Well... it's Trump... again. #47, here we go.

[Jimmy Higgins]

Mexico probably. They paid for the wall after all.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

Trump's tariffs cost American households $1,000 last year: Research group

President Donald Trump’s tariffs cost the average American household $1,000 last year, according to new research from the nonpartisan Tax Foundation.

abcnews.com

The cost is set to go even higher this year to $1,300 per household, assuming the existing tariffs stay in place, the research said.

The research called Trump's tariffs "the largest U.S. tax increase as a percent of GDP since 1993." It suggests the president's signature economic policy is exacerbating cost of living concerns at a time when many households are grappling with persistently high prices.

According to the research think tank Tax Foundation, the federal government collected $264 billion in total tariff revenues in 2025 -- far short of the trillions regularly touted by the White House. The research also finds the tariffs will offset most of the economic benefits of the new tax cuts from Trump's signature tax law that took effect this year.

Seeing the US's economy is only in the low tens of trillions a year, tariffs would have to be exceedingly high to get to trillions in income. Typically the Trump Admin defends this by indicating all of the trillions in "pledged" (read never will be realized) investment into the US.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

So, it is really unthinkable, but Trump literally is holding up the Howe Bridge (Gordie, not the British General), because a rich guy who owns the other border crossing bridge lobbied him to block it. Trump just keeps lowering and lowering the bar.

The Moroun family has owned and controlled the nearly 100-year-old Ambassador Bridge for decades, and has long opposed the construction of a new, publicly owned span down the Detroit River, which will likely cut into their commercial truck toll income.

The Morouns are heavy Republican donors and the Ambassador Bridge company has spent millions lobbying the Trump administration since his first term.

The comments came "as a shock," the lawmakers wrote, considering the president's past support for the new bridge and the work of his administration so far.

The letter says that just two weeks ago, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security published a rule formally establishing the Gordie Howe bridge as an official port of entry.

The rule is effective March 2, and says that the "final steps necessary prior to opening the Gordie Howe International Bridge border crossing, including the assignment of CBP officers, have [...] been completed."

"The public will benefit greatly from the new crossing facility at GHIB," the document notes.

That must have been the Deep State part of the DHS.

 

[TV and credit cards]

So, it is really unthinkable, but Trump literally is holding up the Howe Bridge (Gordie, not the British General), because a rich guy who owns the other border crossing bridge lobbied him to block it. Trump just keeps lowering and lowering the bar.

The Moroun family has owned and controlled the nearly 100-year-old Ambassador Bridge for decades, and has long opposed the construction of a new, publicly owned span down the Detroit River, which will likely cut into their commercial truck toll income.

The Morouns are heavy Republican donors and the Ambassador Bridge company has spent millions lobbying the Trump administration since his first term.

The comments came "as a shock," the lawmakers wrote, considering the president's past support for the new bridge and the work of his administration so far.

The letter says that just two weeks ago, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security published a rule formally establishing the Gordie Howe bridge as an official port of entry.

The rule is effective March 2, and says that the "final steps necessary prior to opening the Gordie Howe International Bridge border crossing, including the assignment of CBP officers, have [...] been completed."

"The public will benefit greatly from the new crossing facility at GHIB," the document notes.

That must have been the Deep State part of the DHS.

And in unrelated news:
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has bragged about building a political war chest exceeding $1.5 billion — a staggering sum that he can wield at his whim to shape November's midterms and the 2028 race to succeed him.

Trump's stockpile — which dwarfs any amounts raised by his predecessors in their second terms — is not easy to precisely calculate given that much of it is being collected by groups that aren't required to file regular financial disclosures.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

Trump and the GOP might learn a lesson that has been taught before, that sometimes money don't mean a thing, when the voters feel a certain way. The bigger problem Trump and the GOP has... they opened Pandora's box. Gerrymandering has greatly impacted how many races are competitive. What are you going to do, spend $150 million on House seats available?

Trump won due to not being the incumbent, microtargeting minority groups that were more open to the message, but at least according to polling today, are very unhappy, and inflation. Trump has 4 to 6 months for the economy to heat up enough for the people to notice. And all of his policies are weakening our economy and the economies of our neighbors and allies.

 

[crazyfingers]

Trump's tariffs cost American households $1,000 last year: Research group

President Donald Trump’s tariffs cost the average American household $1,000 last year, according to new research from the nonpartisan Tax Foundation.

abcnews.com

The cost is set to go even higher this year to $1,300 per household, assuming the existing tariffs stay in place, the research said.

The research called Trump's tariffs "the largest U.S. tax increase as a percent of GDP since 1993." It suggests the president's signature economic policy is exacerbating cost of living concerns at a time when many households are grappling with persistently high prices.

According to the research think tank Tax Foundation, the federal government collected $264 billion in total tariff revenues in 2025 -- far short of the trillions regularly touted by the White House. The research also finds the tariffs will offset most of the economic benefits of the new tax cuts from Trump's signature tax law that took effect this year.

Meanwhile the Federal Reserve of New York and Colombia University report what everyone with a brain already knew. US companies and citizens are paying 90% of the tariffs.

Why only 90%? Who is paying the other 10%?

The foreign manufacturer who Trump says is actually paying all of it likely are the bulk of the remaining 10%.

 

[Elixir]

Trump's tariffs cost American households $1,000 last year: Research group

President Donald Trump’s tariffs cost the average American household $1,000 last year, according to new research from the nonpartisan Tax Foundation.

abcnews.com

The cost is set to go even higher this year to $1,300 per household, assuming the existing tariffs stay in place, the research said.

The research called Trump's tariffs "the largest U.S. tax increase as a percent of GDP since 1993." It suggests the president's signature economic policy is exacerbating cost of living concerns at a time when many households are grappling with persistently high prices.

According to the research think tank Tax Foundation, the federal government collected $264 billion in total tariff revenues in 2025 -- far short of the trillions regularly touted by the White House. The research also finds the tariffs will offset most of the economic benefits of the new tax cuts from Trump's signature tax law that took effect this year.

Meanwhile the Federal Reserve of New York and Colombia University report what everyone with a brain already knew. US companies and citizens are paying 90% of the tariffs.

Why only 90%? Who is paying the other 10%?

The foreign manufacturer who Trump says is actually paying all of it likely are the bulk of the remaining 10%.

Some American importers and wholesalers are eating a fraction of a point. Not so’s you’d notice though.

 

[Elixir]

 

[ZiprHead]

Just reported on the local news a national story about retailers preparing to raise prices again due to tarriffs.

 

[aupmanyav]

Macron is in India. Concluded the USD 39 billion pact with France (Rafale and missiles). The US deal reported to be coming up in early March.

 

[GenesisNemesis]

The right is completely lost on this connection.

Judge Cites ‘1984’ in Order Forcing Trump Administration to Restore Slavery Exhibits

Federal officials in Philadelphia last month removed a descriptive placard at the home of former President George Washington titled “The Dirty Business of Slavery.”

www.notus.org

 

[ZiprHead]

Trump to direct Pentagon to buy coal to revive industry, Bloomberg News says

U.S. President Donald Trump is set to direct the Pentagon to use government funding and Pentagon contracts to sustain U.S. coal-fired power plants, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday, citing a White House official.

www.reuters.com

Are there any of those actually left?

 

[crazyfingers]

Trump to direct Pentagon to buy coal to revive industry, Bloomberg News says

U.S. President Donald Trump is set to direct the Pentagon to use government funding and Pentagon contracts to sustain U.S. coal-fired power plants, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday, citing a White House official.

www.reuters.com

Are there any of those actually left?

There are some but they are inefficient and costly to maintain. Keeping them going will raise energy costs in addition to creating a lot more pollution.

I recall maybe 25 years ago I was visiting Lexmark International (laser printers) in Lexington, KY and they were telling us about their environmental plans. They admitted that they were hampered being in Kentucky they were required to buy energy from coal plants.

When I first saw your article seeing it was the Pentagon, my first thought was that Trump was ordering the Navy to convert oil burning naval ships to coal. I can just see coaling stations set up around the world again. Honestly, I would not be surprised if he was that stupid.

Beautiful Clean Coal!

 

[Ford]

Trump to direct Pentagon to buy coal to revive industry, Bloomberg News says

U.S. President Donald Trump is set to direct the Pentagon to use government funding and Pentagon contracts to sustain U.S. coal-fired power plants, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday, citing a White House official.

www.reuters.com

Are there any of those actually left?

There are some but they are inefficient and costly to maintain. Keeping them going will raise energy costs in addition to creating a lot more pollution.

I recall maybe 25 years ago I was visiting Lexmark International (laser printers) in Lexington, KY and they were telling us about their environmental plans. They admitted that they were hampered being in Kentucky they were required to buy energy from coal plants.

When I first saw your article seeing it was the Pentagon, my first thought was that Trump was ordering the Navy to convert oil burning naval ships to coal. I can just see coaling stations set up around the world again. Honestly, I would not be surprised if he was that stupid.

Beautiful Clean Coal!

View attachment 53614

I wonder how long it will be until the Department of...War? announces a plan to return cavalry to the armed forces. "Many people are saying that horses...beautiful, powerful horses...are the future of warfare, and Secretary of War Hegseth has a plan to not only return these beautiful animals to service, but also give the brave soldiers that ride them a lance so that they can joust with our enemies!"

 

[TV and credit cards]

We had a big ass Lexmark color laser printer at my last command. Took big ass paper too, 24" long I think. I printer the schematics for my Tacoma on it. Printed front and back too. That thing was as wide as a desk.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

Anyone remember DOGE? Trump to repaint Air Force One. jets

Air Force One jets are expected to receive a new paint job in President Trump’s preferred colors of red, white, gold and dark blue, The Hill’s sister network NewsNation has confirmed.

Both the luxury jet donated by Qatar and new VC-25B Boeing jets will feature the new colors, an Air Force spokesperson told NewsNation. The Air Force One title is given to any aircraft carrying the president.

Four smaller C-32 aircraft — which are referred to as Air Force Two when the vice president is aboard — are also set to receive new paint jobs, per NewsNation. Those jets are also used by the first lady and Cabinet secretaries when they travel.

Can't send aid to keep people from dying, but... let's repaint some jets to colors Trump prefers, as if he isn't planning on leaving in 2028. Trump just continues doing things that we'd have to pay a fortune to undo.

 

[crazyfingers]

Trump's tariffs cost American households $1,000 last year: Research group

President Donald Trump’s tariffs cost the average American household $1,000 last year, according to new research from the nonpartisan Tax Foundation.

abcnews.com

The cost is set to go even higher this year to $1,300 per household, assuming the existing tariffs stay in place, the research said.

The research called Trump's tariffs "the largest U.S. tax increase as a percent of GDP since 1993." It suggests the president's signature economic policy is exacerbating cost of living concerns at a time when many households are grappling with persistently high prices.

According to the research think tank Tax Foundation, the federal government collected $264 billion in total tariff revenues in 2025 -- far short of the trillions regularly touted by the White House. The research also finds the tariffs will offset most of the economic benefits of the new tax cuts from Trump's signature tax law that took effect this year.

Meanwhile the Federal Reserve of New York and Colombia University report what everyone with a brain already knew. US companies and citizens are paying 90% of the tariffs.

President Trump has frequently claimed that foreign countries were paying for his tariffs, not Americans. But as economists predicted, that is largely turning out not to be the case.

Research published on Thursday by economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and Columbia University suggests that, through November 2025, 90 percent of the economic burden of the president’s tariffs fell on U.S. companies and consumers.

Americans Are Paying the Bill for Tariffs, Despite Trump’s Claims

Research from the New York Fed confirms that U.S. companies and consumers are bearing tariff costs, despite the president’s assertions otherwise.

www.nytimes.com

Trump sycophant and economic advisor Kevin Hassett says that the Fed staff who produced the report need to be punished for... telling the truth about who pays the tariffs.

The Fed report produced findings that 90% of tariff costs are paid by US business or consumer and the findings are similar to:

Hassett says Fed staff should be 'disciplined' for reporting the US pays tariff costs​

Other reputable sources have produced similar findings, including Harvard Business School; Yale’s Budget Lab; the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, a German think tank; and the Congressional Budget Office.

Liars for Trump are just as infuriating as liars for Jesus.

He should be disciplined.

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/02/18/hassett-says-fed-staff-should-be-disciplined-for-reporting-the-u-s-pays-tariff-costs-00786562

 

[crazyfingers]

So, it is really unthinkable, but Trump literally is holding up the Howe Bridge (Gordie, not the British General), because a rich guy who owns the other border crossing bridge lobbied him to block it. Trump just keeps lowering and lowering the bar.

The Moroun family has owned and controlled the nearly 100-year-old Ambassador Bridge for decades, and has long opposed the construction of a new, publicly owned span down the Detroit River, which will likely cut into their commercial truck toll income.

The Morouns are heavy Republican donors and the Ambassador Bridge company has spent millions lobbying the Trump administration since his first term.

The comments came "as a shock," the lawmakers wrote, considering the president's past support for the new bridge and the work of his administration so far.

The letter says that just two weeks ago, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security published a rule formally establishing the Gordie Howe bridge as an official port of entry.

The rule is effective March 2, and says that the "final steps necessary prior to opening the Gordie Howe International Bridge border crossing, including the assignment of CBP officers, have [...] been completed."

"The public will benefit greatly from the new crossing facility at GHIB," the document notes.

That must have been the Deep State part of the DHS.

Ya I posted the NYT story a while back.

The first year of this administration is probably 10X more corrupt than an entire 4 years of any other presidential term in history.

I certainly hope that Trump will face a reckoning in his lifetime and not just the history books. He needs to be prosecuted, jailed and donate all of his unlawful grift.

I wonder how much of this corruption SCOTUS will view as official responsibilities.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

White House congratulates itself over largest tax refunds in history.

As tax season kicks off, millions of Americans are poised to receive significantly larger tax refunds thanks to President Donald J. Trump’s landmark Working Families Tax Cuts Act — which every Democrat in Congress opposed. The historic legislation is delivering the biggest tax refund season ever, with average refunds projected to rise by $1,000 or more this year due to its transformative policies.

The word debt and deficit isn't mentioned once on the page. Even despite the tariff tax increases on Americans, the US had a deficit of $1.78 trillion in 2025.

So the Trump Admin is bragging about giving away money they never had in the first place.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

link

Now ICE is allowed to detain legal refugees during the re-vetting process, at least until it is found to be illegal.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, in a memo dated February 18 and submitted in a federal court filing, said refugees must return to government custody for "inspection and examination" a year after their admission into the United States.

"This detain-and-inspect requirement ensures that refugees are re-vetted after one year, aligns post-admission vetting with that applied to other applicants for admission, and promotes public safety," ‌the department said in the memo.

Under ⁠U.S. law , refugees must apply for lawful permanent resident status one year after their arrival in the country. The new memo authorizes immigration authorities to ⁠detain individuals for the duration of the re-inspection process.

The new policy is a shift from the earlier 2010 memorandum, which stated that failure to obtain lawful permanent resident status was not a "basis" for removal from the country and not a "proper basis" for detention.

This seems grossly unconstitutional. The Government must have reason to detain someone, not merely because they are re-vetting to see if there are issues.