VP Vance Pushes Back On The Gerald Ford Comparison

Please consider $upporting GDPolitics by scanning the QR code below or clicking on this link

On the 11/12/25 edition of The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell, host Lawrence O’Donnell made a striking observation: current Vice President J.D. Vance’s near-silence on the swirling Jeffrey Epstein files scandal mirrors the posture then-Vice President Gerald Ford assumed as Richard Nixon’s presidency was collapsing under the weight of Watergate. O’Donnell pointed out that Ford, sensing the sinking of Nixon’s Presidency, deliberately kept his head down—he knew the ghosts of Nixon would dog his tenure if he didn’t distance himself.

By the same logic, O’Donnell argued, Vance appears to be doing exactly that: he knows the Epstein files may blow up and run Donald Trump out of office, and thus is doing everything he can to not get sucked into the scandal, to avoid becoming the next Ford.

As expected, social media erupted following O’Donnell’s segment. I posted a clip of the show, and to my surprise the reaction came from none other than the Vice President himself. That’s how provocative the comparison proved.

In his response, Vance strongly objected to O’Donnell’s suggestion that he was intentionally silent about the Epstein scandal. Vance pointed out that he had addressed the issue in prior TV appearances—citing his interview on Hannity scheduled for 11/13/25, which coincided with the date I posted the segment.

Interestingly, in that very 11/13/25 show O’Donnell claimed Vance had in fact ignored the Epstein issue entirely—and reaffirmed: “He’s still Gerald Ford.”

Now that the “Gerald Ford” comparison has caught Vance’s attention—and by implication, the President’s—it will be fascinating to watch how it plays out going forward.

Rep. Khanna Accuses Trump of Protecting the “Epstein Class”

Please consider $upporting GDPolitics by scanning the QR code below or clicking on this link

Appearing on MSNBC’s All In with Chris Hayes, Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) leveled a blistering charge at President Donald Trump — accusing him of protecting what he called the “Epstein class” rather than standing up for working Americans struggling to make ends meet. The phrase quickly caught fire online, and it’s now taking on new weight amid fresh controversy in Washington and inside the federal prison system.

Khanna’s remarks came as pressure mounts on House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) over his continued delay in swearing in Congresswoman-elect Adelita Grijalva of Arizona. Grijalva, a progressive Democrat, has been open about her plan to become the decisive 218th vote to compel the Trump administration to release the long-withheld Epstein files. Johnson’s refusal to seat her — even after certification of her election — has drawn criticism from both Democrats and watchdog groups who see the move as an attempt to block her role in advancing the Epstein disclosure measure.

After weeks of backlash, Johnson has now committed to swearing Grijalva in on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, when the House reconvenes to deliberate on a Senate measure to reopen the government. The timing has only intensified speculation that the Speaker’s delay was politically motivated.

Meanwhile, another development has reignited public scrutiny over how the powerful continue to benefit from special treatment. Ghislaine Maxwell — Epstein’s longtime associate who is serving a 20-year sentence for her role in his sex-trafficking network — was quietly transferred from a Florida federal facility to a much softer minimum-security prison camp in Bryan, Texas. The transfer raised immediate red flags, as such privileges are rarely extended to those convicted of serious sex crimes.

Reports from inside the Texas prison suggest Maxwell is enjoying unusually favorable treatment, including lenient oversight and staff attention that other inmates say border on favoritism. Members of Congress are now demanding a formal investigation into possible corruption or political interference in the Bureau of Prisons’ decision-making.

For Khanna and others calling for transparency, the timing couldn’t be more damning. A president who campaigned on exposing Epstein’s network has yet to release the files; his allies in Congress have stalled the one member most eager to force disclosure; and the central figure in Epstein’s trafficking ring appears to be enjoying preferential treatment behind bars.

Until those Epstein files are made public — as Trump once promised — the perception that his administration is shielding the powerful rather than serving the people will only deepen. As Khanna put it, Trump looks less like the champion of the “forgotten man,” and more like the guardian of the “Epstein Class.”

MSNBC’s Nicolle Wallace Brands Trump Team the “Marie Antoinette Administration”

Please consider $upporting GDPolitics by scanning the QR code below or clicking on this link

On a recent episode of Deadline: White House, MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace didn’t hold back in her criticism of former President Donald Trump’s administration. She called it the “Marie Antoinette Administration” — a cutting comparison to the infamous French queen remembered for her decadence, detachment, and the apocryphal phrase, “Let them eat cake.”

Marie Antoinette became a symbol of a ruling class oblivious to the suffering of ordinary people — a monarch who partied in Versailles while her citizens starved outside the palace gates. Wallace’s jab draws on that same image, suggesting the Trump administration has been indulging in luxury and self-congratulation while Americans face economic hardship.

The comparison lands especially hard when you look at Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s Palm Beach estate turned private club — his modern-day Versailles. While millions of Americans struggle to put food on the table amid a grinding government shutdown that has halted SNAP payments, reports continue to surface of glittering soirées, Champagne toasts, and high-society dinners taking place under Mar-a-Lago’s gilded chandeliers. Even some of Trump’s own allies have privately admitted the optics are terrible: the image of Washington elites sipping cocktails on the oceanfront while federal workers and low-income families line up at food banks is a PR nightmare.

Adding insult to injury, a federal judge recently ordered the administration to tap the USDA’s contingency funds to keep SNAP benefits flowing. Instead of complying, the administration chose to fight the order in court — literally arguing for the right to let poor Americans go hungry. It’s a move that only deepens the “Marie Antoinette” parallel: power waging legal battles over crumbs while the public goes without bread.

As the shutdown drags on, the economic pain is becoming unbearable for working families. Most analysts expect the government to reopen soon, likely before the Thanksgiving holidays, if only to stem the political fallout. But even after the lights come back on, the damage — both human and reputational — will linger.

The “Marie Antoinette Administration” label may stick as one of Trump’s most unflattering legacies. It’s a sharp irony for a president who rose to power promising to champion the “forgotten man” — rural, blue-collar Americans who felt abandoned by Washington. The image of Mar-a-Lago’s ballrooms glittering while those same Americans tighten their belts is one that no amount of political spin can erase.

In the end, Wallace’s analogy hits its mark. For many watching from the outside, the Trump administration doesn’t just look out of touch — it looks like it’s dancing while the country burns.

Can A Farmer Revolt Shape The Outcome Of The 2026 Midterms?

Please consider $upporting GDPolitics by scanning the QR code below or clicking on this link

President Trump’s latest tariffs have dealt a severe blow to America’s farmers—many of whom form the backbone of his political base. By making U.S. agricultural exports more expensive abroad, the tariffs have driven key trading partners, especially China, to look elsewhere for soybeans and beef. The result: a mounting glut of unsold American farm goods and growing resentment in rural communities that once rallied behind the “America First” banner.

Nowhere is the impact clearer than in the soybean sector. For years, China was the single largest buyer of U.S. soybeans, accounting for over half of all American exports. But since the imposition of Trump’s tariffs, Beijing has turned almost entirely to Argentina and Brazil to fill its soybean needs. The shift has devastated U.S. growers across the Midwest—states like Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri that voted overwhelmingly for Trump in 2020 and again in 2024.

What makes the situation even more striking is Argentina’s precarious economic state. The country teeters on the edge of financial collapse, yet President Javier Milei—a populist and self-proclaimed ally of Trump—has benefited from a quiet U.S.-backed economic rescue package. That move, intended to stabilize Argentina’s government, has inadvertently helped keep its agricultural exports flowing—at the direct expense of American farmers.

“This feels like betrayal,” said one Iowa soybean farmer interviewed by local media. “We were told America First. But right now, it looks like Argentina first.”

The same story is unfolding in the cattle industry. U.S. ranchers, already squeezed by high feed and fuel costs, now face declining demand from key international buyers. China and several Asian nations have ramped up imports of Argentine beef, taking advantage of lower prices and a favorable trade environment. For American ranchers, the optics of Washington bailing out a competitor while their own operations struggle are politically toxic.

As the 2026 midterms approach, this discontent threatens to boil over. Farmers who once viewed Trump as their champion are questioning whether his trade policies—and his personal alliances—reflect the economic nationalism he promised. In small-town coffee shops and agricultural forums across the Midwest, talk of a “farmer revolt” is no longer unthinkable.

The irony, of course, is that the very communities that helped fuel Trump’s rise could now play a decisive role in blunting his political momentum. If the rural backlash takes root, it could reshape not just the midterms, but the broader balance of power in a Republican Party increasingly split between loyalty to Trump and frustration over his policies.

In short, America’s farm country is waking up to a sobering realization: “America First” may have sounded good on the campaign trail—but the global farm economy tells a very different story.

Chief Justice Roberts Slammed As Biggest Enemy To Voting Rights Act

Please consider $upporting GDPolitics by scanning the QR code below or clicking on this link

In the October 19, 2025, edition of MSNBC’s Velshi, legal commentator Elie Mystal delivered a striking critique, telling host Ali Velshi that U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts has, in many respects, become the most formidable obstacle to the enforcement of the landmark 1965 Voting Rights Act (VRA)—and, by extension, a significant impediment to protecting the voting rights of communities of color.

Mystal’s remarks were prompted by the high-profile redistricting case currently before the Supreme Court, Louisiana v. Calais. Experts warn that the Court’s ruling could fundamentally undermine the VRA, effectively allowing racially motivated redistricting and diluting the electoral power of Black and minority voters. The stakes are enormous: analysts suggest that, if the Court rules in favor of Louisiana’s approach, Republicans could gain as many as 19 additional House seats in the 2026 elections alone.

The case raises critical questions under the VRA’s Section 2, which prohibits voting practices that result in racial discrimination, and Section 5, which historically required jurisdictions with a documented history of voter suppression to obtain federal approval before changing voting laws. Louisiana v. Calais centers on whether the state’s proposed redistricting plan unfairly diminishes the influence of Black voters in certain congressional districts. Proponents of the challenge argue that the plan reflects legitimate political considerations, while opponents contend it is a transparent attempt to circumvent the VRA and dilute minority voting power.

This moment is reminiscent of a discussion I initiated back in 2018, when I criticized what I then termed the “unjust Roberts Supreme Court” for systematically chipping away at the VRA’s protections. At the time, such a stance was considered controversial. Today, with mainstream voices like Mystal echoing similar concerns, it appears those warnings have entered the broader public discourse.

As the Supreme Court deliberates Louisiana v. Calais, the implications extend far beyond a single state. The decision could redefine the legal contours of voting rights protections nationwide, setting a precedent that either reinforces or weakens decades of civil rights progress. Observers on both sides of the political spectrum will be watching closely, as the Court’s ruling could reshape congressional representation and influence the trajectory of American democracy for years to come.

Is FHFA Boss Targeting Dems?

Bombshell segment on the 09/18/25 edition of MSNBC’s All In w/Chris Hayes delved into the current head of the Federal Housing Finance Authority (FHFA), William Pulte, and specifically whether he is the source of all the mortgage fraud allegations currently leveled at prominent Democrats

Hayes correctly pointed out that it does appear odd, that Democrats who President Trump has publicly feuded with, and expressed contempt for, are suddenly facing accusations of mortgage fraud. Importantly, the person who President Trump has appointed to head FHFA, which among other things, overseas the U.S. mortgage market, is a diehard MAGA and a major donor to the Trump campaign. Per Hayes, he’s an heir to a major construction company.

Could he be the one digging into Trump opponents’ mortgage files for “dirt”? Hayes certainly seems to be making that argument in this segment. If true, this would not only be a blatant abuse of power, but could potentially also be a legal infraction pertaining to privacy. 

But let’s not put the cart before the horse here. The prudent thing is to first confirm that it is indeed Mr Pulte who is leaking people’s mortgage files. After that, we can consider the potential legal ramifications

 Bottom line, this is the classic issue that begs for congressional oversight. Americans are already struggling to keep up with their mortgage payments. The last thing they need is some politically-motivated fat cat rummaging through their mortgage files digging for “political dirt”. There are federal agencies already in place to independently deal with mortgage fraud.

Big Beautiful Bill’s Trickle Down Theory Questioned

$upport via Cash App👇

Republicans have for decades advanced this theory that if you give tax cuts to the wealthy (business owners), the wealth they “create” would eventually trickles down to the middle and lower class—the so-called “trickle-down” economic theory.

History however has proven time and time again that the trickle down economic theory never works as promised, and instead, only widens the gap between the rich and the poor. This topic came up in an interesting segment of MSNBC’s Morning Joe show (06/03/25), and as you can tell from the heavy reaction, Americans appear to have caught up to the trickle down lie, as Republicans yet again push the Big Beautiful Bill.

Hell, even Grok sided with opponents of the trickle down theory

It will be interesting to see how Republicans progress with the Big Beautiful Bill, now that the trickle down lie has been exposed.

For those of you very happy with @Emolclause’s activism don’t shy away from the CashApp “tip jar” below on your way out.

Email author at admin@grassrootsdempoliticst.com

House Speaker Grilled Over “Big Beautiful Bill”

$upport via Cash App👇

House Speaker Mike Johnson appeared on CBS’ Face The Nation (05/25/25) to discuss among other things, the recent House passage of the Trump administration’s budget bill—dubbed “Big Beautiful Bill”. The Bill’s fate now lies with the Republican majority in the U.S. Senate.

Among the issues raising concerns with the budget bill, is that it is projected to increase the national debt significantly, something Republican lawmakers lamented throughout the Biden administration. The bill also makes significant cuts to Medicaid and food stamps(SNAP), programs crucial for working families generally, and specifically, the working poor.

Speaker Mike Johnson’s Louisiana is one of the poorest states in the nation, so cuts to Medicaid and food stamps are bound to have relatively more disastrous effects on families there. Asked by host Margaret Brennan how he can justify pushing such cuts knowing full well that his state is one of the poorest in the nation, Speaker Johnson responded that all the bill cuts is waste, fraud and abuse.

It will be interesting to see how Speaker Johnson and other House Republicans use this excuse once their poor constituents start complaining about the cuts. Even more interesting, will be the way Republicans defend this tricky position as we approach the 2026 midterm elections. 

For those of you very happy with @Emolclause’s activism don’t shy away from the CashApp “tip jar” below on your way out.

Email author at admin@grassrootsdempoliticst.com

Is Corruption The Dem Ticket To Victory In 2026?

$upport via Cash App👇

Ever since President Trump beat his Democratic challenger Kamala Harris in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Democrats have been in disarray, struggling to find a compelling narrative with which to challenge the new Trump administration.

Corruption is slowly becoming the galvanizing issue that is uniting Democrats in their opposition to the Trump administration. My posts on X(formerly Twitter) referencing these corruption stories generate a lot of engagement(retweets, likes, comments) which supports my assertion that corruption is clearly a hot topic for Democrats as we approach the 2026 midterms. Below are examples of such posts.

Will Democrats capitalize on this corruption issue to victory in the 2026 midterms? Only time will tell.

For those of you very happy with @Emolclause’s activism don’t shy away from the CashApp “tip jar” below on your way out.

Email author at admin@grassrootsdempolitics.com

Did Trump Admin Halt Federal Subsidies For EV Charging Stations To Benefit Musk’s Tesla?

$upport via Cash App

An interesting segment on the 02/10/25 edition of MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow Show revealed that the recent decision by the Trump administration to halt federal subsidies for EV charging stations directly benefits Elon Musk’s Tesla.

This is a glaring conflict of interest, which once again underscores the need for some congressional oversight regarding the work Musk and his DOGE are doing, ostensibly to identify and eliminate government waste and fraud.

Simply put, Congress needs to step in to ensure that Musk’s “waste cutting” operations are not benefiting his private businesses.

For those of you very happy with @Emolclause’s activism don’t shy away from the CashApp “tip jar” below on your way out.

Email author at admin@grassrootsdempolitics.com