How Long?
How much Damage?
And How Much ‘Hurt’?
How Much is this gonna Cost Us?
President Trump’s speech on Tuesday was a long and loud spectacle that went on for about 100 minutes, making it the longest presidential address to Congress in modern history. But it was the rare moments of relative silence that seemed to say the most.
Republicans were so rowdy for so much of the night — roaring at Mr. Trump’s talk about the border and his legal and political victories; jumping to their feet at his declaration that “wokeness is trouble, wokeness is bad” — that it was telling when they just sat still.
They went mostly mute when the president began to talk about tariffs. His speech coincided with the start of a trade war he has launched against America’s neighbors, Canada and Mexico, which has sent markets tumbling. He warned in his address that there “may be a little bit of an adjustment period.”…
…
Mr. Trump recalled that the last time he was president and used tariffs, things went a little haywire but ultimately seemed to work out. He asked his audience to “bear with me again” and promised that “this time will be even better.”
At this, the chamber filled with the sound of Democrats’ withering laughter….
…
The air in the House chamber became charged when the president mentioned that Elon Musk was sitting up in the gallery. Every head in the room turned toward the tech mogul as he stood up. Gone was the Bond supervillain look and the “tech support” T-shirt. Instead, he had on a suit and tie. It was a most Washington look for the man currently razing Washington to the ground…
…
At one point he began to complain about “unelected bureaucrats” trying to thwart his agenda. It was the Democrats’ turn to make noise. They began to point and shout over the many heads of the Republican Party, up into the gallery, where Mr. Musk was watching….
…
The Republicans treated Trump like a conquering hero.
A State of the Union/Joint Address is a home game for the President. They stand on the dais in the Capitol and deliver a message to guaranteed applause from at least half the room. Even Donald Trump could (mostly) successfully execute in the moment. He read from the prompter. He executed some PR stunts involving the guests in the First Lady’s box.
The Republicans applauded at the designated moments. Trump mainly received good reviews from the press (barring the factcheckers), and the post-speech polls looked good for him. This speech will be covered as a triumph — and in the short term, it may be! But in time, Trump will look back and realize that it was a missed opportunity and possibly a strategic blunder.
Trump is High on His Own Supply
Trump did neither….
Musk…..
When Musk first walked into the chamber, he was amazed, scanning the room and staring at the ceilings. That’s normal, it is a grand and important place on a big night. But he didn’t really stop at any point. I saw him on several occasions staring at the ceiling during the speech.
There were other moments, like when First Lady Melania Trump entered the room and walked right past him. Musk was staring elsewhere and didn’t notice. Then, when applause began for her, he looked around and realized it was for the woman right in front of him. At one point, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) blew Musk a kiss from the floor below (he responded with a wave). Musk also whipped out his phone to take a photo or video early on before Trump entered, but was rebuffed by a police officer (photographs and video recording are strictly forbidden inside the chamber except by authorized press photographers and staff). The richest man in the world doesn’t get a pass.
Musk also engaged in a brief back-and-forth with Jason Selvig from the Good Liars, the comedy duo who regularly prank and troll MAGA supporters. What they talked about, we’ll probably find out soon.
Eventually, Musk appeared to grow tired of having to hop up to clap at every made-for-applause line in Trump’s speech. About an hour and half in, he slouched back into his chair, seemingly unenthused by the evening. But when Trump mentioned planting the flag on Mars, Musk leaned forward, stood up and realized that the people clapping in the chamber were actually clapping for him.
He quickly left moments after the speech concluded….
image…President Trump’s speech, at about 100 minutes, was the longest presidential address to Congress in modern history.Credit…Doug Mills/The New York Times
“ The American people “ voted for this.
I say keep it up!
Give them what they want!
Actually?
NOT a MAJORITY at ALL….
Wait?
Trump IS working HARD to Fuck things up MORE!
‘It IS his Destiny !’….
I see you have a new word,
“ wait.”
You’ve been “ waiting “ almost nine years now for Trumps political demise.
When will your uh “ wait” be over?
He, he, he….
The wait happened to TODAY…..
Gonna be MORE….
He’s still sanding….
Less tall though, eh?