From the Gipper to the Grifter: Trump’s Surrender to Russia, Economic Ruin, and Betrayal of America—Plus, a Brutal Reality Check for the MAGA Dead-Enders
Wow! You hit everything - bullseye! This was totally brilliant both as idea and in execution. I dunno where you find the time to churn out these wonderful, insightful and always well-thought out posts but I deeply admire both your ability and your stamina, given all the rapid fire changes wrought by our not so dear leader. Congratulations!
That means a lot, Phoebe—thank you! Keeping up with the chaos is a challenge, but someone’s gotta document the wreckage. Appreciate your kind words and loyal readership—more to come! 🚀
I agree with that comment or sentiment of wonderful, insightful and always well-thought out posts but I deeply admire both your ability and your stamina, given all the rapid fire changes wrought by our not so dear leader
It is a letter that should not only be read by all American voters, it is a letter that should be read by Trump (someone will have to read it to him, because, because, it has lots of words and he has the attention span of a gnat), and it is a letter that should be read by every Republican in the Senate and the House.
That said, members of the House and members of the Senate do not read mail or emails sent to them by people who are not constituents.......they only read mail or emails sent to them by their constituents.
Going a bit further, although it is somewhat costly to do so, I believe that "saying it large" is better than saying it in an email or via an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper. In early September 2024, I wrote a letter to Trump. But, instead of printing the letter to 8 1/2 x 11, I had a friend print the letter to a 30" wide by 10' long sheet of Tyvek media, i.e., a giant "in-your-face" poster. I then mailed it off to Mierda-Lago. (Tyvek cannot be torn or ripped; it takes extra effort to discard it.)
May I please have your permission to do this with your letter? I can personally send it to Trump, but, before I send it to R senators and representatives, I will have to find volunteers who live in (have addresses in) states that have R senators and representatives.
I just printed your letter to 8 1/2 x 11, and due to the length of your letter, it would become a poster approximately 30" wide by 25' long.
I appreciate your enthusiasm and your creative approach to making sure the letter gets seen. You have my permission to print and send it as you described. If it lands in the right hands—or at least forces someone to put in the effort to discard it—that’s already a small victory.
Mersault, this is a perfect run-down. Reagan, for all the mythology built around him, was exactly as you portray him—an actor playing the role of president, guided by advisors who shaped his decisions. He was the face of a system, not its architect. And while he pushed neoliberal policies that have since gutted essential public infrastructure—healthcare, postal services, energy, key industries—he was not impervious to advice. He was not mentally ill. He listened.
Trump, on the other hand, does not. And without explicitly stating it, you show exactly why: the glaring psychological deficits that define him, traits that dictators throughout history have shared—Putin, Musk, and many before them. The inability to accept reality, the desperate need for validation, the obsession with control. He doesn’t lead; he demands. He doesn’t build alliances; he seeks submission. And as you make clear, this isn’t about ideological shifts or party changes. It’s about the deliberate destruction of democratic principles for personal gain.
Your letter does something important—it doesn’t just compare them; it lays bare the difference between flawed leadership and outright pathological rule. I appreciate the clarity.
That was a good conversation indeed. I was a Republican back in the day. I loved Ronald Reagan, initially because he reminded me of my Daddy. I felt safe with him as president.
Then 2016 came. I did not know anything about Trump, so I looked him up. Six business bankruptcies, who even does that and stays in business? A serial adulterer. I was shocked and could not understand how so many Christians could be supporting him. Then came the Access Hollywood video. That turned my stomach. So I voted for Hillary and all Democrats down the ballot for the first time in 45 years of being a registered Republican.
After surviving the first two years of his term, I saw that the Republican Party had changed to MAGA. I became a registered Democrat and I have voted Democrat all down the ballot ever since. The Republican Party is dead. Only MAGA survived.
I really liked your essay. Thank you. It had the benefit of relaxing me as I have been so anxious and depressed since he won the election! Since January 20, it has gotten worse and worse.
Thank you for sharing your journey—it takes courage to reflect, reassess, and stand by your principles, especially when it means breaking from something that once felt like home. Your story resonates with so many who have watched the Republican Party transform into something unrecognizable. I’m truly glad my essay could offer even a little relief in these heavy times. You’re not alone in this fight, and your voice, your vote, and your values still matter. Hang in there—we need people like you now more than ever.
Wow! You hit everything - bullseye! This was totally brilliant both as idea and in execution. I dunno where you find the time to churn out these wonderful, insightful and always well-thought out posts but I deeply admire both your ability and your stamina, given all the rapid fire changes wrought by our not so dear leader. Congratulations!
That means a lot, Phoebe—thank you! Keeping up with the chaos is a challenge, but someone’s gotta document the wreckage. Appreciate your kind words and loyal readership—more to come! 🚀
I agree with that comment or sentiment of wonderful, insightful and always well-thought out posts but I deeply admire both your ability and your stamina, given all the rapid fire changes wrought by our not so dear leader
I was no fan of Ronaldo Maximus, but this one hits it out of the park. Shared on Facebook and restacked here. 💖
Please write a letter from Nixon next.
I would love to see that one!
If only this letter can somehow be read out loud to Congress in Regan’s voice…
As always 1st rate terrific work! I won't say i feel the same way about saint, Ron but we're entitled to our opinions, and I respect yours'
You're take on Trump !!! I'm not sure if the tears are from laughing or crying TBH.
This is a masterpiece and i always look forward to your work!
A message to Patrice,
This letter is a brilliant piece of work.
It is a letter that should not only be read by all American voters, it is a letter that should be read by Trump (someone will have to read it to him, because, because, it has lots of words and he has the attention span of a gnat), and it is a letter that should be read by every Republican in the Senate and the House.
That said, members of the House and members of the Senate do not read mail or emails sent to them by people who are not constituents.......they only read mail or emails sent to them by their constituents.
Going a bit further, although it is somewhat costly to do so, I believe that "saying it large" is better than saying it in an email or via an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper. In early September 2024, I wrote a letter to Trump. But, instead of printing the letter to 8 1/2 x 11, I had a friend print the letter to a 30" wide by 10' long sheet of Tyvek media, i.e., a giant "in-your-face" poster. I then mailed it off to Mierda-Lago. (Tyvek cannot be torn or ripped; it takes extra effort to discard it.)
May I please have your permission to do this with your letter? I can personally send it to Trump, but, before I send it to R senators and representatives, I will have to find volunteers who live in (have addresses in) states that have R senators and representatives.
I just printed your letter to 8 1/2 x 11, and due to the length of your letter, it would become a poster approximately 30" wide by 25' long.
Joel,
I appreciate your enthusiasm and your creative approach to making sure the letter gets seen. You have my permission to print and send it as you described. If it lands in the right hands—or at least forces someone to put in the effort to discard it—that’s already a small victory.
Thanks for your support and for taking action.
WOW just WOW! Amazing writing.
Mersault, this is a perfect run-down. Reagan, for all the mythology built around him, was exactly as you portray him—an actor playing the role of president, guided by advisors who shaped his decisions. He was the face of a system, not its architect. And while he pushed neoliberal policies that have since gutted essential public infrastructure—healthcare, postal services, energy, key industries—he was not impervious to advice. He was not mentally ill. He listened.
Trump, on the other hand, does not. And without explicitly stating it, you show exactly why: the glaring psychological deficits that define him, traits that dictators throughout history have shared—Putin, Musk, and many before them. The inability to accept reality, the desperate need for validation, the obsession with control. He doesn’t lead; he demands. He doesn’t build alliances; he seeks submission. And as you make clear, this isn’t about ideological shifts or party changes. It’s about the deliberate destruction of democratic principles for personal gain.
Your letter does something important—it doesn’t just compare them; it lays bare the difference between flawed leadership and outright pathological rule. I appreciate the clarity.
Too bad that the guy currently in the Oval Office can’t read…he could learn a lot from Ronnie’s advice. Well done, Mersault!
That was a good conversation indeed. I was a Republican back in the day. I loved Ronald Reagan, initially because he reminded me of my Daddy. I felt safe with him as president.
Then 2016 came. I did not know anything about Trump, so I looked him up. Six business bankruptcies, who even does that and stays in business? A serial adulterer. I was shocked and could not understand how so many Christians could be supporting him. Then came the Access Hollywood video. That turned my stomach. So I voted for Hillary and all Democrats down the ballot for the first time in 45 years of being a registered Republican.
After surviving the first two years of his term, I saw that the Republican Party had changed to MAGA. I became a registered Democrat and I have voted Democrat all down the ballot ever since. The Republican Party is dead. Only MAGA survived.
I really liked your essay. Thank you. It had the benefit of relaxing me as I have been so anxious and depressed since he won the election! Since January 20, it has gotten worse and worse.
Thank you for sharing your journey—it takes courage to reflect, reassess, and stand by your principles, especially when it means breaking from something that once felt like home. Your story resonates with so many who have watched the Republican Party transform into something unrecognizable. I’m truly glad my essay could offer even a little relief in these heavy times. You’re not alone in this fight, and your voice, your vote, and your values still matter. Hang in there—we need people like you now more than ever.
Bingo! Excellent Mersault!
Thank you for this brilliant takedown by Ron of Don! I’m definitely a new fan.
🤗
Keep it coming’! 🤓🤩😆
Brilliant! This deserves a Pulitzer
I accept, Jay. 😉
Can you send this to Stephen Colbert? He could read it to Trump 😂…
He also seems to keep on top of whatever Jimmy Kimmel is doing and saying!
I think we should print this piece off and mail it to every Republican in the House and the Senate.
Bravo!