Latest news with #NorthKorea-style
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ben Shapiro is cracking under the pressure to shill for Trump
No one was more relieved than Daily Wire commentator Ben Shapiro when Donald Trump announced a 90-day 'pause' on Chinese tariffs. Scare quotes around 'pause,' because there will still be a 30% tariff on Chinese goods, which economist Paul Krugman characterized as 'really, really high.' But Shapiro has been getting a lot of grief in recent days from his audience for ever-so-slightly acknowledging a reality everyone outside the MAGA bubble can see: Trump's tariff impulses — which hardly rise to the level of 'policy' — are both stupid and dangerous. The first rule of MAGA is, 'Trump is never, ever wrong.' Understanding this, Shapiro tried to avoid blaming the president for his own decisions, instead focusing his ire on White House advisor Peter Navarro. Calling Navarro 'a dotard and a fool' for supporting tariffs, Shapiro begged Trump to fire his beloved yes-man. Shapiro initially aimed his criticism directly at Trump himself, only to be overwhelmed with blowback from the audience. But even the MAGA-blind can see Shapiro's 'dotard and fool' characterization better suits Trump than Navarro, so the anger at Shapiro for saying something true wasn't dissipating. Shapiro is smart enough to know that a 30% tariff is still wildly inflationary, but he caved to pressure to return to the North Korea-style praise of Trump as the ultimate genius. 'Trump's great strength? He lives in a world of results,' Shapiro gushed after the "concept of a plan" was announced. 'When a policy doesn't deliver, he adjusts.' This still wasn't enough slobber for his audience, however. 'He didn't adjust, that was the plan all along,' one fantasized in comments. Another accused Shapiro of having brain damage from vaccines. Shapiro is one of the most prominent and frankly hilarious examples, but his dilemma is felt throughout the massive world of professional Trump apologists. Even for people who have years of practice declaring Trump a 'genius' while he prattles on about bleach injections or pet-eating immigrants, it's getting harder to feign ignorance about basic realities. That's especially true when Trump's actions, as with this pointless trade war, are so politically toxic they threaten the longevity of the MAGA movement. Trump has surrounded himself with flatterers who keep their position by only telling the boss that his every move is the smartest choice ever made. The only possible source for constructive criticism the narcissist-in-chief might hear is from the right-wing press — but they're hamstrung by audiences who don't want to listen to it, barely had a chance to release posts and videos praising Trump for his infinite wisdom for temporarily rolling back some of the stupidest economic policies in American history, before Trump made another decision that is nigh-impossible for even his biggest boot-lickers to defend: accepting a $400 million bribe from Qatar's royal family, in the form of a highly photographable super luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet known as the "flying palace." Especially since Trump defended his acceptance of this "gift" by insisting that only "a stupid person" would think that there might be strings attached. Even people with MAGA-decimated cognitive abilities can grasp that the opposite is true and that no one offers such a showy present without expecting something unpleasant in return. It's an especially tough look for Trump mere days after he went on the lecture circuit, scolding American children for wanting more than their allotted "two dolls," explaining that a miserly toy collection is a necessary sacrifice for the president's mysterious economic agenda. (So mysterious that he doesn't even seem to know what his goals are!) The news of Trump's luxury aircraft also coincides with an explosion of horror stories of air traffic failures and delays, which is exactly the sort of disaster that was predicted when Trump unleashed Elon Musk on federal workers, firing and bullying thousands from their jobs — including 400 crucial workers for the Federal Aviation Administration. Shapiro gets that it's a bad look for Trump to be kicking it on the world's fanciest airplane, as the voters watch endless news reels about his fancy new jet while they get morosely drunk waiting for their flight reports at an airport bar. So, even though he's already on eggshells with his snappish fanbase, Shapiro waded into Trump criticism again on Monday. "Define 'America first' in a way that says you should take sacks of cash from the Qatari royals," he complained on his show. "If you want President Trump to succeed, this kind of skeezy stuff needs to stop," he demanded, adding that it's already having a political impact. Shapiro isn't speaking truth out of the goodness of his heart, the existence of which is still debatable. He's very clear that his concern is the future of the MAGA movement. It may be that he understands better than his followers how fascism is not inevitable. His own company has been quietly struggling in recent months. In March, Will Sommer of The Bulwark reported that the Daily Wire CEO, Jeremy Boreing, had abruptly stepped down. The Daily Wire "has been bleeding talent," Sommer reports, and they seem to have flushed unseemly amounts of cash down the toilet on "Boreing's 25-year passion project to film a book series about King Arthur," which now looks like it will never be finished. Shortly after Boreing was let go, the Daily Wire was hit with layoffs, a relatively rare event in the right-wing media world that is buoyed by cash infusions from far-right billionaires. But the gravy train of MAGA media depends on the viability of their political movement. Trump is threatening their futures by inflicting needless economic damage. The pitch for fascism is that voters can trade off human rights for prosperity. It was always a lie. Autocratic governments tend to underperform healthy democracies on economic metrics, precisely because corrupt leaders drain public coffers to benefit themselves. But Trump's speed and flash with his destructive agenda could sink the fascist ship before it even sets sail. Shapiro isn't the only MAGA media star who is worried that Trump's greed could destroy their fragile power base. Even Laura Loomer, one of the nuttier figures with real sway over Trump's addled mind, is griping that the Qatar plane is a bad look (though, as usual, she has racist reasons for her calculations). Shapiro's dilemma reflects a tension that is increasingly untenable for much of the right-wing media, including Fox News. They make a handsome living by telling Trump voters soothing lies, about how they were always right and the liberals were always wrong and Trump is actually a genius. It's an evil job, but undeniably has some difficulties, especially for those who haven't killed the lingering conscience telling them that lying is bad. But now the problem isn't just moral decay. There are increasing demands to make excuses for behavior so stupid that the rest of the GOP should consider it political malfeasance. Keeping the MAGA movement going may mean saving Trump from himself, but that's impossible to do when your central message is that Dear Leader can do no wrong. Here's hoping the cracks start showing from the pressure.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pam Bondi's Bold Donald Trump Stat Turns Heads, And Not In A Good Way
Critics raised eyebrows — and questions about basic math — after Attorney General Pam Bondi made a dubious claim during a Cabinet meeting with President Donald Trump on Wednesday. Bondi boasted to Trump that 3,400 kilos of fentanyl had been seized 'since you've been here last 100 days,' and then added: 'which saved — are you ready for this, media? — 258 million lives.' The comment immediately drew attention. This isn't an SNL skit. At a cabinet meeting today, Attorney General Pam Bondi claimed that Donald Trump saved 258 million lives—75% of the U.S. population—in his first 100 days by seizing fentanyl. — Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) April 30, 2025 With the U.S. population currently estimated at 346 million, Bondi appeared to suggest that Trump had saved around 75% of all Americans. Adding to the confusion, Bondi had posted on social media just the day before that the administration had saved 119 million lives — less than half her Wednesday figure. Today is Fentanyl Awareness day. In President Trump's first 100 days we've seized over 22 million fentanyl laced pills, saving over 119 Million lives. We are fighting relentlessly for the families of loved ones lost, for those whose lives are at risk, and for the soul of our… — Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) April 29, 2025 Critics on social media and in the press mocked the shifting numbers and asked how Bondi arrived at such inflated estimates. 'Are you ready for this, media?'Pam Bondi turns to the press and says Trump saved '258 million lives.'That's not a press briefing that's a cult sermon with a camera this rate, they'll credit him for inventing oxygen next. — Brian Allen (@allenanalysis) April 30, 2025 BREAKING: Pam Bondi just claimed that Trump's fentanyl seizures have saved the lives of 75% of the US population, 250 million lives. Do you believe this one too MAGA? — Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) April 30, 2025 Pam Bondi turns to the press, dramatically credits Trump with saving 258 million lives—because, apparently, that's the kind of math we're working with. — The Vivlia (@TVivlia) April 30, 2025 Wait, today Pam Bondi said that 258 million lives or 74% OF THE ENTIRE US POPULATION were saved?Just yesterday she said it was 119 million Bondi is giving RFK Jr. a run for his money with her feats of statistical bullshittery. — Ashley (@ashleydixon) May 1, 2025 AG Pam Bondi claiming they 'saved 258 million American lives' in just 100 days is straight-up are only 340 million people in the entire did they save us from — Thanos?This isn't North Korea-style delusion.#Trump#TrumpTariffs… — OrangeMenace (@WKazingmei) May 1, 2025 pam bondi really expects people to believe that if trump didn't win 250 MILLION Americans would've died???? Do these people hear themselves! — Covie (@covie_93) May 1, 2025 Update: Bondi now says that this number is low, and that in fact they've saved 258 million lives. That's 75% of all Americans. Awesome work, Pam! — James Surowiecki (@JamesSurowiecki) April 30, 2025 I don't really know what to say, but within 24 hours of the whole internet making fun of her innumeracy, AG Pam Bondi has doubled down, now stating that she has saved 258 million lives over the past 100 days. — Justin Wolfers (@JustinWolfers) April 30, 2025 Yesterday Pam Bondi claimed Trump saved 119 million she has upped it to 258 million as she yells at the press for not wanting to accept we are in deep trouble. You really can't be on the fence anymore about what we're seeing. — Richard Hanania (@RichardHanania) April 30, 2025 Critics Think Trump's 'Brain Is Cooked' After Bonkers Town Hall Tangent Lawrence O'Donnell Drops 'Sopranos'-Style Burn On Trump Critics Stunned By Trump Rally Crowd's 'Sickening' Response To Immigrants Video
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pam Bondi's Bold Donald Trump Stat Turns Heads, And Not In A Good Way
Critics raised eyebrows — and questions about basic math — after Attorney General Pam Bondi made a dubious claim during a Cabinet meeting with President Donald Trump on Wednesday. Bondi boasted to Trump that 3,400 kilos of fentanyl had been seized 'since you've been here last 100 days,' and then added: 'which saved — are you ready for this, media? — 258 million lives.' The comment immediately drew attention. This isn't an SNL skit. At a cabinet meeting today, Attorney General Pam Bondi claimed that Donald Trump saved 258 million lives—75% of the U.S. population—in his first 100 days by seizing fentanyl. — Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) April 30, 2025 With the U.S. population currently estimated at 346 million, Bondi appeared to suggest that Trump had saved around 75% of all Americans. Adding to the confusion, Bondi had posted on social media just the day before that the administration had saved 119 million lives — less than half her Wednesday figure. Today is Fentanyl Awareness day. In President Trump's first 100 days we've seized over 22 million fentanyl laced pills, saving over 119 Million lives. We are fighting relentlessly for the families of loved ones lost, for those whose lives are at risk, and for the soul of our… — Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) April 29, 2025 Critics on social media and in the press mocked the shifting numbers and asked how Bondi arrived at such inflated estimates. 'Are you ready for this, media?'Pam Bondi turns to the press and says Trump saved '258 million lives.'That's not a press briefing that's a cult sermon with a camera this rate, they'll credit him for inventing oxygen next. — Brian Allen (@allenanalysis) April 30, 2025 BREAKING: Pam Bondi just claimed that Trump's fentanyl seizures have saved the lives of 75% of the US population, 250 million lives. Do you believe this one too MAGA? — Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) April 30, 2025 Pam Bondi turns to the press, dramatically credits Trump with saving 258 million lives—because, apparently, that's the kind of math we're working with. — The Vivlia (@TVivlia) April 30, 2025 Wait, today Pam Bondi said that 258 million lives or 74% OF THE ENTIRE US POPULATION were saved?Just yesterday she said it was 119 million Bondi is giving RFK Jr. a run for his money with her feats of statistical bullshittery. — Ashley (@ashleydixon) May 1, 2025 AG Pam Bondi claiming they 'saved 258 million American lives' in just 100 days is straight-up are only 340 million people in the entire did they save us from — Thanos?This isn't North Korea-style delusion.#Trump#TrumpTariffs… — OrangeMenace (@WKazingmei) May 1, 2025 pam bondi really expects people to believe that if trump didn't win 250 MILLION Americans would've died???? Do these people hear themselves! — Covie (@covie_93) May 1, 2025 Update: Bondi now says that this number is low, and that in fact they've saved 258 million lives. That's 75% of all Americans. Awesome work, Pam! — James Surowiecki (@JamesSurowiecki) April 30, 2025 I don't really know what to say, but within 24 hours of the whole internet making fun of her innumeracy, AG Pam Bondi has doubled down, now stating that she has saved 258 million lives over the past 100 days. — Justin Wolfers (@JustinWolfers) April 30, 2025 Yesterday Pam Bondi claimed Trump saved 119 million she has upped it to 258 million as she yells at the press for not wanting to accept we are in deep trouble. You really can't be on the fence anymore about what we're seeing. — Richard Hanania (@RichardHanania) April 30, 2025 Critics Think Trump's 'Brain Is Cooked' After Bonkers Town Hall Tangent Lawrence O'Donnell Drops 'Sopranos'-Style Burn On Trump Critics Stunned By Trump Rally Crowd's 'Sickening' Response To Immigrants Video
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pam Bondi's Bold Donald Trump Stat Turns Heads, And Not In A Good Way
Critics raised eyebrows — and questions about basic math — after Attorney General Pam Bondi made a dubious claim during a Cabinet meeting with President Donald Trump on Wednesday. Bondi boasted to Trump that 3,400 kilos of fentanyl had been seized 'since you've been here last 100 days,' and then added: 'which saved — are you ready for this, media? — 258 million lives.' The comment immediately drew attention. This isn't an SNL skit. At a cabinet meeting today, Attorney General Pam Bondi claimed that Donald Trump saved 258 million lives—75% of the U.S. population—in his first 100 days by seizing fentanyl. — Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) April 30, 2025 With the U.S. population currently estimated at 346 million, Bondi appeared to suggest that Trump had saved around 75% of all Americans. Adding to the confusion, Bondi had posted on social media just the day before that the administration had saved 119 million lives — less than half her Wednesday figure. Today is Fentanyl Awareness day. In President Trump's first 100 days we've seized over 22 million fentanyl laced pills, saving over 119 Million lives. We are fighting relentlessly for the families of loved ones lost, for those whose lives are at risk, and for the soul of our… — Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) April 29, 2025 Critics on social media and in the press mocked the shifting numbers and asked how Bondi arrived at such inflated estimates. 'Are you ready for this, media?'Pam Bondi turns to the press and says Trump saved '258 million lives.'That's not a press briefing that's a cult sermon with a camera this rate, they'll credit him for inventing oxygen next. — Brian Allen (@allenanalysis) April 30, 2025 BREAKING: Pam Bondi just claimed that Trump's fentanyl seizures have saved the lives of 75% of the US population, 250 million lives. Do you believe this one too MAGA? — Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) April 30, 2025 Pam Bondi turns to the press, dramatically credits Trump with saving 258 million lives—because, apparently, that's the kind of math we're working with. — The Vivlia (@TVivlia) April 30, 2025 Wait, today Pam Bondi said that 258 million lives or 74% OF THE ENTIRE US POPULATION were saved?Just yesterday she said it was 119 million Bondi is giving RFK Jr. a run for his money with her feats of statistical bullshittery. — Ashley (@ashleydixon) May 1, 2025 AG Pam Bondi claiming they 'saved 258 million American lives' in just 100 days is straight-up are only 340 million people in the entire did they save us from — Thanos?This isn't North Korea-style delusion.#Trump#TrumpTariffs… — OrangeMenace (@WKazingmei) May 1, 2025 pam bondi really expects people to believe that if trump didn't win 250 MILLION Americans would've died???? Do these people hear themselves! — Covie (@covie_93) May 1, 2025 Update: Bondi now says that this number is low, and that in fact they've saved 258 million lives. That's 75% of all Americans. Awesome work, Pam! — James Surowiecki (@JamesSurowiecki) April 30, 2025 I don't really know what to say, but within 24 hours of the whole internet making fun of her innumeracy, AG Pam Bondi has doubled down, now stating that she has saved 258 million lives over the past 100 days. — Justin Wolfers (@JustinWolfers) April 30, 2025 Yesterday Pam Bondi claimed Trump saved 119 million she has upped it to 258 million as she yells at the press for not wanting to accept we are in deep trouble. You really can't be on the fence anymore about what we're seeing. — Richard Hanania (@RichardHanania) April 30, 2025 Critics Think Trump's 'Brain Is Cooked' After Bonkers Town Hall Tangent Lawrence O'Donnell Drops 'Sopranos'-Style Burn On Trump Critics Stunned By Trump Rally Crowd's 'Sickening' Response To Immigrants Video
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Trump Has Another Miracle Golf Victory at His Own Course
Amid the carnage wrought by his decision to start a global trade war and send the stock market plummeting, President Donald Trump experienced a personal victory after winning a round of golf at his own golf course. On Saturday, Trump won the second-round matchup in a Senior Club Championship held at his very own Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter, Florida, which means he advances to the Championship Round held on Sunday. Many in the media were quick to highlight just how tone-deaf the announcement sounded at the end of a tumultuous week, including CNN's Jake Tapper, who declared, 'Great news, everybody!!!!!' while Meet the Press host Chuck Todd wrote on X, 'Just astonishingly tone deaf. Crater the world economy then spend the weekend golfing against Washington General-like competitors. Seems fairly clear he's not interested in running for any office again.' Others drew comparisons between the announcement of Trump's win at Trump's own golf course and North Korea's Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un, with The Bulwark's Sarah Longwell tweeting, 'Our President crashed the economy at the end of the week and is spending the weekend golfing and putting ou[t] North Korea-style updates about it.' Other X users circulated an image of Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt as a Fox News newsreader dressed in a traditional Korean hanbok with Trump edited to look like Kim Jong Un, with the chyron reading, 'Dear Leader won his second round matchup of the Senior Club Championship.' Many compared Trump to other famously out-of-touch historical figures. CNN's Ana Navarro-Cárdenas quipped, 'Let them eat cake,' in reference to the quote misattributed to Marie Antoinette, while others shared an AI-generated image of Trump as Nero, who is known for fiddling as Rome burned. The Atlantic's David Frum compared Trump to another Roman leader, writing on X, 'One of the emperor Augustus's best tricks for legitimizing his authoritarian rule: he made a point of losing at games, joking about his bad luck, and paying his forfeits cheerfully. It made his reign look less arbitrary and terrifying to fellow members of the Roman elite.' Despite the appeals to his base, Trump has never been a man of the people. But it's clear that for many, golfing while the stock market crashes is a bridge too far, particularly once you factor in Trump's decision to skip a ceremony for four fallen service members in order to play golf, opting to send Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in his stead. Mediaite spoke to several veterans and their spouses, who were outraged at Trump's decision not to visit Dover Air Force Base to witness the dignified transfer of four soldiers killed in a training exercise in Lithuania, with one veteran telling the outlet, 'I can't begin to express my disgust with what this admin is doing to the troops and the veterans… Coming home from dying in service and, 'I'm going to hang out with the Saudis because of golf?' I'm disgusted at a minimum.'
