Jump to content

2024 Presidential Election Thread - Let's keep the party going.

bolverk

By bolverk
in Cloak Room

 Share

Recommended Posts

RDCanecutter

RDCanecutter 25731

Posted
Posted
4 hours ago, Francisco 2.0 said:

https://www.thedailybeast.com/donald-trump-campaign-worker-blows-whistle-on-grift-and-bugging-plot-in-bombshell-email/

 

 

 

 

  Reveal hidden contents

Dollman “has alluded to the fact that he can’t say things for fear of retaliation,” the woman added. “There are napkins stuffed in all the gaps in the conference room now. It seems like they’re willing to go to extremes.”

“This is nothing more than fanciful lies and fabrications from a disgruntled former employee of a vendor, and this person apparently was a terrible teammate who also disclosed private, internal information to outside individuals,” the senior campaign official said.

The campaign worker, who has requested that she not be publicly identified, had been responsible for placing Trump’s official campaign ads on platforms such as YouTube and Meta’s Facebook and Instagram. She worked in campaign headquarters for months but was not employed directly by the campaign. Instead she worked for Launchpad Strategies, an in-house ad firm founded and owned by Dollman who, she claimed in the email, had fired her at Wiles’ direction.

In a text message to the Daily Beast, Dollman wrote: “Launchpad made the decision to terminate her for spreading rumors about clients, and repeatedly showing poor judgment.” He declined to respond to further questions about details of the woman’s claims.

The woman in her email does not spell out what she meant by “grift and greed.” But sources told the Daily Beast that the woman had raised concerns for months with Dollman and others about how money for ads was being spent at the direction of LaCivita and Wiles. The issue burst into the spotlight when the Daily Beast revealed how LaCivita’s consulting firm—headquartered in his Virginia home—had already collected $22 million from the campaign and two Trump super PACs since 2022, much of it from commissions on placing ads, with millions more due him by the end of the campaign.

The campaign worker, who was fired three days after the LaCivita story broke, was not the source of the Daily Beast’s exclusive reporting and, when contacted last week, declined to comment for this story. (The Daily Beast has no reason to believe the emails and documents cited in this story were in any way connected to the recent compromise of the Trump campaign by Iranian hackers.)

The issues raised by the fired campaign worker underscore larger complaints about the lack of transparency in the Trump campaign’s disclosure reports, including an alleged repeated failure to identify the ultimate recipients of millions of dollars in campaign ad spending.

Sources told the Beast that over the summer the ad buyer became concerned that Wiles and LaCivita were farming out large digital ad buys to two outside firms, Strategic Media Services in Arlington and Zeta Global in New York, rather than using the campaign’s in-house Launchpad firm. After reviewing invoices, she concluded the outside firms were costing the campaign far more for the same business.

The woman, an ad buyer, prepared detailed charts under the title “How the campaign is being overcharged by political operatives.” One of the charts lists payments to Strategic Media Services, describing it as the firm that had been “chosen by Chris, Susie, political operatives in DC,” referring to LaCivita and Wiles. It then lists invoices appearing to show that Strategic Media was charging 32 percent higher fees on commissions than Launchpad was charging.

As for Zeta Global, also “chosen by Chris/Susie,” the whistleblower’s charts shows it charged the campaign $20 million for placing media ads—$6 million more than the $13.9 million that Launchpad would have charged for the same ads.

The whistleblower also noted that David Steinberg, the CEO of Zeta Global, was a significant Democratic donor to the Harris campaign and other Democratic campaign committees.

Strategic Media and Zeta did not respond to emails seeking comment.

The whistleblower’s email makes no direct allegation that LaCivita or Wiles were receiving portions of the higher commissions from the outside media firms, a not uncommon practice in presidential campaigns. Asked if either of the campaign’s two top officials had received such undisclosed payments, the senior campaign official said: “Not true at all and a complete lie.”

Although the senior Trump campaign official described the woman as an untrustworthy “disgruntled former employee” who is not to be believed, an email exchange the woman had with Wiles after she was fired suggests that, at least at the time and in part, the views of her at the highest levels was not quite so harsh.

The campaign worker, after being fired by Dollman, reached out to Wiles to ask if she could get her job back. Wiles did not offer any immediate hope, saying she would give the matter “a great deal of thought,” according to portions of an email exchange that the woman shared with the source who provided it to The Daily Beast.

Wiles, the campaign co-manager, then added: “You are a talented young woman with many wonderful and important qualities. You have a great work ethic, you’re creative and you have an expertise in your field that is impressive.”

 

She didn't get her cut.

  • Hook 'Em 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • Replies 50.2k
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • Js1

    3553

  • Pancho

    1097

  • tx 3 putt

    1074

  • Red Five

    935

Popular Days

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Popular Posts

Chult86
Chult86

I don't post all that often, though don't mistake that for not enjoying this board's discourse, OUsucks/Texags point and laughs, and quality original content on a frequent basis. I haven't felt t

Frank The Tank
Frank The Tank

I’m a thread lurker and really only jump in for some sarcasm here and there. But, as an attempt at sincerity and to help get things back on track, here we go: I was generally raised as a republic

Francisco 2.0
Francisco 2.0

Posted Images

  • Popular Post
mchookem

mchookem 15408

Posted
  • Popular Post
Posted

re: 'the largest mass deportation in history'...i just...i mean...wut 😐 

the racism and fear is what it is, always been there, no real surprise...

but my god, the sheer ignorance and self-immolation of not having even the slightest grasp on the horrific, literally catastrophic economic impact that would have on this country...i don't understand how it's even possible for even the dumbest Americans in 2024 to not understand that! jfc we have literally millions and millions of people doing work in this country that we ALL rely on, in almost every single industry... agriculture, construction, childcare, service, maintenance, hell even the cleaning crews for giant corporation buildings...how, HOW is that not understood??

it's just absolutely BONKERS that these people are holding signs and enthusiastically cheering this plan on 😳 i mean i know maga is full of morons and assholes, but this specific issue is just insane. it would quite literally kneecap our entire economy for a generation. tenor(17).gif.b1f97e917780b4a32268612515249eaa.gif

  • Hook 'Em 12
  • Rage+1 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • Popular Post
troph

troph 23951

Posted
  • Popular Post
Posted

@Mole I have no problem with biblical voting if "widows and orphans" take the prime seat that I believe they do in scripture. I have no problem with biblical voting if the Beatitudes receive their rightful place in the discussion. I have no problem with biblical voting if the parable of the Good Samaritan is thought of when casting votes. It's only when people use the bible to justify their -isms that I start to get real cranky.

  • Hook 'Em 17
  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites
TeeDubya

TeeDubya 3268

Posted
Posted (edited)
2 hours ago, mdmost said:

Because your politics is your sports team now. You dress your kids up in UT gear and have them cheer the team. Well, MAGA dressed their kids in MAGA gear and has them cheer for the MAGA side. 

Politics is the religion.  Church attendance down significantly since WWII.  These people found a new label to differentiate themselves and feel set apart and saved.   

1 hour ago, Goredho said:

The only thing I am certain of is that the next two weeks are going to be absolutely fucking bananas.

Two, or two thousand?

1 hour ago, Js1 said:

I mean, that part of Oregon wants to merge with Idaho. Should tell you all someone needs to know about it 

Same for the Palouse (eastern Washington). In fact, some state rep brought it up a few years ago, in the height of the MAGA movement.  IIRC, it didn’t get taken seriously by state lawmakers.  

Edited by TeeDubya
  • Hook 'Em 1
  • Like 1
  • Haha 1
  • Rage+1 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • Popular Post
Pescado_Rojo

Pescado_Rojo 19177

Posted
  • Popular Post
Posted
4 minutes ago, mchookem said:

re: 'the largest mass deportation in history'...i just...i mean...wut 😐 

the racism and fear is what it is, always been there, no real surprise...

but my god, the sheer ignorance and self-immolation of not having even the slightest grasp on the horrific, literally catastrophic economic impact that would have on this country...i don't understand how it's even possible for even the dumbest Americans in 2024 to not understand that! jfc we have literally millions and millions of people doing work in this country that we ALL rely on, in almost every single industry... agriculture, construction, childcare, service, maintenance, hell even the cleaning crews for giant corporation buildings...how, HOW is that not understood??

it's just absolutely BONKERS that these people are holding signs and enthusiastically cheering this plan on 😳 i mean i know maga is full of morons and assholes, but this specific issue is just insane. it would quite literally kneecap our entire economy for a generation. tenor(17).gif.b1f97e917780b4a32268612515249eaa.gif

I have a cousin that is hardcore MAGA. Her son is in the Navy and is married to a Japanese girl he met while stationed in Okinawa and they have two kids. She blocked me when I asked her how she'll feel about her daughter in law and only two grand babies getting deported. 

  • Hook 'Em 7
  • Like 3
  • Fuck Around and Find Out 8
Link to comment
Share on other sites
RDCanecutter

RDCanecutter 25731

Posted
Posted
2 hours ago, immamac said:

My wife's grandfather ordered all kinds of Trump knives and coins and whatever. Republican his whole life. 

Don't throw that shit away. It'll have great resale value especially after Trump loses.

If he wins, maybe you can carry one of the coins to show the Interior Homeland Security Forces so you can pass through checkpoints.

  • Haha 1
  • Drool 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
SimonBolivar

SimonBolivar 10645

Posted
Posted

 

1 hour ago, Bozo_Casanova said:

The server appears to have crashed, but the crosstabs are below. Actually worth digging into with a sample this big:
Dig in, nerds!

IIRC this survey was pretty good in both 2016 and 2020

 

1 hour ago, SimonBolivar said:

Screenshot_20241028_113147_Chrome.thumb.jpg.3cb59bad2db6c438fd4b54d683b1e77a.jpg

 

Young men is interesting

 

4 minutes ago, Dahobbs said:

What is this from? I don't understand what it is talking about. I can't tell if it is just cut off on my phone or if I'm missing things. 

Sorry it was from @Bozo_Casanova's link showing young men almost as strong for Kamala as young women.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
texasdago

texasdago 7369

Posted
Posted
1 minute ago, RDCanecutter said:

Don't throw that shit away. It'll have great resale value especially after Trump loses.

If he wins, maybe you can carry one of the coins to show the Interior Homeland Security Forces so you can pass through checkpoints.

He should hold onto all of it.  One day Harlan Crow will want to add it to his collection.

  • Like 1
  • Haha 2
  • Drool 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Jive Turkey

Jive Turkey 12156

Posted
Posted (edited)
2 hours ago, LurkingHorn said:

They talked about this exact thing on The Daily today. Trump is betting that he can drive up the margins with white males under 40. That's why he's been doing all these podcast interviews and why he's seemingly given up on courting the women's vote. Could be brilliant, could be stupid. Only the election will tell the tale. 

It’s why Nick Bosa was sporting his MAGA on SNF. Trying to get young white men who watch football but don’t vote to vote for Trump. 

 

Edited by Jive Turkey
  • Hook 'Em 1
  • Rage+1 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Nice Guy Eddie

Nice Guy Eddie 13240

Posted
Posted
2 hours ago, mdmost said:

Because your politics is your sports team now. You dress your kids up in UT gear and have them cheer the team. Well, MAGA dressed their kids in MAGA gear and has them cheer for the MAGA side. 

I can't imagine being a middle or high school teacher right now dealing with the male students constantly saying some MAGA comments all day. I'm sure they're giggling while repeating the rally comments about Puerto Rico and Hispanic immigrants not pulling out.

I know my own limitations and realize that I wouldn't make it a year without smacking the crap out of some mouthy kid. 

  • Hook 'Em 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites
RDCanecutter

RDCanecutter 25731

Posted
Posted
2 hours ago, SydneyCarton said:

 

Yup. I've told the story of my neighbor who dressed his 7 year old up as Creepy Joe Biden last halloween. 

I'm glad we're travelling to another neighborhood this halloween. 

On Halloween I plan to be sitting in a bar several blocks away where the bartenders give me free beer.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
mchookem

mchookem 15408

Posted
Posted
6 minutes ago, Dr. Teeth said:

Essentially what this entirely election is about: rich people wanting tax cuts hoping they can get poor people who look up to them to vote against their interests. 

agreed but like i said above...the rich are gonna suffer just like the rest of us when millions and millions of our workforce are deported. i mean Astor and Guggenheim and Strauss etc. went down with the Titanic! 

what are they even thinking 😳

  • Hook 'Em 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
heso

heso 2540

Posted
Posted
17 minutes ago, Js1 said:

its 381, not 389.  But damn close.

Where does the .4 expected independent margin for Harris come from? Is that expecting independents to break 70-30 for Harris? That seems like an absurdly ridiculous number unless I’m missing some poll showing them breaking that high? Biden won independents 52-44 in pa. Am I just regarded?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Js1

Js1 82105

Posted
Posted
1 minute ago, heso said:

Where does the .4 expected independent margin for Harris come from? Is that expecting independents to break 70-30 for Harris? That seems like an absurdly ridiculous number unless I’m missing some poll showing them breaking that high? Biden won independents 52-44 in pa. Am I just regarded?

According to the guy, EARLY mail in independents split 70/30 on average. Not all independents 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
henrygandorf

henrygandorf 28582

Posted
Posted
5 minutes ago, heso said:

Where does the .4 expected independent margin for Harris come from? Is that expecting independents to break 70-30 for Harris? That seems like an absurdly ridiculous number unless I’m missing some poll showing them breaking that high? Biden won independents 52-44 in pa. Am I just regarded?

 

3 minutes ago, Js1 said:

According to the guy, EARLY mail in independents split 70/30 on average. Not all independents 

having followed the pa firewall storyline the past couple weeks, it will be fascinating to see how it plays out and if the predictions hold.

what i'm most curious about is the registered gop voters and what the haley->harris numbers look like. all the polling (so far) has suggested that kamala is getting more of the gop votes than trump is getting of the dem votes (though not by much). the "party-swap" votes are not factored in to the firewall numbers, and if kamala just wins those by 1-2 points, that could add some much-needed cushion. 

while i do agree that 70/30 sounds aggressive (even if true), i'm much more confident in the 390k number logic, especially considering she looks like she's gonna get there midweek.

  • Hook 'Em 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Haphap

Haphap 665

Posted
Posted
13 hours ago, Satchel said:

Watching Trump and Melania play kissy face like they were siblings was cringeworthy. I guess her contract forbids kissing on the lips.

She warned him and the staff, if they insists on kissing on the lips, she cannot guarantee not throwing up on his mouth or orange face

  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
RDCanecutter

RDCanecutter 25731

Posted
Posted
49 minutes ago, G650 said:

Sadly accurate

Everybody's got their Bibb County. (For those incapable of reading my mind, about a year ago we were on an afternoon drive through Bibb County, where the Cahaba River Lilies bloom SW of Birmingham. Fairly rural unlike the saturated suburbs of Shelby County. I wanted to stop and eat at some meat-and-three, but before we found one, we noticed that the Confederate-Flag-and-Bible-Salesmen had descended on the place. Every truck, every trailer, they were all ready to follow Marse Robert up into Pennsylvania. I lost my appetite and was determined to spend no US currency on CS adherents.)

Now all y'all without sin, you might think Bibb County's always been this way. Oddly enough, no, at least not in a flag-flying frenzy. What could have changed? Who could have been elected?

  • Hook 'Em 2
  • Drool 1
  • Fuck Around and Find Out 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
locodos

locodos 5079

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, Pancho said:

On a side note, should I come in for the Florida game? Am I invited to the Surly tailgate?

At the risk of talking football on a football site...

You should go, you're gonna have a great time at that game.   These aren't the high flying gators of old.  Now it's just curl routes short of the sticks and runs on 3rd and long.  

Fun drinking game idea, Drink every time the Gata QB rolls out to the right.  PS you'll die.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
flatdawgs

flatdawgs 1183

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, Scheiss Meister said:

Tell me you don't know shit about Oregon without telling me you don't know shit about Oregon.  The eastern half of Oregon is full blown maga.  It's not a long drive to do that and head back home.

Shit, you don't have to go that far. Drive 45 minutes N, E, or W and you're deep in the heart of MAGA country. Lewis County, WA - about halfway between Seattle and Portland - is Alabama with scenery. Oregon is the most "conservative" (and by far the poorest) of the three West Coast states - they had (modified) Jim Crow laws, anti-miscegenation laws, and despite entering the union as a free state in 1859 was such a sundown state that two of (then) Washington Territory's most prominent pioneers were Black men who crossed the Columbia because Oregon told them and their families to GTFO. Oregon is a very weird state politically - the extremes have always had an outsized role. Even with all that, they're pretty solidly blue and the vast majority of that is neither Antifa or anarchist.

  • Hook 'Em 5
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
 Share
Go to topic listing


Football ... Basketball ... Baseball ... Other Sports ... Futbol ... 🤫995🤫 ... Gambling ... Movies & TV ... Music ... Hobbies ... Lulz ... Food & Travel ... Daily Texan ... Business and Markets ... Cloak Room ... Help ... For Sale ... Board Discussion ... Subscribe!... Donate!... Advertise... COOKIE MONSTER!

×
×
  • Create New...