or stop him.
Can it get any worse? Unfortunately yes!
I'm wondering what Tulsi Gabbard is doing. Trump can't stop the world's fighting wars and Pete Hegseth is openly announcing aggression by this administration. He was supposed to bring peace to Ukraine on his first day. She was supposed to be all about peace. Remember trumpsters putting out the political signs when Tulsi went their way (peace not war)?
Brilliant- love the part that that points out that Trump has gotten a lot of attention but diminishing support.
I also really appreciate the seven points of major news that has occurred. What I hate is how many things make headlines that were actually only “fun ideas“ but never got followed up — Adds to confusion of course.
By the August recess Trump will have either course corrected or doomed any bright prospects for November, 2025. He has time, but not much of it.
As usual, excellent unbiased analysis. I appreciate this SO much. I have received your newsletter since you started it as a teenager.
An excellent report, Gabe. Now the question is when the Republican elected officials will find Trump's numbers negative enough for them to push back...finally.
I was curious about this as well - how low does his approval or in this case disapproval rate need to be before they finally take a stand.
Well put.
Though no one is talking about I think what we are starting to see with blacks, Hispanics and younger people is the pocket book issue. Trump promised relief and it isn’t happening
Now if the Democrats can figure that out and go after it.
It’s about the economy stupid It’s about the left behinds stupid
I read this article with great interest and many Yes!'s in thought balloons. Equally interesting, though, is what ISN'T being covered, or is being soft-pedaled. Pretending that this is still a democracy and that we could vote on whether we should put hotels up in Gaza, attack the Houthis, annex Canada, buy Greenland -- let's have a show of hands. Yeah. I doubt that "dementia" and "meshuga" have ever been translated in so many languages in any previous President's first 100 days. Also, the mainstream media seem unwilling to comment on glaring irony (militant defense of borders while selling "Make the World Trumpland"), questionable appropriateness of giving war advice to Putin using Truth Social, questionable appropriateness of assessing tariffs "instinctively", when those same business instincts resulted in bankruptcy, not once, but six times. In my reading (admittedly, not exhaustive), there has been little attention paid to "why" questions. (Your column is often an exception that proves the rule, Mr. Fleisher.) For example, why is Elon Musk entitled to know what I had for lunch? In medical practice, any procedure must be explained; explanation must include rationale, potential complications, alternative options. Yet with ZERO explanation or solicitation of consent, I can have my children's inheritance amputated from my investment portfolio by someone who believes that drinking bleach cures Covid. Hell, yes, I'm yippy.
Excellent analysis, Gabe. Thank you. I have been trying to keep up with news that is not about Trump. I’ll scan headlines to get an idea of what is going on, but unless Trump “shoots someone on 5th Avenue” I’ll move on. Where’s FDR when you need him?
Serious questions, not snark:
1. Does non-trump news still happen?
2. Is WUTP now Wake Up To All Things Trump?
Thanks for your time.
If I may answer: 1. Yes but it generally pales in comparison and importance to the news Trump creates. 2. No, but all the news channels are reporting on Trump's 100 days, some spending all week on it.
"[I]t is hard to describe an enduring political project his policies are trying to cohere around."
It's not so hard. The following is not a description I would ask you to make, but I would describe Trump's enduring political project as "the wrecking of the United States of America."
Honest question - do you genuinely think that’s Trump’s *goal*? As in, that’s the outcome he’s trying to pursue? And what would he have to gain (personally, politically, on behalf of his legacy, his movement, etc) if so?
I honestly don't know. I wish I did, and I like to think that I want to live long enough to find out.
I won't dive into any of the rabbit holes regarding his motives, his personality, or any debts he may have incurred or may believe he has incurred over the years. You are no stranger to the subject of the phenomenon that is the ascendancy of Donald Trump, and you are clear-eyed and stable of judgment.
Through wanting to avoid stepping into any traps of speculation, I find I may have maneuvered myself into a position of not being able to provide any more helpful a response to your question. So I'll try this -- I think he wants his name displayed in big letters on big buildings. I think he wants people -- many people, even all people -- to publicly make it known to him that he is smart and clever and strong and successful and always right. He may be willing to do whatever he thinks he has to do or can get away with to maintain at least a public display of immense personal wealth. I don't think he has any conception of a political legacy, or even cares about the subject.