September 28, 2026

⭐Trump the Traitor, Ctd. Edward Wong of the New York Times: Donald “Trump has asked Xi Jinping, the leader of China, whether he would like to buy American weapons, David Perdue, the American ambassador to China, said in a television interview on Sunday. '“President Trump continues to say, “Hey, we sell arms to other people around the world,’” Mr. Perdue said on 'Fox News Sunday' while discussing the state visit by Mr. Xi to Washington last week. 'He actually asked President Xi would he like to buy some at one point.'... An admission that the American president offered to sell arms to China is extraordinary. The Communist-ruled nation is considered by most American policymakers and legislators of both parties to be the greatest military, economic and diplomatic rival of the United States — the only real challenger to America as a superpower.... The State Department said in a statement that 'U.S. law prohibits arms sales to China and there is no offer or plan to sell arms to China.'” ~~~

     ~~~ Marie: As Akhilleus wrote yesterday of Trump's proposal, "It just keeps getting Trumpier." Perdue may not be the brighest bulb, but it's possible he is sending a warning here, a cry for help, because even he recognizes the POTUS* is either stark, staring mad or a traitor, or both. 

Your Tax Dollars Continue to Boost Trump. Bayliss Wagner of the New York Times: “As ... [Donald] Trump ran to return to the White House in 2024, his campaign released a somber, black-and-white ad in which he railed against the 'deep state' and vowed to expel 'warmongers' from government. 'This is the final battle,' Mr. Trump is heard saying in the online ad, which shows him walking silently down a hallway. That ad has returned this weekend, airing on television stations across the country, with one notable difference: As it ends, the words 'Paid for by the U.S. Government' appear on the screen. The spot is the latest in a series of pro-Trump ads funded by public money. Some ethics experts have argued that the Trump administration is violating federal laws banning the use of taxpayer dollars for propaganda, and the ads have drawn criticism from both parties. The most recent ad, one expert argued, is a more flagrant violation given its prior use in the political arena.

“The president and his administration have gone from breaking the law to trampling it, said Norm Eisen, a former White House [ethics] counsel ... who has sued the Trump administration several times. 'The prior ad was bad enough, but this one openly repurposes prior political conduct.' The ad aired during 'Fox News Sunday,' 'Saturday Night Live' and several college and NFL football games this weekend.... Richard Painter, a former White House ethics lawyer..., said the use of federal funds for the ads could be an 'abuse of power' and 'an impeachable offense.' He urged Congress to demand a reimbursement for the spending.” The link is a gift link. ~~~

~~~ To Be Clear (which the NYT was not).... Katherine Doyle of the Washington Post: “The White House has expanded a series of taxpayer-funded advertisements boosting ... Donald Trump, including a new spot that repurposes imagery and political rhetoric Trump used while campaigning for president.” An Independent story is here. 

The Fake Peaceniks. Tim Balk of the New York Times: “While Mr. Trump is talking about escalating the [Iran] war if he cannot strike a deal with Iran, Republicans in competitive races are losing patience with the fighting. Representative Ashley Hinson, the party’s Senate nominee in Iowa, called at a news conference Friday for an 'immediate' end to the war, saying she was 'incredibly frustrated' by rising costs. Former Representative Mike Rogers, the Republican nominee in the Senate race in Michigan and an early cheerleader for the war, released an advertisement on Monday in which he declared that it 'needs to end.'... And Senator Jon Husted, who is working to fend off the Democratic former senator Sherrod Brown, told reporters on Friday that 'we got to bring the war to a close' — even as he added that any resolution should be on 'acceptable' terms. Despite Ms. Hinson’s and Mr. Husted’s calls for an end to the war, they recently voted against resolutions to rein in Mr. Trump’s ability to carry on the conflict.” The link is a gift link. ~~~

     ~~~ Marie: It would be lovely if great swaths of Republican members of Congress suddenly saw the futility of Trump's stupid war, but they don't. They don't care about the thousands slaughtered, about the material costs of the war, about the wastes of destroying people's homes and businesses, about the international standing the war has cost the U.S. Not any of it. These selfish bastids care only about their own hides; they want the war to "end" right up until November 4. 

Calling Doctor Freud. Joe DePaolo of Mediaite: “For months, Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) has faced questions about whether he is planning to become a Republican. That speculation is sure to ratchet up following an accidental slip the senator made during a live interview in Texas on Saturday. Appearing at the Texas Tribune festival alongside CBS News chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett, Fetterman fielded a question from an audience member about his party affiliation. 'Why not become an independent?' Fetterman was asked. 'Because I’m a lifelong Republican,' the senator replied. Garrett promptly called attention to the slip. 'Democrat,' he said. The audience laughed, and Fetterman shook his head and giggled at his gaffe.” Thanks to Akhilleus for the link. MB P.S.: I cannot imagine why Fetterman exposes his legs. Many men have well-turned, muscular legs. Fetterman does not. 

Michael Shear & Amelia Nierenberg of the New York Times: “The British police arrested five men on Sunday on suspicion of preparing acts of terrorism after receiving a call around 1 a.m. about three suspicious vehicles headed toward an air force base used by the American military. The base, R.A.F. Fairford, is primarily used by the United States Air Force to deploy some of its largest bombers and has been at the center of controversy this year over its role in the American-Israeli war against Iran. It is not yet clear whether Sunday’s incident is connected to the conflict in the Middle East, but investigators are looking into whether there is any link to Iran or Russia. Both have been accused of orchestrating attacks on British soil.” The link is a gift link. ~~~

     ~~~ Mike Sheen & Sam Meredith of CNBC: "Counter-terrorism police are understood to be investigating a potential link with Iran after an alleged bomb threat against a U.K. base hosting the U.S. Air Force was foiled over the weekend."