Trump has made no secret that he’d like to remain president as, well, as long as he’d like to be president. Steve Bannon has suggested that there is a “plan” for Donald Trump to secure a third term, despite the constitutional barrier of the 22nd Amendment.
His online store is selling the hat shown above for $50 and the one below for $55. Why the additional $5 is a mystery. Either way the prices is outrageous. Anybody can order 100 custom made embroidered hats for about $12 apiece and you can buy one readymade for $15 from many retailers.
No lesser luminary of logical thinking than Steve Bannon wants Trump to win another term and says he knows how he could do it. See article below:
Trump is quoted in the Newsweek article:
Trump has repeatedly flirted with seeking a third term, telling NBC‘s Meet the Press in March that “a lot of people want me to do it” and “there are methods [by] which you could do it.”
I’ve read in various places that Trump could have a surrogate run with Donald Trump Jr. frequently mentioned as his stand-in.
Trump seems to want to serve as an elected president for a third term, or if he can’t do this, as a defacto president. The latter would be where, say, Trump Jr. would be elected and be a figurehead president, with Daddy Donald still in control. Daddy Trump might even be sitting behind the Oval Office desk with the nuclear football in proximity. He might still be living in the presidential quarters of the White House, with Junior relegated to sleeping in the Lincoln Bedroom and having a office in a location where he wouldn’t get in the way in the West Wing.
With Democrats hoping for a reasonably free and fair election in 2026 and they win the House it seems likely that there will be an impreachment. Trump has already commited the high crimes justifying this. No doubt he will commit more next year.
It is doubtful that unless the country has turned into a total dictatorship by then that there would be enough votes in the Senate to convict him.
Another scenario would be that the 25th Amendement is invoked because Trump became undeniably psychiatrically or cogntively impaired. He could develop the psychosis of mania or the disease of dementia.
If, for whatever reason we ended up with President J.D. Vance I looked at how he’d be different than Trump by asking AI and this is what it said > 1
My sense is that Trump knows there is a good very chance that at the least the Democrats will win control of the House. He knows this will not only result in a flurry of bills intended to thwart his agenda, but also in his impeachment. He also knows there is a better than even chance that the Democrats will win control of the Senate and thus bills that don’t require a 2/3rds vote (like removal from office) will pass.
He also knows that he can sue claiming some new laws are unconsitutional and this will end up being decided by the Supreme Court. He’s probably not 100% certain he’ll win every case there.
All these things add up to my being sure Trump has a contingency plan to deal with not only anything that derails his agenda in 2026. This will require his assuming absolute dictatorial control of the country. We’d see martial law and our becoming a police state. He’d use both the military and his ICE/Homeland Security as his enforcers.
I am among those who have a dismal outlook of the future of our democracy and the country being restored to being a place where everything from civil rights to a decent safety net for the less privileged is taken for granted.
I see us as remaining deeply divided with those with the economic means to maintain a good standard of living doing fairly well unless you consider having their rights of expression ripped away as part of doing well.
The only thing I see as stopping the country from becoming a ruthless dictatorship is an actual civil war where the military ends up divided into pro-Trump or MAGA and anti-Trump or anti-MAGA forces. I can hardly root for this to happen because the loss of life would be unfathomable. However, civil wars have occurred, one in this country, as have wars against tyranny, where the loss of life was considered to be the cost of freedom.
I wrote more about all of this here.
Work in progress
For a deep dive into the Epstein matter, which I wrote about on Thursday and Friday, read Sabrina Haake’s Substack.
JD Vance’s Potential Presidential Agenda
If JD Vance were to become President, his agenda is likely to align closely with Donald Trump’s policies, given his current role as Vice President and his involvement in the Trump administration. Here’s a breakdown of what Vance’s presidential focus could look like based on his actions and statements so far.
Key Policy Areas
POLICY AREADETAILSImmigrationAdvocate for strict border security measures, including ending catch-and-release policies and enhancing vetting.Economic PoliciesLikely to support tax cuts for middle and working-class Americans while pushing back against regulations seen as burdensome.HealthcarePotentially push to cut funding for the Affordable Care Act and oppose social programs like Medicare and Social Security.Social IssuesStrong opposition to abortion rights, with support for a nationwide ban and minimal exceptions.Energy PoliciesEmphasize U.S. energy dominance, aiming to streamline regulations and boost fossil fuel production.Foreign PolicyWould likely continue a nationalist agenda, with a strong emphasis on America-first diplomacy.EducationAdvocate for educational reforms that align with conservative values and promote school choice.
Immigration and Border Security
Vance is expected to focus heavily on border security, advocating measures like reinstating “Remain in Mexico” policies and ending asylum for undocumented migrants. His administration might pursue the designation of cartels as foreign terrorist organizations to enhance law enforcement capabilities along the border.
Economic Policies
Vance’s economic agenda will likely include aggressive tax cuts and reducing federal spending on social programs. He has been vocal about viewing the Affordable Care Act and entitlement programs like Social Security as obstacles to fiscal responsibility.
Social Issues
Vance’s stance on social issues, particularly abortion, reflects a hardline conservative view. He supports stringent abortion laws with no exceptions for cases of rape or incest and has articulated views that discourage women from leaving abusive relationships.
National and Foreign Policy
In terms of foreign policy, Vance’s approach is more isolationist, aiming to prioritize American interests without heavy reliance on global agreements or organizations. His administration may focus on reshaping U.S. relationships with traditional allies as well as adversaries, including China.
Summary of Approach
Vance’s role as a “fixer” and enforcer in Trump’s administration suggests he would continue to champion the America Firstagenda while likely bringing a more personal, aggressive flair to discourse on both domestic and foreign fronts. His presidency could entail a commitment to reform various aspects of government to streamline processes and enhance support for conservative objectives.
With his potential candidacy for the 2028 presidential election already in discussion, JD Vance is positioning himself as a key figure in the continuation of Trump’s legacy and an enforcer of his policies.
