At 9:08 PM tonight in Dallas, Texas, an exhausted Donald Trump slowly emerged from behind the stage and clapped four times as Lee Greenwood again serenaded him on the final night of the first-ever Republican Midterm Convention. On his way to the podium, he stopped to hug J.D. Vance, tapping his forehead to J.D.’s as he made his way to the podium. As Lee sang an extended version of Trump’s favorite hype song, “God Bless the USA,” Trump used the time to stop directly in front of the women in the front row, making sure not to get close enough for them to touch him. As he grabbed the microphone, a woman could be heard screaming “Yeaaw Trump” right before he began his 25-minute final speech.
While struggling with slurred speech for the second night in a row, Donald Trump barely started his speech before telling the crowd that he is “getting a little tired of politics now.” But that was nothing compared to what was to come. As a final act of the night, the President of the United States of America told his supporters, in front of cameras and the entire world, that they needed to cheat in the midterms, that they would go to hell if they didn’t vote, before ending the convention by demanding they pledge their allegiance to him and not their country:
I can only imagine how it feels for you to have to write those words. It must be soul destroying but they had be said. DT is becoming an extremely desperate man, staring into the abyss of his own demise. You can just feel the fear. Then you have JDV with his hideous mocking of a protester. Sickening. A typical demonstration of Nazism by the two of them. Obey or else.
Where is the Humanity? America, (and the world), has just been remembering the tragedy of 9/11 and we get utterly selfish rhetoric from them as if they haven't learned a thing.
Thankfully, people aren't all bad! With you Heather, and all the other amazing writers, there is hope.
For years Donold Trump has used psychological manipulation in lying profusely. Having producers of the Apprentice to create a make believe persona of a successful business person. Where in reality he bankrupted six business, was charged with fraud and paid out money as well as closed many business ventures. Where a man saw women as nothing more than second class, beneath him to take sexual advances at his will. Let’s face it even young girls in their teens, and a compulsive obsession of a sexual fantasy over his own daughter that he would even date her. He isolates his MAGA following by saying they are more patriotic along with him as he dry-humps our nation’s flag on stage. Hides behind a fantasy land that he loves this country more than any other American. Yet, has not served, given back to this nation at all, and when the draft constituted him to do so he developed bone spurs. At no time has any member of his immediate family served in the military, or as a civil servant. He shared with his followers a “utopian” world of “Making America Great Again” when exactly was this timeframe? When was this nation great for all, or was it just great for some. Just a few barons at the time of the “Gilded Age”. May want to look up the flood of Johnstown Flood in Pennsylvania that still remains one of the worst disasters in American history. Where on May 31, 1889, 20 million tons of water a massive 40-foot wall of water rushed down the Conemaugh Valley at 40 miles per hour, completely destroying four square miles of downtown Johnstown all because some rich people wanted an exclusive retreat for wealthy tycoons like Andrew Carnegie and Henry Clay Frick. Now he wants to bribe his followers with $5,000 from our own government to keep him and his loyalists in power come this November 2026 election. He’s even saying to all not in the MAGA sphere he will give us all this money, that we all have paid our taxes into. A mere $1.2 trillion dollars. Coercion at its best by the act of forcing or compelling someone to do something against their will. Not by using any threats, but by anticipation of receiving a monetary fund at all our fingertips. Not intimidation but a pressure to keep him and all in power by voting for them now. In which we all know outside of the MAGA sphere they’ve been there for much longer than they should. Once again a promise of monetary value that has not come about even as promised with all those DOGE cuts.
Frankly take a look around here in the U.S. - How’s life going, how’s your wallet lately, how’s the anxiety, how’s the war going, how’s the food sources you’re purchasing going with those illnesses of explosive diarrhea, how’s the job security…
Now let’s look at this..
People in Jonestown followed Jim Jones because he used years of gradual psychological manipulation, isolation, and a false sense of a shared utopian mission, though many were ultimately forced or coerced at gunpoint rather than acting willingly. A total of 918 people died in Guyana on November 18, 1978, in connection with the Peoples Temple. Of those fatalities, 909 people died directly within the Jonestown compound. There were 907 individuals who died from cyanide poisoning (including 304 children and minors). Cult leader Jim Jones and his aide Annie Moore died at the compound from gunshot wounds.
MAGA members there’s still time to step out of the cult.. there’s no money going to be given. There’s nothing left other than succumbing to drinking that Koolaide with cyanide.. or by the other means that befallen those in Guyana.
For the rest of us that recognized what this was in the first place, a cult. That turned politics into a monarch a real in your face display of despotism to take over our nation.
George Washington warned in his 1796 Farewell Address that the "love of power" and intense partisan division can lead a free nation into real despotism. Washington stated that human nature is prone to abusing power. He warned that if government departments encroach upon each other's constitutional limits, it consolidates power and creates a "real despotism," no matter the form of government. He cautioned that extreme party spirit and rival factions open the door to tyranny. He explained that the revenge and alternating domination of one faction over another can make people grow weary of chaos and seek safety in the absolute power of a single individual. Earlier in 1786, Washington expressed concern that citizens facing difficult problems might suffer a knee-jerk reaction and look for a solution by creating a "new monarch" rather than fixing the system through law and compromise.
We are not looking for a “New Monarch” any despot. This is our time, this is our place in the history of this nation to heed the words of Ben Franklin when asked at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 in Philadelphia, by a woman named Elizabeth Willing Powel who approached him and asked, "Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?"
Franklin's immediate reply captured both the promise and the fragile nature of the newly designed American government.
“A republic, if you can keep it."
— Vote them all out.. This is so well worth keeping.. Have your plan and execute your plan. Will be at the voting location this year as prior years, am one of those with gray hairs. Looking forward to seeing millions of people. — Vote
Heather, there is so much in this extraordinary essay, that it is difficult for me to pick one theme that touched me more than others. As an 88-year-old citizen, born of parents whose photos are on documents assuring them safe landing in America, I have been horrified at Trump's malicious behavior toward immigrants. These lines stopped me: "We are the country where people from every corner of the world have come carrying pieces of the places they left behind and woven them into something distinctly American." Up until this administration, even if headed by a candidate different from our selected party, we never felt such drama and tragedy as we are experiencing now. As they landed on our shores, I'm certain my grandparents couldn't believe their good fortunate. Now, from their heavenly abodes, I see them weeping. In tears because of what we're experiencing, and horrified that their safe passage and grateful landing, put their children and grandchildren in harm's way. If they had known about the eventual Trump, they would've tucked their children in, and said, "Not now. America is not safe for us."
"...I will faithfully execute the Office of the President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability,preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States"
To the best of my 'ability' is doing all the work here. He clearly has no ability for anything but self aggrandisement and looting of the treasury.
Like all despots, he's invincible until he isn't. Also like most despots, he'll burn the whole place down out of spite.
Thank heaven Trump and his cult are becoming more and more absurd and ridiculous—their own worst enemy. Only he and they, in their insanity, can imagine that their antics are going to win elections.
lol. I thought you went to hell if you lied and cheated and basically lived a dastardly life. Not because you didn’t vote.
Djt is definitely sounding desperate. Exposing his modus operandi and airing it out in public. His handlers must be desperate too to give him the go-ahead to speak at will.
It continues to boggle my mind that ANYONE can support this man and his regime! One would have to be blind (or completely ignorant and stupid) not to see what he has done...no we are not Nazi German, but we are turning into Nazi America...history always repeats itself...will we ever learn?
A true gonner. What a piece of never ending conman shit he is. And apparently still millions of maga morons vote for him and his corrupt cheating rep party?! What do they have instead of brain? Green peas? Mashed corn? Incredible. But that is typically hitler’s proganda redux. The biggest the lie the quickest it is swallowed and becomes the truth. Poor America. Poor world. Fuck trump and his nazi goons. Pls do not forget musk and the billionaires who elected him. Bezos, suckerberg and their fascist companies. Thank you
A wonderful and powerful post as always, dear HDR. It has made me raise a question I have asked myself many times, about the difference between patriotism and nationalism, and how they are demonstrated. In Europe, and perhaps all over the world except the States national anthems are only sung at international matches, never at a domestic game, never mind amateur/school/college. When I visit the States, I am always struck by the prevalence in almost every TV ad of an American flag, or the word "America" as in "America's favorite" or somesuch. I expect your readers are inured to this, but next time you watch TV...
Pledges of allegiance at schools has always puzzled me, too. Certainly wouldnt happen in the UK. To me, these are all signs of nationalism or as we Brits used to call it "jingoism" - " My country, right or wrong".
Please don't misunderstand me. When in a foreign country and you are feeling troubled or isolated, the sight of your national flag is a huge comfort (I've been there several times). Your Consulate or Embassy is a place of safety.
This embedded nationalism is now being monstrously perverted, and is the polar opposite of patriotism, just as the "Christian" nationalists pervert religion.
Thank Goodness for you and the other independent writers and media outlets, which you so rightly urge us to support, pleading for proper patriotism by protecting the Constitution, and restoring justice and equality for all. You give us hope. As a dual national, I will be adding my overseas vote, and i have hope.
I am hesitant to post this at the risk of offending. That is certainly not my intention.
That raising arms in pledge to trump? A bit like the Nazi salute but with a bent arm, eh
Dear Heather,
I can only imagine how it feels for you to have to write those words. It must be soul destroying but they had be said. DT is becoming an extremely desperate man, staring into the abyss of his own demise. You can just feel the fear. Then you have JDV with his hideous mocking of a protester. Sickening. A typical demonstration of Nazism by the two of them. Obey or else.
Where is the Humanity? America, (and the world), has just been remembering the tragedy of 9/11 and we get utterly selfish rhetoric from them as if they haven't learned a thing.
Thankfully, people aren't all bad! With you Heather, and all the other amazing writers, there is hope.
Lots of love and support from the UK.🇬🇧
Thank you Heather.
For years Donold Trump has used psychological manipulation in lying profusely. Having producers of the Apprentice to create a make believe persona of a successful business person. Where in reality he bankrupted six business, was charged with fraud and paid out money as well as closed many business ventures. Where a man saw women as nothing more than second class, beneath him to take sexual advances at his will. Let’s face it even young girls in their teens, and a compulsive obsession of a sexual fantasy over his own daughter that he would even date her. He isolates his MAGA following by saying they are more patriotic along with him as he dry-humps our nation’s flag on stage. Hides behind a fantasy land that he loves this country more than any other American. Yet, has not served, given back to this nation at all, and when the draft constituted him to do so he developed bone spurs. At no time has any member of his immediate family served in the military, or as a civil servant. He shared with his followers a “utopian” world of “Making America Great Again” when exactly was this timeframe? When was this nation great for all, or was it just great for some. Just a few barons at the time of the “Gilded Age”. May want to look up the flood of Johnstown Flood in Pennsylvania that still remains one of the worst disasters in American history. Where on May 31, 1889, 20 million tons of water a massive 40-foot wall of water rushed down the Conemaugh Valley at 40 miles per hour, completely destroying four square miles of downtown Johnstown all because some rich people wanted an exclusive retreat for wealthy tycoons like Andrew Carnegie and Henry Clay Frick. Now he wants to bribe his followers with $5,000 from our own government to keep him and his loyalists in power come this November 2026 election. He’s even saying to all not in the MAGA sphere he will give us all this money, that we all have paid our taxes into. A mere $1.2 trillion dollars. Coercion at its best by the act of forcing or compelling someone to do something against their will. Not by using any threats, but by anticipation of receiving a monetary fund at all our fingertips. Not intimidation but a pressure to keep him and all in power by voting for them now. In which we all know outside of the MAGA sphere they’ve been there for much longer than they should. Once again a promise of monetary value that has not come about even as promised with all those DOGE cuts.
Frankly take a look around here in the U.S. - How’s life going, how’s your wallet lately, how’s the anxiety, how’s the war going, how’s the food sources you’re purchasing going with those illnesses of explosive diarrhea, how’s the job security…
Now let’s look at this..
People in Jonestown followed Jim Jones because he used years of gradual psychological manipulation, isolation, and a false sense of a shared utopian mission, though many were ultimately forced or coerced at gunpoint rather than acting willingly. A total of 918 people died in Guyana on November 18, 1978, in connection with the Peoples Temple. Of those fatalities, 909 people died directly within the Jonestown compound. There were 907 individuals who died from cyanide poisoning (including 304 children and minors). Cult leader Jim Jones and his aide Annie Moore died at the compound from gunshot wounds.
MAGA members there’s still time to step out of the cult.. there’s no money going to be given. There’s nothing left other than succumbing to drinking that Koolaide with cyanide.. or by the other means that befallen those in Guyana.
For the rest of us that recognized what this was in the first place, a cult. That turned politics into a monarch a real in your face display of despotism to take over our nation.
George Washington warned in his 1796 Farewell Address that the "love of power" and intense partisan division can lead a free nation into real despotism. Washington stated that human nature is prone to abusing power. He warned that if government departments encroach upon each other's constitutional limits, it consolidates power and creates a "real despotism," no matter the form of government. He cautioned that extreme party spirit and rival factions open the door to tyranny. He explained that the revenge and alternating domination of one faction over another can make people grow weary of chaos and seek safety in the absolute power of a single individual. Earlier in 1786, Washington expressed concern that citizens facing difficult problems might suffer a knee-jerk reaction and look for a solution by creating a "new monarch" rather than fixing the system through law and compromise.
https://constitutioncenter.org/the-constitution/historic-document-library/detail/george-washington-farewell-address-1796
We are not looking for a “New Monarch” any despot. This is our time, this is our place in the history of this nation to heed the words of Ben Franklin when asked at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 in Philadelphia, by a woman named Elizabeth Willing Powel who approached him and asked, "Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?"
Franklin's immediate reply captured both the promise and the fragile nature of the newly designed American government.
“A republic, if you can keep it."
— Vote them all out.. This is so well worth keeping.. Have your plan and execute your plan. Will be at the voting location this year as prior years, am one of those with gray hairs. Looking forward to seeing millions of people. — Vote
Heather, there is so much in this extraordinary essay, that it is difficult for me to pick one theme that touched me more than others. As an 88-year-old citizen, born of parents whose photos are on documents assuring them safe landing in America, I have been horrified at Trump's malicious behavior toward immigrants. These lines stopped me: "We are the country where people from every corner of the world have come carrying pieces of the places they left behind and woven them into something distinctly American." Up until this administration, even if headed by a candidate different from our selected party, we never felt such drama and tragedy as we are experiencing now. As they landed on our shores, I'm certain my grandparents couldn't believe their good fortunate. Now, from their heavenly abodes, I see them weeping. In tears because of what we're experiencing, and horrified that their safe passage and grateful landing, put their children and grandchildren in harm's way. If they had known about the eventual Trump, they would've tucked their children in, and said, "Not now. America is not safe for us."
Trump always has an out.
"...I will faithfully execute the Office of the President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability,preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States"
To the best of my 'ability' is doing all the work here. He clearly has no ability for anything but self aggrandisement and looting of the treasury.
Like all despots, he's invincible until he isn't. Also like most despots, he'll burn the whole place down out of spite.
Let's hope the fire-fighters prevail.
Thank heaven Trump and his cult are becoming more and more absurd and ridiculous—their own worst enemy. Only he and they, in their insanity, can imagine that their antics are going to win elections.
lol. I thought you went to hell if you lied and cheated and basically lived a dastardly life. Not because you didn’t vote.
Djt is definitely sounding desperate. Exposing his modus operandi and airing it out in public. His handlers must be desperate too to give him the go-ahead to speak at will.
GOP conference: a circus by and for idiots.
It continues to boggle my mind that ANYONE can support this man and his regime! One would have to be blind (or completely ignorant and stupid) not to see what he has done...no we are not Nazi German, but we are turning into Nazi America...history always repeats itself...will we ever learn?
Vote in November!!!!
A true gonner. What a piece of never ending conman shit he is. And apparently still millions of maga morons vote for him and his corrupt cheating rep party?! What do they have instead of brain? Green peas? Mashed corn? Incredible. But that is typically hitler’s proganda redux. The biggest the lie the quickest it is swallowed and becomes the truth. Poor America. Poor world. Fuck trump and his nazi goons. Pls do not forget musk and the billionaires who elected him. Bezos, suckerberg and their fascist companies. Thank you
A wonderful and powerful post as always, dear HDR. It has made me raise a question I have asked myself many times, about the difference between patriotism and nationalism, and how they are demonstrated. In Europe, and perhaps all over the world except the States national anthems are only sung at international matches, never at a domestic game, never mind amateur/school/college. When I visit the States, I am always struck by the prevalence in almost every TV ad of an American flag, or the word "America" as in "America's favorite" or somesuch. I expect your readers are inured to this, but next time you watch TV...
Pledges of allegiance at schools has always puzzled me, too. Certainly wouldnt happen in the UK. To me, these are all signs of nationalism or as we Brits used to call it "jingoism" - " My country, right or wrong".
Please don't misunderstand me. When in a foreign country and you are feeling troubled or isolated, the sight of your national flag is a huge comfort (I've been there several times). Your Consulate or Embassy is a place of safety.
This embedded nationalism is now being monstrously perverted, and is the polar opposite of patriotism, just as the "Christian" nationalists pervert religion.
Thank Goodness for you and the other independent writers and media outlets, which you so rightly urge us to support, pleading for proper patriotism by protecting the Constitution, and restoring justice and equality for all. You give us hope. As a dual national, I will be adding my overseas vote, and i have hope.
I am hesitant to post this at the risk of offending. That is certainly not my intention.
Eine Reich, Eine Volk, Eine Trump
I wonder what he thinks when he watches himself afterwards. He is simply displaying that he is a weak lame duck. Quack Quack!!
Thank you Heather and company, you give hope and clarity that is much needed in this time !