Category: Petty

Trump Suggests Switzerland Tariffs Stemmed From Friction With Swiss President – The New York Times

President Trump disclosed that he imposed a 39 percent tariff on Switzerland in August 2024 after a personal dispute with then-President Karin Keller-Sutter during a phone call he characterized as adversarial. Trump stated he initially planned a 30 percent rate but increased it to 39 percent after Keller-Sutter repeatedly objected, saying her repetitive pushback and aggressive tone “rubbed me the wrong way.” The tariff far exceeded rates negotiated with the European Union at 15 percent and Britain at 10 percent, revealing that personal friction—not trade policy analysis—determined the rate.

Trump recounted that Keller-Sutter emphasized Switzerland’s small size and inability to absorb such tariffs, to which Trump responded by referencing the U.S. trade deficit with the country. The Swiss central bank had noted that gold bullion and bars—which comprised roughly two-thirds of Swiss exports to the United States at that time—should not be counted in trade balance calculations, undermining Trump’s rationale. Trump’s acknowledgment that the tariff was retaliatory rather than economically justified contradicts any legitimate trade policy framework.

After the rate hike, Trump said “all hell really broke out” and that Rolex and other Swiss representatives lobbied to reduce the tariff. Trump eventually cut the rate to 15 percent, matching the European Union’s rate. Keller-Sutter’s presidential term ended in December, and Trump later remarked that Switzerland exists only because of U.S. support, stating “They’re only good because of us,” a comment that prompted gasps from World Economic Forum attendees in Davos.

Trump’s public explanation reveals how personal grievance and authoritarian impulse shape his trade decisions rather than coherent economic strategy. Using tariffs as punishment for perceived disrespect weaponizes trade policy as a tool for enforcing personal loyalty, establishing a pattern where foreign leaders must defer to Trump’s demands or face economic retaliation regardless of factual merit or proportionality.

(Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/21/us/politics/trump-switzerland-tariffs-personal-friction.html)

Trump Sues JPMorgan Chase and CEO for $5B, Alleging They ‘Debanked Him’ After Capitol Riot

Trump filed a $5 billion lawsuit in Florida against JPMorgan Chase and CEO Jamie Dimon on January 22, 2026, claiming the bank “debanked” him for political reasons following the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. According to the suit, JPMorgan Chase notified Trump in February 2021 that his accounts would be closed within two months. Trump’s legal team, led by attorney Alejandro Brito, alleges the bank made this decision based on “political and social motivations” and “woke” beliefs rather than legitimate business concerns.

JPMorgan Chase rejected the allegations, with a spokesperson stating the bank “does not close accounts for political or religious reasons” and instead closes accounts that “create legal or regulatory risk.” The bank further stated it “regret[s] having to do so but often rules and regulatory expectations lead us to do so.” The bank’s official response to the lawsuit was direct: “While we regret President Trump has sued us, we believe the suit has no merit,” and affirmed its right to defend itself in court.

The lawsuit emerges two months after CEO Dimon publicly declined to fund Trump’s proposed 90,000-square-foot White House ballroom, estimated at $400 million. During a November 2025 CNN interview, Dimon explained that JPMorgan Chase maintains strict policies on government contracts and avoids appearances of “buying favors,” citing concerns about regulatory scrutiny from future administrations. The ballroom is being funded by Trump and other donors including Amazon, Apple, Google, Microsoft, and the Winklevoss twins, but not JPMorgan Chase.

Dimon has previously contradicted Trump’s claims about their relationship. During the 2024 election, Trump falsely claimed Dimon had endorsed him for president, a claim JPMorgan Chase publicly denied. On January 21, 2026, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Dimon stated, “I don’t like what I’m seeing,” indicating continued skepticism of Trump’s policies and actions.

(Source: https://people.com/trump-sues-jpmorgan-chase-5-billion-11890840?utm_campaign=peoplemagazine&utm_content=photo&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_term=69729ffbffed3f00012671e0&fbclid=IwdGRjcAPgaTVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeLrOftBb_toUMg2YdBsQXRbIDpfcjXp5Npq52X3y9puC9kMJxCy86kH861ag_aem_b3_ScplyKwJuYqHYFrd_xQ)

Trump Posts Private Macron Message Threatening French

President Trump posted a private text message from French President Emmanuel Macron to Truth Social on Monday evening, revealing Macron’s explicit rejection of Trump’s Greenland annexation ambitions. The message, which Macron sent inviting Trump to dinner in Paris, stated “I do not understand what you are doing on Greenland” while offering cooperation on Syria, Iran, and a potential G7 meeting. Trump’s decision to publicly expose the private communication occurred just one hour after he threatened Macron with a 200% tariff on French wines and champagnes for declining an invitation to join Trump’s controversial “Board of Peace.”

Macron had formally rejected Trump’s Board of Peace invitation on Monday, asserting that the board’s charter “goes beyond the framework of Gaza and raises serious questions, in particular with respect to the principles and structure of the United Nations, which cannot be called into question.” Trump responded to reporters by dismissing Macron, claiming “nobody wants him because he’s gonna be out of office very soon” and threatening economic retaliation through punitive tariffs if Macron continued to resist his demands.

Trump’s breach of diplomatic confidentiality demonstrates his pattern of weaponizing personal communications for public humiliation. By posting Macron’s private message without consent, Trump violated established norms of executive-level diplomacy and transformed a confidential appeal for constructive engagement into a public spectacle on his Truth Social platform. The move reflects Trump’s documented hostility toward allied leaders who resist his territorial ambitions, as evidenced by his continued promotion of annexing Greenland, Canada, and Venezuela.

Macron’s message attempted diplomatic persuasion by emphasizing areas of agreement on Syria and Iran while directly confronting Trump’s Greenland agenda. However, Trump’s response—combining economic threats with public exposure of private communications—signals his abandonment of traditional diplomatic channels in favor of coercive tactics. The incident underscores the deteriorating state of U.S.-France relations under Trump’s leadership, characterized by contempt for allied leadership and disdain for confidentiality.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/politics/trump-posts-private-message-from-french-president-macron-to-truth-social-i-do-not-understand-what-you-are-doing/)

Trump Links His Push for Greenland to Not Winning Nobel Peace Prize – The New York Times

President Trump sent a text message to Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store on Sunday, stating that he is pursuing Greenland acquisition partly because Norway did not award him a Nobel Peace Prize. In the message, Trump claimed he had “stopped 8 Wars PLUS” and said that failing to receive the prize means he no longer feels obligated to prioritize peace, instead focusing on “what is good and proper for the United States of America.” Trump also disputed Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland, asserting “There are no written documents” supporting Danish claims and demanding “Complete and Total Control of Greenland” for global security.

The text message escalates Trump’s campaign to seize Greenland, an Arctic territory that has been part of the Danish Kingdom for over 300 years. Trump’s claim that lack of a Nobel Prize justifies shifting away from peace-focused policy to territorial acquisition contradicts his stated commitment to peaceful resolution. Trump has previously threatened to acquire Greenland through either an “easy way” or “hard way,” rejecting questions about financial incentives or local consent.

Trump has directed military planners to prepare an invasion plan for Greenland, with advisers accelerating efforts following operations against Venezuela. Trump has declared his commander-in-chief powers are constrained only by his “own morality,” rejecting international law as binding on military action.

World leaders have condemned Trump’s push to acquire Greenland, viewing it as a violation of international law and Danish sovereignty. The message to Norway’s prime minister reveals Trump’s willingness to weaponize personal grievances—in this case, not receiving an international peace prize—to justify geopolitical aggression and abandonment of stated principles.

(Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/19/world/europe/trump-norway-greenland-nobel.html)

Trump Curses, Flips Off Autoworker at Ford Plant

During a Tuesday visit to a Ford plant in Dearborn, Michigan, Donald Trump responded to an autoworker’s accusation of being a “pedophile protector” by cursing at the worker and making an obscene gesture. Video footage obtained by TMZ shows Trump standing on an elevated walkway above the factory floor, pointing downward while mouthing profanities and the phrase “you’re fired” before extending his middle finger toward the crowd below.

The autoworker’s reference targeted Trump’s documented connections to deceased sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and his administration’s efforts to block the release of Department of Justice files related to Epstein. Trump’s hostile reaction—captured on camera in a black peacoat—demonstrated his pattern of responding to criticism with personal attacks rather than substantive engagement.

White House spokesperson Steven Cheung defended Trump’s conduct, characterizing the worker’s statement as a “complete fit of rage” and labeling Trump’s obscene response as “appropriate and unambiguous.” This framing inverted the facts: Trump initiated the escalation through his visible anger and deliberate vulgarity rather than addressing the underlying allegation.

The incident reflects Trump’s broader conduct in public settings, where he routinely demeans individuals who question him. His use of profanity and dehumanizing language—including “you’re fired”—mirrors his documented pattern of demanding absolute loyalty from subordinates, treating dissent as personal betrayal rather than legitimate expression.

Trump’s behavior at the Ford plant exemplifies how he leverages his office to attack citizens rather than engage with substantive concerns about his past associations or policy decisions. The incident underscores the normalization of executive vulgarity and hostility toward ordinary Americans who dare to challenge him publicly.

(Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/trump-drops-f-bomb-flipping-224633176.html)

Trump Posts Acting President of Venezuela on Truth Social

President Donald Trump posted a doctored image on Truth Social claiming to be the “Acting President of Venezuela” as of January 2026, following a U.S. military operation that abducted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on January 3. Trump previously stated on January 3 that the United States would oversee Venezuela until a safe transition occurred, and told The New York Times he anticipated U.S. control would extend “much longer” than six months or a year without providing a specific timeline.

The Trump administration conducted what it characterized as a “large-scale strike” against Caracas, seizing Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were transported to New York and arraigned in Manhattan federal court on January 5 on drug charges. Both pleaded not guilty. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the operation as a “law enforcement” action requiring no congressional approval, rejecting characterizations of it as an “invasion,” while the administration claimed Maduro was a drug cartel leader rather than a legitimate head of state.

The seizure of Maduro without congressional authorization violated the Constitution’s war powers clause, according to Senator Jack Reed, D-R.I., the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Reed stated: “Congress — not the President — has the sole power to authorize war. Pursuing regime change without the consent of the American people is a reckless overreach and an abuse of power.” Multiple lawmakers, primarily Democrats, challenged the legality of the operation, which proceeded without legislative approval.

Trump’s action reflects a broader push to reassert U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere, with the administration invoking what it calls the “Don-roe Doctrine,” a rebranding of the Monroe Doctrine. The original 1823 doctrine sought to limit European influence in Latin America; under President Theodore Roosevelt, it was weaponized to justify U.S. intervention as an “international police power.” Trump’s Venezuela operation follows months of military pressure and more than two dozen strikes in Latin American waters targeting alleged drug traffickers as part of his stated effort to reduce drug inflows into the United States.

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly declined to clarify whether Trump’s “Acting President” post was intended as a joke, instead responding to Fox News Digital: “President Trump will be the greatest President for the American and Venezuelan people in history. Congratulations, world!” The post demonstrates Trump’s escalation from military intervention to claiming executive authority over a foreign nation without constitutional checks or democratic legitimacy.

(Source: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-declares-himself-venezuelas-acting-president-online-post-after-maduro-ouster.amp)

Trump Rages For 2 Solid Minutes On Nobel Peace Prize

President Trump spent two minutes ranting about not receiving a Nobel Peace Prize during a Friday photo opportunity with oil executives, then claimed he does not care about the award. Unprompted, Trump mentioned an upcoming meeting with Nobel Peace Prize recipient María Corina Machado and suggested she might be “involved in some aspect” of Venezuelan governance, contradicting his recent public criticism of her.

Trump alleged that Norway is “embarrassed” by the Nobel committee’s decision and claimed he has settled eight major wars, some spanning decades, without nuclear weapons. He stated that he settled wars including India-Pakistan tensions, asserting that “nobody else settled wars” and that he deserved the prize more than any person in history.

Trump contrasted his record with former President Barack Obama’s 1-prize, claiming Obama “had no idea why” he received it, “didn’t do anything,” and was “a bad president.” Trump stated Obama received the award “almost immediately upon attaining office,” implying the selection was unwarranted. He insisted that war prevention should automatically qualify recipients for Nobel recognition.

Trump concluded his tirade by stating “I don’t care about that,” pivoting to claims that he has “saved tens of millions of lives” and citing Pakistan’s Prime Minister for publicly crediting him with preventing 10 million deaths in a potential India-Pakistan conflict. His statements contradicted his evident preoccupation with the award, which he has repeatedly lobbied for through unsubstantiated claims about ending wars.

Trump’s assertions about settling multiple major wars have been repeatedly debunked. His pattern of publicly expressing indifference to the Nobel Prize while simultaneously delivering extended grievances about being denied it demonstrates a disconnect between stated and actual priorities.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/trump-rages-for-two-solid-minutes-on-nobel-prize-then-says-but-i-dont-care-about-that/)

Trump Revokes Security Clearances in Retaliatory Move

In a politically charged move, Donald Trump has revoked the security clearances of prominent Democrats, including former Secretary of State Antony Blinken, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. This decision aligns with Trump’s ongoing strategy to silence his critics and reinforce his authoritarian control over adversaries who have publicly challenged him.

The revocation of these clearances, described by some as largely symbolic, holds significant implications for those affected. The targeted officials may face barriers in performing their official duties, as restricted access to federal buildings, including courthouses and law enforcement facilities, would severely hamper their operational capabilities.

Immediately following Trump’s action against these officials, he also revoked President Joe Biden’s security clearance, arguing there is no justification for Biden to access classified information. This retaliatory tactic is a thinly veiled attempt to undermine Trump’s opponents, while attempting to deflect attention from his own questionable behavior as president.

Trump has a history of vindictiveness towards individuals like Letitia James, who has pursued legal action against him, and Alvin Bragg, who is prosecuting Trump in a high-profile criminal case. By stripping their security clearances, Trump not only retaliates against them for their opposition but also sends a chilling message to others within the political sphere.

This latest action reveals Trump’s blatant disregard for the principles of democracy and governance, emphasizing his preference for authoritarian tactics over collaborative political discourse. By continuing to target those who have opposed him, Trump’s actions further illustrate a dangerous trend within the Republican Party that prioritizes personal vendettas over public service and accountability.

(h/t: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14376597/Trump-strips-security-clearances-Anthony-Blinken-Letitia-James-Alvin-Bragg-including-humiliating-ban-entering-federal-buildings.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490)

Trump Revokes Biden’s Security Clearance

Former President Donald Trump has announced that he is revoking Joe Biden’s security clearance, claiming there is no need for him to access classified information. This move appears to be a retaliatory action stemming from Biden’s critique of Trump’s trustworthiness during his presidency, when Biden suggested Trump should not receive intelligence briefings due to his “erratic behavior.” Trump’s decision is just another attempt to undermine his political rivals under the pretense of national security.

Trump further justifies his decision by referencing the findings of Special Counsel Robert Hur, who investigated Biden’s handling of classified documents. However, it is crucial to note that Hur ultimately did not find sufficient evidence to recommend criminal charges against Biden, undermining Trump’s claims of Biden’s untrustworthiness. By distorting the context of these findings, Trump reveals a desperation to distract from his own questionable record and actions.

This policy move is illustrative of a broader trend in the Republican party, which often seeks to manipulate narratives surrounding national security and intelligence. Trump’s behavior embodies a dangerous precedent of using state power to attack political adversaries, thereby eroding the fundamental norms that underpin democratic governance. His actions against former officials, including John Bolton and Gen. Mark Milley, serve to illustrate an alarming pattern of retribution against those who challenge him.

Trump’s rhetoric surrounding security clearance also reflects a continual effort to obscure his own administration’s failures concerning intelligence and national security. By directing public attention towards Biden’s past statements and decisions, Trump distracts from ongoing discussions about his own disastrous policies and the broader implications for U.S. democracy.

Ultimately, Trump’s latest maneuver is not about security; it is a calculated effort to stifle dissent and reassert control. This represents a dangerous trajectory where political enemies are systematically marginalized through the manipulation of state mechanisms. Such tactics should be condemned as they directly contribute to the erosion of democratic principles and the normalization of fascist practices within American politics.

Trump’s Dismissal of Coast Guard’s First Female Leader Highlights His Anti-Diversity Agenda

In a shocking display of disregard for protocol and dignity, President Donald Trump’s administration evicted Linda Fagan, the former Commandant of the Coast Guard, from her official residence with only three hours’ notice. This abrupt ousting reflects the administration’s ongoing disdain for women and minority leaders, as Trump continues to pursue a policy of fascistic exclusion under the guise of authority.

Fagan, a four-star admiral and a trailblazer as the first female leader of a military branch, faced dismissal on grounds of prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). This decision aligns with Trump’s well-documented agenda against DEI initiatives, which he and his Republican allies falsely frame as unlawful government overreach. The timing of her eviction—carried out on Trump’s second day in office—illustrates a clear strategy to eliminate any progressive influences within the military structure.

The Defense Homeland Security officials justified the eviction, citing that Fagan had been terminated “with cause.” However, this reasoning undermines the true intent: to intimidate those who promote inclusivity and diversity. Sources indicate that the administration’s need to control the narrative and eliminate perceived dissenters is a driving force behind such actions, revealing the underlying authoritarian motivations of Trump’s regime.

Trump’s maneuverings include not only the fierce removal of Fagan but also a subtle message about his administration’s starkly traditionalist approach, where women leaders are pushed out and replaced by more compliant figures. This aligns with his practice of surrounding himself with individuals who adhere strictly to his narrow vision for leadership in the military and government.

The abrupt manner in which Fagan was forced out serves as a reminder of how Trump’s leadership is defined by pettiness and personal vendettas against anyone who does not conform to his narrow views of governance. As Trump continues to reshape the federal landscape into one that marginalizes women and minorities, he exposes the core tenets of his administration’s ethical vacuity and authoritarian ethos, threatening the very fabric of democratic governance.

(h/t: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna190820)

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