We are witnessing the beginning of the end of Trump

[PJMcK]

Throughout his life, Donald Trump has exaggerated everything he's been involved with. Given all of his obvious psychological problems, each step of his existence has to exceed the last. In the drug culture, it's called "chasing the dragon" because the user keeps grasping for a higher high. This need is the same in Mr. Trump and it could be more catastrophic than anything we've seen in the public sphere.

I believe we are going to witness a piece of cultural history as one by one, Donald Trump's (leveraged) Houses Of Cards collapse. Here's my scenario.

First, he loses the election. He'll bitch and moan and come up with a thousand conspiracies and excuses but none of it will matter and Hillary Clinton will be sworn in as president. This will humiliate him in front of the world, something he's never experienced. It will affect him profoundly.

Next, his fraud cases regarding Trump University will go to trial at the end of November. As the cases unfold, it will take more and more of his time. Ultimately he'll lose. I believe there are two cases, one is a class-action civil suit and the other is a RICO fraud case. I don't know if jail time is a possible punishment for the RICO case but there will be no way for Mr. Trump to spin his losses as wins.

Meanwhile the civil case against him for allegedly raping an underage girl years ago is ongoing. He could lose that one, too. Imagine the public humiliation he is going to be going through! With each loss, his supporters will dwindle and he'll lose his audience.

As if those issues weren't enough, the investigations into the Trump Foundation are going to result in some serious repercussions for Mr. Trump. The public scrutiny that this narcissist has willingly subjected himself to is yet another example of his unbelievable hubris.

Now, things get really interesting. Mr. Trump has bragged about how his company is so awesome with the most incredible assets around the world. But the value of these assets is flexible as Donald Trump himself has sworn in testimony.

The first problem is that the assets that he owns have been impacted by his divisive campaign. As two examples, bookings at his hotels are down and rounds of golf paid for at his courses are down.

The second problem is that a great many of his endeavors are licensing deals for the use of his name, that is, he doesn't have equity in many of his ventures, he only receives a fee for the Trump™ brand.

His campaign for president has seriously damaged this brand name. Consider the corporations and organizations that have severed their ties with him because of his bigoted and ignorant comments: Macy's, Univision, Televisa, NBCUniversal (home of his TV shows), Serta, ESPN, NASCAR (sort of), and even the Professional Golfers Association of America. There are more and these organizations do not want their brands associated with such a controversial buffoon as Donald Trump.

Specifically, his ugly campaign has tremendously limited his future businesses. His kids must freaking out about the old man.

There's been speculation that he wants to start Trump TV. There won't be enough of an audience; look at what happened to Sarah Palin's TV shows. There is no way that Mr. Trump could program enough material for a 24-hour cable channel and sell enough advertising to pay for it. Remember all of the corporations that do not want to work with him anymore. Such organizations seek to avoid controversies because it shrinks their customer base.

I think Donald Trump is accelerating wildly towards a crash of Fitzgeraldesque proportions. What a show we're in for!

[Little Star]

1. I agree.

[underpants]

2. Welcome to the big leagues Donnie

Great post

[PJMcK]

53. Thanks, underpants

For thirty years I've had to endure Donald Trump's presence in the New York tabloids. I've never felt the depth of contempt I have for this man.

[underpants]

80. See CincyDem's post here.

DU THREAD

[shraby]

3. Looks like he's eating the goose that lays the golden eggs.

[Third Doctor]

4. One can only hope.

[mnhtnbb]

5. This is all going to end badly for Trump and he brought it on himself.

I am concerned about Melania--even though she's obviously made her deal with the devil.

Republicans NEVER accept responsibility for the consequences of their actions, and we all know what he thinks of women.

I hope she has an exit plan in place.

[NewJeffCT]

35. I think some time after the election

maybe in early 2017, she'll quietly file for divorce. I think in his rage after the plagiarism incident at the convention, The Donald probably berated her, dressed her down and humiliated her in front of the rest of the family and in front of senior staff as well.

I don't think Melania was alone in that regards - he probably berated Melania's speech writer(s) and whoever approved the final draft as well. It is never the fault of The Donald, of course, as the buck always stops with somebody else.

My humorous thought after the divorce is that Trump will then marry another eastern European import a year or so later. Trump will brag about how "hot" she is, but she'll really be a spy for Putin who is making sure he doesn't welch on their investments in him. Of course, that was just a humorous thought.

[PJMcK]

118. Your idea is ingenious!

There is no doubt that Putin's cyber-warriors are trolling DU and will adopt your strategy! But now, we'll know what the plan is!

I share your humor, NewJeffCT.

[INdemo]

72. One has to wonder if the Republicans,once they saw

that Trump was in fact going to win the nomination, if they tried to cushion themselves for the fall by forcing Trump to choose.,of all people,Mike Pence...
Are they counting on Pence to pick up the ball and proceed if Trump should drop out of the race?
If that was/is their plan it is obviously a bad one.

[Akamai]

91. I hope his plan is a bad plan, but Pence is smooth and does not show his extreme views on the surface.

But he is an extremist of the first order, wanting women who have miscarried to be assumed to be guilty of abortion, unless otherwise exonerated.

A fast talking, right-wing talkshow host who passes as normal. This is not a nice guy by anyone's definition, unless you meet him for several seconds, or think that Satan is a wonderful fellow.

He really does scare me. He might be worse than TrUmp, especially as he would have a real reason to take over the Supreme Court and roll us 500 years into the past.

[INdemo]

117. Here is Indiana we are grateful that Trump chose him because we were able to get

him the hell of the state...
You are so correct, though some Republicans probably think he is the second coming of Christ.

[Akamai]

119. You bet about the Republican fever dream to roll us back to 500 years ago.

He is fully anti-women, anti-choice and he wants to change the supreme court forever.

As a right-wing radio host, he is effective at framing things and Thom Hartmann said as he was trounced in a debate with him as Pence dug up stuff from decades earlier.

This guy is a live hand grenade -- tread carefully and be prepared!

Call Thom Hartmann for more insights.

[davidn3600]

6. How many times have we heard that before?

[Kingofalldems]

28. I have never heard it.

[Dump The Rump]

7. Correct Name for him

From now on why not use T Rump to single him out for what he is,? Remember the part of a horse that goes over the fence last! SNL ought to be really good tonight with the right cast of characters.

[Ligyron]

22. Oh, that's right!

Thanks for reminding me. Gotta see that one, even record it.

[Atman]

8. A clever marketing scam gone horribly awry.

Mr. Trump has proven the Peter Principle: he has risen to his level of incompetence.

Or else, he's just an old man who has gone insane.

[PJMcK]

55. It wasn't that clever!

Otherwise you're right, Atman. Donald Trump is the epitome of both the Peter Principle and the Dunning-Kruger Effect.

[Jdmagic86]

9. Absolutely

astute
In just a few paragraphs you've encapsulated everything one may wish to know
about the Donald's future.
Thank you.

[PJMcK]

83. Well, thank you for reading my post (n/t)

[Malbrownluna8708]

103. Post? I thought this was an online opinion article.

I was looking for the link to click on. Good job PJMcK.

[PJMcK]

111. Wow.

Thank you for your thoughtfulness. You've made my day, Malbrownluna8708.

[C_U_L8R]

10. He's a cockroach

and spread hateful eggs everywhere.
It's gonna take a while to clean up this mess.

[duncang]

11. One other thing

He has put out so much hate for Muslims he is even being quoted in isis recruitment videos. Even his mid east investments will be affected. Here is a news article on his properties and potential problems with them in the middle east.

http://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/trumps-comments-cost-him-money-middle-east-n476966

Next what kind of possible reactions could the people recruited to isis consider watching the videos with him as the star reason to attack someplace? A target they see having the trump brand could become something they would want to go after. I hope it doesn't happen since innocents would be involved. But dipshit to me has put them in danger.

[HipChick]

12. K&R

[Ilsa]

13. I think Melania will leave him. It may be a ploy to

Redirect ownership of certain hard assets, and he'll have to trust her. But I think she might leave him because he'll be going completely off the rails and she'll do it to protect Barron.

At that point, if she leaves him in earnest, not as a ploy, I think he'll have to be hospitalized.

Excellent post, BTW. Hadn't thought about him chasing the dragon.

[monmouth4]

31. I see a rehab in his future. Especially if he is on coke..n/t

[skylucy]

89. I just commented on another thread that I believe after November, Melania

will divorce him. I think she knows firsthand that he is a sexist,racist, crazy asshole. Having it on display and having the press, past colleagues,biographers, Hillary's campaign, etc. call him on it can not be endearing him to her. I hope she takes him to the cleaners and gets a HUGE divorce settlement.

[Mc Mike]

14. I just hope he doesn't sink into one of those "black moods", that many are saying he's so well known

Last edited Sun Oct 2, 2016, 08:21 AM - Edit history (1)

as having.

[Nitram]

15. I believe the term "chasing the dragon" refers to

inhaling through the nose the thin line of vapor or smoke rising from a heated lump of opium, hashish, crystal meth or other psychoactive drug. I've never heard it used to refer to pursuing a higher high.

[Ligyron]

24. I always thought the same.

Nepalese term, I believe, but chasing the more and more elusive high works too I suppose.

Other problem - how long would a dragon run from a human before turning on them?

Always the problem with most strong narcotics.

[PJMcK]

41. Right you are, Nitram

I had heard the expression used as i used it but it's incorrect:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chasing_the_dragon

My bad!

[Nitram]

108. It looks like some movies and books have used the term incorrectly just because it sounds cool.

Before you know it, it will have acquired a new meaning. That's how language works.

[NobodyHere]

74. I think this is the first time I've term used for something other than getting a higher high

[Old Vet]

109. Well, In the world of drug use "chasing the dragon" Is a heroin and cocaine mix..........

Smoked or injected to keep one from going to far Down or Up. As far as Trump goes, Do NOT ever during this election count him out. What would devastate most candidates doesn't seem to apply to him making him very dangerous and un-predictable.

[Coolest Ranger]

16. I really hope you are right

[ailsagirl]

17. Excellent piece, PJMcK

[PJMcK]

42. Well, thank you (n/t)

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

18. There'll always be a place for him as "Putin's puppy"

Not in terms of a president who rolls over at the command of a stronger leader, but an actual puppy who eats scraps from his master's table.

[Generic Brad]

19. Savor this bolero paced display of karma

While we desire instant karma, this is infinitely more satisfying to observe.

[smirkymonkey]

20. +1000

[Buns_of_Fire]

21. The Great Annoying Orange thinks his NAME is worth $3 billion!

Nonetheless, Trump's success as a businessman, and whatever wealth it may have brought him, are the main justifications for his campaign, which if we are all lucky will at least add a touch of absurdist entertainment to the first couple of GOP primary debates. So today, Trump offered the world another update about his finances. He says he is presently worth $8.7 billion. Forbes, which has tracked the man's affairs obsessively for three decades, thinks he's exaggerating the value of his assets “by 100 percent.” And while, ultimately, it doesn't matter a great deal how many billions the "short-fingered vulgarian," as Spy magazine once dubbed him, actually possesses, it is sort of interesting how Trump may be overstating his riches.

Specifically, Trump claims his name alone is worth about $3.3 billion. The braying reality show host makes a decent amount of money licensing his brand for use on an array of different merchandise—think ties at Macy's—as well as to developers around the world, who pay for the right to plaster the Trump logo on their condos and hotels. Trump does not actually build or own these properties, though his company does have contracts to manage some of the hotels that bear his name. On his financial statement, this line of business shows up as "Real Estate Licensing Deals, Brand and Branded Developments" at a precise value of $3,320,020,000, more precious supposedly than all of the golf clubs and resorts he actually owns in full, or his portfolio of commercial properties.

This is fanciful. Trump is suggesting that his name is more valuable than startups such as Lyft, Slack, Blue Apron, or Warby Parker. Whatever revenue his branding deals are generating these days, it almost certainly isn't enough to justify that sort of megalomaniacal assertion. Moreover, it seems unlikely that anybody would actually buy Trump's naming rights outright, since their value is entirely dependent on his personal reputation. Bloomberg puts the point politely: “It’s unclear what sum, if any, these licensing rights could capture on the open market.” Forbes, which thinks his brand is worth closer to $128 million thanks to his hotel management agreements, is a bit blunter: "Trump apparently thinks that if he spun-out these kind of deals and his good name into a separate company, he’d net over $3 billion for it. Good luck with that."

http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2015/06/16/donald_trump_financial_statement_he_says_his_name_alone_is_worth_3_billion.html

Here's hoping that, in the future when companies begin removing his name from their properties, they at least instruct the contractors to remove the "T" first...

[LuvNewcastle]

67. Trump's name is well on its way to being mud.

By the end of this election, he'll be having to pay people to put his name on their properties. After all, who wants to own something called the "Asshole Hotel and Resort."

[MrModerate]

23. Your schadenfreude is premature . . .

Let's win this one first.

[FailureToCommunicate]

25. Let's help him along that decent...and take Republican control with him.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

26. I dunno...

Some people say he's not circumcised: there's no end to that prick.

[sunnystarr]

52. oh no!! it's a combover ... nt

[classykaren]

99. Thank you you made my day.

[creoledna]

27. The collateral damage will be

considerable. Donnie's demise will take with him a number of has been and soon to be has been elected officials, political operatives, media players, and the RNC.
Imagine the arguments in the RNC as to whom to blame for the loss. Then there will be the, once again enthusiastic voters who will have elected Repubs to Congress only to be disappointed that walls won't be built, crime hasn't ended, etc.. The finger pointing will be fun to watch.
Based on my experience, it will be obvious in about three weeks.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

29. Well before the full horror of his persona came to light,

the little I knew of him caused me to reject anything I could detect was the least bit connected with that self-aggrandizing vile excuse for a human being. Hopefully many who unconcernedly patronized any of his business concerns before will now consciously avoid doing so.

[usedtobedemgurl]

30. I am not sure all of that will happen....

Something may stop it from coming to fruition. Problem is, if all of his business stuff is going downhill, he is still going to have to pay back loans. A lot of the loans are with people *cough**Russians* who may not like it at all if Trump defaults on his debt. If this starts happening, sooner than later, Trump may not be around for all of this to come true.

[monmouth4]

34. Exactly what I was thinking also. He better be very careful, the Russians do not suffer fools..n/t

[NewJeffCT]

37. And, Putin isn't going to cower in hiding

after Trump sends a mean tweet to him at 3am...

[SleeplessinSoCal]

32. Removing his logo from buildings will be like another "Morning in America"

[Foggyhill]

33. He's heading for another bankruptcy FOR SURE

His cash flow has gone down A LOT
while his debt has massively increased.

You can't survive this very long.

Not only that, but his capacity to generate future cash flow has also decreased a lot
With his brand being devalued and his reputation completely trashed (especially internationally).

So, not only will he go bankrupt, it will also be harder for him to bounce back from this.

He will bounce back somewhat because he can always write a book, or do speeches for a good deal of money,
but he'll be a lot poorer than he was 2 years ago.

[monmouth4]

36. I think I read he has lost $800 million so far..n/t

[NewJeffCT]

38. He has his campaign donations

and, then after the election, he'll threaten lawsuits and his gullible followers will donate more money for the legal teams "Crooked Hillary stole the election - help me get the best lawyers!" - which, of course, will never come to pass and will likely get laughed out of court because the judge is: Democrat/Mexican/Lesbian/Woman/Black/Disabled/Muslim/Atheist or whatever.

[Moliere]

39. Fingers crossed as it couldn't happen to a more deserving person

[enid602]

40. brand

What will happen to his brand if his Kremlin creditors stop financing his businesses?

[anamandujano]

43. In short, the grandest reality show the world has ever seen but he is not the boss this time.

Great piece.

[PJMcK]

82. Thank you

That's a nice comment, anamandujano. Enjoy your weekend!

[NBachers]

44. And the shadowy, unsavory figures from around the planet will converge on him for payback

of whatever they've got him on the hook for. These guys don't mess around.

Run, Run, Run, but you just can't hide . . .

[Kathy M]

45. Since we have never been able to look at taxes or business dealings we have no idea how much he is

worth . There was a CNN special a bit ago where they spoke with a banker from the Casino bankruptcies where he said they decided to keep Don alive ( out of personal bankruptcy ) so he would sell for them . All the buildings around who really owns them ? Seems lie Don just licenses 's out his name only

"Over the last few years, according to interviews and hundreds of pages of court documents, the real estate mogul has aggressively marketed several luxury high-rises as “Trump properties” or “signature Trump” buildings, with names like Trump Tower and Trump International — even making appearances at the properties to woo buyers. The strong indication of his involvement as a developer generated waves of media attention and commanded premium prices.

But when three of the planned buildings encountered financial trouble, it became clear that Mr. Trump had essentially rented his name to the developments and had no responsibility for their outcomes, according to buyers. In each case, he yanked his name off the projects, which were never completed. The buyers lost millions of dollars in deposits even as Mr. Trump pocketed hefty license fees."

"Those who bought the apartments in part because of the Trump name were livid, saying they felt a profound sense of betrayal, and more than 300 of them are now suing Mr. Trump or his company."
"Mr. Davis is unable to recover any of his $100,000 deposit — half of which the developer used for construction costs.

Another casualty: his admiration for Mr. Trump, whose books and television show Mr. Davis had devoured. “I bought into an idea of him,” he said, “and it wasn’t what I thought it was.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/13/nyregion/feeling-deceived-over-homes-that-were-trump-in-name-only.html?_r=0

Why did Don really run for President ? To pay back some of the loans he has so he and family can still live the way they do ?

Trump the brand needs to be squashed and ruined beyond repair

edit to add ....I hope the ruined beyond repair happens in court with lawsuits and people get money back

[Coyotl]

46. How does Trump change a light bulb?

[pansypoo53219]

47. he was just here in IW in a VERY VERY red city.

very WHITE.

[NightWatcher]

48. I hope the media that pumped him up will follow him down and cover his fall.

It should get them the viewers they want and it's not like trump was spending money on ad buys, which is what they ultimately want.

[PJMcK]

50. I share your hopes

The humiliation of Donald Trump will be sweetened by the epic exposure as the phony he is.

[vlyons]

49. some old adages come to mind

Be careful how you treat the people that you meet on the way up the ladder, because they are the same ones that you meet on the way down.

Foolish names and foolish faces always show up in public places.

Don't put yourself on a pedestal, because someone will surely knock you off.

Pride goeth before a fall.

Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
All the king's horses,
And all the king's men,
Couldn't put him back together again.

We are rarely proud, when we are alone.

The higher the climb, the heavier the fall.

Proud people breed sad sorrows for themselves.

God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

Most of the trouble in the world is caused by people wanting to be important.

A fool and his money are soon parted.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Feel free to add some of your own wise sayings about pride and foolishness.

[meow2u3]

106. He's gotten away with so much for so long

that he's about to be in for a spectacular reversal of fortune from which neither he nor his family will recover.


The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

[awoke_in_2003]

51. What happens...

when he can't pay his Russian lenders back? I see polonium in his future.

[brewens]

54. I doubt old Bill Cosby stuff is selling well these days. Trump might feel the same hit he

loses that rape case. He probably can't take much of an overall hit in income. Everything together will make it impossible to recover. Uday, Qusay and the rest of the kids better find a way to make money on their own.

[PJMcK]

57. The kids must have interesting conversation among themselves

I wonder if they include Tiffany. Certainly not Barron.

[PJMcK]

59. Exactly this^^^^

If Donald Trump thought he would build his brand with this campaign, he's dumber than we thought!

[TonyPDX]

58. Other than the repugnant miscreants that flock to him now, what individual, business or brand

would risk being associated with him?

I don't expect him to go away, but now that he's revealed to all the world how he can't be trusted, the Trump business universe should shrink dramatically.

[treestar]

60. K&R

It's all a drama, and an entertainment, and it will continue.

[bucolic_frolic]

61. Narcissists believe fervently they are at the peak of everything

As they age and their bodies change, and they lose preeminence, they
will go to all extraordinary lengths to mentally maintain their self-perception
(because that's all that matters to them) as on top of everything. Hence,
their plots to maintain beauty, youth, money, status, to keep rising in their
professions or society will increase at an accelerating pace until the limits
of their body/mind/money/power are reached or burned out. The fall can
be very quick, very fast.

[bluevoter4life]

62. Part of me wants him to stay out of jail

Jail would be too easy a solution. I would love his story to culminate in a very slow, very painful downfall of the Trump brand, one in which there is no possible way for him to recover. Riches to rags, many many time over.

[randome]

77. Except it's 'riches to rags' with Trump.

[hr][font color="blue"][center]The truth doesn’t always set you free.
Sometimes it builds a bigger cage around the one you’re already in.[/center][/font][hr]

[Mr. Ected]

63. The GOP fringe tends to disassociate immediately from a losing candidate

They loved Mitt Romney until they forgot and later dismissed him. It's their MO. It's based on the fact that they never really embraced the candidate at all; they were voting against the Democrat the whole time and that was the extent of their thought process.

If Trump loses, within a year, only a handful of his supporters will even admit that they voted for him. The bumper stickers will be removed from the bumper, and more vitriol will reign on hate radio in order to incite the next cockroach candidate to slither out of the darkness.

[muriel_volestrangler]

64. The only "cultural history" in that is him losing the election

The rest of his life is a footnote. The important thing here has been the Republicans giving their nomination to an obvious conman and bigot, and most of them acquiescing to it. If he loses (which is still not guaranteed), the question still remains "what may the Republicans do next time?" Can they nominate a bigot who isn't quite so self-destructive, and succeed against President Clinton in 2020? Will their moral bankruptcy be apparent, and the party fall apart? Or will they return to Business As Usual?

The world doesn't revolve around Trump. But it does more or less revolve around political power in the USA. The Republican party has influence not only over public policy at federal, state and city level, but also over many people's attitudes to religion, immigrants and more. If they stick with open bigotry, that'll be the story of this year and decade, not what Trump does next.

[Wolf Frankula]

65. But He's THE DONALD

Last edited Sun Oct 2, 2016, 12:25 PM - Edit history (2)

And we're all supposed to gush "He's such a genius."

Actually he's a failure. His net worth is probably negative. He couldn't run a kid's lemonade stand. He's media hype, nothing more, and always has been.

And tRump, don't try to stiff the Russian oligarchs. You'll end up in a cardboard box.

Wolf

[meow2u3]

107. He's about as much of a "super genius" as Wile E. Coyote

[mountain grammy]

66. and NO ONE, absolutely NO ONE deserves it more.

Let's get this done and wave good bye to this asshole and his minions of assholes.

[Enoki33]

68. Desperately hope your logical business extension pans

out. I suspect the resultant personal psychological damage will be a reality show we will luckily not be privy to. As much as I despise the man, it will not be a sight to see. He should be ignored, not forgotten. A fascist, racist tax evading demagogue who lies constantly is not for this proud democracy.

[oberliner]

69. April 3: The Beginning of the End of Donald Trump

After a campaign dominated by behavior so boorish that Trump bragged he could literally get away with murder, the orange-haired brand licensor has finally gone too far. He has embarrassed his supposed party with a nonsense stance on abortion, initially stating that women should be punished. He’s kept his campaign manager on staff after an assault that left a female reporter with bruises. And he’s engaged in a disgusting wife-off with Ted Cruz.

This has to be the beginning of the end, the driving of the stake into a powerful and decisive general election narrative: Donald Trump hates women. It’s a narrative that can’t be undone, walked back or overtaken by uttering yet another more shocking statement meant to distract from the last. And women hate him right back.

http://time.com/4279827/end-of-donald-trump/

It Has Been The ‘Beginning Of The End’ Of Donald Trump’s Campaign Since July

Cecilia Vega, ABC News: “Some now predicting, Martha, this could be the beginning of the end for Trump’s candidacy.” 7/19/15, This Week

Ruth Marcus, Washington Post: “And I don’t think this is the end, but I think, and this may be a little bit wishful thinking, it might be the beginning of the end.” 7/19/15, Face The Nation

Julianna Goldman, CBS: “Republican strategists tell us they think this is the beginning of the end for Trump’s candidacy, but they don’t expect him to go quietly. Still, it will take a few days to see how these latest comments are affecting him in the polls.” 7/19/15, CBS Evening News

[PJMcK]

84. Fair enough

My OP is based on the current vetting and exposes that journalists are finally involved with. These reveals should have happened a year ago

[oberliner]

88. I think you make good points

It just seems like every time his campaign ought to be finished, it isn't.

[PJMcK]

90. It's frightening and fascinating

If any Democratic candidate had any one of Donald Trump's flaws, they would be disqualified immediately. Why do Republicans get to slip by with this fraudulent clown? I'm baffled but I am hopeful that I've expressed the show to come!

[many a good man]

70. He thinks running for President grants him immunity

He'll blame any investigation on "politics" and raise a holy stink. All the serious cases against him will be dropped and increase his credentials as a Reality TV star.

[PJMcK]

85. His life experience has been total immunity

Until now!

[bmpbmp]

71. After he passes away in a few years...

folks will be cleaning out what was once Trump Tower, and come across an old toy.

A sled. Rosebud.

[randome]

75. No. A blow-up doll named Meredith McIver.

[hr][font color="blue"][center]The truth doesn’t always set you free.
Sometimes it builds a bigger cage around the one you’re already in.[/center][/font][hr]

[PJMcK]

87. You win again, randome!

That was really funny! Have a great weekend.

[randome]

92. Well, I will now!

[hr][font color="blue"][center]The truth doesn’t always set you free.
Sometimes it builds a bigger cage around the one you’re already in.[/center][/font][hr]

[DownriverDem]

73. Seriously repubs

This is 2016. Look at your unqualified candidate. We are a diverse country. We all have a lot to give. To discount girls, women, AAs, Hispanics, LGBTs & the disabled is to claim that our country is only for white males. Millions of us are fighting like hell to make sure we continue to move forward with Hillary and not backwards with the repubs.

White House Supreme Court Senate House - What we are fighting for!

[randome]

76. Does Clinton want to truly rattle him next debate?

Just ask something about Meredith McIver. It doesn't need to be anything substantive, just the name alone will make him panic, thinking, "Shit! What does she know about that?"

Guaranteed to be the very, very bigliest line of the debate!
[hr][font color="blue"][center]The truth doesn’t always set you free.
Sometimes it builds a bigger cage around the one you’re already in.[/center][/font][hr]

[Spitfire of ATJ]

78. FOX "News" as we know it will come to an end and "Trump TV" will star Sean Hannity....

....and Glenn Beck.

[saltpoint]

79. Garrison Keillor was driving Trump to

the airport back in late August:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-donald-trump-losing-garrison-keillor-20160831-story.htmlthe

[Deuce]

81. I hope you are right.

[Elmergantry]

86. Peak Trump!

Version 9.1

[sheshe2]

94. KnR

[Initech]

95. But the media will ignore all of this and blame Hillary Clinton for a fake money laundering scandal.

[LiberalFighter]

96. I expect this to expand to his children too.

They have some shady operations too.

[dae]

97. I will celebrate when Trump loses.

[PJMcK]

101. You and me and the rest of the world (n/t)

[BlancheSplanchnik]

98. You got this.

I bet you're totally right!

[PJMcK]

115. As long as he loses the election

The rest is just my hope that good wins out over evil.

[TNNurse]

100. I hope you are right,

but I read FB comments that indicate that their hatred of the Clintons is so great, NOTHING will change their minds.

I swear he could unzip his fly and pee on them and then grope his daughter's breasts on stage and they would cheer.

[sellitman]

102. I won't revel in his misery

I just don't want him any closer to The White House than his hotel.

[hueymahl]

105. To the contrary

I will go on a Schadenfreude high like I have never experienced before!

[sellitman]

116. That's fine.

Have at it.

I can understand that thought pattern. It's just not mine.

Cheers

[hueymahl]

104. From your mouth to God's ear

Hope you are right!

[MoonchildCA]

110. As he tries desperately to be relevant again...

First, Dancing with the Stars...

then Celebrity Marriage Bootcamp...

And lastly, Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew...

[PJMcK]

113. That's funny! (n/t)

[SCVDem]

112. I picture the T coming down

Iike the swastika was blown off the Reichstatd.

[Stellar]

114. GOTV!

Please!

[pablo_marmol]

120. I've had similar thoughts for a while now.

Hope we're right.

[wheniwasincongress]

121. Great post

really enjoyed reading it.

Something has happened with his "relationship" with Melania. Remember how she disappeared during the convention after her speech, but appeared for Donald's final speech? And she and her son Barron looked MISERABLE? They showed the three of them leaving the car and Melania looked upset and Barron like he was walking on eggshells. And then during Donald's speech, while the rest of the family surrounded her, standing and clapping for Donald, she and Barron remained seated and didn't clap. and then this on stage:

She is also 45, I believe the same age his first wife was when he divorced her. 45 is probably an "old" age for Donald when it comes to women

[steve2470]

122. I tweeted you, hope it helps us! nt

[Dump The Rump]

123. Answer to RICO punishment

In the fourth paragraph (inserted below) there is a question regarding the punishment possible under RICO. RICO is the acronym used when discussing the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act of 1970. Under RICO someone who has committed "at least two acts of racketeering activity" can be sentenced to 20 years in prison per racketeering count.

The fourth paragraph reads:
Next, his fraud cases regarding Trump University will go to trial at the end of November. As the cases unfold, it will take more and more of his time. Ultimately he'll lose. I believe there are two cases, one is a class-action civil suit and the other is a RICO fraud case. I don't know if jail time is a possible punishment for the RICO case but there will be no way for Mr. Trump to spin his losses as wins.

I'm sure the attorney who filed the charges has far more than the two crimes necessary for the Donald T RUMP to spend his future trying to buy his way out of whatever barred Trump Hotel he will be incarcerated in. If he conspires to do this twice he can receive another 10 years per count he is convicted of. RICO has been claimed by some people to be unconstitutional possibly because of the enhanced or extended criminal penalties it carries with it. It also carries the possibility of Civil citations to strip the perpetrator of his ill gotten gains. It appears to be constructed to offer the best possible way to reward someone like the Donald with a suitable future.

I think the Act also is able to offer suitable rewards to any co conspirators so some of the deplorables might be suitable candidates for similar retribution.

[PJMcK]

124. Thank you for that insight

Your clarification is helpful, Dump The Rump. Thanks for your knowledgable explanation.

Enjoy your weekend!

[malaise]

125. Excellent post

Rec

[PJMcK]

129. Thanks, malaise

Enjoy the weekend!

[still_one]

126. I also would like to think it is the end of the republican party as it exists today

[workinclasszero]

127. I bet Trump flees to Russia

And stays there with his pal Putin.

He will be immune to legal troubles in the USA as long as Putin protects him.