Trump's Friday the 13th

A blizzard of awfulness

There's too many men, too many people
Making too many problems
And not much love to go around
Can't you see this is a land of confusion? — Genesis, “Land of Confusion”

I really wish I didn’t have to use the word “clown” so often, given the seriousness of the things we are dealing with. In fact, I’ve even considered a moratorium on references to harlequins and morons.

But, my friends, today is not that day.

Happy Friday the 13th for those who celebrate.

Send in the Clowns (Again)

As the bombing intensifies, the death toll rises, and the global economic shock spreads, the White House continues to pump out juvenile memes, including videos in which (I kid you not) Spongebob Squarepants is depicted calling in drone strikes.

As Crooked notes, Trump’s social media team “has spent much of their time posting “banger memes” featuring pop culture icons like Iron Man, Kylo Ren, and Walter White.” The latest involves a meme using the beloved children’s video game console: the Wii.

The video begins showing the iconic Wii home screen, emblazoned with the title “Operation Epic Fury.” A Wii character (known as a Mii) is then seen hitting a tennis ball against a target on a brick wall — which prompts unclassified footage of real-life U.S. strikes on Iran. The video mashes up Miis playing golf, basketball, and baseball with attack footage. The White House caption reads: “UNDEFEATED.”

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Meanwhile, there were two more deadly attacks — one at a synagogue in Michigan, the other at Old Dominion — as the terror threat rises. And the director of the FBI?

“Keystone Kash outsources FBI training to UFC fighters.”

The plan is for top UFC fighters… to provide tips and advice to student FBI agents before they enter the field. They are also expected to share unspecified “techniques and tactics” that could help train federal agents.

Clown show.

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"War is Not a F*qqing Video Game"

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But all of this is merely prologue to this moment of presidential flatulence: Donald Trump: ‘When oil prices go up, we make a lot of money’

“The United States is the largest Oil Producer in the World, by far, so when oil prices go up, we make a lot of money,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

You know who else is about to get really rich? As in absolutely stinking-rolling-in- billions of petrodollars rich? Trump’s BFF, Vladimir Putin: “Trump Removes Sanctions on Russia to Help Oil Flow Amid Iran Conflict”- The New York Times

As a result, Putin will now have a flood of new cash that he can use to finance his genocidal war against Ukraine; even as Russia continues to help provide Iran with intel to target Americans.

Exit take: A reminder that a clown with a flamethrower, still has a flamethrower. (And none dare call it treason.)

Trump’s Oil Shock

How bad is it?

This bad: “IEA Warns Iran War Causing Largest Oil Supply Shock In History.”

The international energy agency has cautioned that the war in Iran has led to the biggest supply shock in the history of the oil market even exceeding the Yom Kippur crisis of 1973 and the full scale invasion of Ukrainian territory by Russia in 2022.

The IEA estimated that Iran is actively reducing the oil and gas production of the region by at least 10 million barrels per day by cutting off the Strait of Hormuz even as world output is expected to plummet to 8 million barrels per day of oil and gas even with more production by countries such as Russia.

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How Bad is Trump’s Iran FUBAR?

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A quick survey of headlines from the NYT will give you a sense of how it’s going:

• Fallout From Iran War and Oil Shock Deliver Another Blow to World Economy - The New York Times

• 16 and Counting: Oil and Cargo Ships Are Growing Targets in War With Iran - The New York Times

• Fallout From Iran War and Oil Shock Deliver Another Blow to World Economy - The New York Times

• U.S. Mortgage Rates Rise, Undercutting Housing Affordability Push - The New York Times

But wait, there’s more:

• Fourth-quarter GDP revised down to just 0.7% growth; January core inflation was 3.1%

• “Iran says it's ready for a long war that would 'destroy' global economy” —Le Monde

• “Five reasons oil prices won't snap back from Iran war” - POLITICO

• “Airfares Have Doubled on Some Flights. The Sticker Shock for Spring Travel Is Upon Us.” - WSJ

• “U.S. economic outlook cut by Goldman over the Iran war — and the fear goes beyond oil” - MarketWatch

• “Iran war raises food shock fears as midterms loom” - Axios

Trump’s reaction? To rage against the messengers. In a post-midnight rant, the president called Iran’s leaders “deranged scumbags,” and declared that it was a “great honor” to be killing them.

FFS.

PROGRAMMMING NOTE: I’ll sit down with economist Justin Wolfers on tomorrow’s “To the Contrary” Podcast to hash all of this out….

CPAC Chooses Bannon

Politics, like life, is a series of choices that reveal what we really value. The MAGA-dominated CPAC chose former Epstein bro, Steve Bannon, to be a featured speaker at this month’s confab in Texas.

Lest we forget, Bannon had a long and well-documented relationship with the world’s most notorious sex-trafficker, including frequent communication and collaboration on projects, such as a documentary aimed at rehabilitating Epstein’s image. They communicated frequently through emails and text messages, discussing various topics, including Trump and political strategies. Bannon has not been accused of any crimes (this time) but the interactions between the two men revealed a close connection during the time leading up to Epstein’s arrest in 2019. Epstein often acted in a supportive role, assisting Bannon with travel arrangements and other logistics. Bannon referred to Epstein as an “amazing assistant” in their exchanges, highlighting the personal nature of their relationship.

But hey, why should MAGA hold that against the right-wing Lenin?

Jim Geraghty at National Review comments:

I will believe that the MAGA crowd genuinely is concerned about the wrongdoing of Jeffrey Epstein’s associates when Epstein biographer, public relations advisor and close friend Steve Bannon is no longer invited to CPAC events.

Note that according to the event’s website, they will be “Starting CPAC USA 2026 programming with a focus on judeo-christian [sic] values and faith.”

And here’s right-wing talker, Erick Erickson:

In 2024, the head of CPAC [Matt Schlapp] settled a sexual assault case with insurance paying $480,000.00 to the victim.

In 2025, he was again accused of assault. In 2026, CPAC is inviting Steve Bannon to CPAC, who appeared almost 2000 times in the Epstein files.

Troubling stuff.

Exit take: He is soooo close to getting it.

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BONUS: “MAGA Media Goes to War With Itself.”

Finally…

“Pete Hegseth’s Pastor Wants to Ban Catholic Processions in America” Christopher Hale

On February 18, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth welcomed Pastor Doug Wilson to the Pentagon’s auditorium to lead a worship service broadcast live on the Department of Defense’s internal television network.

Wilson, a 72-year-old pastor from Moscow, Idaho, who co-founded the denomination Hegseth belongs to, stood before American service members and delivered a 15-minute sermon about putting Jesus Christ first. Hegseth praised him publicly from the stage: “Thank you for your leadership, your mentorship for the things you’ve started, the truth you’ve told, the willingness to be bold.”

Here is something Pete Hegseth’s mentor has been bold about: banning Catholic processions in America.

Wilson has stated plainly that in his vision of a Christian nation, anything Protestants consider “public displays of idolatry” would be prohibited. Catholic parades and processions fall squarely within that definition….

Under Wilson’s framework, the Corpus Christi procession that Catholics have carried through their towns for eight centuries would be outlawed. So would the rosary walks and Marian processions that mark parish life across this country, along with the Eucharistic processions that Pope Leo XIV has called Catholics to embrace with renewed devotion.

Friday dogs

Auggie got a cake for his birthday!