David Darmofal
banner
daviddarmofal.bsky.social
David Darmofal
@daviddarmofal.bsky.social

Political scientist. Political behavior + methods. Spatial analysis.
Speaking in a personal capacity. Opinions expressed are my own.

Economics 52%
Political science 27%
Pinned

Trump says he’ll release MRI results; he doesn’t know what part of his body was scanned
apnews.com/article/dona...
Trump says he'll release MRI results; he doesn't know what part of his body was scanned
President Donald Trump says he'll release the results of his MRI test that he received in October. During an exchange with reporters as he traveled back to Washington from Florida on Sunday, he said: ...
apnews.com

Yep, easily one of the biggest moves of Pope Leo's pontificate.
In a landmark move, Pope Leo has appointed Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś — a leading progressive voice for synodal reform — as the new Archbishop of Kraków, John Paul II’s former diocese.

This marks a major shift for Poland’s Church and signals that Leo’s papacy will deepen, not dilute, Francis’s legacy.
Pope Leo XIV Picks Progressive Bishop for John Paul II’s Home Diocese
In a historic changing of the guard for Poland, Pope Leo XIV has appointed Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś — widely seen as “Pope Francis’s man” in the Polish Church — to the Archdiocese of Kraków.
www.thelettersfromleo.com

Reposted by David Darmofal

In a landmark move, Pope Leo has appointed Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś — a leading progressive voice for synodal reform — as the new Archbishop of Kraków, John Paul II’s former diocese.

This marks a major shift for Poland’s Church and signals that Leo’s papacy will deepen, not dilute, Francis’s legacy.
Pope Leo XIV Picks Progressive Bishop for John Paul II’s Home Diocese
In a historic changing of the guard for Poland, Pope Leo XIV has appointed Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś — widely seen as “Pope Francis’s man” in the Polish Church — to the Archdiocese of Kraków.
www.thelettersfromleo.com

Folks, he does not know what part of his body he had an MRI on. I don't know how so much of the legacy media (other than the @nytimes.com) can continue to refuse to cover this.

Well-respected medical doctors like Jonathan Reiner and Vin Gupta are raising concerns about Trump's decline. That should tell you the seriousness of what we're observing.

Also note how Tapper dismissively refers to critics of his coverage as "trolls".
There’s edits in this video but it certainly seems like Tapper is saying that what we’re seeing every day with Trump is somehow different from a diminishment of cognitive acuity, which he claims Biden had. If so, this is simply indefensible by Tapper.
When Trump "says things that are lies or when he does 'the weave,' that's a personality issue, and that's one that has been apparent from the very beginning...That's a different wing of the hospital than Joe Biden."

@jaketapper.bsky.social talks Trump's age with @timmiller.bsky.social:

I'm catching up on some of @kamalaharris.com's interviews. This one with Fortune is also very good.
youtu.be/WD8DfbUCTas?...
“I Am a Capitalist”: Kamala Harris on Why Democrats Can Be Both | Titans and Disruptors
YouTube video by Fortune Magazine
youtu.be

And to be clear, this was from a few months ago. But it was indefensible then just as it is now. What we're observing has been going on throughout Trump's second term and even before and Tapper's been in denial about it.

If this were your dad, you’d be texting the siblings: “We need to talk.”

There’s edits in this video but it certainly seems like Tapper is saying that what we’re seeing every day with Trump is somehow different from a diminishment of cognitive acuity, which he claims Biden had. If so, this is simply indefensible by Tapper.
When Trump "says things that are lies or when he does 'the weave,' that's a personality issue, and that's one that has been apparent from the very beginning...That's a different wing of the hospital than Joe Biden."

@jaketapper.bsky.social talks Trump's age with @timmiller.bsky.social:

Tapper & Thompson wrote a book this year on the previous president rather than the current president who doesn’t even know what part of his body he had an MRI on.

Reposted by David Darmofal

NEW: A list of some of the ridiculous gifts and prizes and awards Trump has received in recent months. A newsletter about kiss-asses by the kickass @crampell.bsky.social.

www.thebulwark.com/p/jackie-cha...
Why a Jackie Chan Sequel Says a Whole Lot About Trump’s Economy
Kung-fu corruption.
www.thebulwark.com

Reposted by David Darmofal

If this were your dad, you’d be texting the siblings: “We need to talk.”

Trump & Vance causing higher electricity prices in the rural parts of one of the most important swing states.
Electricity prices jump after Trump rejects disaster aid for Michigan utilities
The president denied the state’s request for federal aid to rebuild power lines after a fierce ice storm last March, a move that could force thousands of rural electricity customers to pay the entire ...
www.politico.com

Michigan State gave a coach they hired after he had a losing coaching record at Oregon State a $33 million buyout...
SOURCES: Michigan State is firing head coach Jonathan Smith, @theathletic.com has learned.

He went 9-15 in two seasons, including 1-8 in the Big Ten this year. (ESPN first reported).

MSU players meeting called for 2:45. Smith has a $33 million buyout (with offset).

And needless to say, obviously there have been exceptions all along with some reporters doing great work. You know what I'm talking about with the far-too-general pattern.
The best thing the national political press could do is stop it with their special Trump Rules and cover him like they would have covered any other president. They should have done that 10 years ago, but it's never too late.

The best thing the national political press could do is stop it with their special Trump Rules and cover him like they would have covered any other president. They should have done that 10 years ago, but it's never too late.

Trump, the President of the United States, told reporters “I don’t know what happened” about a military strike. Imagine any previous president saying that and getting away with it.
Reporter: If there were a second strike that killed wounded people, would that be legal?

Trump: I don’t know that happened and Pete said he did not even know what people were talking about. I wouldn’t have wanted a second strike. The first strike was very lethal. It was fine.

This would never be accepted with any previous president. & sounds like some reporters are starting to treat Trump like they have previous presidents. It’s 8 years overdue. But at least some reporters aren’t behaving like @jaketapper.bsky.social with his friendly cell phone interview of Trump.
Reporter: Governor Walz called for the release of your MRI results

Trump: They were perfect like my phone call where I got impeached.

Reporter: Can you tell us what they were looking at?

Trump: I have no idea. It was just an MRI. It wasn’t the brain because I took a cognitive test and aced it.

Trump: You’re going to have drug prices coming down 500,600,700% because of me
Reporter: Governor Walz called for the release of your MRI results

Trump: They were perfect like my phone call where I got impeached.

Reporter: Can you tell us what they were looking at?

Trump: I have no idea. It was just an MRI. It wasn’t the brain because I took a cognitive test and aced it.

@crampell.bsky.social talking about Joseph Cannon and discharge petitions on MSNOW right now.

Reposted by David Darmofal

Trump: You’re going to have drug prices coming down 500,600,700% because of me

Reposted by David Darmofal

Another No to Redistricting: Indiana State Senator Jean Leising, a Republican, announced on Sunday she opposes state redistricting and will not cave on her stance.
Reporter: If there were a second strike that killed wounded people, would that be legal?

Trump: I don’t know that happened and Pete said he did not even know what people were talking about. I wouldn’t have wanted a second strike. The first strike was very lethal. It was fine.

Since Trump’s Return, Bets on His Brand Have Soured
www.wsj.com/finance/stoc...
Since Trump’s Return, Bets on His Brand Have Soured
Stocks and cryptocurrencies tied to the president and his family have tumbled amid a broader rout of riskier assets.
www.wsj.com

Reposted by David Darmofal

NPR @npr.org · 8h
An auctioneer stumbled upon the long lost painting, which depicts the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, inside a Paris townhouse last year during a routine visit. n.pr/48s2L5m
Lost for over 400 years, Rubens painting sells for $2.7 million at auction
An auctioneer stumbled upon the long lost painting, which depicts the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, inside a Paris townhouse last year during a routine visit.
n.pr