* A presidential candidate who is a criminal defendant. Yes, that’s where we are.
* Post-election reality: If Trump were re-elected, would he order the DOJ to drop the charges against him? Yes, that was a rhetorical question.
* Is Trump a felon? Or just your basic unethical, immoral, unhinged, pathologically lying, narcissistic misogynist with demagogic aspirations?
* The Iowa caucuses provide valuable momentum. Just ask former President Rick Santorum.
* AI vs. AV: Trump claims that Lincoln Project Artificial Intelligence ads have been targeting him. Not true. But there is evidence of Authentic Vanity.
* Trump is largely–and manifestly–unread, and that obviously includes The Constitution—if not Mein Kampf.
* Loyalty Oaf: As it turns out, the man who’s linked forever more to the riotous, Jan. 6 insurrection, did not sign the Illinois loyalty oath—the one that says candidates won’t advocate for overthrowing the government. The pledge, dating back to the McCarthy era, is not mandatory. But it is routinely signed by candidates—including Trump in 2016 and 2020.
* “Donald Trump: He will sell the soul of this country.”–Chris Christie, who now regrets, he says, for having helped Trump get elected in 2016. Begged question: What did he possibly see in 2016 that supported his high-profile enabling and inner-circle support that included debate prep?
* Trump bragging rights: “For 54 years, they were trying to get Roe v. Wade terminated, and I did it. And I’m proud to have done it.” Obvious takeaway: Abort this candidacy.
* “(Trump is) the most flawed person I’ve ever met.”–Former Trump Chief of Staff John Kelly.