The Trump Card...

ATeam

Senior Member
Retired Expediter
The Epstein files will be another Al Capone's vault.
Capone's vault is an obscure cultural reference that I did not understand until I looked it up. It's shorthand for massive hype that leads to absolutely nothing. While that may be true for Capone's vault, the reference is misapplied to the Epstein files.
  • Thousands and thousands of files and photos are known to exist.
  • Those files are so real and so significant that an act of Congress compelled their release, and that act became law when the president signed it.
  • This is significant because the drive behind it is to bring elitist pedophiles to justice, and those may include Donald Trump, who is known to be named in the files thousands of times.
  • That makes them doubly significant because Trump happens to be the President of the United States.
  • A well-documented financial trail is known to exist and is in the US Treasury's possession.
  • The initial investigative reports by the Miami Heard about this has been confirmed by subsequent developments, not refuted.
  • A record of a DEA investigation of Epstein and his associates exists and is in DEA hands.
There is more but you get the idea. The more time passes and the more people keep digging, the more truth comes to light. There is too much truth out there now and too much public interest to reverse the continuing disclosure. Notwithstanding Trump's herculean efforts to keep the Epstein files under wraps, many are out already and more will come. Trump's efforts in this regard are doomed.
 
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ATeam

Senior Member
Retired Expediter
Of course, the Red Hatters will continue to blame Obama.
Some will do so forever, yes. But I'm thinking increasing numbers of others will use some of their expensive gasoline to burn their red hats, and go on to deny they ever supported Trump in the first place. Other hat burners will not deny their previous support of Trump. They will feel duped betrayed and become some of the most enthusiastic promoters in the country of bringing Trump and his criminal actors to justice.
 
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Pilgrim

Veteran Expediter
Retired Expediter
Capone's vault is an obscure cultural reference that I did not understand until I looked it up. It's shorthand for massive hype that leads to absolutely nothing. While that may be true for Capone's vault, the reference is misapplied to the Epstein files.
  • Thousands and thousands of files and photos are known to exist.
  • Those files are so real and so significant that an act of Congress compelled their release, and that act became law when the president signed it.
  • This is significant because the drive behind it is to bring elitist pedophiles to justice, and those may include Donald Trump, who is known to be named in the files thousands of times.
  • That makes them doubly significant because Trump happens to be the President of the United States.
  • A well-documented financial trail is known to exist and is in the US Treasury's possession.
  • The initial investigative reports by the Miami Heard about this has been confirmed by subsequent dmevelopments, not refuted.
  • A record of a DEA investigation of Epstein and his associates exists and is in DEA hands.
There is more but you get the idea. The more time passes and the more people keep digging, the more truth comes to light. There is too much truth out there now and too much public interest to reverse the continuing disclosure. Notwithstanding Trump's herculean efforts to keep the Epstein files under wraps, many are out already and more will come. Trump's efforts in this regard are doomed.
Gaslighting at its finest. There are people who have done some extensive research on those files. The following is rather lengthy but is well sourced, And speaks well to Trump's frequency of Being mentioned in those files.

 
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muttly

Veteran Expediter
Retired Expediter
Gaslighting at its finest. There are people who have done some extensive research on those files. The following is rather lengthy but is well sourced, And speaks well to Trump's frequency of Being mentioned in those files.

I never thought that the Left would be embracing the Epstein conspiracy theories so much. Anything to try to pin on Trump, no matter how far out and debunked it is. I wonder if they concur with Alex Jones that Epstein’s reference to Jerky isn’t actually jerky as well?IMG_3699.jpeg
 
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Ragman

Veteran Expediter
Retired Expediter
Alright, MAGA — we’re plunging deeper into another war in the Middle East, Americans are dying, oil is over $100 a barrel, and gas is headed to $4–5 nationally. Let’s see the outrage… or are you going to prove that everything you claim to believe in is total and complete bullshlt?

You know, the same outrage you all had when Russia invaded Ukraine, driving oil over $100 a barrel and gas to an average of $4–5 nationally.

Remember that? When you all went around blaming Joe Biden even though — you know — he didn't actually start the war in Ukraine.

That was Donald Trump's good buddy Vladimir Putin.

Obviously, the key difference here is that this war in Iran is 100% on Trump.

He ordered the attack on another country. Those decisions have led to oil going over $100 a barrel and gas prices headed toward $4–5 nationally.

So, let's see it. I want that same over-the-top, hostile, "Let's Go Brandon!" disdain you all had back in 2022 when you were blaming Biden for a war he didn't start that triggered high oil and gas prices.

Only something tells me that's not what we're going to see — not from most of you. What I expect are excuses and deflections.

You'll do anything to avoid realizing that the orange messiah you all worship is nothing but an incompetent con artist and a liar.
Proving that, once again, all your outrage — all your MAGA talking points and other nonsense — is meaningless garbage.

None of it is real. You don't have any real principles or beliefs. The only thing you all exist to do is attack and blame Democrats for everything. That's all today's GOP and this entire MAGA cult really stand for: "owning those libs."

That's it.

Otherwise, we should be seeing even more outrage than in 2022: oil over $100 a barrel, gas spiking right alongside it, except this time, the person living at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is the cause of it all after starting a war he spent the past 10+ years — and his entire 2024 campaign — promising he never would.

So, here's the moment of truth, MAGA. You have two choices:

1. Match or exceed that same outrage toward Donald Trump now that you all had in 2022 when you blamed Joe Biden for high oil and gas prices linked to a war he didn't start.

2. Make excuses for this president, proving that your entire movement and everything you claim to care about is complete and total bullshlt.

Which will it be?

Though that question is largely rhetorical, I'm pretty sure I know which choice most of MAGA will choose.
 

ATeam

Senior Member
Retired Expediter
Trump's War Scorecard

When the US is in a war, Americans ask, what the objectives and how do we win? To date, Trump has provided four answers. Two answers are vague and difficult to quantify (end Iran's nuclear capabilities, and make Iran economically bigger, better, and stronger). The two that are clear and easy to quantify are:

1. Iran must unconditionally surrender
2. Trump must be involved in the appointment of a new Iranian leader

On day 10 of this war, Iran announced it's new Supreme Leader. Trump had no say in the choice. Also, Iran has not surrendered. So on day 10 the quantifiable score is Iran 2, Trump 0.

In a discussion like this, it's also important to note how Iran defines victory. In that regard, they have issued two clear statements:

1. President Masoud Pezeshkian said on March 7, "Our enemies must take their dream of the Iranian people's unconditional surrender to their graves." In other words, no unconditional surrender.

2. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghci said on March 5, "The selection of the Supreme Leader is absolutely the business of the Iranian people, and nobody can interfere."

3. An IRGC commander said, ""We have no need to sink their carriers; we only need to sink their economy. Time is a resource the Americans do not have."

Items 1 and 2 are the same as Trump's. Item 3 is remarkably different. Trump says he wants to make Iran economically bigger, better, and stronger (Make Iran Great Again). Iran says they want to sink the American economy.

Regarding item 3, Trump is destroying Iran's economy by bombing the country's key economic assets. Iran is significantly degrading the US economy by closing the Straight of Hormuz, thereby blocking 20% of the world's oil flow.

Regarding the effect on the US budget, Trump's war of choice is imposing vast costs on the US. Iran is pilling on by using cheap drones to force the US use of multi-million dollar interceptor missiles.

The burn rate I cited above turns out to be low. Per the bipartisan Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the US is now spending $1.43 billion per day on the war Trump started.
 
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ATeam

Senior Member
Retired Expediter
Gaslighting at its finest. There are people who have done some extensive research on those files. The following is rather lengthy but is well sourced, And speaks well to Trump's frequency of Being mentioned in those files.
Until all files are released as the law requires, no researched conclusions can be legitimately claimed.
 
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muttly

Veteran Expediter
Retired Expediter
Alright, MAGA — we’re plunging deeper into another war in the Middle East, Americans are dying, oil is over $100 a barrel, and gas is headed to $4–5 nationally. Let’s see the outrage… or are you going to prove that everything you claim to believe in is total and complete bullshlt?

You know, the same outrage you all had when Russia invaded Ukraine, driving oil over $100 a barrel and gas to an average of $4–5 nationally.

Remember that? When you all went around blaming Joe Biden even though — you know — he didn't actually start the war in Ukraine.

That was Donald Trump's good buddy Vladimir Putin.

Obviously, the key difference here is that this war in Iran is 100% on Trump.

He ordered the attack on another country. Those decisions have led to oil going over $100 a barrel and gas prices headed toward $4–5 nationally.

So, let's see it. I want that same over-the-top, hostile, "Let's Go Brandon!" disdain you all had back in 2022 when you were blaming Biden for a war he didn't start that triggered high oil and gas prices.

Only something tells me that's not what we're going to see — not from most of you. What I expect are excuses and deflections.

You'll do anything to avoid realizing that the orange messiah you all worship is nothing but an incompetent con artist and a liar.
Proving that, once again, all your outrage — all your MAGA talking points and other nonsense — is meaningless garbage.

None of it is real. You don't have any real principles or beliefs. The only thing you all exist to do is attack and blame Democrats for everything. That's all today's GOP and this entire MAGA cult really stand for: "owning those libs."

That's it.

Otherwise, we should be seeing even more outrage than in 2022: oil over $100 a barrel, gas spiking right alongside it, except this time, the person living at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is the cause of it all after starting a war he spent the past 10+ years — and his entire 2024 campaign — promising he never would.

So, here's the moment of truth, MAGA. You have two choices:

1. Match or exceed that same outrage toward Donald Trump now that you all had in 2022 when you blamed Joe Biden for high oil and gas prices linked to a war he didn't start.

2. Make excuses for this president, proving that your entire movement and everything you claim to care about is complete and total bullshlt.

Which will it be?

Though that question is largely rhetorical, I'm pretty sure I know which choice most of MAGA will choose.
Looks like the Left would prefer this:IMG_3723.jpeg
 
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ATeam

Senior Member
Retired Expediter
Reaper Drone/Truck Math

When my wife and I built our custom expediter truck (CR-unit) back in the day, it cost $250,000, and it was a beauty. I just read that Iran shot down its 11th US MQ-9 Reaper drone. These drones cost US taxpayers $30 million each.

I'm sure truck prices have changed since we left expediting for another career but the point remains. 11 of these drones equals 1,320 brand new, beautiful trucks.
 

muttly

Veteran Expediter
Retired Expediter
Alright, MAGA — we’re plunging deeper into another war in the Middle East, Americans are dying, oil is over $100 a barrel, and gas is headed to $4–5 nationally. Let’s see the outrage… or are you going to prove that everything you claim to believe in is total and complete bullshlt?

You know, the same outrage you all had when Russia invaded Ukraine, driving oil over $100 a barrel and gas to an average of $4–5 nationally.

Remember that? When you all went around blaming Joe Biden even though — you know — he didn't actually start the war in Ukraine.

That was Donald Trump's good buddy Vladimir Putin.

Obviously, the key difference here is that this war in Iran is 100% on Trump.

He ordered the attack on another country. Those decisions have led to oil going over $100 a barrel and gas prices headed toward $4–5 nationally.

So, let's see it. I want that same over-the-top, hostile, "Let's Go Brandon!" disdain you all had back in 2022 when you were blaming Biden for a war he didn't start that triggered high oil and gas prices.

Only something tells me that's not what we're going to see — not from most of you. What I expect are excuses and deflections.

You'll do anything to avoid realizing that the orange messiah you all worship is nothing but an incompetent con artist and a liar.
Proving that, once again, all your outrage — all your MAGA talking points and other nonsense — is meaningless garbage.

None of it is real. You don't have any real principles or beliefs. The only thing you all exist to do is attack and blame Democrats for everything. That's all today's GOP and this entire MAGA cult really stand for: "owning those libs."

That's it.

Otherwise, we should be seeing even more outrage than in 2022: oil over $100 a barrel, gas spiking right alongside it, except this time, the person living at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is the cause of it all after starting a war he spent the past 10+ years — and his entire 2024 campaign — promising he never would.

So, here's the moment of truth, MAGA. You have two choices:

1. Match or exceed that same outrage toward Donald Trump now that you all had in 2022 when you blamed Joe Biden for high oil and gas prices linked to a war he didn't start.

2. Make excuses for this president, proving that your entire movement and everything you claim to care about is complete and total bullshlt.

Which will it be?

Though that question is largely rhetorical, I'm pretty sure I know which choice most of MAGA will choose.
IMG_3699.jpegIMG_3727.jpegIMG_3728.jpeg
 

ATeam

Senior Member
Retired Expediter
This is the S&P 500 chart from Jan 2, 2026. Would you be so kind as to explain how it matters to anyone that the S&P adds or loses X millions, or billions, or trillions from overnight levels?

Those headlines are tiresome. If you buy a house for $400,000 in a neighborhood or similar homes, and a rumor develops that a heavy machinery industrial park will open nearby, and the local newspaper quotes a realtor who says this will drive property values down 25%, are you instantly $100,000 poorer when the newspaper hits the stands?

If a school teacher has built up $500,000 in retirement savings over the years through diligent retirement plan contributions and wise investment choices, and the stock market suffers one of its periodic market corrections of -20%, did that teacher suddenly lose $100,000 of his net worth?

Technically, on paper, the answer is yes. As a practical matter, the teacher would barely notice the difference because he has been through this before and he would maintain a rational confidence that his account till very likely grow to $600,000 in good time.

1773119868235.png
 

ATeam

Senior Member
Retired Expediter
You might want to check your sources. This is the chart for Brent Oil futures from Jan 2, 2026 through today.

1773120416372.png

Below is the candlestick chart for the last few days. The second to the last candle shows yesterday's intraday action. It shows the price opened at $98.36, peaked at 119.40, plunged to 83.88, and closed at 98.96 ... all within a 24 hour period. So, yes if you want to claim that oil plunged from 119.40 to 83.88 and credit Trump with a near 30% decline in oil prices, go ahead. Anyone with a lick of common sense will realize the claim is politically motivated and delusional. And no one buying gas next week will see anything close to a 30% decline in price.

1773120884271.png
 
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muttly

Veteran Expediter
Retired Expediter
Asymmetry: The asymmetry is notable. We are using $4 million missiles (PAC-3 MSE) to shoot down $30,000-$50,000 drones. Iran knows this and does not care if their drones hit their targets. Every cheap drone launched is a big win because it drains US funds and the supply of interceptors.
Good, good:
IMG_3733.jpegIMG_3731.jpeg
Grok:IMG_3734.jpeg
 
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