Continuing on yesterday’s article on what Donald Trump has done in six years of his Presidency:
He has disrupted billions in medical research and stalled alternative energy initiatives.
He has destabilized many government agencies, including the State Department; Department of Homeland Security; Centers For Disease Control and Provention; Environmental Protection Agency; National Parks; Smithsonian Institution;The Kennedy Center; and many others.
He has alienated our allies in NATO, Canada, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and Middle East allies, destroying decades of respect for American influence on the world scene, and at the same time, ignoring international law and agencies, and praised dictatorships, including the Russian Federation, China, and North Korea.
He has engaged in massive corruption, and promoting billions of dollars of self enrichment, and has the worst Cabinet members ever appointed by any President.
He has undermined American democracy and the rule of law by engaging in interfering with freedom of the press and freedom of speech, and manipulating to his will American universities, corporations, law firms, and news media organizations.
He has engaged in massive lying; using foul and abusive language; engaging in illegal actions against critics; and harmed millions of Americans by the “Big and Beautiful” legislation; and promoted the top one percent of Americans who are extremely wealthy, more so than at any time since the Gilded Age of the late 19th century.
The harm and damage he has caused will take decades or more to reverse, if indeed there is any chance to accomplish such change in the long run or short run.
And there are other examples of harm and actions by Donald Trump that certainly are present, and will continue, if not stopped, to multiply further.
Trump waives Russia-related sanctions before they even kick in as Ukraine ties worsen
https://www.cnn.com/2026/10/16/europe/us-ukraine-russia-sanctions-intl-hnk
Trump is pure evil!
Russia Appears to Step Up Efforts to Influence U.S. Voters
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/16/us/politics/russian-influence-campaigns-midterms.html?unlocked_article_code=1.JFE.a81I.o4-zTcapeghK&smid=url-share
Iran-backed militias sending money back to cash-starved IRGC, U.S. says
https://www.axios.com/2026/10/16/iran-backed-militias-sending-money-irgc-centcom
Bangladesh is battling measles. It’s a ‘real warning’ to other nations
“Bangladesh’s measles vaccination programme had been a success story. But in 2025, amid political turmoil, it faltered. Its unvaccinated children are now paying the price.”
https://www.reuters.com/world/bangladesh-is-battling-measles-its-real-warning-other-nations-2026-10-17/
Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia show the Yemeni rebels’ growing strength
https://apnews.com/article/yemen-war-houthis-iran-weapons-saudi-airports-27173d5eaf4e27e5d5d41d0e6a98768b
Israeli Settlers Attack Palestinians and Washington Post Journalist in West Bank
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/16/world/middleeast/israeli-settlers-washington-post-palestinians.html?unlocked_article_code=1.JVE.bKeT.UgVHbzFT6bL8&smid=nytcore-ios-share
Israel needs to change governments in their upcoming elections and then MASSIVELY crack down on this lawlessness, violence, terrorism…
US clean energy jobs fell in 2025 for the first time in years
https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/clean-energy-jobs/trump-us-employment-falls-data-2025
FEMA lays groundwork to shift disaster burden to states
“The Trump administration wants states to build their own disaster capacity, and is also considering moving FEMA workers out of Washington, D.C.”
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/10/16/fema-state-reliance-federal-aid-01124455
Appeals court appears skeptical of Trump’s attempt to shield presidential records
“The Trump administration argues that the Presidential Records Act is unconstitutional.”
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/10/16/presidential-records-act-arguments-donald-trump
OUTRAGEOUS!
No Kings turns its focus to voting this weekend.
https://www.npr.org/2026/10/17/nx-s1-6004887/no-kings-voting-trump
Elon Musk Is Almost Single-Handedly Funding the Republican Midterms Push
“Elon Musk has assembled a presidential-level field operation this midterm cycle, underscoring the extent to which he has taken over the get-out-the-vote effort for the Republican party.”
https://www.wired.com/story/elon-musk-is-almost-single-handedly-funding-the-republicans-midterms-push/
Trump in Georgia falsely claims election of Jon Ossoff was illegitimate
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/oct/16/trump-georgia-rally-jon-ossoff
Secret Service deputy chief stepping down
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/6155544-secret-service-deputy-director-quinn-resigns/
Trump’s election fraud task force is going after the people who investigated him
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/10/17/trumps-election-fraud-task-force-is-going-after-people-who-investigated-him/
Nobody should cooperate with Trump on this!
DHS Secretary Mullin calls Ilhan Omar probe a “strong case,” says agents executed multiple search warrants
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dhs-markwayne-mullin-ilhan-omar-strong-case/
Mullin is completely full of crap.
In New Letter, Ilhan Omar Fights Back Against Home Search
https://www.wsj.com/us-news/law/in-new-letter-ilhan-omar-fights-back-against-home-search-47c64ee1?st=zT9aTs&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink
All the president’s women: a familiar downward trajectory in Trump’s cabinet
“Half of Trump’s female cabinet officials have been replaced by men, while men facing misconduct allegations remain”
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/oct/17/trump-female-cabinet-officials-departures
Katie Zacharia Is Ousted After 5 Days as White House Press Secretary
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/16/us/politics/katie-zacharia-fired-press-secretary.html?unlocked_article_code=1.JFE.TPPl.vLmnxTnPbRCt&smid=nytcore-ios-share
Half a Scaramucci? LOL!
Katie Zacharia Was Linked to an AI Rare-Earths Startup. It’s Even Weirder Than It Sounds
“The short-lived White House press secretary was listed as an adviser to a Kristi Noem–linked company that aims to use AI for mining. Both the company and she say she never worked there.”
https://www.wired.com/story/katie-zacharia-was-linked-to-an-ai-rare-earths-startup-its-even-weirder-than-it-sounds/
WTF???
Texas Has Been Considering Selling a Beloved State Park to Elon Musk’s SpaceX, Sources Say
https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/boca-chica-spacex-elon-musk/
Final plans for Trump’s arch appear to abandon his ‘military complex’ idea
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/10/16/final-plans-trump-arch-do-not-include-military-features-he-touted/
TikTok “Permanently Suspends” the ‘Musk’ Film Ad Account, Raising Suppression Fears
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/politics-news/musk-movie-tiktok-banned-theaters-showtimes-1236734308/
Graham Breaks With Trump Over Russia Sanctions Law Her Brother Championed
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/17/us/politics/graham-trump-russia-sanctions-law.html?unlocked_article_code=1.JVE.WX5C.J9wAYuJbZd-p&smid=nytcore-ios-share
Zelensky says Musk-owned satellite system still restricted in Ukraine
https://www.axios.com/2026/10/17/zelensky-starlink-elon-musk-trump
U.S. Floats Another Lifeline to Russia: Allowing It to Sell More Gas to Europe
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/17/us/politics/russia-gas-trump.html?unlocked_article_code=1.JVE.OM8r.rH-LSx0SwuDa&smid=url-share
GOP Lawmaker Pronounces Trump Agenda ‘Dead’ Following Russia Sanctions Reversal
“Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) on Saturday warned many fellow Republican lawmakers will no longer be supporting the president’s agenda.”
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/don-bacon-trump-agenda-is-dead-russia-sanctions_n_6ad3c6a8e4b00caf853c9ee0?origin=home-latest-news-unit
Republicans warn that Pentagon funds will hinge on Trump getting tougher with Russia
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/6155127-gop-pentagon-funding-trump-russia/
Rubio heads to Central Asia as some wonder if he’s keeping the most pressing matters at a distance
https://apnews.com/article/marco-rubio-state-department-be0efec6810779b22000de52532527a9
European diplomats attacked by Israeli settlers in West Bank
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c962ydpmjm3zo
This is absolutely insane; Israelis need to elect a new, different government ASAP!
‘There’s a lot of racism, a lot of hatred’: Far right gains predicted as Israel heads to the polls
“Whether or not Netanyahu can hold on to power, Israelis are expected to vote in a more rightwing Knesset”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/oct/18/theres-a-lot-of-racism-a-lot-of-hatred-far-right-gains-predicted-as-israel-heads-to-the-polls
That would be a disaster.
Insanity!
France faces aftermath of worst unrest in years
“One demonstrator died, hundreds of police were injured and nearly 1,800 people arrested while violent fringe groups targeted public buildings and looted luxury boutiques and supermarkets.”
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/france-faces-aftermath-worst-unrest-years-2026-10-18/
Alberta’s Secession Vote Has Opened Up a Bitter Divide in Canada
https://www.wsj.com/world/americas/alberta-independence-vote-canada-22b8208b?mod=hp_lead_pos5
Dispute Between Trump Allies Centers on Millions Transferred From Congo
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/17/us/politics/trump-allies-grenell-mildon-congo.html?unlocked_article_code=1.JVE.WCYJ.67texwrbRnpe&smid=url-share
We’re going to need a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, massive criminal investigations, etc.
Legal Immigration Fell Sharply Under Trump Policies Adopted Early This Year
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/10/18/us/trump-immigrant-visas-decline.html
With Republicans, it was actually NEVER about “illegality,” it was about the fact that they hate the “browning” of America. Pure racism and xenophobia, in other words, and Dems/the media/etc. should say so!
Surge in ICE raids is aimed at discouraging voter turnout, immigration advocates say
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-10-16/surge-in-ice-raids-is-aimed-at-discouraging-voter-turnout-immigration-advocates-say
Trump approval hits record low, handing Democrats a clear midterm edge
“The president’s approval is at 33 percent, with 66 percent disapproving and just over half saying they disapprove strongly. Meanwhile, support for Democrats is rising.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/10/18/trump-approval-hits-record-low-handing-democrats-clear-midterm-edge/
Still 33 points too high, but headed in the right direction…towards zero!
Democrats take edge on mail-in ballots in key midterm races
https://nypost.com/2026/10/17/us-news/democrats-midterm-elections-mail-in-votes-give-early-leads/
Republicans Zero In on Cultural Issues in Campaign’s Final Stretch
https://www.wsj.com/politics/elections/republican-midterm-election-strategy-culture-war-8a128efa
Across Farm Country, Economic Discontent Strains Republican Coalition
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/18/us/politics/farmers-ranchers-trump-economic-stress.html
In Campaign’s Final Stretch, Trump Can’t Stop Praising Men’s Bodies
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/17/us/politics/trump-men-physical-appearance-comments.html?unlocked_article_code=1.JlE.nsdg.bkvAdJ2BvAk3&smid=nytcore-ios-share
Can you imagine any other president doing this? Also, what’s the deal with Trump’s obsession with how good-looking – or not, in his opinion – men are?
In Kentucky midterm campaign stop, Trump says he “can do stuff that is unbelievable”
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-kentucky-midterm-campaign-stop/
Yes, “unbelievable” in the literal sense of not being believable, credible, etc.
The Democratic Socialists Have a Plan to Push Hakeem Jeffries to the Left
https://www.wsj.com/politics/elections/the-democratic-socialists-have-a-plan-to-push-hakeem-jeffries-to-the-left-28735026
Exclusive: Musk tells Isaacson “AI and robots” will need to fix deficit
https://www.axios.com/2026/10/17/elon-musk-doge-walter-isaacson-podcast
Musk is, among other things: 1) most definitely NOT a genius; 2) batshi*t crazy.
‘No Kings’ Says Meta Cut Off Access to Instagram Account on Key Protest Day
https://www.newsweek.com/no-kings-protest-mets-12584351
Meta – Facebook, Instagram, Threads, etc. – is a disaster.
4 Takeaways From a Voting-Focused ‘No Kings’ Day
“Saturday’s gatherings were more subdued than some past events, and many prominent Democrats skipped them.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/17/us/politics/no-kings-day-takeways.html