The Dell-Trump Alliance

Plus: Casino revenue, another Heritage scandal, and more...

Is the era of the billionaire philanthropist back? (In fact, had it ever really disappeared, or had our politics just failed to recognize the generosity?)

Dell Technologies founder Michael Dell and his wife, Susan, announced earlier this week that they want to help fund President Donald Trump's savings accounts for babies, to the tune of $6.25 billion, or $250 per 25 million children.

"This investment piggybacks off Invest America's original plan, which will provide all children born between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2028, a tax-deferred savings account with $1,000 provided by the government," reports Deseret News. "Now, with the Dells' contribution, the first 25 million American children to sign up for the accounts who are under 10 years old—who were born before Jan. 1, 2025, and live in ZIP codes with median incomes of $150,000 or less—will receive $250." In essence, they're financing Trump's plan, though in a somewhat means-tested way. (Do ZIP codes with higher median incomes get exempt from Trump's plan altogether?)

"Donating to the government is unusual, although philanthropists have funded the construction of schools, hospitals and other public institutions for centuries," reports Bloomberg. "More recently, billionaire heir Timothy Mellon offered $130 million to help pay troops during the recent government shutdown, according to the New York Times."

"TWO GREAT PEOPLE. I LOVE DELL!!!" wrote the president on Truth Social immediately after the announcement became public.

A few things could be happening here. One, the Dells could be trying to curry favor with Trump. Two, they could be attempting to set an example for how philanthropy ought to be done, throwing a bit of shade on the nonprofit world in the process (though is administering philanthropy through government really much better?). Three, they could be attempting to rehabilitate the image of capitalists, planting little seeds in recipients' minds that the path of the Dells is one worth emulating. Four, they could just legitimately believe in Trump's plan and want to help him administer it.

But I'm also persuaded by Odd Lots host Joe Weisenthal's skepticism:

I agree that Michael Dell can donate money however he wants. It's his money and none of our opinions on it matter at all.

With that out of the way. What's the best argument that a one time $250 check will meaningfully alter the trajectory of many people's lives?

— Joe Weisenthal (@TheStalwart) December 3, 2025

I've seen many people applaud the Dell move, because it's voluntary and simple. (Unlike forced taxation into the fiscal maw).

But another interpretation is that it shows how the juice from the squeeze, of simply redistributing billionaire money to the poor is fairly modest.

— Joe Weisenthal (@TheStalwart) December 3, 2025

Will these direct transfers, at this level, really do much? Of course, parents can contribute too, and that's surely part of the vision. Accounts are set to open on July 4, 2026. Family members can contribute, up to $5,000 tax-free per year (though the accounts will be pre-seeded with money from the government…and apparently the Dell family). When the recipient turns 18, they can withdraw from their account to help fund their education (or their housing, or their living expenses). Even aside from the results, it's not a terrible model for teaching fiscal responsibility. Then again, is that really the government's job?

---

Scenes from New York: "For transit watchers, the vote on Monday to recommend licensing three casinos in New York City was about something other than roulette wheels and dealers shuffling cards close to home. It was about guaranteeing new revenue for mass transit in New York," reports The New York Times. "The would-be operators of the three casinos have promised to pay more than $1.5 billion in one-time fees to the state if they become operational after receiving the licenses recommended by the New York Gaming Facility Location Board. The money would be another new revenue stream for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority—the state agency that runs the subways and buses in the city, along with two commuter railroads—and must be spent on operating expenses like salaries for its 70,000-person work force."

---

QUICK HITS

• So many of you have donated to our Webathon already (and mentioned Reason Roundup). I am so flattered and we are all so grateful. If you wanted to but haven't gotten the chance yet, here's the link to do so. We hope to be a bastion of sanity amid an increasingly hysterical news media—and your donation helps us continue to produce newsletters like this one.
• "For years, Alex Karp, Palantir's CEO, had declared the data management company to be 'involved in supporting progressive values,' saying he has repeatedly 'walked away' from contracts that targeted minorities or that he found otherwise unethical. Even as Palantir took on extensive data management contracts for the federal government, the company said it was not willing to allow its powerful tools to broadly track immigrants across America," reports Eva Dou at The Washington Post. "That commitment no longer holds. Palantir's software is helping U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement track undocumented immigrants and deport them faster, according to federal procurement filings and interviews with people who have knowledge of the project." ("Unfettered immigration in Europe, where I lived for well over a decade, has been a disaster—depressing wages for the working class and resulting in mass social dislocation," said Karp. "I remain an economic progressive, isolated among self-proclaimed progressives that are anything but.")
• The November jobs report isn't out yet from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but private companies—like payroll processing company ADP—are filling the void. And the results are clear: A cooling labor market looks like it's getting even worse.
• A few photos were released of Jeffrey Epstein's island compound, for those who are curious.
• "Representative Elise Stefanik of New York called Speaker Mike Johnson a habitual liar," reports The New York Times. "Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina has told people she is so frustrated with the Louisiana Republican and sick of the way he has run the House—particularly how women are treated there—that she is planning to huddle with Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia next week to discuss following her lead and retiring early from Congress."
• I agree with this, and reject the idea that there's something massively wrong with Heritage hiring Scott Yenor. (This piece in The Atlantic complicates that view a bit and is worth reading):

One of the reasons we can't have nice things (guardrails on discourse) is because people like this will always abuse them as a weapon against every conservative thought that gives them the vapors. There is no comparison between Fuentes' views and the considered thoughts of a guy… https://t.co/S1ShvmYVK5

— Inez Stepman ⚪️????⚪️ (@InezFeltscher) December 3, 2025

• A good point:

the "rideshare work will be decimated the second waymo comes to your town" narrative is pretty clearly debunked by early adopter states. av rides are still 30–40% more expensive than Uber and Lyft bc maintenance, research, sensors, etc are pricy! the shift will likely be gradual.

— Nat Purser (@NatPurser) December 3, 2025

Comments

[Idaho-Bob]

Dell is now a villain. Got it.

[Ajsloss]

The guy still doesn't even pay livable wages for his monocle-polishing orphans.

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

'But I'm also persuaded by Odd Lots host Joe Weisenthal's skepticism'

Well then, since $250 does not mean much I suggest you and Joe each send me a check for that amount.

[Zeb]

That's kind of silly. The question isn't whether $250 is so small that most people wouldn't mind giving that much away to a stranger, but rather whether it actually makes any difference to a person's life. Maybe it would, but I have my doubts as well. I'd bet that in 20 years we won't see any significant difference in wealth or quality of life for people getting these accounts compared to similarly situated people who don't.
Government needs to focus on getting out of people's way, not trying to fiddle with things to solve problems often created by other bad policies in the first place. Before starting a new program, maybe stop all the other interference in people's lives and business and see how that goes.

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

OK, so you send me $250 and I will stash it away for 20 years. We can then compare notes.

Look, humans are emotional animals driven by symbology and feelings, with behavior easily motivated by external drivers, including "nudges". If only 10% of these kids and families embrace the idea of saving money, it will be a win. And it's funded by a private donation.

[Bertram Guilfoyle]

Don't be so dismissive of the $250 - shrike once told us about an account with 1k that ballooned to 500k or something; this is probably his cheesy-poof fund.

[Don't look at me! ( Is the war over yet?)]

It’s because he shorted Tesla earlier this year when it was $250.

[JesseAz (RIP CK)]

The issue seems to be it is a private donation, therefore the learning isnt rely on government.

[Zeb]

Not sure where you are getting that. The only thing I or the original post Liz linked brought up is doubting whether it will make any real difference to anyone. No one is saying that this is some terrible thing that shouldn't be done. If it does work, and it's all voluntarily contributed money, then great. I don't mind being wrong when I'm skeptical that a good thing will happen.

[JesseAz (RIP CK)]

I just dont see why there is any criticism at all with private donors doing anything they want to see if it helps. In fact i prefer to encourage charities and private entities doing these experiments. I only care when it is done involuntarily.

This is much more preferable than various states and cities pushing their grants out using taxpayer funds.

[Zeb]

I have no idea who Joe Weisenthal is or what his motivations are. But despite my doubts about it's utility, I'll say it's worth a shot as an experiment if it continues to be privately funded. People not knowing how to save (or that it's even something you shoudl be doing) is definitely a problem.

[Neutral not Neutered]

Yup

[Quicktown Brix]

I think most of us get what you're saying. I, for one, agree.

[Zeb]

Get your own $250. Then just let everyone have tax free savings accounts and let billionaires donate to who they want without the government in the middle.
It's great that the funds are from a private donation and not taxes/borrowing. I'm not complaining about this happening at all (though I have my concerns about the habit government programs have of blowing up in cost and scope), just saying I personally don't think it will make much difference when all is said and done. I could be wrong.

[Minadin]

Well, if you place it in an investment account and average a 7% return, $250 turns into $350 in 5 years, $500 in 10, and nearly $1000 in 20, and that's without adding anything to it.

I'm ok with setting up the program and the private funding going into it. I could do without the government dollars going into it.

[Neutral not Neutered]

I guess you are well enough off...

[Sometimes a Great Notion]

I'll happily send you the $250, if you send me the $1000.00 the government is funding.

[Randy Sax]

roulette wheels and dealers shuffling cards close to home. It was about guaranteeing new revenue for mass transit in New York

Casino dealers are better fare collectors than MTA employees?

[Zeb]

They have better enforcement against cheaters.

[InsaneTrollLogic (smarter than The Average Dude)]

Used to…

[the winner is sent into the casino office, and sees his friend, the signaler, displaying a broken hand]
Signaller: Look what they did to my hand man!
Ace Rothstein: [to the winner] All right, I'm gonna give you a choice. You can either have the money and the hammer or you can walk out of here. But you can't have both. What do you want?
Winner: I just wanna get out of here.
Ace Rothstein: And don't forget to tell your friends what happens if they fuck up around here. You understand?
Winner: I'm sorry. I made a bad mistake.
Ace Rothstein: You're fucking right you made a bad mistake. 'Cause if you come back here, if we catch either one of you, we're gonna break your fucking hands and you won't walk out of here. You see that fucking saw? We're gonna use it. We don't fuck around in this place. You got it? Get out of here.
Winner: [relieved] Thank you.
[Security guards escort the winner off the premises for good, then tells the other security guards what to do with the man with the broken right hand]
Ace Rothstein: Throw him out into the alley and just tell the cops he got hit by a car.

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

'Even aside from the results, it's not a terrible model for teaching fiscal responsibility. Then again, is that really the government's job?'

Maybe not. But it sure beats the Democrat's government plan for teaching fiscal irresponsibility.

[Neutral not Neutered]

Yup. And maybe folks will pick up on the fact that charity comes from individuals and there is no charity in Marxism, communism, socialism, fascism, or big government.

[TangoDelta]

I'd say teaching fiscal responsibility is no more or less a government responsibility than teaching math or English or anything else for that matter. Oddly we cancelled shop and home ec classes decades ago so kids now don't know how to balance a check book and don't know how to avoid having half a finger removed by a grinding wheel. Go figure. Ah the great achievements of the Depart-meant of Eduma-catons - presumed to be their spelling not mine, but is interesting to note that once it was established those classes fell by the wayside. I don't actually wonder why because I was there and I know why.

It's weird I know but in 1963 tuition at a 4 year school was $5050 (in constant 2022 dollars) in 1979 when the Dept. of Ed was established it was $5500 (again in constant 2022 dollars) yet just 10 years later in 1989 it was $8400 in 2022 dollars then $11,700 in 1999 and $16,100 in 2009 then $18,100 in 2015. Odd, it's basically flat up until the Dept of Ed was created then went into "hockey stick" mode as the climate criers like to say.

[JesseAz (RIP CK)]

Why do we never get articles on NGO dem alliances.

[Longtobefree]

"Follow the money"

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

To the casino?

[Kungpowderfinger]

Uh, how about fucking Somalia?

[Randy Sax]

Didn't know Somalia had casinos.

[JesseAz (RIP CK)]

Terrorist roulette is their favorite game.

[Bertram Guilfoyle]

Stop hurting chemjeff_conventional_leftist's feelings.

[InsaneTrollLogic (smarter than The Average Dude)]

But it’s so much fun.

[Ajsloss]

Uh, how about fucking Somalia?

Not even with Dylan Mulvaney's dick.

[Moonrocks]

It's not an alliance if they're one and the same.

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

"The would-be operators of the three casinos have promised to pay more than $1.5 billion in one-time fees to the state if they become operational after receiving the licenses recommended by the New York Gaming Facility Location Board. The money would be another new revenue stream for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority—the state agency that runs the subways and buses in the city, along with two commuter railroads—and must be spent on operating expenses like salaries for its 70,000-person work force."

So a tax on stupid. Which economists tell us should then tend to reduce stupid. But for some reason I doubt it.

[Idaho-Bob]

One thousand Taxes to punish stupid behavior, yet we still have income tax. And we still go to work. 🙂

[Don't look at me! ( Is the war over yet?)]

Sounds like kickback protection money.

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

"Unfettered immigration in Europe, where I lived for well over a decade, has been a disaster—depressing wages for the working class and resulting in mass social dislocation," said Karp. "I remain an economic progressive, isolated among self-proclaimed progressives that are anything but."

No, you remain an economic moron, assuming that by "progressive" you mean socialism. So sure, restrict immigration, but then condemn people to dysfunctional economic systems--and without those nifty food trucks.

[mad.casual]

The idea that corporate ethos in any way translates to social or political governance is, itself, rather strange.

If a mob of undocumented, drug-addicted, homeless people suddenly turned up sleeping in your building's lobby, offices, and meeting spaces, you'd evict them by force and as long as you didn't send 20% of them directly to the hospital with broken bones and lacerations, no one would bat an eye. If it turned out half of them were your employees, you'd shitcan them. The idea that you'd house them and provide them warm soup to placate another 10% of your employees who would start rioting otherwise is so detached it's unfathomable how you would run one division, building, or company that operated like that, let alone many.

Unless by "economically progressive" he means "making more money and employing more people" a CEO saying, "I'm an economic progressive but unfettered immigration is not something I can support professionally.", is still pretty insanely detached.

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

IMO part of the problem is the number of compulsively compassionate people and the way they look to government as their religion and church. I admire and support private charity, but despise public "charity", aka official wealth redistribution by force.

[Its_Not_Inevitable]

Amen.

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

"Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina has told people she is so frustrated with the Louisiana Republican and sick of the way he has run the House—particularly how women are treated there—that she is planning to huddle with Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia next week to discuss following her lead and retiring early from Congress."

Too many requests for complicated sandwiches?

[Don't look at me! ( Is the war over yet?)]

Chicks that cant take the heat need to get back in the kitchen.

[Quicktown Brix]

Can chicks be in charge of the kitchen?

[Don't look at me! ( Is the war over yet?)]

If you want to call taking orders as being in charge, ok.

[Mickey Rat]

It is interesting that she can make a vague accusation like that. It makes me suspect that she is objecting to being treated like anyone else in the caucus.

[Marshal]

This is the evolution of feminism. When it began they identified actual discrimination. But the country adopted the ethos of equality so quickly feminists had to develop new complaints to retain the political power they achieved with these early successes. Since actual discrimination by gender ranges from rare to non-existent they've all made careers out of pretending anything they dislike is gender discrimination.

[Don't look at me! ( Is the war over yet?)]

What's the best argument that a one time $250 check will meaningfully alter the trajectory of many people's lives?

No matter what you do, it’s never enough.

On the other hand, it also means that if Dell kept his money, it also not affect the trajectory of anyone else’s life. So shut the fuck up about “tax the rich” and “inequality “.

[JesseAz (RIP CK)]

If it isnt fixed in one action it isn't worth doing. Immediate gratification is the libertarian ideal.

[Zeb]

But not having government programs to try to fix every perceived problem is a libertarian ideal. If this is all funded by private donations, it's much better than most government programs. But why can't it all be done in the private sector?

[JesseAz (RIP CK)]

This isnt a government program as it is funded by a private entity. I dont have a problem woth government highlighting charitable acts. In fact it may even encourage more to give to charity instead of government reliance.

How many times in these comments have we highlighted charities that do more with less than government does with taxpayer funds? I see this as exactly that.

[Sometimes a Great Notion]

Each Trump Account will launch with a one-time $1,000 government seed contribution.

Except for the one grand government funded portion that Trump wants per the link.

[Marshal]

Exactly. We're opening another path for every politician to buy votes with more contributions. There is zero chance this works as stated.

[JesseAz (RIP CK)]

Does trump own this charity?

[Sometimes a Great Notion]

Yup, in a few years it will be $2000.00 then $5000.00... The new third rail of American entitlements while the country is in debt up to its eyeballs.

Thanks, Trump.

[InsaneTrollLogic (smarter than The Average Dude)]

Biden just abandoned a lot of materiel to the Taliban.

https://x.com/paulsperry_/status/1996410488813764899?s=46&t=qeA47-JjK6vq0pfnxg60dA

NEW: Per just-released DOD IG report, Biden forfeited "96,000 ground vehicles, 51,180 general purpose/light tactical vehicles, 23,825 [Humvees], nearly 900 armored combat vehicles, 427,300 weapons, 17,400 helmet-worn night vision devices and at least 162 aircraft" to the Taliban.

Enough to field an army.

[Don't look at me! ( Is the war over yet?)]

HA! Joke is on them. Joe forgot to pay for the extended warranty.

[Sevo, 5-30-24, embarrassment]

"...Joe forgot..."

Stop right there.

[Idaho-Bob]

The tiny sliver of bright side - They will not be able to maintain most of it. Idiocy will kill more than a few of them.

[Rev Arthur L kuckland (5-30-24 banana republic day)]

They will sell it to the chinks

[Neutral not Neutered]

Already done I am certain. They've already reverse engineered and are producing their own versions by now.

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

Joe was in the army. With George Washington and Abe Lincoln. Just ask him.

[Bertram Guilfoyle]

He served honorably under Drill Sergeant Corn Pop.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Is the era of the billionaire philanthropist back?

I certainly hope so. I need a new overlord.

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

Are we done with DictatorGTP already?

[InsaneTrollLogic (smarter than The Average Dude)]

They weren’t survivors, they were trying to call for reinforcements.

https://x.com/bubblebathgirl/status/1996404503185391696?s=46&t=qeA47-JjK6vq0pfnxg60dA

ABC reports the drug trafficking survivors who climbed back in the boat were trying to salvage drugs and communicate with others in order to retrieve the drugs.

That’s why the order was given to stop them.

There you have it, another Democrat hoax busted.

[Gaear Grimsrud]

Yikes. I guess Reason will have to print a retraction. Or maybe a dozen.

[InsaneTrollLogic (smarter than The Average Dude)]

We might see it in about five years. Might.

[Dillinger]

Sullum already working on how it was illegal to know what the boat guys were communicating and to whom

[Ajsloss]

I believe it was a boaking accident.

[Dillinger]

I have to go now!

[JesseAz (RIP CK)]

You mean a dozen more articles denying the facts based solely on wapo using language like "if true" as the basis.

[Neutral not Neutered]

Except they will need to go to the next level and bring on The Atlantic for support.

[D-Pizzle]

Isn't the real scandal that an American air to ship missile failed to sink a 32" boat?

[Fist of Etiquette]

Donating to the government is unusual...

What do you mean? We do it every time we volunteer to pay income tax.

[InsaneTrollLogic (smarter than The Average Dude)]

But wait, there’s more!

https://x.com/bubblebathgirl/status/1996473975770358253?s=46&t=qeA47-JjK6vq0pfnxg60dA

CBS shows a narco-trafficking vessel that was seized by the Colombian military carrying 4.5 tons of cocaine.

It’s a rare up-close look at an intact boat.

The cargo was allegedly headed to Central America and some of it potentially to the US.

Note the number of blue cans in the video.

[Don't look at me! ( Is the war over yet?)]

Innocent fishermen.

[InsaneTrollLogic (smarter than The Average Dude)]

It’s fun to burst Jeffy’s bubbles.

[Quicktown Brix]

Ever hear of blowfish?

[Don't look at me! ( Is the war over yet?)]

That was a girl’s nickname in college.

[Quicktown Brix]

Troy McClure approves.

[Don't look at me! ( Is the war over yet?)]

Hootie as well

[InsaneTrollLogic (smarter than The Average Dude)]

Dolphins make him cry.

[JesseAz (RIP CK)]

Narco deug traffickers will get used to being targeted anyways.

[Ajsloss]

Part of that kingpin charm.

[Quicktown Brix]

Of course they will. And they will adjust tactics as they have for the past century to successfully continue the flow of drugs.

[Don't look at me! ( Is the war over yet?)]

It’s pointless to try .

[Quicktown Brix]

Trying is the first step toward failure.

[InsaneTrollLogic (smarter than The Average Dude)]

However, if one never tries, then the failure rate goes to 100%.

[Sevo, 5-30-24, embarrassment]

"...The cargo was allegedly headed to Central America and some of it potentially to the US..."

"Potentially"? Where does it get the highest ROI?

[JesseAz (RIP CK)]

NYC?

[InsaneTrollLogic (smarter than The Average Dude)]

Can voting machines be trusted?

https://x.com/rasmussen_poll/status/1996390398772629749?s=46&t=qeA47-JjK6vq0pfnxg60dA

NEWS: “The Smartmatic system can be altered—this is a fact. This technology was later exported abroad, including to the United States. Regime operatives maintain relationships with election officials and voting-machine companies inside your country. I do not claim that every election is stolen, but I state with certainty that elections can be rigged with the software - and has been used to do so." - Former Head of Venezuelan Intelligence

[Gaear Grimsrud]

Reason: Cleanest election evah!

[Fist of Etiquette]

The would-be operators of the three casinos have promised to pay more than $1.5 billion in one-time fees to the state if they become operational after receiving the licenses recommended by the New York Gaming Facility Location Board. The money would be another new revenue stream for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority...

Just like anyone else, they have no intention of actually paying money owed to NYC's MTA.

[Gaear Grimsrud]

Reason covers a lot of prisoner abuse stories. What are the odds they'll cover this?
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/jan-6-defendant-sues-federal-government-over-alleged-abuses-custody
Samsel alleges he was subjected to physical abuse while in custody at facilities operated by the DOJ and the U.S. Bureau of Prisons in the District of Columbia, New York, and Virginia.
There were 62 “separate assaults and other torts committed against Mr. Samsel while in the custody of the United States, as well as cruel and unusual punishment,” Haller said in the legal filing.
“Given the severity, duration, and documented multiplicity of the abuses suffered by Mr. Samsel, he is likely to be recognized as the most tortured individual by the Federal Government in recent American history,” the attorney said.
The form states that during Samsel’s four-year federal detention, he suffered 62 torts that “reflect a continuous scheme to physically and mentally harm him throughout his imprisonment and continuously deny him necessary medical treatment for serious vascular issues that pre-existed prison as well as for most injuries sustained from attacks by corrections officers during prison.”
The form said Samsel was held in custody for almost seven months but was not indicted until Aug. 25, 2021, which was “in clear violation of due process.”
As a result of his incarceration, Samsel suffers from “permanent physical impairment stemming from multiple documented injuries sustained during his incarceration.” Among those injuries are a dislocated jaw, broken right orbital bone, broken nose, lacerations, contusions, and acute kidney damage, “all resulting from coordinated assaults by correctional staff and other inmates,” the form said.
He still suffers from partial loss of vision in his right eye, persistent pain, and swelling related to his injuries, and needs ongoing medical attention for eye and chest injuries, blood clots, and thoracic outlet syndrome, according to the form.
In addition, he suffers panic attacks and “other uncontrollable emotional consequences,” as well as physical deterioration, chronic pain, and high cholesterol that came about as a result of his prolonged confinement and inadequate nutrition while in custody, the form said.
In November 2021, Samsel was forced to sit in a restraint chair for about 17 hours, where he was on public display for local schoolchildren to see him through a window. While in the chair, he was left in his own waste and developed a blood clot, according to a table of torts attached to the form.
From January to August 2021, Samsel was placed in a segregated unit for Jan. 6 prisoners in which the lights were on at all times. He was denied exercise and showers. He suffered sleep deprivation for about seven months, the table said.
Haller said his client received three “major beatings” from corrections officers and in two different prisons he was housed in closet-sized rooms.

[JesseAz (RIP CK)]

Sarc and others will deny this is even real.

[sarcasmic]

If an immigrant complained about being treated like that you Trump defenders would mock them and say they deserved it and then some. But when one of your own claims to have been treated that was you act as if it's the end of the world.

As always there are no principles involved. All you guy care about is who, not what.

[InsaneTrollLogic (smarter than The Average Dude)]

SWQUAAAAAKKKK! WhAt AbOuT TRUMP!?!?!?!?!?!

SWQUAAAAAKKKKKKKKK!

[JesseAz (RIP CK)]

Do you have a citation? I have one of you denying it happening for J6ers.

[GOD OF PENGUIN ISLAND]

It’s ok because you fantasize about Republicans doing it.

[sarcasmic]

Don't need to unmute my hate club to know that they are projecting their own malevolence onto me. I don't think anyone should be treated that way because I have principles. My haters only object when their own are treated that way, and they get giddy when it happens to people they hate.
For Trump defenders it's always about who, not what.

[InsaneTrollLogic (smarter than The Average Dude)]

No one is projecting anything onto you, dipshit. We’re mocking you because you act like such a pathetic retard here.

[JesseAz (RIP CK)]

Projecting your own projection is amusing at least.

[GOD OF PENGUIN ISLAND]

Peak sarc.

[Bertram Guilfoyle]

I guess muting everybody is the web version of getting blackout drunk.

[Marshal]

I have principles.... and I want respect!.

Ok Fredo.

For Trump defenders it's always about who, not what.

As predicted. God I hate being right all the time.

[InsaneTrollLogic (smarter than The Average Dude)]

Sarc makes it too easy.

[Marshal]

Last week sarc criticized others for whataboutism claiming it means they are biased and completely unprincipled. This week he engages in it personally even though he has to wishcast to do it.

Next up sarc will complain about someone else basing their criticism on Principals instead of Principles.

Sarc is nothing if not predictable.

[Neutral not Neutered]

Are you American? Really? Your posts are made as if you are not. Or if you are then you have a very dim and grim outlook on the American people.

When have you heard of actual citizens being treated like this as normal procedures inside the US legal system?

Did you read the part where this citizen's due process rights were completely violated for months on end? The due process rights citizens are provided? Not the fake ones you want illegal criminals to be given by immigration courts.

[Quicktown Brix]

Reason covers a lot of prisoner abuse stories. What are the odds they'll cover this?

I don't know about Reason, but I appreciate you sharing it here.

[Medulla Oblongata]

At least he wasn't shot in the face for trespassing.

[Ajsloss]

she is planning to huddle with Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia next week to discuss following her lead and retiring early from Congress.

Wait to retire until your pension vests. There. No need for a meeting unless the two of you are going to practice kissing each other.

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

ick

[Rev Arthur L kuckland (5-30-24 banana republic day)]

When is Steven my taxes should be higher king going to donate his money to the tresury

[Ajsloss]

After everyone else is forced to do it. Trust him.

[Neutral not Neutered]

I always love when I hear these uber wealthy folks say if the government made them, they would be willing, to pay more taxes.

Warren Buffet? Yeah right fucker. Instead of feigning that you would pay more in taxes if forced too why not buy a new car, a house, a boat, go on vacation, something? Spend some of that fucking money in America to support the American economy instead of raking off the top and putting zero's in a useless bank account?

I wonder how his children feel about him saying he would gladly pay more taxes but they do not get a fucking nickel. Gee thanks Dad, you're a true patriot.

[Sevo, 5-30-24, embarrassment]

"...We hope to be a bastion of sanity amid an increasingly hysterical news media..."

Your hopes are wasted. Try seeking treatment for your collective raging cases of TDS and get back to us.
Until then, you remain yet one more example of "hysterical news media".

[GOD OF PENGUIN ISLAND]

BUT DID YOU HEAR WHAT MAYBE SOMEONE HEARD HEGSETH ALLEGEDLY SAID ACCORDING TO ANONYMOUS SOURCES!!!!!!

[Sevo, 5-30-24, embarrassment]

"...Two, they could be attempting to set an example for how philanthropy ought to be done, throwing a bit of shade on the nonprofit world in the process (though is administering philanthropy through government really much better?)..."

From where do you imagine most non-profit welfare organizations' funding originates?

[Sevo, 5-30-24, embarrassment]

"The latest: Pentagon watchdog finds Hegseth put US personnel at risk with Signal use"
[...]
"The Pentagon’s watchdog found that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth put U.S. personnel and their mission at risk when he used the Signal messaging app to convey sensitive information about a military strike against Houthi militants in Yemen, two people familiar with the findings said Wednesday.
Hegseth, however, has the ability to declassify material and the report did not find he did so improperly, according to one of the people familiar with the report’s findings who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the information. CNN first reported the initial findings..."
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/the-latest-pentagon-watchdog-finds-hegseth-put-us-personnel-at-risk-with-signal-use/ar-AA1RDl8Q?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=6930fbf2f5534679928d09322c25fa47&ei=27

So, there is absolutely no story at all here, but AP can throw up a big TDS-addled click-bait headline.
Is it any wonder that AP is now considered = CNN?

[Don't look at me! ( Is the war over yet?)]

They are flailing.

[Sevo, 5-30-24, embarrassment]

[Sevo, 5-30-24, embarrassment]

"...track undocumented immigrants..."

It's spelled "illegal", just in case you didn't know.

[Zeb]

Well, to be a little pedantic, undocumented immigrants are all illegal, but not all illegal immigrants are undocumented (such as those who overstay visas).

[Dillinger]

square/rhombus rhombus/square

[sarcasmic]

Not only that, but the overstaying visas is a civil offense. So if you really want to get pedantic, they latter are not even criminals.

[JesseAz (RIP CK)]

The remedy is still deportation retard.

[InsaneTrollLogic (smarter than The Average Dude)]

The penalty for a civil infraction like overstaying a visa is deportation. I suggest you attempt to go to New Brunswick to see how it works. Given your history, you probably have a DUI, which means they’ll immediately deport you at customs.

[Medulla Oblongata]

The term of law tends to be "unauthorized alien".

E.g., "to obtain the labor of an alien in the United States knowing that the alien is an unauthorized alien (as defined in subsection (h) (3)) with" or "(a) The term unauthorized alien means, with respect to employment of an alien at a particular time, that the alien is not at that time either: (1) Lawfully admitted for permanent residence, or (2) authorized to be so employed by this Act or by the Attorney General"

[Dillinger]

>>But I'm also persuaded by Odd Lots host Joe Weisenthal's skepticism:

that's your problem. America means anyone can turn their $250 into however much they want it to be

edit: fuck you, Joe Weisenthal

[Dillinger]

lol Elise Stefanik should run quickly in the other direction if Nancy & Marjorie seek coalescence

[Medulla Oblongata]

So now GOP in House are keen on extending the Obamacare subsidies?

This is not what I voted for. This is not why we had the shutdown battle. We don't have an extra $1T lying around.

WTF?

[GOD OF PENGUIN ISLAND]

Campaign event for Ilhan Omar at the Safari Restaurant whose owner was convicted in the $250 million feeding our future fraud scheme after he stole our tax dollars meant for hungry children.

https://x.com/libsoftiktok/status/1996617353585655822

[Dillinger]

if there is a Fraudy for Best Scheme that Safari guy wins

[InsaneTrollLogic (smarter than The Average Dude)]

Should’ve renamed the restaurant to TGI Fraudy’s. “In here, it’s always corrupt.”

[Dillinger]

lol yes. nobody would have batted an eye

[GOD OF PENGUIN ISLAND]

Hey @grok
what percentage of the Somali population in the United States are on welfare.

Based on U.S. Census American Community Survey data (2019-2023), 42.4% of Somali households in the US receive SNAP benefits (food assistance).

https://x.com/0hour1/status/1996441003650416944

[Dillinger]

>>I agree with this, and reject the idea that there's something massively wrong with Heritage hiring Scott Yenor.

fighting social justice entirely possible without being total douche

[Incunabulum]

>Is the era of the billionaire philanthropist back? (In fact, had it ever really disappeared, or had our politics just failed to recognize the generosity?)

That isn't the question. The question is 'is the era of the philanthropath' (philanthropic sociopath) over. Is the era of billionaires trying to restructure and control all of society and mold it into their vision of the faufreluches with them as our feudal overlords over?

[sarcasmic]

Is the era of billionaires trying to restructure and control all of society and mold it into their vision of the faufreluches with them as our feudal overlords over?

Considering what the billionaire you voted into the White House is doing, I'd say it's only just begun.

[InsaneTrollLogic (smarter than The Average Dude)]

He’s only one against the several you have such as Bill Gates, George Soros, and so many more, hypocrite.

[JesseAz (RIP CK)]

Couldn't have said it better myself Rachel.

Only Soros like billionaires are good and decent people.

[Bertram Guilfoyle]

Remember when you said you were going to vote for that billionaire over Kammy because you hate cops so much?

[Incunabulum]

>"Donating to the government is unusual, although philanthropists have funded the construction of schools, hospitals and other public institutions for centuries,"

Its almost like people with a lot of money understand that government is bad with money.

All the rich people crying about how rich people should pay more taxes always work to minimize their tax bill.

[Mike Parsons]

Haven't seen the screed by NYT columnist Wahajat Ali on here yet:

Ali was not shy about his view that the culture of White American Trump supporters is bland and tasteless.

"I want you to realize this. You have lost. You've lost. White supremacists, White nationalists, you've lost. You are losers. Your story is a s----- story filled with misery. It’s filled with bland chicken. It's filled with terrible, terrible dry a-- meat. Your music sucks. All your culture sucks."

"You've lost. You have lost. You lost. The mistake that you made is you let us in in the first place," he said. "There's a bunch of us and we breed. We're a breeding people. And the problem is you let us in, in 1965."

But if you bring up the great replacement, you are super racist. Imagine being able to say this about any other race at a publicly facing company and keeping your job

[Dillinger]

that asshole demands violation of NAP

[InsaneTrollLogic (smarter than The Average Dude)]

There’s a remedy for people like him.

[Z Crazy]

Some white girls are sexy.

[Sometimes a Great Notion]

Each Trump Account will launch with a one-time $1,000 government seed contribution

Cradle to Grave welfare for all! But totally not socialism.

[Sevo, 5-30-24, embarrassment]

Complete bullshit, but totally not the ravings of a TDS-addled steaming pile of lying shit.

[Sometimes a Great Notion]

Italics is a direct quote from the White House gov page. See link below. So will you criticize, Trump accounts as welfare or will that cost you the $0.50 your paid to defend him?

https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2025/12/landmark-dell-gift-supercharges-trump-accounts-for-americas-kids/

[JFree]

Do ZIP codes with higher median incomes get exempt from Trump's plan altogether?

There are 150 zip codes (out of 41,550 total) in the US with median household income over $150K. That is roughly comparable (though prob not the same Venn diagram) to the number of zip codes with a median house price over $1,000,000 (in 2011-2015 - so much higher now). Most states (30) don't even have one zip code at that median income. Most of the remainder (10) only have one or two zip codes.

It is not at all a surprise that the usual suspects in the usual states (10) will seek to ensure that some Reason writer will suck up to them so that they too can suck on a federal tit. After all, everything must be an entitlement if anything is an entitlement.

[DRM]

Oh, wow.

pay more than $1.5 billion in one-time fees to the state . . . must be spent on operating expenses like salaries

There is no more fiscally irresponsible way to use a one-time windfall than to increase long-term debt obligations. As public worker salaries determine public worker pensions . . .

I mean, I'm sure the grifters setting this up know that; the whole point of the grift is to use what the public will see as free money to create a long-term obligation to the transit workers.

[Medulla Oblongata]

the “rideshare work will be decimated the second waymo comes to your town” narrative is pretty clearly debunked by early adopter states. av rides are still 30–40% more expensive than Uber and Lyft bc maintenance, research, sensors, etc are pricy! the shift will likely be gradual.

It was only 15 years ago that Uber and later Lyft drastically impacted (nay, "decimated") taxi services.

STFU and give me my autodrive car!

[db18020]

Of course there's nothing wrong with Heritage employing Scott Yenor. It fits in perfectly with Heritage's modern, authoritarian outlook. The fact you, for some reason (bad pun very much intended) saw fit to mention it, let alone defend it, has seen my mouse mysteriously hover away from the link to the donation page.