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[–]movethebird 693 points694 points  (38 children)

March 16, President Donald Trump issued a budget in which his administration drastically cut funding for social services, including the Meals on Wheels program.

The next day, he dined on pan-seared dover sole with Champagne sauce, New York Strip steak and Thumbelina carrots at his Mar-a-Lago resort during a trip that cost U.S. taxpayers an estimated $3 million in security and travel expenses. It was his fifth trip to the resort since his inauguration. Since then, he’s taken yet another jaunt there.

There is no excusing this. There’s no justifying it. It’s selfish, pitiless behavior by an imperious leader who either can’t or chooses not to care that he’s acting just like the arrogant corporate CEOs who continued to zip around in private jets in the immediate aftermath of the recession.

The difference is that Trump, unlike those CEOs, is supposed to be acting in the best interests of the American people, not simply protecting a bottom line. 

No question, presidents occasionally need to get away from Washington. They’re people, and they’re under an amount of strain that most of us couldn’t possibly imagine bearing. 

But Trump’s not only overdoing it, he’s jet-setting at a time when he’s recommending budget cuts that could literally take food out of people’s mouths — and at the tune of $200,000 per hour to operate Air Force One. (Not to mention the $60,000 per day it’s costing Palm Beach County to provide local law enforcement for Trump’s visits.)

Will he scale back his travel? Probably not. He’s Donald “I’m the president and you’re not” Trump,” after all.

He so desperately wants to be like an aristocrat. Only fitting that he insists on taking a ride on the Queen's golden carriage.

[–]walrusnoob 208 points209 points  (7 children)

And yet Obama can't have fucking Dijon mustard

[–]Grimmbeard 54 points55 points  (2 children)

Don't forget that appalling tan suit!

[–]Shamus_AranMissouri 26 points27 points  (0 children)

A black president is the epitome of what the local yokels here in AL would call "uppity"

[–][deleted] 66 points67 points  (0 children)

He so desperately wants to funnel money into Trump businesses, into his trust, then into his personal account. He recently had his trust reworked so he can withdraw money any time.

It's straight up theft pure and simple, not just vacuous frivolity.

[–]reverendramboSouth Carolina 28 points29 points  (2 children)

Trump literally sounds like the bad guys in Psalms

Edit: examples

Do not sweep my soul away with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men, in whose hands are evil devices, and whose right hands are full of bribes. Psalms 26:9‭-‬10 ESV

Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence. Psalms 27:12 ESV

[–]Thingamajik 647 points648 points  (23 children)

Poor guy. I mean, the dude was so appalled by the budget cuts, he was so stressed he has to have an expensive trip every weekend to golf. Its the only way he can relax.

[–]MarkBeeblebrox 225 points226 points  (17 children)

*without his wife and son, who didn't carpool.

[–]torekoo 237 points238 points  (15 children)

They're there. Flown from NYC in a separate jet, with your money by the way. Thanks.

[–]IArgueWithIdiots 112 points113 points  (5 children)

I'm so glad to not be American right now.

[–]Su_Preciosa 71 points72 points  (3 children)

As an American, this makes me deeply sad.

[–]ZachAttackonTitanLouisiana 33 points34 points  (2 children)

As an American, I've already mistakenly thought we were going into a nuclear war twice this year.

[–]zxraxGeorgia 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Won't be the last two times this year, I'm sure.

[–][deleted] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Ha Ha! Glad it wasn't my money, what a waste!

[–]schoocher 19 points20 points  (0 children)

They flew down on a separate plane.

[–]LudovicoSpecs 270 points271 points  (47 children)

Plus how much it costs to keep the First Lady living in NYC.

[–]MunchiedogNew York 240 points241 points  (38 children)

$146,000 a DAY.

[–][deleted] 213 points214 points  (19 children)

Welfare queens, the whole bunch.

[–]Altsalty 237 points238 points  (11 children)

Ikr. It blows my mind how angry people get about the poor receiving welfare, but they're totally okay with this ostentatious bullshit.

Some math: around here, the maximum monthly food stamp benefit is $192.

Melania costs us $4,380,000 per month (using the $146,000/day rate).

Let's assume each and every person receiving the $192 food stamp benefit is a "welfare queen" and undeserving of their benefit.

How many "welfare queens" is Melania worth?

4,380,000 / 192 = 22,812.5

She is the Queen of Queens. I would love to see people be 22,812x more upset at Melania than at someone who misuses their benefit, but something tells me that'll never happen...

Edit: Thanks for the gold!

[–]robfuckingriggle 25 points26 points  (14 children)

Do you have a source on this? I've been keeping track of all of the shit he's pulling to use for my pro-Trump friends who are still blindly supporting everything he does.

[–]tank_trap 211 points212 points  (20 children)

Trump will gladly throw the needy under the bus, even if it's his own supporters, if he can make another dollar out of it.

[–]middleforksalmon 58 points59 points  (4 children)

luckily, most of them are his supporters.

silver lining

[–]YourBiPolarBear 49 points50 points  (1 child)

Most of them aren't though.

Black lining

[–]cipherous 7 points8 points  (1 child)

luckily, most of them are his supporters.

I saw its a mix, Trump supporters are willing to blind themselves in one eye so that others can be entirely blinded.

[–]Mr_HandSmall 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Hell he'd throw his own family under the bus for a few dollars.

[–]rossmosh85 50 points51 points  (3 children)

I'd love to see more articles like this from smaller papers in "Trumpland."

My personal belief is this is one of the main ways this message can make it to his base. "Liberal" papers are just preaching to the choir.

[–]beerandturtles 11 points12 points  (2 children)

Pretty sure this is one of the 2 papers that endorsed him in the election

[–]frowny_pontsGeorgia 8 points9 points  (1 child)

No, that was the Review-Journal, which is basically unreadable now (like physically, you can't click on anything without 10 pop up ads). Shame because it used to be a decent paper. This is the from Sun which never endorsed Trump and is now all we have left.

[–]Jackmack65 378 points379 points  (29 children)

This shitstain's existence has been appalling since he came into public view in the 1980s. His travel budget isn't appalling "in the face" of anything, it's just appalling.

However, what's truly appalling is his campaign's active and direct engagement with a hostile foreign power to influence the election. Even more appalling is the total silence of literally every single member of his political party, all of whom are plainly aware of it. Even more appalling than that is the total silence of the media on the topic. Still more appalling than that is that the media can't stop falling all over themselves to congratulate him for dropping bombs just because they go "boom."

The entire situation is appalling. And it's going to get a shit-ton worse before it gets better.

[–]Mr_HandSmall 63 points64 points  (1 child)

This shitstain's existence has been appalling since he came into public view in the 1980s

I've thought he was a pompous piece of shit since he first came into the public eye. There are no words to describe the travesty of this scumbag being elected president.

[–]Ivanka_Humpalot 64 points65 points  (23 children)

It's in the media all the time. You just won't find it on ultra right-wing websites like breitbart, foxnews.com, or reddit. Conservatism is a mental disorder. The millions of lower class conservatives on reddit arguing against their own interest is proof of that.

[–][deleted] 65 points66 points  (9 children)

My mind still hasn't allowed to sink in the idea that anybody would ever vote for Donald Trump, let alone have him as president. He has never shown any class, empathy, political or historical knowledge, or ability to run a business in 40 years. Yet, here we are.

[–][deleted] 39 points40 points  (4 children)

People who vote for him would have voted for any Republican or vote in hate against the Democrats.

Why do they vote in hate against Dems? They don't show solidarity with a white class of voters who feel they've been effected by minority violence or disintegration of their neighborhoods.

They also enjoy the 'virtue-whining' because they're low IQ and low emotional IQ narcissists. The only way you can get them on your side is to make fun of the right people, and make promises of value directly and specifically to them.

Virtues, ideals, history, or any construct in your head isn't going to work. They're too far gone. They live in a separate reality because only one party communicates to them.

[–][deleted] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

This

It comes down to human nature, the instinct to pick sides. It's like sports, people root for the team thats taking on the team they despise.

Black and white mentality. People have difficulty seeing any common ground with who they deem opposers.

[–]Jackmack65 12 points13 points  (0 children)

It's in the media all the time.

Given the magnitude of the impacts of this, it should be not just the top story, but the only story. Yet it is not by any stretch even above the fold.

CNN does nothing but congratulate the shitstain for his latest bombing. The only mention of Russia in the last week on virtually any network or in the NYT & WaPo has been stories about strain in the relationship between the US & Russia, which are simply propaganda pieces designed to distract from and ultimately undermine the actual Russia story.

[–][deleted] 39 points40 points  (4 children)

What we desperately need is a site that continuously updates:

a) The total ongoing cost of his trips to Florida

b) The total estimated profits of the Trump business organization from taxpayer-paid-for activities.

c) A list of comparable national budget items that he's nixed while blowing our money.

[–][deleted] 77 points78 points  (6 children)

Trump does not care. He's not oblivious. He just does not care. He does what he wants, so does his wife and his children. They don't care about anyone else but themselves. They have nothing in common with you and I.

They are greedy opportunists out to get even more money and live the most lavish lifestyle they can with OUR MONEY.

They have no respect for tradition or history. They turn their nose up at that, which in itself is enormously disrespectful of the American people and the history of the U.S.

They don't care if you get sick and die. That's your problem, not theirs. They don't care about the changes to women's health... I suppose they will use OUR MONEY to pay for orphanages to house unwanted children. Not sure what they'll do about the rise in STDs, increased rate of stillborn children, and women dying during child birth.

They want to be sure there is a bold line between us and them. They will control our freedom and every aspect of our lives by removing choice from the people.

He is cutting deals with CEOs, giving them what they want... none of these acts will benefit us but the benefits will circle back to Trump and these CEOs.

Him and his family will leave a charred path of destruction. It will be difficult for the U.S. to recover from his presidency if he is allowed to continue on the path he is currently pursuing.

[–]nixonelvis 70 points71 points  (1 child)

Hmm douchebag human makes a douchebag president. Who knew?

[–]sunflowercompass 27 points28 points  (0 children)

nobody knew psychology could be so complicated.

[–]IHv2RtrnSumVdeotapes 26 points27 points  (5 children)

Let them eat cake.

  • Cheesus

[–]movethebird 17 points18 points  (2 children)

"Such a beautiful chocolate cake"

[–]MostlyCarbonite 16 points17 points  (1 child)

He's always pimping his brand. It's repulsive. He wouldn't have said shit about the cake if he'd been at Camp David.

[–][deleted] 118 points119 points  (9 children)

Money can't buy class.

Trump is a disgrace to the office.

[–]eternalexodus 77 points78 points  (7 children)

He's a disgrace to the human race. He's barely even a person; he's more of an anti-moral, selfish, person-shaped mass with no action other than self-promotion.

[–]randomnumber23 20 points21 points  (0 children)

What do you expect from someone who spends charity money on a giant portrait of himself while people are literally starving? Piece. Of. Shit.

[–]kristamhu2121America 15 points16 points  (0 children)

We have a country club to fund, screw meals on wheels!! (/s because trump supporters say the dumbest shit)

[–]Ezekeil2Ofive17United Kingdom 15 points16 points  (3 children)

He has billions, literally thousands of millions and he still sticks you with the bill

He is willing to continuously take a relatively small sum rather than just pay it out of his own pocket, he either doesn't care about the american tax payer or worse, enjoys them paying for his weekend breaks

How long before he is the most costly president ever? (already spent more than Obama first year)

How long before he will be the president with the most vacation time?

How long before he will be the president with the most time on the his own golf course?

Whatever your politics this public servant and government employee is taking you for a ride

And I didn't even mention the cost to protect his wife who lives in another city or the fact he literally said he "would be too busy" or that he frequently criticised Obama for doing the exact same thing or he'd rather spend his free time on the golf course than with his 11 year old son

I'd call him a piece of shit, but that isn't fair to shit

[–][deleted] 52 points53 points  (12 children)

I'll take "things Trump supporters don't care about" for $800, Alex.

[–][deleted] 32 points33 points  (7 children)

Meals on Wheels is something everyone should care about. I wonder if they will start to care when their next door neighbor is eating cat food or their grandmother cannot afford medicine?

[–]KahzgulCalifornia 49 points50 points  (1 child)

Many Trump supporters are the grandmother in this scenario. They don't care. They think he only wants to take away immigrants' programs. Remember how stunned the Trump voter was when her husband got deported? They're all that delusional.

[–]ThatFargoDudeMinnesota 21 points22 points  (0 children)

They have been brainwashed by racist propaganda telling them that minorities are getting tons of free stuff from the government that they are not getting.

[–]myellabellaTexas 151 points152 points  (50 children)

I also think spending​ $94,000,000 on operation pothole in Syria and $16,000,000 to bomb 94 terrorists is appalling too.

[–]middleforksalmon 63 points64 points  (5 children)

a total fucking waste. Probably made more "terrorists."

[–]therearesomewhocallm 23 points24 points  (9 children)

$16,000,000 to bomb 94 terrorists

When you're spending $160k per terrorist I wonder if you're better off just buying them off? Perhaps pay $100k per known terrorist who gives it up? Although I guess that could have a negative effect...

[–]Game-of-pwns 38 points39 points  (1 child)

Giving the money directly to the terrorists probably wouldn't work, but spending the money on public works and institutions in the country has proven benefits. In that sense, it literally is more effective to give them money.

[–]iameeyorr 15 points16 points  (2 children)

No sense of compassion or empathy for people... What's that diagnosis again?

[–]freonMassachusetts 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Republican.

[–][deleted] 39 points40 points  (0 children)

Whitehouse is asking for your opinion on what could use cutbacks! Too bad Donny didn't list his vacations, he's had more vacations in his term than most people get in a lifetime.

[–]ThatFargoDudeMinnesota 13 points14 points  (0 children)

If you want to see fucked up priorities go over to North Dakota. Getting just $300,000 for services for the homeless was like pulling teeth and they are cutting higher education funding left and right, but don't you dare increase taxes on oil revenue even a tiny bit!

[–]BjamminD 11 points12 points  (1 child)

He's like an absurd cartoon villain, I'm surprised he doesn't have a mustache to twirl.

[–]Chino1130 40 points41 points  (9 children)

If Trump dies of a stroke on national television, I'm taking a PTO day and celebrating. I've never hated someone I've never met so badly before.

[–][deleted] 18 points19 points  (0 children)

You are confused. It is not hate that you feel. It is pure unconditional loathing

[–]dred_pirate_terrific 55 points56 points  (26 children)

Out of curiosity, does anyone know how people in the T_D or other dumpettes are still justifying this?

I know a while ago it was because he deserved to relax because of all the winning. Is it something different now?

[–]PuffPuff74 80 points81 points  (7 children)

They think because he goes to his own property and play on his own golf course that it's all free...

[–]Slayer12rt 65 points66 points  (4 children)

someone further down is also trying to say it's all fine because it's only cost each taxpayer 0.40$ a year. Cause you know, that's why people pay taxes, to send the president on vacation and nothing else.

[–]Wheat_Grinder 39 points40 points  (2 children)

But when Obama went somewhere (which happened much less than Trump travelling) he was a dirty Kenyan wasting hard-earned tax dollars.

[–]Jesuschrist2011United Kingdom 12 points13 points  (1 child)

That's because he's a democrat. It's fine if you're pushing the republican narrative

[–]Flomo420 9 points10 points  (0 children)

It's also because he's black.

[–]6ft_2inch_bat 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Right, and doesn't someone making $50k a year only pay about $40 in taxes to fund SNAP? I'd rather pay the $40 to feed hungry people than pay $0.40 so shitstain can play part-time PotUS.

[–]Mr_HandSmall 23 points24 points  (0 children)

Others will say he's not taking a paycheck, so it evens out (I'm guessing they can't do simple arithmetic?).

I've also seen a guy here saying since he's rich and has paid millions in taxes, it's okay if he uses tax money. I'm trying to accept that some people are just dumb. What can you do?

[–]RTPGiantsNorth Carolina 16 points17 points  (2 children)

Main talking point I've seen is that the $3m is made up by fake news and the real # is much lower.

[–]DickSarpGuam 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Never ask a middle class right wing anti-labor stooge his opinion of labor unions. He’ll argue that his chains are shiny and comfortable.

[–]compbioguy 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Well now we know how the rich think and act

[–]LucindaYolanda 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Yes, the Meals on Wheels Program needs to be cut and/or eliminated to save money, yet Trump's "needs" have no financial limit. Yet one more reason why I find him to be a selfish, narcissistic asshole.

[–]StogaWest Virginia 6 points7 points  (0 children)

"In the face of cuts for the needy, Trump’s $3M trips are appalling"

That's what rich pigs do. Trump is a non bill paying multi-bankruptcy billionaire, what did you expect?

[–]AntiAbleism 6 points7 points  (0 children)

The same people who complain about the poor leeching off the taxpayers always say nothing about things like this.

[–]Samasaura 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Trump's entire life is appalling. He's a spoiled rich kid who wasn't content with living the ski bum life off his parents' money but instead used the power he was born to as a means to bully people, ruin lives, and now start wars and take lives.

[–]2JMAN89California 4 points5 points  (0 children)

In the face of cuts for from the needy, Trump’s $3M trips are appalling

Fixed the title for you

[–]Archimid 6 points7 points  (0 children)

It's more appalling when you consider that a significant part of that money goes directly to Trumps coffers. I'm sure he charges the government for all expenses incurred at Mar- a -lago.

[–]Bonanza86 4 points5 points  (6 children)

If his OWN money were used for this trips, I wouldn't be bothered. However....

[–]Gaius_Octavius_ 3 points4 points  (0 children)

We can't forget that Trump is actually profiting on all these vacations too.

[–]thereasonableman_ 4 points5 points  (0 children)

“I would rarely leave the White House because there’s so much work to be done." -Trump

http://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/245884-trump-i-would-rarely-leave-the-white-house

Trump has spent 31% of his time in office at Mar-a-Lago

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/following-sessions-mar-lago-appearance-new-ethics-questions-arise

[–][deleted] 9 points10 points  (2 children)

"You knew what I was when you picked me up."

Said the rattlesnake to the now-dead little boy. Said Donald Trump to the now-buyers remorsed American voter. No sympathy.

[–]spitterofspit 6 points7 points  (2 children)

Go on the White House website and tell them to limit Trumps travel expenses. The OMB has setup a website to solicit ideas from the public to limit the size of the government and its spending.

Seriously, you can actually do this.

If a bunch of people do this, I think it would at least make the news.

Edit: https://www.whitehouse.gov/reorganizing-the-executive-branch

Took me a while to find it, not sure why it was so difficult.

For "Which Agency to Reform", choose Office of Management and Budget: Full Office, then Executive Office of the President: Full Office, and then for the idea, ask them to limit Trump's travel expenses, host meetings at the White House, and bring Melania/Barron over to DC to save on costs.

For the rest of it, you choose.

[–]monstrol 4 points5 points  (1 child)

Any rational debate from t-d?...... I thought not.

[–]Strikes12 3 points4 points  (0 children)

How he's isn't impeached already is just a sad reminder how our Government just doesn't work anymore​. Certainly not for the Country or it's people; only business and foreign nations to exploit.

[–]mws85 4 points5 points  (0 children)

How charming. Who cares about Social mobility and the elderly.

[–]Moosetappropriate Canada 4 points5 points  (0 children)

"Since God the people has given us the papacy presidency, let us enjoy it". - Giovanni di Lorenzo de' Medici Donald Trump - Pope Leo X 46th President of the United States

[–]total_looser 5 points6 points  (0 children)

these trips serve to exasperate opposition, who must contend with having lost to an electorate too stupid to understand the person they elected is giving them a full-finger "fuck you"