US Elections (& Politics) :)
- Thread starter sdkid
- Start date
What donors to Trump's White House ballroom stand to gain from the federal government
The scary donation:
Software company Palantir has been awarded more than $800 million across several government contracts in fiscal year 2025, more than in any prior year, according to federal contract data. The Trump administration has also made Palantir a key player in managing and consolidating data about Americans between federal agencies, The New York Times reported.
Crypto donations:
A company spokesman confirmed Coinbase, the largest U.S. cryptocurrency exchange, made a donation. The company is seeking Securities and Exchange Commission approval to offer blockchain-based stocks. It also faces an SEC investigation started under former President Joe Biden into whether it misstated its user numbers in past financial disclosures, The New York Times reported. Earlier this year, the SEC withdrew a separate lawsuit against Coinbase, shortly after the company donated $1 million to Mr. Trump's inauguration.
Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, twin brothers who own crypto exchange Gemini, also helped pay for the event space. In February, the SEC closed a long-running investigation into their crypto exchange, Cameron Winklevoss announced on X, after the Winklevoss twins donated more than $2 million to MAGA Inc. one month prior. In July, the brothers successfully lobbied Mr. Trump to withdraw his original nominee to run the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which regulates crypto, according to Politico.
Everyone of their heads would explode simultaneously!Let's modernize the doctrine and call it The Trump Doctrine. It'll drive the leftists even more crazy than they already are.
Me sometime in the future on ipcamtalk.com reading about the newly introduced "The Trump Doctrine"...
Parley
Known around here
What Business Leaders Should Know About President Trump’s Trip to Asia
President Trump’s upcoming trip to Asia is a reminder that his trade philosophy has not changed: America’s economic strength is the foundation of its global influence. His mission is to turn high-stakes negotiations into opportunities for American workers and investors. But as trade tensions with China ignite again, business leaders should prepare for volatility and opportunity to rise in tandem.
The White House hopes to announce a series of trade agreements during his trip to Malaysia, Korea, and Japan. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has indicated that the administration expects to sign multiple deals during the Asia swing. The agreements would build on the broad frameworks previously negotiated with the European Union, Japan, and South Korea.
At the same time, trade tensions between Washington and Beijing are escalating. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called on Beijing to withdraw its threat to restrict rare-earth exports or risk global decoupling. Beijing fired back, labeling Trump’s proposed 100% tariffs a “typical example of U.S. double standards.”
The rhetoric is sharp, but both sides are also preparing for dialogue. Bessent is set to meet Chinese officials this week, and President Trump has said, “It will all be fine” between the U.S. and “highly respected” President Xi Jinping.
The Trump-Xi détente is in flux again after months of relative calm. Earlier this year, sky-high tariffs brought trade between the two countries nearly to a halt before both sides reached a fragile truce that lowered the levies. Trump has expressed optimism that he and President Xi can meet and resolve matters on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in November.
The president’s approach to trade policy remains consistent: Use tariffs and export controls as leverage to secure fair trade, protect national security, and rebuild American industry.
Below are four guideposts for business leaders as they assess the...
(Excerpt) Read more at realclearpolitics.com ...
President Trump’s upcoming trip to Asia is a reminder that his trade philosophy has not changed: America’s economic strength is the foundation of its global influence. His mission is to turn high-stakes negotiations into opportunities for American workers and investors. But as trade tensions with China ignite again, business leaders should prepare for volatility and opportunity to rise in tandem.
The White House hopes to announce a series of trade agreements during his trip to Malaysia, Korea, and Japan. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has indicated that the administration expects to sign multiple deals during the Asia swing. The agreements would build on the broad frameworks previously negotiated with the European Union, Japan, and South Korea.
At the same time, trade tensions between Washington and Beijing are escalating. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called on Beijing to withdraw its threat to restrict rare-earth exports or risk global decoupling. Beijing fired back, labeling Trump’s proposed 100% tariffs a “typical example of U.S. double standards.”
The rhetoric is sharp, but both sides are also preparing for dialogue. Bessent is set to meet Chinese officials this week, and President Trump has said, “It will all be fine” between the U.S. and “highly respected” President Xi Jinping.
The Trump-Xi détente is in flux again after months of relative calm. Earlier this year, sky-high tariffs brought trade between the two countries nearly to a halt before both sides reached a fragile truce that lowered the levies. Trump has expressed optimism that he and President Xi can meet and resolve matters on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in November.
The president’s approach to trade policy remains consistent: Use tariffs and export controls as leverage to secure fair trade, protect national security, and rebuild American industry.
Below are four guideposts for business leaders as they assess the...
(Excerpt) Read more at realclearpolitics.com ...
Parley
Known around here
WEB OF SIN Inside Venezuela’s most powerful narco-terror gang ‘Cartel of the Suns’ in Trump’s crosshairs… & why it’s untouchable.
VENEZUELAN tyrant Nicolas Maduro is not merely complicit in organised crime — he leads it.
From generals to judges, the very top of Venezuela’s political and military elite are deeply embedded in a powerful, sprawling cocaine trafficking network, experts say.
Cartel de los Soles, translated as Cartel of The Suns, isn’t a cartel in the traditional sense.
It’s a web of Venezuelan military, intelligence and political elites accused of taxing, protecting and moving cocaine with state resources.
With parts of Maduro’s government deeply enmeshed in the drug trade, the lines between state power and organised crime have been blurred.
Dr César Alvarez, from Charles Sturt University, told The Sun: “Without a doubt, the leader of Cartel de los Soles is Nicolás Maduro.
“The involvement of the highest-ranking members of his military has been clearly demonstrated that not only government officials, but all the leaders from other criminal groups, not only in Venezuela but in Colombia, have been clearly established.”
US prosecutors first indicted Maduro in 2020 on narco-terrorism charges, accusing him and senior officials of conspiring with Colombia’s FARC guerrillas to “flood” the United States with cocaine.
The case alleges Venezuela’s state institutions — from the military and intelligence services to the judiciary — were weaponised to enable multi-ton shipments and shield traffickers from prosecution.
Maduro denies the charges and calls them politically motivated.
Lots more at the link with pictures: Inside Venezuela's narco-terror gang 'Cartel of the Suns' in Trump's crosshairs
VENEZUELAN tyrant Nicolas Maduro is not merely complicit in organised crime — he leads it.
From generals to judges, the very top of Venezuela’s political and military elite are deeply embedded in a powerful, sprawling cocaine trafficking network, experts say.
Cartel de los Soles, translated as Cartel of The Suns, isn’t a cartel in the traditional sense.
It’s a web of Venezuelan military, intelligence and political elites accused of taxing, protecting and moving cocaine with state resources.
With parts of Maduro’s government deeply enmeshed in the drug trade, the lines between state power and organised crime have been blurred.
Dr César Alvarez, from Charles Sturt University, told The Sun: “Without a doubt, the leader of Cartel de los Soles is Nicolás Maduro.
“The involvement of the highest-ranking members of his military has been clearly demonstrated that not only government officials, but all the leaders from other criminal groups, not only in Venezuela but in Colombia, have been clearly established.”
US prosecutors first indicted Maduro in 2020 on narco-terrorism charges, accusing him and senior officials of conspiring with Colombia’s FARC guerrillas to “flood” the United States with cocaine.
The case alleges Venezuela’s state institutions — from the military and intelligence services to the judiciary — were weaponised to enable multi-ton shipments and shield traffickers from prosecution.
Maduro denies the charges and calls them politically motivated.
Lots more at the link with pictures: Inside Venezuela's narco-terror gang 'Cartel of the Suns' in Trump's crosshairs
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Parley
Known around here
We Got New Juicy Details About the Obama-Biden Feud Last Year
For all the unity that the Democratic Party projects, there’s actually a lot of drama behind the scenes, and it’s nice to see the details finally come out.
According to a new tell-all on last year’s campaign, Joe Biden spent the last weeks of his re-election meltdown dodging phone calls—not from reporters or donors, but from Barack Obama himself. For two full weeks before he finally bailed out last July, Biden reportedly refused to take his old boss’s calls. And get this: even after he quit, he gave Obama the cold shoulder for another month.
It’s a far cry from the friendly dynamic Democrats once sold to the public. Remember the memes, the matching sunglasses, the “brotherhood” and even the friendship bracelet? Yeah, that’s over.
Sources say Biden’s bitterness boiled over after word spread that Obama’s team quietly nudged George Clooney to write that July 10, 2024, New York Times hit piece urging him to bow out after his train-wreck debate against Donald Trump.
"The Oscar-winning actor had declared in the scathing piece that Biden “cannot win” less than a month after co-hosting a fundraiser that brought in some $30 million for the Democratic ticket, but was overshadowed by Biden freezing up during the event and having to be led offstage by Obama.
“Obama had been trying to get in touch with Biden for about two weeks, but his calls had not been returned,” ABC News chief Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl writes in an excerpt from his upcoming book “Retribution: Donald Trump and the Campaign That Changed America” that was published by the Dispatch on Friday and detailed the 48 hours before Biden announced he was leaving the race.
“Obama reached out again after Biden suspended his campaign, but the two men would not end up speaking until shortly
(Excerpt) Read more at pjmedia.com ...
For all the unity that the Democratic Party projects, there’s actually a lot of drama behind the scenes, and it’s nice to see the details finally come out.
According to a new tell-all on last year’s campaign, Joe Biden spent the last weeks of his re-election meltdown dodging phone calls—not from reporters or donors, but from Barack Obama himself. For two full weeks before he finally bailed out last July, Biden reportedly refused to take his old boss’s calls. And get this: even after he quit, he gave Obama the cold shoulder for another month.
It’s a far cry from the friendly dynamic Democrats once sold to the public. Remember the memes, the matching sunglasses, the “brotherhood” and even the friendship bracelet? Yeah, that’s over.
Sources say Biden’s bitterness boiled over after word spread that Obama’s team quietly nudged George Clooney to write that July 10, 2024, New York Times hit piece urging him to bow out after his train-wreck debate against Donald Trump.
"The Oscar-winning actor had declared in the scathing piece that Biden “cannot win” less than a month after co-hosting a fundraiser that brought in some $30 million for the Democratic ticket, but was overshadowed by Biden freezing up during the event and having to be led offstage by Obama.
“Obama had been trying to get in touch with Biden for about two weeks, but his calls had not been returned,” ABC News chief Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl writes in an excerpt from his upcoming book “Retribution: Donald Trump and the Campaign That Changed America” that was published by the Dispatch on Friday and detailed the 48 hours before Biden announced he was leaving the race.
“Obama reached out again after Biden suspended his campaign, but the two men would not end up speaking until shortly
(Excerpt) Read more at pjmedia.com ...
Parley
Known around here
Senate Dems cling to Epstein cash while badgering Trump admin to release dead pedophile’s papers
Senate Democrats are still clinging to tainted Jeffrey Epstein cash even while hectoring the Trump administration over releasing files about the notorious pedophile financier.
Epstein shelled out a string of campaign contributions to prominent candidates when he was traveling in powerful social circles that included financial and political elites.
Most were Democrats, and many recipients returned the cash or made equivalent donations to charity after his shocking arrest on federal sex-trafficking charges in 2019.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, now headed by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), took a different tack – keeping the $59,000 in Epstein contributions it accumulated through a series of donations between 1994 and 2000.
The biggest checks were for $20,000 in 1999 and $25,000 in 2000, Federal Election Commission records reveal. At the time, the group was run by New Jersey Sen. Robert Toricelli (D-N.J.), who would later quit the Senate in 2002 amid corruption allegations.
The Democratic National Committee similarly kept $32,000 in Epstein contributions.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
Senate Democrats are still clinging to tainted Jeffrey Epstein cash even while hectoring the Trump administration over releasing files about the notorious pedophile financier.
Epstein shelled out a string of campaign contributions to prominent candidates when he was traveling in powerful social circles that included financial and political elites.
Most were Democrats, and many recipients returned the cash or made equivalent donations to charity after his shocking arrest on federal sex-trafficking charges in 2019.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, now headed by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), took a different tack – keeping the $59,000 in Epstein contributions it accumulated through a series of donations between 1994 and 2000.
The biggest checks were for $20,000 in 1999 and $25,000 in 2000, Federal Election Commission records reveal. At the time, the group was run by New Jersey Sen. Robert Toricelli (D-N.J.), who would later quit the Senate in 2002 amid corruption allegations.
The Democratic National Committee similarly kept $32,000 in Epstein contributions.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
Oceanslider
Known around here
StevenFromTexas
Getting comfortable
President Trump gives Democrats some advice. Of course, they're too stupid to take it.
Oceanslider
Known around here
I'm shocked. Bigredfish didn't make the cut?
www.dailywire.com
Six Celebs Who Prove Trump Derangement Syndrome Has No Cure
Few things unite Hollywood quite like a shared hatred for Donald Trump. Since his rise from real estate mogul to reality TV star to the 45th president of the United States, Trump has lived rent-free in the heads of some of the entertainment world’s loudest voices. And even now, several months...
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Oceanslider
Known around here
mat200
IPCT Contributor
- Jan 17, 2017
- 17,058
- 28,771
unfortunately I recall the Weapons of Mass Destruction ( WMDs ) which were the casus belli for Iraq ..
not having a lot of trust on this one.
I still think the Casus Belli again is Oil
These Eight Charts Show Why Fentanyl Is a Huge Foreign Policy Problem
Overdoses involving fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are the leading cause of death among young Americans and a threat to U.S. public health, the economy, and national security. Combating the epi…
www.cfr.org
It about Oil
The World's Largest Oil Reserves by Country In 2024
Read how Venezuela dominates the world in Oil Reserves according to the most recent data from OPEC, and compare with the next highest ranked countries.
www.worldatlas.com
Wow, when you present it like that, it sure does seem like it... so close you can almost taste it:
Parley
Known around here
Parley
Known around here
These Eight Charts Show Why Fentanyl Is a Huge Foreign Policy Problem
Overdoses involving fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are the leading cause of death among young Americans and a threat to U.S. public health, the economy, and national security. Combating the epi…
It about Oil
The World's Largest Oil Reserves by Country In 2024
Read how Venezuela dominates the world in Oil Reserves according to the most recent data from OPEC, and compare with the next highest ranked countries.
I think we have enough oil of our own. President Trump is expanding the oil drilling in this country.