The most corrupt president in the making?

[luzribeiro.livejournal.com]

Trump's biz dealings with his Indian biz pals at a time he's supposed to be transitioning from businessman to president are already raising quite a few eyebrows, and pointing attention to the potential myriad of conflicts of interest he may be facing in the years to come. 4 to 8 long years in which his detractors may wear themselves out of whining, by the way (they've had quite a kick-start in the first weeks). And for a good reason. This is a unprecedented time in many respects, including the president-elect's blurring of the line between personal and public interest.

What's he going to be, commander-in-chief or real-estate mogul in chief? He's got to make up his mind, and quick.

On the other hand, the most surprising thing would be if anyone acted surprised that this is happening - they've elected a real-estate billionaire mogul for prez, remember? What do you expect from a billionaire mogul?

On the other hand, his former opponent's shady links and ties to persons and organizations with questionable reputations (including nations that she knew for sure have funded America's enemies), might have been the main torpedo that sank her ship. But I digress. Right back to Trump now.

All his nightmare appointments aside (climate deniers for environment, WTF?), this is a guy who has put all his three adult children on his transition team. They're also going to be running his businesses. And this, just for starters. He's got 4 years and 1 month left (at least) to keep it up in the same style, and thus remain in history as the most corrupt president ever. Or not. We shall see. But the first signs are not very promising.

Comments

[proben.livejournal.com]

The question mark in the title is the key. There are a lot of question couldbe added.
When one is asking if the most corrupted president in making, one also could ask if one of the best presidents is making?

[luzribeiro.livejournal.com]

What's he making?

[proben.livejournal.com]

is in making (sorry)

[abomvubuso.livejournal.com]

You'd at least need some indications that point into that direction, if not hard evidence. I've yet to see any.

[proben.livejournal.com]

That is the point - all of these is just speculations, some indications may or may not show us where it leads. And asking if he is going to be the most corrupted president is the same as asking if he is going be one of the best presidents.

Is there possible conflict of interests? Yes and it means he needs to settle it right. Will he do so? Who knows. Does it mean most corrupted? Right now no indication of that yet. Someone may say he assembles a great team (one might not agree). Does it mean he will be one of the best presidents? Right now no indication of that yet.

[abomvubuso.livejournal.com]

The past record of statements, stances and pursued policies of the people he's currently appointing, seem to be pretty convincing indications, if not evidence, of where his administration is headed on the policies.

Like I said, I've yet to see corresponding evidence of his impending greatness.

[luvdovz.livejournal.com]

Define "best" president. What's the measurement that you're using?

[mikeyxw.livejournal.com]

No, he won't be the most corrupt, he won't have the chance. I suspect the paperwork to impeach him is already being drawn up with the sections about what he actually did being left blank to be filled in later.

Mrs. Clinton has shown she is able to spend decades under investigation and survive by being disciplined and leaving as little of a paper trail as possible. Somehow I don't think Mr. Trump will be as resilient. He can't really count on the support of his party either, which is the most dangerous part. His GOP roots don't go that deep and there are quite a few Republicans who would like to see President Pence pardoning a resigning President Trump... or not.

[mahnmut.livejournal.com]

It's interesting how he's now considering Mitt for secretary of state, i.e. keeping his most dangerous foes on a short leash. Someone must have whispered some wisdoms into the Donald's ear.

[htpcl.livejournal.com]

So who'd remain the most corrupt if Donnie doesn't get the chance to beat them in that honorable contest?

[mikeyxw.livejournal.com]

President Grant was probably the most scandal prone. While he wasn't implicated in anything himself, an improbably high number of his close associates were. President Harding was also up there. Most of the folks in between were pretty crooked as well, it wasn't exactly our high point.

[htpcl.livejournal.com]

Anyone who's not from the Middle Ages, maybe someone from the last century?

[mikeyxw.livejournal.com]

Harding was from the last century.

Okay, okay, I get what you're saying. After FDR, things actually cleaned up. Johnson and Nixon weren't the cleanest folks, but don't compare with the folks who came from the period between The Civil War and WWII. Iran Contra is pretty minor compared with how things used to be.

[johnny9fingers.livejournal.com]

They own Congress and the Court.

Trump has given them all three branches. He will never be impeached while they maintain a majority in either house. And even then his SCOTUS appointees may stick their oar in...

Trump is not immune, but he is well-protected. If however he is convicted of a crime under US laws, the game changes. I doubt that will ever happen either. It's what having the security services in your pocket is for, so to speak.

[oportet.livejournal.com]

After January 20th it may be a real problem, but I see nothing wrong with transitioning during a transition period...kinda seems like the perfect time to do it?

[dreamville-bg.livejournal.com]

Don't most of these guys start preparing for the presidency while they're still running? Or was he that shocked himself of his own victory? Can't help noticing that he's been looking detached, kind of bored, and all in all somewhat low-energy since he realized he's going to be president.

[airiefairie.livejournal.com]

The pageant he has set up at his private golf course has been the most Trump-ist thing in months... making all those establishment people walk to his door in hope to be picked up into his cabinet... In a way it looks refreshing. =)

[oportet.livejournal.com]

He's ahead of the usual pace on appointments - and on top of that he isn't moving from another government position, like almost every president up until now. I think the media is hyping things up as being worse than they really are because they're still embarrassed about their actions and predictions from the last year.

[dreamville-bg.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure how moving from another government position prevents someone from planning for a potential future in office. He's a businessman, don't business-people make plans?

Don't know who's hyping what, but some of his appointments are truly cringe-worthy. And I'm saying this as someone who didn't even root for Hillary - or any other liberal, to that matter.

[oportet.livejournal.com]

I meant that there is more of a transition to be made since he isn't just coming from another government position. I understand his opponents just want to write him off as some dipshit who spends all day on twitter - but he does have businesses, he does have things to transition out of - maybe thats why we have a 75 day or so transition period in the first place - incase we ever elected someone who wasn't a career politician and already had their friends in place.

[dexeron.livejournal.com]

I'm not concerned with his corruption. I'm more concerned with his courting of literal Nazis into positions of power and influence.

[luzribeiro.livejournal.com]

You're not concerned with his corruption period, or you're less concerned with his corruption than with his courting of literal Nazis? Because there's a difference.

[dexeron.livejournal.com]

Well, less concerned. I was being a little hyperbolic before. Still, it's hard for me to get really worked up about corruption, because the other threats that I feel he poses are just so much more terrifying to me. That, and unfortunately his corruption really just feels like so much more of the same usual thing when it comes to modern American politics. :(