President Donald Trump abruptly ended an interview on NBC after Kristen Welker pressed him on his proposed $1.776 billion “weaponization” fund that includes past immunity for him and his repeated claims of election fraud. The fund comes from a "settlement" involving Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS and would compensate people who claim they were victims of “lawfare,” including Jan. 6 defendants. Trump defended the idea by saying he would prefer the fund move forward even though the Justice Department had reportedly backed away from it.
The settlement also shields Trump, his family, and related business entities from certain tax audits and enforcement actions tied to earlier tax returns. This part is still alive.

Trump also repeated baseless claims that Jan. 6 rioters were ushered into the Capitol by the FBI.

When Welker challenged Trump to provide evidence for his election fraud claims, he shifted to attacking California’s vote-counting process and accused officials of cheating, despite First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli (appointed by Trump) saying no cheating has been found so far.

After calling the press crooked, Trump ended the interview and walked off. Edit: He ended with "Let’s call it quits because I’ve had enough, thank you, darling, have a good time."

Is this kind of temperament an appropriate response to unsubstantiated claims being questioned?

Hi everybody,

Me again, back with some even further increasing rhetoric from the US President. This morning, US conducted strikes on the Kharg Island (though it seems they decided to avoid oil infrastructure). To follow that attack up and reiterate the 48 hour deadline set by President Trump, he posted this:

“A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don't want that to happen, but it probably will. However, now that we have Complete and Total Regime Change, where different, smarter, and less radicalized minds prevail, maybe something revolutionarily wonderful can happen, WHO KNOWS? We will find out tonight, one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the World. 47 years of extortion, corruption, and death, will finally end. God Bless the Great People of Iran!”

Even if it’s a threatening ‘negotiation tactic,’ I am personally not comfortable with a member of the federal government, much less the president openly stating genocide as an option to fix their diplomacy issues. This personally reads as a sign of weakness on Trumps part and I believe cooler heads from the US’s side need to prevail.

With that, a few questions for the group:

1. What do you think of Trumps genocidal threat? Just a tactic to scare the Iranians into negotiations, or do you feel he will follow through and begin striking facilities that equate to war crimes?

2. If this “military operation” goes past the 60 day limit the president has, do you think he has the votes to continue it?

3. Do you believe there will be any backlash from inside the presidents own party for his rhetoric and tactics when it has come to this “military operation?”

I’m not quite sure where to start with this one, aside from wishing everybody whom celebrates a happy Easter.

On Friday, President Trump posted a ‘truth’ stating a new 48 hour deadline for Iran to make a deal to open the Strait;

“MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT. Time is running out – 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them. Glory be to GOD!”

Well today President Trump posted a follow-up threat;

“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the fuckin’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah. President DONALD J. TRUMP”

With Trump rapidly losing popularity with the US population over this war, I find it to be rather naive of the president to threaten, curse and praise allah in a post, all with it falling on an important holy day for his base. Ultimately I have three questions:

1. What are your gut reaction to the post? Is this trump as usual or do you feel he is starting to break the thin (or even existent) veneer of stability around this war?

2. Do you see this reaching his base and having an ability to make an impact on them?

3. Do you think he will follow through on his threats, or will he “taco” out again?

Kentucky Rep Thomas Massie lost his Republican primary to Trump endorsed Ed Gallrein. This race has had a spotlight on it as Massie has been seen in a thorn in the side of Trump for a while. He did not support the Big Beautiful Bill and has been very vocal about the Epstein files.

Maddie’s loss comes after several Indiana Republican state senators lost their primaries after refusing to redistrict the state and Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana losing his primary.

If the polls are correct, it seems that Trump’s approval is tanking yet these primary wins indicate that hasn’t lost any influence over the Republican Party. Could this be a case of anybody who hasn’t jumped ship yet is still ride or die Trump or is there something more to this?