Sometimes Donald Trump tells the truth. The problem, of course, is that he lies so often and so much Americans tend to tune him out. But this past week, it has been hard to ignore the harsh reality there were occasions during the 2016 presidential race voters and the media should have paid more attention. Consider the following two examples.
- At the Republic National Convention, contrary to the GOP mantra since the party’s inception that America success depends on faith in and the collective effort of its people, Trump declared, “I am your voice. I alone can fix it.”
- On October 27, 2016 at the opening of the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C. at which he claimed the project had come in “under budget and ahead of schedule,” the future White House occupant told those in attendance, “Today is a metaphor for what we can accomplish for this company.” In other words, Trump asserted he was going to run the federal government like he ran his private enterprises.
There should be no doubt Trump honestly believes he is smarter than everyone else in the room. He ignored his staff’s briefing materials provided before the NATO summit and decided to go it alone with Vladimir Putin. He invited Putin to the White House without informing, much less consulting with, many of his national security advisors. He imposed tariffs launching a trade war which may result in long-term realignments in global markets leaving the United States on the sidelines.
Yet it is the second example which so clearly came into focus the past 48 hours. And it did not matter whether the topic was moral turpitude or trade policy. There is one, and only one, modus operandi which underpins every transaction in which Donald Trump is involved. Regardless of the size or composition of the nail, Trump reverts to the same hammer over and over again, paying someone to go away.
We now know, in at least two cases, Trump and/or his supporters paid hush money to women with whom he allegedly (you can stop laughing now) had affairs to buy their silence until after the 2016 election. At least, in these instances, the payments consisted of Trump’s own funds or those of a private donor (i.e. David Pecker, CEO of American Media).
In contrast, since taking office, Trump now has a new source of funds to silence potential critics: American taxpayers. Consider yesterday’s announcement by Commerce secretary Wilbur Ross the administration has allocated $12 billion of trade adjustment funds to compensate farmers for the unnecessary pain they are experiencing due to Trump’s ill-advised tariffs. Make no mistake. This is HUSH money. The purpose: to placate farm state voters until after the November mid-terms.
Twelve billion dollars may seem like a lot of money, but if as predicted, foreign buyers of American beef, pork and soybeans start relying on non-U.S. suppliers, this down payment is only a drop in the bushel. It is no different from the payments to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal with two MAJOR exceptions. You and I are footing the bill. And it is not a one-time outlay. After the mid-terms, additional outlays will be required if impacted farms are expected to make ends meet. But no one should be surprised if public sector Trump treats farmers the same way private sector Trump handled contractors. Can you spell “stiffed?”
Regardless of whether the issue is conspiracies to silence Trump’s paramours or a future where the Heartland is littered with fallow farmland, don’t expect me to remind you, “I told you so.” No need. HE told you so.
For what it’s worth.
Dr. ESP