Death Follows Trump and Musk

In the first few months of the cruel and unhinged Malignant Fascist's second term, his main donor, the ketamine addled megalomaniac from South Africa Elon Musk, was given the reins through "DOGE" to cut Government programs to pay for tax cuts for the hyper wealthy like himself. One of the most critical programs saving lives was the global H.I.V. program that has saved millions of lives worldwide, and the MF and Musk decided it deserved deep cuts. The African nation of Zambia had been making progress on fighting H.I.V. up until that decision. Now it's becoming a major problem there, and because the criminally sociopathic MF is behind it, it involves some evil extortion over mineral resources:

"During President Trump’s first month in office, his administration upended much of the flagship global H.I.V. program that had saved the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in Zambia. The Zambian government went into emergency mode, desperate to ensure that people with the virus could continue to receive lifesaving medications.

But other crucial aspects of the program had to be scrapped — interventions that had helped stop the spread of the virus and protected the most vulnerable people, those like Mr. Kasekela.

Today, a pared-down system is operating on reduced U.S. support, and Zambia may lose that help entirely in the next few days. The Trump administration has set an April 30 deadline for the Zambian government to accept a new health funding agreement that is tied to giving the United States expanded access to the country’s mineral resources.

The administration says the deal would offer Zambia five years of funding and help to build a stronger system that gives the country more control. But if Zambia doesn’t sign, officials warn that Washington could cut off all of its H.I.V. aid, a situation health officials here say would be disastrous."  (our emphasis)

The fight against AIDS worldwide was launched by former President George W. Bush, and has saved millions of lives through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). PREFAR's operations have been severely affected by the MF's cuts to USAID, something that he and his fascist white supremacist ally Musk had to have known about.

(photo: The deadly extortionist)

QOTD: Dem Politics Must Embrace Justice

 

Writing in The Guardian, author and founder of Democracy In Color Steve Phillips makes the argument that Dems need to embrace justice and equality in 2028, disputing the conventional wisdom of "centrists" who would prefer to go "Republican lite":

"One of the biggest myths about the 2024 election is the notion that large numbers of people who supported Democrats in 2020 changed their minds and switched their votes and cast ballots for Trump in 2024. You can look just at four key states to show the fallacy in that notion: Harris got more votes in Georgia, North Carolina, Nevada and Wisconsin than Joe Biden had received four years earlier. So if all these people were abandoning the Democrats, how did the Democrats’ numbers go up? What happened is that Trump did a better job of scaring, stirring up and mobilizing his core supporters than the Democrats did.

And yet the power of that myth persists, and it impacts the thinking about 2028 by insidiously encouraging Democrats to try to tone down the “wokeness”, which is really just code for distancing themselves from the movement to eradicate racism, sexism and homophobia and make this country a true multiracial, multicultural democracy where people are all embraced." (our emphasis)

Aggressive voter mobilization around effective messages that speak to justice and a level playing field that MAGAts oppose is a foundation for Dem wins in 2026 and beyond.

Sunday Reflection: The Real Innovators

 

"I never thought innovation as such was very important. Not when you have to think about it... If you're going to come up with a new direction or a really new way to do something, you'll do it by just playing your stuff and letting it ride. The real innovators did their innovating by just being themselves....It's the way you play that makes it . . . Play like you play. Play like you think, and then you got it, if you're going to get it. And whatever you get, that's you, so that's your story." -- Jazz great, pianist, composer and bandleader William "Count" Basie (8/21/1904 - 4/26/1984), from “Good Morning Blues: The Autobiography of Count Basie”, Plume. Basie was the first African American to win a Grammy Award in 1958, the first of nine Grammys. He was a Kennedy Center honoree, and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his artistic achievements spanning 6 decades.

He once recounted that he was given his nickname "Count" by an announcer who said there already was a Duke (Ellington) and an Earl (Hines), so he should be called "Count." In jazz music, Basie was certainly royalty.

WHCD Halted by Lone Gunman

 

The annual gathering of media elites and their wannabes, politicians they cover and random celebrities known as the White House Correspondents Dinner was abruptly halted last night as a man armed with guns and knives breached the security perimeter outside of the ballroom where the attendees gathered. From the Associated Press:

"A man armed with guns and knives stormed the lobby outside the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner attended by President Donald Trump on Saturday night, charging toward the ballroom in a chaotic encounter with Secret Service agents as guests dived under tables at the sound of shots being fired.

The president was uninjured and was rushed off the stage. The armed man, who officials said was a guest at the Washington Hilton where the dinner was being held, was taken into custody and was expected in court Monday. Police believe he opened fire and acted alone but did not say who was his intended target or describe a motive. [snip]

The shooting unfolded just outside the vast subterranean ballroom holding thousands of dinner guests, disrupting minutes after it began an annual event meant to honor journalism and the First Amendment that was being especially scrutinized this year because it was the first time since Trump became president that he had attended."

The man was identified as Cole Tomas Allen of Torrence, CA, a tutor and computer programmer who graduated in 2017 from CalTech with a mechanical engineering degree.

Oddly enough, in a press conference at the White House after the incident, the mentally disturbed Malignant Fascist used the incident to push for his enormous ballroom adjacent to the White House, which he's obsessed with. He also claimed that he wanted to continue the dinner, because he wanted to stick it to the compliant media in attendance, because it's always about him:

"The president said he wanted to continue the event, but understood that security protocol prevented it.

'I am ready, willing and able, and I was all set to really rip it,' Trump said of his planned speech. 'I said to my people, ‘This would be the most inappropriate speech ever made.’ But I don’t know if I could ever be as rough as I was going to be tonight. I think I’m going to be probably very nice.'”

Unfortunately, the correspondents association plans to reschedule the unethical, conflict of interest dinner soon. 

Today's Cartoons

 (click to enlarge image)

(David Horsey, Tribune Content Agency)

(Rob Rogers, Tiinyview.com)

(Steve Sack. stevesack.substack.com)

(Michael de Adder, de Adder Substack)

(Nick Anderson, Nickanderson Substack.com)

(Jeff Danziger, The Rutland Herald)

(Brian McFadden, brianmcfadden.org)

King Charles About to be Ambushed by Trump

 

When King Charles III arrives in Washington, D.C. on Monday to begin his U.S. tour to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence, it will be in the shadow of a report that the mentally ill and vindictive Malignant Fascist will bring up a threat to support Argentina's claim to the British-claimed Falkland Islands. It's in retaliation for the peevish MF's absurd indignation that the U.K. didn't join the U.S. and Netanyahu in the attack on Iran several weeks ago. From the Daily Beast:

"President Donald Trump is reportedly plotting a stunning insult to King Charles III on the eve of his visit to the U.S.

The British monarch will land in Washington, D.C. on Monday alongside his wife, Queen Camilla, in a visit that is being framed as a potential Band-Aid for ailing relations. Even Trump himself has suggested as much. [snip]

Trump, 79, is a vocal fan of King Charles, 77. That makes it all the more surprising that he is reportedly weighing up reconsidering America’s position on Britain’s claim to the Falkland Islands—a move that would go down like a lead balloon in Britain.

Reuters has reported on a leaked Pentagon memo that suggests Trump’s administration could re-evaluate whether it believes Britain should retain the Falkland Islands, a self-governing British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic, where King Charles is head of state."  (our emphasis)

The MF also happens to be allied with Argentina's far-right leader Javier Milei, who has often been compared to the narcissistic MF.  Although he won't, the King would be justified in telling the MF off about the Falklands jab. 

The British monarch follows the advice and direction of the government of the UK and its Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Starmer has refused to join the MF and his ally Israel's Netanyahu on their war on Iran, and emphasized that NATO is not an aggressive pact, but one for mutual defense, a concept apparently lost on the profoundly ignorant MF. Sadly, Starmer is seemingly so desperate to curry favor with the MF that he would send Charles to the U.S. to receive insults from the sick MF. 

(photos: Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty; Andrew Harnik/Getty)

The Trump - IRS Grift in Court

 

Yesterday, Federal District Judge Kathleen Williams expressed skepticism over the grifting and corrupt Malignant Fascist's $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS that reports to him. The MF brought the extortion-in-the-form-of-a-lawsuit against the IRS / Treasury Department for allegedly failing to protect his family organization's tax returns from public scrutiny. From CNN:

"A federal judge on Friday questioned the constitutionality of President Donald Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS and Treasury Department over the leak of his tax returns, ordering a hearing to determine whether the president can sue federal agencies that he oversees.

Florida District Judge Kathleen M. Williams said it is unclear whether Trump and the agencies are 'sufficiently adverse to each other' and ordered both sides to provide more information on the relationship.

'Although President Trump avers that he is bringing this lawsuit in his personal capacity, he is the sitting president and his named adversaries are entities whose decisions are subject to his direction,' Williams, an Obama appointee, said in the order. [snip]

Williams’ questions come as Trump’s lawyers are engaged in talks with the IRS and Treasury to resolve the lawsuit, with the president’s attorneys requesting a 90-day extension while those discussions continue. If those talks resolve with any monetary settlement, it would be Trump’s own administration paying him and his family." (our emphasis)

The MF would like a quick, out of court settlement with his own Treasury Department, and his weird and faithful Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent would be happy to oblige his cult leader. If he can squeeze a billion or two out of the taxpayer quickly, he'd much prefer that in lieu of a public trial that is likely to go against him and further expose his greed at the taxpayer's expense. It's yet another example of using his position to enrich himself and his corrupt family.

 (photo composite by Alice Morgan / Getty Images)

A Master Craftsman in Wood

 

Take a tour of the late, renowned furniture designer George Nakashima's workshop and home in New Hope, Pennsylvania, courtesy of Architectural Digest. Nakashima's innovative design included the Conoid chair and bench, and handcrafted live-edge tables, bringing together American modernism with Japanese techniques. His daughter Mira narrates a loving history of her father's life and work. A true artist and visionary.

Today's Cartoons

 (click to enlarge image)

(Mike Luckovich, Atlanta Journal Constitution)

(Joey Weattherford, Tribune Content Agency)

(Clay Bennett, Chattanooga Times Free Press)

(Matt Wuerker, Politico.com)

(Jeff Dangizer, The Rutland Herald)

(Clay Jones, claytoonz.substack.com)

Hoping For Discovery Process In Patel Suit

 

Paranoid and allegedly pickled Director of the FBI Kashyap "Kash" Patel may have picked a fight that will hasten his ejection from the deranged Malignant Fascist's regime. Suing The Atlantic for a well-sourced story about his erratic behavior, drinking to excess and use of FBI resources for personal activities, may prove even more problematic for him if the trial reaches discovery stage and even more revelations on Kashyap are revealed. From the excellent Amanda Marcotte at Salon.com on his "futile quest for validation":

"On Monday he filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against the magazine, which is not exactly shrugging it off. If the goal was to quiet the rampant media and online discussion about his behavior, the move backfired. Instead of quieting the rumors, it lengthened the story’s time in the news cycle. Plus, Patel had to list the allegations in the court filing, pulling them out from behind the Atlantic’s paywall and into the public domain, making it easier for people to read and other journalists to quote.

Patel’s best hope is that the lawsuit is dismissed early, because it’s highly unlikely that the Atlantic green-lit a story they knew, as his lawsuit claims, to be full of 'false and obviously fabricated allegations.' A similar lawsuit against MS NOW got thrown out two days after Patel sued the Atlantic. Because he seems so hypersensitive about how people see him, I doubt his ego can survive the process of having Sarah Fitzpatrick, the story’s author, and editors from the Atlantic provide evidence for their claims in court. Then again, Patel’s entire stint at the FBI suggests he doesn’t understand that all his efforts to manifest an image of a smart, cool guy that everyone likes are so ham-fisted that they inevitably backfire."  (our emphasis)

We're looking forward to juicy affidavits listing the many examples of Kashyap's dereliction and drunkenness. As Marcotte has noted in her article, Patel "is plagued with a sweaty desire for approval and a constant fear of rejection." His foolish lawsuit certainly won't help matters.

(photo: Kashyap's official photo. DOJ)

Skeets of the Day

 

Operation Epic Epstein Fury: shades of Vietnam,  munitions madness --

“Not as long as Vietnam” is some truly top tier marketing for this war.

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— Brian Finucane (@bcfinucane.bsky.social) April 23, 2026 at 7:54 PM

 

So Trump went from calling this a two-week war to something resembling Vietnam? The U.S. was in combat in Vietnam for eight years. And let’s remember, automatic draft registration was authorized in December 2025. But nothing to worry about.

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— Christopher Webb (@cwebbonline.com) April 23, 2026 at 9:42 PM

WSJ: The U.S. has burned through so many munitions in Iran that some administration officials increasingly assess that America couldn’t fully execute contingency plans to defend Taiwan from a Chinese invasion if it occurred in the near term, U.S. officials said. www.wsj.com/politics/nat...

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— Austin Ramzy (@austinramzy.bsky.social) April 23, 2026 at 10:21 PM

 

The Malignant Fascist's regime threatens NATO, boosts Russia. Treasonous. --

Trump is threatening Spain over its refusal to allow air bases be used for the Iran war. Meanwhile, Russia provides Iran with targeting info and intelligence to kill Americans. Trump just invited Putin to the G20. www.reuters.com/world/pentag...

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— Alex Finley (@alexzfinley.bsky.social) April 24, 2026 at 5:09 AM

The MF will have another meltdown over this poll from Fox. Hide the ketchup -- 

New Fox poll is absolutely crushing for Trump: *Approval on economy: 34-66 *Approval on inflation: 28-72 (!) *Dems now lead GOP on economy *55% say Trump mentally unfit for office On the pod, @gelliottmorris.com is so illuminating on all these numbers and much more: newrepublic.com/article/2094...

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— Greg Sargent (@gregsargent.bsky.social) April 24, 2026 at 7:36 AM

The awful damage done by South Afrikaner fascist Musk and his "DOGE" incels -- 

It's not hyperbole in the least to say Musk purchased a six-month shadow presidency for $280 million and used the power of that shadow presidency to 1. Steal the government’s data, 2. Permanently damage the state’s ability to regulate his businesses, and 3, kill non-white people.

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— Jeff Lazarus (@jlazarus.bsky.social) April 23, 2026 at 10:09 PM

 

When DOGE arrived at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the operatives had no real background in nuclear issues. They boxed out experienced hands, forcing resignations and massive exodus of talent. Over 400 people have since left or been forced out. Our full story: https://propub.li/3OBQMwk

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— ProPublica (@propublica.org) April 23, 2026 at 7:47 PM

White House Correspondents Dinner: a gathering of "piggies"? -- 

If you know a journalist who plans to attend White House Correspondents' Dinner with anti-free-speech fascists Trump, Miller, Hegseth and Carr, please ask them if they’re developing flu symptoms and should stay home. After all, it would be a shame to give fascists the flu. Stay home.

— Mark Jacob (@markjacob.bsky.social) April 24, 2026 at 8:03 AM

The MF is clearly losing the war on woke, but he'll be rage posting late tonight -- 

This photo should be on the front page of every single newspaper in America today.

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— Jon Cooper (@joncooper-us.bsky.social) April 24, 2026 at 9:31 AM

 

Trump is about to hit REM on camera during an Oval Office event. It's just incredible.

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— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) April 23, 2026 at 3:42 PM

Weekend Song

 

Dave Mason, who passed away Sunday, was a singer, composer and fixture in rock music for decades. As a founding member of Traffic, along with Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi and Chris Wood, Mason was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His later work included recording with the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney and Wings, Fleetwood Mac and Michael Jackson to name a few artists. Here is his song "Feelin' Alright?" from Traffic's 1968 hit album "Mr. Fantasy," where he sings lead vocal and plays guitar. (It was later a big hit for Joe Cocker). RIP. 

QOTD: "In A Huge Hole"

 

On MS Now this morning, Jim VandeHei, founder of D.C. "insider" tout sheet Axios, describes the gloom inside the White House over the unhinged and flailing Malignant Fascist's self-inflicted wounds, which will bring their MAGAt party down in the coming mid-terms: 

“I think the biggest alarm for him and for Republicans is they look at the House map and it looks like almost impossible for them to keep control of the House. They look at the Senate and they start to look at states like Iowa, Ohio, Alaska, Texas, Maine, all of which should be very, very winnable, maybe not even competitive. And they all look suddenly in danger.

To me, the most interesting thing is talking to people around the president. Their language and body language has changed markedly in the last two months. They know they're in a huge hole and it's going to be really, really hard to get out of it. They don't even really defend it anymore. They understand that we're here by a series of choices that the president made by himself.

How to prosecute this war was his choice, to do tariffs; the way he did was his choice to unleash ICE into neighborhoods before ICE was properly trained to do it was his choice –– to then promote that in a very chest-thumping style. That was his choice and now Republicans are having to pay for that.” (our emphasis)

His sleepless nights spent rage tweeting are getting worse as his dementia and megalomania remains unchecked and untreated. They brought this on themselves willingly, so let them go down in the fire he set. 

(photo: Keep digging genius. White House via Flickr)

Trump's Revenge Tour Against NATO

 

Reuters is reporting that a memo floated in the Defense Department lays out options for punishing NATO members for not supporting the erratic and vengeful Malignant Fascist's war on Iran, when he claimed at various times that he either didn't need NATO's help or could use their help. From the story:

"An internal Pentagon email outlines options for the United States to punish NATO allies it believes failed to support U.S. operations in the war with Iran, including suspending Spain from the alliance and reviewing the U.S. position on Britain's claim to the Falkland Islands, a U.S. official told Reuters.

The policy options are detailed in a note expressing frustration at some allies' ‌perceived reluctance or refusal to grant the United States access, basing and overflight rights - known as ABO - for the Iran war, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the email. [snip]

One option in the email envisions suspending 'difficult' countries from important or prestigious positions at NATO, the official said.

Asked whether it is possible to suspend a NATO ​ally, a NATO official said that 'NATO’s Founding Treaty does not foresee any provision for suspension of NATO membership'".  (our emphasis)

The MF launched his war without Congressional approval, and without consultation with our NATO allies. He has yet to understand that NATO is a defensive alliance, not one requiring their support when we (with Israel) attack another country. The alliance has been tested under both of the MF's terms in office, pleasing Russian thug and war criminal Vladimir Putin, whose ambition has long been to break NATO apart so that he can launch further wars of aggression in Europe. We'll see how many MAGAt Senators object to this bullying of allies, which is being watched by our adversaries with glee. 

Today's Cartoons

(click on image to enlarge)

(Jeff Stabler, Andrews McMeel Syndication)

(Chip Bok, creators.com)

(Joe Heller, Politicalcartoons.com)

(John Deering, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)

(Mike Luckovich, Atlanta Journal-Constitution)