"Charlie Kirk. . .was a missionary with a noble spirit and a great, great purpose. He did not hate his opponents. He wanted the best for them. That’s where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent. And I don’t want the best for them."I believe the big news in America is the invisible change happening amid the daily news drama. A big chill is underway.
President Trump at Charlie Kirk memorial service
Trump moved the goalposts. The consequences for getting this wrong are huge.
We got back-to-back messages from Trump in the past two days. The speech at Charlie Kirk's service came right after a Truth Social post that was a direct message to Attorney General Pam Bondi.
“Pam: I have reviewed over 30 statements and posts saying that, essentially, ‘same old story as last time, all talk, no action. Nothing is being done. What about Comey, Adam ‘Shifty’ Schiff, Leticia??? They’re all guilty as hell, but nothing is going to be done.’"
He told her he wanted indictments and prosecutions. Trump complained that U.S. Attorney Erik Seibert found insufficient evidence to indict Leticia James on mortgage fraud charges. Trump called him a "woke RINO." Trump said, "I fired him, and there is a GREAT CASE." Trump concluded with "JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!! "
-- Immigrants, even ones who have lived and worked here for years
-- The media, and not just opinion writers.
-- Politicians, even Republicans
-- Businesses -- every single one.
-- Every person who has ever contributed to a campaign, signed a petition, has their name on a political sign-up list, or posted on social media.
-- Even, and maybe especially, members of Trump's Cabinet and top appointees. They must not be less loyal or obedient than someone in the next office.
Trump has demonstrated that old boundaries don't apply. Doing what was normal, ethical, and required in 2024 may make you a target in 2025. And the consequences are meaningful; you can be fired, defunded, or prosecuted.
Prudent people are seeking safe harbor. Having been exactly legal under the old rules is not a defense. The rules changed. And Trump hates his opponents.
Surely some people can relax. American-born citizens have the protection of the law. Right? But Trump suggested that sometimes-critic Rosie O'Donnell, a U.S. citizen born in New York, might have her U.S. citizenship taken away. She made an error. She came to Trump's attention.
People are considering where to find safe harbor in the new America. It requires a calculation of duty versus prudence. Trump isn't hard to understand. Getting along in a Trump world isn't easy, but it is simple: Don't anger or disappoint Trump. Anticipate his wishes. If you can do it without totally abandoning your principles, go along. Obey in advance.
He only hates his enemies. He rewards his friends, especially generous ones. Be a friend.
[Note: To get daily delivery of this blog to your email go to: https://petersage.substack.com. Subscribe. Don't pay. The blog is free and always will be.]
6 comments:
A prominent Trump official was caught, apparently on tape, soliciting a bribe. For fear of political backlash, (I can't think of any other reason) the Biden DOJ held off, probably thinking to wait until after the election, which if you remember was in the bag. Now the story has been made public and it's not even one news cycle. Lucky guy. LOOK OVER HERE! ANOTHER COVER UP. ANYTHING TO DISTRACT FROM EPSTEIN. MAXWELL EMAILS PROVE SHE LIED AS IF WE EVEN NEEDED THEM. AN AMBASSADOR FIRED IN DISGRACE AS THE ROYALS PRETEND. WHO ARE THE "EPSTEIN 20"??
Another notable quote from the Kirk memorial was Stephen Miller’s comment, “We are the storm!” For those who don’t remember, The Storm was an event predicted by Qanon: the mass arrest of satanic pedophiles. Hopefully, that will include Trump.
Saying something politically incorrect can get you fired from your job, if it's caught on camera. This has been true for at least a decade. Social media loves a good Karen hunt.
Under Trump, 'politically correct' has changed. Now a nasty comment about Charlie Kirk can get you fired, your life ruined overnight. Better be alert to the new rules.
Be alert to the new rules, i.e. woke? You'd need to have blinders on, or be wearing a Handmaid's Tale bonnet, not to see how much more extreme things have gotten under t-Rump. Nothing in the past decade compares to what Peter describes here. The McCarthy hearings come close, and the trial of the Chicago Seven, but nothing since.
Trump is not the first president to get into a pissing match with a celebrity. I will never forgive Obama for taunting Trump into running for president, with Obama's comedian act at the White House Correspondents dinner.
Trump, the birther movement's big blowhard, asked for it and he got it. It was a classic. It wasn't Obama who made Trump president; it was Republicans.
Post a Comment