That China Trip — How Many Stars Would You Give It Out of 10? May 17, 2026 Here’s the review from Meidas Touch: . . . Let me just say that what happened in Beijing was the maybe single most embarrassing foreign policy trip in modern American history. Donald Trump went to Beijing and completely bent the knee to Xi Jinping. Trump kept praising Xi Jinping’s strength, talking about how powerful Xi was, almost like Trump desperately wanted Xi to like him. It was bizarre to watch. Meanwhile, Xi Jinping was focused on actual geopolitical strategy and projecting China’s dominance to the world. And what exactly did the United States get out of this trip? Nothing. No semiconductor deals. Nothing on the Strait of Hormuz. Nothing on trade [Maybe a big order for Boeing? — A.T.]. Nothing on Taiwan. Zero deals. Zero wins. In fact, Xi Jinping looked Donald Trump in the face and referred to America as a declining nation right there in front of the world and Trump just took it. No pushback whatsoever. And then things somehow got worse. Trump admitted he discussed Taiwan with Xi Jinping in terms of whether the United States should even continue providing Taiwan with weapons. Think about how outrageous that is. American presidents do not consult China about whether we should support Taiwan. Then Trump went on Fox and referred to Taiwan as “some small island 9,500 miles away” and questioned why America should even help them. That statement showed such a dangerous misunderstanding of history and geopolitics. Taiwan is one of America’s most important democratic allies in Asia and a critical pillar of global stability and semiconductor manufacturing. But this is what Trump does. He attacks allies he perceives as weaker while praising authoritarian strongmen. He attacks Ukraine. He attacks Taiwan. He attacks Canada and calls it the 51st state. He attacks Greenland and Denmark. He attacks NATO. He attacks Europe. He just withdrew thousands of troops headed to Poland, one of our strongest allies. And meanwhile, he praises leaders who openly want to weaken the United States. Let me grab another sip of coffee here because honestly, watching this unfold this week was infuriating. Following Trump’s disastrous trip, Iran’s top parliament leaders started openly talking about a “new world order” and the rise of BRICS, the rise of the so-called Global South, and the decline of the United States. Think about how dangerous that is. America now looks weak internationally because Trump projects weakness. He confuses surrender with strength. He confuses flattery with diplomacy. And I remember when Republicans spent years pretending they were “China hawks.” They attacked Obama. They attacked Biden. They claimed Democrats were weak on China. But Democrats stood up to Xi Jinping. Democrats supported Taiwan. Democrats called Xi what a dictator to his face. Donald Trump, on the other hand, seems to have this bizarre obsession with Xi Jinping where he craves approval from authoritarian leaders while attacking democratic allies. So here we are on Sunday morning. Iran continues threatening global shipping routes and the Strait of Hormuz remains a major flashpoint. There’s increasing talk of broader regional war again, which could trigger global economic catastrophe and send markets into absolute freefall. Trump is such a reckless decision-maker, and so easily manipulated by stronger personalities around him, that it genuinely feels like we’re moving toward even greater instability. Jim David argues: TRUMP IS KILLING AMERICA, AND IT’S DELIBERATE. I don’t think his goal is to kill America, though that’s a consequence; and I don’t think he has formulated goals — just appetites: to be the richest, most powerful man who ever lived, the center of global attention. Join Indivisible! Support the opposition! We’re going to win in November and again in 2028 — and rejoin our traditional democratic allies in striving to make a better, freer, fairer, more prosperous world.
The Democratic Autopsy May 16, 2026May 15, 2026 But first . . . . . . lest we allow all this to become “normalized.” How to Describe this Catastrophe? Robert Reich: We must use words that accurately describe who Trump and his lackeys really are — and what they are actually doing to America And now . . . Here’s What I Told the DNC Autopsy — Rob Flaherty A lot of really interesting stuff here for political junkies.
Trump In China II May 15, 2026May 14, 2026 Yesterday‘s perspective on Trump’s trip was that “we don’t have the cards.” Today’s, from Robert Reich, is that the remarkable CEOs with him look to grow their profits more than they look to make America great again. It won’t surprise you to know I am one of those who agree with Pete: Trump has been doing just the opposite (90 seconds). To Putin’s delight. BONUS Stuart Stevens: How Roger Wicker Enabled the Dismantling of the U.S. Military I’ve known the Senator for decades. Seeing him usher in Pete Hegseth and the purge of our military leaders is both tragedy and farce.
Your Health and Lungs; China and Jobs May 13, 2026 YOUR HEALTH Dr. Eric Feigl-Ding: The U.S. now has no confirmed CDC director, no FDA commissioner, no Surgeon General, an NIH director with no medical license, and the last Acting CDC Director was a George Bush speechwriter. In fact—the only doctor/scientist we have in the White House is… Dr Oz. And the brain of our Health Secretary was partly eaten by a worm. YOUR LUNGS About Half of Patients with Metastatic Lung Cancer Don’t Get Treatment New drugs have made America’s deadliest cancer more treatable than ever. So why aren’t they reaching patients? Spread the word to the other half. TRUMP GOES TO CHINA I found this perspective sad but important. We no longer have the cards. ANDREW YANG ON AI AND JOBS The world’s leaders, and certainly our own, need to be thinking about this. (As I reported a decade or so ago, Ray Kurzweil predicted Europe would have Universal Basic Income by 2032 and the U.S., last to adopt it, in 2038.)
Us Vs. Them May 13, 2026May 12, 2026 CALLING A DRIVERLESS CAB For those of who think TSLA is overvalued at 405X earnings, this story is a lot of fun. AND WHY NOT CALL IT WITH YOUR $499 MADE-IN-AMERICA GOLD TRUMP PHONE? The ‘Trump Phone’ Has Been Repeatedly Delayed and Will No Longer Be Made in the U.S. The Trump boys have thus far collected $59 million in deposits from nearly 600,000 MAGAns and will presumably never, ever deliver the promised phone. But Republican lawmakers are okay with scams and war crimes, with pardoning drug dealers and protecting pedophiles, with favoring dictators over democracies, with attacking the press and the Pope, because . . . well, you know. They’re the good guys. With the concept of a plan for “great health care at a tiny fraction of the price” now 10 years in development. Who were robbed of the presidency in 2020, which they won by a landslide. Who think Putin is a genius and wish Ghisliane Maxwell well. Still, might these Trump phones be the final straw for some of the 600,000? To whom I say: Having doubts? You’re not alone. A welcoming, nonjudgmental community is there for you when you’re ready: leavingMAGA.org US VS. THEM An otherwise-impressive 23-year-old texted me yesterday: I can’t get too caught up playing into us vs them politics… I opt out. I replied: The “us” are people who believe in the rule of law, competence, science and democracy (and reproductive rights and LGBT equality and empathy). The “them” currently control all three branches of government. To my surprise, he replied, “all true” — and was open to my entreaty to opt IN. Who knows? If we all keep at it, this could be the year a lot of young people do.
The Death Of Putin May 12, 2026May 9, 2026 MAKE MEASLES GREAT AGAIN They Fired the People Who Would Save You A cruise ship. Three dead. A gutted CDC. And a paramedic in Florida who knows exactly what went wrong. THE DEATH OF PUTIN This is fanciful but fascinating and hopeful and exciting.
Netanyahu And Trump May 11, 2026May 9, 2026 NETANYAHU AND TRUMP ‘They have screwed each other pretty badly’: tensions emerge in Netanyahu-Trump alliance “He told Trump: ‘The Iranian economy is in shambles. The people are on the precipice of revolt. The Revolutionary Guards are losing control. Life in Iran is intolerable. This is our time,’” Pinkas said. “‘What we could do together is bring down the regime … think that together, jointly, we can win the war in three, four days.’” According to multiple reports, US intelligence and military officials stressed the risk that Iran could attack US allies in the Gulf and close the strait of Hormuz. But Netanyahu – and US administration hawks including the defence secretary, Pete Hegseth – prevailed, arguing that Iran’s Revolutionary Guards were overrated and would not have the strength to hit back. They were proved wrong on every count. 86 THE SEASHELLS Blanche Is Bluffing. An interesting essay on how prosecutions usually work. Back when the rule of law was taken as a serious thing. EPSTEIN Well? Are the Republicans, who control all three branches of government, ready to stop protecting powerful pedophiles? CIAO BELLA! If all goes according to plan, I am “abroad” as you read this. If some amazing thing happens this week and you find me posting about “the happiest cities in America” — or not posting at all — it’s because I haven’t been able to figure out the Internet. Rest assured, I will extend your subscription to make up for any lost days.
I Don’t Blame Them A Bit For Not Paying More Than The Tax Code Requires May 9, 2026May 8, 2026 OPRT Thursday’s earnings call left the market underwhelmed. The stock barely budged. And admittedly, there was a lot in the numbers to ponder. But I continue to think the new CEO — barely three weeks on the job — may deliver a strong win. If earnings hit $2 in the next year or three, and the stock sold at 15X earnings, shares would be trading at $30, not $5.75. And since you bought yours only with money you can truly afford to lose . . . and at perhaps as little as half its current price . . . I’d suggest just sitting tight. ARE YOU SOCIALLY LIBERAL BUT FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE? Then, with the U.S. deficit projected to hit $2 trillion, double fiscal target and Republicans controlling all three branches of government, I would argue that you must be a Democrat. It was Reagan, Bush 43, and Trump who’ve done the most to get us into this National Debt quicksand. Mostly, they did it by overdoing tax cuts for those who needed them least.* It was Bill Clinton who famously left his successor a surplus . . . Barack Obama who left his successor, Trump 1.0, a National Debt shrinking relative to the economy as a whole . . . and Biden who averted a Covid-induced financial collapse / global depression — averting even the widely predicted recession — and handing his successor a growing economy and inflation of just 2.7%.** Two no-brainers for shrinking the deficit: (1) Adequately fund the IRS to collect the taxes due. (2) Close loopholes and raise rates modestly on billionaires and billionheirs — while making it clear every time the subject arises that, in the main, we celebrate their achievements and admire their success, wish them well, appreciate their numerous good works (truly) . . . and don’t blame them a bit for not paying more tax than the tax code requires. It’s just that the tax code has gotten out of whack, and it’s tearing our country apart. Join the Patriotic Millionaires if you are one (annual income $1M+ or new worth $5M+) . . . or support their proposals if you believe the playing field has been tilted a little too far in their favor. THE LINE OF SUCCESSION This is the kind of thing — Our Perilous Succession Process — that, because it’s not urgent (until it is), isn’t likely to go anywhere anytime soon. But Norm Ornstein and Thurgood Marshall, Jr. make a compelling case that it should. Catnip for the historians in the crowd. * The Debt was 30% of GDP at the beginning of the Depression, 41% at the beginning of World War II, 122% in 1946, at the end of the war . . . and then fell gradually back to 30% by 1981 when Reagan began cutting taxes for the rich. Sensibly, at first, but then by too much. Made worse by Bush 43 and now Trump. **In hindsight it’s pretty clear that Biden overdid the Covid stimulus; but underdoing it, I believe, would have been far worse.
Imagine . . . May 7, 2026May 7, 2026 IMAGINE IF THIS HAD BEEN HUNTER BIDEN The US Air Force is buying interceptor drones from Powerus, a Florida company partly owned by Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump. The president’s sons profit directly from a defense contract awarded by their father’s administration. The commander in chief signs the procurement reforms, the Pentagon writes the checks, and his sons cash them. All of this is troubling enough. But hell, as it turns out, has a basement. And a subbasement. And a parking garage. Read in full . . . but not before bedtime. IMAGINE IF JOE BIDEN HAD DONE THIS EVEN ONCE Post by @ronfilipkowski.bsky.social — Bluesky He’s now nodded off multiple times in front of an audience in the Oval Office. But I haven’t heard the corporate media mention it once. Imagine if Joe Biden had done this even once?! It’s mind-boggling! IMAGINE Imagine a day where we take Ukraine’s side over Putin’s, as we once did. Where we contain Iran’s nuclear ambitions with years of painstaking diplomacy that end with a multi-national Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), as we also once did. Where we somehow regain our standing as the civilized world’s indispensable nation — not its widely reviled bully. Where medical research is not abruptly cut off . . . climate leadership is not ceded to China . . . billionaires are celebrated for their achievements — but taxed . . . billionheirs are celebrated for their parents’ and grandparents’ achievements — but taxed. Where “public service” is not a grift but a calling. Where civility and competence, compassion and integrity are once again the norms to which those at the highest levels of government aspire.