This is what the Trump administration has given to Americans. I hope the folks who voted for Trump are satisfied?

[Diving Mullah]

Obama made mistakes, the same as every other president.

Trump 2016-2021

Lower crime rate (violent crime down three consecutive years, assaults declined by 6.1%, and the rate of robberies went down 28.2%. The burglary rate dropped 33%, and the rate of larcenies and thefts went down 19.9%)
Far fewer home foreclosures
Far fewer evictions
Lower rate of homelessness (in several states)
Lower food prices
Lower gas prices
Lowest unemployment rate in 50 years
Higher wages
Lower interest rat

Why is it that we can’t have honest, fact-based conversations with Trump supporters? For some reason, they seem to have forgotten—almost self-lobotomized—the last two years of Trump’s presidency and the COVID era. If we can’t even agree on historical, data-driven facts, there’s no way—and no point—in having a discussion. Without agreement on basic facts, we’re stuck before we even start.

correlation does not mean causation



Yes, violent crime dropped in the first few years of Trump’s term — continuing a decades-long trend that began in the 1990s under both parties. But by 2020, violent crime, homicides, and assaults surged nationwide, and 2021 saw the highest homicide rate increase in modern U.S. history. This wasn’t unique to “blue cities” — it was nationwide and included Republican-led states.
FBI stats show that the pandemic, economic turmoil, and poor federal coordination on COVID contributed heavily.

Lower foreclosures and evictions early in Trump’s term were a continuation of the post-2008 recovery. These metrics started improving under Obama and slowed under Trump. By the pandemic, eviction moratoriums (enacted despite Trump, not because of him) were the main reason numbers stayed low in 2020.

Low prices before 2020 were linked to global oil supply surpluses and stable trade flows — not a magic Trump formula. Gas prices later fluctuated due to his trade wars, especially with China, and his own administration’s OPEC negotiations that tried to raise oil prices to help U.S. producers.

Unemployment hit 50-year lows by following the same steady decline that began under Obama after the Great Recession. Wages rose slightly, but the biggest gains went to the top income brackets, and wage growth was slower than GDP growth. By mid-2020, COVID wiped out those gains, unemployment hit Depression-era levels, and millions of jobs vanished.
Yes, the stock market surged — as it almost always does during long recoveries. It also tanked hard in March 2020, requiring massive federal stimulus (which Trump initially resisted) to stabilize. Consumer confidence cratered in 2020 and didn’t recover during his term.

NATO allies paying more” is partially true, but it began before Trump as part of a 2014 NATO agreement after Russia’s invasion of Crimea. Many allies increased spending despite Trump’s rhetoric, not because of it. His “historic” North Korea meetings yielded zero verifiable disarmament, and NK missile tests resumed by 2020.

He didn’t start a new war — but he also escalated tensions with Iran, nearly sparking one in early 2020 after the Soleimani strike. ISIS’s caliphate was collapsing before Trump took office thanks to Obama-era strategies. Baghdadi’s death was a military/intelligence success decades in the making.

While he appointed an openly gay Cabinet member (Richard Grenell), his administration actively rolled back LGBTQ protections in health care, military service, and housing.

Black-owned businesses and employment rose — again, largely as part of the existing economic recovery. Gains were wiped out by COVID in 2020, with Black unemployment spiking disproportionately.

Ending the ACA penalty didn’t lower costs; it reduced enrollment and increased premiums for some. Trump promised cheaper prescription drugs but failed to deliver systemic reform; the modest price reductions were limited to a few drugs and temporary.

The First Step Act was bipartisan legislation already in progress. His administration took credit for expansions in VA services that were started under Obama.

Operation Warp Speed helped with logistics, but the actual vaccine development came from decades of prior research. Meanwhile, Trump’s own downplaying of COVID and chaotic federal response worsened the death toll and economic collapse.

Yes, he donated his presidential salary — which is a nice gesture — but he made tens of millions from business dealings while in office, and taxpayers spent far more on his travel, golf trips, and security at his properties. Also you forgot 2 billioin pay from Sadies to Kushner. I give up 100,000 and get 2 billion. This is not a philanthropy gesture, this is basic shell game from a grifter!

 

[hooligan]

 

[Indigo47]

Why is it that we can’t have honest, fact-based conversations with Trump supporters? For some reason, they seem to have forgotten—almost self-lobotomized—the last two years of Trump’s presidency and the COVID era. If we can’t even agree on historical, data-driven facts, there’s no way—and no point—in having a discussion. Without agreement on basic facts, we’re stuck before we even start.

correlation does not mean causation



Yes, violent crime dropped in the first few years of Trump’s term — continuing a decades-long trend that began in the 1990s under both parties. But by 2020, violent crime, homicides, and assaults surged nationwide, and 2021 saw the highest homicide rate increase in modern U.S. history. This wasn’t unique to “blue cities” — it was nationwide and included Republican-led states.
FBI stats show that the pandemic, economic turmoil, and poor federal coordination on COVID contributed heavily.

Lower foreclosures and evictions early in Trump’s term were a continuation of the post-2008 recovery. These metrics started improving under Obama and slowed under Trump. By the pandemic, eviction moratoriums (enacted despite Trump, not because of him) were the main reason numbers stayed low in 2020.

Low prices before 2020 were linked to global oil supply surpluses and stable trade flows — not a magic Trump formula. Gas prices later fluctuated due to his trade wars, especially with China, and his own administration’s OPEC negotiations that tried to raise oil prices to help U.S. producers.

Unemployment hit 50-year lows by following the same steady decline that began under Obama after the Great Recession. Wages rose slightly, but the biggest gains went to the top income brackets, and wage growth was slower than GDP growth. By mid-2020, COVID wiped out those gains, unemployment hit Depression-era levels, and millions of jobs vanished.
Yes, the stock market surged — as it almost always does during long recoveries. It also tanked hard in March 2020, requiring massive federal stimulus (which Trump initially resisted) to stabilize. Consumer confidence cratered in 2020 and didn’t recover during his term.

NATO allies paying more” is partially true, but it began before Trump as part of a 2014 NATO agreement after Russia’s invasion of Crimea. Many allies increased spending despite Trump’s rhetoric, not because of it. His “historic” North Korea meetings yielded zero verifiable disarmament, and NK missile tests resumed by 2020.

He didn’t start a new war — but he also escalated tensions with Iran, nearly sparking one in early 2020 after the Soleimani strike. ISIS’s caliphate was collapsing before Trump took office thanks to Obama-era strategies. Baghdadi’s death was a military/intelligence success decades in the making.

While he appointed an openly gay Cabinet member (Richard Grenell), his administration actively rolled back LGBTQ protections in health care, military service, and housing.

Black-owned businesses and employment rose — again, largely as part of the existing economic recovery. Gains were wiped out by COVID in 2020, with Black unemployment spiking disproportionately.

Ending the ACA penalty didn’t lower costs; it reduced enrollment and increased premiums for some. Trump promised cheaper prescription drugs but failed to deliver systemic reform; the modest price reductions were limited to a few drugs and temporary.

The First Step Act was bipartisan legislation already in progress. His administration took credit for expansions in VA services that were started under Obama.

Operation Warp Speed helped with logistics, but the actual vaccine development came from decades of prior research. Meanwhile, Trump’s own downplaying of COVID and chaotic federal response worsened the death toll and economic collapse.

Yes, he donated his presidential salary — which is a nice gesture — but he made tens of millions from business dealings while in office, and taxpayers spent far more on his travel, golf trips, and security at his properties. Also you forgot 2 billioin pay from Sadies to Kushner. I give up 100,000 and get 2 billion. This is not a philanthropy gesture, this is basic shell game from a grifter!

 

[Indigo47]

Why is it that we can’t have honest, fact-based conversations with Trump supporters? For some reason, they seem to have forgotten—almost self-lobotomized—the last two years of Trump’s presidency and the COVID era. If we can’t even agree on historical, data-driven facts, there’s no way—and no point—in having a discussion. Without agreement on basic facts, we’re stuck before we even start.

I'm trying to respond to your post, but I keep getting the following message (though my reply is not that long): Please enter a message with no more than 5000 characters.

 

[Indigo47]

Yes, violent crime dropped in the first few years of Trump’s term — continuing a decades-long trend that began in the 1990s under both parties. But by 2020, violent crime, homicides, and assaults surged nationwide, and 2021 saw the highest homicide rate increase in modern U.S. history. This wasn’t unique to “blue cities” — it was nationwide and included Republican-led states.
FBI stats show that the pandemic, economic turmoil, and poor federal coordination on COVID contributed heavily.

Lower foreclosures and evictions early in Trump’s term were a continuation of the post-2008 recovery. These metrics started improving under Obama and slowed under Trump. By the pandemic, eviction moratoriums (enacted despite Trump, not because of him) were the main reason numbers stayed low in 2020.

Low prices before 2020 were linked to global oil supply surpluses and stable trade flows — not a magic Trump formula. Gas prices later fluctuated due to his trade wars, especially with China, and his own administration’s OPEC negotiations that tried to raise oil prices to help U.S. producers.

Unemployment hit 50-year lows by following the same steady decline that began under Obama after the Great Recession. Wages rose slightly, but the biggest gains went to the top income brackets, and wage growth was slower than GDP growth. By mid-2020, COVID wiped out those gains, unemployment hit Depression-era levels, and millions of jobs vanished.
Yes, the stock market surged — as it almost always does during long recoveries. It also tanked hard in March 2020, requiring massive federal stimulus (which Trump initially resisted) to stabilize. Consumer confidence cratered in 2020 and didn’t recover during his term.

NATO allies paying more” is partially true, but it began before Trump as part of a 2014 NATO agreement after Russia’s invasion of Crimea. Many allies increased spending despite Trump’s rhetoric, not because of it. His “historic” North Korea meetings yielded zero verifiable disarmament, and NK missile tests resumed by 2020.

He didn’t start a new war — but he also escalated tensions with Iran, nearly sparking one in early 2020 after the Soleimani strike. ISIS’s caliphate was collapsing before Trump took office thanks to Obama-era strategies. Baghdadi’s death was a military/intelligence success decades in the making.

While he appointed an openly gay Cabinet member (Richard Grenell), his administration actively rolled back LGBTQ protections in health care, military service, and housing.

Black-owned businesses and employment rose — again, largely as part of the existing economic recovery. Gains were wiped out by COVID in 2020, with Black unemployment spiking disproportionately.

Ending the ACA penalty didn’t lower costs; it reduced enrollment and increased premiums for some. Trump promised cheaper prescription drugs but failed to deliver systemic reform; the modest price reductions were limited to a few drugs and temporary.

The First Step Act was bipartisan legislation already in progress. His administration took credit for expansions in VA services that were started under Obama.

Operation Warp Speed helped with logistics, but the actual vaccine development came from decades of prior research. Meanwhile, Trump’s own downplaying of COVID and chaotic federal response worsened the death toll and economic collapse.

Yes, he donated his presidential salary — which is a nice gesture — but he made tens of millions from business dealings while in office, and taxpayers spent far more on his travel, golf trips, and security at his properties. Also you forgot 2 billioin pay from Sadies to Kushner. I give up 100,000 and get 2 billion. This is not a philanthropy gesture, this is basic shell game from a grifter!

 

[Indigo47]

Operation Warp Speed helped with logistics, but the actual vaccine development came from decades of prior research. Meanwhile, Trump’s own downplaying of COVID and chaotic federal response worsened the death toll and economic collapse.

Trump implemented travel restrictions, and declared a Public Health Emergency in January 2020 which is not a slow response.
In 2009, when Obama was president we had the Swine flu pandemic. The Swine Flu vaccines were late being manufactured, and there was a shortage of vaccines. The Swine flu was worse for children than adults, over 1,800 American children died.

Blowing the Shot​

What we can learn from the shortage of H1N1 vaccine.​

Nov 02, 2009

The first problem in preparing the H1N1 vaccine has been that we haven’t yet transitioned to faster, more modern technology. Currently, the virus is grown in hen eggs, a laborious process that dates back to the 1950s. Culturing the virus in mammalian cells and using genetic splicing techniques to speed the manufacturing process, as we do with other vaccines, would be helpful for staying ahead of a burgeoning pandemic. Congress allocated more than $1 billion to five manufacturers in 2006 for this purpose, but they’ve been slow to make the change.

What we can learn from the shortage of H1N1 vaccine. - Slate …

 

[Indigo47]

Why is it that we can’t have honest, fact-based conversations with Trump supporters? For some reason, they seem to have forgotten—almost self-lobotomized—the last two years of Trump’s presidency and the COVID era. If we can’t even agree on historical, data-driven facts, there’s no way—and no point—in having a discussion. Without agreement on basic facts, we’re stuck before we even start.

I could possibly be mistaken about something, and I am willing to be corrected when I'm proven wrong with facts, as I am never knowingly dishonest. I don't see the point in one being dishonest, when "actual" facts will prove one wrong. The following are facts, that I hope we can agree on.

As for Covid-19, the "experts" were claiming that there was not much for American citizens to be concerned about, and Nancy Pelosi invited people to come to China Town to shop and dine. Deadly.

1. On January 21, 2020 Dr. Fauci said: “This is not a major threat to the people of the United States and this is not something that the citizens of the United States should be worried about right now.” Dr Anthony Fauci - Jan 21st 2020 - Americans Don't Need To Worry About Coronavirus - YouTube

2. The World Health Organization (WHO) said Monday [February 24, 2020] that the coronavirus that broke out in Wuhan, China, late last year is not a pandemic. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the virus, named COVID-19, is not spreading in an uncontained way." World Health Organization says COVID-19 is not a pandemic

3. During a Feb. 29, 2020, interview, Dr. Fauci said Americans didn't need to change their behavior patterns. Dr. Anthony Fauci On February 29: At This Time There Is No Need …

4. On February 29, 2020, CDC Director Robert Redfield said: "I want to also add my emphasis to what was said: That as we stand here today, the risk of the American public remains low. As was said, we should anticipate more cases, but again, the current risk to the American public remains low. Redfield agreed with Fauci’s assessment, at the time, and said that nobody could have predicted the outbreak that would eventually occur in the U.S.

 

[Indigo47]

Operation Warp Speed helped with logistics, but the actual vaccine development came from decades of prior research. Meanwhile, Trump’s own downplaying of COVID and chaotic federal response worsened the death toll and economic collapse.

Covid cont.

6. By early March, Fauci had changed his tune, saying the virus “could be really, really bad,” but still said he believed the situation could be mitigated. “I don’t think it’s gonna be, because I think we’d be able to do the kind of mitigation. It could be mild. I don’t think it’s going to be that mild either. It’s really going to depend on how we mobilize,” he said at the time. Anthony Fauci: Coronavirus 'Could Be Really, Really Bad ...

7. In February Fauci stated, “The typical mask you buy in the drug store is not really effective in keeping out virus, which is small enough to pass through the material. It might, however, provide some slight benefit in keep[ing] out gross droplets if someone coughs or sneezes on you. I do not recommend that you wear a mask…” Fauci Said Masks 'Not Really Effective in Keeping Out Virus ...

8. Nancy Pelosi, February 24: “You should come to Chinatown. Precautions have been taken by our city. We know there is concern about tourism throughout the world but we think it’s very safe to be in Chinatown and hopefully, others will come,” Pelosi said. Nancy Pelosi visits San Francisco’s Chinatown to encourage ...

Trump praised:

9. Before a Senate sub-committee on June 23, 2020 Dr. Fauci, in response to a Dem's question on President Trump and death numbers, responded, saying President Trump’s early China travel ban on Jan. 30 saved thousands of lives. He re-iterated this several times under questioning. On Jan. 31, Joe Biden immediately jumped on President Trump by calling him xenophobic and fear mongering. Joe said the ban is completely unnecessary and reflects his racist attitude. A few weeks later Dr. Fauci praised President Trump’s ban. Fauci says Trump's coronavirus policy decisions helped save lives

10. National Institutes of Health director Dr. Francis Collins praised the Trump administration on Sunday for the "breathtaking" success of Operation Warp Speed in getting multiple effective coronavirus vaccines developed and tested within one year of the virus outbreak. "The Operation Warp Speed, for which I give a great deal of credit to [former HHS Secretary Alex Azar], was a effort that many of us were not initially convinced was going to be necessary. And it was thought about as a Manhattan Project," Collins told Axios." Trump administration deserves credit for 'breathtaking ...

 

[Indigo47]

The First Step Act was bipartisan legislation already in progress. His administration took credit for expansions in VA services that were started under Obama.

Then give Obama and Trump both credit for the First Step Act ... instead of trying to take Trump's part in it away from him ... and acting as if I posted something that is not a fact.

CALLING FOR BIPARTISAN ACTION: President Donald J. Trump is calling on Congress to take action and support the bipartisan prison reform legislation, the FIRST STEP Act.

• President Trump supports the FIRST STEP Act, which will help improve our Nation’s criminal justice system.
• The FIRST STEP Act enjoys widespread support across the political spectrum.
  
  • Many of the reforms included in this legislation passed the House in an overwhelming, bipartisan vote of 360–59 in May 2018.
  • Republicans and Democrats in the Senate worked with the White House to craft a bipartisan sentencing reform compromise, which has been added to the legislation.
  • So far, seven major police organizations, more than 2,700 faith and evangelical leaders, and hundreds of conservative organizations and leaders support this legislation.
  • President Donald J. Trump Calls on Congress to Pass the FIRST ...

 

[Indigo47]

Black-owned businesses and employment rose — again, largely as part of the existing economic recovery. Gains were wiped out by COVID in 2020, with Black unemployment spiking disproportionately.

Did Trump's taking over, leave what Obama did the same or tear it down. No, Trump made it better, that's a fact.

"With just days until the election, some Black voters may still be grappling with whether to cast their vote for former Vice President Joe Biden or President Donald Trump.

If their final decision comes down to which candidate will continue the economic progress that lifted median Black household incomes to their highest levels on record and pushed Black unemployment rates and poverty rates down to their lowest levels, then there is really just one choice: President Trump.

The Census Bureau just released stunning statistics about the economic well-being of Americans in 2019. Minority groups benefited greatly from the remarkable labor market that preceded the coronavirus epidemic.

Unemployment rates for Blacks hovered for months at or near historic lows. Workers with less than a high school diploma and criminal records left the sidelines of the workforce.

Before the coronavirus, the labor force participation rates of Blacks, prime-age workers 25 to 54, and women ticked up from Obama-era lows. Even years into the Obama economic recovery, these workers were still leaving the labor force.

High employment under Trump led to minorities experiencing the largest income gains. Real median income grew by 7.9% for Blacks in 2019. That outpaced 2018’s income growth of 2.6% and 2017’s income decline of -2.4%. Notably, Black median income growth last year surpassed income growth rates under the Obama administration. There’s still more work to do though. Although Black median income hit a new high, Blacks earned the lowest income level of all groups (just over $45,000 a year)."

Election 2020: A vote for Trump is a vote for economic progress for African Americans

Before the pandemic, African Americans were thriving economically. Looking ahead, Trump's promises are ambitious, but his track record is impressive.

www.usatoday.com

 

[Indigo47]

Yes, he donated his presidential salary — which is a nice gesture — but he made tens of millions from business dealings while in office, and taxpayers spent far more on his travel, golf trips, and security at his properties. Also you forgot 2 billioin pay from Sadies to Kushner. I give up 100,000 and get 2 billion. This is not a philanthropy gesture, this is basic shell game from a grifter!

When Obama first got into politics, he was still paying off his (and Michele's) student loans. Obama is now worth $70 million dollars, which started with his making a sketchy land deal with Antoin "Tony" Rezko. The Rezko Connection: Obama's Achilles Heel? - ABC News.

Taxpayers paid plenty for Obama's golf games, his family Hawaii vacations, his MIL living in the White House rent free, Michelle taking their daughters on ski trips and other vacation destinations. However, I would rather see a grandma take care of the girls than a nanny, and presidents need family and vacation time, and the relaxation and exercise of their golf games. So, I don't have a problem with any it.

However, I do have a problem with multi-millionaire presidents taking a salary, and their retirement benefits ... taxpayer-paid.