* Red Scare: The Trump Organization’s online store is now selling “Trump 2028” merch.
* Barely two months in, the Trump Administration already had its own “Gate.” No, “SignalGate” won’t be the last.
* “One way or the other.” How Trump expects to get Greenland.
* This is a great time to get rich.”—Donald Trump, adding context to financial chaos.
*If you believe the usual White House enablers, Trump’s 90-day tariff pause was always part of his “Art of the Deal” negotiating strategy. It was about Trump leverage–not a global market meltdown or recession generation or the de facto reality of a trade war between the U.S. and the rest of the world. This is Trump treating other countries like the sub-contractors he stiffed as he built his born-rich business brand.
* “If you removed white evangelicals in particular from (Trump’s) coalition, he would have lost all three of his presidential races by a landslide.”—David French, New York Times.
* Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene might even be an embarrassment to the legacy of the Cold War-Red-Scare-exploiting Joe McCarthy. Her rationale for calling for the “total” defunding of NPR and PBS: “It’s up to Congress to determine if Americans are going to continue to pursue their progressive, or rather, communist agenda,” she explained.
* The Trump Pentagon has removed images of the atomic bomb-dropping plane that ended World War II. The reason: The plane’s name is Enola GAY. Seriously.
* Recall that AG Pam Bondi, the embarrassing essence of compliant fealty to Trump, was next up after the sleazy Matt Gaetz flamed out. But if Bondi were to have a conscience-ridden epiphany, who would replace her? Rudy Giuliani? At least Roy Cohn is no longer with us.
* Trump had a recent physical. Before the results were released, he gave a spoiler alert. “Overall, I felt I was in very good shape. A good heart, a good soul, a very good soul.” Yeah.
* Trump has upended the Kennedy Center by ousting its president, its board of directors and its board chairman and replaced them all with MAGA minions. What’s next? A name change that doesn’t harken back to a Democratic icon? The Musk Center? How about granting Kennedy (for now) Center Honors to Kid Rock, Sean Hannity and Clarence Thomas.
* “We are all afraid.”–Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski, referring to Trump retribution.
* “The future of CDC (Centers for Disease Control) is under threat, by any measure.”—Yale health policy researcher Jason Schwartz, on the recent departure of five high-level officials in the latest turmoil for America’s top public health agency.
* Tesla sales fell 14% in the first quarter.
* DOGE was originally intended to operate until July 4, 2026. No, it won’t last that long. Yes, Elon Musk is becoming a political lightning rod. Sounds ironic for this administration. But we know what Steve Bannon thinks.
* Dollar Don Update: There is now a $5 million, “gold card” visa—with Trump’s likeness on it—that aims to lure wealthy immigrants to the U.S. It offers U.S. residency to individuals who invest $5 million in this country. The president had earlier unveiled $100 silver medallion Trump coins.
* Mike Huckabee, US ambassador to Israel, visited the Western Wall in Jerusalem and inserted a message handwritten by Trump. According to unreliable sources, it said: “GOD, you’re terrific!!! You’re why we prey!”
* “Insurrection Hoax,” “Patriots Vindicated”: Titles of fundraisers featuring Jan. 6 rioters.