Discussion quality would be improved if instead of focusing on what you think I implied, you focused on what I clearly said.
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The Trump Card...
- Thread starter muttly
- Start date
Anytime you want to do a real analysis of the economic indicators to gauge Trump's effect on the economy let me know. Cherry picking a single item out of context does not cut it. But if cherry picking is your thing, note these:
- Highest tax increase in US History. In April, 2025, Trump said, "We’ve brought in over $1.5 trillion from tariffs. Nobody ever thought we could do that. The United States is stronger than ever."
- US dollar decline of 10% since Trump took office on 2025.
- Current unemployment rate: 4.6% (Nov. 2025 number). To find a time when the rate was higher than that you have to go back 4 years, 2 months when post-COVID recovery was the dominate economic theme.
It’s called inheriting a Biden economic failure. Do you always pull out your pompoms and root against the economy from doing well just because Trump is president?
Another Cherry-Picked Economic Indicator Out of Context
It can be good fun citing a single indicator out of context and then claim Trump is responsible for what the indicator shows. Here's one more:
The Purchasing Managers' Index is a monthly economic indicator derived from surveys of private sector executives that tracks the health of the manufacturing and services sectors by measuring variables such as production levels, new orders, and employment. A reading above 50 signifies an expansion in business activity compared to the previous month, while a reading below 50 indicates a contraction.
The whole point of Trump's tariffs is to increase US manufacturing. The numbers show they are producing the opposite effect. When you combine rising unemployment with declining US manufacturing, and attribute the results to Trump policies, the man looks like an idiot.
It can be good fun citing a single indicator out of context and then claim Trump is responsible for what the indicator shows. Here's one more:
The Purchasing Managers' Index is a monthly economic indicator derived from surveys of private sector executives that tracks the health of the manufacturing and services sectors by measuring variables such as production levels, new orders, and employment. A reading above 50 signifies an expansion in business activity compared to the previous month, while a reading below 50 indicates a contraction.
The whole point of Trump's tariffs is to increase US manufacturing. The numbers show they are producing the opposite effect. When you combine rising unemployment with declining US manufacturing, and attribute the results to Trump policies, the man looks like an idiot.
Classic Trump response: Blame Biden for everything that makes Trump look bad.
Regarding "root against the economy," I do not root for or against it.
I have lived through and learned from several economic crises. I remember waiting in gas lines in the 70's. I remember the Federal Reserve's "Volker hikes" where US interest rates hit 20%. I remember the dot-com collapse. I remember the huge Black Monday stock market crash of 2017. I remember the Savings and Loan Crisis. I remember waiting for freight in 2008 while watching shippers drop like flies and expediters lose their trucks to the repo man. These are not academic studies. These are personal memories of lived experience etched into my mind.
In all of these, I have never once rooted for or against the economy. Nor have I made a financial decision based on the politics of the time.
For a current example, consider gold and silver. Trump began his second term on Jan 20, 2025. Notice the change in gold and silver. Here are the numbers:
Does Trump get the credit for that price increase (greatest single-year move since the late 70's)? Is this change good or bad for the US economy? Should Trump be blamed for the increase? Going forward, should we root for higher prices or lower?
Those questions are irrelevant unless you find it gratifying to spend meaningless hours relating everything to your political point of view.
Don't make decisions based on what you think the president may do. Make decisions based on what you think (in this case) bullion may do.
Rooting for the economy is meaningless. The economy does not care what you think.,
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Good, so when the economy is humming this spring at 4.5% GDP and inflation stays low, it will be a positive thing. The bill that was passed a few months ago will be fully implemented and U.S. workers will reap the benefits.
BTW, the price of gold and silver was predicted to rise a lot well before Trump was elected again.
The reason Congress passed a law to release all Epstein files is so things like this can be validated or invalidated. Trump's relentless efforts to keep the files from coming to light are notable and suspect. That's highly suspect to Democrats and Republicans alike. Thus the near unanimous vote in the House and Senate to legally require a full and immediate release ... a law the administration has now violated, even though Trump himself signed the bill into law.
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Trump's Multiple Cognitive Assessments
In a North Carolina speech last week, Trump said, "I've taken now three cognitive tests. I've aced every single one of them."
In fact he has completed three assessments. But his claim of "acing" the tests reflect a misunderstanding of what the tests measure, or a deliberate lie designed to obscure that actual test results, which he refuses to release. Completed assessments:
Answer: Healthy individuals don't get serial cognitive screenings. There's no clinical rationale for repeatedly testing someone whose cognition is normal. The tests are designed to detect impairment, not confirm continued health.
In a North Carolina speech last week, Trump said, "I've taken now three cognitive tests. I've aced every single one of them."
In fact he has completed three assessments. But his claim of "acing" the tests reflect a misunderstanding of what the tests measure, or a deliberate lie designed to obscure that actual test results, which he refuses to release. Completed assessments:
- 2018: Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) during his first term, where he reported a 30/30 score
- April 2025: Claimed he took another mental fitness exam and "got every answer right"
- October 2025: Claimed he "ACED" a cognitive test following a physical examination
Answer: Healthy individuals don't get serial cognitive screenings. There's no clinical rationale for repeatedly testing someone whose cognition is normal. The tests are designed to detect impairment, not confirm continued health.
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Likely due to people being wrongly accused of something merely by their past friendship or acquaintance. Or being in his phone book or a photo with him.
Interesting. So even when Trump aces multiple cognitive screenings (something Biden didn’t do) he still has a cognitive deficiency because of too many tests? Interesting…
Irrelevant. Compliance with the law is not optional. The law is clear.
On November 19, 2025, the Epstein Files Transparency Act (H.R. 4405) was signed into law. This legislation was passed with nearly unanimous bipartisan support—passing the House 427–1 and the Senate by unanimous consent. Trump himself signed the bill into law.
Key Provisions of the Law
| Feature | Requirement under the Act |
| Mandatory Disclosure | Requires the Attorney General to release all unclassified records and investigative materials related to Jeffrey Epstein. |
| Searchable Format | Files must be made publicly available in a searchable and downloadable online database. |
| 30-Day Deadline | The Department of Justice (DOJ) was given 30 days from the signing (until December 19, 2025) to complete the release. |
| Prohibited Redactions | Records cannot be withheld for "embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity" regarding any public figure or official. |
| Allowed Redactions | Information may only be withheld to protect victim identities, child sexual abuse material (CSAM), or active investigations. |
By a near unanimous vote, Republicans and Democrats alike required the Trump administration to release the files with very limited exceptions and redactions. "Likely due to people being wrongly accused..." was anticipated by Congress as a reason to withhold or redact, and was specifically rejected by law.
DOJ is clearly in violation of the law in multiple ways. Now we wait to see how Congress or other stakeholders will respond to compel compliance and maintain accountability.
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Unfortunately for the country, Trump and his Maga ilk have shown time and time again their distain for the rule of law.
Correct. Trump's job approval continues to decline in the polls. Him generating this constitutional crisis will likely reinforce that trend. But polling means little. Trump continues to erode the rule of law. A race is on. Will the Constitution remain intact enough to save the country when the Democrats retake the House, or will Trump have completely neutralized it by then?
This Is As It Should Be
Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer announced Monday morning he is introducing a resolution to force the Senate to initiate legal action against the justice department for refusing to release the complete Epstein files.
“I am introducing a resolution directing the Senate to initiate legal action against the DOJ for its blatant disregard of the law in its refusal to release the complete Epstein files,” Schumer posted on social media. “The American people deserve full transparency, and Senate Democrats will use every tool at our disposal to ensure they get it. This Administration cannot be allowed to hide the truth.”
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In America, no one is above the law.
My view: Bondi and Trump should both be impeached for this clear and deliberate breach.
My hope: Senate Republicans will decide they are tired of Trump's antics and cognitive decline, which are dragging them down in the polls. They'll decide their political future is brighter with JD Vance, and in an impeachment hearing, they'll vote to remove both Trump and Bondi from ofice. The US House is already lost. The Democrats will take control in 2027 and impeach Trump. Embracing this gives Senate Republicans and Vance time to undo the damage Trump has done to their party, the voters, and their political prospects.
Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer announced Monday morning he is introducing a resolution to force the Senate to initiate legal action against the justice department for refusing to release the complete Epstein files.
“I am introducing a resolution directing the Senate to initiate legal action against the DOJ for its blatant disregard of the law in its refusal to release the complete Epstein files,” Schumer posted on social media. “The American people deserve full transparency, and Senate Democrats will use every tool at our disposal to ensure they get it. This Administration cannot be allowed to hide the truth.”
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In America, no one is above the law.
My view: Bondi and Trump should both be impeached for this clear and deliberate breach.
My hope: Senate Republicans will decide they are tired of Trump's antics and cognitive decline, which are dragging them down in the polls. They'll decide their political future is brighter with JD Vance, and in an impeachment hearing, they'll vote to remove both Trump and Bondi from ofice. The US House is already lost. The Democrats will take control in 2027 and impeach Trump. Embracing this gives Senate Republicans and Vance time to undo the damage Trump has done to their party, the voters, and their political prospects.
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