Trump helps out bigly and buys a Tesla

David49

Churchview

This is a turn up for the books.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c201z4lv5xxo

"Elon Musk's electric carmaker Tesla has warned it and other US exporters could be harmed by countries retaliating to Donald Trump's trade tariffs."

Musk might get his way, surely he expected reciprocal tarrifs .
Tesla is suffering badly, shares dropping like a stone and cars that aren’t selling - because buyers think Musk is a idiot

I've heard they're in the knock-down BOGOF yard now and still no-one wants one.

This Usa presidency is the curse of the century.

Totally a true disaster of horrors.

That'll be him and Steve Bannon then.

Churchview

An idiot who does Nazi salutes.

Only an idiot would do what looked like a Nazi salute on stage

An idiot who does Nazi salutes.

Trump seems totally surprised and mightily put out by reciprocal tariffs. Perhaps Musk is as unable to predict the outcome of actions as Trump. Might explain why he talks such rubbish in person and on his X.

I genuinely think they believed everyone would roll over and soak it up. If you are a narcissist with utter faith in your own power and genius it must come as a helluva surprise when other people don't agree with you.

Churchview

Because buyers think Musk is a Nazi you mean.

An idiot would do, with that stupid baseball hat and dark glasses he looks the part.

Because buyers think Musk is a Nazi you mean.

Churchview

This is a turn up for the books.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c201z4lv5xxo

"Elon Musk's electric carmaker Tesla has warned it and other US exporters could be harmed by countries retaliating to Donald Trump's trade tariffs."

Musk might get his way, surely he expected reciprocal tarrifs .
Tesla is suffering badly, shares dropping like a stone and cars that aren’t selling - because buyers think Musk is a idiot

Churchview

This is a turn up for the books.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c201z4lv5xxo

"Elon Musk's electric carmaker Tesla has warned it and other US exporters could be harmed by countries retaliating to Donald Trump's trade tariffs."

I'm shocked I tell you, shocked!!

This is a turn up for the books.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c201z4lv5xxo

"Elon Musk's electric carmaker Tesla has warned it and other US exporters could be harmed by countries retaliating to Donald Trump's trade tariffs."

Barleyfields

My investment was a personal pension. Don’t include me in your comment about lack of understanding. You really are the archetypal mansplainer, as I have said before. Very patronising in your assumption that you know more than others, which has been disproved on several occasions.

Yes, stick it to him. He makes me so cross with his supercilious ways. He's not a gran, why is he here?

It ouch be straightforward invasion and take over from another country? What 'deal' does he want by threatening but not acting on it?

Typical Trump posturing

"Trump orders ideas from Pentagon for ‘unfettered’ access to Panama canal, officials say
Document described as interim national security guidance calls on US military to create options"

Trump has asserted that the US needs to “take back” the canal, arguing, without evidence, that China controls it and could use the waterway to undermine American interests. In his inaugural speech in January, Trump accused Panama of breaking a promise for the final transfer of the canal in 1999

Ilya Espino de Marotta, the canal’s deputy administrator, told the Guardian in January: “The canal is run by Panamanians 100%. We are an autonomous entity. There is no Chinese management of the canal


www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/13/trump-pentagon-panama-canal

David49

Norah

David49

imaround

Sigh. Never mind. I am going to concentrate on Trump trying to invade Panama instead of trying to explain something over and over again.

Panama Canal is operated by a Hong Kong company, obviously controlled by China and there are half a million Chinese in Panama. I think the US is right to be concerned it’s even more important than Suez as a trade route, a deal needs to be done to ensure international control.
A disputed take over is a really bad idea it could put the canal out of use for years.

Agreed.

GHWBush invaded Panama in 1989 without any way to justify the illegal action. It would seem POTUS is up to the same.

However, if I recall correctly, the 1989 debacle ended in less than a week, only approximately 20,000 boots on the ground.

With China established and defending their interests 1998 is a bit irrelevant now.

I disagree.

In my opinion only, many, mostly Republican POTUS have shown they much admire strongman mentality and invasions. By way of example: use of force in Grenada (violation of international law).

POTUS seems to want a place in history - apocrpryal, but a place.

Norah

David49

imaround

Sigh. Never mind. I am going to concentrate on Trump trying to invade Panama instead of trying to explain something over and over again.

Panama Canal is operated by a Hong Kong company, obviously controlled by China and there are half a million Chinese in Panama. I think the US is right to be concerned it’s even more important than Suez as a trade route, a deal needs to be done to ensure international control.
A disputed take over is a really bad idea it could put the canal out of use for years.

Agreed.

GHWBush invaded Panama in 1989 without any way to justify the illegal action. It would seem POTUS is up to the same.

However, if I recall correctly, the 1989 debacle ended in less than a week, only approximately 20,000 boots on the ground.

With China established and defending their interests 1998 is a bit irrelevant now.

David49

imaround

Sigh. Never mind. I am going to concentrate on Trump trying to invade Panama instead of trying to explain something over and over again.

Panama Canal is operated by a Hong Kong company, obviously controlled by China and there are half a million Chinese in Panama. I think the US is right to be concerned it’s even more important than Suez as a trade route, a deal needs to be done to ensure international control.
A disputed take over is a really bad idea it could put the canal out of use for years.

Agreed.

GHWBush invaded Panama in 1989 without any way to justify the illegal action. It would seem POTUS is up to the same.

However, if I recall correctly, the 1989 debacle ended in less than a week, only approximately 20,000 boots on the ground.

imaround

Sigh. Never mind. I am going to concentrate on Trump trying to invade Panama instead of trying to explain something over and over again.

Panama Canal is operated by a Hong Kong company, obviously controlled by China and there are half a million Chinese in Panama. I think the US is right to be concerned it’s even more important than Suez as a trade route, a deal needs to be done to ensure international control.
A disputed take over is a really bad idea it could put the canal out of use for years.

imaround

Sigh. Never mind. I am going to concentrate on Trump trying to invade Panama instead of trying to explain something over and over again.

I really value your insights and experience of actually living in USA Imaround.. I hope you continue to contribute on here.. we can only imagine how scary it must be for you now..
best wishes

Did he actually buy a Tesla or was it just parked in front of the White House for a photo op? He certainly doesn't like spending his own money if he can arrange for someone else to pay.

imaround

Sigh. Never mind. I am going to concentrate on Trump trying to invade Panama instead of trying to explain something over and over again.

😁 Sigh. Never mind
What do you know? You only live there!!

Mansplaining and googling come up trumps
(Sorry for the pun)

Sigh. Never mind. I am going to concentrate on Trump trying to invade Panama instead of trying to explain something over and over again.

imaround

This is my last. It has a good explanation of what Social Security is. It is not a pension.

Social Security payments of today are paid for by the workers of today. It has never been guaranteed and we have been told for years that by time we need to use it, it won't be there. That is why we all pay into our 401ks.

So we can't rely on Social Security any longer. Our 401ks are dropping quickly and only Trump can reverse that. And he won't.
retirement.johnhancock.com/us/en/viewpoints/retirement-readiness/what-s-the-difference-between-social-security-and-a-pension-

It appears you are perhaps being mislead.

"Social Security is a social insurance program offered by the federal government that in part provides eligible Americans with income in retirement through monthly checks. While you’re working, you and your employer fund Social Security through payroll taxes. These taxes pay benefits to current retirees, as well as other qualifying individuals such as those with certain disabilities."

"As of 2021, the Trust Fund contained (or alternatively, was owed) $2.908 trillion. The Trust Fund is required by law to be invested in non-marketable securities issued and guaranteed by the "full faith and credit" of the federal government. These securities earn a market rate of interest."

www.ssa.gov/policy/trust-funds-summary.html

This is my last. It has a good explanation of what Social Security is. It is not a pension.

Social Security payments of today are paid for by the workers of today. It has never been guaranteed and we have been told for years that by time we need to use it, it won't be there. That is why we all pay into our 401ks.

So we can't rely on Social Security any longer. Our 401ks are dropping quickly and only Trump can reverse that. And he won't.
retirement.johnhancock.com/us/en/viewpoints/retirement-readiness/what-s-the-difference-between-social-security-and-a-pension-

FriedGreenTomatoes2

^I knew Social Security was not a 401K. I merely thought you implied the US have no state pension, when indeed they do.^

I thought that too Norah and so I Googled it to find out this was so.

I'm not a fan of POTUS, however I know the US pensioners have a government system. I can't work out POTUS meddling with Social Security or Medicare (their old age/ poor/ disabled medical care plan).

"The most someone who retires in 2025 can possibly get from Social Security retirement benefits is $5,108 per month. That is more than $60,000 per year in taxable inflation-protected income."

"In 2025, the U.S. federal government spent approximately $1.6 trillion on Social Security, representing about 21% of the total federal budget."