Tuesday, June 17, 2025

'This is the looting of America'

Ed Pilkington: Bitcoin, internet, EVs, private dinners for hire - the list of pay-for-play and quid quo pro goes on, and on ... and on

Posted by reinheitsgebot at 07:33 AM | 45 COMMENTS | permalink

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Trump's family has launched yet another unscrupulous cash grab, attempting to profit off the current president's name and public image: Trump Mobile, a wireless phone service.[image or embed]

-- Rolling Stone (@rollingstone.com) Jun 16, 2025 at 11:41 AM

Comments

Great article, full of well researched facts, things that are important to those of us who value a government that is not corrupted by grift.
When Putin came into power in Russia, one of the first things he did, was let the billionaire caste loot the treasury of the old Soviet Empire. They gave some to the people, but the rich were the only ones with the money to buy up all those "stocks", and so the people became, one again, the serfs to a dictator Czar.

#1 | Posted by Hughmass at 2025-06-17 08:05 AM

One of the most glaring obvious traits of Donald, aside from being a Liar, is that he's a Thief.

I've noted this many times before but I'm still amazed by it----

MAGA just doesn't seem to mind that he steals from them.

They'd shoot a black kid in the back for fleeing with a six-pack of beer.

But they allow Trump is cart off hundreds of millions.

There is a very deep and very mysterious insanity to this.

#2 | Posted by Zed at 2025-06-17 08:10 AM

This is the Amerikkka that MAGAts want.

#3 | Posted by Angrydad at 2025-06-17 08:14 AM

"I ain't got no medical insurance but at least I gots a shotgun."

You're being robbed blind.

#4 | Posted by lee_the_agent at 2025-06-17 08:20 AM

It's a massive transfer of wealth to $#!++y peple at home and globally

#5 | Posted by hamburglar at 2025-06-17 08:29 AM

And this was also warned of during the election.

But the rubes believed Trump anyway.

'He REALLY loves America! More than the DemonRats!!'

Can't fix that level of stupid.

#6 | Posted by jpw at 2025-06-17 08:39 AM

I don't ever want to hear about Hunter Biden again.

#7 | Posted by Nixon at 2025-06-17 08:40 AM

re: #7 Nixon

Politics for MAGA is blaring with airhorns about made up infractions regarding their opponent, while laughing off blatant criminality by their team

#8 | Posted by hamburglar at 2025-06-17 08:45 AM

'He REALLY loves America! More than the DemonRats!!'

He's going to end the war in Ukraine on day 1
He's going to end the bloodshed in Gaza on day 1
Grocery prices are going to come down bigly on day 1
Rent is going to come down on day 1
Gas is going to come down on day 1

It never ceases to amaze me the number of people that buy into such obvious --------.

#9 | Posted by Nixon at 2025-06-17 09:08 AM

It never ceases to amaze me the number of people that buy into such obvious --------.

#9 | POSTED BY NIXON

I've concluded that as long as Trump is an adequate vehicle for racism they will support him.

#10 | Posted by Zed at 2025-06-17 09:21 AM

America was looted long ago, 2008 bailout, 2009 omnibus bill, 2020 Covid relief, 2021 Covid relief part deux, the Inflation reduction act.

#11 | Posted by Bluewaffles at 2025-06-17 09:34 AM

#11 | Posted by Bluewaffles

So all that status quo leaves your fiscally conservative mindset at ease that it continues?

When Trump's in charge, you bend like a reed.

Swallow it.

#12 | Posted by rstybeach11 at 2025-06-17 09:58 AM

Well Pride Month Rsty, I'm simply pointing out this place was gutted long ago by a bunch of -------- boomers who decided instead of going through a short period of austerity, they'd rather saddle debt on their grand kids with the greatest eff you of them all.

Swallow it, glurg glurg glurg.

#13 | Posted by Bluewaffles at 2025-06-17 10:01 AM

#13 | POSTED BY BLUEWAFFLES

Making excuses for Trump raping you financially is both sad and pathetic.

You volunteer to be a victim. Sick.

#14 | Posted by Zed at 2025-06-17 10:04 AM

Well Pride Month Rsty, I'm simply pointing out this place was gutted long ago by a bunch of -------- boomers who decided instead of going through a short period of austerity, they'd rather saddle debt on their grand kids with the greatest eff you of them all.
Swallow it, glurg glurg glurg.

#13 | Posted by Bluewaffles

I heard the same thing in 2008-2009.

I heard the same thing during the Bush tax cuts. Republicans didn't care because America was already gutted for the rich. So they just cheered it on.

Now you do the same as them while complaining about them. #Pathetic #BiglySad

#15 | Posted by Sycophant at 2025-06-17 10:28 AM

Wafflecone is a ------- worthless MAGAT.

---- off, ------.

#16 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2025-06-17 10:55 AM

We are in this awful place for a lot of reasons.

But mostly because of the incompetent ---------- named Merrick Garland.

#17 | Posted by lee_the_agent at 2025-06-17 11:08 AM

#13 | POSTED BY BLUEWAFFLES
Making excuses for Trump raping you financially is both sad and pathetic.
You volunteer to be a victim. Sick.

#14 | Posted by Zed at 2025-06-17 10:04 AM | Reply | Flag:
(Choose)

So Trump makes some $ off Bitcoin. It's not tax payer money. Billions in tax payer money has been going to NGOs from the Democratic party to line theirs and their donar's pockets for years and you idiots said nothing. So STFU.

#18 | Posted by fishpaw at 2025-06-17 11:14 AM

Think about it.

Democrats have so little to offer, and their message is so drowned out by fringe special interest groups that Trump, foibles and all, was able to win handily because people saw something worth voting for.

Instead of just tearing down opponents, maybe next time Democrats should ask why they keep turning people off. Stop doubling down on what's not working. Start listening to what mainstream America actually wants and not just making promises of more free stuff to buy votes.

They need to accept blame, take responsibility for their defeat, and actually learn from it.

Or maybe the real problem is...Democrats just don't have anything left that mainstream America wants.

#19 | Posted by BillJohnson at 2025-06-17 11:21 AM

So Trump makes some $ off Bitcoin.

#18 | POSTED BY FISHPAW

You aren't allowed to monetize political office. It's not just basic ethics and common sense, it's even in the Constitution.

So STFU.

#20 | Posted by Zed at 2025-06-17 11:24 AM

19 | POSTED BY BILLJOHNSON

You aren't allowed to monetize political office. It's not just basic ethics and common sense, it's even in the Constitution.

So STFU.

#21 | Posted by Zed at 2025-06-17 11:26 AM

OH MA GAWD / CRY ME A RIVER.....
..the world is coming to an end and you sound like you're about to step up to the table and get your cup of delicious KOOL AIDE....jim jones collection.

---you people had no problem with a shadow

#22 | Posted by shrimptacodan at 2025-06-17 11:34 AM

Zed,

"You aren't allowed to monetize political office. It's not just basic ethics and common sense, it's even in the Constitution."

Are you outraged when politicians cash in after leaving office with book deals, consulting gigs, and board seats because of their political connections.

If you're going to preach ethics, apply the standard across the board.

Were you just as vocal when the Clintons raked in millions from foreign speeches, or when Obama bought a mansion off of book deals?

Spare me the selective outrage.

#23 | Posted by BillJohnson at 2025-06-17 11:36 AM

You aren't allowed to monetize political office. It's not just basic ethics and common sense, it's even in the Constitution.

So STFU.

#20 | Posted by Zed

nancy pelosi....I'm using that cow's name as a symbol of your 2 faced worthless nonsense and --being stupidly indignant on one side
and ignoring the face of your anger makes you
A COWARD.

SO STFU

#24 | Posted by shrimptacodan at 2025-06-17 11:39 AM

What do you expect from the brain dead rapist who steals from cancer charities?

#25 | Posted by reinheitsgebot at 2025-06-17 11:43 AM

"Are you outraged when politicians cash in after leaving office..."

Apples and Oranges. Are you outraged when politicians cash in WHILE IN office...

Or is your outrage reserved for Democrats?

#26 | Posted by Danforth at 2025-06-17 11:46 AM

"If you're going to preach ethics, apply the standard across the board."

My irony meter just exploded.

#27 | Posted by Danforth at 2025-06-17 11:47 AM

You aren't allowed to monetize political office. It's not just basic ethics and common sense, it's even in the Constitution.

So STFU.

#20 | Posted by Zed

I still can't believe that this comment was some sort of effort to help your case.

stupid....just plain ignorant.

#28 | Posted by shrimptacodan at 2025-06-17 11:48 AM

BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAa

---the BS on this thread from "you people" is as

f/g fake as the pictures from Iran of their missile

launch.

#29 | Posted by shrimptacodan at 2025-06-17 11:52 AM

Dan,

"Are you outraged when politicians cash in WHILE IN office..."

You're absolutely right to ask because it happens more often than people are willing to admit.

There are plenty of examples.

Hunter Biden landing foreign deals while his dad was VP.

Nancy Pelosi's husband making timely stock trades near key legislation...strong hints of insider trader.

Trump holding office while his properties hosted lobbyists and foreign dignitaries.

And it's not limited to one party. Outrage shouldn't depend on who's in charge.

#30 | Posted by BillJohnson at 2025-06-17 12:26 PM

Ya gotta love the, "But Mommy, Little Hunter did it, too!" defense/Whataboutism from BJ.

#31 | Posted by Corky at 2025-06-17 12:39 PM

Corky,

"Ya gotta love the, 'But Mommy, Little Hunter did it, too!' defense / Whataboutism from BJ."

Pointing out double standards isn't evasion or whataboutism. It's exposing selective outrage.

If your side wants to claim the moral high ground, then the rules need to apply both ways.

Otherwise, it's not about ethics at all. It's just exposing your side's hypocrisy, too.

#32 | Posted by BillJohnson at 2025-06-17 12:53 PM

"If your side wants to claim the moral high ground, then the rules need to apply both ways."

Except you're employing double standards.

For Clinton and Obama, it's money they made AFTER LEAVING OFFICE.

For Trump. is the money he's making FROM THE OFFICE, WHILE IN OFFICE.

How about you hold yourself to your own (claimed) standards?

#33 | Posted by Danforth at 2025-06-17 12:58 PM

It's just exposing your side's hypocrisy, too.

#32 | POSTED BY BILLJOHNSON

So are you a hypocrite?

I know what I think.

#34 | Posted by Zed at 2025-06-17 12:58 PM

"I'm simply pointing out this place was gutted long ago by a bunch of -------- boomers"

So now you are blaming the corruption of this administration and problems that are directly caused by Trumpy's criminal incompetence on the boomers?

Desperate times call for desperate measures, eh?

Go ahead bro. Evil needs its sacrificial lambs. Push granny and the elderly off the cliff. Show us how it's done you big brave boy!

#35 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-06-17 12:59 PM

"Hunter Biden landing foreign deals while his dad was VP."

Is this where we're supposed to get very upset about Hunter Biden's $2 million, while ignoring Jared Kushner's $2 billion???

Just admit it: If DJTJ landed a yuuuuge deal, Republicans would applaud his business acumen.

#36 | Posted by Danforth at 2025-06-17 01:01 PM

"Were you just as vocal when the Clintons raked in millions from foreign speeches, or when Obama bought a mansion off of book deals?"

No.

Because that was AFTER they left office.

Meanwhile, you can't even admit the difference.

#37 | Posted by Danforth at 2025-06-17 01:02 PM

Outrage shouldn't depend on who's in charge.

#30 | POSTED BY BILLJOHNSON

When the one who is currently in charge is obviously corrupt and is looting the treasury right in front of us all you really should go after him first. Stop the bleeding first. Then go after the other accomplices.

Don't you think?

#38 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-06-17 01:03 PM

- the rules need to apply both ways.

Say the person who applies them to Biden but not to Trump.

#39 | Posted by Corky at 2025-06-17 01:03 PM

Donner,

"Don't you think?"

But accountability doesn't work if it's just used as a weapon instead of a principle.

We can't just go after people we don't like and ignore the rest.

#40 | Posted by BillJohnson at 2025-06-17 01:06 PM

It's just exposing your side's hypocrisy, too.

You're not, though. You don't seem to understand just how different the two sides are. You don't get that no one is supporting anything but prison for Mendez. Hunter got treated far worse than any regular person would be treated. Other allegations you posted are nonsense, propaganda, lies, and obfuscations.

In other words, your "whataboutism" betrays how much you are just like Trump and his band of liars.

You are consistent with that course of action, no matter how many times you get called on it.

The Democrats, if anything, are too quick to throw other Democrats under the bus. The Republicans reward their convicted criminals with more and more money - and pardons - for thousands of criminals

The two sides aren't even CLOSE to being the same.

#41 | Posted by YAV at 2025-06-17 01:06 PM

But accountability doesn't work if it's just used as a weapon instead of a principle.

We can't just go after people we don't like and ignore the rest.

#40 | POSTED BY BILLJOHNSON

Mighty fine words that say nothing.

How does any of that justify the looting of America by its CURRENT President?

You are trying to justify Trumpy's corruption of our government based on MAGA lies or "nonsense, propaganda, lies, and obfuscations".

Yea. You are.

And it's pretty disgusting to witness.

#42 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-06-17 01:18 PM

I'm simply pointing out this place was gutted long ago by a bunch of shithead boomers who decided instead of going through a short period of austerity, they'd rather saddle debt on their grand kids with the greatest eff you of them all.

That was a big part of it.

But you can't ignore the right's economic views of being all good with offshoring and cost cutting at all expenses to keep profit growth going all while cutting taxes for those extracting all that money. The rank and file base went along with it because it benefited them at the time via cheap goods, cheap services and an illusion of largesse and "success."

Now that it's affecting them, they're finally saying "hey, wait a minute..." and are getting angry about it as if they didn't play a role in creating it and as if others haven't been living the consequences for years.

#43 | Posted by jpw at 2025-06-17 01:21 PM

The flash mobs stealing from department stores?

#44 | Posted by THEBULL at 2025-06-17 01:40 PM

Our chickens have come home to roost and they are all mean nasty lying roosters. You cannot blame it on the "boomers". You CAN blame it on decisions made by our leaders.

America's federal deficit started to significantly grow after the Great Recession of 2008 and the COVID-19 pandemic. While the US has run deficits in most years since the 1970s, these two periods saw particularly sharp increases due to economic downturns and government responses.

While the 2008 and 2020 periods were particularly impactful, the deficit also grew at other points in history, such as during the 1960s due to increased government spending on social programs and the Vietnam War, and during the 1980s with tax cuts and increased military spending, according to the U.S. Treasury Department.

#45 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-06-17 01:43 PM

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