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LetMyPeopleVote
LetMyPeopleVote's Journal
LetMyPeopleVote's Journal
February 23, 2026
The U.S. earned more gold and total medals in women's events than men's for the sixth straight Olympics
This makes me smile
https://x.com/justwsports/status/2025678980301426817
February 23, 2026
Trump Got Boycotted By Democratic Governors
trump's formal dinner for governors was boycotted by all Democratic governors due to trump's snub of Wes Moore and Jared Polis
https://x.com/funder/status/2025974607354749163
https://www.dworkinsubstack.com/p/guess-what-ruined-trumps-entire-weekend
Trump turned one of DC’s oldest bipartisan traditions into another loyalty test—and it backfired spectacularly.
Every February, the White House hosts all governors for a black-tie dinner. This year, Trump said he was disinviting Maryland Gov. Wes Moore—America’s only Black governor—and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis—America’s first openly gay governor.
The response was immediate and unified. All eighteen Democratic governors threatened to skip the dinner if Moore and Polis weren’t invited. Oklahoma’s GOP Gov. Kevin Stitt, who chairs the National Governors Association, announced they couldn’t take part in an event that excluded Democrats. Which of course prompted a tantrum from the wannabe king.
For Saturday’s dinner, not a single Democrat was in the room. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said: “Trump has made this whole thing a farce.”
Trump wanted a loyalty test. Instead, he got a boycott, a bipartisan slam, and empty chairs he had to fill with his sycophants.
Every February, the White House hosts all governors for a black-tie dinner. This year, Trump said he was disinviting Maryland Gov. Wes Moore—America’s only Black governor—and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis—America’s first openly gay governor.
The response was immediate and unified. All eighteen Democratic governors threatened to skip the dinner if Moore and Polis weren’t invited. Oklahoma’s GOP Gov. Kevin Stitt, who chairs the National Governors Association, announced they couldn’t take part in an event that excluded Democrats. Which of course prompted a tantrum from the wannabe king.
For Saturday’s dinner, not a single Democrat was in the room. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said: “Trump has made this whole thing a farce.”
Trump wanted a loyalty test. Instead, he got a boycott, a bipartisan slam, and empty chairs he had to fill with his sycophants.
February 23, 2026
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/why-a-generous-super-pac-donation-makes-trumps-bridgegate-look-even-worse
MaddowBlog-Why a generous super PAC donation makes Trump's 'Bridgegate' look even worse
Given the recent pattern, it’s tough to ignore the pay-for-play appearances in an administration for which corruption allegations have become the norm.
The pattern of MAGA PAC donors getting what they want is striking, but Trump’s Bridgegate is special:
— Steve Benen (@stevebenen.com) 2026-02-23T17:03:23.547Z
- Jan 16: billionaire writes a check to Trump-aligned super PAC
- Feb 9: billionaire meets with Howard Lutnick
- Feb 9: Trump abandons his own position and says what the billionaire wanted to hear
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/why-a-generous-super-pac-donation-makes-trumps-bridgegate-look-even-worse
It was against this backdrop that the Times added a new installment to the series on Saturday:
.....Initially, it wasn’t at all clear what prompted Trump’s declaration, right up until we learned that a Michigan billionaire, Matthew Moroun, had met privately with administration officials, lobbying against the bridge. His motivation was obvious: Moroun owns a separate bridge that connects Michigan and Canada, and as former Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan explained in a piece for MS NOW, he wants to maintain a near-monopoly with his single, privately owned toll bridge.
The Times’ latest reporting, however, made a bad story look worse. Consider a brief timeline:
....But given the recent pattern, it’s tough to ignore the pay-for-play appearances in an administration for which corruption allegations have become the norm
Less than one month before meeting with a top administration official to lobby against a new bridge connecting Michigan with Canada, the billionaire owner of an existing bridge donated $1 million to a super PAC devoted to President Trump.
Matthew Moroun, a Detroit-based trucking magnate whose family has operated the Ambassador Bridge between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, for decades, made the donation to MAGA Inc. on Jan. 16, according to a campaign finance report filed on Friday evening.
.....Initially, it wasn’t at all clear what prompted Trump’s declaration, right up until we learned that a Michigan billionaire, Matthew Moroun, had met privately with administration officials, lobbying against the bridge. His motivation was obvious: Moroun owns a separate bridge that connects Michigan and Canada, and as former Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan explained in a piece for MS NOW, he wants to maintain a near-monopoly with his single, privately owned toll bridge.
The Times’ latest reporting, however, made a bad story look worse. Consider a brief timeline:
Jan. 16: Moroun gives $1 million to MAGA Inc.
Feb. 9, midday: Moroun meets Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
Feb. 9, evening: Trump abandons his own position and says what Moroun wanted to hear.
....But given the recent pattern, it’s tough to ignore the pay-for-play appearances in an administration for which corruption allegations have become the norm
February 23, 2026
https://meidasnews.com/news/trump-snubbed-as-u-s-womens-hockey-team-declines-state-of-the-union-invitation-
Trump snubbed as U.S. Women's Hockey Team declines State of the Union invitation
This makes me smile
Trump snubbed as U.S. Women’s Hockey Team declines State of the Union invitation
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes.bsky.social) 2026-02-23T18:30:18.076Z
Olympic champions opt out of high-profile White House moment, citing scheduling conflicts
meidasnews.com/news/trump-s...
https://meidasnews.com/news/trump-snubbed-as-u-s-womens-hockey-team-declines-state-of-the-union-invitation-
The gold medal–winning U.S. women’s hockey team has declined an invitation to attend President Donald Trump’s upcoming State of the Union address, citing prior commitments.
A spokesperson for USA Hockey confirmed that the team was invited to the event but would be unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts. The statement emphasized the players’ appreciation for the recognition while making clear that existing obligations would prevent their participation .
https://x.com/albamonica/status/2025989449197158504
“We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal–winning U.S. Women’s Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement,” the spokesperson said. “They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment.”
A spokesperson for USA Hockey confirmed that the team was invited to the event but would be unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts. The statement emphasized the players’ appreciation for the recognition while making clear that existing obligations would prevent their participation .
https://x.com/albamonica/status/2025989449197158504
“We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal–winning U.S. Women’s Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement,” the spokesperson said. “They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment.”
February 23, 2026
https://www.rawstory.com/trump-calls-usa-hockey-team
Trump shares bizarre AI video of himself besting Canada's hockey team after Team USA win
trump is truly delusional
President Donald Trump shared an AI-generated video of himself playing hockey for Team USA after the actual national team won a gold medal over Canada in the Olympics.
— Raw Story (@rawstory.com) 2026-02-23T15:35:33.660Z
https://www.rawstory.com/trump-calls-usa-hockey-team
President Donald Trump shared an AI-generated video of himself playing hockey for Team USA after the actual national team won a gold medal over Canada in the Olympics.
The American team won its first gold medal in men's hockey since 1980 thanks to 24-year-old Jack Hughes' overtime goal to notch a 2-1 win Sunday in the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.Trump celebrated the following morning by posting a one-minute clip created by X chatbot Grok that showed him scoring two goals while wearing a suit and tie.
"What a play by Trump," the fictional announcer calls out as Survivor's 1982 song "Eye of the Tiger" plays over the video.
The fictional Trump, who appears to be at least a decade younger than he is, dominates the game in the phony highlight reel, and his artificial avatar is banished to the penalty box for removing his gloves and pummeling an opponent on the ice.
The 79-year-old president in real life invited the men's hockey team to attend Tuesday night's State of the Union address in a locker room phone call, and he tasked FBI Director Kash Patel — who pounded beers with the team during the post-game celebration — with arranging their travel details.
The American team won its first gold medal in men's hockey since 1980 thanks to 24-year-old Jack Hughes' overtime goal to notch a 2-1 win Sunday in the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.Trump celebrated the following morning by posting a one-minute clip created by X chatbot Grok that showed him scoring two goals while wearing a suit and tie.
"What a play by Trump," the fictional announcer calls out as Survivor's 1982 song "Eye of the Tiger" plays over the video.
The fictional Trump, who appears to be at least a decade younger than he is, dominates the game in the phony highlight reel, and his artificial avatar is banished to the penalty box for removing his gloves and pummeling an opponent on the ice.
The 79-year-old president in real life invited the men's hockey team to attend Tuesday night's State of the Union address in a locker room phone call, and he tasked FBI Director Kash Patel — who pounded beers with the team during the post-game celebration — with arranging their travel details.
February 23, 2026
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/kash-patel-partying-with-the-olympic-mens-hockey-team
The rest of this article is great but is too long to post on DU
MaddowBlog-6 problems with Kash Patel partying with the Olympic men's hockey team
The director has faced months of accusations that he’s misused FBI jets for personal reasons. He just did fresh damage to his poor reputation.
Top 6 problems with Kash Patel partying with the men’s Olympic hockey team:
— Steve Benen (@stevebenen.com) 2026-02-23T14:57:56.944Z
- a collapsing FBI denial
- haunted by his Chris Wray criticisms
- wasting taxpayer resources
- he has more important work to do
- latest in a series of abuses
- fresh harm to tarnished reputation www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/kash-patel-partying-with-the-olympic-mens-hockey-team
After the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team won a gold medal, the players and coaches celebrated in their locker room. That wasn’t surprising given the circumstances, though there was one unexpected person in the room partying with them. MS NOW reported:
At first blush, some might find this unremarkable. The fact that an American hockey fan celebrated with American athletes after a big win is hardly the stuff of a political controversy.
But the details matter.
1. An earlier FBI denial isn’t holding up well. After MS NOW reported last week that Patel was headed to Milan on an FBI jet, at the expense of American taxpayers, to watch the men’s ice hockey team compete, FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson told MS NOW on Thursday that Patel was going to Milan for a series of business meetings and that it was unfair to describe the trip as having to do with hockey or leisure. In fact, he derided the reporting in a tweet.
While the bureau continues to insist that Patel attended some official events in Italy, the videos of Patel partying with the team didn’t exactly bolster Williamson’s denial.
2. Patel is haunted by his recent past. A few years ago, when Patel was known as little more than a conspiratorial media personality, he publicly derided then-FBI Director Christopher Wray for allegedly using an FBI jet for personal reasons. Oops.
....There’s no reason to believe Attorney General Pam Bondi or President Donald Trump will take a similar interest in allegations surrounding Patel. That said, the FBI director is supposed to serve a 10-year term, and if a future Democratic president were looking for a reason to show Patel the door, he or she will have plenty to work with.
FBI Director Kash Patel, during what his spokesman said was an official trip to Milan for security meetings, was filmed guzzling from a beer bottle and celebrating in the locker room with U.S. Olympic hockey players Sunday after they won the gold-medal game.
Several videos emerged on social media showing Patel in the locker room after the game, but one in particular drew outrage from current and former FBI agents. It depicted Patel pouring what appeared to be beer down his throat, spraying some of it in the air and screaming in celebration as a player put a gold medal around his neck.
At first blush, some might find this unremarkable. The fact that an American hockey fan celebrated with American athletes after a big win is hardly the stuff of a political controversy.
But the details matter.
1. An earlier FBI denial isn’t holding up well. After MS NOW reported last week that Patel was headed to Milan on an FBI jet, at the expense of American taxpayers, to watch the men’s ice hockey team compete, FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson told MS NOW on Thursday that Patel was going to Milan for a series of business meetings and that it was unfair to describe the trip as having to do with hockey or leisure. In fact, he derided the reporting in a tweet.
While the bureau continues to insist that Patel attended some official events in Italy, the videos of Patel partying with the team didn’t exactly bolster Williamson’s denial.
2. Patel is haunted by his recent past. A few years ago, when Patel was known as little more than a conspiratorial media personality, he publicly derided then-FBI Director Christopher Wray for allegedly using an FBI jet for personal reasons. Oops.
Kash Patel in 2023: “I’m just saying Chris Wray doesn’t need a government funded G5 jet to go to vacations. Maybe we ground that plane. ,000 every time it takes off. Just a thought.â€
— Ron Filipkowski (@ronfilipkowski.bsky.social) 2025-11-03T02:28:55.102Z
....There’s no reason to believe Attorney General Pam Bondi or President Donald Trump will take a similar interest in allegations surrounding Patel. That said, the FBI director is supposed to serve a 10-year term, and if a future Democratic president were looking for a reason to show Patel the door, he or she will have plenty to work with.
The rest of this article is great but is too long to post on DU
February 23, 2026
https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house/deadline-legal-blog/judge-cannon-blocks-release-of-jack-smiths-classified-documents-report
The 11th Circuit has reversed this idiot judge several times. I am looking forward to seeing this idiot reversed yet again
Deadline Legal Blog-Judge Cannon blocks release of Jack Smith's classified documents report
The Trump appointee had previously dismissed the criminal case against Trump on the grounds that the special counsel was unlawfully appointed.
BREAKING: Judge Cannon blocks release of Jack Smith’s classified documents report
— MS NOW (@ms.now) 2026-02-23T15:04:19.584Z
READ MORE: www.ms.now/deadline-whi...
https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house/deadline-legal-blog/judge-cannon-blocks-release-of-jack-smiths-classified-documents-report
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon granted a request from President Donald Trump and his former co-defendants to block the release of Jack Smith’s report on the classified documents case he brought against Trump.
Cannon had dismissed the case in 2024 when Trump was running for president. The Justice Department was appealing her order, but dropped the appeal when he won the election, due to the DOJ’s policy against prosecuting sitting presidents.
Explaining her reasoning on Monday, the Trump-appointed judge wrote, in part, that “there is the matter of manifest injustice to the former defendants that would result from disclosure of Volume II. Special Counsel Smith, acting without lawful authority, obtained an indictment in this action and initiated proceedings that resulted in a final order of dismissal of all charges.”....
Cannon rejected a defense request to order the report’s destruction.
Cannon had dismissed the case in 2024 when Trump was running for president. The Justice Department was appealing her order, but dropped the appeal when he won the election, due to the DOJ’s policy against prosecuting sitting presidents.
Explaining her reasoning on Monday, the Trump-appointed judge wrote, in part, that “there is the matter of manifest injustice to the former defendants that would result from disclosure of Volume II. Special Counsel Smith, acting without lawful authority, obtained an indictment in this action and initiated proceedings that resulted in a final order of dismissal of all charges.”....
Cannon rejected a defense request to order the report’s destruction.
The 11th Circuit has reversed this idiot judge several times. I am looking forward to seeing this idiot reversed yet again
February 23, 2026
https://www.borowitzreport.com/p/kash-patel-rushed-to-hospital-after
The Borowitz Report-Kash Patel Rushed to Hospital After Suffering Trauma of Flying Coach
https://x.com/MediaBusters6/status/2025930310878162969Kash Patel Rushed to Hospital After Suffering Trauma of Flying Coach
— (@tommyboy0690.bsky.social) 2026-02-23T14:53:55.013Z
open.substack.com/pub/borowitz...
https://www.borowitzreport.com/p/kash-patel-rushed-to-hospital-after
BETHESDA, MARYLAND (The Borowitz Report)—Kash Patel was rushed to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Monday after suffering what an FBI spokesman called the “severe trauma” of flying coach.
Patel had been planning to take the FBI’s Gulfstream G550 jet to a date-night rendezvous with his girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins, but balked when he saw Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the cockpit controls.
Booked onto a Spirit Airlines flight instead, Patel was reportedly already in a state of acute distress when a baby seated next to him projectile vomited on his signature FBI raid jacket.
A just-released New York Times/Siena College poll shows Patel’s job approval at 13 percent, and the baby’s at 89 percent.
Patel had been planning to take the FBI’s Gulfstream G550 jet to a date-night rendezvous with his girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins, but balked when he saw Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the cockpit controls.
Booked onto a Spirit Airlines flight instead, Patel was reportedly already in a state of acute distress when a baby seated next to him projectile vomited on his signature FBI raid jacket.
A just-released New York Times/Siena College poll shows Patel’s job approval at 13 percent, and the baby’s at 89 percent.
February 23, 2026
https://www.ms.now/news/fbi-chief-shown-in-raucous-locker-room-celebration-during-olympics-trip
The MS NOW weekend show covered this story. They had fun pointing out that the Patel's spokeperson yelled at the media and then ten minutes later Patel posted this tweet
https://x.com/Kash_Patel/status/2025663993205936176
Patel evidently takes all Sundays off for some sort of hockey league.
This story will be fun to watch
MS NOW-FBI chief shown in raucous locker room celebration during Olympics trip
During what his agency said was purely a business trip, FBI Director Kash Patel celebrated with the U.S. men’s hockey team in Italy on Sunday.
FBI chief shown in raucous locker room celebration during Olympics trip
— MS NOW (@ms.now) 2026-02-23T01:57:11.685Z
www.ms.now/news/fbi-chi...
https://www.ms.now/news/fbi-chief-shown-in-raucous-locker-room-celebration-during-olympics-trip
FBI Director Kash Patel, during what his spokesman said was an official trip to Milan for security meetings, was filmed guzzling from a beer bottle and celebrating in the locker room with U.S. Olympic hockey players Sunday after they won the gold-medal game.
Several videos emerged on social media showing Patel in the locker room after the game, but one in particular drew outrage from current and former FBI agents. It depicted Patel pouring what appeared to be beer down his throat, spraying some of it in the air and screaming in celebration as a player put a gold medal around his neck.
Eight former FBI and Justice Department officials sent MS NOW a copy of the video, which they said was drawing outrage as it rocketed around FBI and DOJ circles. ......
FBI spokesman Ben Williamson told MS NOW on Thursday that Patel was going to Milan for a series of business meetings, and it was unfair to describe the trip as having to do with hockey or pleasure.
“Your rag outlet wrote that he went to hang out at the Olympics on the taxpayer dime – even when provided information that your theory was false,” Williamson posed Saturday on X. He did not respond to a request for comment about the video.
Several videos emerged on social media showing Patel in the locker room after the game, but one in particular drew outrage from current and former FBI agents. It depicted Patel pouring what appeared to be beer down his throat, spraying some of it in the air and screaming in celebration as a player put a gold medal around his neck.
Eight former FBI and Justice Department officials sent MS NOW a copy of the video, which they said was drawing outrage as it rocketed around FBI and DOJ circles. ......
FBI spokesman Ben Williamson told MS NOW on Thursday that Patel was going to Milan for a series of business meetings, and it was unfair to describe the trip as having to do with hockey or pleasure.
“Your rag outlet wrote that he went to hang out at the Olympics on the taxpayer dime – even when provided information that your theory was false,” Williamson posed Saturday on X. He did not respond to a request for comment about the video.
The MS NOW weekend show covered this story. They had fun pointing out that the Patel's spokeperson yelled at the media and then ten minutes later Patel posted this tweet
https://x.com/Kash_Patel/status/2025663993205936176
Patel evidently takes all Sundays off for some sort of hockey league.
This story will be fun to watch
February 23, 2026
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/as-florida-republicans-prepare-to-name-an-airport-after-trump-trademark-issues-loom-large
MaddowBlog-As Florida Republicans prepare to name an airport after Trump, trademark issues loom large
As Florida Republicans prepare to name an airport after Trump, trademark issues loom large
As Florida Republicans prepare to name an airport after Trump, trademark issues loom large
— (@us-fl-nb.bsky.social) 2026-02-21T09:20:19+00:00
https://www.newsbeep.com/us-fl/163645/
For a president obsessed with self-aggrandizement and self-glorification, Donald Trump has reason to be pleased with recent developments.…
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/as-florida-republicans-prepare-to-name-an-airport-after-trump-trademark-issues-loom-large
The Republican also recently said it’s “not too late” to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico (which he has attempted to rename once already) to the “Gulf of Trump.”
And now, Politico reported on the latest addition to the growing list:
.....Just last week, ahead of the vote in Tallahassee, the Trump Organization filed trademark applications for “President Donald J. Trump International Airport” and “Donald J. Trump International Airport,” as well as the possible “DJT” airport code.
The move led to an obvious question: Would the president’s family business try to profit from Florida’s decision to rename the Palm Beach International Airport after him, either through royalties or licensing fees?
And now, Politico reported on the latest addition to the growing list:
Florida lawmakers gave final approval Thursday to legislation that would rename Palm Beach International Airport after President Donald Trump.
The proposal will now arrive on Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk, as the Legislature works out how much it wants to spend — possibly upward of $5.5 million — on a massive rebranding at the airport mere minutes away from Mar-a-Lago.
.....Just last week, ahead of the vote in Tallahassee, the Trump Organization filed trademark applications for “President Donald J. Trump International Airport” and “Donald J. Trump International Airport,” as well as the possible “DJT” airport code.
The move led to an obvious question: Would the president’s family business try to profit from Florida’s decision to rename the Palm Beach International Airport after him, either through royalties or licensing fees?
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