Countries rejoicing in the news that Donald Trump will not be visiting anytime soon now that he’s a convicted felon include Australia, China, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, India, Iran, Israel, Mexico, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom. There are exceptions, however, and Russia and Hungary, two of his favorite authoritarian vacation destinations, are among them. Also, in some countries, UK being one of them, after he (hopefully) serves his prison sentence and clears probation, he’ll be able to visit (except spoil-sport Canada where there a very few exceptions).
Come what may, Trump is on the face of it barred from personally sullying the countries of approximately 2.5 billion souls. Finally, he’s a billionaire!!
Full list of countries that restrict visits from felons
Well, I for one, never underestimate Donald Trump’s sense of a public moment. He’s baffled us consistently by his madcap lawyers’ often deft, delaying of his criminal trials. He knows how to capture the national spotlight; witness his courthouse steps news conferences. He’s a savant of the moment. So, I’ll not bet against him ponying up the $500+ million surety bond on Monday next.
From where, we ask. Many CNBC types ponder why billionaires don’t simply step up to the plate for their favorite stooge whose 2017 tax bill advanced their interests. Is there no gratitude in Scrooge McDuck world? Well, no there isn’t. Billionaires are tight-fisted, generally, and in Trump’s case, they don’t want too close a relationship given the scrutiny they’d suffer if they – singularly or as a group – helped him. The billionaire class is exceptional in its shyness. And their poor relatives, the cento-millionaires would be unable to raise or guarantee a surety bond of that amount without mortgaging their fortunes to a guy who, put kindly, is a scofflaw. The cento-millionaire peanut gallery, too, is notoriously shy about press coverage and, well, unlike cento-billionaires, they actually need to be repaid.
However, one unnoticed aspect of being a galactically wealthy entity is liquidity, i.e. , how much money is in cash and available, unencumbered. Most super wealthy people manage their fortunes in ways that keep most every penny in a state of being they call “at work,” a euphemism for fully invested. In practical terms they have little cash on hand. This means that to raise cash for a Trump bailout, a soft hearted guy like Elon Musk or one of the Waltons would have to liquidate (sell off) investments to raise cash. Selling $500+ millions of, let’s say, stock or bonds to rescue Trump would be noticed, and they, as we know, are a shy bunch. In addition, sales of large stock holdings would likely affect the sale prices of these holdings negatively, for example, a rescue package of $500+ millions for the Donald might inevitably lead to the donor losing money as the stock dropped in value as it was super-actively traded. Rich folks hate losing money, even small amounts, almost as much as they hate publicity and press scrutiny.
Nevertheless, Trump is predictable. He’s very likely got something up his sleeve that was, perhaps, signed, sealed, and (about to be) delivered weeks ago looking forward to a “surprise” revelation at the eleventh hour, for instance, this coming Monday. Where from, who from? Let’s not forget so-called “sovereign funds,” cento-billions of dollars held by countries, not individuals. For the right favors that a Trump as president could and surely would provide, he’d have the ear of financiers for the Saudi, or Dubai, or other sovereign funds. And a second Trump administration plans to destroy all governmental snoopers, like the FBI, the SEC, the DOJ, who might object on foreign relations grounds.
I hope I’m wrong, but I’m betting on Trump whose criminal mind knows no limits, and the enablers who will cover it up.
Trump’s latest descent into the mire whose depths he continually pushes toward infinity appeared yesterday on his vomit-inducing Truth Social with an attack on yet another innocent person. Trump posted a picture of Engoron’s law clerk with New York’s senior Senator Chuck Schumer, writing, “Why is Judge Engoron’s Principal Law Clerk, Allison R. Greenfield, palling around with Chuck Schumer?” Moreover, he referred to her as Schumer’s “girlfriend”: “Schumer’s girlfriend, Alison R. Greenfield, is running this case against me. How disgraceful!” Trump barged ahead, writing that, (therefore, of course), “This case should be dismissed immediately!!” Of course he treated his post as a motion to dismiss, “immediately!!”
Wherein Trump Learns “Immediately!!” is not a thing
There was immediate action and his faux motion to dismiss was itself summarily dismissed. Judge Engoron wasted no time. Trump’s post was quickly deleted pursuant to a court order wherein Engoron made clear that “personal attacks on members of my court staff are unacceptable, not appropriate.” Then the coup de grace, a gag order protecting his staff members and other court personnel. Trump did what a “never surrender” guy does, he quickly fled New York state to Florida, likely fearing his presence at his trial might at some future date (like tomorrow) result in a quick contempt order, and . . . arrest.
“Will No One Rid Me of This Turbulent Judge?”
Let us unanimously pray that no one does (unlike in the 12th Century Thomas Becket affair). This is the judge that seems best to have the measure of the nature of Donald Trump. Only quick and meaningful repercussions for his psychopathology will strike home. In this case, send him scurrying from New York to his Mar-A-Lago cocoon/pacifier.
In fact, Engoron’s response might have been more cutting by pointing directly to one of Trump’s hallmarks, his blatant and indefensible hypocrisy. The judge might’ve added the Instagram posting below, to put a superbly fine point on the mind of the maniacal former disgraceful president: Trump on innumerable occasions palling around with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, a far cry from Chuck Schumer . . . Perhaps next time Trump beards the lion, Judge Engoron . . . Eff around and find out.
