Robert Elisberg
@relisberg.bsky.social
Political commentator. Contributor to "Clued in to Politics" anthology. WGA Screenwriter. Novelist. Tech writer. And something else I keep forgetting.
Last night, Trump swaggered that he would be using tariff money to give bonuses to the military. It turns (not surprisingly) that that was a lie. He'll actually be using money from ...the military. For military housing. To give to the military. Pure Trump
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Trump will use military housing money for $1,776 Pentagon bonuses
The Trump administration will repurpose $2.6 billion in military housing assistance to pay $1,776 “warrior dividend” bonuses to service members, according to a senior administration official.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 19, 2025 at 5:07 AM
Last night, Trump swaggered that he would be using tariff money to give bonuses to the military. It turns (not surprisingly) that that was a lie. He'll actually be using money from ...the military. For military housing. To give to the military. Pure Trump
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
For today's Holiday Fest, we have an early, little-known, and wonderful SNL sketch with Jon Lovitz as 'Hanukkah Harry."
www.elisbergindustries.com/blog/the-hol...
www.elisbergindustries.com/blog/the-hol...
December 19, 2025 at 1:35 AM
For today's Holiday Fest, we have an early, little-known, and wonderful SNL sketch with Jon Lovitz as 'Hanukkah Harry."
www.elisbergindustries.com/blog/the-hol...
www.elisbergindustries.com/blog/the-hol...
Superb, blistering article in Salon by historian Laura Beers, facts-loaded on Press Secretary Leavitt's relentless lying.
"'Karoline Leavitt’s White House doublethink is straight out of Orwell': The press secretary's playbook is lifted from '1984'"
www.salon.com/2025/12/18/k...
"'Karoline Leavitt’s White House doublethink is straight out of Orwell': The press secretary's playbook is lifted from '1984'"
www.salon.com/2025/12/18/k...
Karoline Leavitt’s White House doublethink is straight out of Orwell - Salon.com
The press secretary's playbook is lifted from "1984."
www.salon.com
December 19, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Superb, blistering article in Salon by historian Laura Beers, facts-loaded on Press Secretary Leavitt's relentless lying.
"'Karoline Leavitt’s White House doublethink is straight out of Orwell': The press secretary's playbook is lifted from '1984'"
www.salon.com/2025/12/18/k...
"'Karoline Leavitt’s White House doublethink is straight out of Orwell': The press secretary's playbook is lifted from '1984'"
www.salon.com/2025/12/18/k...
Oh, for God sake. His needy insecurity of malignant narcissism is dripping over the carpets.
The only good things are: 1) This will be changed back after the next administration, and 2) Trump's name is on it during this period of its economic collapsing.
www.rawstory.com/trump-rename...
The only good things are: 1) This will be changed back after the next administration, and 2) Trump's name is on it during this period of its economic collapsing.
www.rawstory.com/trump-rename...
Trump-appointed board renames Kennedy Center to 'Trump Kennedy Center'
The Kennedy Center's board has voted to rename the venue to the "Trump Kennedy Center.""The Kennedy Center Board of Trustees voted unanimously today to name the institution The Donald J. Trump and The...
www.rawstory.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Oh, for God sake. His needy insecurity of malignant narcissism is dripping over the carpets.
The only good things are: 1) This will be changed back after the next administration, and 2) Trump's name is on it during this period of its economic collapsing.
www.rawstory.com/trump-rename...
The only good things are: 1) This will be changed back after the next administration, and 2) Trump's name is on it during this period of its economic collapsing.
www.rawstory.com/trump-rename...
Yesterday, the MAGOP-House passed a "healthcare" (sic) bill that does NOT provide extensions for ACA recipients. (It won't pass Senate since Democrats will block it from getting 60.)
MANY Americans are at health risk. This is about MAGOPs, not just Trump.
www.elisbergindustries.com/blog/magops-...
MANY Americans are at health risk. This is about MAGOPs, not just Trump.
www.elisbergindustries.com/blog/magops-...
December 18, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Yesterday, the MAGOP-House passed a "healthcare" (sic) bill that does NOT provide extensions for ACA recipients. (It won't pass Senate since Democrats will block it from getting 60.)
MANY Americans are at health risk. This is about MAGOPs, not just Trump.
www.elisbergindustries.com/blog/magops-...
MANY Americans are at health risk. This is about MAGOPs, not just Trump.
www.elisbergindustries.com/blog/magops-...
For tonight's Holiday Fest, we have three fun, but different versions of Tom Lehrer's wonderful song, "Hanukkah in Santa Monica." (I can't begin to tell you how joyous it is to hear that song on the radio when driving in Santa Monica...!)
www.elisbergindustries.com/blog/the-hol...
www.elisbergindustries.com/blog/the-hol...
December 18, 2025 at 1:05 AM
For tonight's Holiday Fest, we have three fun, but different versions of Tom Lehrer's wonderful song, "Hanukkah in Santa Monica." (I can't begin to tell you how joyous it is to hear that song on the radio when driving in Santa Monica...!)
www.elisbergindustries.com/blog/the-hol...
www.elisbergindustries.com/blog/the-hol...
This Special Election got NO coverage yesterday -- but in a Democratic state senate district in KY the party last won by 21 points, on Tuesday they won by...47 points!! They more than doubled what was already a landslide margin.
Here's more on the race.
www.elisbergindustries.com/blog/special...
Here's more on the race.
www.elisbergindustries.com/blog/special...
December 17, 2025 at 5:19 PM
This Special Election got NO coverage yesterday -- but in a Democratic state senate district in KY the party last won by 21 points, on Tuesday they won by...47 points!! They more than doubled what was already a landslide margin.
Here's more on the race.
www.elisbergindustries.com/blog/special...
Here's more on the race.
www.elisbergindustries.com/blog/special...
Well, that's what one should expect when you have a Peace President, going all out to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
But as you note in the photo you attached, he did win the vaunted first-ever FIFA Peace Prize...
But as you note in the photo you attached, he did win the vaunted first-ever FIFA Peace Prize...
December 17, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Well, that's what one should expect when you have a Peace President, going all out to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
But as you note in the photo you attached, he did win the vaunted first-ever FIFA Peace Prize...
But as you note in the photo you attached, he did win the vaunted first-ever FIFA Peace Prize...
For tonight's Holiday Fest, we have a little-known but *wonderful* song from SOUTH PARK, "It's Hard to Be a Jew on Christmas." Plus, a long backstory on the song that overlaps with my time working with the guys on the movie BASEKETBALL.
www.elisbergindustries.com/blog/the-hol...
www.elisbergindustries.com/blog/the-hol...
The Holiday Fest 2025
Today's little known holiday song -- this time, for Hanukkah -- comes from what I believe was the first season of the animated series South Park. It was their initial Christmas special,...
www.elisbergindustries.com
December 17, 2025 at 1:20 AM
For tonight's Holiday Fest, we have a little-known but *wonderful* song from SOUTH PARK, "It's Hard to Be a Jew on Christmas." Plus, a long backstory on the song that overlaps with my time working with the guys on the movie BASEKETBALL.
www.elisbergindustries.com/blog/the-hol...
www.elisbergindustries.com/blog/the-hol...
When tariffs kick in next year, their impact might not even fully hit for 6 months. So, reducing tariffs might have no effect for half a year after being cut. Or more, depending on supply chains.
Besides, Goldman presumes a MAGOP Congress will decide, not Trump. And he isn't likely to cut tariffs.
Besides, Goldman presumes a MAGOP Congress will decide, not Trump. And he isn't likely to cut tariffs.
GOLDMAN: “.. With control of both chambers of Congress and the White House, Republicans are in a position to pursue policy measures to shift sentiment ahead of the election. .. The most obvious policy lever to pull would be tariff reductions.”
December 17, 2025 at 1:10 AM
When tariffs kick in next year, their impact might not even fully hit for 6 months. So, reducing tariffs might have no effect for half a year after being cut. Or more, depending on supply chains.
Besides, Goldman presumes a MAGOP Congress will decide, not Trump. And he isn't likely to cut tariffs.
Besides, Goldman presumes a MAGOP Congress will decide, not Trump. And he isn't likely to cut tariffs.
Reposted by Robert Elisberg
December 16, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Ah, the Peace President. There goes the Nobel Prize again...
But then, who knows what Trump even means??
"Completely surrounded" by an armada? Two-thirds of Venezuela's border is inland, so it's impossible.
Also, I doubt Trump knows "the history of South America."
But then, who knows what Trump even means??
"Completely surrounded" by an armada? Two-thirds of Venezuela's border is inland, so it's impossible.
Also, I doubt Trump knows "the history of South America."
December 17, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Ah, the Peace President. There goes the Nobel Prize again...
But then, who knows what Trump even means??
"Completely surrounded" by an armada? Two-thirds of Venezuela's border is inland, so it's impossible.
Also, I doubt Trump knows "the history of South America."
But then, who knows what Trump even means??
"Completely surrounded" by an armada? Two-thirds of Venezuela's border is inland, so it's impossible.
Also, I doubt Trump knows "the history of South America."
Reposted by Robert Elisberg
Give it a rest, JD. Everyone knows the high tariffs and cuts to healthcare support happened under Trump.
December 16, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Give it a rest, JD. Everyone knows the high tariffs and cuts to healthcare support happened under Trump.
Reposted by Robert Elisberg
Being the director of the FBI and releasing a couples podcast while a mass shooter is on the loose is a wild choice
lot of awful and insane stuff going on. but if you really want to have a brain bleed this holiday season don't lose sight of Stephen Miller's wife doing a video podcast with the FBI director and his gf about their love life
December 16, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Being the director of the FBI and releasing a couples podcast while a mass shooter is on the loose is a wild choice
Considering Susie Wiles said Trump "has an alcoholic’s personality.” VP "Vance" is “a conspiracy theorist" & his change of views has been "sort of political." Bondi “completely whiffed” the Epstein Files." Trump was "wrong" Bill Clinton was ever at Epstein's island --
I'm fine the WH supports her.
I'm fine the WH supports her.
December 16, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Considering Susie Wiles said Trump "has an alcoholic’s personality.” VP "Vance" is “a conspiracy theorist" & his change of views has been "sort of political." Bondi “completely whiffed” the Epstein Files." Trump was "wrong" Bill Clinton was ever at Epstein's island --
I'm fine the WH supports her.
I'm fine the WH supports her.
Of all the quotes in Vanity Fair's interviews with WH Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, the one that perhaps most leaped out to me was:
There was "score settling" behind some prosecutions.
Because she was just added to the defense witness lists of Trump's enemy prosecutions.
There was "score settling" behind some prosecutions.
Because she was just added to the defense witness lists of Trump's enemy prosecutions.
December 16, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Of all the quotes in Vanity Fair's interviews with WH Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, the one that perhaps most leaped out to me was:
There was "score settling" behind some prosecutions.
Because she was just added to the defense witness lists of Trump's enemy prosecutions.
There was "score settling" behind some prosecutions.
Because she was just added to the defense witness lists of Trump's enemy prosecutions.
To clarify -- Hegseth said the video would be shown the members of the House & Senate Armed Services Committee, but NOT to the general public.
Despite Trump initially saying, yes, it would be.
Despite Trump initially saying, yes, it would be.
Pete Hegseth just confirmed he will NOT release the full unedited video of the controversial Sept. 2 double-tap boat strike.
December 16, 2025 at 4:41 PM
To clarify -- Hegseth said the video would be shown the members of the House & Senate Armed Services Committee, but NOT to the general public.
Despite Trump initially saying, yes, it would be.
Despite Trump initially saying, yes, it would be.
Reposted by Robert Elisberg
Trump’s current Chief of Staff Susie Wiles on the Trump admin:
—Trump “has an alcoholic’s personality.”
—Vance has been “a conspiracy theorist for a decade.”
—Musk is “an avowed ketamine [user].”
—Vought is “a right-wing absolute zealot.”
—Bondi “completely whiffed” the Epstein Files.
—Trump “has an alcoholic’s personality.”
—Vance has been “a conspiracy theorist for a decade.”
—Musk is “an avowed ketamine [user].”
—Vought is “a right-wing absolute zealot.”
—Bondi “completely whiffed” the Epstein Files.
December 16, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Trump’s current Chief of Staff Susie Wiles on the Trump admin:
—Trump “has an alcoholic’s personality.”
—Vance has been “a conspiracy theorist for a decade.”
—Musk is “an avowed ketamine [user].”
—Vought is “a right-wing absolute zealot.”
—Bondi “completely whiffed” the Epstein Files.
—Trump “has an alcoholic’s personality.”
—Vance has been “a conspiracy theorist for a decade.”
—Musk is “an avowed ketamine [user].”
—Vought is “a right-wing absolute zealot.”
—Bondi “completely whiffed” the Epstein Files.
Reposted by Robert Elisberg
Premiums are going to double, triple or even quadruple for working families. House Democrats are fighting to stop this and extend the ACA tax credits.
www.cbsnews.com/news/aca-sub...
www.cbsnews.com/news/aca-sub...
With ACA subsidies set to lapse, millions of Americans face a painful spike in health plan costs
"I don't know how I'm going to pay for this," said one person with an Affordable Care Act plan that will cost her $1,100 a month starting in January.
www.cbsnews.com
December 16, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Premiums are going to double, triple or even quadruple for working families. House Democrats are fighting to stop this and extend the ACA tax credits.
www.cbsnews.com/news/aca-sub...
www.cbsnews.com/news/aca-sub...
Unemployment rose to 4.6% (from 4.0% when taking office.) Two-month job loss of 45,000.
Trump keeps saying the economy is great, so why does he tell people to only buy two dolls and two pencils?!!
What president ever tells people to NOT buy gifts at Christmas?? Unless the economy is bad.
Trump keeps saying the economy is great, so why does he tell people to only buy two dolls and two pencils?!!
What president ever tells people to NOT buy gifts at Christmas?? Unless the economy is bad.
December 16, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Unemployment rose to 4.6% (from 4.0% when taking office.) Two-month job loss of 45,000.
Trump keeps saying the economy is great, so why does he tell people to only buy two dolls and two pencils?!!
What president ever tells people to NOT buy gifts at Christmas?? Unless the economy is bad.
Trump keeps saying the economy is great, so why does he tell people to only buy two dolls and two pencils?!!
What president ever tells people to NOT buy gifts at Christmas?? Unless the economy is bad.
I was glad to see the late-night hosts dissect Trump's bizarre, psychotic WH Christmas party rant. Especially his 10 minutes on snakes -- and supposedly 28,000 snakebit deaths a year in Peru. The actual number is...10!!
Here's more on Trump's Christmess.
www.elisbergindustries.com/blog/a-merry...
Here's more on Trump's Christmess.
www.elisbergindustries.com/blog/a-merry...
December 16, 2025 at 4:17 PM
I was glad to see the late-night hosts dissect Trump's bizarre, psychotic WH Christmas party rant. Especially his 10 minutes on snakes -- and supposedly 28,000 snakebit deaths a year in Peru. The actual number is...10!!
Here's more on Trump's Christmess.
www.elisbergindustries.com/blog/a-merry...
Here's more on Trump's Christmess.
www.elisbergindustries.com/blog/a-merry...
"First of all, you know, my condolences go out to the family. It's a terrible tragedy. They suffered here. And the president's Truth Social post is indefensible by anybody. I don't know how anyone could defend it."
-- David Urban, major CNN Trump defender
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1w8x...
-- David Urban, major CNN Trump defender
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1w8x...
GOP strategist calls out Trump's reply to director's death: 'How can anyone defend it'
YouTube video by Robert Davis
www.youtube.com
December 16, 2025 at 5:50 AM
"First of all, you know, my condolences go out to the family. It's a terrible tragedy. They suffered here. And the president's Truth Social post is indefensible by anybody. I don't know how anyone could defend it."
-- David Urban, major CNN Trump defender
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1w8x...
-- David Urban, major CNN Trump defender
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1w8x...
For the Holiday Fest, this is a hilarious piece from Stephen Colbert's show, noting that there were 146 new Christmas movies on TV that year, & almost none on Hanukkah -- so they put together trailers for eight fictitious Hannukah movies. It's wonderful --
www.elisbergindustries.com/blog/the-hol...
www.elisbergindustries.com/blog/the-hol...
The Holiday Fest 2025
For today's Fest of little-known seasonal material, from music to comedy and anything in between, we keep the season at Hanukkah on the second night with a wonderful piece that Stephen Colbert did. .....
www.elisbergindustries.com
December 16, 2025 at 2:03 AM
For the Holiday Fest, this is a hilarious piece from Stephen Colbert's show, noting that there were 146 new Christmas movies on TV that year, & almost none on Hanukkah -- so they put together trailers for eight fictitious Hannukah movies. It's wonderful --
www.elisbergindustries.com/blog/the-hol...
www.elisbergindustries.com/blog/the-hol...
For today's Holiday Fest, for the first night of Hanukkah we have an episode from the very hard-to-find, *great* flop TV show FRANK'S PLACE, starring Tim Reid. Here Frank is invited to celebrate Hanukkah at the home of his attorney.
www.elisbergindustries.com/blog/the-hol...
www.elisbergindustries.com/blog/the-hol...
December 15, 2025 at 1:14 AM
For today's Holiday Fest, for the first night of Hanukkah we have an episode from the very hard-to-find, *great* flop TV show FRANK'S PLACE, starring Tim Reid. Here Frank is invited to celebrate Hanukkah at the home of his attorney.
www.elisbergindustries.com/blog/the-hol...
www.elisbergindustries.com/blog/the-hol...
Reposted by Robert Elisberg
I swear we're in "I tied an onion to my belt, which was the style at the time" territory
Trump as he rambles on and on about snakes: “Look how quiet everybody is”
December 14, 2025 at 7:07 PM
I swear we're in "I tied an onion to my belt, which was the style at the time" territory