Is Trump Really Running the Country—or Just Playing War Games and Branding Everything He Touches?

Is Trump Really Running the Country—or Just Playing War Games and Branding Everything He Touches?

Is it just me, or does watching a presidential renovation project turn into a high-stakes drama feel like binge-watching a prime-time TV series you can’t quite turn away from? The latest episode in the saga features the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, a building reportedly teetering on the edge of “decrepit” and in desperate need of a $250 million makeover—ordered by none other than President Trump himself. Now, before you roll your eyes and scroll past, consider this: the Justice Department lawyers stepped in to tell a federal judge that blocking this mega-reno could mean the entire center might have to be “taken down.” Yep, taken down! And as if that wasn’t enough, there’s a dramatic subplot plotting to rename Lake Ontario to “Lake America” amid escalating trade tensions with Canada, a move that’s raising eyebrows and shaking up border relations with a bit of that trademark bravado. I mean, who knew geography could get so… contentious? Stick with me—this political performance art has more twists than a Gordon Lightfoot song, but with stakes that actually matter in the real world. Ready to dive into the full spectacle? LEARN MORE

Estimated read time3 min read

(Covert Oval Office Video)

The president is working hard at the duties of his office. Work, work, work …

From The New York Times:

Lawyers for the Trump administration told a federal judge that the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts desperately needs the major renovation ordered by President Trump and raised the specter that it would need to be “taken down” if those plans are blocked. In a court filing late on Monday, Justice Department lawyers defended plans for the $250 million renovation project and described how, as recognition for the president’s role, an inscription of his name on the center’s marble facade would be appropriate.

“Without those efforts, the center will deteriorate further into an unsafe, decrepit structure that will be required to be taken down,” the filing said, “with a determination to follow on what to build on the site, such as a large outdoor amphitheater overlooking the Potomac River that has been proposed, by some, for many years.”

DOJ lawyers worked on your dime to put this before an actual judge. And it sounds like something the Gambino house counsel would produce, if Carlo Gambino were a spoiled eight-year old. So that’s one barge toted, who’s going to lift this bale? Again, from the NYT:

“The United States is giving serious consideration to changing the name of Lake Ontario to Lake America,” Mr. Trump wrote in a social media post, rationalizing the change because “we don’t expect to be doing much business with Ontario any longer.”

The president’s post was his latest verbal attack on Canada as the two countries exchange increasingly punitive threats over taxes on trade. The trade dispute escalated over the weekend as talks between the two neighboring countries broke down.

When was the last time you heard anyone refer to the Gulf of America? I suspect that the only real effect of this pronouncement from Bandini Mountain will be to screw up the rhyme scheme of one of Gordon Lightfoot’s biggest hit. (And farther below, Lake America …) Even people on this side of what once was the world’s friendliest border are not buying this load. From Syracuse.com:

Top Republican leaders in Oswego County—where Trump has enjoyed some of his strongest support in New York state—said they don’t want to change the name of the lake that has sustained the region for centuries. The elected officials said they believe Trump is using his “Lake America” idea as a negotiating tactic with Canada. Instead of threats, they would prefer to see Trump find a way to get along with America’s northern neighbors, who have a long history as trading and tourism partners with Oswego County.

Corradino, 70, said Trump’s trade war and tariffs have already led to a significant drop in Canadian tourist visits to Oswego. The city’s attractions include the annual Oswego Harborfest, a four-day music festival on the lakefront, historic Fort Ontario and the Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee Shelter Museum. The city is also hoping to capitalize on the Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary established to preserve shipwrecks and other historic artifacts. Corradino said Trump’s heavy-handed approach to tariffs has also led to a cutback in Canadian visitors to other local attractions like Oswego Speedway. Corradino said changing Lake Ontario’s name will only make things worse.

“From what I see, the Canadians are very strong-willed people, and they don’t take kindly to threats,” he said. “I think it’s best to get along with your neighbors. I would hope we could all get along for the betterment of both sides.”

I’m sorry, sir, but you have no future in Republican politics.

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