At 11:55 a.m. this morning, Donald Trump boarded the original pastel-blue Air Force One and was quickly followed by what appeared to be several members of his staff, who were carrying large, bubble-wrapped, gold-painted frames, including one that featured a photograph of former President Bill Clinton.
Just a few hours later, at 3:37 p.m., Donald Trump stood in front of his most devoted followers in Dubuque, Iowa, and began one of the longest and most erratic rally speeches of his presidency. Throughout the nearly two-hour speech, he repeatedly slurred his words, struggled to keep his eyes open, and complained about past “stupid presidents” and how “We only had one great one in the last 50 years. Me.” He said all that while assuring everyone that he could have “won the Vietnam War in one week,” maybe forgetting how he avoided serving in Vietnam after receiving five draft deferments, including one for bone spurs.
UK here. Our BBC reporters were out and about in various US states yesterday asking voters what they were thinking to report for the late evening news. I honestly had to leave the room 😕. I hope the bit I stayed up for was not representative or the world is doomed 🥲. WAKE UP AMERICA. Holding on to your daily hope though, Heather. Thank you 🙏
Please share what you heard. We're mostly hearing voters across the spectrum enraged at Trump and the Republicans. I'm hearing MAGA voters furious and intent on punishing their party. A blue tsunami beyond what even media is hyping. This doesn't jibe with what you're inferring.
I really hope so! Some said they were doing ok and would still vote Republican; some in the food line indicated they wouldn’t bother voting at all. My heart went out to them though - sounded so worn down 🥲. Maybe I went to bed before any cheerier messages…. Good luck all
Heather, here in Chicago, in Grant Park, we have a sculpture called “The Head of State” or “Seated Lincoln.” The sculpture shows Lincoln “gazing downward in a somber, reflective posture.”
Somber! When Pres. Lincoln learns that Trump “invoked his name while actively working to undermine the legitimacy of the vote" we could imagine Lincoln sobbing. Perhaps using a nearby leaf to wipe tears.
Absurd, of course. But I file Trump's use of Lincoln more like "chutzpah, Yiddish for“a person who displays a brazen, almost unbelievable disregard for normal social rules, politeness, or boundaries.” Perfect, right?
Like me and perhaps other fans, when we read that “several members of his staff were carrying large, bubble-wrapped, gold-painted frames,” I’d wager I wasn’t the only one to read “bubble-wrapped” and wished it was Trump sealed for transfer to a hidden location lacking fresh air.
You caution that Republicans "are laying the groundwork for the Big Lie 2.0, using much of the same playbook he used in 2020, only this time he’s had six years to refine it." But I think that reaction will not be repeated.
This time, I'd bet that a good portion of Republicans will react “Thank God” to a Trump loss. And your count of “more than 53 million Americans have already cast their ballots in this election, surpassing the early voting total from the 2022 midterms,” will have these same Republicans praying, “Please let it be so.”
Elaine…I hope you are right, but optimism is good, but preparedness is NEEDED.
If trump even gets to the MOAB…we are in trouble.
Nukes will be officially WW3.
Not a Doomsayer, but my Spidey-senses and faith in RepubliKKKans is LONG gone…after Jan.6, 2021, TREASON, Adjudicated Rapist, Pedophile, Crimes Against Humanity, Convicted Felon, our tax dollars into all their pockets for proximity to power, Government contracts to EPSTEIN Class, The Heritage Foundation(Project 2025)-Vought and others, Technofascists-Thiel, Karp, Elon Musk, Stephen Miller, Putin…ALL in charge.
This time, trump will be in his Fuhrerbunker.
NOTHING is Beyond this EVIL, Nazi, fascist, Homicidal, Eugenics, Sociopathic Regime.
VOTE…but WE the PEOPLE NEED to be prepared…Serbia, Hungary, Brazil have shown us the way.
Europe has been preparing for months, the warnings have already been sent out, and America is on our own.
Anyone who has seen Haley Stevens speaking politics should not be surprised by her unstable decision. I have watched her Several times and was each time surprised to hear her talk about Democratic principles. She seems totally incompetent at bringing two thoughts together or expressing anything believable to her constituents. As far as I can see, she lost to El - Sayed, so now she is ‘taking it out on the Democrats’ how can anyone take this attitude seriously. She is where she belongs. If the people are convinced that El-Sayed has their best interests at heart, they are going to vote for him, with Stevens or without.
I have been listening to her and I can not help but wonder how far in advance her plans were known at the RNC. There is nothing new in her excuses for the betrayal. She did not like an ad but it was not an ad from the candidate and he expressly stated he did not agree with its content so the walk out on the Democrats seems pretextual at best.
I guess her reasons we shall never know. But it sort of separates the “men from the boys” and in her case ‘the little girls from the women’. It also displays how transactional her relationship to the Democratic base must have been. It should not have been dependent upon the personal rewards acquired or the ‘good-vibes’ felt at the surge of a winning moment. Principles are not things to be replaced, only because someone’s feelings are hurt.
We are on the cusp of a momentous event that will change the rules for good or bad. The world awaits with bated breath. If only wishes came true - 'If wishes were horses, beggars would ride' - we can't rely on them sadly.
This situation affects all of us. Reading other writers, talking to friends and family, and personally, I believe there is a widespread sense of despair over us, like a fetid blanket. You and other writers help to keep us bouyant and our heads above it all.
My dear Heather, you have been a stalwart reporter all this time and we thank you profoundly. My thanks are heartfelt.
In the Man in the High Castle, the Nazis blew up the Statue of Liberty, replaced it with a swatika in NY Harbor. And they melted down the Liberty Bell. I know, it was just a show, but I thought then when I was watching it (during The Grump’s first term) that it was foretelling what would happen to our democratic iconography (not to mention the rule of law) if authoritarianism took over. And now here we are. Last chance saloon tomorrow. 11/3 is the most important day in US history.
Heather, we love your honest and heartfelt reporting. We admire your courage and dedication to exposing the truth. But truthfully, even though we count on you every day, once Election Day has passed you need to take some time off. Although we will definitely miss you, NO ONE deserves time off more than YOU. So PLEASE step away from this and take time to rest, renew and recharge. We don’t want to lose you!
Haley Stevens, a congressional representative who lost the primary and is not running for another office, was already irrelevant before yesterday's announcement. Despite her struggles to stay in the headlines and do I'm-not-sure-what, now she's even more irrelevant.
She has buried herself. Had she behaved with some integrity, or even just stayed quiet, she might have been able to get a job next year as a political commentator. At this point? She's done like dinner.
Thanks so much Heather for all of your great reporting! I read your posts every morning. You’re a wonderful reporter/writer and I truly appreciate all of your hard work. Thanks for keeping us informed. ❤️
Lie 2.0 ? Well for a loser conman cheat corrupt pedo fascist and racist convict that never stop distillating bloody lies all his life we are at con trump 80.0, no? Lol
Heather you are SO so wonderful, every day - am very grateful for you. And you help me keep hope alive in my own heart... Thank you thank you for what you are doing for all of us
Heather - I wrote a brief satire that answers one burning question, I regret using satire during such a dangerous time but you either cry or laugh:
My “ass” story
Yes, President Barack Obama (The notorious BHO) asked us why “..a grown man is so obsessed with men’s asses” and yes, we do want to know! So, upon a 4:00AM waking, weak and weary over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore, I started my research to attempt to answer this question. The usual suspects did not appear to fit this unique presidential obsession. Gay, did not seem to fit, dementia requires a medical evaluation, distraction is always a possibility but he had a war going and a Nobel Peace Prize waiting in the wings.
When I searched the former detention warehouse /Ai center being used for temporary storage of his presidential papers, I stumbled upon the dusty volume mis-filed on a shelf labeled “RFK, Jr. dum (sic) ideas”. Here was found my “white whale” at last. On ketchup-stained parchment was the little told history of the Roman Emperor Gluteus Maximus I, (ca. 86 BCE). GM, as he was called in his time, was primarily remembered for his love of gold. Believed by many to be the origin story for the “Midas myth” in that he gilded everything. As reported by the Arab historian El-Sayed, GM was killed when the wheels came off his chariot in a tragic accident due to the excessive weight of the gilt.
Apparently, after DNA tests and extensive Ai ancestry searches Trump XLVII (47) traced his lineage back to Gluteus Max I decided that he should continue his search for gluteus relatives among male (and female) asses.
Quoting NJ poet Edgar Allen Poe, this discovery “…long I stood there sat there wondering, fearing, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before; but the silence was unbroken”! Until I screamed, Nevermore,!! WTF.
An imbecile sits behind the Resolute Desk, drooling in between snatches of despicable words. But he is a hollow puppet worked by the hands of traitors like Russell Voight, Mike Johnson, and many others. Joyce, your spotlight also needs to shine intensely on them.
Numbers won’t lie that is why BIG numbers are so important tomorrow.
If the numbers are big they can’t be questioned..they can’t be called rigged or fake.
We NEED BIG MARGINS…BIG NUMBERS and we’re going to GET them.
He’s going to try everything in his bag of dirty tricks but we KNOW that..we’ve watched him for years it’s not going to be anything new.
We’ll deal with each as it comes but right now the focus MUST be on the NUMBERS..get out and VOTE..help others who need it..impress upon any who might feel exhausted or already defeated or doubtful they must do their civic duty and VOTE..let them know how IMPORTANT it is to have a voice.
WE the PEOPLE can DO THIS if we band together.
Haley Stevens is an idiot..she sold her soul and she’ll be forgotten by Wednesday.
Senator Murphy must rest and recover his country needs him…we must send him our prayers.
Our long and winding road is reaching a big turning point tomorrow..we’re far from the end but with a big win behind us we will be on the right path towards bringing our Republic back from the brink of it’s collapse.
We have a mission that must be accomplished and we CAN and WILL do it.
UK here. Our BBC reporters were out and about in various US states yesterday asking voters what they were thinking to report for the late evening news. I honestly had to leave the room 😕. I hope the bit I stayed up for was not representative or the world is doomed 🥲. WAKE UP AMERICA. Holding on to your daily hope though, Heather. Thank you 🙏
Please share what you heard. We're mostly hearing voters across the spectrum enraged at Trump and the Republicans. I'm hearing MAGA voters furious and intent on punishing their party. A blue tsunami beyond what even media is hyping. This doesn't jibe with what you're inferring.
I really hope so! Some said they were doing ok and would still vote Republican; some in the food line indicated they wouldn’t bother voting at all. My heart went out to them though - sounded so worn down 🥲. Maybe I went to bed before any cheerier messages…. Good luck all
I also would like to know what these bbc reporters heard. The MAGA movement is greatly diminished in our country. Only cultists are hanging on.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0033srj/bbc-weekend-news-late-news-01112026
We can't watch this in US.
Maybe try a free VPN like Proton?
Heather, here in Chicago, in Grant Park, we have a sculpture called “The Head of State” or “Seated Lincoln.” The sculpture shows Lincoln “gazing downward in a somber, reflective posture.”
Somber! When Pres. Lincoln learns that Trump “invoked his name while actively working to undermine the legitimacy of the vote" we could imagine Lincoln sobbing. Perhaps using a nearby leaf to wipe tears.
Absurd, of course. But I file Trump's use of Lincoln more like "chutzpah, Yiddish for“a person who displays a brazen, almost unbelievable disregard for normal social rules, politeness, or boundaries.” Perfect, right?
Like me and perhaps other fans, when we read that “several members of his staff were carrying large, bubble-wrapped, gold-painted frames,” I’d wager I wasn’t the only one to read “bubble-wrapped” and wished it was Trump sealed for transfer to a hidden location lacking fresh air.
You caution that Republicans "are laying the groundwork for the Big Lie 2.0, using much of the same playbook he used in 2020, only this time he’s had six years to refine it." But I think that reaction will not be repeated.
This time, I'd bet that a good portion of Republicans will react “Thank God” to a Trump loss. And your count of “more than 53 million Americans have already cast their ballots in this election, surpassing the early voting total from the 2022 midterms,” will have these same Republicans praying, “Please let it be so.”
Elaine…I hope you are right, but optimism is good, but preparedness is NEEDED.
If trump even gets to the MOAB…we are in trouble.
Nukes will be officially WW3.
Not a Doomsayer, but my Spidey-senses and faith in RepubliKKKans is LONG gone…after Jan.6, 2021, TREASON, Adjudicated Rapist, Pedophile, Crimes Against Humanity, Convicted Felon, our tax dollars into all their pockets for proximity to power, Government contracts to EPSTEIN Class, The Heritage Foundation(Project 2025)-Vought and others, Technofascists-Thiel, Karp, Elon Musk, Stephen Miller, Putin…ALL in charge.
This time, trump will be in his Fuhrerbunker.
NOTHING is Beyond this EVIL, Nazi, fascist, Homicidal, Eugenics, Sociopathic Regime.
VOTE…but WE the PEOPLE NEED to be prepared…Serbia, Hungary, Brazil have shown us the way.
Europe has been preparing for months, the warnings have already been sent out, and America is on our own.
I’m sharing again for others (and you if you want to share)…Lance Rosen…this may happen prior to the election, but here’s some advice what we NEED to do…OUR Second Revolution….https://substack.com/@lancefrosen/note/p-222704675?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=71veyx
Using MOAB…https://substack.com/@lancefrosen/note/p-220601150?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=71veyx
We NEED to be a UNITED States of America. Be safe.❤️🩹💙
Anyone who has seen Haley Stevens speaking politics should not be surprised by her unstable decision. I have watched her Several times and was each time surprised to hear her talk about Democratic principles. She seems totally incompetent at bringing two thoughts together or expressing anything believable to her constituents. As far as I can see, she lost to El - Sayed, so now she is ‘taking it out on the Democrats’ how can anyone take this attitude seriously. She is where she belongs. If the people are convinced that El-Sayed has their best interests at heart, they are going to vote for him, with Stevens or without.
I have been listening to her and I can not help but wonder how far in advance her plans were known at the RNC. There is nothing new in her excuses for the betrayal. She did not like an ad but it was not an ad from the candidate and he expressly stated he did not agree with its content so the walk out on the Democrats seems pretextual at best.
I guess her reasons we shall never know. But it sort of separates the “men from the boys” and in her case ‘the little girls from the women’. It also displays how transactional her relationship to the Democratic base must have been. It should not have been dependent upon the personal rewards acquired or the ‘good-vibes’ felt at the surge of a winning moment. Principles are not things to be replaced, only because someone’s feelings are hurt.
Dear Heather,
We are on the cusp of a momentous event that will change the rules for good or bad. The world awaits with bated breath. If only wishes came true - 'If wishes were horses, beggars would ride' - we can't rely on them sadly.
This situation affects all of us. Reading other writers, talking to friends and family, and personally, I believe there is a widespread sense of despair over us, like a fetid blanket. You and other writers help to keep us bouyant and our heads above it all.
My dear Heather, you have been a stalwart reporter all this time and we thank you profoundly. My thanks are heartfelt.
Much love from the UK.🇬🇧🇺🇸
Well stated.. Love also from very nervous Canadians.
PLEASE take care and stay safe, Heather!
I want to know where he was taking the paintings from the White House.
A shooting range, is my best guess. Destroying American Art one bullet at a time.
In the Man in the High Castle, the Nazis blew up the Statue of Liberty, replaced it with a swatika in NY Harbor. And they melted down the Liberty Bell. I know, it was just a show, but I thought then when I was watching it (during The Grump’s first term) that it was foretelling what would happen to our democratic iconography (not to mention the rule of law) if authoritarianism took over. And now here we are. Last chance saloon tomorrow. 11/3 is the most important day in US history.
Didn’t Hitler do public burnings, but kept the Valuables?
Heather, we love your honest and heartfelt reporting. We admire your courage and dedication to exposing the truth. But truthfully, even though we count on you every day, once Election Day has passed you need to take some time off. Although we will definitely miss you, NO ONE deserves time off more than YOU. So PLEASE step away from this and take time to rest, renew and recharge. We don’t want to lose you!
Haley Stevens, a congressional representative who lost the primary and is not running for another office, was already irrelevant before yesterday's announcement. Despite her struggles to stay in the headlines and do I'm-not-sure-what, now she's even more irrelevant.
She has buried herself. Had she behaved with some integrity, or even just stayed quiet, she might have been able to get a job next year as a political commentator. At this point? She's done like dinner.
Thanks so much Heather for all of your great reporting! I read your posts every morning. You’re a wonderful reporter/writer and I truly appreciate all of your hard work. Thanks for keeping us informed. ❤️
Thank You ✨Heather ❣️
Balboa Park has always been a mystical wonderland of treasures
Gorgeous architecture educational museums world class Zoo
And the smell of eucalyptus mixed with sunshine wafted ocean breezes
All divine & preserved for people to enjoy and learn, enjoy art, listen to music
Just be in beauty in the middle of the city.
And travel down the street to University Ave, in Hillcrest, for
uBiffs Killer California Cookies 🍪
💙🦋🗳️ 🦋💙💟☮️
Lie 2.0 ? Well for a loser conman cheat corrupt pedo fascist and racist convict that never stop distillating bloody lies all his life we are at con trump 80.0, no? Lol
Ofc she became a Republican—she’s a money-laundering loser.
Heather you are SO so wonderful, every day - am very grateful for you. And you help me keep hope alive in my own heart... Thank you thank you for what you are doing for all of us
Heather - I wrote a brief satire that answers one burning question, I regret using satire during such a dangerous time but you either cry or laugh:
My “ass” story
Yes, President Barack Obama (The notorious BHO) asked us why “..a grown man is so obsessed with men’s asses” and yes, we do want to know! So, upon a 4:00AM waking, weak and weary over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore, I started my research to attempt to answer this question. The usual suspects did not appear to fit this unique presidential obsession. Gay, did not seem to fit, dementia requires a medical evaluation, distraction is always a possibility but he had a war going and a Nobel Peace Prize waiting in the wings.
When I searched the former detention warehouse /Ai center being used for temporary storage of his presidential papers, I stumbled upon the dusty volume mis-filed on a shelf labeled “RFK, Jr. dum (sic) ideas”. Here was found my “white whale” at last. On ketchup-stained parchment was the little told history of the Roman Emperor Gluteus Maximus I, (ca. 86 BCE). GM, as he was called in his time, was primarily remembered for his love of gold. Believed by many to be the origin story for the “Midas myth” in that he gilded everything. As reported by the Arab historian El-Sayed, GM was killed when the wheels came off his chariot in a tragic accident due to the excessive weight of the gilt.
Apparently, after DNA tests and extensive Ai ancestry searches Trump XLVII (47) traced his lineage back to Gluteus Max I decided that he should continue his search for gluteus relatives among male (and female) asses.
Quoting NJ poet Edgar Allen Poe, this discovery “…long I stood there sat there wondering, fearing, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before; but the silence was unbroken”! Until I screamed, Nevermore,!! WTF.
An imbecile sits behind the Resolute Desk, drooling in between snatches of despicable words. But he is a hollow puppet worked by the hands of traitors like Russell Voight, Mike Johnson, and many others. Joyce, your spotlight also needs to shine intensely on them.
Numbers won’t lie that is why BIG numbers are so important tomorrow.
If the numbers are big they can’t be questioned..they can’t be called rigged or fake.
We NEED BIG MARGINS…BIG NUMBERS and we’re going to GET them.
He’s going to try everything in his bag of dirty tricks but we KNOW that..we’ve watched him for years it’s not going to be anything new.
We’ll deal with each as it comes but right now the focus MUST be on the NUMBERS..get out and VOTE..help others who need it..impress upon any who might feel exhausted or already defeated or doubtful they must do their civic duty and VOTE..let them know how IMPORTANT it is to have a voice.
WE the PEOPLE can DO THIS if we band together.
Haley Stevens is an idiot..she sold her soul and she’ll be forgotten by Wednesday.
Senator Murphy must rest and recover his country needs him…we must send him our prayers.
Our long and winding road is reaching a big turning point tomorrow..we’re far from the end but with a big win behind us we will be on the right path towards bringing our Republic back from the brink of it’s collapse.
We have a mission that must be accomplished and we CAN and WILL do it.
That is what we ALL must have hope for.
V O T E.
This is just plain MEAN
Who would allow their own father or grandfather to stand on a stage and proclaim gibberish about flagpoles???
It unfair to us AND just as unfair to him!
He has dementia. !!!