So Let's Speculate about the Future of a Full Trump Presidency...

[sol]

https://www.wsj.com/amp/articles/trump-lawyer-arranged-130-000-payment-for-adult-film-stars-silence-1515787678

A married reality tv star had sex with a porn star?  The hell you say?

This part does not surprise me at all.  Paying the porn start $130k in hush money to not talk about it doesn't surprise me either, except that it's an unusually steep price tag for a hooker. 

The only surprising part of this is that the serial philanderer television celebrity then went on to become President of the United States.  Everyone who voted for him already knew he was a disgusting human being.  They can't possibly be shocked to find out that he also cheated on his third wife, just like he has already admitted to cheating on his first wife and his second wife.  They can't possibly be shocked to find out that he tried to buy off his side-piece to maintain her silence during the election.

At this point, I don't think anything can possibly erode his support any further.  75% of the country already thinks he's gross.  The other 25% loves this sort of thing, and thinks it's pretty awesome that their leader is insulting shithole countries while banging porn stars.

[MasterStache]

https://www.wsj.com/amp/articles/trump-lawyer-arranged-130-000-payment-for-adult-film-stars-silence-1515787678

A married reality tv star had sex with a porn star?  The hell you say?

This part does not surprise me at all.  Paying the porn start $130k in hush money to not talk about it doesn't surprise me either, except that it's an unusually steep price tag for a hooker. 

The only surprising part of this is that the serial philanderer television celebrity then went on to become President of the United States.  Everyone who voted for him already knew he was a disgusting human being.  They can't possibly be shocked to find out that he also cheated on his third wife, just like he has already admitted to cheating on his first wife and his second wife.  They can't possibly be shocked to find out that he tried to buy off his side-piece to maintain her silence during the election.

At this point, I don't think anything can possibly erode his support any further. 75% of the country already thinks he's gross.  The other 25% loves this sort of thing, and thinks it's pretty awesome that their leader is insulting shithole countries while banging porn stars.

Nope his support has pretty much leveled off. He is at the point where those left supporting him are the very folks he said would still support him if he murdered someone. Probably the most honest thing he has ever said.

On the bright side, this might be one of those rare cases where someone who provided a service to Trump didn't sue him for non payment.

[MDM]

75% of the country already thinks he's gross.

Perhaps true.  But a significant fraction of those support many of the policies being enacted by this administration.  Not unlike many who thought Bill Clinton's actions with an intern were personally reprehensible, but supported many of the policies being enacted by his administration.

Not apologizing for either Trump or Clinton.  Just observing that both the right and the left have viewed the policies and the personal behaviors of "their" presidents with different yardsticks.  Of course, Republicans detested both Clinton and his policies while Democrats detest both Trump and his policies.

[former player]

At what point does Melania sod off back to Manhattan with Baron in tow, leaving behind only a set of divorce papers?

[MasterStache]

Off topic but did anyone catch the David Letterman interview with Barack Obama? Man it's been a long time since I heard an actual President speak intelligently and intelligibly.

[EscapeVelocity2020]

Off topic but did anyone catch the David Letterman interview with Barack Obama? Man it's been a long time since I heard an actual President speak intelligently and intelligibly.

Please provide a link!  Obama (Oprah, Neil etc.) can be such a breath of life on the fire of greatness Humanity offers, vs. the slow smothering by our narcissistic, insecure, inadequate President.

[protostache]

Off topic but did anyone catch the David Letterman interview with Barack Obama? Man it's been a long time since I heard an actual President speak intelligently and intelligibly.

Please provide a link!  Obama (Oprah, Neil etc.) can be such a breath of life on the fire of greatness Humanity offers, vs. the slow smothering by our narcissistic, insecure, inadequate President.

It’s on Netflix.

[MasterStache]

Off topic but did anyone catch the David Letterman interview with Barack Obama? Man it's been a long time since I heard an actual President speak intelligently and intelligibly.

Please provide a link!  Obama (Oprah, Neil etc.) can be such a breath of life on the fire of greatness Humanity offers, vs. the slow smothering by our narcissistic, insecure, inadequate President.

It’s on Netflix.

^ This. I didn't catch the full interview but caught most of it. It was fantastic. Just makes me respect him so much more.

[C-note]

At what point does Melania sod off back to Manhattan with Baron in tow, leaving behind only a set of divorce papers?

I suspect Donnie Moscow could make her life a living hell if she did such a thing.

[JLee]

Off topic but did anyone catch the David Letterman interview with Barack Obama? Man it's been a long time since I heard an actual President speak intelligently and intelligibly.

Please provide a link!  Obama (Oprah, Neil etc.) can be such a breath of life on the fire of greatness Humanity offers, vs. the slow smothering by our narcissistic, insecure, inadequate President.

It’s on Netflix.

^ This. I didn't catch the full interview but caught most of it. It was fantastic. Just makes me respect him so much more.

I just watched it tonight and it reminded me how presidential Obama was...truly an amazing man.

[NoStacheOhio]

https://www.wsj.com/amp/articles/trump-lawyer-arranged-130-000-payment-for-adult-film-stars-silence-1515787678

A married reality tv star had sex with a porn star?  The hell you say?

This part does not surprise me at all.  Paying the porn start $130k in hush money to not talk about it doesn't surprise me either, except that it's an unusually steep price tag for a hooker. 

The only surprising part of this is that the serial philanderer television celebrity then went on to become President of the United States.  Everyone who voted for him already knew he was a disgusting human being.  They can't possibly be shocked to find out that he also cheated on his third wife, just like he has already admitted to cheating on his first wife and his second wife.  They can't possibly be shocked to find out that he tried to buy off his side-piece to maintain her silence during the election.

At this point, I don't think anything can possibly erode his support any further. 75% of the country already thinks he's gross.  The other 25% loves this sort of thing, and thinks it's pretty awesome that their leader is insulting shithole countries while banging porn stars.

Nope his support has pretty much leveled off. He is at the point where those left supporting him are the very folks he said would still support him if he murdered someone. Probably the most honest thing he has ever said.

On the bright side, this might be one of those rare cases where someone who provided a service to Trump didn't sue him for non payment.

I don't fully understand it (or the pee tape rumors). I mean, it's not even the worst thing he's been accused of, so why all the cover-up? Does anyone think sex with a porn actor is implausible? And beyond that, who cares?

[GuitarStv]

https://www.wsj.com/amp/articles/trump-lawyer-arranged-130-000-payment-for-adult-film-stars-silence-1515787678

A married reality tv star had sex with a porn star?  The hell you say?

This part does not surprise me at all.  Paying the porn start $130k in hush money to not talk about it doesn't surprise me either, except that it's an unusually steep price tag for a hooker. 

The only surprising part of this is that the serial philanderer television celebrity then went on to become President of the United States.  Everyone who voted for him already knew he was a disgusting human being.  They can't possibly be shocked to find out that he also cheated on his third wife, just like he has already admitted to cheating on his first wife and his second wife.  They can't possibly be shocked to find out that he tried to buy off his side-piece to maintain her silence during the election.

At this point, I don't think anything can possibly erode his support any further. 75% of the country already thinks he's gross.  The other 25% loves this sort of thing, and thinks it's pretty awesome that their leader is insulting shithole countries while banging porn stars.

Nope his support has pretty much leveled off. He is at the point where those left supporting him are the very folks he said would still support him if he murdered someone. Probably the most honest thing he has ever said.

On the bright side, this might be one of those rare cases where someone who provided a service to Trump didn't sue him for non payment.

I don't fully understand it (or the pee tape rumors). I mean, it's not even the worst thing he's been accused of, so why all the cover-up? Does anyone think sex with a porn actor is implausible? And beyond that, who cares?

I think that the president cares.

He likes to control what aspects of the world are shown to him and dismiss anything that conflicts with his pre-determined reality.  His regular approach to being caught in a lie is to simply deny that the lie happened until the problem goes away.  Although he's probably dimly aware of his actions choosing to be peed on by prostitutes, and paying for sex from porn stars while married, it's something that is tittilating enough that it wouldn't quickly fade away from public scrutiny.  He might have to deny solid evidence of his own behaviour for a long time, and this would be an upset to the web of lies that he bases his whole self worth upon.

[Roadrunner53]

Off topic but did anyone catch the David Letterman interview with Barack Obama? Man it's been a long time since I heard an actual President speak intelligently and intelligibly.

Yes, Obama speaks eloquently and intelligently. It is a breath of fresh air to listen to someone who can string two sentences together that make sense on an intellectual level and not an ignorant buffoon shouting stupid phrases...who's going to pay for the wall? Fake news, lock her up, Pocahontas, sloppy Steve. UGH, like a rotten, spoiled brat bully. What a fool and what an embarrassment to the USA.

[nick663]

https://www.wsj.com/amp/articles/trump-lawyer-arranged-130-000-payment-for-adult-film-stars-silence-1515787678

A married reality tv star had sex with a porn star?  The hell you say?

This part does not surprise me at all.  Paying the porn start $130k in hush money to not talk about it doesn't surprise me either, except that it's an unusually steep price tag for a hooker. 

The only surprising part of this is that the serial philanderer television celebrity then went on to become President of the United States.  Everyone who voted for him already knew he was a disgusting human being.  They can't possibly be shocked to find out that he also cheated on his third wife, just like he has already admitted to cheating on his first wife and his second wife.  They can't possibly be shocked to find out that he tried to buy off his side-piece to maintain her silence during the election.

At this point, I don't think anything can possibly erode his support any further. 75% of the country already thinks he's gross.  The other 25% loves this sort of thing, and thinks it's pretty awesome that their leader is insulting shithole countries while banging porn stars.

Nope his support has pretty much leveled off. He is at the point where those left supporting him are the very folks he said would still support him if he murdered someone. Probably the most honest thing he has ever said.

On the bright side, this might be one of those rare cases where someone who provided a service to Trump didn't sue him for non payment.

I don't fully understand it (or the pee tape rumors). I mean, it's not even the worst thing he's been accused of, so why all the cover-up? Does anyone think sex with a porn actor is implausible? And beyond that, who cares?

I would bet that a subset of his supporters think all of the sexual abuse allegations against him are made up because he is rich/famous.  The continued drip of information would eventually convince a few to either vote against him or just stay home.  Combine that with his narrow margin of victory in a few states and it could have changed the outcome.

That being said, it still blows my mind the amount of support a 3x married serial philanderer has inside the religious community and I really don't know what a GOP candidate has to do to break that.

[former player]

That being said, it still blows my mind the amount of support a 3x married serial philanderer has inside the religious community and I really don't know what a GOP candidate has to do to break that.

They would have to be in favour of a woman's right to control what happens to her own body, that would do it.  Otherwise, not a thing up to and including nuclear war.

[sol]

I don't fully understand it (or the pee tape rumors).

Just to be clear, Donald Trump cheating on Melania with a porn star is not a rumor.  That happened.  There has been no attempt at a denial.  Nobody is disputing the facts in this case.  He had sex with a professional adult film actress approximately 12 months after marrying his third wife, then during this election paid her $130k to keep quiet about it.

The pee tape is a rumor.  We know that Donald Trump stayed in a Russian hotel room that the Obamas stayed in.  We know that there were pretty young women present.  The story that these pretty young women were prostitutes that Trump asked to pee on the Obama's mattress was retold by someone present, but not corroborated by anyone else.  Without two credible sources, the peeing part is just a rumor.

Donald Trump cheating on Melania with a porn star has been confirmed by multiple parties, and not denied by anyone.  Not a rumor.  Know the difference. 

Not that it will matter.  Born-agains and evangelicals will still vote for him, because they think he's read the bible.  His behavior doesn't really matter to the few Americans who still support him at this point.  He's cheated on all three of his wives, but they think he's the moral choice to lead America.  I know, it confuses me too.

[scottish]

Did anyone else listen to the audio of Trump talking about his relationship with Kim Jong-Un?   here's a linky:

https://www.newsmax.com/politics/wall-street-journal-trump-quote-good-relationship-kim-jong-un/2018/01/14/id/837062/

I think the wall street journal may have it wrong - although it's very hard to hear the 'd' sound in their clip.  ("I probably have a very good relationship" versus "I'd probably have a very good relationship")

Of course it begs the question, *why* should the prez have a very good relationship with Kim.

[sol]

Of course it begs the question, *why* should the prez have a very good relationship with Kim.

Maybe Kim LIKES being called "Little Rocket Man"?  That seems like an affectionate term of endearment coming from Trump, right?  The kind of thing that definitely suggests "a very good relationship"?

[NoStacheOhio]

Donald Trump cheating on Melania with a porn star has been confirmed by multiple parties, and not denied by anyone.  Not a rumor.  Know the difference. 

Dude, it's all good. I know the difference. I was just calling the pee tape a rumor, since it was a rumor. The larger point being why spend all this time/money/effort concealing sex-related things when everybody knows he does all sorts of sex-related things with people who aren't his wife? It just seems nuts.

[bacchi]

Not that it will matter.  Born-agains and evangelicals will still vote for him, because they think he's read the bible.  His behavior doesn't really matter to the few Americans who still support him at this point.  He's cheated on all three of his wives, but they think he's the moral choice to lead America.  I know, it confuses me too.

It's not that Trump is particularly religious. It's just that he isn't a feminist, pro-choice, Democrat. The evanlegical's first choice probably would've been Cruz but he was such an obvious ass, and Trump such a showman, that Trump stole the show.

[DarkandStormy]

http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a15073652/trump-wall-street-journal-interview/

He's so effing stupid.

[Kyle Schuant]

He's so effing stupid.

Nonsense! 4 dimensional chess! He has the best ideas, the best strategy, he's, like, really smart.

TRUMP 2020 - the President the rest of the world wants the USA to have!

[GuitarStv]

TRUMP 2020 - the President the rest of the world wants the USA to have!

[[Citation needed]]

With the exception of Russia (and maybe China), I don't think that most of the world is really pulling for him.

[Roadrunner53]

How on earth does Melania stay with Donny?

[bacchi]

How on earth does Melania stay with Donny?

Holding out for the prenup to expire.

[sol]

How on earth does Melania stay with Donny?

She had to know going in that he would not be faithful.  He's never been faithful to anyone, according to his own accounts given to Howard Stern over the years.

And as an aside, I really think Howard Stern let America down on this one.  He had hundreds of hours of candid conversation with Donald Trump over the past decade, he knew exactly what has going to happen, and he didn't even try to warn anyone.

[jrhampt]

How on earth does Melania stay with Donny?

She had to know going in that he would not be faithful.  He's never been faithful to anyone, according to his own accounts given to Howard Stern over the years.

And as an aside, I really think Howard Stern let America down on this one.  He had hundreds of hours of candid conversation with Donald Trump over the past decade, he knew exactly what has going to happen, and he didn't even try to warn anyone.

Eh, anyone with a brain knew what was going to happen, and a good chunk of them just didn’t care.  There were PLENTY of warnings.

[Luke Warm]

because howard is running against him in 2020

How on earth does Melania stay with Donny?

She had to know going in that he would not be faithful.  He's never been faithful to anyone, according to his own accounts given to Howard Stern over the years.

And as an aside, I really think Howard Stern let America down on this one.  He had hundreds of hours of candid conversation with Donald Trump over the past decade, he knew exactly what has going to happen, and he didn't even try to warn anyone.

[Aelias]

Off topic but did anyone catch the David Letterman interview with Barack Obama? Man it's been a long time since I heard an actual President speak intelligently and intelligibly.

It was so good.  He was thoughtful and funny and direct.  Like always. 

I worried about stuff when he was president, of course.  But not like this.  I didn't feel like I had to be watching all the time.  I miss that terribly.

Also, he tells a story about the mundane details of setting Malia up at college.  I cried a lot.

[EscapeVelocity2020]

It's going to be pretty depressing when America gets nuked unexpectedly while Trump is vacationing.

http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/15/politics/trump-hawaii-missile-alarm-timeline/index.html

Maybe I should leapfrog this whole 'America is better than this' attitude and start to figure out if I'd prefer to expatriate or build a bunker.  I definitely plan to take longer vacations outside the US in the coming years, and have plans to go on a moment's notice.  I live in a hurricane state, it's become second nature to abandon everything and run!  I just never thought it would be my home country that I'd be leaving.

[former player]

It's going to be pretty depressing when America gets nuked unexpectedly while Trump is vacationing.

http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/15/politics/trump-hawaii-missile-alarm-timeline/index.html

Maybe I should leapfrog this whole 'America is better than this' attitude and start to figure out if I'd prefer to expatriate or build a bunker.  I definitely plan to take longer vacations outside the US in the coming years, and have plans to go on a moment's notice.  I live in a hurricane state, it's become second nature to abandon everything and run!  I just never thought it would be my home country that I'd be leaving.

Where in the world do you think USA citizens will be welcome after the nukes start flying?

[BussoV6]

It's going to be pretty depressing when America gets nuked unexpectedly while Trump is vacationing.

http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/15/politics/trump-hawaii-missile-alarm-timeline/index.html

Maybe I should leapfrog this whole 'America is better than this' attitude and start to figure out if I'd prefer to expatriate or build a bunker.  I definitely plan to take longer vacations outside the US in the coming years, and have plans to go on a moment's notice.  I live in a hurricane state, it's become second nature to abandon everything and run!  I just never thought it would be my home country that I'd be leaving.

Where in the world do you think USA citizens will be welcome after the nukes start flying?

Haiti?

[A Definite Beta Guy]

It's going to be pretty depressing when America gets nuked unexpectedly while Trump is vacationing.

http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/15/politics/trump-hawaii-missile-alarm-timeline/index.html

Maybe I should leapfrog this whole 'America is better than this' attitude and start to figure out if I'd prefer to expatriate or build a bunker.  I definitely plan to take longer vacations outside the US in the coming years, and have plans to go on a moment's notice.  I live in a hurricane state, it's become second nature to abandon everything and run!  I just never thought it would be my home country that I'd be leaving.

Where in the world do you think USA citizens will be welcome after the nukes start flying?

Mexico, because if they refuse US citizens, whatever remains of the US nuclear arsenal is going to nuke THEM, too.

Of course, when you are talking about a possibly decade-long nuclear winter, who the hell cares? Most of the survivors are going to die, too.

[GuitarStv]

It's going to be pretty depressing when America gets nuked unexpectedly while Trump is vacationing.

http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/15/politics/trump-hawaii-missile-alarm-timeline/index.html

Maybe I should leapfrog this whole 'America is better than this' attitude and start to figure out if I'd prefer to expatriate or build a bunker.  I definitely plan to take longer vacations outside the US in the coming years, and have plans to go on a moment's notice.  I live in a hurricane state, it's become second nature to abandon everything and run!  I just never thought it would be my home country that I'd be leaving.

Where in the world do you think USA citizens will be welcome after the nukes start flying?

Haiti?

Nah.  I have it on very good authority (the best, really) that they've all got AIDS.

[dividendman]

It's going to be pretty depressing when America gets nuked unexpectedly while Trump is vacationing.

http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/15/politics/trump-hawaii-missile-alarm-timeline/index.html

Maybe I should leapfrog this whole 'America is better than this' attitude and start to figure out if I'd prefer to expatriate or build a bunker.  I definitely plan to take longer vacations outside the US in the coming years, and have plans to go on a moment's notice.  I live in a hurricane state, it's become second nature to abandon everything and run!  I just never thought it would be my home country that I'd be leaving.

Where in the world do you think USA citizens will be welcome after the nukes start flying?

Haiti?

Nah.  I have it on very good authority (the best, really) that they've all got AIDS.

I'd only trust that claim if it was from the least racist person.

[EscapeVelocity2020]

It's going to be pretty depressing when America gets nuked unexpectedly while Trump is vacationing.

http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/15/politics/trump-hawaii-missile-alarm-timeline/index.html

Maybe I should leapfrog this whole 'America is better than this' attitude and start to figure out if I'd prefer to expatriate or build a bunker.  I definitely plan to take longer vacations outside the US in the coming years, and have plans to go on a moment's notice.  I live in a hurricane state, it's become second nature to abandon everything and run!  I just never thought it would be my home country that I'd be leaving.

Where in the world do you think USA citizens will be welcome after the nukes start flying?

Fortunately the rest of the world is pretty understanding of the fact that the majority of Americans do not support Trump, especially if we show up and say we never supported him and are finally fleeing his crap forever, whatever it takes.

[GuitarStv]

It's going to be pretty depressing when America gets nuked unexpectedly while Trump is vacationing.

http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/15/politics/trump-hawaii-missile-alarm-timeline/index.html

Maybe I should leapfrog this whole 'America is better than this' attitude and start to figure out if I'd prefer to expatriate or build a bunker.  I definitely plan to take longer vacations outside the US in the coming years, and have plans to go on a moment's notice.  I live in a hurricane state, it's become second nature to abandon everything and run!  I just never thought it would be my home country that I'd be leaving.

Where in the world do you think USA citizens will be welcome after the nukes start flying?

Fortunately the rest of the world is pretty understanding of the fact that the majority of Americans do not support Trump, especially if we show up and say we never supported him and are finally fleeing his crap forever, whatever it takes.

Sounds like the rest of the world might need to build walls to keep all those American refugees out and then charge the US for them.  It's not like the US will be sending their best.  They'll be sending people that have lots of problems, and they'll be bringing those problems to us. They'll be bringing drugs. They'll be bringing crime. They're rapists. And some (I assume) are good people.

[bacchi]

If they're not hanging out with Russians, they have a problem with non-whites and non-Xians and gays and veterans with PTSD (!). Oh, and they're pro-shooting people who come across the border.

https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/18/politics/kfile-carl-higbie-on-the-radio/index.html

Well, yeah, most Muslims believe that to have sex with men is OK, which I don't like it all. But second off, it's the ideology of a child molester. The ideology of a Muslim is what I don't like. They are screwed up in the head and it makes, pisses me off.

"What's so wrong with wanting to put up a fence and saying, 'hey, everybody with a gun, if you want to go shoot people coming across our border illegally, you can do it fo' free,'" Higbie said.

Trump can sure pick them.

[EscapeVelocity2020]

Yup, the longer this goes on, the more the rest of the world will begin to stereotype Americans as all homophobic, xenophobic, everything-other than European-phobic racists.  It's depressing how Euro-radicalized the U.S. suddenly seems compared to my daily life in Houston, which is still a 'normal' melting pot of more foreigners than Anglo-Saxons, by an overwhelming plurality.  And I don't foresee this ever changing (nor would I ever want it to)!

[EscapeVelocity2020]

And when I see a story like this https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/01/18/analysis-why-latest-allegations-trump-affair-unlikely-hurt-tabloid-president/1044564001/ then I know America is owned by the rich and connected.

So Thursday's headline in celebrity gossip magazine In Touch Weekly — "My Affair With Donald" — is neither surprising nor groundbreaking. It recounts a six-year-old, previously unpublished interview with an adult film actress who said she had an affair with Trump in 2005, shortly after his third wife — now first lady Melania Trump — gave birth to his youngest son.

  Pretty much a deal-breaker with any woman I know.  But it's Trump, right, our President does this all the time...

[sequoia]

How on earth does Melania stay with Donny?

Holding out for the prenup to expire.

Money

[Roadrunner53]

There isn't enough money to be had to stay with Donny, UGH!

[sequoia]

There isn't enough money to be had to stay with Donny, UGH!

Some people has different standard than you and me. For her, it is enough :)

[Freedom2016]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/president-trump-is-the-freest-man-alive/2018/01/18/a8699158-fc8c-11e7-a46b-a3614530bd87_story.html?hpid=hp_no-name_opinion-card-f%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.f3fd86f2ec60

I'm out of words for this pathetic excuse of a human being.

[former player]

Donald Trump: the wrong sort of dealmaker

Donald Trump’s lifetime of deal making has been a single industry: real estate.  The shutdown is proving that his is the wrong sort of deal making for government.  There are two main issues: his word is not his bond, and he can’t walk away.

In real estate, nothing counts until words are on paper, signed and dated.  Anything said before that is largely irrelevant, which means that pretty much anything can be said.  So Trump is used to be able to say anything in person and it not counting against him.  He is so used to this that he has forgotten to care what he says, which is why it is so often contradictory and frequently outrageous.  It just doesn’t matter to him, because he can’t be held to it.   Only the words on the paper matter, and once they are on the paper the deal is what’s on that paper and the rest is irrelevant.

It’s different in politics.  In politics the deal making is all about what people say and how they say it.  The words on the paper are just a record of what has been agreed.  A complicated deal, such as the one currently in Congress, is a web of oral promises and attitudes, and the anchor points of the web is the trust the politicians place in each other.  No-one can trust what Trump says, so there can be no web and no deal.

Trump’s second learned behaviour from his lifetime of real estate deal making is this: in real estate he can always walk away from the deal.  Sometimes this is about looking for an opportunity but turning it down (or being turned down).  Sometimes it’s about walking away when the deal goes sour, as with his multiple bankruptcies.  Sometimes it’s just about seeing the chance that you won’t be forced to keep to your word, as in his multiple failures to pay contractors.  In Trumpworld there is always a way out, always the opportunity to walk away.

In government there is no opportunity to walk away.  Taxes have to be collected, debts have to be paid, expenditure has to be funded, laws have to be obeyed.  If the deal isn’t done it leaves a black hole in the workings of the State.

Trump doesn't have the wherewithal to make deals in government, because his word can't be trusted and he can't cope with not being able to walk away when he doesn't like the deal on offer.  The only answer is that Congress needs to take back its power.  It needs to make a deal without Trump and put the legislation on his desk.  Then just wait for him to sign it.   

[Just Joe]

So apparently Trump tried to fire Mueller in June but the WH lawyer threatened to quit if he did.

Melania quit the Davos trip to visit the Holocaust museum and then go to Florida.

Question: would she leave Trump? Does he have her all tied up with pre-nups? (Like she loses access to their son if she does). How long until the recent #MeToo movement or similar decides that she is a trapped woman and runs with that theme for a while?

[Roadrunner53]

If she is in it for the money it has got to be the worst job on earth to earn it. When I heard she went to FL I was wondering if she took the kid or went alone. I hope she is seeing a divorce lawyer down there and get herself out of the abyss. If I were her, I would hire someone to put a special door in so I could get out without seeing him and I would nail all the doors shut so he couldn't get in!

[jinga nation]

If she is in it for the money it has got to be the worst job on earth to earn it. When I heard she went to FL I was wondering if she took the kid or went alone. I hope she is seeing a divorce lawyer down there and get herself out of the abyss. If I were her, I would hire someone to put a special door in so I could get out without seeing him and I would nail all the doors shut so he couldn't get in!

You've got to have super low or zero self-esteem to marry one of the best narcissists in modern-day politics. That lack of self-esteem can only be satisfied by materialism and constant attention.
Or she's playing the long con, hoping the cards fall in the right order, for the big payday. Being the buffoon that he is, this may be the case that he's being played.

[StarBright]

If she is in it for the money it has got to be the worst job on earth to earn it. When I heard she went to FL I was wondering if she took the kid or went alone. I hope she is seeing a divorce lawyer down there and get herself out of the abyss. If I were her, I would hire someone to put a special door in so I could get out without seeing him and I would nail all the doors shut so he couldn't get in!

The gossip I was hearing (from NYC friend fairly high-up in the hospitality world so maybe there's a bit of truth there) was that they were set to dissolve the marriage after the election (which they all expected to lose). But because he won she has to stay in for an undisclosed amount of time.

[Roadrunner53]

If I were her and HAD to stay married to him, I would go back to NY or FL and stay there and never attend anything at the White House or international travel. Maybe go to a fancy Gala now and then but that would be it. If he is as bad as we see him on TV can you even imagine how bad it has to be in person living with him. UGH! Run Melania, RUN for your life!