Trump / Musk (other than DOGE) Omnibus Thread

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finesse said:
I'm suspicious about that degree.. He transferred in only after a family friend pulled some serious strings to get him admitted. He and his attorneys have threatened to sue any private or public school or testing agency that releases any of his grades or scores. Under those circumstances, I see no reason to believe that he earned a degree even if he has one.
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Maybe, but it is a concept that a high school student can grasp. I see no reason to treat this any differently than mexico paying for the wall, or canada becoming the 51st state, or he will end the russia war before he takes office. He will be surrounded by intelligent people who can grasp the economic concepts. I will become a hell of a lot more concerned if the actions start to mirror the bluster.
 
Callatoroy said:
Trump's use of tariffs have been beneficial in some regards. The stated use and the actual use haven't aligned and I suspect they won't this time. Where I disagree with him is in his use of tariffs as a threat, and the first line of negotiating at that. I don't think he will use them as he publicly states. Say what you want about him but he did major in economics at Wharton. I'm not claiming that made him an expert, but he does understand the negative effects indiscriminate use entails. When all is said and done, I don't think we will see tariffs used in a shotgun manner other than with china.
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As we discussed in the other thread (superrific also made a good point about the interest on the national debt rising), the mere threat of tariffs are already causing real damage to the American people and businesses. And that will continue for at least the next 18 months and probably more.
If and when we see positive effects of all this tariff talk, we can give him the appropriate kudos at that time. But right now his handling of the economy in terms of real dollars and cents is decidedly in the red.
 
Callatoroy said:
Maybe, but it is a concept that a high school student can grasp. I see no reason to treat this any differently than mexico paying for the wall, or canada becoming the 51st state, or he will end the russia war before he takes office. He will be surrounded by intelligent people who can grasp the economic concepts. I will become a hell of a lot more concerned if the actions start to mirror the bluster.
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When will we see some of these intelligent people?
 
Callatoroy said:
I am 1000% on board with the culture change trump and Hegseth want to bring to the military. He has the intelligence to do the job, however he lacks the wisdom and experience necessary to deal with the business side of the job. He understands the problems that have plagued the business side but he likely has no clue how to fix it and is going to be totally dependent on others. That isn't a good thing. I also think he will gravitate to spending so much time on the cultural part that the other things get neglected. We really can't afford that given the issues with modernization that need to be corrected.
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Fair points of concern. I agree with your earlier statement (I think it was you) that Hegseth, after a year or so on the job, may be viewed as a spectacular success or failure. - he’s that much of a wildcard. This pick could work out really well or really not so well.
 
Ramrouser - I come in peace, lol.
We currently have the most powerful fighting force in the history of the world.
Do you think it is wise to hand it over to someone who is a “wild card?”
There are plenty of competent people who could do the job.
It’s like JP Morgan hiring a (former) accounts payable director from Fifth Third Bank to be its new CEO (imo).
 
Ramrouser said:
Fair points of concern. I agree with your earlier statement (I think it was you) that Hegseth, after a year or so on the job, may be viewed as a spectacular success or failure. - he’s that much of a wildcard. This pick could work out really well or really not so well.
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I'm genuinely curious which of Trump's previous appointments would you consider a "spectacular success"?
 
Ramrouser said:
What these confirmation hearings are demonstrating is that:

1. The overwhelming majority of Trump's selections - Burgum, Bessent, Zeldon, Rubio, Ratcliffe, Duffy, Bondi, etc. - are unquestionably competent selections that could have been made by any Republican President elect. Yet, many can't help but view them through the lens of Orangemanbad.

2. The only "outside-the-box" picks are Hegseth, RFKJr, Gabbard and Patel.
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Which, other than Zeldon, circles us back to initial responses in this thread to his nominations. Don’t forget who Bondi replaced.
 
Callatoroy said:
he does understand the negative effects indiscriminate use entails.
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What is the basis for this assumption? Even if he did understand them, that understanding would have to surmount the obstacle of his narcissism. But it's clear that he doesn't, because of the way he has always talked about the trade deficit. The trade deficit is DEFINITELY something he doesn't understand.
 
ChileG said:
It’s like JP Morgan hiring a (former) accounts payable director from Fifth Third Bank to be its new CEO (imo).
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The accounts payable director would have more relevant experience.

It's like Bubba replacing Hubert with a player he plucked off the JV team.
 
superrific said:
What is the basis for this assumption? Even if he did understand them, that understanding would have to surmount the obstacle of his narcissism. But it's clear that he doesn't, because of the way he has always talked about the trade deficit. The trade deficit is DEFINITELY something he doesn't understand.
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Trade deficits. Whether a strong dollar is good or bad. Who pays for tariffs. Are tariffs (generally speaking) good or bad for the economy.
He doesn’t seem to understand that for the health of the economy we need more immigrants, not fewer.
I’m sure there is a bunch of other crap I’ve forgotten about.
 
superrific said:
The accounts payable director would have more relevant experience.

It's like Bubba replacing Hubert with a player he plucked off the JV team.
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I don’t disagree but I was trying to be as judicious as possible while still making my point. My original post said “manager” but I gave him a promotion in a subsequent edit.
 
Gary Cohn was a good pick. Gold star for the first person who remembers why he resigned (hint: it starts with “t” and ends with “ariffs”).

I didn’t have an issue with most of Trump’s first cabinet. You know who absolutely detested them? Trump (after about a year).
 
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Ramrouser said:
What these confirmation hearings are demonstrating is that:

1. The overwhelming majority of Trump's selections - Burgum, Bessent, Zeldon, Rubio, Ratcliffe, Duffy, Bondi, etc. - are unquestionably competent selections that could have been made by any Republican President elect. Yet, many can't help but view them through the lens of Orangemanbad.

2. The only "outside-the-box" picks are Hegseth, RFKJr, Gabbard and Patel.
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Also Gaetz.

I’d argue there are 6 positions that shouldn’t be fucked around with. Justice, DOD, State, CIA, FBI and DNI. Maybe throw in Homeland Security. He nominated complete clowns for 4 of those positions. Ratcliffe is a step above clown status, but still woefully unqualified to run the CIA.
 
Consider that most of Trump's Cabinet picks became increasingly unfit and unqualified during his first term and now have made another substantial lurch in that direction heading into Trump 2.0. The current nominations are the high water mark for Trump's second term.

Law And Order Svu GIF by ION
 
Callatoroy said:
I am 1000% on board with the culture change trump and Hegseth want to bring to the military. He has the intelligence to do the job, however he lacks the wisdom and experience necessary to deal with the business side of the job. He understands the problems that have plagued the business side but he likely has no clue how to fix it and is going to be totally dependent on others. That isn't a good thing. I also think he will gravitate to spending so much time on the cultural part that the other things get neglected. We really can't afford that given the issues with modernization that need to be corrected.
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Glad to hear you appreciate some of the concerns about Hegseth.

I'd be interested to know, though - what makes you think our military needs a "culture change" and what specific changes do you want Trump and Hegseth can bring? (Leaving aside whether Hegseth can actually successfully implement culture change, which I seriously doubt.)
 
Ramrouser said:
Fair points of concern. I agree with your earlier statement (I think it was you) that Hegseth, after a year or so on the job, may be viewed as a spectacular success or failure. - he’s that much of a wildcard. This pick could work out really well or really not so well.
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Seems like a massive risk we have absolutely no reason to take. You want to put the most powerful military in the history of the world in the hands of a "wild card" who might be a spectacular failure?
 
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