Late this morning, Donald Trump carefully used his right hand to pull himself up the stairs and onto the stage at the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. As he stood beneath the blazing sun, he seemed sharper than we have seen him lately. More animated, but also less restrained. And although he was there to celebrate the graduating class, his focus was anywhere but on the young adults who were starting the next chapter of their lives. Instead, he spent nearly an hour acting like he was at a campaign rally, where he continued to repeat outrageous claims and detailed his tired complaints. He said he might still be president in 2032. He made very unsettling comments about young men. He told the crowd he was only honoring a female cadet so he wouldn't get sued. And he hoped the graduating class would always be friends with each other, and also, "hopefully with me."
It hurts to read your account of what Trump said at that graduation ceremony. It hurts to see the destruction, the greed, the lawlessness, and to hear the lies.
I'm especially troubled by yesterday's primaries, which made clear how much Republican voters support Trump.
Those voters punished Thomas Massie because he stood up for what's right. It's deeply disturbing that the exposure of the rape and abuse of minors was looked upon unfavorably by Kentucky Republicans. Again, deeply saddening.
I think I've reached a point where I feel hopeless. I'm working in my community with a number of groups and I'm trying to pick myself up off the ground. I will rebound. Today I'm just really fucking sad.
Iām sitting at the breakfast table with tears dropping into my cereal. These cadets most likely started their training while Biden was in office, when the hard work they anticipated with joy, and with resolve, would lead to meritorious service to their country and to the Constitution.
That they would have to sit through the psychotic ramblings of this idiotic president must be galling to each and every one of them.
I would tend to agree with you about the punishment of Massie - the fact is disgustingly clear how any seat can be bought. We need to pull this corruption out at the roots...stop the money. However, for a brief moment, I still š hope with Massie. He has time, he can still stand up and read the names. He can run as an Independent and pull enough from Gallrein to cause him to lose. The unknown is...even if the names are read, who is going to have the conviction do something about it?
So sad, so pathetic. Those cadets will live with their sunburns and their graduation stories will be something they think and talk about for the rest of their lives.
As for Republicans voting for Republicans in Republican primaries in the deep South: when that much money goes into selling something, people will buy it just to shut up the pitchman. It is as easy as that. People are selling and people are buying. Those voters are the proverbial Charlie Brown, thinking this time I can have a world where I am rich and everyone is a white Christian. Republicans in the backwaters listen intently for the dog whistles (don't need them for Twump, he says the quiet part out loud), and they vote for the most racist, pro-White, anti-POC candidate that they can find. that's right, in the deep South, race is still a big issue. Why are they still stupid and poor? Because they cannot get out of their own bigoted way.
It's the money, stupid, it always was and always will be. If Musk offered you a thousand dollars would you hold your nose and vote for a candidate you did not like or even did not know? How many hands went up? That's all it takes.
You would not be a decent human with a working heart if you didnāt have days where youāre really effing sad. This horror is costly to live through! But please know that Iām thinking of you and hoping the rebound arrives soon.
Turning this solemn ceremony into a prop for a demented and self centered President is beyond disgraceful. Asking these men and women who are dedicating their lives to defend and protect our nation being lead by a man who is intent on destroying this very nation, is beyond belief. Wake up America, stand up and speak out while we still can. Our freedom is on life support.
The thing that weāve known for ohā¦ 10years+, is that people who make everything about themselves are usually people who really deeply, and really profoundly hate themselves. They know, on some level, that their lives have been about nothing beneficial or additive to the advancement of the human race, and so, they spend what time and energy they have tearing everyone around them down to their level of abasement and misery. This is the fundamental truth of conservatism, a belief system which teaches individualism to the extreme of self-love and hate towards others. Iām convinced that if you scratch a conservative, just beneath the surface you find an individual who has been devoid of emotional resonance and growth - often at their own choice, so itās not an irretrievable conclusion. But narcissists thrive in periods of self-loathing and misery, and when given power, sadly, they focus on self, to the detriment of the masses. If this is any consolation, just assuage yourself with the knowledge that people like this are really, fundamentally unhappy in life and can never really find the love and balance that grows in the hearts of the generous and empathetic.
One thing I've noticed over the years is that deeply conservative men have often (not always, but often) had father figures in their childhood who were cruel, abusive, and deeply reactionary themselves, compared to whom the men in question appeared relatively mild. So the sins of the fathers get passed down. Tr*mp certainly had a complicated relationship with his own abusive father (Fred Tr*mp), plus he watched his older brother Fred Jr. get crushed under that abuse. (For those who might be unfamiliar, Fred Jr. drank himself to death in his forties.) So apparently in Donald's twisted view the only way to survive was to become an even bigger bastard and con artist than the father, to the eventual detriment of the entire world.
My understanding is that she was distant, both physically and emotionally. She suffered severe health problems following the birth of the youngest brother, Robert Trump, and wasn't around a lot.
Neither of his parents showed him affection. That's why he's so hellbent on pumping up himself. His father was also known to be cruel to Trump's brother.
Trump acts like a giant spoiled brat. Methinks his parents were both too "busy" with their own agendas to pay any attention to him, and so they used material things to fill in the hole that left in Donny's life. I suppose he began to think "The more things my parents give me, the more they love me."
It's the exact same logic he applies to his donors and MAGA worshipers today.
Yes and no. My brother was a diagnosed narcissist and pathological liar. I really donāt think he, and Trump, are āself loathing.ā On the contrary, I think they only love and worship themselves. They do occasionally attempt to show a bit of compassion or regret, but that is all just another lie. They love to trick and cheat other people. They can be cruel for crueltyās sake, but also because they no conception of what that means except it makes them feel good to make others feel bad.
The American people are beginning to see the cruelty for what it is, total unconcern for others.
Congratulations to the graduating officers of the Coast Guard Academy!! You are the best of us and we honor your accomplishments and your dedication. Thank you for stepping up to serve our nation. Thanks to your families and friends who have supported you in this journey and continue to support you in your service.
Please ignore the despicable corrupt criminal who addressed you today. Youāre better than him; we know that and appreciate you.
I have no doubt the cadets knew exactly what they were going to hear. The script never varies; heās like a broken record. They endured it and then received gracious congratulations like yours - from people orders of magnitude smarter and more empathetic than the bloviator - I mean speaker.
I so admire you Heather. I donāt know how you keep doing it night after night, carrying on, speaking the truth when so many of us are wanting to just give up. Until we read your nightly missive. Thank you again, for at least giving me the strength to think we will come out on the right side of this debacle.
Heather, thank God for you, your hard and relentless work and your beautiful writing, Ir makes me smile whenever I see you in my email feed. I send you to my friends and family.
In spite of Trump, his arrogance, lack of compassion and disrespect for others, the picture of your Shih Tzu made me smile. I have one too. My Serenity helps keep me sane during these insane times. Thank you for keeping us all honestly and factually informed.
This broke my heart! Those young people deserve our thanks, our gratitude and our prayers for "fair winds and following seas," not the ravings of a demented bully.
It's 3 am. I fell asleep in the chair, and was trying to get myself up and go to bed. But I gave my phone one final check, and saw your post; I had to read what happened with the Coast Guard Academy graduation. It's like a horrible car accident. You do not want to look, but you're compelled to witness the tragedy. My reaction to Trump and his "me, me, me" speeches is almost always anger. This time, my reaction was, as you said, intense sadness. The graduates deserved to be feted - they worked so very hard to get to this day. Their families and friends deserved to hear uplifting words about their loved ones and the career they have chosen. Yet again, he stole a moment of celebration for himself, and left the celebrants bewildered and wanting. That moment cannot be recaptured, and it makes me want to cry for the cruelty.
As an aside, my grandson graduates high school this weekend. I know his and his fellow classmates' moment of celebration will be honored.
Thank you, Ms. Reese. More frightening and dangerous than djt is the maga caucus who sit on their asses, suck their thumbs and whine to each other in private or talk to reporters off the record.
This is sickening. I'm glad there were people protesting nearby, but how horrible for the cadets and their families. Also, I'm truly curious - what is with his obsession about good looking men? His references have gotten more frequent over the years. And when he challenges people to a fight - wtf?
The problem is that Trump doesnāt give a crap about the Constitution, except that it stands in the way. He simply ignores it. The real question is whether he will ever be held to account for that.
Of course we all know that Trump only thinks about himself but his recent appearance at the graduation ceremony really takes the biscuit
His speech should have been all about the graduates and their future. I really feel for them having to sit in the blazing sun having to listen to his ramblings. I hope they won't be voting for him in the future.
Thank you! My mini poodle is a resistance service dog. He needs to wear a thunder shirt to keep his anxiety from getting overwhelming when driving around. You are my thunder shirt.
Heather, it is horrible that this country elected such a dangerous person. We are all frightened that things will get worse, But Trump was trying to be funny in this speech and I am sorry the press chose to take the comment about handsome men and some other attempts to be funny, so seriously. Better to ignore because speaking about his gaffs only infuriates him. Pathological narcissists get crazier when criticized. I am NOT saying that his remarks were acceptable but he is not a normal man. I know that my comment will be criticized but strategically I worry that his rage will get even worse. Feeding paranoia is like throwing more wood on a fire.
Itās not funny itās creepy as what comes out of his mouth is what he is really thinking
Virtually every time he is in the presence of young people he draws attention to āhandsome young menā and how he hates them and the attractiveness of the women He feels his age and lack of health and highlights what he will never get back Inappropriate for anyone but from the President? Disgusting
You are right. He isnāt normal in any sense of the word. Yes he does try āhumor ā but his humor is also meant to hurt, to cut. As I read this, it is sad to say but his speech didnāt surprise me. Yes frightened is accurate but I also wonder how many people still support him and would vote for him again. One of my sonās would be one of them.
Oh dear - what would it take for your son to change his mind? It seems like he still has a 37% approval rate and coming from the U.K. I find that astonishing
Thatās why with a lack of main stream media challenging his ridiculous and blatant lies the independent journalists who pride themselves on research and facts need to be supported although I fear those who need to read what is written never will - but we can still chip away at the edges
Letās hope your son sees the light and I donāt mean from one of DJT God like creations on Truth Social
Yes we can can continue to chip away. It does get discouraging though. I have five children, four boys and a girl.
Actually two sons support Trump but one is all in total MAGA. Literally Trump could take a machine gun and walk through a random crowd, shoot people and my son would say Trump had a reason so it was ok. Oh I guess Trump doesnāt need to do that himself, he has his militias do it for him.
It hurts to read your account of what Trump said at that graduation ceremony. It hurts to see the destruction, the greed, the lawlessness, and to hear the lies.
I'm especially troubled by yesterday's primaries, which made clear how much Republican voters support Trump.
Those voters punished Thomas Massie because he stood up for what's right. It's deeply disturbing that the exposure of the rape and abuse of minors was looked upon unfavorably by Kentucky Republicans. Again, deeply saddening.
I think I've reached a point where I feel hopeless. I'm working in my community with a number of groups and I'm trying to pick myself up off the ground. I will rebound. Today I'm just really fucking sad.
Iām sitting at the breakfast table with tears dropping into my cereal. These cadets most likely started their training while Biden was in office, when the hard work they anticipated with joy, and with resolve, would lead to meritorious service to their country and to the Constitution.
That they would have to sit through the psychotic ramblings of this idiotic president must be galling to each and every one of them.
I salute them all. Semper Paratus, cadets.
I would tend to agree with you about the punishment of Massie - the fact is disgustingly clear how any seat can be bought. We need to pull this corruption out at the roots...stop the money. However, for a brief moment, I still š hope with Massie. He has time, he can still stand up and read the names. He can run as an Independent and pull enough from Gallrein to cause him to lose. The unknown is...even if the names are read, who is going to have the conviction do something about it?
That is so sad. The ravings of a mad man.
So sad, so pathetic. Those cadets will live with their sunburns and their graduation stories will be something they think and talk about for the rest of their lives.
As for Republicans voting for Republicans in Republican primaries in the deep South: when that much money goes into selling something, people will buy it just to shut up the pitchman. It is as easy as that. People are selling and people are buying. Those voters are the proverbial Charlie Brown, thinking this time I can have a world where I am rich and everyone is a white Christian. Republicans in the backwaters listen intently for the dog whistles (don't need them for Twump, he says the quiet part out loud), and they vote for the most racist, pro-White, anti-POC candidate that they can find. that's right, in the deep South, race is still a big issue. Why are they still stupid and poor? Because they cannot get out of their own bigoted way.
It's the money, stupid, it always was and always will be. If Musk offered you a thousand dollars would you hold your nose and vote for a candidate you did not like or even did not know? How many hands went up? That's all it takes.
You would not be a decent human with a working heart if you didnāt have days where youāre really effing sad. This horror is costly to live through! But please know that Iām thinking of you and hoping the rebound arrives soon.
Naomi, thank you. Even as we are strangers on the internet, your kindness means a lot to me.
Turning this solemn ceremony into a prop for a demented and self centered President is beyond disgraceful. Asking these men and women who are dedicating their lives to defend and protect our nation being lead by a man who is intent on destroying this very nation, is beyond belief. Wake up America, stand up and speak out while we still can. Our freedom is on life support.
The thing that weāve known for ohā¦ 10years+, is that people who make everything about themselves are usually people who really deeply, and really profoundly hate themselves. They know, on some level, that their lives have been about nothing beneficial or additive to the advancement of the human race, and so, they spend what time and energy they have tearing everyone around them down to their level of abasement and misery. This is the fundamental truth of conservatism, a belief system which teaches individualism to the extreme of self-love and hate towards others. Iām convinced that if you scratch a conservative, just beneath the surface you find an individual who has been devoid of emotional resonance and growth - often at their own choice, so itās not an irretrievable conclusion. But narcissists thrive in periods of self-loathing and misery, and when given power, sadly, they focus on self, to the detriment of the masses. If this is any consolation, just assuage yourself with the knowledge that people like this are really, fundamentally unhappy in life and can never really find the love and balance that grows in the hearts of the generous and empathetic.
One thing I've noticed over the years is that deeply conservative men have often (not always, but often) had father figures in their childhood who were cruel, abusive, and deeply reactionary themselves, compared to whom the men in question appeared relatively mild. So the sins of the fathers get passed down. Tr*mp certainly had a complicated relationship with his own abusive father (Fred Tr*mp), plus he watched his older brother Fred Jr. get crushed under that abuse. (For those who might be unfamiliar, Fred Jr. drank himself to death in his forties.) So apparently in Donald's twisted view the only way to survive was to become an even bigger bastard and con artist than the father, to the eventual detriment of the entire world.
I often wonder what his relationship was with his mother.
My understanding is that she was distant, both physically and emotionally. She suffered severe health problems following the birth of the youngest brother, Robert Trump, and wasn't around a lot.
Neither of his parents showed him affection. That's why he's so hellbent on pumping up himself. His father was also known to be cruel to Trump's brother.
Trump acts like a giant spoiled brat. Methinks his parents were both too "busy" with their own agendas to pay any attention to him, and so they used material things to fill in the hole that left in Donny's life. I suppose he began to think "The more things my parents give me, the more they love me."
It's the exact same logic he applies to his donors and MAGA worshipers today.
Yes and no. My brother was a diagnosed narcissist and pathological liar. I really donāt think he, and Trump, are āself loathing.ā On the contrary, I think they only love and worship themselves. They do occasionally attempt to show a bit of compassion or regret, but that is all just another lie. They love to trick and cheat other people. They can be cruel for crueltyās sake, but also because they no conception of what that means except it makes them feel good to make others feel bad.
The American people are beginning to see the cruelty for what it is, total unconcern for others.
A diagnosed narcissist is unusual. Did he seek a diagnosis of his own volition?
No, Navy doctors did extensive tests and examinations on him after he had to be removed from his ship.
Congratulations to the graduating officers of the Coast Guard Academy!! You are the best of us and we honor your accomplishments and your dedication. Thank you for stepping up to serve our nation. Thanks to your families and friends who have supported you in this journey and continue to support you in your service.
Please ignore the despicable corrupt criminal who addressed you today. Youāre better than him; we know that and appreciate you.
I have no doubt the cadets knew exactly what they were going to hear. The script never varies; heās like a broken record. They endured it and then received gracious congratulations like yours - from people orders of magnitude smarter and more empathetic than the bloviator - I mean speaker.
I so admire you Heather. I donāt know how you keep doing it night after night, carrying on, speaking the truth when so many of us are wanting to just give up. Until we read your nightly missive. Thank you again, for at least giving me the strength to think we will come out on the right side of this debacle.
Heather, thank God for you, your hard and relentless work and your beautiful writing, Ir makes me smile whenever I see you in my email feed. I send you to my friends and family.
In spite of Trump, his arrogance, lack of compassion and disrespect for others, the picture of your Shih Tzu made me smile. I have one too. My Serenity helps keep me sane during these insane times. Thank you for keeping us all honestly and factually informed.
Lisa, I recognise the look on the pooch from my shaving mirror. It will get better.
Heatherās dog looks like a miniature Wookie! Such human eyes though!
This broke my heart! Those young people deserve our thanks, our gratitude and our prayers for "fair winds and following seas," not the ravings of a demented bully.
It's 3 am. I fell asleep in the chair, and was trying to get myself up and go to bed. But I gave my phone one final check, and saw your post; I had to read what happened with the Coast Guard Academy graduation. It's like a horrible car accident. You do not want to look, but you're compelled to witness the tragedy. My reaction to Trump and his "me, me, me" speeches is almost always anger. This time, my reaction was, as you said, intense sadness. The graduates deserved to be feted - they worked so very hard to get to this day. Their families and friends deserved to hear uplifting words about their loved ones and the career they have chosen. Yet again, he stole a moment of celebration for himself, and left the celebrants bewildered and wanting. That moment cannot be recaptured, and it makes me want to cry for the cruelty.
As an aside, my grandson graduates high school this weekend. I know his and his fellow classmates' moment of celebration will be honored.
Thank you, Ms. Reese. More frightening and dangerous than djt is the maga caucus who sit on their asses, suck their thumbs and whine to each other in private or talk to reporters off the record.
Thanks, as always, for your thoughtful and insightful commentary. There's apparently no limit to his foulness. He needs a diaper on his face as well.
This is sickening. I'm glad there were people protesting nearby, but how horrible for the cadets and their families. Also, I'm truly curious - what is with his obsession about good looking men? His references have gotten more frequent over the years. And when he challenges people to a fight - wtf?
The problem is that Trump doesnāt give a crap about the Constitution, except that it stands in the way. He simply ignores it. The real question is whether he will ever be held to account for that.
Of course we all know that Trump only thinks about himself but his recent appearance at the graduation ceremony really takes the biscuit
His speech should have been all about the graduates and their future. I really feel for them having to sit in the blazing sun having to listen to his ramblings. I hope they won't be voting for him in the future.
Thank you! My mini poodle is a resistance service dog. He needs to wear a thunder shirt to keep his anxiety from getting overwhelming when driving around. You are my thunder shirt.
As always an insightful piece and often one phrase sticks out to me, this time it was āthey are not himā
No indeed they are the next proud generation of your country and everyone needs to pull together to give them the future they deserve
Heather, it is horrible that this country elected such a dangerous person. We are all frightened that things will get worse, But Trump was trying to be funny in this speech and I am sorry the press chose to take the comment about handsome men and some other attempts to be funny, so seriously. Better to ignore because speaking about his gaffs only infuriates him. Pathological narcissists get crazier when criticized. I am NOT saying that his remarks were acceptable but he is not a normal man. I know that my comment will be criticized but strategically I worry that his rage will get even worse. Feeding paranoia is like throwing more wood on a fire.
Thank you Heather, you are soooo talented.
Itās not funny itās creepy as what comes out of his mouth is what he is really thinking
Virtually every time he is in the presence of young people he draws attention to āhandsome young menā and how he hates them and the attractiveness of the women He feels his age and lack of health and highlights what he will never get back Inappropriate for anyone but from the President? Disgusting
You are right. He isnāt normal in any sense of the word. Yes he does try āhumor ā but his humor is also meant to hurt, to cut. As I read this, it is sad to say but his speech didnāt surprise me. Yes frightened is accurate but I also wonder how many people still support him and would vote for him again. One of my sonās would be one of them.
Oh dear - what would it take for your son to change his mind? It seems like he still has a 37% approval rate and coming from the U.K. I find that astonishing
Thatās why with a lack of main stream media challenging his ridiculous and blatant lies the independent journalists who pride themselves on research and facts need to be supported although I fear those who need to read what is written never will - but we can still chip away at the edges
Letās hope your son sees the light and I donāt mean from one of DJT God like creations on Truth Social
Yes we can can continue to chip away. It does get discouraging though. I have five children, four boys and a girl.
Actually two sons support Trump but one is all in total MAGA. Literally Trump could take a machine gun and walk through a random crowd, shoot people and my son would say Trump had a reason so it was ok. Oh I guess Trump doesnāt need to do that himself, he has his militias do it for him.