Close Reading

Robert De Niro’s statement on Donald is perfect. \n\n “I’ve spent a lot of time studying bad men. I’ve examined their characteristics, their mannerisms, the utter banality of their cruelty. Yet there’s something different about Donald Trump. When I look at him, I don’t see a bad man. Truly. I see an evil one. Over the years, I’ve met gangsters here and there. This guy tries to be one, but he can’t quite pull it off. There’s such a thing as “honor among thieves.” Yes, even criminals usually have a sense of right and wrong. Whether they do the right thing or not is a different story — but — they have a moral code, however warped. Donald Trump does not. He’s a wannabe tough guy with no morals or ethics. No sense of right or wrong. No regard for anyone but himself — not the people he was supposed to lead and protect, not the people he does business with, not the people who follow him, blindly and loyally, not even the people who consider themselves his “friends.” He has contempt for all of them. We New Yorkers got to know him over the years that he poisoned the atmosphere and littered our city with monuments to his ego. We knew first hand that this was someone who should never be considered for leadership. We tried to warn the world in 2016. The repercussions of his turbulent presidency divided America and rattled New York City beyond imagination. Remember how we were jolted by crisis in early 2020, as a virus swept the world. We lived with Donald Trump’s bombastic behavior every day on the national stage, and we suffered as we saw our neighbors piling up in body bags. The man who was supposed to protect this country put it in peril, because of his recklessness and impulsiveness. It was like an abusive father ruling the family by fear and violent behavior. That was the consequence of New York’s warning getting ignored. Next time, we know it will be worse. Make no mistake: the twice-impeached, 4-time indicted Donald Trump is still a fool. But we can’t let our fellow Americans write him off like one. Evil thrives in the shadow of dismissive mockery, which is why we must take the danger of Donald Trump very seriously. So today we issue another warning. From this place where Abraham Lincoln spoke — right here in the beating heart of New York — to the rest of America: This is our last chance. Democracy won’t survive the return of a wannabe dictator. And it won’t overcome evil if we are divided. So what do we do about it? I know I’m preaching to the choir here. What we’re doing today is valuable, but we have to take today into tomorrow – take it outside these walls. We have to reach out to the half of our country who have ignored the hazards of Trump and, for whatever reason, support elevating him back into the White House. They’re not stupid, and we must not condemn them for making a stupid choice. Our future doesn’t just depend on us. It depends on them. Let’s reach out to Trump’s followers with respect. Let’s not talk about “democracy.” “Democracy” may be our holy grail, but to others it is just a word, a concept, and in their embrace of Trump, they’ve already turned their backs on it. Let’s talk about right and wrong. Let’s talk about humanity. Let’s talk about kindness. Security for our world. Safety for our families. Decency. Let’s welcome them back. We won’t get them all, but we can get enough to end the nightmare of Trump, and fulfill the mission of this “Stop Trump Summit.””

Trudeau, my brother, My words cannot begin to express to you or your people just how genuinely sorry I am for my country's utterly repulsive and inexcusable behavior throughout the last month and a half and for the downright cruel, hostile treatment you've suffered at the hands of the most incompetent, greedy, poorly educated, narcissistic, racist, sexist, xenophobic buffoon to ever preside over the United States. Not only is Donald Trump an overly privileged, pathetic, whiney crybaby who literally folds his arms, stomps his feet, and launches an all out temper tantrum whenever he doesn't get his way or when someone else has the TV remote, he is a dangerously delusional, high stakes risk taker who wouldn't think twice about using his own mother or child as a human body shield if he thought his life were in danger. There is absolutely no value, principle, moral or ethic he wouldn't betray without hesitation if he suspects there is anything at all to be gained - you know, the type of guy who would poison the entire neighborhood in order to hoard all the complimentary tampons and lip gloss samples from his neighbors' mail boxes just to ensure that he got first dibs on everything before anyone else. Incidentally, he is also the same type of guy who pockets all the flavored mini coffee creamers from the gas station and all the paper bed sheets and Qtips from the doctor's office. I wouldn't put it past him to steal the waitresses' tips off tabletops on his way out the door upon leaving McDonald's. In fact, I would bet everything that he steals the donation jars for Jerry's Kids at the local supermarket. I mean, its already a given that he is likely the guy who filed a lawsuit a few summers back against a sweet, innocent littls FOUR year old boy for having a lemonade stand on property not zoned for commercial use. If it wasn't Trump then I'm sure it's only because he was too busy ordering the National Guard to power hose and pepper spray the 30 or so elderly nuns who had been distributing bottled water to folks demonstrating in support of Black Lives Matter on the hottest day of the year. Satisfied in his victorious battle against the nuns - 9 of whom had been hospitalized for critical injuries including the 92 year old Mother Superior who suffered massive brain bleed, swelling and concussion due to the excessive force of the power hose and an 87 year old nun who lost permanent sight in one eye due to the pepper spray - Trump had the nerve to pose for a publicity shot in front of the church while holding a Bible - UPSIDE DOWN - and scrunching and contorting his face into that hideous trademark scowl he does ever so naturally. Yep. This is the man my fellow Americans chose to represent our nation as President - a man who beats up 90 year old nuns and imposes 25% tax hikes to our ONLY FRIEND in the entire world simply for refusing to accept his invitation for statehood. I mean, come on, Trudeau, is that really asking too much of you? Was it really worth bruising Donny's fragile little ego and sending him into a fit of rage? (Seriously, though, I suspect he really does feel as though you are in the wrong for refusing to humor his delusions and thus embarrassing him in front of all his Russian dictator and Ku Klux Klan buddies.)\nOnce again, I do humbly apologize and I promise I will support whatever actions you choose to take and I will help you in any way you deem is best. \nMuch love and peace always, \nMs. S. Delois Jackson

As an American I can say with a full heart that I stand with Canada, Mexico and Ukraine. Donald Trump is a pig and the majority of the American people are complete and utter assholes for electing this deranged demagogue piece of shit. To the world at large, I'm deeply sorry for the stupidity of my people.

Donald Trump is an utter moron who is really doing this to show off his “power”.\n\nTrump is a “very smart guy”? Why dignify this ridiculous power trip?

I never voted for Trudeau, but it is hard not to admire him after this speech. He makes Trump look just like he is.. an old, ugly, out-of-shape, and very, very stupid fool. The last thing Canada needs right now are bootlicking Conservatives like Pierre Poilievre. And on a final note.. Trudeau was wrong, Donald is NOT a smart man. He is an utter imbecile.