In recording Trump asks how long Ukraine can resist Russians
President Donald Trump inquired how long Ukraine would be able to resist Russian aggression without U.S. assistance during a 2018 meeting with donors that included the indicted associates of his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani.“How long would they last in a fight with Russia?” Trump is heard asking in the audio portion of a video recording, moments before he calls for the firing of U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch. She was removed a year later after a campaign to discredit her by Giuliani and others, an action that is part of Democrats’ case arguing for the removal of the president in his Senate impeachment trial.A video recording of the entire 80-minute dinner at the Trump Hotel in Washington was obtained Saturday by The Associated Press. Excerpts were first published Friday by ABC News. People can be seen in only some portions of the recording.The recording contradicts the president’s statements that he did not know the Giuliani associates Lev Parnas or Igor Fruman, key figures in the investigation who were indicted last year on campaign finance charges. The recording came to light as Democrats continued to press for witnesses and other evidence to be considered during the impeachment trial.On the recording, a voice that appears to be Parnas’ can be heard saying, “The biggest problem there, I think where we need to start is we got to get rid of the ambassador.” He later can be heard telling Trump: “She’s basically walking around telling everybody, ‘Wait, he’s gonna get impeached. Just wait.’”Trump responds: “Get rid of her! Get her out tomorrow. I don’t care. Get her out tomorrow. Take her out. OK? Do it.”...Trump also tells the assembled guests that it is “ridiculous” and “wrong” that he can’t hold political fundraisers inside the White House, saying it would save the government money compared to driving him the four blocks to his hotel.
“How long would they last in a fight with Russia?” Trump is heard asking in the audio portion of a video recording, moments before he calls for the firing of U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch. She was removed a year later after a campaign to discredit her by Giuliani and others, an action that is part of Democrats’ case arguing for the removal of the president in his Senate impeachment trial.
A video recording of the entire 80-minute dinner at the Trump Hotel in Washington was obtained Saturday by The Associated Press. Excerpts were first published Friday by ABC News. People can be seen in only some portions of the recording.
The recording contradicts the president’s statements that he did not know the Giuliani associates Lev Parnas or Igor Fruman, key figures in the investigation who were indicted last year on campaign finance charges. The recording came to light as Democrats continued to press for witnesses and other evidence to be considered during the impeachment trial.
On the recording, a voice that appears to be Parnas’ can be heard saying, “The biggest problem there, I think where we need to start is we got to get rid of the ambassador.” He later can be heard telling Trump: “She’s basically walking around telling everybody, ‘Wait, he’s gonna get impeached. Just wait.’”
Trump responds: “Get rid of her! Get her out tomorrow. I don’t care. Get her out tomorrow. Take her out. OK? Do it.”
...
Trump also tells the assembled guests that it is “ridiculous” and “wrong” that he can’t hold political fundraisers inside the White House, saying it would save the government money compared to driving him the four blocks to his hotel.
― shared unit of analysis (unperson), Saturday, 25 January 2020 22:04 (four years ago) link
god, that last paragraph.
― But guess what? Nobody gives a toot!😂 (Karl Malone), Saturday, 25 January 2020 22:10 (four years ago) link
it's the kind of paragraph that must be used in closing. there is no point in going on after that.
― But guess what? Nobody gives a toot!😂 (Karl Malone), Saturday, 25 January 2020 22:11 (four years ago) link
i find it inspiring, in a way, that these complete dipshits manage to rise to the most powerful ranks in the world. you don't have to know things, or be smart, or have a good idea. you don't need to be a good person, you don't need to be honest. you can be a petty motherfucker every single day of your life and be proud of it. if you're a big confident white guy from kansas and you think the rapture is going to take place in our lifetime, you can do whatever the fuck you want
I’m quoting this because it is actually true for white men of all political persuasions and one of the reasons I’m so fucking angry all the goddamned time
― totally unnecessary bewbz of exploitation (DJP), Saturday, 25 January 2020 22:16 (four years ago) link
after Pence is Pompeo the biggest christ-bitten idiot in the the admin?
We still got Carson and DeVos out there.
― a bevy of supermodels, musicians and Lena Dunham (C. Grisso/McCain), Saturday, 25 January 2020 22:29 (four years ago) link
shitlist update: i read dark money a while back and the whole DeVos family went waaaaaay up in the rankings. the whole DeVos/Prince family alliance is fucking terrifying. they're one of the few groups of people i can imagine to erupt into an evil cackle without irony or self-awareness
― But guess what? Nobody gives a toot!😂 (Karl Malone), Saturday, 25 January 2020 22:38 (four years ago) link
ML Kelly said she wasn't even asked to go off record to get yelled at by Pompeo
― A True White Kid that can Jump (Granny Dainger), Sunday, 26 January 2020 02:30 (four years ago) link
There is no chance in hell that Kelly agreed to go off the record and it's unlikely Pompeo even asked. He is lying about that just like he lied about Bangladesh and about the imaginary agreement not to talk about Ukraine. I'm bummed that so many sensible people inexplicably took that part of his story at face value.
― Guayaquil (eephus!), Sunday, 26 January 2020 03:55 (four years ago) link
Of course she’d agree to go off the record if he asked. There’s just no way that he asked and then she took it on record.
― Suggest Banshee (Hadrian VIII), Sunday, 26 January 2020 04:01 (four years ago) link
The takeaway from this mess is that if you, as a journalist, have an offer or an opportunity to interview someone in the Trump administration, you would be well advised to slowly extend both middle fingers as a response.
― Dr. Teeth and the Women (Old Lunch), Sunday, 26 January 2020 05:38 (four years ago) link
The aide told her no recording devices. It's totally plausible they were so stupid they thought that meant off the record and that her walking into the room with Pompeo was agreeing to the terms of service.
― Miami weisse (WmC), Sunday, 26 January 2020 13:57 (four years ago) link
NPR has the email chain where the aids were informed that she would be asking about Ukraine and OK'ed it; don't know if they released it yet but they discussed it last night and named the person on the emails.
In other shitty admin news: did Mnuchin force his wife to delete her Instagram post supporting Thunberg?
― akm, Sunday, 26 January 2020 15:06 (four years ago) link
I guess the prenup waiting period isn't up yet. Meanwhile:
I can’t imagine why most voters are deeply cynical about politics and think all the fighting is just a game. pic.twitter.com/95r8jm2QIV— Jon Favreau (@jonfavs) January 26, 2020
― Josh in Chicago, Sunday, 26 January 2020 18:43 (four years ago) link
“Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool” -Proverbs 10:18 #SundayScripture ✝️— Mike Pompeo (@mikepompeo) January 26, 2020
gee, i wonder why his church chose to highlight that scripture today
― But guess what? Nobody gives a toot!😂 (Karl Malone), Monday, 27 January 2020 00:38 (four years ago) link
I really can't wait until Jesus comes back and starts beating the shit out of these assholes. As is my understanding of the scriptures.
― Dr. Teeth and the Women (Old Lunch), Monday, 27 January 2020 00:44 (four years ago) link
WE DONE BANANA REPUBLICED OURSELVES!
― earlnash, Monday, 27 January 2020 00:50 (four years ago) link
aw man
― But guess what? Nobody gives a toot!😂 (Karl Malone), Monday, 27 January 2020 00:50 (four years ago) link
Trump to Pompeo on his treatment of NPR reporter: “I think you did a good job on her.” (Laughter in room)— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) January 28, 2020
― But guess what? Nobody gives a toot!😂 (Karl Malone), Tuesday, 28 January 2020 17:42 (four years ago) link
(Laughter in room)
― Okay, you're an ambulance (Ye Mad Puffin), Tuesday, 28 January 2020 18:04 (four years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW4q6OFIJOY
― Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 28 January 2020 18:13 (four years ago) link
February thread title imo
― Guayaquil (eephus!), Tuesday, 28 January 2020 18:40 (four years ago) link
the "room" was a gathering to celebrate the unveiling of jared's israel/palestine peace plan, which is so successful zero palestinians representatives were present.
― But guess what? Nobody gives a toot!😂 (Karl Malone), Tuesday, 28 January 2020 18:45 (four years ago) link
I can’t believe how irresponsible the next Democratic President was. https://t.co/q94ZGFqzrR— Seth Masket (@smotus) January 29, 2020
― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 29 January 2020 02:27 (four years ago) link
kinda surprised trump hasn't tried to seal off all flights from china yet, or something. guess he's been distracted
― mookieproof, Wednesday, 29 January 2020 02:34 (four years ago) link
The "peace plan" sounds terrible and a non-starter. Israel keeps West Bank settlements, trades away Arab-Israeli citizens into Palestine, retains control over Palestine's borders in trade/immigration/security, and opens the Temple Mount for "all religions". Imagine a plan designed by ultra right wing West Bank settlers, and that's the Kushner plan.
― Darth Bambi (Sanpaku), Wednesday, 29 January 2020 04:33 (four years ago) link
"I can’t believe how irresponsible the next Democratic President was" lol
― Dan S, Wednesday, 29 January 2020 04:34 (four years ago) link
always like reading your posts Sanpaku
― Dan S, Wednesday, 29 January 2020 04:37 (four years ago) link
bibi's plan to straight-up annex the settlements seems like a pretty big deal
― mookieproof, Wednesday, 29 January 2020 04:45 (four years ago) link
Jared Kushner, senior adviser to the President, says the White House's Middle East plan is "a great deal" and if Palestinians reject it, “they’re going to screw up another opportunity, like they’ve screwed up every other opportunity that they’ve ever had in their existence.” pic.twitter.com/ABAI3gKjig— CNN (@CNN) January 28, 2020
― Number None, Wednesday, 29 January 2020 07:52 (four years ago) link
Salesmanshit
― nashwan, Wednesday, 29 January 2020 08:10 (four years ago) link
what a stupid little peckerhead he is
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Wednesday, 29 January 2020 09:08 (four years ago) link
Some people are saying the irrepressible giggling from a Fox host as the President's brain audibly melts down should have the entire enterprise sent to a gulag for collusion in treason. You're hearing it more and more, and perhaps they have a point. We're going to be looking into it, and looking into all the things.
Fox News cut away from Trump's rally immediately after his brain short-circuited pic.twitter.com/0jgKzVLb9E— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 29, 2020
― don't care didn't ask still clappin (sic), Wednesday, 29 January 2020 09:56 (four years ago) link
Diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia in the comments is intriguing, although 'loss of empathy' is a bit of a stumbling block as a symptom, how could we even tell
― Dr. Teeth and the Women (Old Lunch), Wednesday, 29 January 2020 13:12 (four years ago) link
good morning!
― TikTok to the (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 29 January 2020 13:19 (four years ago) link
what the fuck
If the evidence is “overwhelming” and “extensive,” why do we need witnesses? https://t.co/LUWxGLgaTm— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) January 28, 2020
― frogbs, Wednesday, 29 January 2020 14:18 (four years ago) link
Gardner, McSally and Tillis “warned colleagues in the meeting against backing more witnesses, people familiar with the matter said. The senators said a drawn-out trial could lead to more Democratic attacks and hurt their re-election chances” https://t.co/NmYNGEnacR— Joe Sudbay (@JoeSudbay) January 28, 2020
― culture of mayordom (voodoo chili), Wednesday, 29 January 2020 14:33 (four years ago) link
Don’t tell them it’s an election year
― culture of mayordom (voodoo chili), Wednesday, 29 January 2020 14:34 (four years ago) link
That Lankford tool was on the radio this morning. I think the GOP picks him for his deadpan. First he says there is no first hand account of what Trump is accused of doing. The interviewer says the Bolton manuscript contains a firsthand account. So Lankford says that no one has actually seen the manuscript, just unnamed sources in the paper, and that he and others need to see that manuscript ASAP. So the interviewer asks, why not just call Bolton to testify? And Lankford says he needs to see the manuscript first to see if the claims are credible enough to justify Bolton testimony. And the interviewer says, wait a minute, what does it matter what the manuscript says, it's still just words. Just calll Bolton and ask him yourself. And round and round we go. It's total They Live! sunglasses shit.
― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 29 January 2020 14:37 (four years ago) link
Why would the senate allow the testimony of radical leftist John Bolton, he'll just show up and rant about the benefits of collectivist farming for hours
― Dr. Teeth and the Women (Old Lunch), Wednesday, 29 January 2020 14:40 (four years ago) link
seriously. give that guy a platform and you might as well just give people free healthcare right now.
― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 29 January 2020 14:54 (four years ago) link
I heard he was gonna shave his mustache, wear a dress, ask us to call him "Johnette" from now on, then take ginormous bong hits during his testimony.
― Okay, you're an ambulance (Ye Mad Puffin), Wednesday, 29 January 2020 14:56 (four years ago) link
Did you know that John Bolton once served in the administration of a President who tried to blackmail a country into investigating his opponent? How can the senate trust the testimony of such a person?
― Muswell Hillbilly Elegy (President Keyes), Wednesday, 29 January 2020 14:57 (four years ago) link
um wasn't "how can we trust a guy who worked for Donald Trump" a legit defense GOP'ers tried when it came to the testimonies of Manafort and Michael Cohen
― frogbs, Wednesday, 29 January 2020 15:02 (four years ago) link
Trump says he might deploy some F-35s to a local air base, saying workers here will see them come in. He says, "Actually they're totally stealth, so maybe you won't see them come in. You won't see them come in."— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) January 30, 2020
sir how do you know they're not already there
― frogbs, Thursday, 30 January 2020 21:41 (four years ago) link
we may have a Feb thread title
NBC News reports:
Trump painted a doomsday scenario under a Democratic president. “If we don’t win, your farms are going to hell,” he said, claiming that under the Green New Deal supported by some of the 2020 contenders, “they want to kill your cows.” “That means you’re next,” he said.
― a Mets fan who gave up on everything in the mid '80s (Dr Morbius), Friday, 31 January 2020 13:33 (four years ago) link
farms: famously against cow-killing
― the main character Cooly and his fart attack (bizarro gazzara), Friday, 31 January 2020 13:34 (four years ago) link
Good morning!
― TikTok to the (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 31 January 2020 13:35 (four years ago) link
he's right. GND has a provision about trading cattle mutilation rights to aliens in exchange for carbon filtering tech
― Muswell Hillbilly Elegy (President Keyes), Friday, 31 January 2020 13:57 (four years ago) link
first they came for my cows and i said nothing
― Fuck the NRA (ulysses), Friday, 31 January 2020 14:45 (four years ago) link
e-i-e-i-o
― Muswell Hillbilly Elegy (President Keyes), Friday, 31 January 2020 15:01 (four years ago) link