At 7:05 tonight, Donald Trump was seen offstage through a slit in the curtain, wearing a deep navy suit and bright red tie as he made his first pass at the stage. Not even a minute later, he emerged, energized and ready to go. Stepping forward, he stopped to soak in the cheering crowd as Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.” blasted through the speakers. As he headed toward the podium, he approached the steps and gripped the handrail with one hand before grabbing it with both and using it to catapult himself toward the stage.
At 7:09, with sweat already pooling on his face, he launched into an hour and 20 minutes of pure chaos and madness, stopping at one point to tell the crowded room that Melania Trump hates when he dances to YMCA. “She hates when I dance to that great... to the gay national anthem. That's what it is. It's called the gay national anthem.” He warned the crowd that he would be impeached if Democrats take back Congress. And then he declared that there really is no Republican Party anymore. It is all MAGA.
Heather thank you for sharing this report and what is happening with Stars and Stripes. I remember reading that paper when I was a child living in ND and being concerned because we had 2 AF bases going to war zones. My father and 2 brothers served during WWII and the Korean War and later my friends and neighbors in the Vietnam snd Gulf War. My daughterin law served in the AF in Bosnia.
I am now 74 and those same fears have returned because of the damage already done by Trump and that Congress has allowed by not representing 'we the people' or our Constitution.
For all of us who are grateful to you and so many others who are reporting truthfully. We must continue to share these posts and no longer accept the abuse of this Administation.
Call and visit your American Legions, VFW ask what can be done. Even it us just have conversations, a meal or a beer to support them..
Listen and learn.
Know your rights, Protect your neighbors. Share your concerns, fears,and hopes for the future. Talk about the abuse that is happening now. Do what you can to carry kindness and truth to those who are suffering.
Maggie - I agree with you. Your comment is very important. I appreciate that you speak and stand up. Journalism is very important. I love reading the newspapers. I still do. Trump can’t silent us period. Speech is freedom. We the people will prevail. Our beloved country will prevail. Democracy will prevail.
I read this on Facebook at 1 am. I saw Jen Psaki’s interview of the fired journalists earlier. I switched over to here so I could share it with like minded friends. So very sorry you’re being harassed and threatened, but thank you for your integrity, your courage and your perseverance.
Also … I wonder what the government will do to the crew of the Lincoln. They should be home in three weeks. You know the brass is unlikely to want the truth to come out.
I feel as you do about attacks on the free press. Really the only thing that makes me feel worse is attacks on Medicare and Medicaid,, because my friends and I depend utterly on these in order to live independently. But that’s another story. I live on a fixed income, but I do have some giveable dollars every month. Almost all of it goes to independent journalists. That is because these brave individuals are absolutely critical to the survival of our democracy, and I want the information ecosystem that they create to continue to provide us with the truth. Soon we will only be able to learn the truth from independent journalists. Supporting that is the most important resistance in my power to perform.
It is much harder to extract a snake bite and heal the the bitten one (and those are the Trump, snake infected, sending you poison), than to bestow kindness on evil. You choose kindness and that is the true meaning of Christianity. Time and again though the tables must be forcefully turned over to thwart this evil. The horror would be to live in a world where only poisonous snakes survive and kindness dies. There are those being cured of Trump snake bite daily, recovery is painstakingly slow. Never lose faith, Heather, there are many who count on your health and safety.
It’s not just the Republican Party as we knew it that is gone, it’s the modern day America as we knew it that’s gone. The Trump Administration wants to take us back to a time that “prioritized men as breadwinners and viewed women's primary role as raising children.” The goal is “to fundamentally alter the structure of American society and government” by “dismantling independent agencies and consolidating power within the executive branch.”
This is a video that PBS made back in 2025. I think it’s worth looking at again in order to see exactly what kind of America Donald Trump and his MAGites have envisioned and how close, with the help of a sycophantic in Republican Congress and the Supreme Court they a getting towards achieving that goal.
THANK YOU for your words. I am glad to support your work. But I feel bad that you have to watch this insanity so we don't have to. Keep up the fight to get rid of tRump and the present regime and return this country to citizens who support Democracy and Compassion.
I read your column every day, sometimes with hope, often with despair. What have we done? Hiw did we get here? How do we get our country back? I’m not sure. But I do know that voices like yours are essential. Attorneys like Marc Elias are essential. Attorneys General in states are essential. Our lower courts are essential. All of these are standing up for justice; all have received death threats and vile messages.
Please know that so many of us support you and are grateful for you. A truth-teller in the midst of chaos and destruction. It is often painful to read your words. I can’t imagine not reading them. I pray for you and your family, for all who suffer under this madness. And I hope I live long enough to see it gone and good return to our land. Yes, stray strong, stay true, stay honest. And keep writing!
The fact that you are being threatened is horrible. Good for you for thinking they can be redeemed- I have my doubts- they are the ‘snake’ too if they can write to you like that. Stay strong (I know you will)— we are all with you!!
“ horrible doesn’t even come close!” it’s despicable, disgusting, and so Maga! So Trump! That’s what they’re attempting to do to all of us! Inconceivable, huh?? Who would think that America would be represented by such POS, and that he would get this far with it!
"What really hurt and what made me have to take breaks before turning it back on was watching the people cheer for him. People were cheering for the worst things he said. People were booing the press and the media. That is the part that breaks something in me every time. It is devastating knowing that these are my fellow Americans." EXACTLY THIS, Heather! It's disheartening to think these people walk among us. Thank you for staying strong! You are so very appreciated!
I agree. To me this is the hardest part. People who have been in your life since you were brought into the world, friends you grew up with, relatives....have turned into snakes. How can you feel love and warmth for these people who cheer him on?
I can't anymore. I don't even want to be in the same room with them.
Stay the course. Your dedication is greatly appreciated!
Take no notice of the nasty cowards. You have many, many silent but devoted supporters.
Heather thank you for sharing this report and what is happening with Stars and Stripes. I remember reading that paper when I was a child living in ND and being concerned because we had 2 AF bases going to war zones. My father and 2 brothers served during WWII and the Korean War and later my friends and neighbors in the Vietnam snd Gulf War. My daughterin law served in the AF in Bosnia.
I am now 74 and those same fears have returned because of the damage already done by Trump and that Congress has allowed by not representing 'we the people' or our Constitution.
For all of us who are grateful to you and so many others who are reporting truthfully. We must continue to share these posts and no longer accept the abuse of this Administation.
Call and visit your American Legions, VFW ask what can be done. Even it us just have conversations, a meal or a beer to support them..
Listen and learn.
Know your rights, Protect your neighbors. Share your concerns, fears,and hopes for the future. Talk about the abuse that is happening now. Do what you can to carry kindness and truth to those who are suffering.
Silence is complicity.
Maggie - I agree with you. Your comment is very important. I appreciate that you speak and stand up. Journalism is very important. I love reading the newspapers. I still do. Trump can’t silent us period. Speech is freedom. We the people will prevail. Our beloved country will prevail. Democracy will prevail.
First they came for the journalists.
.
.
.
We don’t know what happened after that.
I read this on Facebook at 1 am. I saw Jen Psaki’s interview of the fired journalists earlier. I switched over to here so I could share it with like minded friends. So very sorry you’re being harassed and threatened, but thank you for your integrity, your courage and your perseverance.
Also … I wonder what the government will do to the crew of the Lincoln. They should be home in three weeks. You know the brass is unlikely to want the truth to come out.
Most likely will have to sign NDAs to not be punished
Keep going, Heather. We are in this, shoulder to shoulder.
I feel as you do about attacks on the free press. Really the only thing that makes me feel worse is attacks on Medicare and Medicaid,, because my friends and I depend utterly on these in order to live independently. But that’s another story. I live on a fixed income, but I do have some giveable dollars every month. Almost all of it goes to independent journalists. That is because these brave individuals are absolutely critical to the survival of our democracy, and I want the information ecosystem that they create to continue to provide us with the truth. Soon we will only be able to learn the truth from independent journalists. Supporting that is the most important resistance in my power to perform.
Stay strong Heather you are a true voice of reason in a chaotic world. We deeply appreciate your posts. Please keep them going.
It is much harder to extract a snake bite and heal the the bitten one (and those are the Trump, snake infected, sending you poison), than to bestow kindness on evil. You choose kindness and that is the true meaning of Christianity. Time and again though the tables must be forcefully turned over to thwart this evil. The horror would be to live in a world where only poisonous snakes survive and kindness dies. There are those being cured of Trump snake bite daily, recovery is painstakingly slow. Never lose faith, Heather, there are many who count on your health and safety.
Thank you. I needed to read your comment today.
You are a shining light Heather. Thank you!
Thank you for your honesty and your courage. We need you and all of the truthful people to keep us informed. Stay well and stay safe.
It’s not just the Republican Party as we knew it that is gone, it’s the modern day America as we knew it that’s gone. The Trump Administration wants to take us back to a time that “prioritized men as breadwinners and viewed women's primary role as raising children.” The goal is “to fundamentally alter the structure of American society and government” by “dismantling independent agencies and consolidating power within the executive branch.”
This is a video that PBS made back in 2025. I think it’s worth looking at again in order to see exactly what kind of America Donald Trump and his MAGites have envisioned and how close, with the help of a sycophantic in Republican Congress and the Supreme Court they a getting towards achieving that goal.
https://youtu.be/z7rASQFXZjM?si=qEuXlW6qiw22hOkk
THANK YOU for your words. I am glad to support your work. But I feel bad that you have to watch this insanity so we don't have to. Keep up the fight to get rid of tRump and the present regime and return this country to citizens who support Democracy and Compassion.
Thanks for letting us UK readers know the truth
I read your column every day, sometimes with hope, often with despair. What have we done? Hiw did we get here? How do we get our country back? I’m not sure. But I do know that voices like yours are essential. Attorneys like Marc Elias are essential. Attorneys General in states are essential. Our lower courts are essential. All of these are standing up for justice; all have received death threats and vile messages.
Please know that so many of us support you and are grateful for you. A truth-teller in the midst of chaos and destruction. It is often painful to read your words. I can’t imagine not reading them. I pray for you and your family, for all who suffer under this madness. And I hope I live long enough to see it gone and good return to our land. Yes, stray strong, stay true, stay honest. And keep writing!
The fact that you are being threatened is horrible. Good for you for thinking they can be redeemed- I have my doubts- they are the ‘snake’ too if they can write to you like that. Stay strong (I know you will)— we are all with you!!
“ horrible doesn’t even come close!” it’s despicable, disgusting, and so Maga! So Trump! That’s what they’re attempting to do to all of us! Inconceivable, huh?? Who would think that America would be represented by such POS, and that he would get this far with it!
"What really hurt and what made me have to take breaks before turning it back on was watching the people cheer for him. People were cheering for the worst things he said. People were booing the press and the media. That is the part that breaks something in me every time. It is devastating knowing that these are my fellow Americans." EXACTLY THIS, Heather! It's disheartening to think these people walk among us. Thank you for staying strong! You are so very appreciated!
I agree. To me this is the hardest part. People who have been in your life since you were brought into the world, friends you grew up with, relatives....have turned into snakes. How can you feel love and warmth for these people who cheer him on?
I can't anymore. I don't even want to be in the same room with them.
Those cheering Trump fans are just like him in many ways. They deserve the same scorn and shunning that Trump is receiving from the world’s majority.