The Second Term of Donald J. Trump as President of the United States of America

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How rising jet fuel prices are driving up the cost of fighting wildfires​

April 30, 20263:00 AM ET By Austin Amestoy
While the U.S. government is in charge of fighting most big wildfires, nearly all the 500 or so aircraft they use are privately owned by contractors like Dauntless.
Last year, those planes burned through about $50 million worth of jet fuel. Every fire season is different, but if this year is the same as last season, that fuel bill would almost double to nearly $100 million. That's because the price of jet fuel has skyrocketed since the war in Iran began in late February. Ultimately, taxpayers will be the ones to shell out tens of millions of dollars more to fight summer wildfires this year.

... officials said the Forest Service has budgeted $45 million for fire aviation fuel this year. That's $7 million less than it spent last year.
Last year's fuel bill was slightly above the six-year average. This year, several Western states had very dry to record-dry winters, setting them up for a potentially catastrophic wildfire season.


Trump has cost U.S. $10's of $Billions in Iran, to start fires there.
Because jet fuel cost has doubled fighting wild fires here will be more expensive this year.
 
Given the number of people holding their noses it looks like Donnie's diaper is full (again).

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"Republicans spent years posting 8646" OD #3,130
Really?
If that's so, AND !
if Comey's defense team can provide legitimate / valid evidence of it, AND !
therewith demonstrate selective enforcement, isn't the law judge obliged to toss the case?

I've wondered whether Comey is soft-balling, as a distraction / annoyance to Trump / Republicans. He's not alone.

Fed Chair Powell has announced the unusual step of remaining on the Fed board after he exits the chairmanship,
because of the unusual circumstances.

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Powell says he will stay on Fed board as a governor until legal threats 'well and truly over'​

29 April 2026
 
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I don’t swear much—but this week, Republicans in Congress are trying to leverage the actions of an attempted assassin to justify spending millions of taxpayer money on his luxurious new ballroom, while my neighbors are barely staying afloat. So, pardon my French.
 
Trump threatens to withdraw troops from Italy and Spain President Trump told reporters at the White House on Thursday that he will 'probably' withdraw American troops from Italy and Spain. A day earlier, he had already said he wanted to reduce the number of troops in Germany, after Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that America is being 'humiliated' in Iran. Trump has long been criticizing NATO countries because, according to him, they are not helping to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Iran blocked that strait after America and Israel started a war in late February. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is the fiercest opponent of that war in Europe and did not allow America to use an air base in Sicily for arms transport. Last month, Trump already threatened a trade embargo on Spain. On Thursday, he told reporters that the country is 'a total horror'. Italy also refused American warplanes access to its bases. Last month, right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, formerly apparently a friend ofTrump, criticism of his attack on the war-critical Pope Leo last month. According to analysts, she is distancing herself from Trump in an attempt to retain her premiership in the run-up to next year's elections.In Italy, about 12,000 American soldiers are stationed at seven naval bases, according to Politico.

In Spain, at the end of 2025, approximately 3,800 active American troops were stationed at two joint bases, but due to the plans to allow the bases to be used for the war in Iran, some of the American equipment has been moved.

On April 1, Trump said he was withdrawing to leave NATO. That would be catastrophic for the security of Europe, but is unlikely due to a US law passed in 2024 that prohibits a president from doing so without a two-thirds majority in the Senate of a bill passed by Congress.

SOURCE with comments
 
Trump threatens to withdraw troops from Italy and Spain President Trump told reporters at the White House on Thursday that he will 'probably' withdraw American troops from Italy and Spain. A day earlier, he had already said he wanted to reduce the number of troops in Germany, after Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that America is being 'humiliated' in Iran. Trump has long been criticizing NATO countries because, according to him, they are not helping to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Iran blocked that strait after America and Israel started a war in late February. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is the fiercest opponent of that war in Europe and did not allow America to use an air base in Sicily for arms transport. Last month, Trump already threatened a trade embargo on Spain. On Thursday, he told reporters that the country is 'a total horror'. Italy also refused American warplanes access to its bases. Last month, right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, formerly apparently a friend ofTrump, criticism of his attack on the war-critical Pope Leo last month. According to analysts, she is distancing herself from Trump in an attempt to retain her premiership in the run-up to next year's elections.In Italy, about 12,000 American soldiers are stationed at seven naval bases, according to Politico.

In Spain, at the end of 2025, approximately 3,800 active American troops were stationed at two joint bases, but due to the plans to allow the bases to be used for the war in Iran, some of the American equipment has been moved.

On April 1, Trump said he was withdrawing to leave NATO. That would be catastrophic for the security of Europe, but is unlikely due to a US law passed in 2024 that prohibits a president from doing so without a two-thirds majority in the Senate of a bill passed by Congress.

SOURCE with comments

I dislike NATO.
NATO started from the Allies who started WWI and therefore were responsible for starting WWII then as well.
They are the big colonial imperialists.
They routinely take the wrong side.
Like they supported our illegal wars against Saddam, Qaddafi, and Asad.

But I agree treaties should be up to Congress.
 
NATO started from the Allies who started WWI and therefore were responsible for starting WWII then as well.
NATO wasn't founded until 1949, well after both WWI and WWII

Don't see how you got the Allies starting WWI (admittedly it's been a long time since I took high school history so I would like an explanation). And the same goes for WWII
 
We like to see people who made mistakes early in life straighten up .....

 
US Aluminum Supplies Running Out Due To Tariffs on Canada and Bombing Plants in Middle East:

1. Middle East Supply Disruptions
Production Strikes: Missile and drone strikes on March 28, 2026, targeted key facilities in the UAE and Bahrain, including Emirates Global Aluminum's Al Taweelah refinery and Aluminium Bahrain (Alba).

2. High Cost and Low Domestic Inventory
Spiraling Costs: As of late April, U.S. buyers were paying a record premium of roughly $1.10 per pound over global prices just to secure physical metal.
Depleted Stocks: Visible global inventories have plummeted to under 420,000 tonnes, their lowest level in nearly a year.
Tariff Impact: The 50% U.S. tariffs imposed in 2025 pushed Canadian producers to divert their metal to Europe, leaving U.S. manufacturers more reliant on Middle Eastern supply right before the regional conflict erupted.

3. Manufacturing and Price Impacts
Production Cuts: Major manufacturers like Toyota have reported production cuts of approximately 40,000 units this month due to alloy shortages.
Price Highs: Aluminum reached $3,518.50 USD/T on May 1, 2026—a 44% increase compared to last year.
Strategic Reversal: While companies like Century Aluminum are fast-tracking the restart of idled U.S. plants, these domestic additions represent only about 1% of total import needs and won't be fully operational until mid-2026.

SOURCE & comments

Aluminum production require both bauxite ore and massive amounts of inexpensive electricity. The US has neither.
 
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