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Treasury Secretary Says the Strait of Hormuz Will Be Irrelevant in Two Years

OK. So What Are We Fighting For?

August 4 Lie

Bessent Feuds with the Wall Street Journal

I support this view regardless of what one makes of the argument.

This is degrading to the Treasury Dept and to the Secretary himself. Such tantrums are unbecoming and gratuitous. These remarks are also unjustified. Treasury Secretaries should best avoid publicly opining on Fed-related matters.

But nor do I think much of the argument.

Former WSJ journo Jon Hilsenrath responds on LinkedIn

ATTENTION MR. BESSENT, 2.0: YOU ARE COMING UP SHORT ON YOUR OWN ‘3-3-3’ GOALS

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has been attacking financial journalists on Twitter [X] this morning. It’s petty, but let’s judge a man not by what he says. Let’s judge him on what he accomplishes.

During the 2024 presidential campaign, Bessent laid out a ‘3-3-3’ economic agenda for his prospective administration. This was a promise to achieve annual economic growth of 3%, reduce the federal budget deficit to 3% of gross domestic product, and increase daily output of oil by 3 million barrels per day.

President Trump’s economic co-pilot is failing on every count:

— Growth in economic output as measured by real gross domestic product slowed to a 1.95% annualized rate during President Trump’s first 18 months in office. That’s a slower growth rate than the average 3.2% rate when Biden was in office, though the Biden rate was bolstered by a post-Covid pandemic recovery. The Bessent 1.95% growth rate is a touch slower than the 2.0% growth rate during Obama’s eight year term in office.

— The budget deficit is estimated by the Congressional Budget Office to be 5.8% in the fiscal year that ends in September, nearly double the Treasury Secretary’s promised rate. In order to reach 3% of GDP, the budget deficit would need to be nearly a trillion dollars smaller. Instead, it will rise next year, in part because of the cost of funding the war in the Persian Gulf. I see little evidence that the present administration, or anyone in Washington for that matter, has a credible plan to reduce the red ink that’s spilling forth like a geyser from Washington on a daily basis.

— Domestic oil production averaged 13.71 million barrels daily in May, up 0.57 million from 13.14 million in January 2025. Again, short of the goal. Implicit in the promise on oil production was a promise that energy costs would ease. They have not.

On one count that matters to many Americans, the economy is delivering a number with a “3” in it: The inflation rate was 3.7% higher in June that it was a year earlier, as measured by the Federal Reserve’s preferred personal consumption expenditure price index.

I have no desire to get political, but when a politician attacks honest people who I know and respect, that bugs me. It’s petty, and meant purely as distraction.

Quote of the Day

Reporter: Some have speculated the strait will never go back to the way it was before. What would you say?

Bessent: I think they are saying that in a doomsday sort of way. I would say it in another way. It is never going back to the way it was because the Iranians tried to use it as a choke point. What we are going to see over the course of the next two years, is the strait is going to become irrelevant.

Bessent’s logic is that the strait will become irrelevant when new pipelines are built to avoid its use.

Convoluted Logic

Bessent does not realize how idiotic he sounds.

Either he is lying, or he just admitted how stupid Trump is to keep fighting.

One Two Three, What Are We Fighting For?

To answer the question, in the words of the Treasury Secretary of the United states, we are fighting over something that is irrelevant.

Now how stupid is that?

Gimme an “F”.

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161 Comments
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Dave Smith
Dave Smith
30 days ago

The secretary along with Trump soon will be irrelevant if not already.

MelvinRich
MelvinRich
30 days ago

RIP Joe Macdonald.

Mike
Mike
1 month ago

He could be telling the truth but they tell so many lies. Fails to identify the permanent macro cause for change in global energy demand.

yippee
yippee
1 month ago

i think we ought to call this episode in amerikan empire the kosher war. waged by the kutschners the witkoffs and donald epstein. notice how they always take off from friday sundown to saturday sundown, brooklyn time. the funny part is all my hasidic ultra orthodox pals in brooklyn despise zionism. they have half a brain between them, at least. DONALD EPSTEINS KOSHER WAR

Flavia
Flavia
1 month ago
Reply to  yippee

You’re right – he started the recent war after sunset on a Saturday.

‘Lil Mr.
‘Lil Mr.
1 month ago
Reply to  yippee

Very interesting about your pals. I think your name for the war is spot on sir!

yippee
yippee
1 month ago
Reply to  ‘Lil Mr.

i attended a bunch of anti genocide joe and israel protests in brooklyn and nyc…….tons of hasidim joined. israel are useful idiots to amerikan empire….. the ultra orthodox understand that.

Feral Finster
Feral Finster
1 month ago
Reply to  ‘Lil Mr.

The Satmar Hassidim (largest Hassidic court) consider Israel to literally be satanic and they refuse to set foot there.

One often sees Satmar at pro-Palesinian rallies.

yippee
yippee
1 month ago
Reply to  Feral Finster

yes. i lived among the lubavitch, short walk to their world hq. i even met the great rebbe, their messiah 35 years ago. i’m a born roman catholic who believes in nothing. but i love philosophy and those fellas love talking history and philosophy. mention hannah arendt and banality of evil to them, on eastern parkway and it’s like catnip……..those old men are my favorite. most amerikans have no clue about the evil empire they inhabit. or the bitch colony called israel. the hasidim do.

Arthur Orwell
Arthur Orwell
30 days ago
Reply to  yippee

My impression from my limited experience is that you can find Jews anywhere, even in anti-Jewish organizations.

I suggest that they have in an extreme degree the primate tendency to wander and explore. It usually gets you into trouble, but sometimes it pays off big.

Name
Name
30 days ago
Reply to  Feral Finster

as per your observations…

the Satanic ones support Palestinians …

something to think about…


Last edited 30 days ago by Name
RandomMike
RandomMike
1 month ago

He is projecting.

Eric
Eric
1 month ago

US Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) has fallen below 300 million barrels for the first time since 1983.

According to data from the US Department of Energy, reserves fell by 6.1 million barrels last week to 298.7 million barrels.

And it seems we’ve run out of planned strikes on Iran to call off, depriving the markets of their favorite tool for artificial price control.

I’m back robbyrob
I’m back robbyrob
1 month ago

BREAKING: Iran has flatly ruled out any future negotiations with the Trump administration, declaring it will wait out Trump’s term until January 20, 2029, per an advisor to the Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf and a senior Iranian source.

https://nitter.net/HormuzLetter/status/2086833395754016880#m

njbr
njbr
1 month ago

Whocouldathunk a guy who lived by lying, cheating and scamming would be a great guy to make a “deal” with

njbr
njbr
1 month ago

so about those “on-going negotiations”, the”art of the deal” guy gets off the golf course, wakes up finally, and enters the room….

I see that Representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran are asking for compensation for the damage done to them during the last five month Military Conflict (started because, THEY WILL NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON), even though it was never mentioned in any of our negotiations or meetings! But it is an interesting idea because now I am likewise demanding compensation from Iran, for all of the people that they have killed and gravely wounded with their roadside bombs and many conflicts, for which they are famous, as led initially by General Soleimani, including the families of those killed on the USS Cole, and thousands of others killed in combat. Additionally, compensation should be paid to the families of the hundreds of thousands of innocent protestors that Iran has killed over the last 50 years, not to mention the 52,000 that have been killed in the last five months. I have instructed my representatives to put this firmly into any, and all, future negotiations. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP

El Trumpedo
El Trumpedo
1 month ago
Reply to  njbr

Now Iran has stated they won’t negotiate with Trumpstien, and the strait will remain closed until his term ends.

Game Over.

randocalrissian
randocalrissian
1 month ago
Reply to  El Trumpedo

Is that code for “bombs away?” Asking for a friend

El Trumpedo
El Trumpedo
1 month ago

What bombs? The bomb cupboard is bare.

randocalrissian
randocalrissian
1 month ago
Reply to  njbr

Note the lack of threats and enforcement mechanisms – this is just empty drivel

Oleg Grozny
Oleg Grozny
1 month ago

Trump is growing bored with Iran. Perhaps he will turn his attention toward Cuba. Rubio would be a fine viceroy.

peelo
peelo
1 month ago
Reply to  Oleg Grozny

We can’t run Cleveland properly. What are we going to do with Cuba?

yippee
yippee
1 month ago

democray works perfectly. always has. cunts elect cunts to do cunt things. amerika has been an empire of cunts for many decades now. Ike did the coup in persia in 1953. ike was a cunt. geopolitics is very simple.

El Trumpedo
El Trumpedo
1 month ago
Reply to  yippee

Freudian typo? Democraycray

randocalrissian
randocalrissian
1 month ago
Reply to  yippee

Always a battle between AmeriKKKa and AmeriCUNTs, you say?

Arthur Orwell
Arthur Orwell
30 days ago

Ah, I’m no fan of feminism, but usually it’s the cocks who do those things, not the cunts.

Eric
Eric
1 month ago

If they finally admit that, they are no longer talking to Iran…
Meaning there are no planned strikes to “call off” at the last minute, etc.
Then how will they be able to manipulate the price of oil from now on?
With the winter and elections coming up, I cannot think of any ideas for them.
Any guesses?

Quatloo
Quatloo
1 month ago
Reply to  Eric

Brent crude is up about 10% since Thursday.

Trump and Bessent seem to really believe Iran will fold from the economic pressure being exerted on them. They are delusional. I think their plan is to wait until Iran begs them for a deal and then drive a hard bargain.

yippee
yippee
1 month ago
Reply to  Quatloo

you really don’t believe Bessent believes anything coming out of his own mouth, do you? please old sport. you are smart, and not that naive.

pokercat
pokercat
30 days ago
Reply to  yippee

What Bessent is actually say is “I want to keep my job, please, please I’ll do or say anything to keep my job. I’ll keep sucking Donnie’s ass if I can keep my job, oh please, please. Let me keep my job! Please suck, suck.”

njbr
njbr
1 month ago
Reply to  Eric

I’m gonna keep my good ideas secret until Trump pulls the Hegseth move and asks the public for ideas on how to defeat Iran….

El Trumpedo
El Trumpedo
1 month ago
Reply to  njbr

Bake sale followed by a 5k for peace.

peelo
peelo
1 month ago
Reply to  njbr

Showing weakness or dependency (or acknowledging the expertise of anyone else), are the lasts things Trump will ever do (like showing his Depends undergarments).

njbr
njbr
1 month ago

We are the trapped animal contemplating gnawing it’s own paw off to escape while being tormented by 24/7 cartoon characters telling us it’s the best of times

peelo
peelo
1 month ago

Goal posts moved over the horizon, in retreat.
The new Goebbels is being shoved in front of the cameras.
At least the situation has demonstrated some awareness of a public to be dealt with, though with insulting sales pitches as usual.
‘Everything is fine’ — that tack didn’t work for Biden.

I’m back robbyrob
I’m back robbyrob
1 month ago

There is growing concern within the Trump administration about the potential for a global economic crisis if the Persian Gulf remains shuttered, especially if this continues as is into September. And this is likely the main factor pushing Trump to do a repeat of the end of Operation Rough Rider… i.e., Declare victory and leave.

pokercat
pokercat
30 days ago

I don’t think trump gives a wet shit about the global economy, his only worry is the Epstein files and videos in Israel’s possession.

I’m back robbyrob
I’m back robbyrob
1 month ago

Joe Gruters chair of the Republican National Committee’s (RNC), on Sunday predicted that Republicans will maintain their control over both chambers of Congress after the midterm elections this fall.

https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/6019233-rnc-predicts-congress-majorities/

peelo
peelo
1 month ago

The GOP has very effectively exploited narrowly focused, cartoon fear targets for decades. The socialist wing of the Dems will be lit up by the GOP/FOX etc. in red letters. Of course the usual voters will fall right into line. This time I think Trump has definitively alienated most independents. and lost ground among some groups that swung toward him in 2024.

Harrold
Harrold
1 month ago
Reply to  peelo

Trump still has the full support of the Evangelicals.

randocalrissian
randocalrissian
1 month ago

Congratulations to the GOP

JCH1952
JCH1952
1 month ago

This will all soon be over with. A pickup with a 50 gallon drum of “injectable testosterone” was spotted this morning at a White House gate. In an act of pure savagery, Trump is going to turn 50 square miles of human-free dessert into glass. That otta do it.

Last edited 1 month ago by JCH1952
Joe Penny
Joe Penny
1 month ago
Reply to  JCH1952

TRT does wonders for prostate cancer…and not in a good way

peelo
peelo
1 month ago
Reply to  JCH1952

Potemkin airstrikes — what a concept. Wasn’t it Caligula who had his legions fight the British waves?

Peace
Peace
1 month ago

Welcome to “Hotel Iran ( California )”

“Welcome to the Hotel Iran (Caliornia)
Such a lovely place (such a lovely place)
Such a lovely place
Plenty of room at the Hotel Iran
Any time of year (any time of year)
You can find it here”



Last thing I remember, I was running for the door
Had to find the passage back to the place I was before
“relax,” said the night man. “We are programmed to receive
You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave”

Sorry, you can check out at any time but you can’t leave.

Last edited 1 month ago by Peace
Peace
Peace
1 month ago
Reply to  Peace

Enjoy your excursion!
Mr President.

MattyM
MattyM
1 month ago

@mish I appreciate the “hide” button, keeps me from engaging with the trolls.

Also the entire Trump Regime are nothing but bull shitters

john smith the third
john smith the third
1 month ago

Bessent is not stupid. I think he’s just trying to keep a lid on oil prices via supply positive messaging

John Overington
John Overington
1 month ago

I don’t know your definition of stupid but I just googled it and a picture of bessent was presented.

Eric
Eric
1 month ago

Welcome to Ameri-Kakistocracy

Creamer
Creamer
1 month ago

Also @mish if Jojo is going to literally spam links can you please do everyone a favor and flush him? I don’t think he’ll be missed.

Jojo
Jojo
1 month ago
Reply to  Creamer

What spam links are you referring to? Methinks you just don’t wan’t to see real information that you don’t agree with!

Joe Penny
Joe Penny
1 month ago
Reply to  Creamer

You do know that you can just click on the “hide” button….or are you too fcuking stupid to figure that out?

Creamer
Creamer
1 month ago
Reply to  Joe Penny

Are you too fucking stupid to spell “fuck”? The answer looks like yes!

yippee
yippee
1 month ago
Reply to  Creamer

ha ha ha. i find that comical, too. grown men afraid to type the letters fuck or cunt…………no wonder amerika hasn’t won a war since 1945. fucking pussies and cunts.

Luke
Luke
1 month ago
Reply to  Joe Penny

It doesn’t always work I have to rehide Jojo every few weeks

Luke
Luke
1 month ago
Reply to  Luke

Also… chill!

pokercat
pokercat
30 days ago
Reply to  Luke

Yeah but even though his comments are hidden you can still down vote them without reading!

Creamer
Creamer
1 month ago

Sour grapes here, sour grapes over the polls, seems to me like sour grapes are a running theme in this shambolic admin.

Jojo
Jojo
1 month ago

The US can keep the economic squeeze on the Iranian Regime as long as necessary. So gas prices are a bit higher. It’s a worthwhile price to pay to cut off the knees of the Iranian Regime:

Iran’s Economy Is In Shambles As War Takes Its Toll
Saturday, Aug 08, 2026 – 09:15 AM

Despite the bluster from Iranian officials on social media, it should come as no surprise that the country is not doing well economically. From the beginning of the conflict to current day, Iran has been dealt an estimated $270 billion to $300 billion in total damage due to a steady barrage of strikes, including numerous infrastructure targets from bridges, highways, railways, airports, etc. 

The three-month-long US blockade on Iran’s oil exports have also taken a toll, with national oil output dropping from 2.2 million bpd to less than 300,000 bpd. It is likely that there has been some long term damage to the regime’s oil wells and they have lost approximately $6 billion in oil revenues so far.    

With a general information blackout in place, getting a proper estimation of the damages can be difficult. However, in recent months many Iranian leaders and media sources have indicated a dangerous shift in the stability of the country. The situation has become so volatile that citizens are reportedly turning to theft in order to get their hands on basic necessities including food.  

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/irans-economy-shambles-war-takes-its-toll

MPO45v2
MPO45v2
1 month ago
Reply to  Jojo

Economic squeeze? Hasn’t the US had sanctions on Iran for like the past 50 years? How has that worked out? The only thing this mess is causing is massive inflation to every American and F*** You for saying it’s worth it. It’s not. The only threat Iran poses is to Israel and every day that passes, less and less people here in the US care about that and it will accelerate as boomers die off.

cambeiu
cambeiu
1 month ago
Reply to  MPO45v2

1 – Iran is defeated.
2 – The US is locked and loaded, ready to rain down fire and steel at levels not seen since world war 2 if they don’t open the strait.
3 – We will keep the economic squeeze….

The MAGA rhetorical journey of powerlessness and copium is a pathetic one to watch.

Last edited 1 month ago by cambeiu
Jojo
Jojo
1 month ago
Reply to  cambeiu

What’s pathetic is your posts, which so many laugh at.

Jojo
Jojo
1 month ago
Reply to  MPO45v2

People like yourself are worms who care nothing about the world around them. All they are interested in is finding food living their simple lives.

You ar ein another country now. Why are you worried about US inflation?

Christoball
Christoball
1 month ago
Reply to  MPO45v2

Thank you MP

peelo
peelo
1 month ago
Reply to  MPO45v2

As for eternal, unbreakable “special relationships” of nations with the USA, see Britain. Britain and Israel combined to provoke a fight in 1956 to hold the Suez Canal against Egypt’s Nasser. President Eisenhower pulled the plug on that. Britain lost face and global reach.

The only weird irony is Trump trying and to some extent succeeding to play not the part of USA from that story, but of conspiratorial Britain with this war pretext and fiasco. In a few months he jumped us down to scrabbling with countless other countries and paying every new toll for the future. .

Last edited 1 month ago by peelo
Christoball
Christoball
1 month ago
Reply to  Jojo

The straight of Vermouth will never be opened by drunks. It just isn’t possible.

Lefteris
Lefteris
1 month ago
Reply to  Jojo

<<Iran’s Economy Is In Shambles As War Takes Its Toll>>
Well, they have high inflation, the currency is kaput, and certain mechanisms to fund Hamas and Hezbollah do not work anymore, from what I hear. But such regimes have remarkable endurance/staying power (like in N. Korea), because the population is used to suppression. Fatalism and misery are characteristics of these societies, almost inherent in the cultures and embedded in the lifestyle. Let alone their masochistic religion. I think Trump is probably betting on a revolution in Iran that most likely will never happen.

Jon
Jon
1 month ago
Reply to  Jojo

“So gas prices are a bit higher. It’s a worthwhile price to pay to cut off the knees of the Iranian Regime”

No its not. The Iranian regime has done nothing to the American people.

Jojo
Jojo
1 month ago
Reply to  Jon

Wrong. They have killed or been responsible for the death of hundreds of Americans over the years! Are you really that stoopid? If yes, please get a vasectomy before you make kids

Jon
Jon
1 month ago
Reply to  Jojo

Name one, and the circumstances.

Tom
Tom
1 month ago
Reply to  Jojo

Isn’t zerohedge a has been?

I thought he went a bit loopy during COVID and never got over it

Feral Finster
Feral Finster
1 month ago
Reply to  Tom

Zerohedge is great, if you are into unvetted conspiracy theories and you take trumpy crackpottery straight.

Same as it ever was.

Jojo
Jojo
1 month ago
Reply to  Feral Finster

Yes, you guy should continue watching/reading MSNOW.

Jojo
Jojo
1 month ago
Reply to  Tom

Shows how little you know and how uninformed you are.

randocalrissian
randocalrissian
1 month ago
Reply to  Jojo

“gas prices are a bit higher” tell us you don’t understand basic economics without directly admitting it. Have you ever factored diesel, and what gets to market via diesel, and the effect of vastly higher diesel price increases relative to gasoline? Why are you glomming on to gas when it’s just one part of the whole?

Jojo
Jojo
1 month ago

Bessent is correct. Gulf states are not going to kowtow to attempted power grabs by the Iranian Regime. They will find bypasses to get their products to market. This may cost more but everything gets more expensive, doesn’t it?

One example:

How the UAE Has Kept Its Oil Flowing Through Hormuz

By Tsvetana Paraskova – Aug 06, 2026, 4:40 AM CDT

The United Arab Emirates has managed to boost its oil exports to pre-crisis levels as early as June, as it has kept pushing crude through the Strait of Hormuz and outside it.  

The UAE, which left OPEC on May 1, has found workarounds to the blockage at the Strait of Hormuz. It has been shuttling crude through the chokepoint to load it on larger vessels outside the Strait, maximizing the use of its onshore pipeline to ship crude from the west to the east of the country, bypassing Hormuz, and shipping tankers through the Strait in dark mode.  

The UAE has managed to ship over June and July the most crude oil out of the Strait of Hormuz than any other Gulf producer, according to vessel-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg.

The UAE has also issued an unprecedented number of tenders to sell cargoes of millions of barrels of crude oil in recent weeks.

https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/How-the-UAE-Has-Kept-Its-Oil-Flowing-Through-Hormuz.html

Jon
Jon
1 month ago
Reply to  Jojo

Yes, but the Iranians bombed the port they were using outside the Strait, now it is shut down. The Houthi’s have bombed Saudi ports on the Red Sea. Pipeline fed exports from the Gulf are now effectively shut down. It was surprisingly easy.

Jojo
Jojo
1 month ago

Life Liberty Levin

August 9, 2026

Mark Levin: There’s no question Trump’s military actions against the Iranian regime have been courageous

https://www.foxnews.com/video/6403132982112

randocalrissian
randocalrissian
1 month ago
Reply to  Jojo

Telling people what to do isn’t courageous, it’s cowardice

Jojo
Jojo
1 month ago

Life Liberty Levin

August 8, 2026

Commentator says the United States’ goals in Iran need ‘clarity’

Political commentator Josh Hammer says Iran’s regime can’t be dealt with like the Soviet Union on ‘Life, Liberty & Levin.’

https://www.foxnews.com/video/6403078998112

Casual Observer
Casual Observer
1 month ago

Just admit you dragged into a war by Israel and declare victory at any turn. The real quagmire seems to be Israel got what it wanted and has trapped the US.

Jojo
Jojo
1 month ago

Your observation skills suck. Why not take them back to the NYT forums?

randocalrissian
randocalrissian
1 month ago
Reply to  Jojo

We are conducting a scientific experiment to determine how long Jojo sticks around here before admitting his arguments were wrong. We’ve got all the time in the world, apparently just like Trump does to wait for Iran to “change their minds”

Jojo
Jojo
1 month ago

I’ve been here for 20 years, longer than you likely. I have no plans to bail out.

pokercat
pokercat
30 days ago

Jojo like most of the cult is incapable of changing it’s mind.

'Lil Mr.
'Lil Mr.
1 month ago

Taco appears to be in a Carter situation. Someone he really hates to be compared to. FAFO!!! Can’t wait for the Iran/Taco hearings to come in the new House. Call it the Taco-ran fiasco. Stocking up on popcorn.

Harry
Harry
1 month ago

It seems easy to connect the Iran failure to the Trump administration. As if loss is OK and good if Trump fails. But what this war marks goes way beyond that, and it is far more serious than the midterms. Misguided war: yes. In the cards anyway: yes.

Jon
Jon
1 month ago
Reply to  Harry

Why in the cards anyway? The JCPOA insured Iran would never have a nuclear weapon.

randocalrissian
randocalrissian
1 month ago
Reply to  Jon

Trump pissed in that cereal as quickly as possible in Trump 1.0, so no, it didn’t after that.

PapaDave
PapaDave
1 month ago

Bessent is trying to minimize another failed goal of Trump’s war on Iran.

They have given up on their original goals:

  • Get a friendly regime change in Iran
  • Obtain the enriched Uranium and bring it to the US
  • End Iran’s nuclear program
  • End Iran’s missile program
  • Control Iran’s oil
  • Enhance the US standing as the global policeman
  • Demonstrate US military invincibility to China and Russia
  • Demand unconditional surrender of Iran
  • Prove Trump is the greatest deal maker and military strategist of all time

Recently they have switched to:

  • Reopen the strait of Hormuz

Now they are apparently abandoning that goal.

I wonder what the new goal will be that will signify “victory” for Trump; perhaps it’s this: Hey, Trump didn’t shit his diaper today! Smells like victory!

'Lil Mr.
'Lil Mr.
1 month ago
Reply to  PapaDave

Unless the Iranian government collapses or there are too many US causalities I don’t see this ending anytime soon. Trading words and bombs keeps Epstein out of the spotlight and “saves the world for democracy” or was it from democracy??? Hey you don’t think the Iranian’s are also trying to hide their involvement in Epstein??? I mean one woman said she was abused by a certain prime minister. She apparently told the police hoping someone from that country would investigate.

Christoball
Christoball
1 month ago
Reply to  PapaDave

Thank you PaPa

Augustine
Augustine
1 month ago
Reply to  PapaDave

The war against Iran is getting so embarrassing that the Orangutan might release the Epstein files to distract the populace from his defeat by Iran.

randocalrissian
randocalrissian
1 month ago
Reply to  PapaDave

Jojo would be here to tell you you are wrong, but he can’t since you’re right. Poor Jojo!

JeffD
JeffD
1 month ago

LOL! Wow, what a whopper. And here I was thinking that Trump’s lies were overblown. No comparison, with this one.

Last edited 1 month ago by JeffD
'Lil Mr.
'Lil Mr.
1 month ago
Reply to  JeffD

Don’t be so sure. In a MSM interview Taco said the people are mad at Republicans, not him!

I’m back robbyrob
I’m back robbyrob
1 month ago

The news next to nobody wants to hear is that we will have to get used to living much more frugally in the years ahead. Yes, this applies to our kleptocratic upper class too―the supposed net worth of the wealthy these days is mostly a matter of financial hallucinations propped up by a baroque system of absurd overvaluations of notional assets that will not stand even the feeblest price discovery.
It’s a long road down for all of us, and those who think they are perched in the catbird’s seat just now face the unwelcome realization that they have further to fall than most.

Ed@yahoo.com
Ed@yahoo.com
1 month ago

The hypocrisy of this administration is just blowing up. Their finger must be close to the button by now.

Six000MileYear
Six000MileYear
1 month ago
Reply to  Ed@yahoo.com

That was the topic of discussion in the office this week. One opinion was nukes will be used only on Iran’s nuclear production sites. Trump doesn’t want to destroy Iranian citizens who are the IRGC’s human shields. It’s viewed as a warning shot to the Chinese as well.

Israel may launch a nuclear attack, and the US will support by claiming responsibility for the strike.

'Lil Mr.
'Lil Mr.
1 month ago
Reply to  Six000MileYear

That would be one hell of an escalation. Bibi better be ready for the “fallout” if he thinks he can get away with that. He’s already in enough trouble at home which is probably why he doesn’t want this war to end.

Jon
Jon
1 month ago
Reply to  Six000MileYear

What if firing a nuclear weapon doesn’t cause Iran to open the Strait, and Iran just broadcasts videos of dying babies caused by the nuclear attack and loss of electricity, water, refrigeration, etc…

Feral Finster
Feral Finster
1 month ago
Reply to  Jon

What will anyone do about it?

The United States and Israel conduct a daylight genocide in Gaza and nobody other than Iran and the Houthis dare do boo.

Jon
Jon
1 month ago
Reply to  Feral Finster

It will permanently drive US independents into the Democratic camp, destroying GOP power for decades.

Feral Finster
Feral Finster
1 month ago
Reply to  Jon

Team D is equally in the tank for Israel.

Victoria "the Hutt" Nuland
Victoria "the Hutt" Nuland
1 month ago

It’ll be irrelevant because the global economy, including the American economy, will have long since been destroyed by this Epstein class.

Naphtali
Naphtali
1 month ago

Well, as my Irish father would say: Total shite.. My mother: Ganz Dreck. Myself: Utter bullshit.

Victoria "the Hutt" Nuland
Victoria "the Hutt" Nuland
1 month ago
Reply to  Naphtali

Here in Korea, it would be: 똥 냄새.

MMchenry, CFA
MMchenry, CFA
1 month ago

Ah, for the days before Trump 1.0 when we had relatively noble measured Treasury Secretaries. With some modicum of integrity even if you disagreed about some issue.
The list from when there used to be some integrity with the role:

Jacob Lew (2013–2017) – Served under President Barack Obama.

Timothy Geithner (2009–2013) – Served under President Barack Obama.

Henry Paulson (2006–2009) – Served under President George W. Bush.

John Snow (2003–2006) – Served under President George W. Bush.

Paul O’Neill (2001–2002) – Served under President George W. Bush.

Lawrence Summers (1999–2001) – Served under President Bill Clinton.

Robert Rubin (1995–1999) – Served under President Bill Clinton.

Lloyd Bentsen (1993–1994) – Served under President Bill

Trump 2.0 is such an out of control 24/7/365 LIAR he makes Nixon look like a Sunday School Teacher!

Brutus Admirer
Brutus Admirer
1 month ago
Reply to  MMchenry, CFA

Not to defend Bessent, but that is a pretty corrupt bunch of people if you look at them in detail. One thing about the Swamp, any cream that manages to exist there doesn’t rise to the top.

Neil
Neil
1 month ago
Reply to  Brutus Admirer

As corrupt as they may have been, i would pick any of them over Bessent. I believe those in the list above would not go this far in their lies and corruption. So yes, Trump would never appoint them.

eighthman
eighthman
1 month ago

Why stop there in regard to wars being irrelevant? Taiwan and South Korea may have the lowest birth rates on earth – which means they don’t care to generate new citizens, taxpayers or soldiers – or are OK with the end of their nations. In Ukraine, demographics are a state secret but they had a low birthrate before the war and are now eliminating their future fathers with the actual slogan, “to the last Ukrainian”. This is foolishness beyond comprehension.

Victoria "the Hutt" Nuland
Victoria "the Hutt" Nuland
1 month ago
Reply to  eighthman

South Korea and the rest of East Asia can revamp their birthrates if the governments allow polygamy. It’s really the only way to address the issues of hypergamy and cost of living that are killing the birthrate. If every woman wants a Samsung or Hynix salaryman, they each can have one, but it’ll be twelve women per salaryman. Otherwise, foreign wives will continue doing the heavy lifting. The Vietnamese mail order brides who married the unwanted Korean farmers on the countryside are disproportionately pumping out the next generation of Koreans. My Arab boss is giving birth to her Korean husband’s baby either this month or next and she says she’ll be spending the next decade pregnant.

Jojo
Jojo
1 month ago
Reply to  eighthman

Smart players understand that AI/robots are going to be doing all the work in the next 5 years or so. More babies/people not needed!

Jon
Jon
1 month ago
Reply to  eighthman

Interestingly, it’s a global phenomenon. Birth rates are even crashing in Africa compared to historical norms.

Feral Finster
Feral Finster
1 month ago
Reply to  eighthman

Because the rulers of Ukraine themselves do not suffer, they do not care.

You think a farmer mourns the deaths of his livestock?

yippee
yippee
1 month ago

this is a great article which underscores our failing empire. https://asiatimes.com/2026/08/with-america-deranged-president-xi-summons-overseas-chinese/

FDR
FDR
1 month ago
Reply to  yippee

Chinese college graduates face similar obstacles as US citizen grads, namely unemployment or taking on gig work, etc..

1 in 6 are unemployed in the PRC. Non college are at approximately 15%. These stats are per the Chinese government so most likely way higher similar to the US youth and college grad unemployment.

The operative question to ask the Chinese diaspora : Why did you leave? If it was strictly for economic reasons, given the youth unemployment I wouldn’t move back.

Per Michael Pettis, the Chinese higher ed system lacks innovation skills because their entrance exams emphasize rote learning and their colleges follow the same paradigm. Manufacturing, technology, engineering is over emphasized. Service sector and consumer driven products suffer as a result regarding innovation as well.

yippee
yippee
1 month ago
Reply to  FDR

pettis is alright. but asia times has a much better grip on the ground. we shall see. of course china is going through booms and busts like usa did in 1800s and early 1900s due to their development status.

'Lil Mr.
'Lil Mr.
1 month ago
Reply to  yippee

Good article. I recently saw where Neil deGrasse Tyson said that 15k government scientists have lost or left their jobs. Some of them are going abroad where they are more respected and will get better funding. I also saw a FB video from a woman who was a newly minted PhD in Canada. I think her degree was in a more liberal arts type education but she was having a difficult time finding a job because of Americans coming over the border. Damn immigrants!!!

FDR
FDR
1 month ago

Can’t pipelines be bombed, power stations blown up that pump the oil through the pipes, and/or cyber attacked, blown up by commandos, etc?

Bessent is probably right that some of the GCC will try pipelines but that is two or more years away. In the meantime the US and its “ allies” are running out of diesel, jet fuel and heating oil not to mention natural gas for W. Europe this coming winter?

What is the plan, Mr. Secretary to get more blended crude out of the Middle East since Iran has said this weekend no oil for the US or it’s allie’s? What about other commodities that are transited on barges? What about components for fertilizer? What about packaged food?

Why weren’t those questions asked by large swaths of the brain dead MSM?

Quatloo
Quatloo
1 month ago
Reply to  FDR

The only plan is to wait for Iran to give up and cut a deal favorable to the US.

Seriously.

FDR
FDR
1 month ago
Reply to  Quatloo

Agreed and that maybe their plan at this juncture but that is what is called a debacle, fiasco, etc.

jackula
jackula
1 month ago
Reply to  Quatloo

More likely Trump will give up due to the western financial system about to turn into smoking ruins

Jojo
Jojo
1 month ago
Reply to  jackula

And all you leftist socialists continuing nipping at his ankles as you pray that the USA fails.

Jon
Jon
1 month ago
Reply to  Jojo

Fails at what? Shutting down unnecessary wars, reducing our budget deficit and debt, and rebuilding our own country?

yippee
yippee
1 month ago
Reply to  Quatloo

bessent and trump and company are just carrying the water for operation epstein which the zionists are running. nothing more. bessent is a pillow biter who probably fantasizes about having daddy potus donald, put him over his lap and spank his bare ass.

Victoria "the Hutt" Nuland
Victoria "the Hutt" Nuland
1 month ago
Reply to  yippee

Exactly. Brian Berletic hada really great video on his YouTube channel this weekend talking about how Trump & Kegsbreath don’t actually do their jobs. They’re just figureheads for the people who do. The entire video was top notch, and it’s a shame the American public consumes so much corporate news instead of listening to guys like him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJJlZrIe-FM

Jojo
Jojo
1 month ago
Reply to  FDR

What’s the plan? Pay the price to reign in the Islamic Regime or get a bike.

FDR
FDR
1 month ago
Reply to  Jojo

Live up to the signed MOU, declare victory and go home.

peelo
peelo
1 month ago
Reply to  FDR

Deft move by Europe maybe to not back Trump here. That may get it oil.

CJW
CJW
1 month ago

Bessent, Trump, and their gang will become irrelevant in a few months.

Last one down the toilet bowl wins?

Rogerroger
Rogerroger
1 month ago

Well this is one way to get our troops out of the middle east.
Looks like just just taking your ball and going home is a win these days. Spinspin spin

cambeiu
cambeiu
1 month ago

1 – Iran and their proxies can still close the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.

2 – Fertilizers and aluminum cannot be send via pipeline. They must sail via ships through Hormuz.

3 – The entire Gulf oil infrastructure, including pipelines to the Red Sea, remain vulnerable to Iranian missiles and drones. The only reason why they are still intact is the fact that Iran has Hormuz as leverage. If Hormuz ever stops being relevant, Iran will shift to attacking the infrastructure.

Last edited 1 month ago by cambeiu
whirlaway
whirlaway
1 month ago

These guys are REALLLLLLLL specimens! Each one outdoing the other, day after day after day.

Tony Frank
Tony Frank
1 month ago

This response should not be a surprise to anyone paying attention. Lip service and threats might make good headlines but failure in these efforts is the end result most of the time with this group.

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