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David A Henry's avatar

All true Michael, well stated! One thing I emphasize to people when discussing Trump is that he really doesn’t care about being president. He only holds the position for the power it wields. So he can be the gangster-con-liar-in-chief that he is. I emphasize that in 2016 the goal was to come in the top four for the GOP nomination for POTUS. That his whole step into politics was to push his grift through his Trump brand. So he attract the kind of mentally ill MAGA base that would give him loyalty, and most importantly, their money. It’s all about the money for him and his family. They don’t give a shit about what the presidency is actually about.

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Lynette Crain's avatar

Ok, Michael Cohen, this post pushed me to click upgrade my subscription to paid. I am now officially on your growing army! Well done. Your passion and your words are an inspiration.

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Linda Seibert Cropsey's avatar

I too joined today!

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Paul Olmsted's avatar

The force begins to grow !

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Paul Olmsted's avatar

I joined today for the exact same reason.

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Lynette Crain's avatar

Well done, us!

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Richard Ramey's avatar

I also joined today. Thank you Michael for all you do.

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pj law's avatar

Great insights again! You have said many times that Putin has no kompromat on Trump and that behind closed doors Trump is a far different person, charismatic, engaging and interesting. I agree; I think Trump’s Putin fascination is borne of a desire to copy Putin's pillaging of Russian wealth and ascent to power. As to the other, I believe your experience. If Trump is not the blustering buffoon that is humiliating and tanking our nation, what is the best way to dismantle his grip? We call on Congress, we write letters, we join protests, we boycott those that bend the knee, we vote, but even if that is enough, it won't end there. There will still be the cult with its belief of grievance and persecution. How does the truth reach them? Are there any parallels in your journey that we can draw upon?

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Sandra Tuttle's avatar

Thru their wallet.

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Pender Dave's avatar

For all Democratic Leaders seemingly atrophied by message unification quagmires, can you PLEASE get it together, and learn how to speak Trump? You can not fight his fire with a ‘soft sell’ strategy. From where I sit, independent media is leading the charge against this tyranny, and as yet I have not seen any clear direction from your party. Should you not be in the high 70’s or 80’s by now in approval ratings? There is so much low hanging fruit here, and yet you still stumble to even coordinate an indictment. You are a super intelligent and caring group of leaders, but are being forced into a fight you are not naturally inclined nor tooled to wage. So hire professionals. Like Michael here, or Lev Parnas maybe, street fighters that know the inside story of your opponent. Sorry Dem’s, if you don’t want to be ‘owned’, you had better start to understand what that term means to the Republicans.

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Pender Dave's avatar

Ps: I meant impeachment, not indictment.

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Jack McKeown's avatar

Happy VE Day. Let’s remember the real heroes who defeated fascism 80 years ago and turn our backs on the wannabe fascist in his guided toilet stall, a.k.a Trump’s Oval Office.

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Rappaport Stephanie's avatar

Great read 👍🏼Been saying it since 2016. Knew him and his grift when I was a NY chick.

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Heather Wynne-Phillips's avatar

Michael...you are a genius with words. I long to hear you, listen to you, watch you. You are always a spark of hope to me that maybe, just maybe, we are not all doomed. Just maybe there are a few more like you who can tell the truth and save this nation from utter ruin. Thank you.

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Judy Cross's avatar

We are not doomed. This is a setback for our country. There are a lot of people out there that are telling the truth. More than are telling the lies. We will win this "war" with tRump and we will get our Constitution and Democracy back, but not before he causes much destruction and harm to our peoples. It will be worth taking him and his goonies down. We have a lot of support from our people and the rest of the world knows what he is and what he represents. They know that he doesn't represent the majority of our people. More sites for you to watch, if you haven't already, are Meidas+, Adam Mockler, Adam Kinszinger and their are many more. All have great insight and give us hope.

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Carin Froehlich's avatar

So true what you wrote so true! I had a run in with Donald back in 1981 I never told friends because at the time he ran me over like a steam roller. My family was well aware and suffered.I laughed recently with the Bill Maher White House dinner Bill coming back saying “ Trumps a really nice guy” yeah Bill we all have been there when he comes out like your best friend then sticks the knife in your back but that knife takes time to really kill you because Trump thinks of every cruel angle there is before he gets you.i m one of thousands that haven’t spoken I know others that lost their generation family business because Trump pulled a fast one. Good Americans always lost to him honestly if anyone should get the Guinness Record it would be Donald for serial liar. I’m thinking of entering him myself

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Carla Hannan's avatar

Wow! Just WOW! This is the best explanation of the cult I have seen. It is so disheartening to see people you once respected and admired fall for his grift. Thank you and keep them coming.

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MargaretPaci's avatar

Agreed, Michael, one person cannot take on this fight alone. It will take many (We the People) to fight this Beast. I'll be honest with you, Trump reminds me of the Beast, the con of the con, while his cult members are smiling and shouting his name. The beast from the earth is worshipped by those who are deceived by his power.

Your letter is wonderful, right to the point of the matter at hand.

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Francesca Bossert's avatar

The Wizard of Oz...But mean.

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Olga Bourlin's avatar

"His base doesn’t see the guy with 91 felony counts and a dictionary full of lies. No, they see Sonny at the bar, flipping car keys and telling them, “The working man’s a sucker.” And they eat it up. He’s their Sonny. Their Michael. Their Tony Montana without the cocaine; or at least without the subtlety."

Disagree. Because Trump's base of supporters are by far white American voters (along with some conservative lighter-skinned anti-Black racist POC), they see a guy who's validated their racism. That's what initially made Trump so popular in 2016, when he unleashed the birther conspiracy theory against Barack Obama. Being the best racist that year catapulted Trump up and over the heads of the other 17 GOP presidential candidates. Bigly.

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Paul Olmsted's avatar

Thankfully it is Leo XIV ,

Not Don Vito I

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Paul Olmsted's avatar

Just trying to help save our country

one day at a time . Some days seem better than others. We need to stay ahead of the curve.

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AAA M's avatar

OMG Michael, this deserves an ACADEMY AWARD!!!!! KUDOS!!!!!!!!!

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Soso's avatar

Excellent writing and analysis with the whole mobster world and mob boss persona.

I do wonder about something. How are project 2025 and Stephen Miller coming into play in these settings? I'm looking at the 'macro' perspective. Because, after all, I see them as all using each other until one has served its purpose and then gets tossed aside (such as you did when you got thrown under the boss). Anyhow, glad to be supporting this growing community. No fear! 🚫😵🚫🫅

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