Trump just slapped a 50% tariff on Canadian wine, cheese, milk, cement–and, I promise I’m not making this up, hockey sticks. To do it, he reached back to a law from 1930. You know the one. It helped c
Some cockamamie staffer had to look up the Smoot-Hawley portion of this catastrophe. IS THERE NO ONE WHO WILL TELL THIS A$$HOLE NO? #HoldingFast to my sanity as there seems to be a short supply of it.
No words…except I am beyond angry…and yet this insanity continues unabated because of the cowardice of Republicans. When this ends, these spineless traitors to our country and the Constitution cannot go unaccountable for what, on their watch, they’ve allowed to happen, what he’s been allowed to do!!!
Your anger is, in fact... a spot on response...hold onto it...just don't let it burn you OUT.
You've drilled right into the story: NONE of this happens...without the people who had the power to STOP it...and then sat on their ass and chose NOT to.
Silence is a CHOICE...and the record is being written. Accountability starts with ALL of us...REFUSING to forget who stood where.
Keep that fire li, Christine. We're counting on it.
Jack…the only time I was addressed as “Christine” was when I was in trouble and my parents then addressed me with my full name…Christine Anne…and I’d want to disappear! I’m Christie…please!
This is a very insightful article. The conclusions and timing you point out are tough to argue against.
One comment on the timing. The timing of this announcement fits right in with my opinion that all of this garbage Trump is engaged in is a diversion from the Epstein fiasco. Just the other day Todd Blanche embarrassed himself in from of the Epstein survivors and the media took notice. So to deflate the Epstein bubble, he tries to insert himself onto the World cup stage and then imposes a 50% tariff on Canada for no reason the makes any sense. The reason I keep saying this is that the Epstein scandal happened before Trump was president, so he is not covered by presidential immunity. Should he get impeached or survive his term and lose the house and Senate with a Democrat President, he would be charged with serious crimes and likely spend the rest of his life in prison or court, running through his vast ill gotten fortune.
Steven...you're onto the thing they LEAST want you watching.
When the heat gets close...the spectacle gets LOUD...a World Cup cameo...a random 50% tariff. None of it HAS to make sense; it just has to make NOISE.
You nailed why Epstein is the exception: that's pre-presidency conduct...and the immunity for OFFICIAL acts...does NOT reach back to what a private citizen did ...before he held the office.
That's the exposure NO tariff can bury. Watch the timing; the diversions spike loudest right when that story gets CLOSEST. That...is not a coincidence. That's a tell.
And the World Cup winning team cropped and photoshopped him right out of their team photos. That’ll send him into a red face for the rest of his miserable life!
There are no words for the level of greed, grift, stupidity, ignorance…you name it for this criminal clown car of a regime. I just read crazy eyes is going to Russia for 2 days. Please explain that to me?.. I for once have no words for this other than drumpf is running scared and lashing out at every thing at everyone’s expense. He has no soul and is trying to eliminate anyone/anything he thinks will keep him from permanently staying in office.
The TIMING of that Russia trip is the tell: while tariffs fly...troops die...and the Epstein heat climbs...he sends his guy to Moscow for two CLOSED-DOOR days with the one strongman he NEVER crosses.
No American press...no transcript...Kremlin translators. That's not diplomacy you can watch...it's diplomacy you're not ALLOWED to.
I smell rats. Then again, I have smelled them for a good while now. It's just that it's easier and faster to link that smell...with faces...as time goes on. (Yeah...I'm a bit 'peeved,' you might say)
#HOLDFAST...you're not losing your grip...no way. You are one of the few...still holding ON.
You nailed it Jack, spot on analysis. Your summary as well “It’s a tax on you, justified by a Depression-era law…aimed at a friend…in defiance of a deal he signed…at the worst possible moment…with a side order of trying to tariff smoke.”
Canada, Our friend, our neighbor, our Allie, has always been there for us and should never be treated this way ever. Nor should the American people be lied to either. I hope his base reads your clarity each day. Thank you Jack and Canada has the best lumber we need to build houses etc.
You caught the piece that makes it hit home: the LUMBER.
So much of the wood that frames American houses...comes from...yep...CANADA.
Tax that...in the middle of a housing crunch...and you're not punishing Ottawa...you're making it cost more for a young family HERE to build.
The target's always across the border; the bill always lands across the STREET. You keep neighbors like Canada CLOSE. You don't torch them for a news cycle.
It's bullshit...like everything else we see from this administration.
Crap, there goes the price of cat food. Everybody needs somebody to pamper and Mommyjoon was my husband's yard buddy who sat with him as he fed our neighborhood peacocks, and has grown to love my electric blanket in shivery MI. I focus on grand's school life and fam's activities, and keep eye on politics and asstd mayhem. It has to be enough.
They find a way to tax the WHOLE household. But...Mommyjoon landed in the right lap: your husband's yard buddy by the peacocks...now ruling your electric blanket when the Michigan cool nights strike.
That's love...still doing its quiet work. It is.
What you do IS enough...the grandkids...the family...staying awake to the mayhem without letting it swallow you. THAT...Lynne Revis...is the foundation EVERYTHING else stands on. Hold your corner. It's plenty!
I get Canadian cat food too. However, donny’s latest move might not work like he thinks it will. https://tinyurl.com/4dwwy2tz. Plus, I expect there will be an injunction requested regarding his ridiculous use of Smoot Hawley. Especially after the latest Supremes decision re: his ability to unilaterally impose tariffs.
Although he probably thought he did by not renewing, Donny didn’t really kill it. “On July 1, 2026, the USMCA Free Trade Commission held its mandatory six-year joint review under Article 34.7 of the Agreement. The United States declined to confirm its intention to extend the Agreement for an additional 16-year period, stating that it “did not agree to renew the USMCA in its current form.” This decision triggers the annual joint review process under Article 34.7.4, which will proceed each year until the Parties either agree to an extension or the Agreement expires on July 1, 2036.
Critically, the Agreement remains fully in force, and the 16-year extension is not foreclosed, it remains available at any time through a written confirmation by the three heads of government pursuant to Article 34.7.4. The next bilateral negotiating round between the United States and Mexico is scheduled for the week of July 20 in Mexico City. Although Canada participated in the July 1 Commission meeting, it has not yet begun substantive text-based negotiations with the United States.” https://tinyurl.com/4dwwy2tz
It took a minute a while back but….. I finally got it through my head that he is NOT like a normal human being. He’s reportedly a malignant narcissist, the worst of the worst when it comes to the dark triad. Where the average human being has a heart with feelings and empathy for others, he has a chasm, a deep, dark, bottomless chasm. He’s an extremely sick man and should have been in treatment about 77 years ago. His own niece said he would burn it all down on the way out…. And here we are.
He’s a nihilist, he’s cruel, he’s sadistic and He. Enjoys. It. And. Gets. Off. On. Every. Single. Minute. Of. It. He scares the living sh** out of me because I don’t think a bridge too far exists in his world. He does not appear to have anyone around him who actually loves him (I mean how is it possible to love someone so evil - and - I RARELY use that word nor do I use it lightly) or cares enough to commit him somewhere or is willing to say not only no but HELL NO!
I don’t know where this ends with he who has the nuke codes. I am encouraged by everyday people that are fighting back. I’m encouraged by the courts, many of them, holding the line. I am disappointed and rather enraged that the people we supposedly elected to Congress to represent us and advocate for our wants and needs have reneged on their jobs and oaths. I’m encouraged by the State Attorneys General that have been an absolute bulwark in this whole mess. The Cabinet members? Pretty useless and on and on…
During his first term, I lived in constant fear of ‘what fresh new hell will we all wake up to’….. ? or will North Korea have nuked us in our sleep….? This time? Maybe I’m jaded… but honestly, I can be shocked by what he pulls and at the same time, I’m not surprised….. Meanwhile? I can’t control any of it….. only myself so focus on the good that’s happening and what I CAN do to help the cause, maintain my peace best as I can, help others and just be a good human…..
He’s been on an absolute tear about the smoke (which is likely the genesis of the tariffs)…. FFS, what about the climate warming that’s causing a lot of it? The tearing down of all the green energy initiatives in favor of fossil fuels?? I could go on…. there’s just so much….
Sorry about the rant, Jack! and thank you for listening. This one really gets me going. The dude is really sick and I truly wish more people would understand just what we’re up against with him…. I have fantasies about planes falling out of the air and more…. and I’ll leave it there.
He fits 9 of the 9 DSM-5 criteria for narcissistic personality disorder and 7 of the ones for anti-social personality disorder. The combo of those two creates a malignant narcissist which, fortunately, is very rare. I think Stalin may have been the closest in recent history.
Rinse and repeat! He is the Orange version of the The Red Queen. Instead of "Off with their heads" it's "50% tariffs, more tariffs" It is just stupidity! He will no doubt try and taco on it again. Especially since Canada isn't really playing on the same playground anymore.#Holdfast
Some cockamamie staffer had to look up the Smoot-Hawley portion of this catastrophe. IS THERE NO ONE WHO WILL TELL THIS A$$HOLE NO? #HoldingFast to my sanity as there seems to be a short supply of it.
Roberta..."Some cockamamie staffer had to look up Smoot-Hawley"...that's the line of the day. Why? Because...that's no sh*t!
NOBODY tells him no....because he canned everyone who would. That's not strength...it's an ECHO chamber with a ball point pen.
#HoldingFast with you ; we keep each OTHER sane.
-Jack
Thankful for you.
No words…except I am beyond angry…and yet this insanity continues unabated because of the cowardice of Republicans. When this ends, these spineless traitors to our country and the Constitution cannot go unaccountable for what, on their watch, they’ve allowed to happen, what he’s been allowed to do!!!
Christine...I know, right?!
Your anger is, in fact... a spot on response...hold onto it...just don't let it burn you OUT.
You've drilled right into the story: NONE of this happens...without the people who had the power to STOP it...and then sat on their ass and chose NOT to.
Silence is a CHOICE...and the record is being written. Accountability starts with ALL of us...REFUSING to forget who stood where.
Keep that fire li, Christine. We're counting on it.
-Jack
Jack…the only time I was addressed as “Christine” was when I was in trouble and my parents then addressed me with my full name…Christine Anne…and I’d want to disappear! I’m Christie…please!
Christie
LOL!!!! Shades of my own childhood!!
LOL...when you got your entire name, you knew you were in trouble.
This is a very insightful article. The conclusions and timing you point out are tough to argue against.
One comment on the timing. The timing of this announcement fits right in with my opinion that all of this garbage Trump is engaged in is a diversion from the Epstein fiasco. Just the other day Todd Blanche embarrassed himself in from of the Epstein survivors and the media took notice. So to deflate the Epstein bubble, he tries to insert himself onto the World cup stage and then imposes a 50% tariff on Canada for no reason the makes any sense. The reason I keep saying this is that the Epstein scandal happened before Trump was president, so he is not covered by presidential immunity. Should he get impeached or survive his term and lose the house and Senate with a Democrat President, he would be charged with serious crimes and likely spend the rest of his life in prison or court, running through his vast ill gotten fortune.
Steven...you're onto the thing they LEAST want you watching.
When the heat gets close...the spectacle gets LOUD...a World Cup cameo...a random 50% tariff. None of it HAS to make sense; it just has to make NOISE.
You nailed why Epstein is the exception: that's pre-presidency conduct...and the immunity for OFFICIAL acts...does NOT reach back to what a private citizen did ...before he held the office.
That's the exposure NO tariff can bury. Watch the timing; the diversions spike loudest right when that story gets CLOSEST. That...is not a coincidence. That's a tell.
-Jack
And the World Cup winning team cropped and photoshopped him right out of their team photos. That’ll send him into a red face for the rest of his miserable life!
Rae...they sure as hell did. I love them for that!
-Jack
Me, too!! Did you hear the guy on the hot mic? OMG! 🤣
It will clash with his orange skin dye.
Ha! Yes...very much so.
-Jack
<snort>
And his potential orange jumpsuit after the Epstein files are released!
From your lips. . .
I posted a Substack on the possible aftermath to the unredacted Epstein files release audit that included this potential
https://stevenerick.substack.com/p/a-view-from-the-cheap-seats-935
He did swing hammers at the White House and expects us to pay for the clean up.
Donald’s stupidity and his smallness know no limits
Lynn...I believe you are right. I do.
-Jack
There are no words for the level of greed, grift, stupidity, ignorance…you name it for this criminal clown car of a regime. I just read crazy eyes is going to Russia for 2 days. Please explain that to me?.. I for once have no words for this other than drumpf is running scared and lashing out at every thing at everyone’s expense. He has no soul and is trying to eliminate anyone/anything he thinks will keep him from permanently staying in office.
#HOLDFAST
Teri
Teri...no words needed; the anger says it all.
The TIMING of that Russia trip is the tell: while tariffs fly...troops die...and the Epstein heat climbs...he sends his guy to Moscow for two CLOSED-DOOR days with the one strongman he NEVER crosses.
No American press...no transcript...Kremlin translators. That's not diplomacy you can watch...it's diplomacy you're not ALLOWED to.
I smell rats. Then again, I have smelled them for a good while now. It's just that it's easier and faster to link that smell...with faces...as time goes on. (Yeah...I'm a bit 'peeved,' you might say)
#HOLDFAST...you're not losing your grip...no way. You are one of the few...still holding ON.
-Jack
Rats in the sewer. There is no diplomacy as that is not their gig.Lord knows what he is using crazy eyes for. maybe he will stay there lol...
#HOLDFAST
Teri
You nailed it Jack, spot on analysis. Your summary as well “It’s a tax on you, justified by a Depression-era law…aimed at a friend…in defiance of a deal he signed…at the worst possible moment…with a side order of trying to tariff smoke.”
Canada, Our friend, our neighbor, our Allie, has always been there for us and should never be treated this way ever. Nor should the American people be lied to either. I hope his base reads your clarity each day. Thank you Jack and Canada has the best lumber we need to build houses etc.
Joan...thank you.
You caught the piece that makes it hit home: the LUMBER.
So much of the wood that frames American houses...comes from...yep...CANADA.
Tax that...in the middle of a housing crunch...and you're not punishing Ottawa...you're making it cost more for a young family HERE to build.
The target's always across the border; the bill always lands across the STREET. You keep neighbors like Canada CLOSE. You don't torch them for a news cycle.
It's bullshit...like everything else we see from this administration.
-Jack
There’s a video Trump admits who he is:
Author Kristen Stafford substack “MTN TRAMPOLINES IS ALL CONTROL AND SHUTTERS US ECONOMY” 7/19/26
Crap, there goes the price of cat food. Everybody needs somebody to pamper and Mommyjoon was my husband's yard buddy who sat with him as he fed our neighborhood peacocks, and has grown to love my electric blanket in shivery MI. I focus on grand's school life and fam's activities, and keep eye on politics and asstd mayhem. It has to be enough.
Lynne...first houses, now cat food.
They find a way to tax the WHOLE household. But...Mommyjoon landed in the right lap: your husband's yard buddy by the peacocks...now ruling your electric blanket when the Michigan cool nights strike.
That's love...still doing its quiet work. It is.
What you do IS enough...the grandkids...the family...staying awake to the mayhem without letting it swallow you. THAT...Lynne Revis...is the foundation EVERYTHING else stands on. Hold your corner. It's plenty!
-Jack
I get Canadian cat food too. However, donny’s latest move might not work like he thinks it will. https://tinyurl.com/4dwwy2tz. Plus, I expect there will be an injunction requested regarding his ridiculous use of Smoot Hawley. Especially after the latest Supremes decision re: his ability to unilaterally impose tariffs.
With any luck he’ll back off when the election gets closer. The Republicans may not want to face their constituents and lose their grift.
Shay...that's the pressure point right there.
He answers to almost NO one...but they answer to voters...and self-preservation is the one language...that ENTIRE caucus speaks fluently.
When the polls TIGHTEN...and the grift looks like a LIABILITY... instead of a payday, you just watch how fast the spines appear...even MORE.
Our job...is to make sure that math KEEPS GETTING WORSE for them right up to Election Day!
-Jack
What DECADES of HISTORY have shown us ALL...
trump has NO LOYALTY to ANYONE ELSE EVER!
NEVER HAS... NEVER WILL.
NEVER EVER TRUST A BULLY because they are SO insecure narcissistic and paranoid that sooner than later EVERYONE becomes one of their TARGETS!
WE ARE NOT INTIMIDATED!!
WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER!
SAVE AMERICA and DEMOCRACY!!
VOTE 'EM ALL OUT!
Jesus H. Christ! (This stupidity ranks right up there with his war on Iran.)
Gary Nelson...a dead heat...right down to the wire.
-Jack
Although he probably thought he did by not renewing, Donny didn’t really kill it. “On July 1, 2026, the USMCA Free Trade Commission held its mandatory six-year joint review under Article 34.7 of the Agreement. The United States declined to confirm its intention to extend the Agreement for an additional 16-year period, stating that it “did not agree to renew the USMCA in its current form.” This decision triggers the annual joint review process under Article 34.7.4, which will proceed each year until the Parties either agree to an extension or the Agreement expires on July 1, 2036.
Critically, the Agreement remains fully in force, and the 16-year extension is not foreclosed, it remains available at any time through a written confirmation by the three heads of government pursuant to Article 34.7.4. The next bilateral negotiating round between the United States and Mexico is scheduled for the week of July 20 in Mexico City. Although Canada participated in the July 1 Commission meeting, it has not yet begun substantive text-based negotiations with the United States.” https://tinyurl.com/4dwwy2tz
It took a minute a while back but….. I finally got it through my head that he is NOT like a normal human being. He’s reportedly a malignant narcissist, the worst of the worst when it comes to the dark triad. Where the average human being has a heart with feelings and empathy for others, he has a chasm, a deep, dark, bottomless chasm. He’s an extremely sick man and should have been in treatment about 77 years ago. His own niece said he would burn it all down on the way out…. And here we are.
He’s a nihilist, he’s cruel, he’s sadistic and He. Enjoys. It. And. Gets. Off. On. Every. Single. Minute. Of. It. He scares the living sh** out of me because I don’t think a bridge too far exists in his world. He does not appear to have anyone around him who actually loves him (I mean how is it possible to love someone so evil - and - I RARELY use that word nor do I use it lightly) or cares enough to commit him somewhere or is willing to say not only no but HELL NO!
I don’t know where this ends with he who has the nuke codes. I am encouraged by everyday people that are fighting back. I’m encouraged by the courts, many of them, holding the line. I am disappointed and rather enraged that the people we supposedly elected to Congress to represent us and advocate for our wants and needs have reneged on their jobs and oaths. I’m encouraged by the State Attorneys General that have been an absolute bulwark in this whole mess. The Cabinet members? Pretty useless and on and on…
During his first term, I lived in constant fear of ‘what fresh new hell will we all wake up to’….. ? or will North Korea have nuked us in our sleep….? This time? Maybe I’m jaded… but honestly, I can be shocked by what he pulls and at the same time, I’m not surprised….. Meanwhile? I can’t control any of it….. only myself so focus on the good that’s happening and what I CAN do to help the cause, maintain my peace best as I can, help others and just be a good human…..
He’s been on an absolute tear about the smoke (which is likely the genesis of the tariffs)…. FFS, what about the climate warming that’s causing a lot of it? The tearing down of all the green energy initiatives in favor of fossil fuels?? I could go on…. there’s just so much….
Sorry about the rant, Jack! and thank you for listening. This one really gets me going. The dude is really sick and I truly wish more people would understand just what we’re up against with him…. I have fantasies about planes falling out of the air and more…. and I’ll leave it there.
How long.... AFTER trump DIES...will the GOP maga.... even ADMIT IT??
He fits 9 of the 9 DSM-5 criteria for narcissistic personality disorder and 7 of the ones for anti-social personality disorder. The combo of those two creates a malignant narcissist which, fortunately, is very rare. I think Stalin may have been the closest in recent history.
HOCKEY STICKS!! Oh, FFS!!! 🤦🏼♀️ 🤣
I’m sorry. I know it’s not funny, but I can’t help laughing. You can’t make this shit up!!
Considering tariffs on Canada because of the smoke from fires is the epitome of stupid. Mother Nature needs to pay him a visit.
It’s just so ridiculous.
Yes, it is. I chuckle at the absurdity of it. 🤦🏻
Rinse and repeat! He is the Orange version of the The Red Queen. Instead of "Off with their heads" it's "50% tariffs, more tariffs" It is just stupidity! He will no doubt try and taco on it again. Especially since Canada isn't really playing on the same playground anymore.#Holdfast
The total stupidity of Trump and his minions is staggering! I am so looking forward to voting in the midterms. We have to vote out the Stupids!
#HOLDFAST #OUTLAST