I think you’re absolutely right and I’ve told my friends this. There is only one Donald Trump, and when he’s gone, there’s no one close to duplicate him. J.D. Vance is a wanna be who no one really wants to follow. The Republican Party will implode in the 2026 midterms and nothing will get passed in the next two years. Unfortunately Trump will try to rule thru Executive Orders and chaos will reign until the 2028 election.
I used to ask my wife once in a while what Obama was doing everyday as President since he was so quiet day to day. And my conclusion was just doing his job and helping the American people. With this guy he goes to the can and we know about it. It’s just exhausting and can’t wait until it’s over. In the meantime, keep up your insightful essays Earl. I really enjoy your truthful and honest take on things.
I sure hope you’re right. He’s just EXHAUSTING! ! ! And he and his administration are just evil and cruel to people all over the world just trying to make a better life for themselves. It’s breaks my heart to see what he’s doing to human beings
Vance would become president if he could get in via the 25th Amendment but he’d still have to get re-elected in 2028. My point is he’s not Trump and will have some heavy lifting to get the cult to get behind him. A serious Democratic candidate who will serve ALL Americans should resonate with people in 2028. If not, we’re in a heap of trouble
BLOTUS doesn’t have venous insufficiency- it’s VD. (From my favorite Jackie Mason joke which was about Nixon.. “He didn't have phlebitis, he had SYPHILIS! You don't screw two hundred million people and wind up with phlebitis.”)
Er RN here. tRump may have venus insuff but I believe he has right side heart failure. This would be the cause of the swelling in his feet. I would imagine that he is on diuretics to manage the buildup of fluids in his body which will slowly kill him. The suspicious lump in his pants that we see now and then is a condom catheter he must use due to incontinence related to diuretic use. I suspect that he is non compliant with the diuretic because he doesn't want to wear this very obvious cath. Non compliance related to this crucial medication will cause the swelling noted in the ankles and his abdomen. I would guess that he needed IV meds to help correct the fluid buildup in his body, causing the noted bruising on his hands. The progression of heart failure will cause increased confusion due to decreased blood flow to the brain related to the weakening hearts decreasing ability to pump blood to the brain. Because he must take the diuretics probably in the evening after his daily work is completed it causes freq urination during the night as will the elevating of the lower legs while in bed. This in turn keeps him awake at night constantly tweeting because he can't sleep. Then the next day he is exhausted from lack of sleep due to frequent urination all night and probable shortness of breath while laying down. This would explain him falling asleep all day and the increase in confusion and mood swings. If someone doesn't retire him he will kill himself from stress and poor management of chronic and progressing heart failure.
Another RN here. I think that is a clear and likely explanation of his swollen ankles, hand discoloration, falling asleep at inappropriate times, middle of the night postings, haggard looking face and posture, bulging in his pant legs.( although he has been doing that for 10 years)
Seems like a realistic standoff prognosis. Can we expect to see him marketing a gold plated Presidentially Inspired (pun intended) CPAP (plastic of course and manufactured in China)?
"All men have an emotion to kill; when they strongly dislike some one they involuntarily wish he was dead. I have never killed any one, but I have read some obituary notices with great satisfaction." - Clarence Darrow
I am eagerly awaiting the opportunity to read some obituary notices...
I don’t want him to die unless he’s behind bars. I don’t want us to have to fund a “presidential” funeral. I don’t want his filthy god- damned family to get protection of ANY kind. I don’t want them getting ANY privileges when they are the biggest crime family on the planet. And then I want all the pardoned J6 felons to be hounded for the rest of their lives. And the entire reScumliCon Party under investigation. But once in prison, a slow painful dE@th would be just-desserts.
I would love nothing more than this myself. It doesn't appear he has the health to survive that long, so the runner up for me is dying as his support is evaporating. This way he won't die a martyr and more will come out reinforcing his scumbag status after having screamed from the rooftops that his supporters are stupid.
Then, I hope his family is investigated to the fullest extent of the law. I wanna see Coke Face McSniffles have his teeny weeny peeny displayed on the House floor for all the world to point and laugh. Come on, Marge! You seem to be sensing a warp in the time/space continuum. Bring on your skillset!
You know how you're not supposed to talk about death and people because the superstition is that talking about it kills them? Yeah, I'm having some fun and telling people I am invoking my death-talking skills and am pretty sure I will have them honed by Labor Day... I just want to do my part. ;)
Great read! I do have to say though, I think you're giving the MAGAts way too much credit when you convey that 95% of them know that the deep state talk is all BS. Every Trump supporter I've had the displeasure of speaking with believes every word the Convicted Felon says. Maybe someday they'll see what the rest of us have known for decades: TRump is a lying sack of crap and a lifelong con man. Let's hope so...
I read a shrink describe MAGA as an addiction which is amazing to me as several of my old friends who sadly were misled into this cult Actually WERE addicts, some drugs/alcohol, others to taking religion, following sports or a band to ridiculous extremes. A friend once said, she thought DJT & MAGA were 'missing something' inside. That fuels most addicts:it begin with reaching for an external solution or quick fix rather than work on resolving issues that are no 'an inside need'.
One day when I can bear to talk w/ the religious ladies who just dote on the Baby Jesus if they wear their WWJD bracelets with their red hats.
I noticed there was a huge rise in cults after the 60's, when all the communes collapsed It seemed like many joined the Moonies, or the like. Evangelicals benefitted too.
My hunch is that the "diagnosis" is the first step onto an off-ramp. He's suing the WSJ for publishing the lewd birthday note he sent to Epstein. Gotta be a face-saving gesture. Dominion and Smartmatic had the receipts. Rupert has the receipts this time, and they'll come out in discovery if the suit goes that far, which I doubt. I used to want Trump behind bars, and that would be delightful. Now I really just want him gone, one way or another. I haven't watched a network show in years - on a network, that is. Always caught Colbert on YouTube. Legacy media is on the way out, too. Slower, but going.
Jerry Herman wrote a wonderful musical based on The Madwoman of Chaillot- titled Dear World. So pertinent right now. I feel like the Countess Aurelia every day.
I absolutely love this piece. I agree that the man (orange hump) is not well. Thanks for making me laugh again! Please keep up the great work! You are the best!
Just to be clear -aspirin is no longer recommended as part of a normal cardiovascular vascular protocol unless you’ve already had a stroke or heart attack. So, when did Trump have either or both??
What they are calling venous insufficiency could also be congestive heart failure which causes swelling in the lower extremities.
Bottom line -you’re right. He’s not going to make it to 2028. And, while I think JD is awful he’ll be horribly ineffective because nobody likes him - not MAGA, not centrists not even his own wife & kids.
Cults of personality, like MAGA, die when the person at the center of it dies. Vance may have Theil et al, but the couch-fucker has all the charisma of a wet noodle. There will be significant chaos after The Glorious Day (tm), but there will no longer be the mob-threat mentality that keeps the Repubs in line. There will be a great cracking of the Right and I, for one, look forward to watching the fallout. 🎉🍾🥂
I think you’re absolutely right and I’ve told my friends this. There is only one Donald Trump, and when he’s gone, there’s no one close to duplicate him. J.D. Vance is a wanna be who no one really wants to follow. The Republican Party will implode in the 2026 midterms and nothing will get passed in the next two years. Unfortunately Trump will try to rule thru Executive Orders and chaos will reign until the 2028 election.
I used to ask my wife once in a while what Obama was doing everyday as President since he was so quiet day to day. And my conclusion was just doing his job and helping the American people. With this guy he goes to the can and we know about it. It’s just exhausting and can’t wait until it’s over. In the meantime, keep up your insightful essays Earl. I really enjoy your truthful and honest take on things.
He's not going to make it to 2028, Fred, which is the premise of the piece.
(And thanks for your support and readership. I appreciate it.)
I sure hope you’re right. He’s just EXHAUSTING! ! ! And he and his administration are just evil and cruel to people all over the world just trying to make a better life for themselves. It’s breaks my heart to see what he’s doing to human beings
Remember No Drama Obama?
Amen. I only remember Presidents back to Nixon (toddler for JFK/LBJ). I miss the calmness and dignity most (not Tricky Dick) showed.
Fondly, as the first AA president he had to be so perfect.
I'm actually pretty proud of myself. I read this and thought, "I don't recall Obama being a recovering alcoholic. -- Wait."
See my comment above about Vance and read my Substack.
Vance would become president if he could get in via the 25th Amendment but he’d still have to get re-elected in 2028. My point is he’s not Trump and will have some heavy lifting to get the cult to get behind him. A serious Democratic candidate who will serve ALL Americans should resonate with people in 2028. If not, we’re in a heap of trouble
About J6, Vance did say they would pardon only the non-violent ones—sliver of hope.
Only pardon the violent ones or the non-violent ones? At this point, they’ve all been pardoned. 😢
Thank you for correcting me.
A cult isn’t a cult without a leader. They won’t go to Vance.
BLOTUS doesn’t have venous insufficiency- it’s VD. (From my favorite Jackie Mason joke which was about Nixon.. “He didn't have phlebitis, he had SYPHILIS! You don't screw two hundred million people and wind up with phlebitis.”)
<snort>
He actually had/has syphilis.
Yow! I didn't know that! But I certainly don't doubt it!
Tertiary Syphilis, no less!
Interesting! Believable.
Er RN here. tRump may have venus insuff but I believe he has right side heart failure. This would be the cause of the swelling in his feet. I would imagine that he is on diuretics to manage the buildup of fluids in his body which will slowly kill him. The suspicious lump in his pants that we see now and then is a condom catheter he must use due to incontinence related to diuretic use. I suspect that he is non compliant with the diuretic because he doesn't want to wear this very obvious cath. Non compliance related to this crucial medication will cause the swelling noted in the ankles and his abdomen. I would guess that he needed IV meds to help correct the fluid buildup in his body, causing the noted bruising on his hands. The progression of heart failure will cause increased confusion due to decreased blood flow to the brain related to the weakening hearts decreasing ability to pump blood to the brain. Because he must take the diuretics probably in the evening after his daily work is completed it causes freq urination during the night as will the elevating of the lower legs while in bed. This in turn keeps him awake at night constantly tweeting because he can't sleep. Then the next day he is exhausted from lack of sleep due to frequent urination all night and probable shortness of breath while laying down. This would explain him falling asleep all day and the increase in confusion and mood swings. If someone doesn't retire him he will kill himself from stress and poor management of chronic and progressing heart failure.
Thanks for weighing in with your expert opinion, and most of all, for the tremendous work you do caring for people.
Appreciate you.
The sooner he's gone for good, the better. No sympathy from this gal. NONE. He's a danger to our country.
Another RN here. I think that is a clear and likely explanation of his swollen ankles, hand discoloration, falling asleep at inappropriate times, middle of the night postings, haggard looking face and posture, bulging in his pant legs.( although he has been doing that for 10 years)
Glad to see all these nurses around here! Dresses the place up!
Oww shucks, just doing what I love for forty two years....
Ha! Thanks Earl!
I saw my dad battling this swelling and related issues last summer -- and he passed this Feb.
I am very sorry for your loss.
Grazie. But he had a good 96-year run.
So sorry for the loss of you Dad. I just lost mine recently and my heart is still broken
Seems like a realistic standoff prognosis. Can we expect to see him marketing a gold plated Presidentially Inspired (pun intended) CPAP (plastic of course and manufactured in China)?
Fingers crossed
From your mouth (or pen) to God's ear.
🏆 - "You can always tell how big the lie is going to be by the size of the cross Leavitt has slung around her neck at the time."
Loved that line!
"All men have an emotion to kill; when they strongly dislike some one they involuntarily wish he was dead. I have never killed any one, but I have read some obituary notices with great satisfaction." - Clarence Darrow
I am eagerly awaiting the opportunity to read some obituary notices...
Amen, Ken.
There will be a galaxy-wide party like when the Death Star was destroyed.
I don’t want him to die unless he’s behind bars. I don’t want us to have to fund a “presidential” funeral. I don’t want his filthy god- damned family to get protection of ANY kind. I don’t want them getting ANY privileges when they are the biggest crime family on the planet. And then I want all the pardoned J6 felons to be hounded for the rest of their lives. And the entire reScumliCon Party under investigation. But once in prison, a slow painful dE@th would be just-desserts.
I would love nothing more than this myself. It doesn't appear he has the health to survive that long, so the runner up for me is dying as his support is evaporating. This way he won't die a martyr and more will come out reinforcing his scumbag status after having screamed from the rooftops that his supporters are stupid.
Then, I hope his family is investigated to the fullest extent of the law. I wanna see Coke Face McSniffles have his teeny weeny peeny displayed on the House floor for all the world to point and laugh. Come on, Marge! You seem to be sensing a warp in the time/space continuum. Bring on your skillset!
There will have to be 24/7 guards to prevent all the pissing and spitting on his grave millions of people are looking forward to.
If this were Rome, we could drag his carcass thru the streets and throw it into the Tiber and all would cheer.
You know, some enterprising soul could set up a beverage truck just down the street from the gravesite...
Fine. 24/7 guards can't stop a Super-Soaker filled with spit. Or whatever.
Picky, picky ...
yes
And a Nuremberg trial for all of them
You know how you're not supposed to talk about death and people because the superstition is that talking about it kills them? Yeah, I'm having some fun and telling people I am invoking my death-talking skills and am pretty sure I will have them honed by Labor Day... I just want to do my part. ;)
A conversation to die for, Wendy ...
The practice I loathe, is the hagiography when someone useless and evil dies, like Henry Kissinger.
Great read! I do have to say though, I think you're giving the MAGAts way too much credit when you convey that 95% of them know that the deep state talk is all BS. Every Trump supporter I've had the displeasure of speaking with believes every word the Convicted Felon says. Maybe someday they'll see what the rest of us have known for decades: TRump is a lying sack of crap and a lifelong con man. Let's hope so...
I read a shrink describe MAGA as an addiction which is amazing to me as several of my old friends who sadly were misled into this cult Actually WERE addicts, some drugs/alcohol, others to taking religion, following sports or a band to ridiculous extremes. A friend once said, she thought DJT & MAGA were 'missing something' inside. That fuels most addicts:it begin with reaching for an external solution or quick fix rather than work on resolving issues that are no 'an inside need'.
One day when I can bear to talk w/ the religious ladies who just dote on the Baby Jesus if they wear their WWJD bracelets with their red hats.
I noticed there was a huge rise in cults after the 60's, when all the communes collapsed It seemed like many joined the Moonies, or the like. Evangelicals benefitted too.
I 🙏 so everyday Meghan, from your lips to God's God's ears
We will soon scream it to the rooftops. We know a sexual predator when the court says he is one. There are more than girls involved, I bet. https://hotbuttons.substack.com/p/out-loud?r=3m1bs
My hunch is that the "diagnosis" is the first step onto an off-ramp. He's suing the WSJ for publishing the lewd birthday note he sent to Epstein. Gotta be a face-saving gesture. Dominion and Smartmatic had the receipts. Rupert has the receipts this time, and they'll come out in discovery if the suit goes that far, which I doubt. I used to want Trump behind bars, and that would be delightful. Now I really just want him gone, one way or another. I haven't watched a network show in years - on a network, that is. Always caught Colbert on YouTube. Legacy media is on the way out, too. Slower, but going.
100 percent across-the-board agreement here, Ann.
The more lies exposed the better. I don’t usually wish anyone ill health, but I’ll make an exception.
"Do you miss a cold when it's gone?" -- the Countess, from "The Madwoman of Chaillot"
Jerry Herman wrote a wonderful musical based on The Madwoman of Chaillot- titled Dear World. So pertinent right now. I feel like the Countess Aurelia every day.
I didn't know that! Thanks for the tip-off. I need to keep an eye out for this. Love the movie and enjoy the original play as well.
It was a while ago. Angela Lansbury played Aurelia. The music is beautiful!
D.Earl,
I absolutely love this piece. I agree that the man (orange hump) is not well. Thanks for making me laugh again! Please keep up the great work! You are the best!
Sincerely,
Steve Frass
I appreciate that, Steve.
-Cheers
Trim-ankled President Biden extends an unpainted hand to shake each one offered him, as he trots purposefully to breakfast and through airports.
Just to be clear -aspirin is no longer recommended as part of a normal cardiovascular vascular protocol unless you’ve already had a stroke or heart attack. So, when did Trump have either or both??
What they are calling venous insufficiency could also be congestive heart failure which causes swelling in the lower extremities.
Bottom line -you’re right. He’s not going to make it to 2028. And, while I think JD is awful he’ll be horribly ineffective because nobody likes him - not MAGA, not centrists not even his own wife & kids.
I agree.
I take an 81mg aspirin because I suffered a TIA about 5 years ago.
I'm going with you, it's onset heart failure, and he won't change his eating habits or lifestyle.
I turned 80 in February, and am 6' 175lbs, no swollen ankles, but if I just bump the backs of my hands, they explode in bruises.
Doctor says that's normal for my age, and the aspirin is a contributor.
C’mon grim reaper. We are waiting for you. Do us a solid. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Go, Team Aneurism!
I'll guarantee you he has one and that his heart valves are calcified.
Also the RVSP is high
Cults of personality, like MAGA, die when the person at the center of it dies. Vance may have Theil et al, but the couch-fucker has all the charisma of a wet noodle. There will be significant chaos after The Glorious Day (tm), but there will no longer be the mob-threat mentality that keeps the Repubs in line. There will be a great cracking of the Right and I, for one, look forward to watching the fallout. 🎉🍾🥂