No Adults In The Room
This is what having "no adults in the room" looks like. This is what a president surrounding himself with yes-men (and a few yes-women) while firing anyone who tells him "No" truly looks like. Donald Trump is president, but it now appears he doesn't just want to be a king, he wants to be an emperor. He wants to revive the American empire worldwide by the addition of several properties (by force, if necessary). His new bright idea was unveiled last night -- he now wants to own the Gaza Strip. It wouldn't become the 51st American state, but more like the 54th (behind Canada, Greenland, and the Panama Canal, assumably). This idea is so bonkers it staggers the imagination just to even consider it. But, because the president of the United States introduced it, people now have to think about it.
Last night, at a joint press conference with Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump proposed evacuating Gaza (using the U.S. military to do so, if necessary) and displacing the approximately two million Palestinians living there to other countries, where they can "live out their lives in peace and harmony." The U.S. would then clear all the rubble and turn it into "the Riviera of the Middle East" and build lots of big beautiful buildings (and, assumably, a few golf courses, because why not?). Then "the world's people" (those who can afford to buy apartments in the new big, beautiful high-rises, assumably) will be able to move in and it "could be so magnificent."
This would amount to ethnic cleansing, of course, and would be breaking international law. It would be a war crime, plain and simple. Not that Trump cares about such niceties, but others still do. And the U.S. would actually own Gaza from that point on, meaning all the profits would be for those who built all those big, beautiful buildings. It's a real estate developer's childlike view of the world, in essence. Move the people out (by force, if necessary), bulldoze the rubble, get rid of the unexploded bombs, and built on the ashes. Then sit back and make lots of money off the whole scheme.
Because this is such a stunning (and stunningly insane) thing to propose, I searched out a transcript of the press conference because I think it's important for people to read exactly what Trump had to say about it (this is an unofficial transcript from the media, since the official transcript has not been posted on the White House website yet):
I also strongly believe that the Gaza Strip, which has been a symbol of death and destruction for so many decades and so bad for the people anywhere near it, and especially those who live there and frankly who's been really very unlucky. It's been very unlucky. It's been an unlucky place for a long time.
Being in its presence just has not been good and it should not go through a process of rebuilding and occupation by the same people that have really stood there and fought for it and lived there and died there and lived a miserable existence there. Instead, we should go to other countries of interest with humanitarian hearts, and there are many of them that want to do this and build various domains that will ultimately be occupied by the million Palestinians living in Gaza, ending the death and destruction and frankly bad luck.
This can be paid for by neighboring countries of great wealth. It could be one, two, three, four, five, seven, eight, twelve. It could be numerous sites, or it could be one large site. But the people will be able to live in comfort and peace and we'll get -- we'll make sure something really spectacular is done.
They're going to have peace; they're not going to be shot at and killed and destroyed like this civilization of wonderful people has had to endure. The only reason the Palestinians want to go back to Gaza is they have no alternative. It's right now a demolition site. This is just a demolition site. Virtually every building is down.
They're living under fallen concrete that's very dangerous and very precarious. They instead can occupy all of a beautiful area with homes and safety and they can live out their lives in peace and harmony instead of having to go back and do it again. The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip and we will do a job with it too.
We'll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site, level the site and get rid of the destroyed buildings, level it out. Create an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for the people of the area. Do a real job, do something different.
Just can't go back. If you go back, it's going to end up the same way it has for years. I'm hopeful that this ceasefire could be the beginning of a larger and more enduring peace that will end the bloodshed and killing once and for all. With the same goal in mind, my administration has been moving quickly to restore trust in the alliance and rebuild American strength throughout the region and we've really done that.
At this point, Trump was asked by a reporter whether the U.S. would "send [American] troops to secure the security vacuum." Here was his response:
As far as Gaza is concerned, we will do what is necessary.
If it's necessary, we'll do that. We're going to take over that peace and we're going to develop it, create thousands and thousands of jobs. And it will be something that the entire Middle East can be very proud of.
But everybody feels that continuing the same process that's gone on forever over and over again and then it starts and then the killing starts, and all of the other problems start, and you end up in the same place and we don't want to see that happen. So, by the United States, with its stability and strength, owning it, especially the strength that we're developing and developed over the last fairly short period of time, I would say really since the election, I think we'll be a great keeper of something that is very, very strong, very powerful and very, very good for the area, not just for Israel, for the entire Middle East.
It's very important and we'll again have thousands of jobs. And there will be jobs for everyone, not for a specific group of people, but for everybody.
Trump then got the most intelligent question of the session: "Mr. President, you are outlining something that is really quite striking. You are talking about... you are talking tonight about the United States taking over a sovereign territory. What authority would allow you to do that? Are you talking about a permanent occupation there, redevelopment?"
So Trump went ahead and clarified:
I do see a long-term ownership position and I see it bringing great stability to that part of the Middle East, and maybe the entire Middle East. And everybody I've spoken to - this was not a decision made lightly. Everybody I've spoken to loves the idea of the United States owning that piece of land, developing and creating thousands of jobs with something that will be magnificent in a really magnificent area that nobody would know.
Nobody can look because all they see is death and destruction and rubble and demolished buildings falling all over. It's just a terrible, terrible sight. I've studied it -- I've studied this very closely over a lot of months, and I've seen it from every different angle. And it's a very, very dangerous place to be and it's only going to get worse. And I think this is an idea that's gotten tremendous -- and I'm talking about from the highest level of leadership, gotten tremendous praise.
And if the United States can help to bring stability and peace in the Middle East, we'll do that.
That's the heart of it. Trump did say one more thing worth noting, that is nothing short of delusional (unless he's just talking about Netanyahu and other extreme-right leaders in Israel):
I can tell you, I spoke to other leaders of countries in the Middle East and they love the idea. They say it would really bring stability and what we need is stability.
Since Trump floated this grand scheme, it has been pretty universally condemned by all other world leaders -- especially those in the Middle East. Even one "longtime Trump advisor" anonymously told Axios last night: "He's moving the goal posts on crazy." Sounds about right.
Today, his White House press secretary walked back major parts of Trump's harebrained and half-baked idea:
It's been very made very clear to the president, that the United States needs to be involved in this rebuilding effort, to ensure stability in the region for all people. But that does not mean boots on the ground in Gaza. It does not mean American taxpayers will be funding this effort.
She also walked back (or "refined" to be charitable) the idea of clearing all the Palestinians out, saying they would only need to be "temporarily relocated" -- even though Trump talked of moving them all out so that "they could live out their lives in peace and harmony" in their new "beautiful area."
In Trump's first term in office, he did have advisors who knew the state of the world, and international and domestic law, and were grounded in reality. They're all gone now. So when Trump gets a bee in his bonnet, nobody's there to tell him: "Uh, Mr. President, with all due respect, that would be a monumentally stupid idea." Nobody's going to threaten to make a big public stink by resigning and then telling the media precisely why they're resigning. Trump dreaming up some grandiose (and completely unworkable) pipe dream is only going to result in lots of people telling him: "Wow, that's a great idea! You're such a genius! Why hasn't anybody else thought of that before now?!?"
Welcome to Week 3 of Trump's second term. This won't be the last time this sort of thing happens. With no adults left in the room, Trump's inner child will roam free. Maybe next time (since he seems to have gone full-expansionist "rebuild the American empire" now) he'll get the idea for the American military to take Cuba back. Or the Philippines. At this point, it wouldn't surprise me in the least.
-- Chris Weigant
Follow Chris on Twitter: @ChrisWeigant
I'm sure you're right about the Philippines. They're next.
But more seriously, I just don't know what to make of this Gaza nonsense. I didn't read the transcripts you provided - I make a point of never reading or watching anything he says, since his discourse and appearance drive me crazy with the lies, B.S., and then more lies - but I've read the summaries you give and the press elsewhere of this Gaza project. Ethnic cleansing, a virtual Palestinian holocaust, and then Miami Beach on the Med, with the usual profits for all his friends and family (got ya, Jared!): the developers and grifters of the monied set.
It's insane. And as you say there's no longer any pushback from his own staff or supporters - only from his opponents.
Where is this going to go? Nowhere, as the press secretary tried to pretend? Or onward as a constant presidential talking point and project, that still never goes anywhere because it's actually impossible, like the Wall The Mexicans Will Pay For in the first Trump term?
How infinitely depressing. Gah.
A con job.
I have heard quite a few takes on this asinine Trump drivel and spew, claiming it is 3-D chess (heh) and all manner of other laughable asinine theories, but I suspect -- combined with the obvious fact that Trump has made a career out of bullshitting a multitude of people for his own monetary gain -- this is Trump's longstanding coveting of fame/recognition via a Nobel peace prize.
Yesterday, Trump floated the asinine fantasy to "take over Gaza" and "own Gaza" to Netanyahu, and today he introduced the idea of a "nuclear peace agreement" to Iran, among other things.
Connect the dots between those things and Netanyahu's longstanding desire for some American bunker busters to be dropped on Iran via US and his current "negotiations" with Trump and the inevitable blowing of smoke up his orange ass that this would entail, and I suspect Trump is coveting that Nobel peace prize and being played like the incompetent fool he's proven himself to be when he's nothing if not transparent and infinitely predictable. Nothing new.
nixon's madman strategy at work. all it takes is a real madman.
Because this is such a stunning (and stunningly insane) thing to propose, I searched out a transcript of the press conference because I think it's important for people to read exactly what Trump had to say about it (this is an unofficial transcript from the media, since the official transcript has not been posted on the White House website yet):
In other words, it's simply an INTERPRETATION of what PRESIDENT Trump said by those with a Trump/America/Israel hating agenda..
In a *REAL* "reality based" forum, we would wait for the actual official transcript of what was actually really said.. :eyeroll:
Even one "longtime Trump advisor" anonymously told Axios last night: "He's moving the goal posts on crazy." Sounds about right.
If it was anonymously, how do you know it really is a "longtime Trump advisor"..
:eyeroll:
Reminds me of the time when some "high level administration" official put out an Op Ed in the NY SLIMES that you Trump/America haters got yer panties in a bunch.. Turned out it was just some random ignorant flunkie in a broom closet some where.. :eyeroll:
But, it says what Trump/America haters suffering from PTDS wants to hear, so it's gospel.. :eyeroll:
Welcome to the subjective reality of Trump/America hate...
"Reality can be whatever {we} want it to be"
-Thanos
:eyeroll:
With no adults left in the room, Trump's inner child will roam free.
Considering the complete and utter INEPTITUDE and INCOMPETENCE of the Basement Biden/Headboard Harris junta, do you REALLY want to bring up "adults in the room"??
REALLY???
:eyeroll:
Yunno, there is a REASON why Democrats got so utterly DECIMATED and DESTROYED in the 2024 election...
I'm just sayin'....
In other words, it's simply an INTERPRETATION of what PRESIDENT Trump said by those with a Trump/America/Israel hating agenda..
You know, the link also has the full video as well as the unofficial transcript. Point out this misquoting, or do you not back up your accusations?
In a *REAL* "reality based" forum, we would wait for the actual official transcript of what was actually really said..
You mean wait for the sane washed version to appear in your echo chamber if the white house bothers to post the transcript at all...
Ah yes, the first edge lord and shadow president is pushing corruption to unprecedented levels:
Alleged USAID Probe Into Starlink Raises Elon Musk Conflict Concerns
In other words, it's simply an INTERPRETATION of what PRESIDENT Trump said by those with a Trump/America/Israel hating agenda..
Does somebody need the simple English word "transcript" explained? Rhetorical question.
While a transcript definitely is not an "interpretation," the prattling claptrap of a right-wingnut lickspittle and Party slave definitely fits that definition.
This is an A+, top-notch, America First Plan. Should bring the price of eggs right down and improve the lives of all Americans. Let's do it! Everybody loves this idea.
Let’s make Gaza the Egg Capitol of the wooorld! USA! USA!
regarding this week's agency blitz, apparently it was someone from USAID who blew the whistle on Donald's perfect 2019 conversation with zelenskyi. no idea if that was a cause, a pretext, or neither.
regardless, i really am surprised.
[10] nypoet22:
Ah. This, along with the information from other quarters that USAID/South Africa had a visible role in financing projects that promoting social, political, and economic change through peaceful means, thus helping end Apartheid has enraged Elno, so that's a double whammy against them.
Here's a short cut-and paste from Mission to South Africa, by Timothy Bork, in the archives of USAID.
I'm sure that it is mere coincidence that the laws enabling Apartheid were repealed in 1990 and Elno arrived in the US in 1992 to overstay his visa and become and American citizen. Heaven forfend that something like the USAID efforts in South Africa should happen here.
@mv,
Elno arrived in the US in 1992 to overstay his visa and become and American citizen.
Melakon was an illegal immigrant?
nypoet22
10
regarding this week's agency blitz, apparently it was someone from USAID who blew the whistle on Donald's perfect 2019 conversation with zelenskyi. no idea if that was a cause, a pretext, or neither.
regardless, i really am surprised.
So it appears people are talking now, and the cat -- which definitely is a leopard, as in the "Leopard Eating People's Faces Party" -- is being let out of the bag.
The whistleblower in Impeachment I (not to be confused with Impeachment II) was at the time a CIA intelligence analyst. He composed his original "song" in a form easily recognizable as the handiwork of a trained agent:
Whistleblower Report (now public record)
His name is easily searchable on the Internet; however, I will not repeat it here. Last I heard, he was senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
[12] nypoet22:
Had to look up Melakon, but he sems to be an eerily good fit. Thanks for that.
Here's a gift link to the source information Elon Musk, enemy of ‘open borders,’ launched his career working illegally.
The short version that I have cribbed pretty much word for word from the above is that Elno arrived in Palo Alto in 1995 for a graduate degree program at Stanford University, but never enrolled in courses. Instead, he founded a company, Zip2, which later sold for about $300 million. Not attending classes left Musk without a legal basis to remain in the United States, according to immigration experts — a fact that was discovered by Zip2 investors, who gave Musk and his co-founders 45 days to obtain legal work status. An immigration attorney advised Zip2’s co-founders to downplay their leadership role with the company and scrub their résumés of U.S. addresses that might suggest they were already living and working in the United States, according to documents obtained by The Post. The attorney also advised Musk to obtain passport-size photos and apply to the U.S. “visa lottery.”
[Elno] has said he had a J-1 student visa before landing a specialized worker temporary visa called an H-1B. However, he has declined to answer questions about exactly how and when he obtained the work visa. [Elno] has never publicly acknowledged his period of illegal status, conceding only that he lived for a time in an immigration “gray area.” But his visa issues could raise separate questions for his security clearance, which he holds as the CEO and founder of SpaceX, an aerospace company with billions of dollars in federal contracts.
“At a minimum, a determination that he had been less than truthful with immigration authorities would absolutely be something that security authorities could separately consider as casting doubt on his trustworthiness and good judgment,” Bradley Moss, a lawyer who works in security clearance law, wrote in an email. “If his name was anything but Elon Musk,” Moss said, “the odds are his security clearance would more than likely face revocation under those circumstances.” "
MyVoice
8
This is an A+, top-notch, America First Plan. Should bring the price of eggs right down and improve the lives of all Americans. Let's do it! Everybody loves this idea.
We all love this idea. Don't you just adore little words that mean ginormous things? But I digress. All the world cannot stop themselves from talking about how genius this is. What better way to bring peace to the Middle East than some good old fashioned ethnic cleansing?
"He Who Must Not Be Named" would be so proud.
Reached for comment, the Norwegians on the committee who select the Nobel laureates could not stop themselves from exclaiming in unison: It's dynamite!
@mv,
you started the anagram thing first, I just sorta took it a bit outside the lines.
[16] nypoet22:
Wow, I still have my Anagrams set from my childhood. I love that game. The cover looked just like this one: Anagrams. Like polished ebony those tiles are!
[15] Kick:
I was sure you were going to say that the entire committee for selecting the "Noble" laureates simultaneously lost bladder control while laughing, because they can't even. Oh, well, can't win every time.
I will be first in line for one of those $2 aeroplane tickets for the groundbreaking of the Riviera of the Middle East. Maybe I can score one of those golden shovels.
nypoet22
16
you started the anagram thing first, I just sorta took it a bit outside the lines.
Yes, but, as to your description of it being "a bit outside the lines," your comparison of that South African Stanford "student" here on a J-1 visa (but who never enrolled in classes there) to Deputy Führer Melakon was dead-on accurate and dare I say brilliant.
The hypocrisy of it all is the thing... the scapegoating of illegal immigrants while actually being illegal immigrants themselves along with members of their families being illegal immigrants... Trump's wife from Slovenia overstaying her tourist visa and working in the United States without authorization (illegal), Felon with a J-1 visa not attending Stanford (therefore illegal as no legal authorization to remain in the United States) but instead began working on his startup (also illegal as no legal authorization to work in the United States), Felon's South African brother who admitted to illegally entering via Canada under false pretenses (illegal) and then joining his brother in working in the United States illegally.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/stuartanderson/2024/10/27/what-elon-musk-working-illegally-says-about-the-immigration-system/
But, hey, they gave the gullible rubes a scapegoat and "somebody to look down on" so they're distracted from noticing their icons and family fit the description.
They're also quite fond of scapegoating the "elites" while actually being the elites -- as if wearing an imported cheap hat from China erases it -- and then they laugh all the way to the bank.
MyVoice
18
I was sure you were going to say that the entire committee for selecting the "Noble" laureates simultaneously lost bladder control while laughing, because they can't even. Oh, well, can't win every time.
Well, it was sarcasm along with a pun. Dynamite wasn't always considered to mean "outstanding" and far from it. Recall that the naive Alfred Nobel who invented it (and the Nobel prizes in his will) believed that when the carnage from his invention was released, his dynamite might bring a swift end to wars.
I will be first in line for one of those $2 aeroplane tickets for the groundbreaking of the Riviera of the Middle East.
Well, back during the American Revolutionary War when the Continental Army "manned the air, it rammed the ramparts, it took over the airports," that was the cost of an aeroplane ticket.
Maybe I can score one of those golden shovels.
Better to get yourself a broom because:
(1) you can rake the forest with it and stop fires,
(2) you can fly on it for free, and
(3) no high speed rail for you! ;)