Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
Editorials & Other Articles
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
marmar
marmar's Journal
marmar's Journal
December 12, 2025
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Board Chair Jamaal Myers have announced that fare capping is coming to the TTC network next year.
Starting in September 2026, TTC riders will ride for free automatically after taking 47 trips in a calendar month as part of the mayor’s 2026 budget.
“We’re making life more affordable for people who rely on transit,” Chow said. “With fare capping, you pay as you go, and once you’ve taken 47 trips in a month, the rest of your rides are free. No more deciding whether you can afford a monthly pass upfront. No more overpaying if you don’t ride enough to make a pass worth it.”
Chow has also indicated she will ask the TTC to plan for an even lower fare cap of 40 rides for the 2027 budget. ............(more)
https://www.masstransitmag.com/technology/fare-collection/news/55337784/city-of-toronto-ttc-to-introduce-fare-capping-in-2026
Toronto: TTC to introduce fare capping in 2026
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Board Chair Jamaal Myers have announced that fare capping is coming to the TTC network next year.
Starting in September 2026, TTC riders will ride for free automatically after taking 47 trips in a calendar month as part of the mayor’s 2026 budget.
“We’re making life more affordable for people who rely on transit,” Chow said. “With fare capping, you pay as you go, and once you’ve taken 47 trips in a month, the rest of your rides are free. No more deciding whether you can afford a monthly pass upfront. No more overpaying if you don’t ride enough to make a pass worth it.”
Chow has also indicated she will ask the TTC to plan for an even lower fare cap of 40 rides for the 2027 budget. ............(more)
https://www.masstransitmag.com/technology/fare-collection/news/55337784/city-of-toronto-ttc-to-introduce-fare-capping-in-2026
December 12, 2025
Published: December 12, 2025 8:53am EST
Gareth J. Fraser
Associate Professor of Evolutionary Developmental Biology, University of Florida
(The Conversation) The world’s oceans are home to an exquisite variety of sharks and rays, from the largest fishes in the sea – the majestic whale shark and manta rays – to the luminescent but rarely seen deep-water lantern shark and guitarfishes.
The oceans were once teeming with these extraordinary and ancient species, which evolved close to half a billion years ago. However, the past half-century has posed one of the greatest tests yet to their survival. Overfishing, habitat loss and international trade have cut their numbers, putting many species on a path toward extinction within our lifetimes.
Scientists estimate that 100 million (yes, million) sharks and rays are killed each year for food, liver oil and other trade.
....(snip)....
That’s why countries around the world agreed in December 2025 to add more than 70 shark and ray species to an international wildlife trade treaty’s list for full or partial protection.
It’s an important move that, as a biologist who studies sharks and rays, I believe is long overdue. ....................(more)
https://theconversation.com/sharks-and-rays-get-a-major-win-with-new-international-trade-limits-for-70-species-271386
Sharks and rays get a major win with new international trade limits for 70+ species
Sharks and rays get a major win with new international trade limits for 70+ speciesPublished: December 12, 2025 8:53am EST
Gareth J. Fraser
Associate Professor of Evolutionary Developmental Biology, University of Florida
(The Conversation) The world’s oceans are home to an exquisite variety of sharks and rays, from the largest fishes in the sea – the majestic whale shark and manta rays – to the luminescent but rarely seen deep-water lantern shark and guitarfishes.
The oceans were once teeming with these extraordinary and ancient species, which evolved close to half a billion years ago. However, the past half-century has posed one of the greatest tests yet to their survival. Overfishing, habitat loss and international trade have cut their numbers, putting many species on a path toward extinction within our lifetimes.
Scientists estimate that 100 million (yes, million) sharks and rays are killed each year for food, liver oil and other trade.
....(snip)....
That’s why countries around the world agreed in December 2025 to add more than 70 shark and ray species to an international wildlife trade treaty’s list for full or partial protection.
It’s an important move that, as a biologist who studies sharks and rays, I believe is long overdue. ....................(more)
https://theconversation.com/sharks-and-rays-get-a-major-win-with-new-international-trade-limits-for-70-species-271386
December 12, 2025
Whether Netflix or Paramount buys Warner Bros., entertainment oligopolies are back – bigger and more anticompetitive than ever
Published: December 12, 2025 8:56am EST
Matthew Jordan
Professor of Media Studies, Penn State
(The Conversation) News of Netflix’s bid to buy Warner Bros. last week sent shock waves through the media ecosystem.
The pending US$83 billion deal is being described as an upending of the existing entertainment order, a sign that it’s now dominated by the tech platforms rather than the traditional Hollywood power brokers.
....(snip)....
Meet the new boss – same as the old boss
If it does go through, the Netflix-Warner Bros. merger will likely please Wall Street, but it will further decrease the power of creators and consumers.
Like other companies that have moved from being a growth stock to a mature stock, Netflix is under pressure to be profitable. Indeed, it has been squeezing its subscribers with higher fees and more restrictive login protocols. It’s a sign of what tech blogger Cory Doctorow describes as the logic of “enshittification,” whereby platforms that have locked in audiences and producers start to squeeze both. Buying the competition – HBO Max – will mean Netflix can charge even more.
....(snip)....
Now, all bets are off. Whichever platform acquires Warner Bros. will have enormous power over the kind of stories that get sold and told. ..................(more)
https://theconversation.com/whether-netflix-or-paramount-buys-warner-bros-entertainment-oligopolies-are-back-bigger-and-more-anticompetitive-than-ever-271479
Whether Netflix or Paramount buys Warner Bros., entertainment oligopolies are back - bigger and more anticompetitive ...
Whether Netflix or Paramount buys Warner Bros., entertainment oligopolies are back – bigger and more anticompetitive than ever
Published: December 12, 2025 8:56am EST
Matthew Jordan
Professor of Media Studies, Penn State
(The Conversation) News of Netflix’s bid to buy Warner Bros. last week sent shock waves through the media ecosystem.
The pending US$83 billion deal is being described as an upending of the existing entertainment order, a sign that it’s now dominated by the tech platforms rather than the traditional Hollywood power brokers.
....(snip)....
Meet the new boss – same as the old boss
If it does go through, the Netflix-Warner Bros. merger will likely please Wall Street, but it will further decrease the power of creators and consumers.
Like other companies that have moved from being a growth stock to a mature stock, Netflix is under pressure to be profitable. Indeed, it has been squeezing its subscribers with higher fees and more restrictive login protocols. It’s a sign of what tech blogger Cory Doctorow describes as the logic of “enshittification,” whereby platforms that have locked in audiences and producers start to squeeze both. Buying the competition – HBO Max – will mean Netflix can charge even more.
....(snip)....
Now, all bets are off. Whichever platform acquires Warner Bros. will have enormous power over the kind of stories that get sold and told. ..................(more)
https://theconversation.com/whether-netflix-or-paramount-buys-warner-bros-entertainment-oligopolies-are-back-bigger-and-more-anticompetitive-than-ever-271479
December 11, 2025
Pete Hegseth, Kristi Noem and Kash Patel are rumored to be on the chopping block
By Heather Digby Parton
Columnist
Published December 11, 2025 9:15AM (EST)
(Salon) When Donald Trump announced his first presidential bid in 2015, he was known to most Americans as the star of NBC’s “The Apprentice” whose catchphrase was “you’re fired!” He loved to say it on the stump with his trademark snarl and jabbing finger. He apparently even tried (unsuccessfully) to trademark the phrase during the reality show’s heyday in the mid-2000s. But as it turned out, even though he was a businessman in real life, Trump was actually unable to fire people in person. He instead delegated the unpleasant task to one of his lackeys, or simply made it known that he wanted the person to quit.
....(snip)....
There is no question in this administration what the requirements are: Tell Trump only what he wants to hear, slather him with praise at every opportunity and never, under any circumstances, disagree with anything he says.
So far this new approach has resulted in very little turnover. There have been a couple of instances where someone hasn’t worked out. But instead of firing them, he has taken to promoting people to different jobs. Michael Waltz, Trump’s first national security adviser, apparently wasn’t meshing well with the extremists in the Pentagon, so he was sent to New York as ambassador to the United Nations. The majority of Trump’s Cabinet officials and White House staff have survived quite well simply by willingly debasing themselves at every opportunity.
But as we approach the first anniversary of Trump’s second inauguration, rumblings of impending personnel changes are growing louder. Most are centered on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has produced the most scandals of any Trump appointee. His confirmation process was a trainwreck, with allegations of sexual assault, alcohol abuse and mismanagement of the only two small organizations he’d ever run. None of those issues were apparently deal breakers for his gig as a Fox News weekend host, but putting such a person in charge of the U.S. military made even some of the most radical GOP senators a bit queasy. They voted for him anyway, at least partially because he is popular with the MAGA base, and some were threatened with violence if they refused. ................(more)
https://www.salon.com/2025/12/11/trump-could-ring-in-the-new-year-with-a-cabinet-shake-up/
A new year Cabinet shake-up for Trump?
Trump could ring in the new year with a Cabinet shake-upPete Hegseth, Kristi Noem and Kash Patel are rumored to be on the chopping block
By Heather Digby Parton
Columnist
Published December 11, 2025 9:15AM (EST)
(Salon) When Donald Trump announced his first presidential bid in 2015, he was known to most Americans as the star of NBC’s “The Apprentice” whose catchphrase was “you’re fired!” He loved to say it on the stump with his trademark snarl and jabbing finger. He apparently even tried (unsuccessfully) to trademark the phrase during the reality show’s heyday in the mid-2000s. But as it turned out, even though he was a businessman in real life, Trump was actually unable to fire people in person. He instead delegated the unpleasant task to one of his lackeys, or simply made it known that he wanted the person to quit.
....(snip)....
There is no question in this administration what the requirements are: Tell Trump only what he wants to hear, slather him with praise at every opportunity and never, under any circumstances, disagree with anything he says.
So far this new approach has resulted in very little turnover. There have been a couple of instances where someone hasn’t worked out. But instead of firing them, he has taken to promoting people to different jobs. Michael Waltz, Trump’s first national security adviser, apparently wasn’t meshing well with the extremists in the Pentagon, so he was sent to New York as ambassador to the United Nations. The majority of Trump’s Cabinet officials and White House staff have survived quite well simply by willingly debasing themselves at every opportunity.
But as we approach the first anniversary of Trump’s second inauguration, rumblings of impending personnel changes are growing louder. Most are centered on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has produced the most scandals of any Trump appointee. His confirmation process was a trainwreck, with allegations of sexual assault, alcohol abuse and mismanagement of the only two small organizations he’d ever run. None of those issues were apparently deal breakers for his gig as a Fox News weekend host, but putting such a person in charge of the U.S. military made even some of the most radical GOP senators a bit queasy. They voted for him anyway, at least partially because he is popular with the MAGA base, and some were threatened with violence if they refused. ................(more)
https://www.salon.com/2025/12/11/trump-could-ring-in-the-new-year-with-a-cabinet-shake-up/
December 11, 2025
Brian Thompson's killing hasn't helped our public health crisis. Here's what actually might
By Troy Farah
National Affairs Editor
Published December 11, 2025 6:30AM (EST)
(Salon) An inordinate amount of proverbial ink has been spilled trying to psychoanalyze Luigi Mangione, who is in court this month, accused of killing Brian Thompson, the UnitedHealthcare CEO who was fatally shot this time last year. Articles and documentaries with titles like “Inside the mind of Luigi Mangione” and “The mind of a killer” abound, which is perhaps typical when an alleged assassin gets such a high profile.
....(snip)....
Even before many of these details were released, the internet became flooded by people projecting their own perceived motives onto the killing. Because the target in this assassination was the head of UnitedHealthcare, a company accused of cruelty and corruption toward sick and dying people, it was easy to see this as fighting back.
UnitedHealthcare is a company accused of numerous offenses, from ignoring doctors’ advice and denying claims for services they deemed not “medically necessary” to extracting overpayments from the federal government. Last year, a ProPublica investigation found that UnitedHealthcare denied critical treatment for kids with autism — which even the company acknowledged as “gold standard treatment” — all in an effort to maximize profit.
....(snip)....
If it’s true that Thompson’s killing was an act of vengeance, it doesn’t seem like it accomplished much, as I argued it wouldn’t last year in Salon. It’s not hard to predict that violence won’t undo violence. Maybe it’s too early to tell, but it definitely seems like public health and access to health care in America is much worse than it was a year ago.
Right now, Congress is still squabbling over Affordable Care Act subsidies, which are set to expire by the start of the new year. The vote, which has yet to be set, is expected to fail, making this concession to reopen the government another Democratic surrender. (Meanwhile, a $901 billion defense bill is considered “must-pass” legislation.) The result is expected to spike premiums for tens of millions of Americans, which is already happening across the nation while covering even less. ................(more)
https://www.salon.com/2025/12/11/a-year-after-luigi-mangiones-arrest-health-care-is-even-worse/
A year after Luigi Mangione's arrest, health care is even worse
A year after Luigi Mangione’s arrest, health care is even worseBrian Thompson's killing hasn't helped our public health crisis. Here's what actually might
By Troy Farah
National Affairs Editor
Published December 11, 2025 6:30AM (EST)
(Salon) An inordinate amount of proverbial ink has been spilled trying to psychoanalyze Luigi Mangione, who is in court this month, accused of killing Brian Thompson, the UnitedHealthcare CEO who was fatally shot this time last year. Articles and documentaries with titles like “Inside the mind of Luigi Mangione” and “The mind of a killer” abound, which is perhaps typical when an alleged assassin gets such a high profile.
....(snip)....
Even before many of these details were released, the internet became flooded by people projecting their own perceived motives onto the killing. Because the target in this assassination was the head of UnitedHealthcare, a company accused of cruelty and corruption toward sick and dying people, it was easy to see this as fighting back.
UnitedHealthcare is a company accused of numerous offenses, from ignoring doctors’ advice and denying claims for services they deemed not “medically necessary” to extracting overpayments from the federal government. Last year, a ProPublica investigation found that UnitedHealthcare denied critical treatment for kids with autism — which even the company acknowledged as “gold standard treatment” — all in an effort to maximize profit.
....(snip)....
If it’s true that Thompson’s killing was an act of vengeance, it doesn’t seem like it accomplished much, as I argued it wouldn’t last year in Salon. It’s not hard to predict that violence won’t undo violence. Maybe it’s too early to tell, but it definitely seems like public health and access to health care in America is much worse than it was a year ago.
Right now, Congress is still squabbling over Affordable Care Act subsidies, which are set to expire by the start of the new year. The vote, which has yet to be set, is expected to fail, making this concession to reopen the government another Democratic surrender. (Meanwhile, a $901 billion defense bill is considered “must-pass” legislation.) The result is expected to spike premiums for tens of millions of Americans, which is already happening across the nation while covering even less. ................(more)
https://www.salon.com/2025/12/11/a-year-after-luigi-mangiones-arrest-health-care-is-even-worse/
December 10, 2025
The Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit (LRT) project reached substantial completion on Dec. 5. Once complete, the project will reduce end-to-end travel time from Kennedy Station to Mount Dennis Station in Ontario by nearly an hour.
Full operational control of the line is now being transferred to the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), which will determine the start date of passenger service early next year with the support of Metrolinx. The government of Ontario notes service levels will continue to ramp up over the coming months, reflecting the standard approach for bringing major LRT projects into service worldwide.
“Under the leadership of Premier (Doug) Ford, our government is delivering the largest transit expansion in Canadian history,” said Ontario Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria. “Our C$70 billion (US$50.6 billion) plan to build and upgrade transit is connecting millions of transit users across Ontario, helping fight gridlock so people can get around more conveniently and keeping tens of thousands of workers on the job in the face of tariffs and economic uncertainty.”
Also known as Line 5 Eglinton, the LRT is a 19-kilometer (11.8-mile) light-rail line with 25 stations and stops along Eglinton Avenue. The LRT will link to 54 bus routes, three TTC subway stations and two GO lines. .....................(more)
https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/infrastructure/news/55337150/infrastructure-ontario-eglinton-crosstown-lrt-project-reaches-substantial-completion
Toronto: Eglinton Crosstown LRT project reaches substantial completion
The Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit (LRT) project reached substantial completion on Dec. 5. Once complete, the project will reduce end-to-end travel time from Kennedy Station to Mount Dennis Station in Ontario by nearly an hour.
Full operational control of the line is now being transferred to the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), which will determine the start date of passenger service early next year with the support of Metrolinx. The government of Ontario notes service levels will continue to ramp up over the coming months, reflecting the standard approach for bringing major LRT projects into service worldwide.
“Under the leadership of Premier (Doug) Ford, our government is delivering the largest transit expansion in Canadian history,” said Ontario Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria. “Our C$70 billion (US$50.6 billion) plan to build and upgrade transit is connecting millions of transit users across Ontario, helping fight gridlock so people can get around more conveniently and keeping tens of thousands of workers on the job in the face of tariffs and economic uncertainty.”
Also known as Line 5 Eglinton, the LRT is a 19-kilometer (11.8-mile) light-rail line with 25 stations and stops along Eglinton Avenue. The LRT will link to 54 bus routes, three TTC subway stations and two GO lines. .....................(more)
https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/infrastructure/news/55337150/infrastructure-ontario-eglinton-crosstown-lrt-project-reaches-substantial-completion
December 10, 2025
Sound Transit’s Federal Way 1 Line Link Extension light-rail service began on Dec. 7. The nearly eight-mile 1 Line extension adds new options to travel between Seattle, Sea-Tac Airport and Federal Way and includes three new stations, as well as two new parking structures and a parking addition in Federal Way.
Federal Way is the fifth light-rail extension in the past three years for the agency, with the others being T Line service to Hilltop, the 2 Line between South Bellevue and Redmond Technology stations, the Lynnwood extension into Snohomish County and the 2 Line extension to Downtown Redmond. The Crosslake Connection, spanning the 2 Line across Lake Washington into Seattle, is expected to open in 2026.
Voters approved the Federal Way extension in 2008 as part of the Sound Transit 2 ballot measure. The project broke ground in summer 2020.
“The debut of the Federal Way Link Extension marks yet another progress milestone for Sound Transit and the region,” said Sound Transit Board Chair and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers. “This extension brings Link that much closer to connecting all three counties of the Puget Sound region.” ....................(more)
https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/infrastructure/news/55337143/sound-transits-federal-way-1-line-link-extension-begins-light-rail-service
Seattle: Sound Transit's Federal Way 1 Line Link Extension begins light-rail service
Sound Transit’s Federal Way 1 Line Link Extension light-rail service began on Dec. 7. The nearly eight-mile 1 Line extension adds new options to travel between Seattle, Sea-Tac Airport and Federal Way and includes three new stations, as well as two new parking structures and a parking addition in Federal Way.
Federal Way is the fifth light-rail extension in the past three years for the agency, with the others being T Line service to Hilltop, the 2 Line between South Bellevue and Redmond Technology stations, the Lynnwood extension into Snohomish County and the 2 Line extension to Downtown Redmond. The Crosslake Connection, spanning the 2 Line across Lake Washington into Seattle, is expected to open in 2026.
Voters approved the Federal Way extension in 2008 as part of the Sound Transit 2 ballot measure. The project broke ground in summer 2020.
“The debut of the Federal Way Link Extension marks yet another progress milestone for Sound Transit and the region,” said Sound Transit Board Chair and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers. “This extension brings Link that much closer to connecting all three counties of the Puget Sound region.” ....................(more)
https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/infrastructure/news/55337143/sound-transits-federal-way-1-line-link-extension-begins-light-rail-service
December 10, 2025
Trump’s reality TV tricks can’t hide the affordability crisis
The president's policies cost families $2,250 in 2025 — and the economy is only getting worse
By Amanda Marcotte
Senior Writer
Published December 10, 2025 6:45AM (EST)
(Salon) Donald Trump made his money through fraud. So it makes sense, then, that he thinks the quickest way out of the affordability crisis is to rely on the same carnival barker tactics he used for decades to trick banks and investors into giving him money.
....(snip)....
Still, Trump’s skill at bamboozling people helped him win not just in 2016, but again in 2024, when he managed to convince swing voters he could somehow lower costs after a few years of pandemic-driven inflation. Instead, he has done the opposite, and now he is clearly annoyed at aides and reporters who insist that the cost of living is a real issue that voters care about. Trump is notoriously lazy, even on issues he cares about, so caring about the concerns of people who weren’t born rich taxes his extremely limited patience. He craves a quick fix to this whole economic dilemma — the same disaster he created through chaotic policies that have raised costs on everything from housing to health care to groceries, often for no other reason than a narcissistic insistence that he knows economics better than economists.
....(snip)....
The result is that Trump’s approval ratings are falling, especially on the economy, as voters start to realize he has no intention of even trying to relieve their economic woes. In response, the president has fallen back on the instinct that has gotten him this far in life: Instead of doing anything of substance, he hits his marks with a hurricane of lies and hopes his audience doesn’t notice they’re being cheated until it’s too late.
....(snip)....
The president is now hoping he can drown out the bad economic news with a torrent of lies and distractions. On Tuesday, he held a rally in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, to sell his administration’s supposed policies on affordability. But he couldn’t conceal his aggravation at having to talk about money with the proletariat, even a red-hatted audience that loves him. ................(more)
https://www.salon.com/2025/12/10/trumps-reality-tv-tricks-cant-hide-the-affordability-crisis/
Trump's reality TV tricks can't hide the affordability crisis
Trump’s reality TV tricks can’t hide the affordability crisis
The president's policies cost families $2,250 in 2025 — and the economy is only getting worse
By Amanda Marcotte
Senior Writer
Published December 10, 2025 6:45AM (EST)
(Salon) Donald Trump made his money through fraud. So it makes sense, then, that he thinks the quickest way out of the affordability crisis is to rely on the same carnival barker tactics he used for decades to trick banks and investors into giving him money.
....(snip)....
Still, Trump’s skill at bamboozling people helped him win not just in 2016, but again in 2024, when he managed to convince swing voters he could somehow lower costs after a few years of pandemic-driven inflation. Instead, he has done the opposite, and now he is clearly annoyed at aides and reporters who insist that the cost of living is a real issue that voters care about. Trump is notoriously lazy, even on issues he cares about, so caring about the concerns of people who weren’t born rich taxes his extremely limited patience. He craves a quick fix to this whole economic dilemma — the same disaster he created through chaotic policies that have raised costs on everything from housing to health care to groceries, often for no other reason than a narcissistic insistence that he knows economics better than economists.
....(snip)....
The result is that Trump’s approval ratings are falling, especially on the economy, as voters start to realize he has no intention of even trying to relieve their economic woes. In response, the president has fallen back on the instinct that has gotten him this far in life: Instead of doing anything of substance, he hits his marks with a hurricane of lies and hopes his audience doesn’t notice they’re being cheated until it’s too late.
....(snip)....
The president is now hoping he can drown out the bad economic news with a torrent of lies and distractions. On Tuesday, he held a rally in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, to sell his administration’s supposed policies on affordability. But he couldn’t conceal his aggravation at having to talk about money with the proletariat, even a red-hatted audience that loves him. ................(more)
https://www.salon.com/2025/12/10/trumps-reality-tv-tricks-cant-hide-the-affordability-crisis/
December 10, 2025
Trump’s return to MAGA rallies is a flop
Republicans have reason to worry if this is how Trump campaigns in 2026
By Sophia Tesfaye
Senior Writer
Published December 10, 2025 9:15AM (EST)
(Salon) Donald Trump’s midterm reboot was supposed to be the triumphant return of a political heavyweight. After Democrats saw impressive gains in off-year elections across the country in November, White House advisers promised the president would return to the campaign trail to storm the 2026 midterms with the same “fire and dominance” he claimed to wield in 2024 — infamous weave and all. But if his Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, rally is any preview of what the GOP should expect, Trump’s promise should be read as a threat. Far from a comeback, his return rally was a flop.
Trump’s team clearly hoped the blue-collar community in one of the country’s most important swing states would give him a friendly launchpad. While I expected a crowd of a few thousand with the nostalgic sound of MAGA chants echoing off metal bleachers, I tuned into Fox News Tuesday evening to find the president in a conference center ballroom inside a local casino that appeared to hold, generously, 200 people. And even that small crowd seemed hesitant, almost resigned, as Trump ranted for nearly an hour. Fox News, of course, dutifully avoided any wide shots. But the truth was clear on screen: The MAGA magic had vanished.
....(snip)....
Even a local waitress brought on stage to support Trump lamented that her paychecks no longer stretch far enough. “Pretty much everything I make goes towards paying the bills,” she said. In response, Trump offered advice in the style of Marie Antoinette.
“Americans must learn to adjust to a lower standard of living,” he told the crowd before suggesting a specific solution to prices hiked by his tariffs, which he continues to insist are a success. “You can give up certain products. You can give up pencils…You don’t need 37 dolls for your daughter. Two or three is nice.”
....(snip)....
In a particularly baffling moment, Trump attacked the concept of energy storage despite Pennsylvania having recently secured hundreds of jobs with a new zinc battery factory. “They want us to go to batteries!” he jeered. “We don’t have battery content. So let’s go to batteries according to these morons that were in our country.” ..................(more)
https://www.salon.com/2025/12/10/trumps-return-to-maga-rallies-is-a-flop/
Trump's return to MAGA rallies is a flop
Trump’s return to MAGA rallies is a flop
Republicans have reason to worry if this is how Trump campaigns in 2026
By Sophia Tesfaye
Senior Writer
Published December 10, 2025 9:15AM (EST)
(Salon) Donald Trump’s midterm reboot was supposed to be the triumphant return of a political heavyweight. After Democrats saw impressive gains in off-year elections across the country in November, White House advisers promised the president would return to the campaign trail to storm the 2026 midterms with the same “fire and dominance” he claimed to wield in 2024 — infamous weave and all. But if his Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, rally is any preview of what the GOP should expect, Trump’s promise should be read as a threat. Far from a comeback, his return rally was a flop.
Trump’s team clearly hoped the blue-collar community in one of the country’s most important swing states would give him a friendly launchpad. While I expected a crowd of a few thousand with the nostalgic sound of MAGA chants echoing off metal bleachers, I tuned into Fox News Tuesday evening to find the president in a conference center ballroom inside a local casino that appeared to hold, generously, 200 people. And even that small crowd seemed hesitant, almost resigned, as Trump ranted for nearly an hour. Fox News, of course, dutifully avoided any wide shots. But the truth was clear on screen: The MAGA magic had vanished.
....(snip)....
Even a local waitress brought on stage to support Trump lamented that her paychecks no longer stretch far enough. “Pretty much everything I make goes towards paying the bills,” she said. In response, Trump offered advice in the style of Marie Antoinette.
“Americans must learn to adjust to a lower standard of living,” he told the crowd before suggesting a specific solution to prices hiked by his tariffs, which he continues to insist are a success. “You can give up certain products. You can give up pencils…You don’t need 37 dolls for your daughter. Two or three is nice.”
....(snip)....
In a particularly baffling moment, Trump attacked the concept of energy storage despite Pennsylvania having recently secured hundreds of jobs with a new zinc battery factory. “They want us to go to batteries!” he jeered. “We don’t have battery content. So let’s go to batteries according to these morons that were in our country.” ..................(more)
https://www.salon.com/2025/12/10/trumps-return-to-maga-rallies-is-a-flop/
Profile Information
Gender: MaleHometown: Detroit, MI
Member since: Thu Oct 28, 2004, 11:18 PM
Number of posts: 79,091