August 29, 2026

~~~ As RAS notes in today's Comments, President* Drumpf cannot pronounce Yosemite. Instead, his best effort was "Yo, Seh-men-nites." Here, Jen Psaki makes the same observation in discussing the administration's plans to sell off a piece of the National Park to a real estate developer (related stories linked below): ~~~

Naming Rights. Finally, somebody has found a vessel worthy of being christened the U.S.S. Trump. But there's a problem. Thanks to RAS for the link.

AP, published by MS NOW: “A former White House teleprompter operator accused of using inside knowledge to make bets on the prediction market Kalshi has been ordered to turn over more than $100,000 in profits and pay a $65,000 fine as part of a settlement with federal authorities. The settlement with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, announced Friday, also dealt Gabriel Perez a three-year trading ban. Perez was placed on unpaid leave from his job at the White House after reports emerged that he used his position to make bets on what ... Donald Trump would say in speeches.”

Mark Pulello & Zach Powell of the Athletic/New York Times: “One of the 10 victims who accused former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky of sexual abuse is preparing to recant his testimony, according to court documents obtained Friday by The Athletic. Sandusky, 82, is due to appear in court in Bellefonte, Pa., on Sept. 8 for an evidentiary hearing after a judge granted his request to review evidence that the accuser, recognized as R.R. or Victim 10 in court proceedings, has recanted or substantially disavowed his trial testimony. In a signed affidavit from June 30, 2025, Victim 10 said he felt pushed to change his story. His testimony 'evolved,' he said, after 'leading questions, intense investigative pressure and psychological manipulation.'

“'I was misled repeatedly during the process, particularly by prosecutor Joe McGettigan,' Victim 10 said in the affidavit.' I now regret my role in facilitating what I have come to view as a deeply flawed prosecution.' McGettigan, who died in December 2025, was the lead prosecutor in the case that rocked Penn State and led to the firing of legendary football coach Joe Paterno in 2011 in the wake of the allegations. Even if the charges involving Victim 10 are dismissed, Sandusky is unlikely to be released from prison, where he is serving a 30- to 60-year sentence after being convicted in 2012 on 45 charges of sexual abuse.” The link is a gift link.

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Who Does This?? David Gilmour of Mediaite: “... Donald Trump ... declar[ed] himself the greatest president in American history on Thursday.... Trump shared the presidential tier list on Truth Social, placing himself alone in a category marked “The Greatest,” above Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Thomas Jefferson, and Andrew Jackson, who were merely deemed 'Great.' The display quickly drew ridicule from liberal commentators over Trump’s decision to put himself at the summit of American presidential history, while conservative voices questioned some of the list’s more peculiar choices and omissions.... The graphic [in Trump's post] appears to be a modified version of a LIFE magazine ranking published in 1948 following a survey of 55 American history experts. Trump’s version largely retains those decades-old assessments while inserting more recent presidents, with some conspicuous alterations.” Thanks to Akhilleus for the link. See also his commentary in yesterday's thread. (Also linked yesterday.)~~~

~~~ Marie's Polite I-Couldn't-Be-Sweeter Note to the White House: Most historians and political scientists rank President Trump among the worst U.S. presidents, alongside James Buchanan and Andrew Johnson. So I was genuinely shocked to see that he considers himself "the greatest" president, ahead of those who usually top the list: George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Roosevelt. Since the time experts compiled their ratings, President Trump's standing has deteriorated: he has initiated and lost a disastrous war and has overseen an economy that has devastated ordinary Americans, largely because of his tariffs/taxes he imposed on consumer goods. Polls show him to have the lowest approval rating of any president in modern history. In light of all that, please ask the president to explain -- in detail -- to the American people why he thinks he is the best president in U.S. history. This is truly confusing to those of us who are suffering under his administration. Thank you for your assistance.

Jake Tapper Strikes Back. Michael Luciano of Mediaite: “CNN’s Jake Tapper fired back at ... Donald Trump over a lengthy tirade directed at CNN commentator and New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman.... 'Maggot Hagerman, the Fake Reporter from The Failing New York Times, an unattractive person both inside and out, and who knows less about me than most reporters on the beat (She’s a SCAMMER!), made up a story that on September 11th, I’m not going to the World Trade Center, in New York City, because they won’t let me make a speech, and I’m going to the Pentagon in D.C., because I’m a featured speaker,' Trump wrote in part.... Tapper responded on X..., '... suffice it to say she’s a great person, beautiful inside and out, an incredible mom and wife and colleague, and an amazing journalist. The president’s comments are disgusting and beneath the office.' In a subsequent post, Tapper wrote, 'We should never get used to this deterioration in our expectations for how a president should behave. Never.'”

Hurubie Meko & Santul Nerkar of the New York Times: “A federal judge on Friday denied ... [Donald] Trump’s request to move his 2024 felony conviction in Manhattan to federal court, blocking the president’s quickest path to overturning it. In a 35-page ruling, the judge, Alvin K. Hellerstein of the Southern District of New York, said that Mr. Trump’s arguments were 'neither new nor legally sufficient.' It was the third time that Judge Hellerstein had rejected efforts by Mr. Trump’s lawyers to move his criminal case to federal court. 'I reaffirm my former decision,' the judge wrote. 'The president’s motion is denied.' Robert J. Giuffra Jr., a lawyer for Mr. Trump, said he would appeal the decision.” The link is a gift link. Politico's story is here.

The Arc de Trump, Ctd. Marissa Martinez of NOTUS: "The National Park Service released a report Friday in support of ... Donald Trump’s proposed arch, while acknowledging the adverse effects the new monument could have on the district’s most iconic memorials and landmarks.... NPS’ review was mandated by the National Historic Preservation Act, which requires agencies to evaluate how proposed new construction could directly or adversely affect any nearby landmarks and provide solutions to minimize future harm.... The 133-page report says its construction will likely disturb dozens of historic sites in the area, including the Arlington Memorial Bridge, the cemetery, the Lincoln Memorial and the National Mall.... The service repeatedly rejected moving the site or abandoning the project altogether.... The Park Service also compiled more than 100,000 public comments collected in June and July, many of which raised questions and concerns about the sightline obstruction, rushed timeline, cost, potential environmental impact and the project’s aesthetics."

Sarah Blaskey, et al., of the Washington Post: “The Trump administration told the Supreme Court two weeks ago that construction of a new White House East Wing was '65% finished,' part of its argument that the work was too far along for the court to halt. But by the White House’s own standard for measuring the project’s progress, established in a confidential agreement with contractor Clark Construction that was reviewed by The Washington Post, work on the controversial project was far less complete. The agreement, finalized before Clark began demolition last October, stipulates that payments to the contractor be proportional to the amount of work completed, and that work cannot begin until the government approves spending for it. Based on that, if 65 percent of the work has been done, then the government should already have paid 65 percent of the total cost of the project.... The 65 percent claim was made in a sworn declaration by Joshua Fisher, the director for White House Management and Administration, who is overseeing the construction project. In the declaration, Fisher did not explain how the percentage was calculated but said, 'Work has progressed too far to go back to the drawing board.'” (Also linked yesterday.)

Don the Destroyer, Ctd. Rick Maese of the Washington Post: “Across East Potomac Golf Links..., newly cut stumps and bare patches of dirt mark the places where dozens of trees recently stood.... The Trump administration’s promised overhaul of the course has not officially begun. The trees, however, have been coming down for weeks.... Donald Trump said June 28 that work on the historical public golf facility would begin Sept. 1, but days before that date, his administration has released no final design, construction schedule or estimated cost. Officials have not said whether the course will close next week, what work might begin, or what golfers and other visitors to the national parkland should expect.

“An informal count Thursday found that more than 60 trees appeared to have been removed in recent weeks. Many were around the perimeter and parking lot, but others had been removed from playing corridors on the Blue, Red and White courses. Among the most conspicuous was a cherry tree near the 14th green of the Blue Course, one of East Potomac’s most picturesque holes, framed by cherry trees near the southern end of Hains Point. Nearby, two large sycamores had been removed around the fourth hole.” (Also linked yesterday.)

Ashley Ahn of Politico: “... Donald Trump on Friday signed an executive order to create a U.S. Space Academy, a boost to NASA as it faces budget cuts and attempts to return astronauts to the lunar surface before the end of Trump’s second term. Trump announced the creation of the new military academy that will train personnel in space technology and exploration during a ceremony at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston where he presented the Medal of Honor to members of the Artemis II mission that flew by the far side of the moon in April.” A Task & Purpose story is here. ~~~

     ~~~ Marie: As usual, Trump used the occasion to make a fool of himself and toss in a dollop of racism. ~~~ 

     ~~~ Howard Koplowitz of AL.com (Alabama), republished by Yahoo! News: Donald Trump "claimed he has a passion for space because of his uncle, who taught electrical engineering at MIT. 'I had an uncle who was a great scientist, a great man. He was at MIT for 41 years: Dr. John Trump. And he loved space,' Trump said Friday in Texas while bestowing the inaugural Congressional Space Medal of Honor to NASA Artemis II crew members. 'He used to tell me about space … he would throw in the word "nuclear" every once in a while. He loved space, so I guess, we have, genetically, we sort of, I believe in that stuff. I love it. I find it so interesting, so amazing. It's very special,' Trump continued." MB: I wish I were smart enough to know "that stuff" is "interesting" and "very special," but I just don't have the "good genes" necessary to grasp the "amazement" of it all. 

Evan Halper, et al., of the Washington Post: “The Trump administration is negotiating a long-term stake in a vast share of Venezuela’s oil fields..., a costly and legally precarious proposal that aims to nudge reluctant energy companies to drill in the risky region. The contours of the plan, which is still evolving and could change or fall apart, would involve the United States taking more direct control over Venezuelan reserves as crime and steep logistical challenges discourage private investors. Under terms being discussed, the U.S. would acquire long-term contracts for a third of Venezuelan oil reserves, creating access to roughly 90 billion barrels of crude....” ~~~

The United States of America has just entered into an Agreement with the Country of Venezuela on, THE BIGGEST OIL DEAL IN WORLD HISTORY! -- Donald Trump, in a social media post Friday night ~~~

     ~~~ Update. Rebecca Elliott, et al., of the New York Times: Donald “Trump said late Friday that the United States had struck a deal to take majority control of a huge portion of Venezuela’s oil reserves, pointing to a sweeping effort to assert U.S. dominance over energy in the Western Hemisphere. The agreement amounts to a highly unusual foray into another country’s oil fields through a partnership with a private company, the State Department said through a U.S. official. The deal would give the United States control of more than 65 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, Mr. Trump said in a social media post. That is almost as much as all of the proven reserves in the United States, which is the world’s biggest oil producer. Venezuela’s president, Delcy Rodríguez, called the agreement 'historic' and said it would have a 'significant impact on our nation’s revival.' She said in a statement that the deal involved the development of 17 oil fields, more than $100 billion of investments and projected taxes of $209 billion for Venezuela’s strapped government, which has been struggling to improve living conditions after earthquakes in June left more than 6,500 people dead.” The link is a gift link. A CNBC report is here. MB: A deal negotiated at the point of a gun is no deal. ~~~

     ~~~ Evan Halper, et al., of the Washington Post: “... Donald Trump announced Friday night that the United States had secured a long-term stake in a vast share of Venezuela’s oil fields, a potentially costly and legally precarious proposal that aims to nudge reluctant energy companies to drill in the risky region. The plan involves the U.S. taking more direct control over Venezuelan reserves as crime and steep logistical challenges discourage private investors.... The key Venezuelan partner in the deal is Alejandro Betancourt, who controls the second-largest private oil company in the country. Betancourt, 46, has also been the subject of investigations in multiple countries into alleged money laundering and faces a Swiss warrant for his arrest.... Trump said the Venezuela deal 'will substantially lower Gas Prices for all Americans,' although most experts say that any real increase in Venezuelan oil production is years away. Trump also claimed the deal would come at no cost to U.S. taxpayers. But ... for the plan to succeed in producing oil in the amounts the administration projects, the U.S. government may ultimately need to invest significant amounts.” The link is a gift link.

Jack Detsch & Paul McLeary of Politico: “The Iran war is undermining the Pentagon’s ability to project power in other regions of the world — and leaving allies and former defense officials questioning whether Washington can effectively deter its adversaries. To focus resources in the Middle East, the Pentagon has pulled key air defenses and its last remaining aircraft carrier out of the Pacific. It has largely stopped maritime missions in the South China Sea aimed at curbing China’s territorial ambitions. And it has limited fighter jet rotations around Europe that defend NATO’s borders with Russia. The notably reduced U.S. military presence in the Pacific and in Europe — and ... Donald Trump’s conciliatory approach to traditional foes such as Russia and North Korea — has threatened the Pentagon’s influence around the world, according to five former defense officials and a person familiar with Defense Department planning.... The Pentagon’s inability to subdue Tehran, coupled with drastically reduced stockpiles of missile interceptors and other key munitions, has fueled an increasing consensus that the U.S. military is losing the clout it once held with allies.”

Greg Jaffe, et al., of the New York Times: “Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is blocking the promotions of four Army officers selected for promotion to one-star rank, a highly unusual move that appears to be targeting officers who worked for generals he does not like, current and former defense officials said.... Some of the Army officers pulled from the latest list appear to have worked recently for Gen. Randy George, the former Army chief of staff, whom Mr. Hegseth fired without explanation in April. The others have ties to Gen. Christopher T. Donahue, the top U.S. Army commander in Europe, who was forced to leave the Army this summer.... So far this year Mr. Hegseth has removed at least 45 officers, selected by boards made up of peers, from promotion lists. More than half of those officers have been female or Black. Mr. Hegseth’s actions appear to violate the rules governing a promotion system that is meant to be apolitical and merit-based.” The link is a gift link.

Josh Gerstein of Politico: “The Pentagon gave a one-week reprieve Friday to three staff members at Stars and Stripes facing imminent dismissal for speaking out about threats to editorial independence at a military news outlet that receives partial government funding. The delay was announced during a hastily-called hearing Friday in federal court in Washington on a lawsuit filed a day earlier by reporter Lara Korte, editor-in-chief Erik Slavin, and publisher Max Lederer. The suit alleges their firing violates the First Amendment by retaliating against them for speaking publicly about their fears about the loss of editorial independence at Stars and Stripes.... [Judge Trevor] McFadden, a Trump appointee, sounded skeptical at times about the strength of the journalists’ case.”

Julian Mark of the Washington Post: “The Trump administration on Friday asked the Supreme Court to allow the U.S. military to discharge roughly two dozen transgender service members in a case that could decide the constitutionality of ... Donald Trump’s transgender troop ban.... Soon after taking office in January 2025, Trump signed an executive order to remove transgender troops from the military.... The Supreme Court in May 2025 allowed the ban to move forward on a temporary basis, as litigation plays out in lower courts. The case now before the high court involves 28 transgender service members who argue the ban violates the Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection.”

Failing Upwards. David Gilmour of Mediaite: “Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is privately discussing a potential run for president in 2028, according to a new report, potentially adding another central administration figure to the emerging battle to inherit the MAGA movement from President Donald Trump. The defense secretary and his wife, Jennifer Hegseth, have both floated the prospect with close friends and associates over the past several months, two people familiar with the conversations told NBC News on Friday.” The NBC News story is subscriber-firewalled.

Zach Montague of the New York Times: “The Trump administration on Friday appealed a freeze on ... [Donald] Trump’s plan to restrict mail-in voting, teeing up another series of legal decisions about whether the U.S. Postal Service can make changes to how ballots are handled ahead of the midterm elections. The issue will likely be settled by the Supreme Court. The administration’s appeal came less than a day after a federal judge in Massachusetts found that a Postal Service rule published last week was likely unconstitutional and exceeded the agency’s authority. Under the rule, the Postal Service would not deliver mail ballots in states that do not share voter data with the agency, and would only deliver ballots that meet certain criteria.” The link is a gift link.

Sarah Lynch & Daniel Klaidman of CBS News: "The FBI previously refused to hire job applicants if they admitted to hiring sex workers or stealing from an employer — or engaging in acts of bestiality. Today, those acts, which are mostly illegal across the country, are no longer automatic deal breakers for applicants to the nation's top law enforcement agency. In June, the FBI quietly lowered some of the standards it uses when it conducts background checks on would-be federal agents and other personnel.... The move comes as the FBI has lost scores of employees through firings, retirements and resignations since the start of the Trump administration.... The new standards also specifically address applicants who have engaged in past acts of bestiality or animal cruelty – saying they may still be considered for the bureau as long as the incidents took place before the age of 18, the sources said." ~~~

     ~~~ Marie: So I'm guessing these new "standards" were decided by a roomful of guys (yeah, guys) discussing how many times it was okay to cruise the red-light district and just how old a person had to be before it was wrong to fuck a goat. I wonder if Kash chaired of the committee. When those FBI agents come after me, my first reaction will be "Eww!" 

Chris Cameron of the New York Times: “A federal judge in California ruled that the Trump administration violated the Constitutional rights of international students when it sought to deport them for criticizing Israel’s war in Gaza. In a 90-page ruling, Judge Noël Wise found that the key legal foundations that the Trump administration had relied on to arrest and deport foreign students were unconstitutional, because Trump officials had wielded them to target students who used their freedom of speech to express opinions that the government did not like. 'In the United States,' Judge Wise wrote, 'free speech, including the freedom to criticize the government and its leaders, is ... a sign of our democracy’s ... strength.... Here you can simultaneously hate the content of a person’s speech and love the country that cherishes the freedom to allow it.' Judge Wise, who was appointed to the Northern District of California by President Joseph R. Biden Jr., effectively declared that a section of immigration law frequently invoked by the Trump administration violated the First and Fifth Amendments, reasoning that the provision was vague and allowed the secretary of state to remove noncitizens for speech and other activities protected by the First Amendment.” The link is a gift link.

You could call this "unflattering."

Chris Cameron, et al., of the New York Times: “The Trump administration said on Friday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers had arrested Milo Yiannopoulos, the prominent right-wing agitator and early supporter of ... [Donald] Trump, at the New Orleans airport. Public ICE detention records confirmed that Mr. Yiannopoulos was in custody, but did not say where he was being held. The Homeland Security Department said that Mr. Yiannopoulos had overstayed his visa and was issued a final deportation order in July. That order means Mr. Yiannopoulos faces possible removal from the country. The Homeland Security Department publicized Mr. Yiannopoulos’s arrest, circulating an unflattering mug shot and warning other immigrants to 'take control of their departure' by self-deporting.... He has been a particular target of Laura Loomer, the right-wing activist who frequently speaks to Mr. Trump. The two were once close allies, with Mr. Yiannopoulos supporting her unsuccessful run for Congress in 2020, but had a public falling out.” The link is a gift link. The report lists a number of Yiannopoulos' exploits that might have irritated Trump. An Independent report is here.

Shawn Hubler & Maxine Joselow of the New York Times: “The Trump administration has proposed trading away a small parcel of land in Yosemite National Park in California so a private developer can gain access to the park.... The potential deal has alarmed conservationists and former National Park Service officials, who say that Yosemite, the crown jewel of the nation’s park system, should be off limits to development. The proposal, details of which were first reported by the news outlet NOTUS, calls for transferring a small parcel just inside the western boundary of Yosemite to a company controlled by Kingsbarn Realty Capital, a real-estate private equity firm. Kingsbarn wants to build a road and develop two 40-acre parcels it owns near the park, according to documents submitted to Congress this year and reviewed by The Times.... Kingsbarn’s representative, Lanny Davis, a Washington lobbyist and a former adviser to former President Bill Clinton, said Friday that Kingsbarn wants to build an 'upscale' development of cabins, homes and commercial buildings.” The link is a gift link. The NOTUS story was linked here yesterday.

Kathy Gilsinan of Politico: “A lawsuit filed this month alleges that ... [the] reason some stations in the Freedom Fuel Network — the chain of discount gas stations promoted by the White House — have been able to sell gas so cheaply [is that s]ome $4 million worth of the gas is stolen. KRSM, the business named in the suit, denies this accusation. Freedom Fuel stations located around Philadelphia and New Jersey burst into public view in the run-up to the July Fourth holiday, when ... Donald Trump posted praise for their discounted pump prices, writing 'They are doing this because they love the U.S.A.'... According to a complaint filed Aug. 19 by Georgia-based fuel supplier Mansfield Oil Co. in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania..., KRSM acquired over 1 million gallons of fuel from a Sunoco terminal in Twin Oaks valued at around $4 million — and never paid for it. KRSM sold some of the fuel, the lawsuit alleges, to stations within the Freedom Fuel Network, which now claims to operate 29 locations.”

Gregory Svirnovskiy of Politico: “A Washington grand jury indicted a woman on charges of vandalizing the World War II Memorial, the latest incident in the federal government’s push to criminally charge people accused of damaging national monuments during ... Donald Trump’s second administration. Prosecutors say that 41-year-old Kentucky native Melissa Farris spray-painted orange graffiti on the memorial’s Atlantic Theatre Pavilion on August 13. In an interview with the Washington Post this week, Farris said she 'decided I was going to scream loudly enough that a nation will hear me.'”

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