President Donald Trump's Final Days...

[frank07]

Originally Posted by deepsepia

This is a stunning piece. A denunciation by an [anonymous] Trump insider. Its interesting that no one has denied that its true.

I wonder whether its one of the folks who talked to Bob Woodward.

Whatever the case the accumulation of evidence is that Trump is as feeble, cranky and unfit as his critics assert, and even his staff know it.

Reading through the Twitter-verse threads on this, one interesting suggestion to the author's identity came up. The editorial isn't terribly well written and uses colloquial language, but there's one curious word choice: "lodestar" -- not a term that's used too often these days.

Reading though the writings of various Trump officials, this word does show up quite often in, Mike Pence's writing and speeches, both before the Vice Presidency and now that he's veep.

Pence has the most to gain from this, so that would make sense. Although he didn't act alone.

I suspect this was a planned, co-ordinated strike by a backstabbing cabal including Kellyanne Skeletor (who previously worked for Pence, and whose husband has been a vocal Trump critic), Matthis, Kelly and Sessions. There may even be a designated fall guy among them, someone who wants off the Trump train, who'll be offered up as a sacrificial lamb.

Either way, this is a palace coup by a bunch of self-serving, opportunistic cowards, who didn't have the balls to stand up to Trump face to face, and are now trying to pass off a power grab as an act of patriotism.

I wouldn't be surprised if we don't have the oleaginous Pence installed as President this time next year.

[vinceprince]

Even if it's not Pence, I hope enough people think it is to make Trump also think that it's Pence.

The only person that Trump can't fire, that would drive Trump insane.
The whole Republican Party/ Trumpbase could explode.
Pence with a huge target on his back for Trump gun nutters.

[Reclaimedwg]

Say all you want about Donald.

I definitely will not say NO to doing a triple with Melania Trump and Ivanka Trump and Tiffany Trump.

[deepsepia]

Originally Posted by vinceprince

Even if it's not Pence, I hope enough people think it is to make Trump also think that it's Pence.

The only person that Trump can't fire, that would drive Trump insane.
The whole Republican Party/ Trumpbase could explode.
Pence with a huge target on his back for Trump gun nutters.

Interestingly: Pence is the only "official" whose position is protected by the Constitution.

Trump can't do anything at all to him.

The Vice President can only be removed by impeachment.

[Rogerbh]

Most people I know who hate Trump worry more about Pence. They say he is smart enough to stay out of trouble while proceeding with his agenda. Someone who would want Trump to pressure Pence out - would probably include "lodestar" into the suspect document. Pence is a true conservative to Trump's version. Do not see how Trump could force Pence out either.

Wouldn't Pence be smart enough to keep "lodestar" out of an anonymous document he wrote - ? Paul Ryan is Speaker of the House, so he is third in line, so no gain to liberals there.

[deepsepia]

Originally Posted by Rogerbh

Wouldn't Pence be smart enough to keep "lodestar" out of an anonymous document he wrote - ? Paul Ryan is Speaker of the House, so he is third in line, so no gain to liberals there.

Yes, I agree that its either incredibly sloppy of Pence, or a more likely deliberate false trail. The writing is otherwise very plain, and I suspect its been sanitized to avoid attribution. The author and the NY Times would have been aware of just how intensively this would be scrutinized. If its not Pence-- its someone who dislikes him and wants to fuck with him.

Other possibilities that have been suggested:
Dan Coats (Director of National Intelligence)
Don McGann (White House Counsel)
Kellyanne Conwasy (not sure she qualifies as "senior Administration official"-- but note her husband's extremely anti-Trump Twitter feed)

Paul Ryan wouldn't qualify as an "Administration Official" and doesn't have access to the President in the way this author claims to-- plainly [s]he's implying that she's either a Cabinet officer or their deputy, or someone else who's routinely part of the policy process.

US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer is a name familiar to very few people, but as trade is a very hot issue for Trump, he'd be person at this level who's from the sober and professional world of serious people who try to maintain order . . . he'd be someone I'd put on this list.

And how about Steve Mnuchin? Mnuchin is from New York, and knows just how much the world he comes from hates Trump. One thing that's odd about this piece is that it advertises "hey I'm a good guy" -- this would be consistent with an opportunist like Mnuchin positioning himself for "life after Trump".

All things considered Mnuchin would be my bet . . .

[vinceprince]

Originally Posted by deepsepia

Yes, I agree that its either incredibly sloppy of Pence, or a more likely deliberate false trail. The writing is otherwise very plain, and I suspect its been sanitized to avoid attribution. The author and the NY Times would have been aware of just how intensively this would be scrutinized. If its not Pence-- its someone who dislikes him and wants to fuck with him.

Other possibilities that have been suggested:
Dan Coats (Director of National Intelligence)
Don McGann (White House Counsel)
Kellyanne Conwasy (not sure she qualifies as "senior Administration official"-- but note her husband's extremely anti-Trump Twitter feed)

Paul Ryan wouldn't qualify as an "Administration Official" and doesn't have access to the President in the way this author claims to-- plainly [s]he's implying that she's either a Cabinet officer or their deputy, or someone else who's routinely part of the policy process.

US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer is a name familiar to very few people, but as trade is a very hot issue for Trump, he'd be person at this level who's from the sober and professional world of serious people who try to maintain order . . . he'd be someone I'd put on this list.

And how about Steve Mnuchin? Mnuchin is from New York, and knows just how much the world he comes from hates Trump. One thing that's odd about this piece is that it advertises "hey I'm a good guy" -- this would be consistent with an opportunist like Mnuchin positioning himself for "life after Trump".

All things considered Mnuchin would be my bet . . .

This has to be the biggest whodunit frenzy since JR got shot in Dallas.

[frank07]

Lawrence O'Donnell has made a convincing case for the author being Dan Coats:

https://youtu.be/qcVTiC4gasA

[ball7]

I think Pence is a red herring

[HugoHackenbush]

Has anyone else considered the possibility that the memo is either false or greatly exaggerated? That the real purpose of the leaked memo is to screw with Trump's head on a major basis? If so, it appears to be accomplishing that objective with flying colors.