Yes, “things happen,” as President Trump said regarding the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but those “things” don’t usually get tortured, chopped up by a bone saw, and carried away in suitcases. Given the heinous nature of the crime, does it really matter if a lot of people disliked Khashoggi, as Trump says? Only Trump would speak of such a terrible crime in those terms.
A lot of horrible acts were committed during the American Civil War in which this humble spirit fought (on the wrong side!), but luring someone to their death under false pretenses and then disposing of their body in such a grotesque fashion wasn’t one of them. It’s doubtful if Nathan Bedford Forrest, possibly the Confederacy’s most violent general, a man accused of massacring surrendered Black Union troops and who later became the Klan’s first grand wizard, would have considered it. When the President of the United States invites the perpetrator of Khashoggi’s murder to the White House without apology—the CIA determined that Saudi prince Mohamad bin Salman (MBS) ordered the killing—it’s one more demonstration of his total moral bankruptcy. I’ve spoken repeatedly about Trump’s obscene corruption, and his family’s business dealings with the Saudi monarchy are a prime example.
After what seemed a cooling of his distasteful bromance with Putin, Trump is back to catering to the Russian president’s absurd imperial ambitions. The peace “deal” that Trump presented to Ukrainian President Zelinsky along with the demand that he sign it by Thanksgiving Day, gives Russia everything Putin ever wanted and then some, including taking the U.S. out of NATO. The plan so rewards Russian aggression that it’s hard not to be reminded of British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain’s failed attempt to appease Hitler in 1938. Hopefully the European nations will step up for Ukraine in the absence of America’s support.
Trump Has Shown No More Empathy for Epstein’s Victims than He has for Jama Khashoggi.
Trump’s blatant lies and irrational reversals seem to multiply by the hour, especially his response to the Epstein files. First he called it a “Democratic hoax,” despite there being a mountain of evidence and more than 1,000 victims. He steadfastly refused to release the files (which he as the power to do) and called for his justice department to open a new investigation into Democrats who may have had ties to Epstein. Then, clearly aware that the wind had turned against him, he encouraged congressional Republicans to vote to release the files. Why he’s so intent on keeping the files secret remains a mystery, but it’s only served to raise even more suspicions about his own involvement in Epstein’s pedophile ring.
In the meantime, Trump called for the execution of six Democratic members of Congress based on a video he labeled as treasonous because it encourages the military to disobey illegal orders. As a result, the six have received thousands of death threats, most likely from the sort of MAGA dregs who Trump pardoned for their roles in the January 6th insurrection. We can only assume Trump is upset because he anticipates giving illegal orders in the future.
But executions won’t solve America’s real problems or help Trump’s cratering poll numbers. The president would be well advised to stop making up lies about “affordability” and take real action to bring down costs for the American people—groceries, utilities, healthcare, housing, insurance, you name it. Some things really do need to happen.