Trump causes all of this, but it is the GOP as cult of personality that actually makes any of this happen. From the gross abuses of ICE to the completely irrational war on Iran, the Republican Party has decided that placating Donald Trump is THE most important thing in the entire world. They have placed him above country, above Party, and even above their own personal needs.
Nothing like worshiping a false god while claiming to be the only True Christians.
PT is not quick on the uptake in the real world. He thinks people take him and his Antichrist bullshit seriously for one thing. He appears to be unsatisfied with having a preposterous amount of money, and grooming JD Vance to be a new low as a vice president, and wants people to take him and his nonsense seriously. I think that only works in America where people just admire money. No disrespect. Like his confrere Musk, he seems desperate for attention from serious people, but keeps doing such remarkably stupid things that he's never going to get it. Like Musk his basic ideas are just idiotic notions more akin to the machinations of a Bond villain. A poor one.
If only he did not have a software product that has now taken all of our personal data out of the government because his software program is in the government everywhere
This^. Thiel might be a howling crackpot, but he's a *dangerous* howling crackpot. His delusions and neurosis may make him absurd. But his money, his technology, and his Wormtongue-behind-the-throne power make him a threat on a global scale.
Is Trump is the new Antichrist? Historians have looked at the quatrains of Nostradamas and some believe it was Napoleon, some Hitler. But if it was to be far in the future it might be a powerful leader who comes on as a peacemaker but instead throws the world into turmoil.
Tangential note: Nostradamus' supposed mysterious "prophecies" simply referred to the local politics of his time.
James Randi's "The Mask of Nostradamus" (1990) goes through the history of people through various centuries trying to fit Michel de Notredame's old works to their contemporary situation. Randi dug into the local history of where that physician/astrologer lived and found a more sensible fit to what was going on, especially when you noticed some of the liberties people had taken with translations over the years. (The book gets into hairy historical detail, so I'd only recommend it to people who ·like· hairy historical detail.)
Crassus was a military guy who died leading his troops into a stupid, doomed battle. Trump would be hard-pressed to lead more than a trail of toilet paper out of a bathroom on the bottom of his shoe.
The clock is obviously ticking, but Corporal Bonespurs isn't going to die in battle anywhere. That's what he sends the "suckers and losers" to do while he golfs in Mar-a-Lardo.
There is no Pompey in this scenario, and we better hope Vance isn't Caesar, his end notwithstanding, as the Roman Republic died with his rise, and was never restored again.
I recall, during DJT's first administration, a liberal Christian cleric gave an entirely plausible concordance between the apocalyptic narrative of Revelations and the world IRL. I thought, "It's like the prophecies of Nostradamus. The language is so ambiguous that you can make it mean anything." Now, I'm not so sure. Apparently some of Hegseth's war-lovers think that's what we're doing in Iran.
I wrote a letter that the Boston Globe preferred not to publish, making the same argument: all of the characteristics cited by Thiel as belonging to the Antichrist are already embodied in the degenerate at the helm. My language was more tempered, but the letter was still not published.
Peter Thiel anagram of The Reptile? Like to say I noticed first but I didn’t. Quite honestly at this stage I don’t know who, if anyone,
is pulling strings of US administration. Could be Putin, could be Netanyahu, could be Enabler Epstein, Thiel, Miller the list is endless. All I know is they are destined for hell (if there is one). I thought I was rational but the temptation to simply react very,very strong at the moment.
Trump is the master conman they are all getting rich off. None of the rest of them has his rube-whisperer magic. They need to keep him in power to keep their own ill-gotten gains rolling in.
From Bloomberg: "One clear winner from the war in Iran is Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin is earning the most from its oil exports since just after its troops marched into Ukraine in 2022 as it cashes in on the war in the Middle East, boosting crude flows amid soaring prices and eased sanctions."
Interestingly, I learned tonight that Ukraine just attacked and severely damaged two major oil ports on the Baltic. Through which Russia was moving 40% of its oil shipments. The Ukrainians are not just fighting their war, they are fighting America's. And you will not vote to supply them one round of ammunition.
I do believe that if America had a referendum on whether to supply arms and aid to Ukraine, it would pass easily. But Trump is Putin's creature, so . . .
Congress can pass a "veto proof" bill any time the Republicans want to. So Trumpski's "bromance" with Putin would be irrelevant. If Americans wanted change, they could pressure Congress today.
Surprise, surprise. Agent Orange’s handler. Putin and Russia, Russia, Russia. Feh! But to give credit where credit is due, Xi and China, China, China are also major beneficiaries of Chump’s destruction of American credibility, alliances, military might, and economic prosperity. Whether he’s doing it intentionally or just because he’s an idiotic, amoral sociopath, the effect is the same: the accelerated end of Pax Americana. What a disgusting spectacle.
Iran/Ukraine connection...connect the dots. Donald Trump promised to end the war in Ukraine "in one day". Yet, day after day, Putin’s Russia bathes Ukraine in blood and destruction and the world barely stirs.
Putin is a paper tiger who depends on the US proxy power provided by the Trump Regime to prop-up his war efforts. Trump is prolonging the war through his "Piece Deals", replacing diplomacy with deal-making and enriching the Oil-igarchy.
Spot-on, Derilict. Putin’s wildest dreams could not match what he and his pals in the R Treasonosphere have wrought. Every day the party apparatchiks spew out “normal” R political chatter about crushing the poor and favoring the rich, while ignoring the festering sore that is our country’s executive branch. They see what we see and say, “meh.”
The R Party is enabling Trump's autocratic rule, the failure of American democracy and another stupid Mideast war. The cowardly cowards and toadies should own the slow motion trainwreck we are witnessing and every American needs to remember it in November.
It makes no sense to me. They could take him down in a heartbeat. File impeachment papers and let the Democrats run the hearing. They've got the goods.
Donald Trump is the Republican id frolicking naked in the fields.
He's everything each and every one of them has ever wanted to be: Wealthy, both amoral and immoral, completely unrestrained by laws and norms, completely unaccountable to anyone for anything. Racist, misogynist, ignorant, arrogant, contemptuous of knowledge and education.
And he owns the libs all day, every day.
Is it any wonder why Republicans worship him as a god?
Some of those daily, on-point Iranian propaganda videos depict Trump as a worshipper of Ba'al. That appeals to the sense of blasphemy that I somehow retained after deprogramming myself from [the rest of] my religious upbringing.
Framing the situation in religious terms negates humans' excellent logic and science. It reduces our odds of surviving this.
Biology clearly is needed -- physiology and genetics, behavioral sciences, astrobiology, more. And the extraterrestrial MAGA species on Earth is wiping out human space exploration and astronomy, so infer those are important.
Paul's take on things is pretty much mine. I get daily briefings from Malcolm Nance and Jacob Kaarsbo as well as other people who have military insights. This is in agreement with what they are saying. Paul is confirming it. Also, the fossil fuel situation is abysmal.
We must stand up and fight back!
Here is a new song that we should all be singing at our rallies on Saturday. Bette Midler's All You Fascists Bound to Lose.
We need to defeat the Trump part of the Trump/Netanyahu duo. Get out there on Saturday. Here are No Kings, No Tyrants, No Dictators, NO WAR protests from around the world that you can sign up for. Please share with family and friends inside and outside the US
Came here to say the same thing! I admired Ed Luce's take on things when he appeared regularly on Deep State Radio podcasts, but then I got overwhelmed by incoming podcasts, videos, and news in general. Still subscribe to DSR, however, and stop by their website regularly.
Isolated and alien, yes, but never lonely. I love life in this beautiful world because, in spite of my foolishness, fate has blessed me with love and hope.
I've been on and off trying to "correct" for 7 decades with very limited progress. It's a bit late in the day for me but I have learned that humility makes for better decision-making.
I can't imagine any other democratic country keeping their leader in place after so many examples of incompetence, ineptitude, ignorance, rudeness and so many other hideously wrong things. When will the Republican party say enough is enough and get rid of this clown? This is the flaw with democracy. While most of us wouldn't want to live in any other system of government, the desire, the need even to get re-elected ends up hurting the country the same civil servants are trying to serve.
Sadly, this is widespread. The 49-51 election balance between madness and sanity. Across the West, many countries are single percentage points from the abyss. Many possible issues have been proposed as the cause, which probably means nobody has yet a clue as to "why?".
But one can fight a fire even without knowing what kindles it.
Not removing Trump is less a flaw with democracy and rather a flaw with the US system as it was never designed to allow for the removal of a president.
There are provisions to remove your president but they rely on Congress. No one ever considered a totally corrupted Congress. Don't vote for the glossiest pamphlets, vote for the most demonstrably honest candidate.
They can be removed but it is very difficult. More so right now in the US as the Rs seem utterly enthralled. Besides that, we’d just end up with JD Vance instead. I can’t fathom any change in policy, and it might actually be worse because Vance is slick and can speak and act in a normal, polished manner.
1) impeachment for high crimes like treason or bribery (which certainly have happened). It takes a 2/3 majority vote so incredibly unlikely. They nearly had it in 2020, but McConnell chickened out, bringing us (and consequently) the world to this madness.
2) Being declared unfit for office. I’m actually not sure how this one works in practice. Even so, again the evidence is clear, yet there he sits running his ridiculous mouth, implementing his disastrous and destructive ideas…or those of the his true puppet master(s).
I have often thought of Trump as the "Liz Truss" of US politics. Liz Truss had the shortest term of any UK prime minister, "shorter than a head of lettuce" said the Economist. She was removed by her own party after the bond market rejected her one-big-beautiful-bill like budget.
She blames the markets for her demise, saying that they didn’t understand what she was trying to do. Funny that…..nor did anyone else. Absolutely no self awareness. Reminds me of the current US administration of which she is a ‘fan’.
That's not a coincidence: The parliamentary system as we know it today (where the prime minister leads the executive, not the king or a governor appointed by the king) first emerged in Canada in the mid 1800's and was heavily influenced by the experience of the US.
We must have term limits, and I'm not afraid to say, age limits. If there's a lower age limit, no one should doubt that age definitely impacts one's ability to stay awake during cabinet meetings.
After listening to JD Vance arrogantly attempt to shame President Zelenskyy in February 2025 and the way he spoke to European nations at the Munich security conference last year, I don’t think he has the balls brains, or guts to negotiate with the Iranians.
If he’s wearing Florsheim shoes that tells you all you need to know about the man’s character.
"American greatness was nice while it lasted. See you tomorrow." Touche!
Prof. Krugman, I found your post today insightful, thought-provoking and concise. imo it does not qualify as an "Off Today" kind of post. We should give you a raincheck for a day off in future.
I grew up watching, among other things, movies and TV series about the rot of the Ancient Imperial Rome ruling class and dysfunctions of its policies. At the same time, I was learning about zillions of Roman achievements in engineering, construction, management, logistics, law. Ideas and inventions which even today are known usually only to professionals, ideas which required sophisticated minds and environments to emerge.
I never understood that Roman story, of a society of sharp and accomplished people being ruled by dysfunctional moral and intellectual dwarves. How that highly accomplished society ever allowed itself to be ruled by such lowlife?
The records show that Rome "rotted" from the top. When "nobles" seeking power and influence staged bloody spectacles to gain popular favour. When the wealthy paid slaves to take their part in compulsory military service. And emperors as mad as Trump took the throne.
Clean off a few anachronisms and you have a good facsimile of America.
As I wrote, I do not understand. But, even without understanding, it would seem to me that following the laws and general moral principles (like not stealing, not lying etc) would greatly improve the situation, whatever the "general causes".
A gradual, deliberate winding down of intellectual capacity, under the notion that stupid people are easier to control. "Hey, teacher, leave them kids alone" That, plus elections turning into spectator sport.
Dr. Krugman, I am worried about you. Even though we do not know each other, I sense a deep sadness in you. Please take some time off. Clear your head. Put some serious miles on a bicycle. We need your clear thinking and focus to help us survive this moment of American embrace of violence and anti-intellectualism (stupidity). There is so much work to be done. Miles to go before we sleep. We need you at your best.
Why would he not be sad? I am the same age as Professor Krugman & we grew up in the same world. One where, despite occasional evidence to the contrary, we were the good guys, we did the right thing, rebuilt Europe & Japan, our leaders weren't alway right but they were grown ups with real life experience. We supported science & medical research that benefitted the entire world along with massive amounts of food & expertise to 3rd world countries.
We are very sad that we had that country & we have thrown it away by voting in a stupid, arrogant, ignorant & immoral poseur. I feel exactly the same way as Professor Krugman.
Piffle? Why not poppycock or balderdash? That is awesome! I don’t know why this astounds me, but the futures markets respond so reliably on the upside (like yesterday)when Trump utters his piffle about how Iran wants a deal. More market manipulation by the traitor-in-chief?
I’m pissed! Your president is spreading pain throughout the world even as far away as Australia. Fuel prices have soared and many stations have run out due to panic buying. Your gutless politicians need to grow a spine and remove this demented, evil moron before he destroys the world.
Gasoline futures may go up in response to presidential piffle, but the real cost of real gasoline has increased by 80 cents to an actual dollar as compared to this same day last year. MAGA economics at work.
Correct. This is where we will start to see the similarities between Putin and Trump. Putin loses at least 1,000 troops a day in Ukraine and doesn't bat an eyelid. You will see the same callousness from Trump toward US military personnel if he decides on a ground invasion.
I listened to a discussion with Jim Acosta today. It seems clear that we can take and hold Kharg island pretty easily with the forces being sent. It also seems clear that our entire military would have a hard time doing much more. The Iranian coastline is mountainous terrain and easily defended, so trying to take the Strait of Hormuz would, at best, incur very heavy casualties. Taking Tehran itself would require about 30,000 troops (two or three divisions). That's about 25% of the active U.S. Army, much of which is busy elsewhere.
With all due respect, did you read what Paul wrote above about what the strategic experts were telling him? Paul's words:
"I asked what the 6000 or so Marines and paratroopers on their way to the Persian Gulf can do to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and the answer was basically, are you kidding? Iran can fire missiles and launch drones against basically any target in the Gulf, from anywhere along its very long coast or from the rugged mountains behind that coast. Policing that area would be extremely difficult even for a force many times as large as what the U.S. is deploying."
Taking Kharg island would not re-open the strait. As I said - "It also seems clear that our entire military would have a hard time doing much more. The Iranian coastline is mountainous terrain and easily defended, so trying to take the Strait of Hormuz would, at best, incur very heavy casualties." That's with many times the number of troops that are headed for that area now.
Got it. I just don't agree with what Acosta said and he is probably fed talking points from the Pentagon. Supplying Kharg Island in order to hold it long-term would be a nightmare. US ships and planes would be sitting ducks from drones and missiles fired from the mainland. The Powell doctrine requires overwhelming force and given Iran's mountainous geography, probably 2-3x the normal number of troops.
Where is the outrage? Where is the media with real reporting and analysis? Where are the democrats? The real story. Still. Is the under reaction. The US is done. It’s hardship now. But we will all be better off in the end. The US has proven itself unreliable, violent and without morals. What’s happening to the dollar as the reference currency? Any movement?
"The real story. Still. Is the under reaction." I agree... because the reaction is coming. If the Trump administration was somebody's idea of how to poison the US, the poisoners' got the dose too high. The US Body Politic is going to vomit rather than die.
I won’t be negative on some reaction and I hope the turn out is huge. But ‘no kings’ barely scratches the surface of what is wrong with US society. Money in politics should be the number 1. You don’t have representatives, you ‘elect’ lobbyists for industry and other interest groups.
I agree that money in politics is the biggest problem, corporate America bought themselves a wannabe king, a fuehrer. But, I did not agree to be sold.
Analysis, even when it’s correct, it’s not a solution. There is no single solution but protests are one part of it. My instinct tells me it’s a large part, or why are so many trying to demean, diminish, and dismiss the efforts?
I’ll be there for the immigrants abused, for those threatened with being disenfranchised, for Alex Pretti and Renée Good, for our ancestors who fought for liberty and freedom, and for the 170 little school girls killed by careless warmongers. It is not optional for me.
For the first time in my life (and I am not young), I almost wish for a military coup in the US.
I have very little in common with the military in general, but I am convinced that there is more sense, respect for civilized political norms and human rights in general,and simply FACTS, in the US brass (who have to suffer under a malevolent clown like Hegseth) than in any member of this misadministration.
I understand it is not part of their tradition, however, so not very likely...
From your lips to the US population’s ears. I hope turnout is through the roof everywhere. Let’s hope for dry weather to encourage turnout…so far looking decent.
Tone down the personal attacks. I’m talking about a nation as a whole not individuals. Doesn’t take much looking around at protests in other parts of the world in the last decade to see the difference. Carré jaune in frame. Students in Serbia. Etc etc. Just look at how Brazil dealt with Bolsonaro.
Royal we? Which answer are you reading. No such reference. As a collective you are an indecent nation. Yes. Exactly. That doesn’t mean each of you individually is but taken collectively there is no doubt. A rotten vile nation. What kind of uptake are your no kings marches getting? What changes? What political reforms or changes are underway? And ‘no kings’ is that really your level of ambition. Don’t be a king. Cause everything else is going so well. Americans are unable to come up with a clear identification of the issues. that plague you. Let me help you: money in politics. Start there.
Trump causes all of this, but it is the GOP as cult of personality that actually makes any of this happen. From the gross abuses of ICE to the completely irrational war on Iran, the Republican Party has decided that placating Donald Trump is THE most important thing in the entire world. They have placed him above country, above Party, and even above their own personal needs.
Nothing like worshiping a false god while claiming to be the only True Christians.
Why comes Peter Thiel's Antichrist to my mind?
Curiously, PT doesn’t recognize the antichrist he helped summon.
PT is not quick on the uptake in the real world. He thinks people take him and his Antichrist bullshit seriously for one thing. He appears to be unsatisfied with having a preposterous amount of money, and grooming JD Vance to be a new low as a vice president, and wants people to take him and his nonsense seriously. I think that only works in America where people just admire money. No disrespect. Like his confrere Musk, he seems desperate for attention from serious people, but keeps doing such remarkably stupid things that he's never going to get it. Like Musk his basic ideas are just idiotic notions more akin to the machinations of a Bond villain. A poor one.
If only he did not have a software product that has now taken all of our personal data out of the government because his software program is in the government everywhere
This^. Thiel might be a howling crackpot, but he's a *dangerous* howling crackpot. His delusions and neurosis may make him absurd. But his money, his technology, and his Wormtongue-behind-the-throne power make him a threat on a global scale.
Is Trump is the new Antichrist? Historians have looked at the quatrains of Nostradamas and some believe it was Napoleon, some Hitler. But if it was to be far in the future it might be a powerful leader who comes on as a peacemaker but instead throws the world into turmoil.
NO Miller is the antichrist ...trump is the minion .... it is ALL Dark
Tangential note: Nostradamus' supposed mysterious "prophecies" simply referred to the local politics of his time.
James Randi's "The Mask of Nostradamus" (1990) goes through the history of people through various centuries trying to fit Michel de Notredame's old works to their contemporary situation. Randi dug into the local history of where that physician/astrologer lived and found a more sensible fit to what was going on, especially when you noticed some of the liberties people had taken with translations over the years. (The book gets into hairy historical detail, so I'd only recommend it to people who ·like· hairy historical detail.)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mask_of_Nostradamus
Crassus was a military guy who died leading his troops into a stupid, doomed battle. Trump would be hard-pressed to lead more than a trail of toilet paper out of a bathroom on the bottom of his shoe.
The clock is obviously ticking, but Corporal Bonespurs isn't going to die in battle anywhere. That's what he sends the "suckers and losers" to do while he golfs in Mar-a-Lardo.
There is no Pompey in this scenario, and we better hope Vance isn't Caesar, his end notwithstanding, as the Roman Republic died with his rise, and was never restored again.
Blue light special in Beauty for eyeliner JayDee Vance PT’s Boy?
Your comment reminded me of one of my favorite Lincoln Project videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOi2cYz5nXE
I recall, during DJT's first administration, a liberal Christian cleric gave an entirely plausible concordance between the apocalyptic narrative of Revelations and the world IRL. I thought, "It's like the prophecies of Nostradamus. The language is so ambiguous that you can make it mean anything." Now, I'm not so sure. Apparently some of Hegseth's war-lovers think that's what we're doing in Iran.
Rev. 12:12 briefly covers it.
Thanks for that. Explains a lot.
I wrote a letter that the Boston Globe preferred not to publish, making the same argument: all of the characteristics cited by Thiel as belonging to the Antichrist are already embodied in the degenerate at the helm. My language was more tempered, but the letter was still not published.
Don't take it personally. They may have had several similar letters, not enough space or simply too many letters to review.
Thiel is the Antichrist--though others would say it was Trump.
Could there be more than one? Just asking.
Maybe, but we don't really have to go that far. There were/are plenty of powerful demons. https://www.deliriumsrealm.com/demons/
Hahaha! Maybe so. I recently wrote two pieces about Thiel. Here's the first one: https://betharnold.substack.com/p/the-antichrist-cometh
Peter Thiel anagram of The Reptile? Like to say I noticed first but I didn’t. Quite honestly at this stage I don’t know who, if anyone,
is pulling strings of US administration. Could be Putin, could be Netanyahu, could be Enabler Epstein, Thiel, Miller the list is endless. All I know is they are destined for hell (if there is one). I thought I was rational but the temptation to simply react very,very strong at the moment.
Trump is the master conman they are all getting rich off. None of the rest of them has his rube-whisperer magic. They need to keep him in power to keep their own ill-gotten gains rolling in.
And guess who else?
From Bloomberg: "One clear winner from the war in Iran is Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin is earning the most from its oil exports since just after its troops marched into Ukraine in 2022 as it cashes in on the war in the Middle East, boosting crude flows amid soaring prices and eased sanctions."
Interestingly, I learned tonight that Ukraine just attacked and severely damaged two major oil ports on the Baltic. Through which Russia was moving 40% of its oil shipments. The Ukrainians are not just fighting their war, they are fighting America's. And you will not vote to supply them one round of ammunition.
I do believe that if America had a referendum on whether to supply arms and aid to Ukraine, it would pass easily. But Trump is Putin's creature, so . . .
Congress can pass a "veto proof" bill any time the Republicans want to. So Trumpski's "bromance" with Putin would be irrelevant. If Americans wanted change, they could pressure Congress today.
When was the last time Trumpski formed a coherent "intention"?
“Russia is 'close to completing a phased shipment of drones, medicine and food to Iran,' according to Western intelligence reports.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/26/world/europe/iran-russia-europe-drones.html
Surprise, surprise. Agent Orange’s handler. Putin and Russia, Russia, Russia. Feh! But to give credit where credit is due, Xi and China, China, China are also major beneficiaries of Chump’s destruction of American credibility, alliances, military might, and economic prosperity. Whether he’s doing it intentionally or just because he’s an idiotic, amoral sociopath, the effect is the same: the accelerated end of Pax Americana. What a disgusting spectacle.
which is why putin and xi want to keep trump in the WH
Jack Smith is right.
Iran/Ukraine connection...connect the dots. Donald Trump promised to end the war in Ukraine "in one day". Yet, day after day, Putin’s Russia bathes Ukraine in blood and destruction and the world barely stirs.
Putin is a paper tiger who depends on the US proxy power provided by the Trump Regime to prop-up his war efforts. Trump is prolonging the war through his "Piece Deals", replacing diplomacy with deal-making and enriching the Oil-igarchy.
True. However , Ukraine is doing its best to dampen Russian oil exports.
He's a master of nothing. He's their cover. It's easy to betray your nation by criminals who are masters of hiding when you're getting paid to do it.
I abhor the man as much as anyone but he has a genius in exploiting the darker side of humanity and the weakness of institutions
Andrew Kelm, that’s sound right to me.
I am a hard atheist, but when I was chatting to an apocalyptic christian the other day, we seemed to have quite a lot of overlap
Strange times!
Derelict you nailed it. Exactly what is going on
It's also 40% of the population. Steady, rock solid.
I guess 100 years of psychological studies in manipulation (aka advertising, marketing, algorithms, AI etc...) paid off big time in the end.
Spot-on, Derilict. Putin’s wildest dreams could not match what he and his pals in the R Treasonosphere have wrought. Every day the party apparatchiks spew out “normal” R political chatter about crushing the poor and favoring the rich, while ignoring the festering sore that is our country’s executive branch. They see what we see and say, “meh.”
The R Party is enabling Trump's autocratic rule, the failure of American democracy and another stupid Mideast war. The cowardly cowards and toadies should own the slow motion trainwreck we are witnessing and every American needs to remember it in November.
It makes no sense to me. They could take him down in a heartbeat. File impeachment papers and let the Democrats run the hearing. They've got the goods.
The cult members would never go against their god!
I just don't understand why they worship him so.
Donald Trump is the Republican id frolicking naked in the fields.
He's everything each and every one of them has ever wanted to be: Wealthy, both amoral and immoral, completely unrestrained by laws and norms, completely unaccountable to anyone for anything. Racist, misogynist, ignorant, arrogant, contemptuous of knowledge and education.
And he owns the libs all day, every day.
Is it any wonder why Republicans worship him as a god?
Some of those daily, on-point Iranian propaganda videos depict Trump as a worshipper of Ba'al. That appeals to the sense of blasphemy that I somehow retained after deprogramming myself from [the rest of] my religious upbringing.
...above any conscience or morality.
Framing the situation in religious terms negates humans' excellent logic and science. It reduces our odds of surviving this.
Biology clearly is needed -- physiology and genetics, behavioral sciences, astrobiology, more. And the extraterrestrial MAGA species on Earth is wiping out human space exploration and astronomy, so infer those are important.
Derelict, they hide behind the cloth of God.
Perfect...
Project 2025 is all that was needed to get the world this far.
“tornado of piffle” Perfect!
Paul's take on things is pretty much mine. I get daily briefings from Malcolm Nance and Jacob Kaarsbo as well as other people who have military insights. This is in agreement with what they are saying. Paul is confirming it. Also, the fossil fuel situation is abysmal.
We must stand up and fight back!
Here is a new song that we should all be singing at our rallies on Saturday. Bette Midler's All You Fascists Bound to Lose.
https://youtu.be/U5VXwncNvTo?si=nqEITYquqPah1kh5
We need to defeat the Trump part of the Trump/Netanyahu duo. Get out there on Saturday. Here are No Kings, No Tyrants, No Dictators, NO WAR protests from around the world that you can sign up for. Please share with family and friends inside and outside the US
https://lindaweide.substack.com/p/no-kings-no-tyrants-no-dictators?r=f0qfn
Love the Bette Midler energy with the Woody Guthrie song .
Battle hymn Parody
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnFtSVg2yt4&list=RDnnFtSVg2yt4&start_radio=1
Shankar Narayan has good commentary on the military aspects of Ukraine and Iran issues.
So does Jim Acosta. So does David French (NYT).
Have certainly learned much from Shankar Narayan, as I have Paul Krugman.
Try Jonathan Pie spot on commentar yand trump and iran
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAcgIMDQsog
Came here to say the same thing! I admired Ed Luce's take on things when he appeared regularly on Deep State Radio podcasts, but then I got overwhelmed by incoming podcasts, videos, and news in general. Still subscribe to DSR, however, and stop by their website regularly.
A mad old man with his finger on the nuclear button. This was my fear 10 years ago. It remains so.
In this long night of nightmares our paralysis has exposed to us our decadence.
I applaud your lucidity. You must feel lonely at times.
Isolated and alien, yes, but never lonely. I love life in this beautiful world because, in spite of my foolishness, fate has blessed me with love and hope.
Since your decadence has been exposed you can try to correct it.
I've been on and off trying to "correct" for 7 decades with very limited progress. It's a bit late in the day for me but I have learned that humility makes for better decision-making.
Nuclear assoult means no boat for years.
I can't imagine any other democratic country keeping their leader in place after so many examples of incompetence, ineptitude, ignorance, rudeness and so many other hideously wrong things. When will the Republican party say enough is enough and get rid of this clown? This is the flaw with democracy. While most of us wouldn't want to live in any other system of government, the desire, the need even to get re-elected ends up hurting the country the same civil servants are trying to serve.
Sadly, this is widespread. The 49-51 election balance between madness and sanity. Across the West, many countries are single percentage points from the abyss. Many possible issues have been proposed as the cause, which probably means nobody has yet a clue as to "why?".
But one can fight a fire even without knowing what kindles it.
Not removing Trump is less a flaw with democracy and rather a flaw with the US system as it was never designed to allow for the removal of a president.
There are provisions to remove your president but they rely on Congress. No one ever considered a totally corrupted Congress. Don't vote for the glossiest pamphlets, vote for the most demonstrably honest candidate.
I thought if enough elected members of the Senate had Congress voted to impeach him he could be removed?
They can be removed but it is very difficult. More so right now in the US as the Rs seem utterly enthralled. Besides that, we’d just end up with JD Vance instead. I can’t fathom any change in policy, and it might actually be worse because Vance is slick and can speak and act in a normal, polished manner.
1) impeachment for high crimes like treason or bribery (which certainly have happened). It takes a 2/3 majority vote so incredibly unlikely. They nearly had it in 2020, but McConnell chickened out, bringing us (and consequently) the world to this madness.
2) Being declared unfit for office. I’m actually not sure how this one works in practice. Even so, again the evidence is clear, yet there he sits running his ridiculous mouth, implementing his disastrous and destructive ideas…or those of the his true puppet master(s).
I have often thought of Trump as the "Liz Truss" of US politics. Liz Truss had the shortest term of any UK prime minister, "shorter than a head of lettuce" said the Economist. She was removed by her own party after the bond market rejected her one-big-beautiful-bill like budget.
She crashed the bond market.
That is what I meant, thanks for clarifying.
She blames the markets for her demise, saying that they didn’t understand what she was trying to do. Funny that…..nor did anyone else. Absolutely no self awareness. Reminds me of the current US administration of which she is a ‘fan’.
That's not a coincidence: The parliamentary system as we know it today (where the prime minister leads the executive, not the king or a governor appointed by the king) first emerged in Canada in the mid 1800's and was heavily influenced by the experience of the US.
Once was incomprehensible, twice is beyond the pale.
I very much look for ward to adding; "and nothing became him so much in life as the leaving of it"
If begging, weeping and wailing can be said to be "becoming"?
We must have term limits, and I'm not afraid to say, age limits. If there's a lower age limit, no one should doubt that age definitely impacts one's ability to stay awake during cabinet meetings.
My father worked for government contractors. They had mandatory retirement at 70. Seems like a good idea for congresscritters.
Would JD Vance be an improvement?
After listening to JD Vance arrogantly attempt to shame President Zelenskyy in February 2025 and the way he spoke to European nations at the Munich security conference last year, I don’t think he has the balls brains, or guts to negotiate with the Iranians.
If he’s wearing Florsheim shoes that tells you all you need to know about the man’s character.
Yep, I don’t think he’d be better at all.
“Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard.” H. L.Mencken
My hope is that some or maybe even many Trump voters are beginning to get the point of this observation.
"American greatness was nice while it lasted. See you tomorrow." Touche!
Prof. Krugman, I found your post today insightful, thought-provoking and concise. imo it does not qualify as an "Off Today" kind of post. We should give you a raincheck for a day off in future.
I grew up watching, among other things, movies and TV series about the rot of the Ancient Imperial Rome ruling class and dysfunctions of its policies. At the same time, I was learning about zillions of Roman achievements in engineering, construction, management, logistics, law. Ideas and inventions which even today are known usually only to professionals, ideas which required sophisticated minds and environments to emerge.
I never understood that Roman story, of a society of sharp and accomplished people being ruled by dysfunctional moral and intellectual dwarves. How that highly accomplished society ever allowed itself to be ruled by such lowlife?
I still do not understand such stories.
The records show that Rome "rotted" from the top. When "nobles" seeking power and influence staged bloody spectacles to gain popular favour. When the wealthy paid slaves to take their part in compulsory military service. And emperors as mad as Trump took the throne.
Clean off a few anachronisms and you have a good facsimile of America.
"A fish rots from the head down" - Turkish proverb.
As I wrote, I do not understand. But, even without understanding, it would seem to me that following the laws and general moral principles (like not stealing, not lying etc) would greatly improve the situation, whatever the "general causes".
As you say, "But one can fight a fire even without knowing what kindles it."
A gradual, deliberate winding down of intellectual capacity, under the notion that stupid people are easier to control. "Hey, teacher, leave them kids alone" That, plus elections turning into spectator sport.
Dr. Krugman, I am worried about you. Even though we do not know each other, I sense a deep sadness in you. Please take some time off. Clear your head. Put some serious miles on a bicycle. We need your clear thinking and focus to help us survive this moment of American embrace of violence and anti-intellectualism (stupidity). There is so much work to be done. Miles to go before we sleep. We need you at your best.
Why would he not be sad? I am the same age as Professor Krugman & we grew up in the same world. One where, despite occasional evidence to the contrary, we were the good guys, we did the right thing, rebuilt Europe & Japan, our leaders weren't alway right but they were grown ups with real life experience. We supported science & medical research that benefitted the entire world along with massive amounts of food & expertise to 3rd world countries.
We are very sad that we had that country & we have thrown it away by voting in a stupid, arrogant, ignorant & immoral poseur. I feel exactly the same way as Professor Krugman.
You are kidding, are you not?
And avoid airports if at all possible, although we've heard you mention that there are a few commitments that involve air travel.
Agree.
It was lovely while it lasted. I'm so sad. (And frightened and angry.)
Piffle? Why not poppycock or balderdash? That is awesome! I don’t know why this astounds me, but the futures markets respond so reliably on the upside (like yesterday)when Trump utters his piffle about how Iran wants a deal. More market manipulation by the traitor-in-chief?
Why not poppycock or balderdash? "Piffle" can also be used as a verb, "to act in a trivial or ineffective way." This may be the president's future.
You can get rid of the question mark.
Piffle is a great word, much used in British fun mysteries!
I’m pissed! Your president is spreading pain throughout the world even as far away as Australia. Fuel prices have soared and many stations have run out due to panic buying. Your gutless politicians need to grow a spine and remove this demented, evil moron before he destroys the world.
Couldn't agree more...
Gasoline futures may go up in response to presidential piffle, but the real cost of real gasoline has increased by 80 cents to an actual dollar as compared to this same day last year. MAGA economics at work.
Wreckonomics.
Thank you for all you do to keep us informed.
Send nine thousand troops to Kharg island to be slaughtered as martyrs.
Trump will have his excuse to escalate this to an extent that keeps the Saudis, Netanyahu and the military-industrial complex happy.
Exactly!
Correct. This is where we will start to see the similarities between Putin and Trump. Putin loses at least 1,000 troops a day in Ukraine and doesn't bat an eyelid. You will see the same callousness from Trump toward US military personnel if he decides on a ground invasion.
I listened to a discussion with Jim Acosta today. It seems clear that we can take and hold Kharg island pretty easily with the forces being sent. It also seems clear that our entire military would have a hard time doing much more. The Iranian coastline is mountainous terrain and easily defended, so trying to take the Strait of Hormuz would, at best, incur very heavy casualties. Taking Tehran itself would require about 30,000 troops (two or three divisions). That's about 25% of the active U.S. Army, much of which is busy elsewhere.
With all due respect, did you read what Paul wrote above about what the strategic experts were telling him? Paul's words:
"I asked what the 6000 or so Marines and paratroopers on their way to the Persian Gulf can do to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and the answer was basically, are you kidding? Iran can fire missiles and launch drones against basically any target in the Gulf, from anywhere along its very long coast or from the rugged mountains behind that coast. Policing that area would be extremely difficult even for a force many times as large as what the U.S. is deploying."
Taking Kharg island would not re-open the strait. As I said - "It also seems clear that our entire military would have a hard time doing much more. The Iranian coastline is mountainous terrain and easily defended, so trying to take the Strait of Hormuz would, at best, incur very heavy casualties." That's with many times the number of troops that are headed for that area now.
Got it. I just don't agree with what Acosta said and he is probably fed talking points from the Pentagon. Supplying Kharg Island in order to hold it long-term would be a nightmare. US ships and planes would be sitting ducks from drones and missiles fired from the mainland. The Powell doctrine requires overwhelming force and given Iran's mountainous geography, probably 2-3x the normal number of troops.
See what you think. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poe1eKno01I
The Donald Trump Energy Crisis.
Killing the global economy to protect pedophiles.
Where is the outrage? Where is the media with real reporting and analysis? Where are the democrats? The real story. Still. Is the under reaction. The US is done. It’s hardship now. But we will all be better off in the end. The US has proven itself unreliable, violent and without morals. What’s happening to the dollar as the reference currency? Any movement?
"The real story. Still. Is the under reaction." I agree... because the reaction is coming. If the Trump administration was somebody's idea of how to poison the US, the poisoners' got the dose too high. The US Body Politic is going to vomit rather than die.
Watch for it Saturday
NO KINGS
I won’t be negative on some reaction and I hope the turn out is huge. But ‘no kings’ barely scratches the surface of what is wrong with US society. Money in politics should be the number 1. You don’t have representatives, you ‘elect’ lobbyists for industry and other interest groups.
I agree that money in politics is the biggest problem, corporate America bought themselves a wannabe king, a fuehrer. But, I did not agree to be sold.
Analysis, even when it’s correct, it’s not a solution. There is no single solution but protests are one part of it. My instinct tells me it’s a large part, or why are so many trying to demean, diminish, and dismiss the efforts?
I’ll be there for the immigrants abused, for those threatened with being disenfranchised, for Alex Pretti and Renée Good, for our ancestors who fought for liberty and freedom, and for the 170 little school girls killed by careless warmongers. It is not optional for me.
For the first time in my life (and I am not young), I almost wish for a military coup in the US.
I have very little in common with the military in general, but I am convinced that there is more sense, respect for civilized political norms and human rights in general,and simply FACTS, in the US brass (who have to suffer under a malevolent clown like Hegseth) than in any member of this misadministration.
I understand it is not part of their tradition, however, so not very likely...
It seems all the US knows is violence. It’s sad.
From your lips to the US population’s ears. I hope turnout is through the roof everywhere. Let’s hope for dry weather to encourage turnout…so far looking decent.
Same here.
💠 Stop ICE 💠 Email Letters to Congress
— 🔻436,869 K — New Goal 450 K. * Began as 150 K.
🔆 Alex Pretti / Keith Porter / Renee Good 🌺
https://action.aclu.org/send-message/stop-ices-attack-our-communities?utm_
The level of outrage is not anywhere close to what we could expect it to be for any decent developed country.
Tone down the personal attacks. I’m talking about a nation as a whole not individuals. Doesn’t take much looking around at protests in other parts of the world in the last decade to see the difference. Carré jaune in frame. Students in Serbia. Etc etc. Just look at how Brazil dealt with Bolsonaro.
Royal we? Which answer are you reading. No such reference. As a collective you are an indecent nation. Yes. Exactly. That doesn’t mean each of you individually is but taken collectively there is no doubt. A rotten vile nation. What kind of uptake are your no kings marches getting? What changes? What political reforms or changes are underway? And ‘no kings’ is that really your level of ambition. Don’t be a king. Cause everything else is going so well. Americans are unable to come up with a clear identification of the issues. that plague you. Let me help you: money in politics. Start there.
We're all so so so tired of the firehose! Depressing but true and thank you for sharing this.