Saturday, June 11, 2016
50+ Times The Co-Author Of Trump’s Go-To Anti-Clinton Book Has Tweeted The Slur “Ni**er"
http://mediamatters.org/blog/2016/06/10/50-times-co-author-trump-s-go-anti-clinton-book-has-tweeted-slur-nigger/210858
"Trump has repeatedly used research from The Clintons’ War on Women, which is co-authored by Robert Morrow -- a bizarre conspiracy theorist who uses his Twitter account to endlessly tweet the slur “ni**er,” including about President Obama."
"Trump has repeatedly used research from The Clintons’ War on Women, which is co-authored by Robert Morrow -- a bizarre conspiracy theorist who uses his Twitter account to endlessly tweet the slur “ni**er,” including about President Obama."
Trump Seeks To Whiten The Republican Party Even More
Trump Seeks To Whiten The Republican Party Even More
"Those of us who possess rudimentary cognitive skills can easily see that the Republican Party offers nothing for the majority of Americans, except for those who are white, male and wealthy. Since the demographics of this country are quickly shifting from a White majority to a much larger percentage of Hispanics making up our electorate, Donald Trump thought this was the opportune time to insult the living Hell out of any and every American of Latino descent."
"Those of us who possess rudimentary cognitive skills can easily see that the Republican Party offers nothing for the majority of Americans, except for those who are white, male and wealthy. Since the demographics of this country are quickly shifting from a White majority to a much larger percentage of Hispanics making up our electorate, Donald Trump thought this was the opportune time to insult the living Hell out of any and every American of Latino descent."
Seth Myers Blames Republicans For Supporting Racist Trump
Seth Myers Blames Republicans For Supporting Racist Trump
"Trump is a racist, has always been a racist, and anyone pretending otherwise is either lying or stupid."
"Trump is a racist, has always been a racist, and anyone pretending otherwise is either lying or stupid."
GOP Senators Finally Starting To Realize Their Party Nominated A Total Racist
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/gop-senators-donald-trump_us_57571fcfe4b0b60682df2e27
"Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) became the first Republican member of Congress to rescind an endorsement of Donald Trump, saying on Tuesday that he could no longer support his party’s presumptive nominee for president after Trump’s racist attacks against a federal judge. “I cannot and will not support my party’s nominee for President,” he said. Kirk’s statement was the most powerful denunciation of Trump to come from Republicans on Capitol Hill, but it was hardly the only one, suggesting that Trump’s racist attacks are finally starting to worry GOP lawmakers. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), one of the few Republican senators who have not backed Trump, went a step further, arguing that Trump’s comments could motivate Republicans to challenge him at the party’s convention in July. “Where there’s no talk of a convention challenge or anything else, this might spur it,” he told reporters on Capitol Hill. “Let’s face it: meet the old Trump, just like the new Trump. We’ve got what we’ve got. That’s not somebody who can win the White House"."
"Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) became the first Republican member of Congress to rescind an endorsement of Donald Trump, saying on Tuesday that he could no longer support his party’s presumptive nominee for president after Trump’s racist attacks against a federal judge. “I cannot and will not support my party’s nominee for President,” he said. Kirk’s statement was the most powerful denunciation of Trump to come from Republicans on Capitol Hill, but it was hardly the only one, suggesting that Trump’s racist attacks are finally starting to worry GOP lawmakers. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), one of the few Republican senators who have not backed Trump, went a step further, arguing that Trump’s comments could motivate Republicans to challenge him at the party’s convention in July. “Where there’s no talk of a convention challenge or anything else, this might spur it,” he told reporters on Capitol Hill. “Let’s face it: meet the old Trump, just like the new Trump. We’ve got what we’ve got. That’s not somebody who can win the White House"."
“Trump Is Right”: Trump’s White Nationalist Backers Applaud His Racist Attacks On Federal Judge
http://mediamatters.org/research/2016/06/07/trump-right-trump-s-white-nationalist-backers-applaud-his-racist-attacks-federal-judge/210776
"Daily Stormer writer “Zeiger” praised Trump for his attacks on the judge, writing that Trump is waking up white Americans. The writer then suggested an Auschwitz-type event would happen when people “wak[e] up"."
"Daily Stormer writer “Zeiger” praised Trump for his attacks on the judge, writing that Trump is waking up white Americans. The writer then suggested an Auschwitz-type event would happen when people “wak[e] up"."
Iowa senator leaving GOP compares Trump’s rise to ‘what happened in the 1930s in Germany’
Iowa senator leaving GOP compares Trump’s rise to ‘what happened in the 1930s in Germany’
"An Iowa state legislator became the first GOP lawmaker to leave the party in an act of protest over Donald Trump’s presumptive presidential nomination, the Guardian reported on Tuesday."
"An Iowa state legislator became the first GOP lawmaker to leave the party in an act of protest over Donald Trump’s presumptive presidential nomination, the Guardian reported on Tuesday."
WATCH: Penn Jillette shreds ‘evil’ Donald Trump for appealing to ‘stupid’ conspiracy nuts for votes
WATCH: Penn Jillette shreds ‘evil’ Donald Trump for appealing to ‘stupid’ conspiracy nuts for votes
"Penn Jillette explained the broad appeal presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump has with conspiracy-minded people, saying they are easily manipulated because they love simple answers to complex problems."
"Penn Jillette explained the broad appeal presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump has with conspiracy-minded people, saying they are easily manipulated because they love simple answers to complex problems."
The GOP Owns Trump University's Sleaze: Republicans Have Been Tolerant of Con Artists for Decades @alternet
The GOP Owns Trump University's Sleaze: Republicans Have Been Tolerant of Con Artists for Decades @alternet:
"Just as with his belligerent authoritarianism, embrace of conspiracy theories and racism, Trump’s grifter tendencies cannot be understood as a departure from regular Republican politics. Instead, this is just another case of Trump taking something that already existed in conservative circles and turning the volume up dramatically. Republicans have long had a broad acceptance for con artists and frauds using conservative rhetoric and channels to defraud people out of their hard-earned money.
"Just as with his belligerent authoritarianism, embrace of conspiracy theories and racism, Trump’s grifter tendencies cannot be understood as a departure from regular Republican politics. Instead, this is just another case of Trump taking something that already existed in conservative circles and turning the volume up dramatically. Republicans have long had a broad acceptance for con artists and frauds using conservative rhetoric and channels to defraud people out of their hard-earned money.
Saturday, June 4, 2016
Trump is a full-blown nutter: Here are 58 unhinged conspiracy theories the Republican leader has promoted
Trump is a full-blown nutter: Here are 58 unhinged conspiracy theories the Republican leader has promoted
"Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump not only surrounds himself with conspiracy theorists, he has spent years pushing conspiracy theories himself, much to the delight of his supporters."
"Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump not only surrounds himself with conspiracy theorists, he has spent years pushing conspiracy theories himself, much to the delight of his supporters."
Trump Has a $100 Million Conflict of Interest @alternet
Trump Has a $100 Million Conflict of Interest @alternet:
"What are the implications of the chief executive of the US government being in hock for $100 million (or more) to a foreign entity that has tried to evade laws aimed at curtailing risky financial shenanigans, that was recently caught manipulating markets around the world, and that attempts to influence the US government?"
"What are the implications of the chief executive of the US government being in hock for $100 million (or more) to a foreign entity that has tried to evade laws aimed at curtailing risky financial shenanigans, that was recently caught manipulating markets around the world, and that attempts to influence the US government?"
Trump University: Just Another Conservative Fraud
Trump University: Just Another Conservative Fraud:
"Across the conservative media, scams targeting vulnerable populations are commonplace. RedState.com once told its email list that in 1985 Ronald Reagan was diagnosed with three forms of cancer and was cured not by “chemo” or “radiation,” but a “secret” and “CENSORED” treatment that they would reveal. WND, Dick Morris, Newsmax and Glenn Beck have sent similar emails. Newt Gingrich, Fox Business, Glenn Beck, Mike Huckabee, Alex Jones, WND and The Washington Times all promoted Stansberry & Associates, an investment firm that targeted conservative customers and was “fined $1.5 million for engaging in ‘deliberate fraud’ and profiting from ‘false statements.’ ” Potential Trump vice presidential pick Newt Gingrich has claimed in emails that "cancer was cured back in 1925," "the annual flu shot is nothing more than a BALD-FACED SCAM,” "Illuminati was behind every consequential wealth event of [2013]," and an “insider near Washington D.C. has just blown the lid off the 7 Deadly Drugs the U.S. Government can't wait for you to swallow." On his email list, Mike Huckabee has marketed, “a medical quack claiming Alzheimer's disease cures; a for-sale stock pundit that was fired from Fox; a financial firm that was fined by the government for engaging in ‘deliberate fraud’; and a survival food company that profits off of readers' fears of being ‘herded into FEMA camps.’” Ben Carson, the former presidential candidate tapped by Trump to lead his vice presidential search, “shilled for a quack-cures company that used misleading advertisements to promote its products to people with cancer, HIV, ALS and autism” and paid $7 million as part of a false marketing settlement. With the Right’s track record, the presumptive GOP nominee should be touting the fraudulent activity of Trump University as another example of his conservative credentials."
"Across the conservative media, scams targeting vulnerable populations are commonplace. RedState.com once told its email list that in 1985 Ronald Reagan was diagnosed with three forms of cancer and was cured not by “chemo” or “radiation,” but a “secret” and “CENSORED” treatment that they would reveal. WND, Dick Morris, Newsmax and Glenn Beck have sent similar emails. Newt Gingrich, Fox Business, Glenn Beck, Mike Huckabee, Alex Jones, WND and The Washington Times all promoted Stansberry & Associates, an investment firm that targeted conservative customers and was “fined $1.5 million for engaging in ‘deliberate fraud’ and profiting from ‘false statements.’ ” Potential Trump vice presidential pick Newt Gingrich has claimed in emails that "cancer was cured back in 1925," "the annual flu shot is nothing more than a BALD-FACED SCAM,” "Illuminati was behind every consequential wealth event of [2013]," and an “insider near Washington D.C. has just blown the lid off the 7 Deadly Drugs the U.S. Government can't wait for you to swallow." On his email list, Mike Huckabee has marketed, “a medical quack claiming Alzheimer's disease cures; a for-sale stock pundit that was fired from Fox; a financial firm that was fined by the government for engaging in ‘deliberate fraud’; and a survival food company that profits off of readers' fears of being ‘herded into FEMA camps.’” Ben Carson, the former presidential candidate tapped by Trump to lead his vice presidential search, “shilled for a quack-cures company that used misleading advertisements to promote its products to people with cancer, HIV, ALS and autism” and paid $7 million as part of a false marketing settlement. With the Right’s track record, the presumptive GOP nominee should be touting the fraudulent activity of Trump University as another example of his conservative credentials."
Secret Trump University Papers Reveal How Business Pumped ‘Students’ For Cash
http://addictinginfo.org/2016/05/31/secret-trump-university-papers-reveal-how-business-pumped-students-for-cash/
"The documents show how, rather than a real estate sales course, the Trump University system was designed to push people to pay for ever-increasing levels which they were told would lead to more and more lucrative business. In fact, as the lawsuits show, many were very unsatisfied with the experience. Even more damning is the fact that the business doesn’t even exist anymore, but is just another scheme that Trump slapped his name on in order to make a quick buck then ran away when it got complicated. Trump was apparently so concerned about the information in the sales documents coming out that he rescheduled the press conference he had to address his failure to give money to veterans groups to the same day the Trump University documents came out."
"The documents show how, rather than a real estate sales course, the Trump University system was designed to push people to pay for ever-increasing levels which they were told would lead to more and more lucrative business. In fact, as the lawsuits show, many were very unsatisfied with the experience. Even more damning is the fact that the business doesn’t even exist anymore, but is just another scheme that Trump slapped his name on in order to make a quick buck then ran away when it got complicated. Trump was apparently so concerned about the information in the sales documents coming out that he rescheduled the press conference he had to address his failure to give money to veterans groups to the same day the Trump University documents came out."
The most shocking parts of the Trump U ‘sales playbook’
The most shocking parts of the Trump U ‘sales playbook’
"Former employees and students of Trump University, Donald Trump’s now-defunct, unaccredited clearinghouse for real estate courses, have declared the business a scam in testimony released as part of a class-action lawsuit. In the sworn testimony recently unsealed by U.S. District Court Judge Gonzalo Curiel, two former employees describe Trump University as a get-rich-quick scheme orchestrated by the reality TV star at the expense of the financially unsavvy."
"Former employees and students of Trump University, Donald Trump’s now-defunct, unaccredited clearinghouse for real estate courses, have declared the business a scam in testimony released as part of a class-action lawsuit. In the sworn testimony recently unsealed by U.S. District Court Judge Gonzalo Curiel, two former employees describe Trump University as a get-rich-quick scheme orchestrated by the reality TV star at the expense of the financially unsavvy."
Trump Seeks To Whiten The Republican Party Even More
Trump Seeks To Whiten The Republican Party Even More
"Those of us who possess rudimentary cognitive skills can easily see that the Republican Party offers nothing for the majority of Americans, except for those who are white, male and wealthy. Since the demographics of this country are quickly shifting from a White majority to a much larger percentage of Hispanics making up our electorate, Donald Trump thought this was the opportune time to insult the living Hell out of any and every American of Latino descent."
"Those of us who possess rudimentary cognitive skills can easily see that the Republican Party offers nothing for the majority of Americans, except for those who are white, male and wealthy. Since the demographics of this country are quickly shifting from a White majority to a much larger percentage of Hispanics making up our electorate, Donald Trump thought this was the opportune time to insult the living Hell out of any and every American of Latino descent."
Birtherism and bigotry: These are the vile impulses driving voters to Trump — stop thinking it’s anything else
Birtherism and bigotry: These are the vile impulses driving voters to Trump — stop thinking it’s anything else
"Recall that Donald Trump was the King of the “Birthers,” the man who mainstreamed that inane conspiracy theory and continued to push it as recently as 2014"
"Recall that Donald Trump was the King of the “Birthers,” the man who mainstreamed that inane conspiracy theory and continued to push it as recently as 2014"
Trump Points Out 'His African-American' At Campaign Rally
Trump Points Out 'His African-American' At Campaign Rally
"The presumptive Republican nominee took a moment out at his mostly-white rally to claim he has 'tremendous support' from African-Americans. "Oh, look at my African-American over here. Look at him," Trump said, as he pointed out a gentleman in the audience."
"The presumptive Republican nominee took a moment out at his mostly-white rally to claim he has 'tremendous support' from African-Americans. "Oh, look at my African-American over here. Look at him," Trump said, as he pointed out a gentleman in the audience."
Hispanic GOP Commentator Slams Trump For His Racist Comments And Fraudulent University
http://addictinginfo.org/2016/06/03/hispanic-gop-commentator-slams-trump-for-his-racist-comments-and-fraudulent-university/
"Currently, only 14 percent of Hispanics have a favorable rating of Donald Trump. Among nonwhite women, which includes Hispanics and Latinas, the number is a record low 9 percent."
"Currently, only 14 percent of Hispanics have a favorable rating of Donald Trump. Among nonwhite women, which includes Hispanics and Latinas, the number is a record low 9 percent."
New Information From Texas AG Proves "Trump University" Was a Fraudulent Scam
New Information From Texas AG Proves "Trump University" Was a Fraudulent Scam
"To summarize: Trump University was pushed out of Texas after the state’s attorney general’s office opened up a deceptive practices investigation and found that, not only was the advice they were giving illegal, but they were selling people goals that were “virtually impossible to achieve.” That’s called a scam. It’s nothing more than a bunch of con men luring people in under the guise of “getting an education,” asking for thousands of dollars in exchange for advice that was illegal and unrealistic."
"To summarize: Trump University was pushed out of Texas after the state’s attorney general’s office opened up a deceptive practices investigation and found that, not only was the advice they were giving illegal, but they were selling people goals that were “virtually impossible to achieve.” That’s called a scam. It’s nothing more than a bunch of con men luring people in under the guise of “getting an education,” asking for thousands of dollars in exchange for advice that was illegal and unrealistic."
Ex-Texas Official Says He Was Ordered To Drop Trump U Probe Due To Politics
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/texas-regulator-says-ordered-drop-fraud-investigation-trump-university-over-politics
"Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton moved Friday to muzzle a former state regulator who says he was ordered in 2010 to drop a fraud investigation into Trump University for political reasons. Paxton's office issued a cease and desist letter to former Deputy Chief of Consumer Protection John Owens after he made public copies of a 14-page internal summary of the state's case against Donald Trump for scamming millions from students of his now-defunct real estate seminar. Owens, now retired, said his team had built a solid case against the now-presumptive Republican presidential nominee, but was told to drop it after Trump's company agreed to cease operations in Texas. The former state regulator told The Associated Press on Friday that decision was highly unusual and left the bilked students on their own to attempt to recover their tuition money from the celebrity businessman. According to the documents provided by Owens, his team sought to sue Trump, his company and several business associates to help recover more than $2.6 million students spent on seminars and materials, plus another $2.8 million in penalties and fees. Owens said he was so surprised at the order to stand down he made a copy of the case file and took it home. "It had to be political in my mind because Donald Trump was treated differently than any other similarly situated scam artist in the 16 years I was at the consumer protection office," said Owens, who lives in Houston. Owens' boss at the time was then-Attorney General Greg Abbott, who is now the state's GOP governor. The Associated Press first reported Thursday that Trump gave donations totaling $35,000 to Abbott's gubernatorial campaign three years after his office closed the Trump U case. Several Texas media outlets then reported Owens' accusation that the probe was dropped for political reasons."
"Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton moved Friday to muzzle a former state regulator who says he was ordered in 2010 to drop a fraud investigation into Trump University for political reasons. Paxton's office issued a cease and desist letter to former Deputy Chief of Consumer Protection John Owens after he made public copies of a 14-page internal summary of the state's case against Donald Trump for scamming millions from students of his now-defunct real estate seminar. Owens, now retired, said his team had built a solid case against the now-presumptive Republican presidential nominee, but was told to drop it after Trump's company agreed to cease operations in Texas. The former state regulator told The Associated Press on Friday that decision was highly unusual and left the bilked students on their own to attempt to recover their tuition money from the celebrity businessman. According to the documents provided by Owens, his team sought to sue Trump, his company and several business associates to help recover more than $2.6 million students spent on seminars and materials, plus another $2.8 million in penalties and fees. Owens said he was so surprised at the order to stand down he made a copy of the case file and took it home. "It had to be political in my mind because Donald Trump was treated differently than any other similarly situated scam artist in the 16 years I was at the consumer protection office," said Owens, who lives in Houston. Owens' boss at the time was then-Attorney General Greg Abbott, who is now the state's GOP governor. The Associated Press first reported Thursday that Trump gave donations totaling $35,000 to Abbott's gubernatorial campaign three years after his office closed the Trump U case. Several Texas media outlets then reported Owens' accusation that the probe was dropped for political reasons."
Appeals court upholds fraud charges against Texas Attorney General Paxton
Appeals court upholds fraud charges against Texas Attorney General Paxton
"Paxton was indicted by a grand jury last year on charges of defrauding investors and illegally acting as a securities agent. He faces similar charges in federal court."
"Paxton was indicted by a grand jury last year on charges of defrauding investors and illegally acting as a securities agent. He faces similar charges in federal court."
TX Rs seek to muzzle whistleblower who can prove they sided with Trump U over 456 ordinary Texans
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/6/4/1534387/-TX-Rs-seek-to-muzzle-whistleblower-who-can-prove-they-sided-with-Trump-U-over-456-ordinary-Texans
"Greg Abbott, the current Republican governor of Texas, used to be the Texas Attorney General. The Dallas Morning News had a big story this week: a retired employee of the Texas AG’s office, who worked under Abbott and was commended by him, gave the paper documents that prove that Abott’s AG staff had researched an prepared a case against Trump University for bilking citizens of Texas out of more than $2.6 million. They planned to claw that money back as restitution for the victims, and seek another $2.8 million in fines and costs for the state of Texas."
"Greg Abbott, the current Republican governor of Texas, used to be the Texas Attorney General. The Dallas Morning News had a big story this week: a retired employee of the Texas AG’s office, who worked under Abbott and was commended by him, gave the paper documents that prove that Abott’s AG staff had researched an prepared a case against Trump University for bilking citizens of Texas out of more than $2.6 million. They planned to claw that money back as restitution for the victims, and seek another $2.8 million in fines and costs for the state of Texas."
The Most Fearsome Hawk of All: Donald Trump's Careless, Brutal Plans for the U.S. Put the World in Peril @alternet
The Most Fearsome Hawk of All: Donald Trump's Careless, Brutal Plans for the U.S. Put the World in Peril @alternet:
"Trump’s plan is to use American ground troops to forcibly seize the most valuable resource in two different sovereign countries. The word for that is colonialism. Trump wants to wage war in the name of explicitly ransacking poorer countries for their natural resources"
"Trump’s plan is to use American ground troops to forcibly seize the most valuable resource in two different sovereign countries. The word for that is colonialism. Trump wants to wage war in the name of explicitly ransacking poorer countries for their natural resources"
Take the Quiz! Trump or authoritarian? Who said it?
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/5/31/1532877/-Take-the-Quiz-Trump-or-authoritarian-Who-said-it
"So here we are, in the greatest democracy on earth, with a national leader (and like it or not, Trump is now a “national leader”) standing behind a podium sounding like an authoritarian politician drunk with power. As an American, regardless of party, I’m shocked. I’ve come to expect this in other parts of the world. Not here at home. And Trump audaciously promises that if he is elected, this is how it’s going to be: “If you think I’m going to change, I’m not changing.” Ugh. One Erdogan on the world stage is enough."
"So here we are, in the greatest democracy on earth, with a national leader (and like it or not, Trump is now a “national leader”) standing behind a podium sounding like an authoritarian politician drunk with power. As an American, regardless of party, I’m shocked. I’ve come to expect this in other parts of the world. Not here at home. And Trump audaciously promises that if he is elected, this is how it’s going to be: “If you think I’m going to change, I’m not changing.” Ugh. One Erdogan on the world stage is enough."
A Look At What Political Press Could Face Under A Donald Trump Presidency
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2016/05/31/3783354/trump-press-conference/
"by effectively using carrots of access and the sticks of public shaming, he has curried favorable coverage and convinced his supporters that any critical pieces about him are full of lies."
"by effectively using carrots of access and the sticks of public shaming, he has curried favorable coverage and convinced his supporters that any critical pieces about him are full of lies."
Trump Exploited a Loophole to Pocket 150k in Funding Meant for Small Businesses Affected by 9/11 @alternet
Trump Exploited a Loophole to Pocket 150k in Funding Meant for Small Businesses Affected by 9/11 @alternet:
"Considering his willingness to snatch up public funds designated for those less fortunate, it’s a tad ironic that Trump is so unwilling to pay his fair taxes. The Republican frontrunner has repeatedly said his tax rate is none of the public’s business, noting he fights “very hard to pay as little tax as possible.” And a USA Today analysis published Thursday found Trump’s businesses are currently engaged in over 100 lawsuits over unpaid taxes and tax-related disputes."
"Considering his willingness to snatch up public funds designated for those less fortunate, it’s a tad ironic that Trump is so unwilling to pay his fair taxes. The Republican frontrunner has repeatedly said his tax rate is none of the public’s business, noting he fights “very hard to pay as little tax as possible.” And a USA Today analysis published Thursday found Trump’s businesses are currently engaged in over 100 lawsuits over unpaid taxes and tax-related disputes."
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
How Trump scammed students and blames those who hold him accountable
How Trump scammed students and blames those who hold him accountable
"So what exactly does Trump think constitutes as a “total disgrace?” It might be the fact that his so-called “university” scammed students out of as much as $35,000 for an unaccredited “education.” Of course unsealing the documents shines yet another negative light on the Republican nominee and his careless disregard for anyone or anything other than himself and his pocketbook. In fact, Trump is currently facing three separate lawsuits that allege that his shady business defrauded students and broke state laws. The unsealed documents have already revealed some of the empty promises that Trump made to students, including a one-page personal message he sent to new enrollees."
"So what exactly does Trump think constitutes as a “total disgrace?” It might be the fact that his so-called “university” scammed students out of as much as $35,000 for an unaccredited “education.” Of course unsealing the documents shines yet another negative light on the Republican nominee and his careless disregard for anyone or anything other than himself and his pocketbook. In fact, Trump is currently facing three separate lawsuits that allege that his shady business defrauded students and broke state laws. The unsealed documents have already revealed some of the empty promises that Trump made to students, including a one-page personal message he sent to new enrollees."
‘A fraudulent scheme’: Former Trump University manager says they ‘preyed upon the elderly and uneducated’
‘A fraudulent scheme’: Former Trump University manager says they ‘preyed upon the elderly and uneducated’
"Nearly 400 pages of documents were unsealed by a federal judge Tuesday after a lawsuit was filed alleging that the institute scammed thousands of people who enrolled in a program by giving the impression it was an accredited academic institution. The documents include "playbooks" regarding running the enterprise and how to sell programs to customers. The playbook reportedly guides employees to assign ranks to potential students based on “who has the most and least liquid assets.” The courses at the university started at $1,495, with the most expensive option, known as gold elite, costing $34,995, the Time reported."
"Nearly 400 pages of documents were unsealed by a federal judge Tuesday after a lawsuit was filed alleging that the institute scammed thousands of people who enrolled in a program by giving the impression it was an accredited academic institution. The documents include "playbooks" regarding running the enterprise and how to sell programs to customers. The playbook reportedly guides employees to assign ranks to potential students based on “who has the most and least liquid assets.” The courses at the university started at $1,495, with the most expensive option, known as gold elite, costing $34,995, the Time reported."
Trump University Documents Expose Presumptive Con-Man-in-Chief
Trump University Documents Expose Presumptive Con-Man-in-Chief
"A swindle and a sham that "preyed upon the elderly and uneducated to separate them from their money" is how people who worked for Trump University described the methods behind the self-titled, now-defunct real estate education program run by the presumptive Republican nominee."
"A swindle and a sham that "preyed upon the elderly and uneducated to separate them from their money" is how people who worked for Trump University described the methods behind the self-titled, now-defunct real estate education program run by the presumptive Republican nominee."
Donald Trump is a thief: Trump University documents reveal a strictly regimented scam operation
Donald Trump is a thief: Trump University documents reveal a strictly regimented scam operation
"How Trump University "consultants" swindled the financially vulnerable into buying a worthless product"
"How Trump University "consultants" swindled the financially vulnerable into buying a worthless product"
Trump Has a Conflict-of-Interest Problem No Other White House Candidate Ever Had
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/06/trump-german-loan-deutsche-bank
"What are the implications of the chief executive of the US government being in hock for $100 million (or more) to a foreign entity that has tried to evade laws aimed at curtailing risky financial shenanigans, that was recently caught manipulating markets around the world, and that attempts to influence the US government? Trump's disclosure form lists 16 loans from 11 different lenders, totaling at least $335 million, and the aggregate amount is likely much more."
"What are the implications of the chief executive of the US government being in hock for $100 million (or more) to a foreign entity that has tried to evade laws aimed at curtailing risky financial shenanigans, that was recently caught manipulating markets around the world, and that attempts to influence the US government? Trump's disclosure form lists 16 loans from 11 different lenders, totaling at least $335 million, and the aggregate amount is likely much more."
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
4 Shady Business Practices That Trump University Used To Target Students
http://thinkprogress.org/education/2016/05/31/3783202/trump-university-playbook-revealed/
"Documents detailing exactly how Trump University convinced students to enroll in its real estate classes were made public on Tuesday after a federal court ordered their release. The business, which began operating in 2005 and is now defunct, was actually never an accredited university. Instead, students paid thousands of dollars for advice from professors whom they believed were handpicked by Trump. In reality, the professors were not chosen by Trump, something the real estate mogul has admitted in depositions. Now, Trump University is facing three lawsuits, including a lawsuit brought by the New York Attorney General and two class-action lawsuits brought by students in California who said they were swindled. These “playbooks,” which show the script recruiters used to sign up prospective students, are being released as evidence in one of the ongoing class action lawsuits in California. The Washington Post requested that the documents be made public, which the Trump legal team fought by arguing the playbook constituted “trade secrets.”
"Documents detailing exactly how Trump University convinced students to enroll in its real estate classes were made public on Tuesday after a federal court ordered their release. The business, which began operating in 2005 and is now defunct, was actually never an accredited university. Instead, students paid thousands of dollars for advice from professors whom they believed were handpicked by Trump. In reality, the professors were not chosen by Trump, something the real estate mogul has admitted in depositions. Now, Trump University is facing three lawsuits, including a lawsuit brought by the New York Attorney General and two class-action lawsuits brought by students in California who said they were swindled. These “playbooks,” which show the script recruiters used to sign up prospective students, are being released as evidence in one of the ongoing class action lawsuits in California. The Washington Post requested that the documents be made public, which the Trump legal team fought by arguing the playbook constituted “trade secrets.”
‘They will find the money’: Docs reveal how Trump U pressured students to reveal retirement savings
‘They will find the money’: Docs reveal how Trump U pressured students to reveal retirement savings
"Trump University salespeople were to ask prospective students about their financial situation to assess just how much money they’re worth. What’s particularly notable here is that the page asks students to reveal how much they have in retirement savings, which suggests the university saw dipping into your retirement money as a good way to “find the money” to pay Trump University"
"Trump University salespeople were to ask prospective students about their financial situation to assess just how much money they’re worth. What’s particularly notable here is that the page asks students to reveal how much they have in retirement savings, which suggests the university saw dipping into your retirement money as a good way to “find the money” to pay Trump University"
WATCH: A retired veteran tells CNN how Trump University scammed him out of $26,000
WATCH: A retired veteran tells CNN how Trump University scammed him out of $26,000
"after five days of “instruction,” he says that he didn’t learn any useful information and was constantly pressured by instructors to pay even more money than what he’d already forked over."
"after five days of “instruction,” he says that he didn’t learn any useful information and was constantly pressured by instructors to pay even more money than what he’d already forked over."
Donald Trump's Hiding Something in Those Unreleased Tax Returns
Donald Trump's Hiding Something in Those Unreleased Tax Returns:
"Voters have the right to know if Donald dodged taxes every year, just like he did in 1978 and 1979, while he routinely used public services like bankruptcy court that other taxpayers faithfully paid for with their IRS payments."
"Voters have the right to know if Donald dodged taxes every year, just like he did in 1978 and 1979, while he routinely used public services like bankruptcy court that other taxpayers faithfully paid for with their IRS payments."
Monday, May 30, 2016
Republicans decide best way to end Net Neutrality is to defund the FCC in new bill
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/5/26/1531336/-Republicans-decide-best-way-to-end-Net-Neutrality-is-to-defund-the-FCC-in-new-bill
"The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) made a ruling in February that consumers need not be forced to use the cable box rented out by your cable provider. This was great news for consumers and sad news for cable giants who haven’t had to create a competitive business plan for decades. The sounds of happy consumers is anathema to Republicans and their cable company overlords. Earlier this month, 60 Republicans wrote a very stern admonishment to the FCC. Coincidentally, the letter said all of the same things that the cable companies have been saying—creating competition will somehow hurt consumers and so no regulations, yada yada yada."
"The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) made a ruling in February that consumers need not be forced to use the cable box rented out by your cable provider. This was great news for consumers and sad news for cable giants who haven’t had to create a competitive business plan for decades. The sounds of happy consumers is anathema to Republicans and their cable company overlords. Earlier this month, 60 Republicans wrote a very stern admonishment to the FCC. Coincidentally, the letter said all of the same things that the cable companies have been saying—creating competition will somehow hurt consumers and so no regulations, yada yada yada."
ARE THEY SERIOUS? Here’s The Insane Thing Republicans Did Instead Of Passing Zika Funding Last Week
http://addictinginfo.org/2016/05/28/are-they-serious-heres-the-insane-thing-republicans-did-instead-of-passing-zika-funding-last-week/
"The sheer heartlessness astounded even some among the Republican Party. Senator Marco Rubio, whose state of Florida is ground zero for the Zika virus, gave a strongly worded condemnation of his colleagues’ actions on Capitol Hill. The rest of the country merely braced for what is going to be a very scary summer. But while Republicans once again proved they have absolutely no interest in fulfilling even basic levels of governance, they were busy wasting everyone’s time on something else. Given the stakes of the spending bill they didn’t pass, what they did do is especially offensive. Just as the House was derailing the Zika funding (and an energy and water bill for that matter), they were drafting up a petition to demand the Library of Congress go back to using the degrading term “Illegal Alien” to refer to undocumented immigrants. That’s how they spent their work week."
"The sheer heartlessness astounded even some among the Republican Party. Senator Marco Rubio, whose state of Florida is ground zero for the Zika virus, gave a strongly worded condemnation of his colleagues’ actions on Capitol Hill. The rest of the country merely braced for what is going to be a very scary summer. But while Republicans once again proved they have absolutely no interest in fulfilling even basic levels of governance, they were busy wasting everyone’s time on something else. Given the stakes of the spending bill they didn’t pass, what they did do is especially offensive. Just as the House was derailing the Zika funding (and an energy and water bill for that matter), they were drafting up a petition to demand the Library of Congress go back to using the degrading term “Illegal Alien” to refer to undocumented immigrants. That’s how they spent their work week."
Surprise, Surprise. Trump's Been Lying About His Opposition To Cutting Social Security
Surprise, Surprise. Trump's Been Lying About His Opposition To Cutting Social Security
"It should come as a shock to no one that Trump's been saying one thing to his supporters on the campaign trail, while telling the Zombie-Eyed Granny-Starver from Wisconsin something else in private."
"It should come as a shock to no one that Trump's been saying one thing to his supporters on the campaign trail, while telling the Zombie-Eyed Granny-Starver from Wisconsin something else in private."
It Is Time to Phase Out 9 Unnecessary Oil and Gas Tax Breaks
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/report/2016/05/26/138049/it-is-time-to-phase-out-9-unnecessary-oil-and-gas-tax-breaks/
"The investment tax credit, or ITC, and production tax credit, or PTC, for clean energy have played an essential role in expediting the deployment of wind, solar, and other forms of clean energy in the United States. In December 2015, the U.S. Congress voted to extend the PTC and ITC. As part of the agreement, however, Congress decided to phase out these tax credits over time. This raises an important question, one asked by Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) in February: If policymakers phase out tax credits for clean energy, shouldn’t they do the same for the billions of dollars in tax breaks for the oil and gas industry? This fact sheet highlights nine tax breaks that should be phased out. They subsidize the oil and gas industry’s operations from beginning to end—from acquisition of the resource to extraction."
"The investment tax credit, or ITC, and production tax credit, or PTC, for clean energy have played an essential role in expediting the deployment of wind, solar, and other forms of clean energy in the United States. In December 2015, the U.S. Congress voted to extend the PTC and ITC. As part of the agreement, however, Congress decided to phase out these tax credits over time. This raises an important question, one asked by Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) in February: If policymakers phase out tax credits for clean energy, shouldn’t they do the same for the billions of dollars in tax breaks for the oil and gas industry? This fact sheet highlights nine tax breaks that should be phased out. They subsidize the oil and gas industry’s operations from beginning to end—from acquisition of the resource to extraction."
Threatened By Climate Change, National Parks And World Heritage Sites Draw Millions
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/30/3782869/national-parks-world-heritage-climate-change/
"With spring now in full gear throughout most of the United States, it’s a good bet that Memorial Day Weekend will again be the busiest of the whole year at many national parks, including the Great Smoky Mountains, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, and Utah’s Mount Zion. Last year, 305 million people visited National Park Service-administered sites, signifying the parks’ appeal to millions of Americans and world tourists. They’d better hurry. A report released Thursday from the United Nations and the Union of Concerned Scientists found that the threats posed by climate change particularly endanger the unique and fragile places on the planet: World Heritage Sites."
"With spring now in full gear throughout most of the United States, it’s a good bet that Memorial Day Weekend will again be the busiest of the whole year at many national parks, including the Great Smoky Mountains, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, and Utah’s Mount Zion. Last year, 305 million people visited National Park Service-administered sites, signifying the parks’ appeal to millions of Americans and world tourists. They’d better hurry. A report released Thursday from the United Nations and the Union of Concerned Scientists found that the threats posed by climate change particularly endanger the unique and fragile places on the planet: World Heritage Sites."
The Battle Over Public Drinking Water Has Just Begun
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/27/3782302/who-needs-public-water-when-we-have-nestle/
"the company announced it would build a bottled water facility in Phoenix, of all places, which prompted local outcry and a change.org petition to get Nestle out of the desert city, which pipes nearly all its water from the Colorado River. Ironically, Lake Mead, one of the Colorado’s largest reservoirs serving Phoenix, recently hit its lowest point ever, another marker in the Western United States’ multi-year drought."
"the company announced it would build a bottled water facility in Phoenix, of all places, which prompted local outcry and a change.org petition to get Nestle out of the desert city, which pipes nearly all its water from the Colorado River. Ironically, Lake Mead, one of the Colorado’s largest reservoirs serving Phoenix, recently hit its lowest point ever, another marker in the Western United States’ multi-year drought."
Donald Trump Only Believes in Global Warming When It Affects His Bottom Line—and His Golf Course @alternet
Donald Trump Only Believes in Global Warming When It Affects His Bottom Line—and His Golf Course @alternet:
"there is one instance when Trump is willing to acknowledge the acute impact of rising sea levels as a result of global climate change: when it threatens his golf course."
"there is one instance when Trump is willing to acknowledge the acute impact of rising sea levels as a result of global climate change: when it threatens his golf course."
Memorial Day: Trump’s War On Climate Action Would Ensure A World Of Wars
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/30/3782673/memorial-day-trump-climate/
"On Thursday, Donald Trump declared that if elected President, he would wage an all-out war against national and global climate action. On Friday, he went so far as to to deny the reality of California’s devastating drought. Because Trump gave his big energy and climate speech right before Memorial Day, it is altogether fitting and proper that we look at what Trump’s plans to destroy a livable climate would mean for the future of war."
"On Thursday, Donald Trump declared that if elected President, he would wage an all-out war against national and global climate action. On Friday, he went so far as to to deny the reality of California’s devastating drought. Because Trump gave his big energy and climate speech right before Memorial Day, it is altogether fitting and proper that we look at what Trump’s plans to destroy a livable climate would mean for the future of war."
On Climate, Trump Promises To Let The World Burn
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/26/3782434/trump-let-the-world-burn/
"In a speech laying out his energy agenda for the United States, Trump promised to undo essentially every major policy developed in the last decade intended to slow human-caused global warming."
"In a speech laying out his energy agenda for the United States, Trump promised to undo essentially every major policy developed in the last decade intended to slow human-caused global warming."
Donald Trump Tells Drought-Stricken Californians There Is No Drought
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/28/3783022/donald-trump-drought/
"Trump, who has a long history of making flat-out untrue assertions about environmental issues, said he would quickly fix California’s water issues if he becomes president."
"Trump, who has a long history of making flat-out untrue assertions about environmental issues, said he would quickly fix California’s water issues if he becomes president."
Fact-Checking Donald Trump’s Low-Octane Energy Policy
Fact-Checking Donald Trump’s Low-Octane Energy Policy
"Trump’s display of fealty to the oil, gas and coal lobbies was an exercise in crass opportunism."
"Trump’s display of fealty to the oil, gas and coal lobbies was an exercise in crass opportunism."
Trump Quote Is True: He Really Wouldn’t Lose These Idiots If He Shot Someone (VIDEO)
http://www.liberalamerica.org/2016/05/28/trump-quote-is-true-really-wouldnt-lose-these-idiots-he-shot-someone-video/
"Kimmel’s staff did some interviews with Trump supporters for a segment called “Lie Witness News.” They made up a completely outrageous fake quote and attributed it to Trump, multiple times. Then they asked Trump voters on the street what they thought. It’s completely hilarious, I swear. These people didn’t bat an eye. They just smiled their big old vacant smiles and gushed about how cool it was that the candidate for president had “leg wrestled Vladimir Putin” or “shot a gun into the ceiling” during a press conference."
"Kimmel’s staff did some interviews with Trump supporters for a segment called “Lie Witness News.” They made up a completely outrageous fake quote and attributed it to Trump, multiple times. Then they asked Trump voters on the street what they thought. It’s completely hilarious, I swear. These people didn’t bat an eye. They just smiled their big old vacant smiles and gushed about how cool it was that the candidate for president had “leg wrestled Vladimir Putin” or “shot a gun into the ceiling” during a press conference."
58 Donald Trump Conspiracy Theories (And Counting!): The Definitive Trump Conspiracy Guide
58 Donald Trump Conspiracy Theories (And Counting!): The Definitive Trump Conspiracy Guide:
"Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump not only surrounds himself with conspiracy theorists, he has spent years pushing conspiracy theories himself, much to the delight of his supporters. At times, Trump tries to remain evasive about whether he actually believes these conspiracy theories, insisting that he simply “heard” or “read” them somewhere or is just asking a question."
"Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump not only surrounds himself with conspiracy theorists, he has spent years pushing conspiracy theories himself, much to the delight of his supporters. At times, Trump tries to remain evasive about whether he actually believes these conspiracy theories, insisting that he simply “heard” or “read” them somewhere or is just asking a question."
Trump, the GOP and Media Are Trying to Make Trump Seem ‘Normal’ @alternet
Trump, the GOP and Media Are Trying to Make Trump Seem ‘Normal’ @alternet:
"the bigger problem with the MSM normalizing him is that they are also normalizing the values he purveys — the anger and violence, the racism, sexism, nativism, misogyny, the ignorance and the hatred of the democratic process. Throughout modern history, these were generally, and rightfully, considered shameful. Major candidates dared not declaim them. But power can extirpate the shame. That is exactly what happened in Germany, where there was, as in many segments of America, a predisposition to the worst instincts of humanity."
"the bigger problem with the MSM normalizing him is that they are also normalizing the values he purveys — the anger and violence, the racism, sexism, nativism, misogyny, the ignorance and the hatred of the democratic process. Throughout modern history, these were generally, and rightfully, considered shameful. Major candidates dared not declaim them. But power can extirpate the shame. That is exactly what happened in Germany, where there was, as in many segments of America, a predisposition to the worst instincts of humanity."
Trump Rails Against 'Mexican' Judge In Trump Univ. Case
Trump Rails Against 'Mexican' Judge In Trump Univ. Case
"This is the presumptive GOP nominee, folks. A thin-skinned liar and bigot. But you knew that already."
"This is the presumptive GOP nominee, folks. A thin-skinned liar and bigot. But you knew that already."
12 Fringe Conspiracy Theories Embraced By A Man Who Might Be The Next President
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2016/05/29/3783087/incomplete-list-fringe-conspiracy-theories-embraced-man-might-next-president/
"Generally, presidential candidates tend to shy away from conspiracy theories. They involve a mixture of paranoia and gullibility that seems ill-suited for someone seeking access to America’s nuclear codes. But Donald Trump is a different kind of candidate. He has embraced a wide range of fringe conspiracy theories."
"Generally, presidential candidates tend to shy away from conspiracy theories. They involve a mixture of paranoia and gullibility that seems ill-suited for someone seeking access to America’s nuclear codes. But Donald Trump is a different kind of candidate. He has embraced a wide range of fringe conspiracy theories."
Trump Didn’t Want These Secrets To Get Out, But A Judge Just Said ‘No’
http://addictinginfo.org/2016/05/28/trump-didnt-want-these-secrets-to-get-out-but-a-judge-just-said-no/
"Trump University is among the many failed businesses Trump has been involved in over the years. Other companies that failed include Trump Steaks, Trump Air, and Trump Magazine. Trump’s business and casinos have filed for bankruptcy several times. Yet despite these failures, Trump has regularly presented himself as a “winner” who is unfamiliar with losing."
"Trump University is among the many failed businesses Trump has been involved in over the years. Other companies that failed include Trump Steaks, Trump Air, and Trump Magazine. Trump’s business and casinos have filed for bankruptcy several times. Yet despite these failures, Trump has regularly presented himself as a “winner” who is unfamiliar with losing."
How Megyn Kelly’s Softball Interview With Trump Signaled Fox News’ Complete Surrender @alternet
How Megyn Kelly’s Softball Interview With Trump Signaled Fox News’ Complete Surrender @alternet: "We’re done here folks. Pack up your spectacles because the show is over. All’s that left on stage now are Ailes and Kelly, searching for their pride."
'Idiocracy' Realized: How Our Current Situation Is Worse Than the Film Predicted @alternet
'Idiocracy' Realized: How Our Current Situation Is Worse Than the Film Predicted @alternet:
"Donald Trump's political ascendancy has made Idiocracy seem like prophecy."
"Donald Trump's political ascendancy has made Idiocracy seem like prophecy."
The Trump energy plan—burn it down, burn it all down
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/5/27/1531596/-The-Trump-energy-plan-burn-it-down-burn-it-all-down
"If there is a person in America for whom the Supreme Court nominations are not enough leverage to send them to the polls, surely this action list from Trump should be a motivator."
"If there is a person in America for whom the Supreme Court nominations are not enough leverage to send them to the polls, surely this action list from Trump should be a motivator."
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