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A story about a pathetic man's downfall [34 Felony Convictions]

Francisco 2.0

By Francisco 2.0
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Beau Vine
Beau Vine

To be fair, President Trump’s four years in office weren’t so bad, except when when he incited an insurrection against the government, mismanaged a pandemic that killed nearly half a million Americans

Bama Chick
Bama Chick

Y’all about to get a great visual representation of Cullman, Alabama. Only good things to come out of Cullman are the Britt brothers (Roll Tide!) and orange rolls from All Steak restaurant. That pla

ChiTownDoc
ChiTownDoc

You seem really pissed off for a nontrumper.  Just laugh at the trumpers, bro.  They’re really gullible dumbfucks who worship this orange blob…you know, people completely unlike yourself.  

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GW Hayduke

GW Hayduke 1957

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5 hours ago, Neonmoon said:

Don’t be fatuous Jeffrey 

Obviously I don’t believe anyone should be imprisoned for flying on a plane. I was skipping past the investigation, the testimony from victims, and the probable conclusion. 

This hurts my brain. Why would you skip evidence and an investigation? 

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Francisco 2.0

Francisco 2.0 32611

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When you finally realize people are grifting off of your grift:

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/trump-maga-group-millions-cash-america-first-1234936525/

 

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HIS FORMER AIDE has been making bank off his name for years and he wants his cut, right now. At least that’s how former President Donald Trump sees it. 

“It’s my fucking money!” the 2024 Republican presidential frontrunner privately vented in October, referring to an alleged sum in the tens of millions of dollars, a source with direct knowledge of the matter tells Rolling Stone.

Trump wasn’t talking about a business deal. Rather, he’s been grumbling about money donated to a think tank his former staffers and allies founded in 2021 to “advance the America First agenda.”

 

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For several months now, according to three people with knowledge of the situation, the former president has complained to an array of confidants and Republicans about the millions raised by the America First Policy Institute, a MAGAfied think tank launched near the start of his post-presidency. The nonprofit is populated by several former high-ranking Trump administration officials, including Larry Kudlow, Rick Perry, and Linda McMahon, and it’s led by Brooke Rollins, who served as a top White House domestic policy aide to Trump. AFPI is one of several Trump-aligned organizations and think tanks working to craft an intellectual framework for hardline policies, ranging from voter crackdowns to potentially invading Mexico.

 

 

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In the ex-president’s mind, Rollins was making a “killing” off of his name, sources recount, and was stiffing Trump. “It’s not right,” the former president has groused in recent months. 

Doing what Trump has privately suggested would raise several legal issues, four experts told Rolling Stone. AFPI is a tax-exempt, educational nonprofit and is expressly barred under IRS rules from spending money on elections or donating to a political candidate like Trump. Given that Trump is a candidate for office, paying him personally could be seen as attempting to aid a political campaign. One of the experts pointed out that tax-exempt nonprofits must also operate for public benefit, and they cannot disproportionately benefit private individuals or pay them more than fair market value for their services.

 

Spoiler

“I don’t even know if she would legally be allowed to give him all that money, to be honest with you,” says a person close to the former president. “It’s not like [Rollins] got caught selling a bunch of knockoff Trump ties.” 

The unrealistic and likely unwarranted complaints underscore Trump’s efforts to determine which operatives and groups would hold sway in his future administration, as well as concerns about his soaring legal costs related to four indictments, plus accusations of fraud, sexual misconduct, defamation, and more. For years, the former president has also been viscerally sensitive to any sign, real or imagined, that somebody is raising money off of his image or name without his explicit permission.

It’s unclear if Trump actually knows the total amount of what AFPI has raised over the years, but in different conversations this year with close associates, Trump has alternately claimed it’s anywhere from tens of millions to as much as $60 million. (AFPI’s tax filings show the group reported $38 million in revenue from 2021-22.)

Trump has stated his belief that this money is held in an account by “Brooke,” and that she can easily transfer it to him, personally, if she wanted to do so. In some of his discussions on the topic, Trump has said that he’s willing to settle for “just half” of the haul, two of the people with knowledge of the matter say. He’s suggested he’ll let Rollins off easy, and “she can keep” the rest of the cash.

This has become such a common complaint from Trump that members of his campaign staff, longtime political allies, attorneys advising him, media pals, GOP lawmakers, and former elected officials have all heard about it from Trump, according to the three sources. The grievance baffles some of Trump’s associates, as it demonstrates how warped the former president’s understanding is of money, organization, and the law.

Trump has at times asked if “the lawyers” should get involved in this supposed financial matter with Rollins and AFPI. (“I said that was a bad idea,” one of the people who Trump discussed this with bluntly says.) To be clear, there’s no real reason the think tank should give Trump cash, and there are obvious legal reasons for it not to do so. 

The sources add that Trump has been consistently, gently told that it’s not Rollins’ cash, but money raised for a nonprofit group.

No matter how many times this has been explained to the former (and possibly future) leader of the free world, he apparently refuses to accept the logic. He fires back that the only reason the think tank and other MAGA-friendly groups get so many donations is because of Trump’s name and “my brand,” and therefore, he’s entitled to a substantial cut.

When contacted by Rolling Stone, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung emailed a blanket denial in response to details of this reporting: “None of these conversations ever happened, and these sources who pretend to speak for President Trump clearly have their own agenda so they’ve fabricated elaborate stories to make it seem like they know what’s going on,” he said. “America First-aligned organizations exist because of President Trump and the movement he created, and we look forward to their continued work.”

Marc Lotter, AFPI’s chief communications director, wrote in an email: “This story is typical FAKE NEWS and is easily disproven with the simple fact in the past three years President Trump has headlined a half dozen events for AFPI, including our Hispanic leadership conference in Miami, his first return trip to Washington, D.C., the Big Tech lawsuit, and three fundraising events at Mar-a-Lago, as recently as last month.”

AFPI’s board of directors includes several megadonors to Trump and the GOP. McMahon, who chairs AFPI’s board, served as administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration under Trump. During the 2020 election cycle, she helmed a pro-Trump super PAC, America First Action, and poured $16 million into the group. 

According to its 2022 tax return, AFPI’s board has included Florida Scientologist Trish Duggan, who previously donated $9 million to America First Action and gave $5 million to another pro-Trump outside group this year. Goya Foods CEO Robert Unanue, a director on the AFPI board and 2020 election denier, donated $100,000 to the Trump Victory committee during the 2020 campaign. 

Florida businessman Mark Pentecost was a new addition to AFPI’s board in 2022. While Pentecost has little history of political giving, in 2021 his family foundation donated $10 million to a Georgia church whose senior pastor previously served as an evangelical adviser to Trump, according to research provided by the progressive watchdog group Accountable.US. Pentecost’s multi-level marketing company has pitched “skinny coffees” and other weight-loss products to young women on TikTok. A Business Insider report last year called the products “scientifically dubious and potentially dangerous.” 

Other AFPI board members include Texas oil tycoons Tim Dunn and Cody Campbell, as well as informal Trump adviser and former House speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.).

Trump’s fuming over the “millions and millions” raised by AFPI has helped chill his relationship with Rollins, his onetime senior aide, this year. It also adds to the list of reasons why the ex-president and his campaign lieutenants now view AFPI and other allied right-wing operations with growing resentment and caution. 

“Eight of Trump’s former cabinet members and 20 former White House senior staff joined AFPI to promote the America First policies proven to help all Americans and stop the horrible damage done to our country by Joe Biden’s Administration. Those leaders, including Brooke, remain in constant contact with the former president and our friends who are advising him,” said Lotter, AFPI’s chief communications director. “Anyone who suggests otherwise shows little ‘actual knowledge,’ as evidenced by their fear to be identified and talking to Rolling Stone, a website with stage 5 Trump Derangement Syndrome.”

At the heart of all the pettiness is the matter of who or what organizations will hold the keys to influence on personnel and policy decisions if Trump reconquers the White House next year. 

On one end, you have an assortment of groups, composed of MAGA true believers and also “establishment” Republicans, who are angling to shape the next GOP administration. On the other end is Trump’s determination not to be “handled” or undermined, as he often complains he was during his first term, by the so-called old guard of his party who think they know better than a former game-show host and TV celebrity does.

These two spheres often align and agree. However, Trump and a number of his most dedicated policy diehards are trying to pre-bake a government-in-waiting that will look like his own wholly owned subsidiary, rather than a constellation of independent departments. And the former president wants to send a clear message — roughly a year out from his expected rematch against President Joe Biden — to other party leaders and activists currently jockeying for influence. 

During Trump’s post-presidency, AFPI has attempted to brand itself as a “White House in waiting,” should he win in 2024. Indeed, the group is one of several organizations and networks that are providing detailed blueprints for a possible second Trump administration, and hoping to guide senior and mid-level hiring.

In recent weeks, the leadership of Trump’s presidential campaign has publicly cautioned these groups to ratchet it down.

“Despite our being crystal clear, some ‘allies’ haven’t gotten the hint,” Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita, two of Trump’s top campaign advisers, said in a written statement in early December. “Let us be very specific here: Unless a message is coming directly from President Trump or an authorized member of his campaign team, no aspect of future presidential staffing or policy announcements should be deemed official. Let us be even more specific, and blunt: People publicly discussing potential administration jobs for themselves or their friends are, in fact, hurting President Trump… and themselves.”

Trump, Wiles and LaCivita added, “is not interested in, nor does he condone, selfish efforts by ‘desk hunters.’”

 

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YGIFS

YGIFS 19458

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Hey Donald, guess what...somebody is also making money off of Brooke Rollin's fundraise on top of your fundraise, TPPF.  

You know what you call a big grift with a smaller grift inside of it that has another smaller grift inside of it, and so on?  

A 'Russian Doll'....which is what you are.  For such a "smart" business man, you really don't see many angles...do you?  

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Neonmoon

Neonmoon 38130

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1 hour ago, Francisco 2.0 said:

For several months now, according to three people with knowledge of the situation, the former president has complained to an array of confidants and Republicans about the millions raised by the America First Policy Institute, a MAGAfied think tank launched near the start of his post-presidency. The nonprofit is populated by several former high-ranking Trump administration officials, including Larry Kudlow, Rick Perry, and Linda McMahon, and it’s led by Brooke Rollins, who served as a top White House domestic policy aide to Trump. AFPI is one of several Trump-aligned organizations and think tanks working to craft an intellectual framework for hardline policies, ranging from voter crackdowns to potentially invading Mexico

This tracks 

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Longhorn_Fan68

Longhorn_Fan68 34108

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On 12/24/2023 at 12:03 PM, Macanudo said:

What good is an admission at this point.   The second he says it, he'll turn around and say that it was rigged.   He can never go back on that now.   

someone may have addressed this, but my first thought was because if he actually did that he would have to plead guilty to every single lawsuit he has against him right now. His whole argument is he won and his legitimate presidency was stollen from him. If he recanted that then his entire defense goes away. it's pretty fucking clever if you ask me

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Francisco 2.0

Francisco 2.0 32611

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22 minutes ago, A-Tex Devil said:

I'll repeat -- he needs to be asked if he understands he can only serve for one term.  Anything but a quick "of course" should be put on repeat for anyone that has any doubts as to his intentions.

 

And he would answer "of course".

Then after being sworn in, he would claim he was "owed" because things were "stolen", so a term is for life.

 

 

 

 

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Neonmoon

Neonmoon 38130

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36 minutes ago, A-Tex Devil said:

I'll repeat -- he needs to be asked if he understands he can only serve for one term.  Anything but a quick "of course" should be put on repeat for anyone that has any doubts as to his intentions.

Stop pretending like he or his followers give a shit what he says or does. He could say I want to be a dictator and kill puppies and 50 million pieces or shit in this country will vote for him. 
 

 

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A-Tex Devil

A-Tex Devil 2500

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11 minutes ago, Neonmoon said:

Stop pretending like he or his followers give a shit what he says or does. He could say I want to be a dictator and kill puppies and 50 million pieces or shit in this country will vote for him. 
 

 

I could give a shit about his followers.  It’s the non-voter that thinks none of it matters that need a wake up call. 35% of the populace is fucked.  
 

There is 20% that is combo apathetic or can’t vote D even if they hate Trump that needs to be targeted.  

Edited by A-Tex Devil
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Red Five

Red Five 41785

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44 minutes ago, Francisco 2.0 said:

 

And he would answer "of course".

Then after being sworn in, he would claim he was "owed" because things were "stolen", so a term is for life.

 

Not so sure about that. I bet we'd get a "we'll see" or something, which of course would get walked back by Team Dotard. Then he'd say it again when asked again, and the debate would become "Should we allow Donald Trump to serve as long as he likes? Let's have the conversation". And then it's just something normal that we're talking about. 

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RomaVicta

RomaVicta 30632

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There was a great TV Special on Trump and his bad intentions. I can't remember the name of it but it aired all afternoon on Jan. 6 2021. Nobody could watch that show and vote for Donald Trump ever again! The special was that powerful.

Edited by RomaVicta
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Longhorn_Fan68

Longhorn_Fan68 34108

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26 minutes ago, A-Tex Devil said:

I could give a shit about his followers.  It’s the non-voter that thinks none of it matters that need a wake up call. 35% of the populace is fucked.  
 

There is 20% that is combo apathetic or can’t vote D even if they hate Trump that needs to be targeted.  

unfortunately that contingent seems to be cemented into the mentality of never D (for whatever bs reason) or are of the "voting doesn't matter" camp and those people seem nearly irredeemable. I don't know what else has to happen for them to start giving a shit, but if they haven't by now, i doubt they ever will

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The Hot Dog Buffet

The Hot Dog Buffet 1314

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2 hours ago, A-Tex Devil said:

I could give a shit about his followers.  It’s the non-voter that thinks none of it matters that need a wake up call. 35% of the populace is fucked.  
 

There is 20% that is combo apathetic or can’t vote D even if they hate Trump that needs to be targeted.  

I view the uninformed non-voter as someone who would be more likely to vote R if they bothered to vote, anyway.

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RomaVicta

RomaVicta 30632

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31 minutes ago, The Hot Dog Buffet said:

I view the uninformed non-voter as someone who would be more likely to vote R if they bothered to vote, anyway.

You beat me to it. I think people so detached from even thinking about the best choice for the future of the republic would be the type more easily moved by blunt emotion and lies rather than even the simplest arguments.

It's a hell of note.

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Doc Sam Beckett

Doc Sam Beckett 5908

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8 minutes ago, longhornmatt said:

I actually agree.  People throw “narcissist” around a lot to refer to all kinds of people who are jerks, but he’s an actual malignant narcissist.  I don’t know if he’s capable of directly admitting he’s not entitled to be President/King as long as he wants even if a better disguised lie would help him more.  I fully expect he’d say something wishy washy and whine about how unfair it was he was cheated out of 4 years already. 

 

Ooohh what a nasty question. You're a nasty person, aren't you? That's okay. Look, this comes back to the absolutely corrupt DOJ led by sleepy Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi. You don't ask the Democrats holding our country hostage these questions, do you? That's okay, just nasty. 

 

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NAVY

NAVY 6973

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1 hour ago, pacman said:

Screenshot_20231227_183520_X.jpg

Not being a dick pacman… I like this but when was Turd-dog in court today? Is this the meat chicken thing? 

The information space extra fucked-ness  is accelerating. 

Links and checks please homies 

 

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NAVY

NAVY 6973

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14 minutes ago, pacman said:

Thought it was known. It's a satire account.

 

The particular post is meant to convey the short-sighted nature of the actions of the far right.

Cool, cool. Can’t tell what account that is. Anyhow, that shit is funny. It definitely feeds my biases. 

Thank you for posting links in the future. Satire, truth, bull shit - I like to keep em separated 

 

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tchookem

tchookem 3986

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There was a great TV Special on Trump and his bad intentions. I can't remember the name of it but it aired all afternoon on Jan. 6 2021. Nobody could watch that show and vote for Donald Trump ever again! The special was that powerful.


If say that show touched on the intentions on many Republicans. The fact that they have escaped blame baffles me.
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Gatorubet

Gatorubet 30789

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14 minutes ago, Red Five said:

You joke, but those Dotardarians would buy it. 

“Thank you for your order of the Donald Trump cologne, ‘Baron’.   For only an additional $99.99, today only, you can purchase a high-quality limited edition digital card of your favorite president wearing Depends in Nancy Pelosi‘s office - preparing to leave his special State of the Union message.”

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atomheartbevo

atomheartbevo 90674

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He’s had a great New Year’s Eve.  He put a lot of effort into posts about the Supreme Court and the fights against putting him on the ballot today.  You can read if you want to, but he’s clearly terrified of being kicked off of ballots.

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump

He’s trying to scare the GQP leadership and saying that if he’s not on the ballot, they will lose (he’s not wrong, but they will also lose with him on the ballot):

“Pollster Rich Baris calls these people Trump-or-bust voters—less-likely voters who tend to cast ballots only when they know the name ‘Donald J. Trump’ will appear.
They now form a critical constituency that other analysts are beginning to acknowledge. ‘Republicans cannot win without them,’ Mr. Baris told The Epoch Times. ‘The math just isn’t there if they do not show up.’”
theepochtimes.com/article/this

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