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James Wilson's avatar

Couldn’t pick a better time as Congress returns from its 6 week vacation and has a litany of issues to resolve.

Every day we hold it together there is damage done to the norms of our country, but every day brings us closer to the end of the regime too.

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Daniel Solomon's avatar

This is another chance to ask Congressional Republicans to stop the insanity.

Fox: With Congress back in session this week, Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California and Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky are reigniting their push for the Justice Department to release files in the Jeffrey Epstein case.

Khanna says that "people are going to be outraged" after seeing a news conference he and Massie are holding on Wednesday with 10 victims of the late convicted sex offender.

The news conference is part of the effort by Khanna and Massie to pass through the House a bill requiring the Justice Department to release its files on the Epstein case.

We should hold Rep. Sen Cassidy responsible for the RFK Jr. insanity -- in essence he made the call for the Seante.Cassidy, a doctor, was the swing vote on the Senate Finance Committee.

Now he wants to do oversight. But the deck is stacked. RFK Jr has diplaced the agency with anti-vax ideolueges.

"Cassidy needs to do more than oversight said Dr. Thomas Farley, the former top public health official in New York City and Philadelphia. “Cassidy now, I think, does bear some responsibility to stop (Kennedy) from causing more damage,” Farley said, arguing Kennedy needs to be fired.

Trump needs Congress

Reuters: ARLINGTON, Virginia (Reuters) -U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday expressed confidence that the Supreme Court will uphold President Donald Trump's use of a 1977 emergency powers law to impose sweeping tariffs on most trading partners, but said the administration has a backup plan if it does not.

Bessent told Reuters he was preparing a legal brief for the U.S. solicitor general, who will oversee the government's appeal to the Supreme Court, that will underscore the urgency of addressing decades of trade imbalances and stopping the flow of deadly fentanyl into the United States.

Put Congressional Republicans on the hot seat.

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Bombay Troubadour's avatar

Trump has declared 8 ‘national emergencies’ since Jan 20th.

The only real emergency is Trump. He is a weapon of mass destruction. Like orange cake uranium

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Edie Sadowski's avatar

He sure is !

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Mike Hammer's avatar

He’s hiding the unobtainium.

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Leah Baum's avatar

Inm and fmj are trolls don’t hit their links. Reported

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Kenneth Boyle's avatar

Trade and Fentanyl have absolutely nothing to do with each other, just smoke and mirrors!!

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Kay G's avatar

I would like to point out the obvious to people on this Substack. The Christian Nationalist’s are attempting to push through their vile religious theocracy on the United States through Project 2025. It specifically attacks those who do not have “traditional marriages” - one man and one unrelated woman.

So given all the evil perpetrated on this country by Russ Vought, Kevin Roberts, Leonard Leo and others on behalf of Project 2025 - why do they allow a married gay man to dictate America’s treasury policy??

Is this more of The Law is for You but Not for Me.

Go to Hell Scott Bessent!!

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Kathy's avatar

Alarm after FBI arrests US army veteran for ‘conspiracy’ over protest against Ice

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/02/fbi-arrest-us-army-veteran-ice-protest

📣📣

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Karen Marks's avatar

What "Conspiracy"? He made a speech urging Members of Armed Forces not to follow unlawful orders! It's part of their Oath of Office too! So these charges will never fly! 🫡🇺🇲🏛🗽⚖️🇺🇲💙

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Edie Sadowski's avatar

Yet another fake emergency for the Orange Blob to get what he wants!🤬🤬🤬🤬💩🤡

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Carl Selfe's avatar

Did you sign the judges letter against the Noem Senate approval? She is implicated. Trump-Picked Advisor Defends Israeli Official in Las Vegas Child Sex Sting

https://hotbuttons.substack.com/p/trump-picked-advisor-defends-israeli

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Aocm🇨🇦's avatar

The Regime is gonna find out that “provocative acts of war with Venezuela, Mexico, and other countries” will be their downfall. The USA is in for a world of pain and shame when everyone finds out that the “Pentagon bros” have shamed the military to the point where “provocative acts” is a charade, more like “pantomime performance” with no second act

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ramona j's avatar

Not to mention, the use of our great military for his retribution regime is only making us weaker.

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Charlotte Bryan's avatar

Thank you James Wilson!! :)):)):))

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Joanne Steacie's avatar

Right!

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Chris L's avatar

Trump is not looking very well health wise, and the fact that he wants to award the medal of freedom to a corrupt, lying, no good, disbarred POS named Rudy puts a stain on what should be a prestigious & non political civilian award😡😡

We still must protest and brave the colder temperatures to get our messaging out! We could have a democracy winter for '26 and beyond😉🥶

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Vivian Fletcher's avatar

Right! Giving the medal of freedom to a man who lost his way years ago? WTF!

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Chris L's avatar

Yep, Trump only awards the medal to his best bootlickers🙄🙄

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Yvette N Hath's avatar

That medal has had a stain on it since trump put it around Rush Limbaugh's neck during his first term.

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Carolyn Arnold's avatar

Yes, this was such a a travesty! Thank you for the reminder!

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Martha Kenne's avatar

Ugh

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Mary's avatar

I'm with you. We just had democracy Summer so we need to keep up the same for Fall, Winter and Spring. Everyone will learn how to dress for the weather and we can keep going as long as we need to.

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Martha Kenne's avatar

Yes. I about gagged when I heard about that.

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MrsCQ's avatar
Sep 2Edited

Disgraceful. I bet even after awarding Rudy the Medal of Freedom, if he actually goes through with it, Trump will still not return Rudy's calls.

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Helen Perez's avatar

The MAGAs haven’t realized that like Rudy when you are no longer useful he couldn’t care less about you. The Covid deaths convince some, but many remained loyal. With the CDC’s new policies on vaccines maybe the children will make a difference. We are headed back towards a terrible time.

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Justin Vaccaro's avatar

As a life long Republican until four years ago, I am so disgusted and disappointed in the party that has become the tool of a wannabe dictator. Republicans have completely forgotten their values, if they ever really had any, and I wholeheartedly agree it is up to us to take this country back from the brink. But understand this, if our military doesn't stand up, and fulfill their oathes, it's done, we're toast, and there's no point even trying. This country cannot defeat it's very own military with pitchforks and shotguns. If you find the military in your city, show them the respect they are due, thank them for their service and remind them it's not them we are protesting but this wannabe King. I never liked Trump. Not when he was on TV, and certainly not now. Appeal to your friends and family in the armed forces that we will support them so long as they stay true to their mission, to protect this country from all enemies Foreign or DOMESTIC.

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Daniel Solomon's avatar

You are the kind of guy who can speak to the Congressional Republicans who privately admit Trump is crazy. We need to replicate Brian Fitzpatrick.

About 20 say they want to talk. https://problemsolverscaucus.house.gov/

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Justin Vaccaro's avatar

I added my information on their website. Thank you for the heads up. Good luck and God bless 🙏🤞

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Karen Marks's avatar

HEAR, HEAR!! 🏛🗽⚖️🇺🇲💙

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Alexandra Porter's avatar

Absolutely Justin I hope the military turns on them all? I know that’s vicious but you become what you see and hear

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Martha Kenne's avatar

Well said.

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Carole Langston's avatar

You are a Republican like my brother, who has gone stumm. Worried.

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Justin Vaccaro's avatar

Well Carole, you should be thanking people like me, because even though I disagree with your opinion, I support your right to think for yourself. It's really sad that you think we are the enemy, when all we are trying to do is safeguard your rights. But that is the way the world works, the brave minority has to do what you are too afraid and unwilling to do and that is stop this lunacy and protect the rule of law. Maybe it hasn't quite affected your life yet, but it will especially if this democracy falls to a racist, narcissistic, xenophobic authoritarian. Remember your words, because you will have to defend yourself when you reach the Gate, and you my dear will certainly be found wanting. It's really sad that you can't, or don't want to see the damage that is being wrought on this country. But that is the beauty of America, we accept all kinds, even fools like you. God bless.

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Friedrike Merck's avatar

I thank you Justin.

It is critical that we remember the Buddha’s teachings and, in a more modern format, Eckart Tolle’s messages from The Power of Now.

The only thing we have is right now. No more time for naval gazing, recriminations, would have should have could haves.

Democrats need to drop recriminations, they are obstacles to winning this war. You cannot welcome someone to the fold if you are snearing at them, and newcomers will retreat if they do not feel welcomed or safe.

Welcome Justin. Know that I, (great X 3 granddaughter of two men who helped establish the Republican Party, Evarts and Morgan), deeply appreciate your decision to walk away from what has become an authoritarian cult, and head toward a party that often drives me bonkers but is now, for all intents and purposes, the party defending and protecting our precious democracy.

Welcome, and thank you.

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Carole Langston's avatar

Didn't intend that. My brother has always been difficult. I meant to be supportive of you and saddened that my brother is so quiet. And I am an Agnostic/ Atheist so the Gate is an invention like all the various gods out there. Religions are all right and all wrong. Everyone's right to worship like they want. Unfortunately, Project 2025 doesn't want that. Keep up the resistance.

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Justin Vaccaro's avatar

Well. Then I owe you an apology. I was confused by your words. Religion is not the same as faith by the way. I agree that religion is a farce, but I've experienced too much in my life to deny that something is there. I was an Agnostic for many years but today I'm am spiritual. And I truly believe there is room for us all. Again, my sincerest apologies for any slight on my part. Good luck, and God bless. 🤞🙏👍

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Carole Langston's avatar

Very gracious of you and adult. Something missing today. Thank you.

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Justin Vaccaro's avatar

Proof that we don't have to see eye to eye to show respect to one another.

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Patricia Reed's avatar

I'm with you, Justin. We've all experienced too much in life. Yes, "something is there" and it's probably the last greatest unknown/mystery - as it should be.

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Friedrike Merck's avatar

Your confusion was legit. It wasn’t clear. Glad you both hashed it out.

Onward!

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Jenny Duceour's avatar

He’s gonna have all kinds of health problems because of this Epstein survivor presser tomorrow. Narcissists all do the same thing—as soon as the heat turns up, they start crying about how them taking responsibility for their actions when they’re in such poor health is so cruel. Pity the fool but only if the fool is yourself.

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Daniel Solomon's avatar

Acosta is supposed to testify, in secret, on the 17th. Acosta’s “non-prosecution agreement” immunized several of his alleged co-conspirators from federal prosecution, and Maxwell alleges she is one of them in her SCOTUS appeal. Maxwell was named in at least eight civil lawsuits alleging sex trafficking and abuse, filed by victims such as Virginia Giuffre, Sarah Ransome, Jennifer Araoz, Annie Farmer, and Jane Doe, as well as others. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghislaine_Maxwell She also initiated one lawsuit, Maxwell v. Epstein's Estate, in 2020.

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Jenny Duceour's avatar

The NPA thing is really bananas so I’ve been waiting to see exactly how it turns out.

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GIB's avatar

Will Acosta tell the truth? He has to know "who" , in the upper echelons of our Federal Government, okayed the sweet deal Epstein got in Florida at the time all of his trafficking and abuse was intially discovered! The documentary I watched about this investigation portrayed the dismay and disgust of FBI agents that had worked very hard investigating and documenting evidence in this case, only to find out that it would all be swept under the rug! Daniel, do you know who was behind the reinvestigation that started back up in 2019? I'm very curious about that......

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Daniel Solomon's avatar

I don't think he will unless closely cross examined. Years after the fact, DOJ performed an Office of Professional Responsibility investigation that was papered over, but he denied that he had a secret meeting with Epstein's lawyers. I get this from the Miami Herald, that tracked it. OPR concluded that “Acosta exercised poor judgment when he failed to make certain that the state intended to and would notify victims identified through the federal investigation about the state plea hearing. His decision left victims uninformed about an important proceeding that resolved the federal investigation, an investigation about which the [United States Attorney’s Office] had communicated with victims for months. It also ultimately created the misimpression that the [Justice] Department intentionally sought to silence the victims.”

The summary said the Office of Professional Responsibility had reviewed “hundreds of thousands of records,” including emails, letters, memos and investigative materials, and conducted “more than 60 interviews of witnesses,” from FBI case agents to a former deputy attorney general. In a statement, the Justice Department said it shared the executive summary of the report with victims on Thursday and the full report with a congressional committee. “

"Among the federal prosecutors who avoided being targeted for criticism in the executive summary were Acosta’s former top assistant, Jeffrey Sloman; ex-criminal chief Matthew Menchel; former case prosecutor Marie Villafaña, who had prepared a sex-trafficking indictment against Epstein that was not filed; and her boss, Andrew Lourie. They and their actions, however, are detailed in the full, unreleased report."

Hopefully the Dems will interview Villafana and the others before they question Acosta.

Every person who used the spa at Mar a Lago during the time that Virginia Giuffre worked there is a potential witness. Same for her co-workers. What do the states' attorneys and AUSAs know about that?

Several Epstein lawyers have passed away. Did they have files? Dershowitz is still around. Was he privy to the secret meeting?

Were Maxwell and/or Trump lawyered up at the time?

I can go on for a month.

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GIB's avatar

Thanks for sharing your deeper knowledge! Good idea with regards to the Dems interviewing others before Acosta. Call in Dershowitz too.

"Were Maxwell and/or Trump lawyered up at the time?" Great question and important, as well.

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Kathy H's avatar

Yup, Jenny, as bad as it was with the felon sleeping through a "witch hunt" before, screaming how unfair he is treated & how persecuted...we can be damn sure it will be "like the world has never seen" if he is made to answer anything now. He isn't that skilled of a liar, he's just never held responsible.

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Jenny Duceour's avatar

Only someone of extreme privilege would consider being held to the same standards as others unfair. These bitches can cry me a river.

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Kathy H's avatar

Lol, I know, right?! These ignorant candy-asses think the world is made to cater to them & they're going to find out otherwise.

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Jenny Duceour's avatar

We need the Rock to come back to Washington

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Deb's avatar

Thanks to Ben,Brett and Jordy and all the Meidas affiliates for the outstanding work you do to protect and defend democracy here and around the world! You bring truth in a time that it's hard to find. Thank you!

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Black Raven's avatar

Good morning Meidas Mighties. Good morning 🌄 Ben! Ben, I was thinking that you should do a comprehensive investigative 🔎 report on the Heritage Foundation conservative think tank and the CEO Kevin Roberts. I know that we all keep talking about Krasnov mango mussolini because he is the enemy within. And a malignant narcissistic psychopath sadist, to boot. However, he's the puppet and useful idiot of this Christofascist white nationalists organization. Which is the Heritage Foundation. I think with your large platform it would be great for you to do a dive and talk about these puppet masters and shadow people who are actually running the show from behind the scenes. This goes all the way back 40 plus years. To the Reagan times. @BenMeiselas. I hope you take this into consideration. It is time to put them on blast. Because frankly, this fascist autocratic dangerous organization needs to be toppled. Dismantled.

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Black Raven's avatar

We also must show the world 🌎 who the evildoers are. Because they are certainly running the show behind the scenes. Kevin Roberts needs to be talked about and exposed. He is vile and evil. His think tank conservative organization needs to be abolished. When we expose evil we weaken them.

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Kathy H's avatar

You are right, Black Raven, this goes way beyond party politics or any of the factions of Maga, it goes back further than that. The only way to rebuild democracy is to address those destroying it, those that have wanted to eliminate it all along. Now they have said & demonstrated what wasn't being said aloud before, the plan is to eradicate democracy for a ruling class.

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Black Raven's avatar

Yes, exactly. You get it. You have to go straight to the source, remove the cancer, to be able to move forward clean slate. I really do hope Ben, does a report on this evil organization.

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Janis  DAnnunzio's avatar

All I can say is thank God for you and your brothers. I do not have the words to express my appreciation for your braveness. Thank you from the bottom of American's hearts!

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Dottie Fanning's avatar

We need to keep up the pressure, demand Truth to Power!.

Release All the Epstein Files Now!

We the MeidasMighty stand strong arm in arm with you continuing to fight for democracy and truth!

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Susan Booth's avatar

The People need to take out the Heritage Foundation next. It is a nest of traitors.

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Tammy  Scott's avatar

Agreed I am so happy finally get to read that others see what I see. The Haritage Foundation is the " deep state" the " shadow government". Trump is incapable of running a lemonade stand much less a country.

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Carole Langston's avatar

Facist Christian White Males. When managing my Father's will I found that he'd contributed to The Heritage Fund for years. A prepaid letter for contributions arrived. I tore the insert into tiny pieces and mailed it. Petty? Don't care.

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Pamela S.'s avatar

I found the same thing when closing out my mother’s estate. It hurts me that she was deluded by that underhanded organization.

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Susan Booth's avatar

Ya know, crap like that should be considered Elder Abuse. If we had a government with any guts, it would be illegal to scam the elderly.

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Wesley Delong's avatar

I’m heading to columbus circle today to badger congress as they stumble back from recessing in order to stop an epstein vote.

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David Dickson's avatar

Maybe we need a little "recreation" during these trying times. May I suggest a contest to see what we can come up with as "alternative" words for MAGA? My entry would be:

MAGA -

M - Manipulation - Distortion of facts and information to control public perception.

A - Alienation - Growing disconnection and isolation among individuals and communities.

G - Greed - Prioritization of profit over people, leading to exploitation and inequality.

A - Anarchy - Breakdown of social order and respect for laws and institutions.

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BJTS's avatar

Morons Are Governing America

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Terri P Williams's avatar

Mine is:

MadAngryGrumpy@A__holes (MAGA)

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Ashton Looper's avatar

Good morning Meidas Mighty and Maple Meidas! Democracy Summer may be ending, but No Autocrats Autumn has arrived! Remember, We The People that believe in Democracy far outnumber those who wish to stamp it out!

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MargaretPacL's avatar

I stand with the Epstein Victims, and they should be heard. They deserve Justice.

Let me ask this question, it has crossed my mind many times since hearing that the new Epstein victims will be speaking at a press conference on September 3rd. Do you think Trumps administration will have these women arrested in a show of defiance? Do the women have a Security team in case someone tries to silence them? I'm frightened for the victims.

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ramona j's avatar

Yes. Why DC? Ground zero for the Goon squad.

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Kevern Hartmann's avatar

Trump floated the idea that if the USA is at war he could legitimately cancel the 2026 elections. He would throw our children into the gears of war for his own ego. He’s a monster.

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Suzanne Karbowska-Hayes's avatar

I was born during the period when Hitler was trying to destroy Europe and impose a fascist dictatorship. I was too young to consciously wish him dead but now living through a similar period when a truly evil would be dictator is trying to destroy America and impose a cruel fascist regime on his country I am consciously wishing he would die soon. I don’t think I have ever hated anyone in my life as much as I hate Trump. For me he has no redeeming features. He is a truly disgusting and despicable creature and the sooner he turns to dust the better.

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ramona j's avatar

Ditto . He is a stain on this earth. He wrecked the lives of so many of my relatives and friends in his casino failures and rip offs. He deserves nothing but bad karma for what he did in Atlantic City. He has always been greedy, mean, narcissistic and unbalanced.

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Jody Gorran's avatar

FIGHT BACK! If YOU Live in a Blue State, follow this link and Contact Your Governor!

https://open.substack.com/pub/jodygorran/p/if-you-live-in-a-blue-state-contact?r=68rn&utm_medium=ios

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