Making War While Making Money
Trump’s never-ending grift
For decades, Iran’s radical regimes have been a problem for Western governments. Many U.S. presidents — Republican and Democrat — had the opportunity to unleash what this president has. None did so because they believed it was not in the best interest of American or global security.
Ronald Reagan, for instance, sent the then-ayatollah a birthday cake and eventually some of the best U.S. weapons. He was trying to strike a deal, not start a war. Every American president since then has worked to avoid war with Iran. Until the 47th.
George W. Bush made a strategic mistake of historic consequences when he chose to invade Iraq. During that war, some within his administration argued that the United States should, “while we’re at it,” defeat Iran militarily. At least President Bush did not compound his error by taking that advice.
Donald Trump’s unprovoked war is causing massive disruption in the oil industry. Iran has all but closed the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 percent of the world’s oil travels. Because oil producers in the Persian Gulf can’t move their product, many have shut down production. Much of the world’s fertilizer, which feeds crops on every continent, also travels through the strait.
Oil topped $100 a barrel over the weekend, and energy analysts predict it could go to $150 quickly. What does that mean for you? No one is dismissing the possibility that gasoline could reach $5 a gallon.
The spike will affect every commodity that travels by truck, train, ship, or plane. But don’t worry. “If they rise they rise,” the billionaire president said with a shrug. On Sunday he went further, claiming a “short-term” rise in prices is a “very small price to pay” for global safety and security.
Only Trump is so sanguine.
Politico is calling it “the largest oil disruption in market history.”
“Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has ground to a virtual halt, unleashing the most severe energy crisis since the 1970s and threatening the global economy,” says the Wall Street Journal.
“In the whole written history of the strait, it has never been closed, ever. To me, it was not just the worst-case scenario. It was an unthinkable scenario,” Natasha Kaneva, an oil analyst for JPMorgan Chase, told the Journal.
And while every American is already paying more at the pump — and soon will pay more for many other things — the president is quietly plotting ways to get more of your money to enrich himself.
July 4, 2026 marks the 250th anniversary or the semiquincentennial of the Declaration of Independence. To commemorate the longest-running uninterrupted modern democracy in the world, the Trump administration is planning a months-long celebration that includes a parade, a fair on the National Mall, a prayer event and a roster of “Ultimate Fighting Championship” events on the South Lawn of the White House.
But that’s just the opening. Here comes the grift.
According to the news site NOTUS, on Friday, the Trump Organization filed multiple trademark applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. They are trademarking the image and name ‘Trump 250’ as well as several variations, which means Donald Trump will profit from America’s 250th birthday.
The Trump Organization plans to make and sell bumper stickers, tote bags, cups, clothing, and golf balls, depriving the U.S. Treasury of any money made from ‘Trump 250’ products.
In a separate but equally appalling filing, the Kennedy Center board of directors is seeking a trademark for ‘The Trump Kennedy Center’ logo. It plans to make souvenirs, including earbuds, binoculars, electric fans, wallets, luggage tags, Christmas tree ornaments, and other merchandise. One guess as to who will benefit financially from the sale of a ‘Trump Kennedy Center’ hoodie.
Trump’s outrageous behavior is not limited to his efforts to bilk the American public. This week, it once again extends to his attempt to rewrite history in his favor.
In the wee hours of Saturday morning, with no fanfare, two staff members from the Architect of the Capitol mounted a bronze plaque honoring law enforcement officers who defended the U.S. Capitol on January 6 from a Trump-incited mob. The only other person present was a Washington Post reporter.
On January 6, 2021, members of the D.C. police, the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Capitol Police, the National Guard, and the Maryland and Virginia state police protected the building, a symbol of American democracy. They also protected hundreds of members of Congress inside the Capitol building from insurrectionists.
During the ensuing riot, police were beaten, tear-gassed, taunted and knocked unconscious. One hundred-forty officers were injured and another suffered two strokes, dying the following day. Four died by suicide within months of the insurrection.
The memorial, the first official marker of the January 6 riots, dedicated to these brave men and women reads: “On behalf of a grateful Congress, this plaque honors the extraordinary individuals who bravely protected and defended this symbol of democracy on January 6, 2021. Their heroism will never be forgotten.”
In March 2022, the House and Senate passed a law requiring that a plaque be installed on the west front of the Capitol, where the worst fighting occurred. They had a year to do it. March 2023 came and went. Congress ignored its own deadline.
The cause of the long-delayed installation can be laid at the feet of Trump lapdog and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, whose spokesperson said the project was “not implementable.”
In January, Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) pushed for a resolution ordering the display of the plaque on the Senate side of the Capitol until a permanent location could be found. It was decided by unanimous consent.
Johnson’s illegal inaction is just the latest in a list of Trump administration efforts to whitewash the insurrection that attempted to overturn a free and fair election. The president has tried to reframe it as a “day of love.”
Last January 6, the fifth anniversary of the riot, the Trump administration unveiled a new website strewn with falsehoods about that day, shamelessly blaming the Capitol Police for turning “a peaceful demonstration into chaos.”
Lest we forget, one of Trump’s first acts as president was to pardon almost 1,600 insurrectionists, regardless of the severity of their crimes. Since then, close to three dozen have been rearrested for crimes ranging from child molestation to homicide, according to Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.
Unlike most historical markers, future generations will be left to guess what happened at the Capitol that day. Here’s an idea: when Trump is gone, update the plaque with the facts, especially who inspired the insurrection.
Meanwhile, the war of choice — not of necessity — started by this president rages on.
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Stay Steady,
Dan
If I were younger, I would be making plans to move out of the cesspit this country has become. I worked my whole life to make a better community and educate younger generations. The cowardice, grift, and moral collapse I am witnessing are beyond belief.
Just now, Trump had a TV appearance in which he gave an update on the war. I didn't listen as I can't stand his voice or simple vocabulary or -last but not least- lies. On the TV I saw on the screen that he claimed the war was "ahead of schedule" and "could be over soon". Ahead of schedule? He has a schedule? As if. IMO the operative words are "could" and "soon". A lot of things "could" happen; that doesn't mean they will. And, "soon" is pretty damn open-ended. Perhaps we should look for a further update in Trump's favored timeframe: two weeks.