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December 30, 2025
Border czar Tom Homan didn't receive normal background check during bribery probe
President-elect Trump initially balked at submitting names of likely nominees to the FBI for background checks, a basic step intended to flag possible financial conflicts or ethical problems.
https://x.com/CarolLeonnig/status/2005989532135759985
https://www.ms.now/news/border-czar-tom-homan-didnt-receive-normal-background-check-during-bribery-probe
In early January, several days before Donald Trump’s inauguration, a Justice Department lawyer passed an envelope across a wide desk to a top Trump transition official. Enclosed was a bombshell, typed up in a one-page summary, according to two people briefed on the meeting.
As he read the contents of the envelope, the official, Emil Bove, closed his eyes and grimaced, according to the people, who requested anonymity to discuss a sensitive case. It revealed that Tom Homan — at that time, a frequent companion of Trump’s on the campaign trail who had publicly boasted he would be joining Trump’s administration to lead his immigrant deportation strategy — was the subject of an ongoing bribery investigation. Undercover FBI agents posing as private contractors had recorded him accepting $50,000 in cash in exchange for what they believed was Homan’s vow to help get border enforcement contracts in the new Trump administration.
A small group of career lawyers at the Justice Department felt an urgency to share this sensitive information with the president-elect’s team as soon as possible, hoping to head off potential embarrassment and a security clearance problem before Trump picked his future Cabinet and top appointees. ....
Presidents-elect normally submit to the FBI a lengthy list of likely appointees soon after winning election in November. Incoming presidents have traditionally sought to get an early start on the FBI background checks to better prepare to install their picks for jobs that require Senate approval, security clearances or both.
But Trump’s transition team did not strike an agreement with the FBI to submit a list of appointees until Dec. 3. And only then was a partial list submitted — picks who required Senate confirmation and a few other members of agency landing teams, such as Bove, who would require clearances to be briefed on sensitive agency matters.
Justice Department lawyers felt constrained to only share this information with Trump’s authorized transition team at the Justice Department, and had to wait until Bove, the future acting deputy attorney general, was formally approved for his interim transition post.
As he read the contents of the envelope, the official, Emil Bove, closed his eyes and grimaced, according to the people, who requested anonymity to discuss a sensitive case. It revealed that Tom Homan — at that time, a frequent companion of Trump’s on the campaign trail who had publicly boasted he would be joining Trump’s administration to lead his immigrant deportation strategy — was the subject of an ongoing bribery investigation. Undercover FBI agents posing as private contractors had recorded him accepting $50,000 in cash in exchange for what they believed was Homan’s vow to help get border enforcement contracts in the new Trump administration.
A small group of career lawyers at the Justice Department felt an urgency to share this sensitive information with the president-elect’s team as soon as possible, hoping to head off potential embarrassment and a security clearance problem before Trump picked his future Cabinet and top appointees. ....
Presidents-elect normally submit to the FBI a lengthy list of likely appointees soon after winning election in November. Incoming presidents have traditionally sought to get an early start on the FBI background checks to better prepare to install their picks for jobs that require Senate approval, security clearances or both.
But Trump’s transition team did not strike an agreement with the FBI to submit a list of appointees until Dec. 3. And only then was a partial list submitted — picks who required Senate confirmation and a few other members of agency landing teams, such as Bove, who would require clearances to be briefed on sensitive agency matters.
Justice Department lawyers felt constrained to only share this information with Trump’s authorized transition team at the Justice Department, and had to wait until Bove, the future acting deputy attorney general, was formally approved for his interim transition post.
December 30, 2025
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/the-white-house-needs-a-new-line-on-the-bruises-on-trumps-hands
MaddowBlog-The White House needs a new line on the bruises on Trump's hands
Given the president’s unfortunate record, he hasn’t exactly earned the benefit of the doubt on questions of medical transparency.
The White House needs a new line on the bruises on Trump’s hands.
— TheBlackPage (Woke, DEI forever against fascism) (@theblackpage.bsky.social) 2025-12-30T16:30:09.208Z
Given the president’s unfortunate record, he hasn’t exactly earned the benefit of the doubt on questions of medical transparency.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/the-white-house-needs-a-new-line-on-the-bruises-on-trumps-hands
But in the weeks and months that followed, questions persisted. In fact, earlier this month, after Trump was seen with a bandage on his hand, a reporter asked Leavitt to address the matter anew. “We’ve given you an explanation,” the press secretary responded. “The president is literally constantly shaking hands.”
It’s probably time for the White House to come up with a new explanation. New York magazine reported:
.....Complicating matters further is the broader context. This is the same president who’s struggled with questions about a recent MRI — Trump has said he has “no idea” which part of his body was scanned — which came around the same time that he appeared to fall asleep at a couple of White House events.
It’s entirely possible there’s nothing to this story, but given Trump’s unfortunate record, he hasn’t exactly earned the benefit of the doubt on questions of medical transparency. If White House officials expect these questions to go away, they’re probably going to be disappointed.
Q: Can you explain what's going on with the bandages on Trump's hand?
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 2025-12-11T18:48:29.018Z
LEAVITT: We've given you an explanation. The president is literally constantly shaking hands.
It’s probably time for the White House to come up with a new explanation. New York magazine reported:
While saying weird things to children who called him to talk Santa on Christmas Eve, Trump was spotted with the usual splotch of mismatched and unblended makeup on the back of his right hand. And while it was much smaller and lighter than what we’ve seen on Trump’s right hand, he also had some purple discoloration on the back of his left hand. […]
The left-hand bruising, as well as the right-hand makeup, was still visible on Sunday when Trump met with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Mar-a-Lago.
not only was Trump's right hand discolored on Christmas Eve, but it appears his left hand is now discolored too
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 2025-12-28T18:21:33.642Z
(Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty)
.....Complicating matters further is the broader context. This is the same president who’s struggled with questions about a recent MRI — Trump has said he has “no idea” which part of his body was scanned — which came around the same time that he appeared to fall asleep at a couple of White House events.
It’s entirely possible there’s nothing to this story, but given Trump’s unfortunate record, he hasn’t exactly earned the benefit of the doubt on questions of medical transparency. If White House officials expect these questions to go away, they’re probably going to be disappointed.
December 30, 2025
Donald J. Trump memorial porta-potty signs are springing up in DC. 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣👇
https://x.com/maddenifico/status/2005865257118351647“The Donald J. Trump Memorial" on all the porta-potties outside the White House where his ballroom is being constructed.
— Pinky (@pinky1259.bsky.social) 2025-12-27T22:59:31.971Z
Trump is not a happy camperðŸ¤
BREAKING — Donald Trump is reportedly livid after signs reading “The Donald J. Trump Memorial†appeared on porta-potties outside the White House, right where his ballroom is being built.
— (@pissed-off-g.bsky.social) 2025-12-29T14:19:27.479Z
The irony is doing all the heavy lifting. A vanity project, temporary toilets...
December 30, 2025
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trump-ends-the-year-the-way-he-started-it-vouching-for-putins-interest-in-peace
MaddowBlog-Trump ends the year the way he started it: Vouching for Putin's interest in 'peace'
The pièce de résistance came when the American president declared, in apparent seriousness, “Russia wants to see Ukraine succeed.”
Trump is ending 2025 the same way he started 2025: vouching for Putin’s interest in “peace†in defiance of reality.
— Steve Benen (@stevebenen.com) 2025-12-29T21:09:01.878Z
The pièce de résistance came when he declared, in apparent seriousness, “Russia wants to see Ukraine succeed.†www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trump-ends-the-year-the-way-he-started-it-vouching-for-putins-interest-in-peace
Shortly after his presidential inaugural, Donald Trump insisted that Russia’s Vladimir Putin “wants to have peace now.” In the days, weeks and months that followed, as Putin intensified his war in Ukraine, Trump refused to back off his increasingly ridiculous assertion, repeatedly telling the public and the world that the Russian leader was serious about ending the bloodshed, all evidence to the contrary notwithstanding.....
On Saturday, one day before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, Russia attacked Kyiv with ballistic missiles and drones, killing at least one person and wounding 27. The Associated Press reported, “Explosions boomed across Kyiv as the attack began in early morning and continued for hours.”
A day later, Trump, standing alongside Zelenskyy once again, said he believes Putin is serious about peace.
When a reporter reminded the Republican president about Russia’s latest deadly attacks in Ukraine, suggesting that they’re evidence that Putin isn’t serious about peace, Trump replied: “Ukraine has made some very strong attacks also.”
That’s true, although there’s an obvious qualitative difference that the American president really ought to understand: Ukrainians have struck back against an invading force that’s trying to take their country, while Russia launches attacks as part of an effort to take a neighboring country by force. Trump sees an equivalence between the two. That’s absurd.
But the pièce de résistance came when Trump declared, in apparent seriousness, “Russia wants to see Ukraine succeed.”
By this reasoning, Putin’s ongoing war should apparently be seen as a demented form of tough love.
This doesn’t have to be complicated. If Trump is right, and Russia wants Ukraine to “succeed,” it could stop killing Ukrainians and end the conflict. But therein lies the point: Putin doesn’t want Ukraine to succeed; he wants Ukraine to be Russia. Putin doesn’t want peace; he wants Ukraine.
The more Trump vouches for the Russian leader, the louder the questions about whether the American president is blind to reality, in Putin’s pocket or both.
On Saturday, one day before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, Russia attacked Kyiv with ballistic missiles and drones, killing at least one person and wounding 27. The Associated Press reported, “Explosions boomed across Kyiv as the attack began in early morning and continued for hours.”
A day later, Trump, standing alongside Zelenskyy once again, said he believes Putin is serious about peace.
Trump says he thinks Putin is serious about peace
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 2025-12-28T18:30:00.386Z
When a reporter reminded the Republican president about Russia’s latest deadly attacks in Ukraine, suggesting that they’re evidence that Putin isn’t serious about peace, Trump replied: “Ukraine has made some very strong attacks also.”
That’s true, although there’s an obvious qualitative difference that the American president really ought to understand: Ukrainians have struck back against an invading force that’s trying to take their country, while Russia launches attacks as part of an effort to take a neighboring country by force. Trump sees an equivalence between the two. That’s absurd.
Trump: "Russia wants to see Ukraine succeed. It sounds a little strange but President Putin was very generous in his feeling toward Ukraine succeeding, including supplying energy, electricity and other things at very low prices."
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 2025-12-28T22:14:52.105Z
But the pièce de résistance came when Trump declared, in apparent seriousness, “Russia wants to see Ukraine succeed.”
By this reasoning, Putin’s ongoing war should apparently be seen as a demented form of tough love.
This doesn’t have to be complicated. If Trump is right, and Russia wants Ukraine to “succeed,” it could stop killing Ukrainians and end the conflict. But therein lies the point: Putin doesn’t want Ukraine to succeed; he wants Ukraine to be Russia. Putin doesn’t want peace; he wants Ukraine.
The more Trump vouches for the Russian leader, the louder the questions about whether the American president is blind to reality, in Putin’s pocket or both.
December 30, 2025
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/why-it-matters-that-howard-lutnick-is-flunking-the-basics-on-economic-growth
MaddowBlog-Why it matters that Howard Lutnick is flunking the basics on economic growth
Either the commerce secretary is confused about rudimentary economic details, or he’s doing an excellent imitation of someone who’s alarmingly ignorant.
Why it matters that Howard Lutnick is flunking the basics on economic growth - MS NOW
— (@oc88.bsky.social) 2025-12-29T18:16:05.374Z
apple.news/ACqUiUTQCS26...
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/why-it-matters-that-howard-lutnick-is-flunking-the-basics-on-economic-growth
One of the early signs of trouble came in late September, when Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, touting gross domestic product data that had just been released, declared via social media that Joe Biden’s economy “could never reach 3%” growth....
Given that the Department of Commerce, which Lutnick ostensibly leads, is responsible for compiling and releasing GDP data, the secretary’s apparent confusion was difficult to defend.
Last week, he made matters considerably worse.
https://x.com/Acyn/status/2003652544292356351
....But that wasn’t even close to being true. Indeed, the secretary’s on-air comments reflected ignorance about what the numbers themselves mean: Wages and economic growth are both important metrics, but they routinely rise and fall separately and independently. This isn’t complicated: 4.3% GDP growth does not mean a 4.3% “raise” for American workers.
The broader question is whether the head of the Commerce Department is genuinely confused about this, or whether he’s pretending to be genuinely confused about this....
This is, incidentally, the same commerce secretary who recently struggled to understand how percentages work while trying to defend Donald Trump’s absurd claims about 700% price drops, which followed an infamous exchange in which Lutnick said food companies can avoid tariffs on bananas by producing bananas in the United States — seemingly unaware of the fact that this isn’t possible.
And did I mention the time when Lutnick suggested that only criminals would complain about missing a Social Security check? Because he did that, too.
Back in April, The Wall Street Journal reported that Lutnick’s rhetorical record was proving to be so “challenging” to the White House that officials asked him to start saying less. He might need a reminder.
Given that the Department of Commerce, which Lutnick ostensibly leads, is responsible for compiling and releasing GDP data, the secretary’s apparent confusion was difficult to defend.
Last week, he made matters considerably worse.
https://x.com/Acyn/status/2003652544292356351
....But that wasn’t even close to being true. Indeed, the secretary’s on-air comments reflected ignorance about what the numbers themselves mean: Wages and economic growth are both important metrics, but they routinely rise and fall separately and independently. This isn’t complicated: 4.3% GDP growth does not mean a 4.3% “raise” for American workers.
The broader question is whether the head of the Commerce Department is genuinely confused about this, or whether he’s pretending to be genuinely confused about this....
This is, incidentally, the same commerce secretary who recently struggled to understand how percentages work while trying to defend Donald Trump’s absurd claims about 700% price drops, which followed an infamous exchange in which Lutnick said food companies can avoid tariffs on bananas by producing bananas in the United States — seemingly unaware of the fact that this isn’t possible.
And did I mention the time when Lutnick suggested that only criminals would complain about missing a Social Security check? Because he did that, too.
Back in April, The Wall Street Journal reported that Lutnick’s rhetorical record was proving to be so “challenging” to the White House that officials asked him to start saying less. He might need a reminder.
December 30, 2025
MaddowBlog-Vance's big-tent pitch is at odds with Trump's partisan purges
The vice president doesn’t seem to have noticed that the president has already rejected his inclusive philosophy.
https://x.com/HLStockenstrom/status/2004760956258095122
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/vances-big-tent-pitch-is-at-odds-with-trumps-partisan-purges
It was amid this turmoil that JD Vance headlined the event in Phoenix, saying early on in his remarks that he didn’t want to exclude any of the factions on the right, no matter how much they might oppose each other.
....The remarks were seen by some as evidence of the vice president’s choice not to take sides in the intraparty dispute among ostensible MAGA loyalists. That’s not quite how I saw it. In fact, when Vance insisted that the United States is a “Christian nation,” endorsed the importance of far-right conspiracy theories and added that people “don’t have to apologize for being white anymore,” he left little doubt as to which contingents of the conservative movement he was aligned with.....
Just in recent weeks, Trump has done what he’s done repeatedly over the last decade: He announced which Republicans have failed to meet his standards and therefore deserve his condemnation. If Vance has any doubts about this, I’d refer him to Republicans in Indiana’s state Senate, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia (whom the president continues to refer to as “Marjorie Traitor Brown”), Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky — all ostensibly allies in the same party as Trump and his vice president.
“We have far more important work to do than canceling each other”? Perhaps, but Trump, fixated on retaliating against anyone who fails to satisfy his demand for obedience, has waged a long and unsubtle political war against members of his own party who’ve strayed from his partisan script.
Either Vance hasn’t paid close enough attention to recent events or he thought it’d be a good idea to advocate for an inclusive philosophy that the president has chosen fundamentally to reject
JD Vance: "When I say that I'm going to fight alongside of you, I mean all of you — each and every one. President Trump did not build the greatest coalition in politics by running his supporters through endless, self-defeating purity tests."
— The Bulwark (@thebulwark.com) 2025-12-21T20:05:49.481Z
....The remarks were seen by some as evidence of the vice president’s choice not to take sides in the intraparty dispute among ostensible MAGA loyalists. That’s not quite how I saw it. In fact, when Vance insisted that the United States is a “Christian nation,” endorsed the importance of far-right conspiracy theories and added that people “don’t have to apologize for being white anymore,” he left little doubt as to which contingents of the conservative movement he was aligned with.....
Just in recent weeks, Trump has done what he’s done repeatedly over the last decade: He announced which Republicans have failed to meet his standards and therefore deserve his condemnation. If Vance has any doubts about this, I’d refer him to Republicans in Indiana’s state Senate, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia (whom the president continues to refer to as “Marjorie Traitor Brown”), Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky — all ostensibly allies in the same party as Trump and his vice president.
“We have far more important work to do than canceling each other”? Perhaps, but Trump, fixated on retaliating against anyone who fails to satisfy his demand for obedience, has waged a long and unsubtle political war against members of his own party who’ve strayed from his partisan script.
Either Vance hasn’t paid close enough attention to recent events or he thought it’d be a good idea to advocate for an inclusive philosophy that the president has chosen fundamentally to reject
December 30, 2025
https://www.rawstory.com/trump-2674835724/
'Humiliating': Observers bash Trump for fawning over 'fake' award from foreign leader
The best way to win trump's favor is to give him a cheap fake award
'Humiliating': Observers bash Trump for fawning over 'fake' award from foreign leader
— Lauren Ashley Davis (@laurenmeidasa.bsky.social) 2025-12-29T22:24:47.567Z
During a press conference after the meeting, Netanyahu said he would award Trump the "Israel Prize," regarded as the country's highest cultural honor.
www.rawstory.com/trump-267483...
https://www.rawstory.com/trump-2674835724/
Political analysts and observers bashed President Donald Trump on Monday after he accepted a "fake award" from a foreign leader at his Florida resort, Mar-a-Lago.
Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday to discuss the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, and other topics. During a press conference after the meeting, Netanyahu said he would award Trump the "Israel Prize," regarded as the country's highest cultural honor.
Trump said the award is "surprising and very much appreciated."....
"For those who care to know: This prize is generally awarded to Israeli citizens only, and in exceptional cases it can be awarded to non-Israelis who have held Israeli residency for many years," military veteran Evaristus Odinikaeze posted on X. "Trump did not meet that criteria but let’s say they’re making an exception to pacify him."
Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday to discuss the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, and other topics. During a press conference after the meeting, Netanyahu said he would award Trump the "Israel Prize," regarded as the country's highest cultural honor.
Trump said the award is "surprising and very much appreciated."....
"For those who care to know: This prize is generally awarded to Israeli citizens only, and in exceptional cases it can be awarded to non-Israelis who have held Israeli residency for many years," military veteran Evaristus Odinikaeze posted on X. "Trump did not meet that criteria but let’s say they’re making an exception to pacify him."
December 29, 2025
I heard that trump is really pissed at this cancellation
Here is a partial list of acts/performers who are canceling on trump's renamed center
https://x.com/RepJackKimble/status/2005675512199512207I heard that trump is really pissed at this cancellation
December 29, 2025
MaddowBlog-Economic growth increases, but the good news comes with some important fine print
While Trump was quick to celebrate the latest GDP data, other indicators ought to keep the enthusiasm in check.
https://x.com/Christop1Moquin/status/2003595040006832532
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/economic-growth-increases-but-the-good-news-comes-with-some-important-fine-print
While the president was understandably quick to celebrate the latest data, there are some additional elements to the news that ought to keep the enthusiastic response in check.
For one thing, the strong growth in the third quarter (spanning July through September) clearly did not translate into job growth.
For another, The Associated Press reported that the latest update from The Conference Board showed that consumer confidence fell in December to its lowest level since the White House’s tariffs were rolled out in April.
Just as notable are some of the details in the GDP report itself. The Times’ report added, for example, “Disposable personal income, after taxes and adjusted for inflation, was flat, a sign of nagging inflation still eating into purchasing power. … Lower-income families are wrestling with slowing wage growth and rising costs of various household goods, like beef, coffee and furniture.”
This dynamic is fueling concerns about what’s known as a “K-shaped” economy, in which those at the top fare well and keep spending, while those with less struggle more.
In his latest Substack essay, economist Paul Krugman explained, “Trump may be largely, though indirectly, responsible for the K-shaped economy. His tariff and other policies have created uncertainty that has paralyzed hiring. The fact that workers are finding jobs hard to get, in turn, has hurt the employment and wages of disadvantaged groups, including ethnic minorities and low-wage workers in general.”
It’s something to keep in mind as the president tries to pat himself on the back.
For one thing, the strong growth in the third quarter (spanning July through September) clearly did not translate into job growth.
For another, The Associated Press reported that the latest update from The Conference Board showed that consumer confidence fell in December to its lowest level since the White House’s tariffs were rolled out in April.
Just as notable are some of the details in the GDP report itself. The Times’ report added, for example, “Disposable personal income, after taxes and adjusted for inflation, was flat, a sign of nagging inflation still eating into purchasing power. … Lower-income families are wrestling with slowing wage growth and rising costs of various household goods, like beef, coffee and furniture.”
This dynamic is fueling concerns about what’s known as a “K-shaped” economy, in which those at the top fare well and keep spending, while those with less struggle more.
In his latest Substack essay, economist Paul Krugman explained, “Trump may be largely, though indirectly, responsible for the K-shaped economy. His tariff and other policies have created uncertainty that has paralyzed hiring. The fact that workers are finding jobs hard to get, in turn, has hurt the employment and wages of disadvantaged groups, including ethnic minorities and low-wage workers in general.”
It’s something to keep in mind as the president tries to pat himself on the back.
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