I'm not so sure. Given Trump's ability to lose money running casinos, I would amend "making money" to "trying to make money".
Well someone is making very large and suspiciously well timed oil trades.
It may be that it's beyond even Trump's ability to mess that up. Though given the level of probity required to serve in Trump's inner circle Trump can't be the only suspect.
Honestly I was assuming Jared Kushner or Don Jr rather than Trump himself.
I'm not so sure. Given Trump's ability to lose money running casinos, I would amend "making money" to "trying to make money".
Well someone is making very large and suspiciously well timed oil trades.
It may be that it's beyond even Trump's ability to mess that up. Though given the level of probity required to serve in Trump's inner circle Trump can't be the only suspect.
Honestly I was assuming Jared Kushner or Don Jr rather than Trump himself.
A reasonable assumption based on past performance.
Yes, it is. It was also previously unthinkable that the U.S. would wage a war for the express purpose of an insider trading scam. I'm not saying that's what's happening here, but there's a non-zero chance that is the case and that is a truly frightening thought.
Illegal in terms of legislation or illegal in terms of there being any likelihood of those involved being held accountable?
I'm wondering if promising to appoint an attorney general who will thoroughly crack down on the graft and corruption of the Trump years would be an effective campaign pledge for Democratic presidential candidates in 2028.
Given insider trading is already illegal in America, what is the purpose of the Stop Insider Trading Act that was referred to in the State of the Union address a few weeks ago?
Is it actually a watering down of antitrust regulations, dressed up as a clamp down?
The problem here is not just the insider trading, though that is problematic, but the fact that the inside information that's being used to motivate trade is military secrets. To take another example, someone with the handle "Magamyman" made a large and suspiciously well-timed wager on the assassination of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Stock deals and internet wagers are fairly publicly visible, so the information is pretty available to anyone paying attention, including American adversaries. I'm sure it doesn't take much imagination to contemplate the likely consequences of someone placing a large bet on the exact time and place of an amphibious assault and the Iranian government noticing that such a wager had been placed.
Details about illegal insider trading, from a Google search
Illegal insider trading in the US involves buying or selling securities based on material, non-public information, violating fiduciary duties. Enforced by the SEC and DOJ under Rule 10b-5, it covers insiders, "tippees," and those misappropriating information. While legal trading by executives exists, illegal trading risks severe penalties, including prison and fines.
Key Aspects of Insider Trading in the US:
Definition:
Trading on information not available to the public that could influence an investor's decision (e.g., earnings, mergers).
Who is Liable: Corporate officers, directors, employees, and often friends or family who receive tips ("tippees").
Misappropriation Theory:
Extends liability to anyone who steals confidential information and uses it to trade, even if not a direct company insider.
Legal vs. Illegal: Corporate insiders (executives/directors) may legally buy/sell company stock, provided the trades are reported and not based on confidential knowledge.
Recent Developments (2026):
Allegations arose regarding unusual market activity on platforms like Polymarket ahead of a US-Iran ceasefire announcement, leading to calls for investigation into potential insider knowledge.
Regulatory Focus: The SEC, DOJ, and increasingly legislators (via proposed acts like the Insider Trading Prohibition Act) seek to tighten restrictions on using material non-public information (MNPI)
We would think Trump would be liable since any trading action he made or caused to be made could hardly be described as an official action as POTUS.
Does it have to be an official action? I thought the SCOTUS decision effectively places the person of the president above the law; not just the office.
Does it have to be an official action? I thought the SCOTUS decision effectively places the person of the president above the law; not just the office.
The SCOTUS decision says former presidents have absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for acts that fall within the president’s “core constitutional powers,” presumptive immunity from prosecution for other official acts and no immunity from prosecution for unofficial acts.
In the past, if there was even a whiff of inappropriate trading, Congress would demand and authorize a special prosecutor to investigate. But with this Republican Congress, they see no evil and hear no evil.
I would hope once there is a congressional change special prosecutor laws would be strengthened without someone's signature.
. I'm sure it doesn't take much imagination to contemplate the likely consequences of someone placing a large bet on the exact time and place of an amphibious assault and the Iranian government noticing that such a wager had been placed.
Considering these geniuses previously accidentally looped a journalist in on their top secret war plans in Yemen
Tonight on the Lawrence O'Donnell show, The Last Word, on MSNow, he was talking about how Trump is functionally illiterate (ever watch him read from a prepared script?). Past presidents would get a morning daily brief based on what the intelligence agencies and news outlets were finding throughout the world. Trump hates them so the White House staff has resorted to short videos showing things being blown up with action figures interspersed between the short clips.
This goes to show how detached from reality the man really is!
I only hope the Democratic victory this fall will be enough to impeach the guy
I only hope the Democratic victory this fall will be enough to impeach the guy
Is impeachment anything more than symbolic if there’s no chance the Senate will convict?
I suppose a sufficiently large blue wave might terrify surviving senate Republicans sufficiently that they're more scared of general election voters in 2 or 4 years than they are of primary voters shortly before that. There may come a tipping point where being among the first off the sinking ship starts to look almost like integrity in a poor light.
It’s about power, not credibility. The power of the bully is based on the fear of the damage the bully can cause.
The issue of credibility is the extent to which potential victims believe the bully can cause damage. It has nothing to do with his credibility for truthfulness.
I only hope the Democratic victory this fall will be enough to impeach the guy
Is impeachment anything more than symbolic if there’s no chance the Senate will convict?
Okay, should have added in both the House and Senate to impeach and convict the guy. But by the time the midterms are over even in the Republicans can eke out a majority in the Senate I think there will be enough of them to vote to convict.
Something a friend of mine pointed out on Sunday is Trump is very careful not to call this a war. It is either a military operation or action. That way he thinks he can get around the congressional mandates and the constitutional requirments.
Is there any point is asking why this non-war being run by the US Department of War, and why their senior officials have empty public calendars? https://www.war.gov/News/Today-in-DOW/
I doubt if they're all being invited to Mar-a-Lago to play golf...
Meanwhile, I hear that the Odious Orc Overlord spent some time recently in posting insults, directed towards NATO (and the UK in particular), on his 'Truth Social' platform, using capital letters throughout.
The man is totally unhinged ISTM, along with his lesser Orcs, such as Hegseth.
I doubt if they're all being invited to Mar-a-Lago to play golf...
Meanwhile, I hear that the Odious Orc Overlord spent some time recently in posting insults, directed towards NATO (and the UK in particular), on his 'Truth Social' platform, using capital letters throughout.
The man is totally unhinged ISTM, along with his lesser Orcs, such as Hegseth.
Hegseth is more like the Witch King of Angmar. No mere Orc brigand.
I only hope the Democratic victory this fall will be enough to impeach the guy
Is impeachment anything more than symbolic if there’s no chance the Senate will convict?
Okay, should have added in both the House and Senate to impeach and convict the guy. But by the time the midterms are over even in the Republicans can eke out a majority in the Senate I think there will be enough of them to vote to convict.
Conviction requires a 2/3 majority.
If the Democrats manage to gain a majority in the Senate, it will almost definitely be a bare majority. Assuming Republican keep the msjority, I haven’t seen evidence that 16+ senators will be willing to convict.
I doubt if they're all being invited to Mar-a-Lago to play golf...
Meanwhile, I hear that the Odious Orc Overlord spent some time recently in posting insults, directed towards NATO (and the UK in particular), on his 'Truth Social' platform, using capital letters throughout.
The man is totally unhinged ISTM, along with his lesser Orcs, such as Hegseth.
Hegseth is more like the Witch King of Angmar. No mere Orc brigand.
I only hope the Democratic victory this fall will be enough to impeach the guy
Is impeachment anything more than symbolic if there’s no chance the Senate will convict?
Okay, should have added in both the House and Senate to impeach and convict the guy. But by the time the midterms are over even in the Republicans can eke out a majority in the Senate I think there will be enough of them to vote to convict.
Conviction requires a 2/3 majority.
If the Democrats manage to gain a majority in the Senate, it will almost definitely be a bare majority. Assuming Republican keep the msjority, I haven’t seen evidence that 16+ senators will be willing to convict.
Given that 65% of Americans polled do not support the war, and gas prices keep going up and most Americans do not support the SAVE act, throw in the long lines at the airports, I am betting Michigan, Maine, North Carolina and Georgia will go Democrat. Put Ohio, Alaska, Texas and Montana in the maybe category. Going to be an interesting year.
Is there any point is asking why this non-war being run by the US Department of War, and why their senior officials have empty public calendars? https://www.war.gov/News/Today-in-DOW/
I doubt if they're all being invited to Mar-a-Lago to play golf...
It depends on whether they're any good at playing golf. If Trump can beat them without cheating then he might well decide to invite them to a couple of rounds, nothing like beating people who can't play golf to massage the ego of a mediocre player.
Another thing about enough Republicans in the 2027 Senate may vote to convict the Orange one is looking at their reaction to the idea of Trump inserting troops into Iran. Many of them have said he better talk to Congress first. Then too, there is the odds that a limited insertion would be disaster. I have heard if we invade Iran we will need at between 500,000 to 1,000,000 troops on the ground to succeed. Even then, are we ready for long term occupation.
Speaking at a Conservative Political Action Committee Meeting the American Conservative
Union Matt Schlapp asked a question he thought would hype up the crowd. The reaction he got stunned him https://x.com/AndrewFeinberg/status/2037542794139521391 He had to tell the crowd they gave the wrong answer. He asked the question again but quickly answered it the way he wanted it to go.
So have I got this right. Donald Trumps home area has flipped to the Dems. Nice
You’ve got it right, but it may be best not to read too much into it.
This was a special election for a vacant seat in the Florida House of Representatives. Special elections are generally low-turnout, and it is often the opposition party that is most attentive to them. So it may or may not be a signal of things to come.
That said, Trump won the district by 11 points just a year-and-a-half ago, and the previous Republican representative won the district by 19 points. Trump had endorsed the Republican candidate and hosted him at Mar-a-Lago. While Florida Republicans are brushing the loss off as “nothing to see here,” they also seem to be increasingly concerned about Gov. Ron DiSantis wanting the legislature to redistrict Florida’s congressional seats before the midterms.
So in other words, it may not mean anything in the long run, but on the other hand it may. Democrats shouldn’t get overly confident because of a win like this, but at the same time Republicans should be nervous. Time will tell if it really means anything.
Speaking at a Conservative Political Action Committee Meeting the American Conservative
Union Matt Schlapp asked a question he thought would hype up the crowd. The reaction he got stunned him https://x.com/AndrewFeinberg/status/2037542794139521391 He had to tell the crowd they gave the wrong answer. He asked the question again but quickly answered it the way he wanted it to go.
Not good when your own people are jeering.
It didn't sound like more than a dozen or so people cheering, and I suspect most of them interpreted the question as asking about legal proceedings against Democrats.
And I wouldn't exactly describe his reaction as "stunned".
Speaking at a Conservative Political Action Committee Meeting the American Conservative
Union Matt Schlapp asked a question he thought would hype up the crowd. The reaction he got stunned him https://x.com/AndrewFeinberg/status/2037542794139521391 He had to tell the crowd they gave the wrong answer. He asked the question again but quickly answered it the way he wanted it to go.
Not good when your own people are jeering.
It didn't sound like more than a dozen or so people cheering, and I suspect most of them interpreted the question as asking about legal proceedings against Democrats.
And I wouldn't exactly describe his reaction as "stunned".
I’ll admit—“The reaction he got stunned him” read like a click-bait headline to me. He didn’t seem at all stunned.
Dealing with Trump's megalomania, three things happened this week.
It was announced his signature will now be put on our paper currency.* Normally, our paper bills have the signatures of the Treasurer of the US and the Secretary of Treasury. What's one more signature--I wonder if it will be done by a Sharpie. He loves Sharpies. He claims he gets them for $5.00 a pop.
The GOP boot lickers in the House of Representatives came up with an America First award. Guess who got the first golden statue.
Then he got a John Deere tractor wrapped in Gold Decal.
When he accepted the tractor he danced to "Young Man" aka Y.M.C.A. I have often wondered if he knows that song is about a homosexual.
*Can't forget the gold coin with his likeness which is due to come out on 4 July, 2026.
Speaking at a Conservative Political Action Committee Meeting the American Conservative
Union Matt Schlapp asked a question he thought would hype up the crowd. The reaction he got stunned him https://x.com/AndrewFeinberg/status/2037542794139521391 He had to tell the crowd they gave the wrong answer. He asked the question again but quickly answered it the way he wanted it to go.
Not good when your own people are jeering.
It didn't sound like more than a dozen or so people cheering, and I suspect most of them interpreted the question as asking about legal proceedings against Democrats.
And I wouldn't exactly describe his reaction as "stunned".
I’ll admit—“The reaction he got stunned him” read like a click-bait headline to me. He didn’t seem at all stunned.
It was more just slight frustration that he'd failed to set the audience up for the proper response.
The presumably Democratic Xer describes the stunt as "go[ing] horribly wrong", as if the speaker had caused a mass-casualty incident.
When he accepted the tractor he danced to "Young Man" aka Y.M.C.A. I have often wondered if he knows that song is about a homosexual.
I suspect he knows and doesn't care. In his private life, he's attended same-sex weddings, eg. Elton John's in 2005, and most of us followers on the religious-right followers likely don't care about his musical tastes as long as he gives them the policies they like.
I still get a kick outta the ROK's military band playing "YMCA" for Trump after he disembarked from his plane on a state visit last year, and later handing him a replica of an unearthed crown from a Gyeongju historical site, just to make him feel like a king.
It was announced his signature will now be put on our paper currency.* Normally, our paper bills have the signatures of the Treasurer of the US and the Secretary of Treasury. What's one more signature--I wonder if it will be done by a Sharpie.
It's not one more signature. Trump's signature will replace that of Brandon Beach, the Treasurer of the United States.
Trump has quite regularly got his sharpie out and signed bank notes, many of which have subsequently been sold at auction as unique items for significantly more than their face value.
I've been trying to find a satirical image that I saw on Facebook a couple of days ago, with a $100 bill with Trumps signature, with the image in the middle being a picture of Trump with Epstein. Because, we shouldn't let such things distract from how many times Trump appears in those files.
Comments
Honestly I was assuming Jared Kushner or Don Jr rather than Trump himself.
A reasonable assumption based on past performance.
Yes, it is. It was also previously unthinkable that the U.S. would wage a war for the express purpose of an insider trading scam. I'm not saying that's what's happening here, but there's a non-zero chance that is the case and that is a truly frightening thought.
I'm wondering if promising to appoint an attorney general who will thoroughly crack down on the graft and corruption of the Trump years would be an effective campaign pledge for Democratic presidential candidates in 2028.
Yes. Though how strict the laws are relative to other jurisdictions, I don't know.
Is it actually a watering down of antitrust regulations, dressed up as a clamp down?
We would think Trump would be liable since any trading action he made or caused to be made could hardly be described as an official action as POTUS.
I would hope once there is a congressional change special prosecutor laws would be strengthened without someone's signature.
Considering these geniuses previously accidentally looped a journalist in on their top secret war plans in Yemen
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/24/journalist-trump-yemen-war-chat-reaction
I certainly wouldn't put money on their opsec being watertight.
'But her emails' eh?
This goes to show how detached from reality the man really is!
I only hope the Democratic victory this fall will be enough to impeach the guy
I suppose a sufficiently large blue wave might terrify surviving senate Republicans sufficiently that they're more scared of general election voters in 2 or 4 years than they are of primary voters shortly before that. There may come a tipping point where being among the first off the sinking ship starts to look almost like integrity in a poor light.
How many times can he be impeached and still have any credibility? Are we living in a fantasy world?
We’ve been in a new, alternate reality for 10+ years.
The issue of credibility is the extent to which potential victims believe the bully can cause damage. It has nothing to do with his credibility for truthfulness.
Okay, should have added in both the House and Senate to impeach and convict the guy. But by the time the midterms are over even in the Republicans can eke out a majority in the Senate I think there will be enough of them to vote to convict.
Something a friend of mine pointed out on Sunday is Trump is very careful not to call this a war. It is either a military operation or action. That way he thinks he can get around the congressional mandates and the constitutional requirments.
Meanwhile, I hear that the Odious Orc Overlord spent some time recently in posting insults, directed towards NATO (and the UK in particular), on his 'Truth Social' platform, using capital letters throughout.
The man is totally unhinged ISTM, along with his lesser Orcs, such as Hegseth.
Hegseth is more like the Witch King of Angmar. No mere Orc brigand.
If the Democrats manage to gain a majority in the Senate, it will almost definitely be a bare majority. Assuming Republican keep the msjority, I haven’t seen evidence that 16+ senators will be willing to convict.
Yes, a much better analogy.
Given that 65% of Americans polled do not support the war, and gas prices keep going up and most Americans do not support the SAVE act, throw in the long lines at the airports, I am betting Michigan, Maine, North Carolina and Georgia will go Democrat. Put Ohio, Alaska, Texas and Montana in the maybe category. Going to be an interesting year.
True, but he eventually vanished into the Darkness, as Trump, Hegseth et al will do...
That, alas, is all too true.
Union Matt Schlapp asked a question he thought would hype up the crowd. The reaction he got stunned him https://x.com/AndrewFeinberg/status/2037542794139521391 He had to tell the crowd they gave the wrong answer. He asked the question again but quickly answered it the way he wanted it to go.
Not good when your own people are jeering.
This was a special election for a vacant seat in the Florida House of Representatives. Special elections are generally low-turnout, and it is often the opposition party that is most attentive to them. So it may or may not be a signal of things to come.
That said, Trump won the district by 11 points just a year-and-a-half ago, and the previous Republican representative won the district by 19 points. Trump had endorsed the Republican candidate and hosted him at Mar-a-Lago. While Florida Republicans are brushing the loss off as “nothing to see here,” they also seem to be increasingly concerned about Gov. Ron DiSantis wanting the legislature to redistrict Florida’s congressional seats before the midterms.
So in other words, it may not mean anything in the long run, but on the other hand it may. Democrats shouldn’t get overly confident because of a win like this, but at the same time Republicans should be nervous. Time will tell if it really means anything.
It didn't sound like more than a dozen or so people cheering, and I suspect most of them interpreted the question as asking about legal proceedings against Democrats.
And I wouldn't exactly describe his reaction as "stunned".
It was announced his signature will now be put on our paper currency.* Normally, our paper bills have the signatures of the Treasurer of the US and the Secretary of Treasury. What's one more signature--I wonder if it will be done by a Sharpie. He loves Sharpies. He claims he gets them for $5.00 a pop.
The GOP boot lickers in the House of Representatives came up with an America First award. Guess who got the first golden statue.
Then he got a John Deere tractor wrapped in Gold Decal.
When he accepted the tractor he danced to "Young Man" aka Y.M.C.A. I have often wondered if he knows that song is about a homosexual.
*Can't forget the gold coin with his likeness which is due to come out on 4 July, 2026.
It was more just slight frustration that he'd failed to set the audience up for the proper response.
The presumably Democratic Xer describes the stunt as "go[ing] horribly wrong", as if the speaker had caused a mass-casualty incident.
I suspect he knows and doesn't care. In his private life, he's attended same-sex weddings, eg. Elton John's in 2005, and most of us followers on the religious-right followers likely don't care about his musical tastes as long as he gives them the policies they like.
I still get a kick outta the ROK's military band playing "YMCA" for Trump after he disembarked from his plane on a state visit last year, and later handing him a replica of an unearthed crown from a Gyeongju historical site, just to make him feel like a king.
It's not one more signature. Trump's signature will replace that of Brandon Beach, the Treasurer of the United States.
Wow, that's only five times what you'd pay at Office Depot. Truly the art of the deal!
Obligatory.
I've been trying to find a satirical image that I saw on Facebook a couple of days ago, with a $100 bill with Trumps signature, with the image in the middle being a picture of Trump with Epstein. Because, we shouldn't let such things distract from how many times Trump appears in those files.