Image: Instagram
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Donald Trump has humiliated everyone—including his own people.
Robert F. Kennedy, who had just been nominated as the new Secretary of Health and Human Services, was considered a conspiracy theorist. He also has some strange characteristics, to put it mildly. Doctors once diagnosed him with worms in his brain, or he would collect dead animals to eat if he didn't throw them into New York's Central Park first, like he would a dead bear.
Robert F. Kennedy had some wise ideas, though. He correctly points out that malnutrition is the main reason the United States has the most expensive health care system in the world, yet life expectancy lags far behind other wealthy countries.
Robert F. Kennedy (right) talks with Matt Gaetz and his wife.Image: trapezoid
In the United States, the proportion of “processed foods” is huge. Due to the high ratio of sugar, salt and fat, they promote obesity, which can lead to diabetes in adults. Fast food is particularly harmful. However, Kentucky Fried Chicken Nuggets and McDonald's Big Macs are among Trump's favorite foods. Kennedy also took the liberty of being slightly critical of the president-elect's eating habits, as he wanted to wean Americans off the habit.
Retaliation ensued. Kennedy was allowed to fly on the president-elect's plane after competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship in New York. However, there he also had to eat Big Macs with Elon Musk, Donald Jr., and Speaker Mike Johnson and put on a good face for a bad game.
What at first glance seemed like a happy souvenir was actually a public humiliation of Kennedy. Not only does this once again show Trump’s sadism, but it also shows that he doesn’t shy away from publicly embarrassing his own people. Moreover, the photo also suggests that Kennedy will achieve at best symbolic success against the powerful agricultural lobby in his fight against highly processed foods.
Ultimately, however, it also suggests that things may break out more frequently for the Trump team. More than anything, the question is how long the bromance between Trump and Musk will last. The first differences had already arisen between the two men. This is about filling the position of Finance Minister.
Elon Musk wants him as Treasury secretary: Howard LutnickImage: trapezoid
As of now, Howard Lutnick and Scott Bessant are the two favorites for the position. Lutnick leads the transition team, and Bessent is a Wall Street veteran who once worked for George Soros, a public enemy of the “Make MAGA Great Again” crowd.
It was through this accusation that Lutnick's loyal supporters sought to thwart Bessant's election. They have the support of Elon Musk. He expects Lutnick to shake up financial markets. Bessant, on the other hand, is considered a traditional financier.
Acting on the motto “move fast and break things” in a finance department is simply not to the liking of the financial world. That's why the Wall Street Journal stepped in and took a firm stand against Musk. The newspaper warned that it was strange to hear that the finance minister should not be “business as usual”. Therefore, Musk should stay out of it because “fiscal and monetary policy is not his expertise.”
In fact, the incoming finance minister has a lot on his plate. What if inflation returns? What if the expected cryptocurrency boom disrupts central bank monetary policy? What if Trump does fire current Fed Chairman Jerome Powell? What if the announced mass deportations of illegal immigrants paralyze construction and agriculture?
Will Trump fire him? Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. Image: trapezoid
On the issue of mass deportations, Trump dropped another bombshell. On his platform, Truth Society, he confirmed a post by Tom Fitton, leader of the conservative group Judicial Watch. In it, he said the Trump administration would “declare a national emergency and request military support” to carry out the deportations. Trump then responded: “Yes!!!”
The use of the military for domestic political purposes is not only morally but first and foremost constitutionally problematic and can lead to a host of legal proceedings. Trump won't care. He believed he had a mandate from the people and therefore had no time to worry about legal details.
That’s why the president-elect will do everything he can to push Matt Gaetz for attorney general. His team has begun research on old-party senators, with apparent success. Some Republican senators who were initially alarmed by the bomb-thrower's nomination are now backing away.
The same is true for Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth. A woman also accused him of raping her. Hegseth acknowledged offering financial compensation to the woman but said the sex was consensual.
Defense Secretary candidate Pete Hegseth.Image:X
Trump has made clear that he wants to enforce all of his demands, even against any resistance in the House or Senate, and using legally questionable methods. He wants to transform Congress into a kind of Duma, the Russian parliament that uncritically approves all proposals of President Vladimir Putin.
Whether the much-mentioned guardrails of American democracy can withstand such an onslaught is questionable. That’s why there can’t be enough debate and humiliation on Team Trump.
Carlos Mazón, the head of the government in Valencia, the worst-hit Mediterranean region, has been affected by the devastating storm that struck Spain in late October, killing 227 people so far. Minister of Trade, Industry, Innovation and Tourism Nuria Montes must take off her hat, Spanish news agency Europapress reported in the evening, citing the autonomous region's government.
