A “close Trump ally” speaking on “the condition of anonymity so as not to antagonize” grandpa tells The Atlantic’s Jonathan Lemire that the Orange God Emperor is becoming extremely isolated and thus completely out of touch with his base to a politically dangerous degree. “People voted for him to lower prices, to bring manufacturing back, to stand up to those taking advantage of them. They didn’t vote for him to build a damn gilded ballroom. He’s not hearing them,” said the anonymous ally in the medium-length piece about the growing distance between MAGAmerica and their messiah.

It’s not that quote however that’s the most effective at illustrating said distance but Lemire’s composition itself on the best laid plans of Donald’s handlers going to shit over the summer after the Big Beautiful Scam passed: “There had been tentative plans this summer to get Trump back out on the road. Republicans had just passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, but polls showed that a majority of Americans didn’t like how it favored the ultrarich. White House aides hoped to have Trump tour the country to emphasize that the bill’s tax cuts and deregulation would benefit his supporters.”

“But it never happened, because Trump got distracted. He turned his attention overseas and, desperate for a Nobel Peace Prize, scheduled a summit in Alaska with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, while pushing for a cease-fire in Gaza. And, just weeks after Trump presided over the tax legislation’s July 4 signing ceremony, his White House was consumed by the return of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.”

“The last thing Trump wanted was to face members of his base who might have questions about his ties to the disgraced pedophile,” Lemire writes and, well, if that ain’t a glowing vindication of the Dems’ strategy to leverage Donald’s ex-bestie against him then let’s hear the other side of it.

In a 3-0 decision against convicted felon President Trump’s regime that will have impact elsewhere, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday ruled that former parking lot lawyer Alina Habba is still not the lawfully serving US Attorney for the District of New Jersey and will never be unless the Senate does away with the Blue Slip norm and confirms her to the post… Or cuts a deal with Dem Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim, probably even less likely than the end of the Blue Slips.

“It is apparent that the current administration has been frustrated by some of the legal and political barriers to getting its appointees in place. Its efforts to elevate its preferred candidate for US Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Alina Habba, to the role of Acting US Attorney demonstrate the difficulties it has faced—yet the citizens of New Jersey and the loyal employees in the US Attorney’s Office deserve some clarity and stability… The defendants in two criminal cases moved to dismiss their indictments and to disqualify Habba from participating in their prosecutions, arguing that she is unlawfully serving as Acting US Attorney. The District Court denied the motions to dismiss, but it granted the motions to disqualify Habba from the prosecutions. The Government appeals. We will affirm,” the three judge panel of one Obama and two Dubya appointees wrote.

For your Christmas wish list… pic.twitter.com/pLXzg20SaL

— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) December 1, 2025

An October 22nd call by the Trump Regime to deny two Northern Michigan electric utilities federal funds to recoup the costs of repairs following a massive ice storm last March will see ratepayers in a deep red area on the hook for thousands of dollars in surcharges for the fixes, Politico reports.

“It could be tens of millions of dollars left on the backs of the members,” said Allan Berg, the CEO of Presque Isle Electric and Gas in northeastern Michigan, while the other utility, Great Lakes Energy, said on its website that “all storm-related costs not reimbursed by state or federal disaster aid will be paid for by the cooperative’s entire membership.” Gov Gretchen Whitmer had in an August letter warned the Orange God Emperor that ratepayers face surcharges and rate hikes “equivalent to at least $4,500 per household” without federal aid. Which he ignored, fucking over his voters.

Pope Leo XIV on Monday told reporters it’s time for shitbag Israeli dictator Benjamin Netanyahu to grab his balls and recognize an independent Palestinian state, the Associated Press reports.

“We know that in this moment, Israel doesn’t accept this solution, but we see it as the only one that can offer a solution to the conflict that they are living in,” said the pontiff during a “gaggle” on Pope Force One. “We are also friends with Israel and we try with both sides to be a mediating voice that can help bring them closer to a solution with justice for all.”

“I am asking all America First Patriots in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, who haven’t voted yet, to please GET OUT AND VOTE on Election Day, Tuesday, December 2nd, for a phenomenal Candidate, Matt Van Epps. Matt is fighting against a woman who hates Christianity, will take away your guns, wants Open Borders, Transgender for everybody, men in women’s sports, and openly disdains Country music. She said all of these things precisely, and without question — IT’S ON TAPE!”

“Do not take this Race for granted. The Radical Left Democrats are spending a fortune to beat one of the best Candidates we’ve ever had, Matt Van Epps! You can win this Election for Matt. GET OUT AND VOTE FOR MATT VAN EPPS, who has my Complete and Total Endorsement — HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!” posted convicted felon President Trump on Sunday. Such confident swagger.

Some background for those unfamiliar with the intricate geography of New York City and the surrounding metro area: The city’s divided into five “boroughs” which were individual counties prior to 1875 when the southern half of Westchester County was ceded as the Bronx. Then in 1898 the city annexed Staten Island – aka Richmond County – and a third of Long Island, including the city of Brooklyn – conterminous with Kings County – and the western half of then-Queens County.

The eastern half of Queens was renamed Nassau County, a jurisdiction currently led by hardcore MAGA douchebag Bruce Blakeman, who early last week told Fox News he’s responding to 34 year-old socialist Democrat Zohran Mamdani’s win in New York City’s mayoral election by “installing technology along the border of New York City that will read license plates, that will have facial recognition, that will have video cameras,” because Mamdani will unleash a wave of crime that will spill over the border. “We’re doing everything necessary to make sure that Nassau County is safe.”

Fun fact: Somewhere between 50 and 100 private properties, including dozens of homes, are actually bisected by the haphazardly drawn border that Blakeman seeks to fortify with facial recognition cameras. “Right now, I see his values as anti-American. So, I have a lot of issues with Mamdani. We built the greatest economic city in the world, with the financial capital of the world being in New York City. His policies will probably destroy that,” Blakeman said, adding that those who feel displaced by the socialist Muslim mayor-elect are “welcome to come to Nassau County.”

“It’s safe and affordable,” Blakeman added and lol. Safe? Yes. Safe relative to Queens? Yeah, but not by light years at 163 violent crime incidents per 100,000 in Nassau in 2023 to 439 in Queens. Factor in traffic fatalities per 100,000: 3.5 in Queens, 4.8 in Nassau (also 2023) and it’s closer to a wash on safety. Affordable? Get fucked Bruce. Property taxes are 78 percent higher per sq ft in Nassau.

In a video statement released on Sunday, Israeli dictator Benjamin Netanyahu urged President Isaac Herzog to pardon him from his still-unresolved corruption charges from like six freaking years ago, with “Bibi” telling Herzog that he expects “anyone who wishes for the good of the country support this step,” Reuters reports. Herzog’s office acknowledged the request and said he passed it along to the country’s Ministry of Justice for consideration and a required recommendation.

It’s no mystery what the recommendation’s going to be since Justice Minister Yariv Levin is a member of Netanyahu’s Likud party and a close ally. Then Herzog makes the final call, though traditionally the Israeli president pretty much rubber stamps the amnesty. Traditionally being the key word here as traditionally offenders need be convicted first before they can apply for a pardon. And then there’s the fact that Ike and Benny kind of fucking hate each other and have for a while.

One extra wrinkle on the pre-conviction pardon thing though: The first one in Israeli history was issued in the 1980s to the defendants in the “Bus 300 affair.” None other than Isaac’s father, former President Chaim Herzog, pardoned four Shin Bet agents accused of summarily executing two Palestinians captured after they had hijacked a public bus full of civilians. Chaim cited national security as the pretext for letting them off the hook, the same argument “Bibi” is making now.

Also inconvenience. “I am required to testify three times a week… That is an impossible demand that is not made of any other citizen,” Bibi said in the video, six years after he’d been charged, a period during which as many as 100,000 men, women, and children living in Gaza and the West Bank were killed outright via kinetic action or starvation/disease wrought by his genocidal campaigns.

It’s not always this easily that Congressional Republicans admit that they’re simps to their Holy Orange Messiah in the White House but Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin did it fairly easily this Sunday, first by telling CNN’s Dana Bash that “the particular circumstances of” Trump’s intention to pardon drug trafficker ex-Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernandez Mullin is “not quite aware of,” but seconds later he trust’s Trump’s “natural reaction and his approach to foreign affairs.”

“Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies located and arrested a 21 year-old Beach Park man, after he set his house on fire, following a Thanksgiving argument with his family. On November 27, 2025, at approximately 7:30 pm, Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a non-violent, verbal domestic dispute at a residence in the 40100 block of North Lone Oak Road, Beach Park. Family members were upset with Erik J Crump, 21, of the same address, as he was antagonizing and arguing with others in the home. Sheriff’s deputies arrived and were able to deescalate the situation. Crump, nor others, committed a crime and Crump agreed to keep to himself for the remainder of the evening.”

“Later the same night, at approximately 8:40 pm, Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the same residence for reports the home was on fire. As firefighters arrived, they reported seeing a man, matching Crump’s description, armed with a knife, standing on the side of the roadway about a block from the residence. Crump then fled. As Crump was seen fleeing on foot, sheriff’s deputies established a perimeter. A sheriff’s canine team responded and tracked Crump’s scent to a dead-end in the roadway, indicating he left the area in a vehicle. Sheriff’s deputies were able to track Crump’s location to a storage facility in the 39400 block of North Lewis Avenue, Beach Park. He was successfully taken into custody without incident,” says a press release from the Lake County, Illinois Sheriff’s Office that does not contain much if any clues that this was a politically-motivated incident.

Really could go either way. Like maybe Erik’s a Packers fan but his family are all Bears fans.

Hong Kong officials on Sunday announced that investigators combing the charred husks of the high-rise buildings of the Wang Fuk Court have so far found 146 bodies of residents trapped in the blazes that started Wednesday and burned until it was extinguished Friday, the Associated Press reports.

“The five alarm fire at Wang Fuk Court, Tai Po, exposed serious deficiencies of [Prestige Construction & Engineering Company] in site safety management, including the extensive use of foam boards to block up windows during building repairs,” the city’s Chinese Communist-controlled government said in a statement, referring to the contractors who had clad the buildings in bamboo scaffolding that fueled the blaze. The source of the ignition is still under investigation.

At least four people are dead and another dozen or so suffered injuries at a shooting that occurred during a kid’s birthday party at an ice cream shop on the 1900 block of Lucile Avenue in Stockton, California on Saturday, KCRA reports on more Second Amendment patriotism/ground standing.

“Tonight, my heart is heavy in a way that’s hard to put into words. As Vice Mayor of Stockton – and as someone who grew up in this community – I am devastated and angry to learn about the mass shooting at a child’s birthday party. An ice cream shop should never be a place where families fear for their lives,” Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee said a statement following the bloodbath.

“I am honored to announce my candidacy for Congressional District 22 to continue fighting for the people of this district. I want to thank my brother for his decades of service in the military and in law enforcement where we served together. Troy has always led with integrity, courage, and a relentless commitment to public safety and he put our community first. District 22 needs a Representative who will follow in Troy’s footsteps and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with President Trump to defend our conservative values, secure the border, protect our families, and oppose the reckless and radical agenda that Democrats continue to press upon the American people. I’m ready to take up that fight.”

“I know this district. And, this district knows me. I will work every day to earn your trust and carry on the tradition of America First leadership that our outgoing Congressman Troy Nehls set. Your support is appreciated and I will strive to proudly represent you,” says a Saturday Facebook post by Trever Nehls, identical twin brother of retiring Texas MAGA Congressman Troy Nehls.

Not a joke. Well, not an intentional one apparently. Also raises questions of whether it was ALWAYS Troy showing up to the Capitol when the House is in session and if Trever will ALWAYS be Trever.

“After more than 30 years in law enforcement serving and protecting my community as a police officer, constable, Fort Bend County Sheriff, an Army veteran, and six years representing this district in Congress, I have made the decision, after conversations with my beautiful bride and my girls over the Thanksgiving holiday, to focus on my family and return home after this Congress. Before making this decision, I called President Trump personally to let him know of my plans. President Trump has always been a strong ally for our district and a true friend, and I wanted him to hear it from me first.”

“Serving this country in the military, serving our community in law enforcement, and serving this district in Congress has been the honor of my life. Thank you for your trust, your friendship, and your prayers,” said Texas MAGA Congressman Troy Nehls in a statement on Saturday.

Just for some perspective here: Nehls, who’s in his third term and was reelected last November by a 25 percent margin, just under two years ago was asked why he was supporting the failed impeachment inquiry into now-former President Joe Biden. “All I can say is Donald J Trump 2024, baby!” Nehls responded, making clear what everyone actually knew but didn’t dare say out loud. The next June he was spotted wearing a pair of $400 Trump gold sneakers (or a cheaper fugazi) to work at the Capitol. Nehls did occasionally manage find time for legislation, like co-sponsoring a bill to rename Dulles International Airport the Donald J Trump International Airport that April.

Hardcore MAGA New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has all but officially secured her party’s nomination to take on incumbent Dem Governor Kathy Hochul next November, Fox News reports in a glowing article about the rock solidity of Stef’s support in the grimy, arcane, 19th century-relic system that continues to dominate the Empire State’s political culture, a consolidation that Fox writes “leaves Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman with virtually no path to the nomination.”

Yup, the stereotypical “cigar-smoke-filled backrooms” have stubbed out their Cohibas on a pic of Blakeman and made their call, as he got no traction outside of Long Island’s two counties. He’s simply screwed and Elise Stefanik’s on a glide path to the 2026 GOP gubernatorial nomination.

“We appreciated Executive Blakeman meeting with us during his visit Upstate, but nothing discussed impacted our unwavering support for Elise Stefanik and her campaign to save New York. Elise has consistently delivered for our Upstate communities, and we trust she’s the right person to tackle the challenges New Yorkers face,” said Schenectady County Republican chair Liz Joy, further emphasizing how the only state Blakey could be the GOP gubernatorial nominee of is Loserdom.

“To all Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers, please consider THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA TO BE CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY,” posted Jeffrey Epstein’s friend on Saturday as he apparently escalated his distraction from being Jeffrey Epstein’s friend.

The grandaddy of all the great journalism movies, adapted from Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein’s seminal 1974 account of their reporting. The recently late Robert Redford as Woodward, Dustin Hoffman as Bernstein, Jason Robards as Ben Bradlee. Truth be told, it’s just ever so slightly overrated, but only for plot and pacing issues. The acting and dialogue are excellent as is the direction by Alan Pakula. All that combine to do all the heavy lifting for a plot that is often difficult to parse. You hardly ever notice that you’re lost on things like why Donald Segretti telling Bernstein about his “ratfucking” operation was so important to the early phases of the overall quest to uncover Nixon’s abuses. The scene is still excellent. To be fair All The President’s Men had an audience in 1976 far more familiar with the names and their significance than some of us born a decade later.

Fun trivia: The Washington Post staff shipped crates full of office paper and binders to use as props on the newsroom set built in Los Angeles. Watergate security guard Frank Wills – whose eye for pieces of tape being placed to prevent doors from locking set in motion the implosion of Richard Nixon’s presidency – plays himself in the brief glimpses of the break-in during the film’s open.

The magma within the Campi Flegrei supervolcano just outside of Naples is stirring once again, raising fears of an imminent cataclysmic eruption that would annihilate the town of Pozzuoli and spew toxic ash across Europe as well as causing temperatures to drop globally, NPR reports.

“Two of the most recent earthquakes are the strongest we’ve ever seen,” said Giovanni Macedonio, the director of the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology in Naples. Quakes in March and June this year caused by the Campi Flegrei forced people “to evacuate and there are tens of families that can’t return to their homes because of the damage.”

“New York Attorney General Letitia James today led a coalition of 21 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit to stop the Trump administration from unlawfully cutting off Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for tens of thousands of lawful permanent residents. Attorney General James and the coalition are seeking to block new guidance from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) that wrongly declares several groups of legal immigrants ineligible for food assistance, including permanent residents who were granted asylum or admitted as refugees. The attorneys general warn that the guidance would saddle states with catastrophic financial penalties unless they immediately implement the unlawful restrictions, and they are urging the court to strike down the guidance before it can cause lasting harm,” says the newly-acquitted and totally, completely exonerated New York Attorney General Letitia James in a statement on Wednesday.

“‘The federal government’s shameful quest to take food away from children and families continues,’ said Attorney General James. ‘USDA has no authority to arbitrarily cut entire groups of people out of the SNAP program, and no one should go hungry because of the circumstances of their arrival to this country. My office will always fight to protect Americans’ SNAP benefits, and I will do everything in my power to shield New Yorkers from this unlawful policy.’ On Oct 31, USDA issued new guidance to state SNAP agencies describing changes under the so-called ‘One Big Beautiful Bill,’ which narrowed eligibility for certain non-citizen groups, including refugees, asylum recipients, and others admitted under humanitarian protection programs. The memo went far beyond the statute Congress enacted, however, asserting that anyone who entered through these humanitarian pathways would remain permanently ineligible for SNAP, even after becoming lawful permanent residents.”