“A Republic, if you can keep it.”
* We’ve all heard the scenarios for Trump’s post-Inauguration agenda. They unsurprisingly center on his “brand.” From a Trump Moscow hotel and media empire to a political monarchy and a 2024 campaign reboot.
His classless, temper-tantrum exit is, in part, a narcissistic knee-jerk response to losing. The other part is orchestration. In whatever manifestation, Trump will be lurking–and looking to undermine the Biden Administration on everything from a COVID-ambushed economy and “socialism” to “exoneration” on Russian election help and the need for environmental deregulation, immigration limits, a completed border wall, as well as law-and-order edicts, racist dog whistles and “America First” unilateralism. Plus, Hunter Biden slander, “fake news” excoriations, more money advocated for stimulus checks, and credit for his pardons—from unscrupulous felons of fealty and the sleazy father of his son in law to murdering mercenaries. It’s the Trump version of: “If you support me and our great country, I’ve got your back. And, BTW, I’m the one who wanted $2,000 stimulus checks for our great Americans—not that disgraceful $600.”
And it hardly hurts that the Trump/GOP blitz of fund-raising raked in serious 9 figures since Election Day. More than $60 million of that has gone to a new PAC that Trump will control after he, finally, leaves office.
* “Fabulous” is how Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin described the bipartisan $900 billion stimulus deal. President Trump called it a “disgrace.” Speaking of disgraces, Mnuchin’s belittlement and blindsiding are nothing new or shocking. Ask Rex Tillerson or Mark Esper or Jeff Sessions or … .
* Imagine, in the tragic and convoluted context of a pandemic, “government shutdown” is still part of the conversation.
* New Year’s resolutions we’ll never see:
^“Country first.”–Republican Party.
^“Let’s put aside partisan politics and help the new administration help all Americans. We’re all in this together.”–Former President Donald Trump.
^“Here’s hoping the new administration does more in the Middle East than make weapons sales to Arab autocrats with under-the-radar ties to Israel. But please remember, I’m still available to help out in actually advancing peace and actually helping the Palestinians; remember them?”–Jared Kushner.