Just One Thing: Trump addresses the nation

President Trump addressed Americans from the White House (but, somewhat surprisingly, not from the Oval Office) last night. I took some notes as I listened. Here they are:

Starts by talking about what he inherited, immediately refusing to take any responsibility. Not a great start even though it's true that Biden did screw up the economy. Inflation was actually down to about 3% when Trump took office.

He talks about immigration and transgender stuff. Those are both actually good issues for him but I think he should be focusing on the cost of living. This isn't a time for him to give a wide-ranging speech of the time he'd give at a rally. It's time for him to focus, and to try to appeal to voters outside of his base.

He's talking extremely negatively about what happened before. Violent (illegal alien) felons, stealing your wealth, etc. Very negative angry vibe. Again, fine for the base but not fine for the people he should be talking to.

A LOT of talk about controlling the border. Again, it's a really good issue for him and was a big issue in the election, but right now it's not top-of-mind.

Drugs "brought in by ocean and by sea" (so glad he distinguished) down massively. That's good. Same comment as above.

Going on a long rant about the various things he's achieved, including "for the first time in 3000 years, peace in the Middle East".

He says he's bringing prices down fast. OK, that's over the target as far as the topic, but it's just not true. Yeah, he talks about eggs and turkeys, and those prices are down, but then says that the prices of everything else is also falling rapidly. The problem isn't just that that's not true; it's that everybody knows it's not true.

He's talking WAY too fast. It's as if he feels pressure to get the message(s) out, but it's not working for him.

He needs to sound empathetic, not angry.

"Our country was dead, absolutely dead!...now we're the hottest country" but still just sounds like he's angry and racing through the script.

Mentions tariffs...that's tricky because so many people don't like them.

Talking about BBB benefits. Also a good topic, but it's hard to focus on it because he's going so fast and yelling.

NEW ANNOUNCEMENT: Bonus payments of $1776 to every member of the US military, and he's crediting tariffs for the availability of that money even though you really can't connect them.

Taking on big pharma to lower prescription drug prices...good issue. I hate it when people say things like "costs are falling by 500%" as Trump just did. So that means for a $25 drug, now the drug company will pay you $100 to take it? Ugh. Still, it's a good issue for him...most people aren't math nerds like I am.

Taking on health insurance companies. This is also good populist rhetoric though I think he doesn't understand how low a margin that industry has. There are huge companies with many millions of insured do even if they only make a little money per person it still ends up as a big total. There is not a lot of trimming to be done there and keep those companies in business.

Talking about increasing energy production. Another good issue, and people do see low gas prices and like that. I don't think it comes close to overcoming higher prices on food, insurance, and housing.

References Somalians in Minnesota stealing money from the state and the nation. Wow.

More rambling about stuff. Same comments as above.

Glad it's over...what a fail by Trump if he was trying to appeal to the middle of America rather than to his base. And if he's ONLY going to appeal to his base, the GOP is going to get DESTROYED next year.

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One More Thing: Chemotherapy or arsenic?

I have a bunch of political thoughts in my new Substack. It includes my conclusion about the speech, but other topics as well. I hope you'll read it and subscribe (for free):

Thursday Thoughts - by Ross Kaminsky - The Ross Report

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Today's Guests

Rich Wobbekind is a Senior Economist at CU's Leeds School of Business. He joins us to talk about this year's report on Colorado's 2026 Business Outlook.

Event (past already, but some good info): Colorado Business Economic Outlook & Forum | Leeds School of Business | University of Colorado Boulder

The actual report: 20290

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Amy Peikoff is an attorney at the Pacific Legal Foundation. (And if you've ever learned much about Ayn Rand, you would have heard of her famous dad, Leonard.) We'll discuss a very interesting case where she's representing a US citizen who, upon returning to the United States, was forced by Customs and Border Patrol to show them the contents of his phone and laptop.

https://pacificlegal.org/case/chavarria-border-searches-fourth-amendment/

https://pacificlegal.org/staff/amy-peikoff/

Quite a story, about her father: The Ugly Fight Over Ayn Rand’s Estate - The Atlantic

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Other Stuff

Norman Podhoretz, RIP: Norman Podhoretz, RIP | The American Spectator | USA News and Politics

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Some quality employees of Denver law enforcement agencies, and a story that has way too many Pulp Fiction vibes: Denver law enforcement officers' arrest tied to beating of man in wheelchair

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There's a real problem here and I hope Trump and the DoD can save taxpayers a lot of money: Trump targets defense giants' shareholder payouts as cost overruns mount, sources say | Reuters

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I just love this quote (second link below, about the first link below):

Joe Biden has raised little of what he needs to build presidential library, new report finds

Quote of the Day: Biden Has Raised Little of What He Needs to Build a Typical Presidential Library - The New York Times

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He's in! No, he's out! No, he's in again! US Senate confirms billionaire Musk ally Jared Isaacman as Nasa chief | Trump administration | The Guardian

Trump explains why he pulled Jared Isaacman's nomination for NASA chief | Space

Interesting involvement by Laura Loomer who, from my perspective, is usually wrong...but not this time: (3) Laura Loomer on X: "Jared Isaacman @rookisaacman is an innovator and he is NOT a registered Democrat. Did he donate to Democrats? Yes, he did. But, a lot of other admin officials donated to Democrats too. We have receipts on that, or at least I have them. That’s a fact. Jared is a registered https://t.co/kr3jmdZYki" / X

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This is a fascinating read: Opinion | Does Discrimination Explain the Rightward Shift of Young Men? - The New York Times

And this is the article that informed it...it's very long and I have not read it yet but will do so soon: The Lost Generation | Compact

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If you could guarantee that one of Denver's sports teams would win the championship in their current (or next) season, which team would it be?

Denver's winning trifecta has fans celebrating as Broncos eye playoff spot

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So frustrating. I hope the governor will find a way to help: Ash from burned-down Nederland shopping center swirl amid 90 mph winds

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Jeana asks: Really the day after?! Lakewood Christmas Tree Recycling starts the 26th… How quickly is the tree gone at your home?

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I'm not a prude but I think this doesn't reflect well on the nation: Profanity isn't just in vogue in Washington. It's bipartisan | AP News

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Remember this? Ford Goes All-In on Electric Vehicles

Truly stunning losses:

Ford's $35.1 Billion EV Fiasco - Robert Bryce

Ford Takes $19.5 Billion Hit in Detroit’s Biggest EV Bust - WSJ

GM's right behind them: GM takes $1.6 billion hit as incentives for EVs slashed and emission rules eased | PBS News

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Sometimes HOAs seem determined to remind people why people hate HOAs: Giant inflatable Santa causes holiday stir

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A lovely world record: A record-breaking kiss - Axios Washington D.C.

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Mandy Connell