Trump’s Ex-Employee Hershel Walker Stumbles Downfield

Georgia’ GOP candidate for the US Senate is Hershel Walker, a former University of Georgia Heisman winner, All-American, and  NFL veteran. He was endorsed by Donald Trump, who was his pre-NFL employer as the owner of the failed New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League. In just a few short years, as Mr. Walker raced down the field, Mr. Trump managed to tank the entire USFL.

Hershel Walker and Donald Trump have something else in common: they are both phenomenal liars. Mr. Trump told over 30,000 lies while he was in the White House, and continues to lie about losing the 2020 election. Mr. Walker lied about graduating from college, then lied about lying that he graduated from college. He lied about being a policeman and an FBI agent. He lied about his business ventures, including his “mini-Tyson’s chicken empire“. And while Dr. Oz can’t remember all the houses he owns, Walker can’t recall all the children he’s sired.

Despite his sports celebrity and Trump endorsement, the drip of revelations has raised been understandable questions about Herschel Walker’s electability. All that lying doesn’t help when you’re running against an incumbent who’s a Baptist minister. Weird statements blaming China for US air pollution, evolution denial, claims the US has 52 states, and accusations of spousal abuse should raise even more concern that the ex-Georgia Bulldog is a dog of a candidate.

Herschel Walker was a contestant on The Celebrity Apprentice TV show in 2009. Donald Trump fired him. He might want to fire him as a Trump-branded political endorsee, too.

More:

“Herschel Walker declines invitation to debate Senator Warnock in Macon,” Justin Baxley, WMAZ-TV

“Herschel Walker’s ex-wife recalls him threatening to ‘blow my brains out’ in campaign ad released by opponents in Georgia Senate race,” Dave Goldiner, NY Daily News

Related:

“Republicans rue price of fame as celebrity Senate candidates struggle,” Adam Gabbatt, The Guardian

“Donald Trump’s Less-Than-Artful Failure in Pro Football,” Joe Nocera, New York Times

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Boris Quit, But Won’t Leave. Here’s Why.

Tory buffoon and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson quit, but he’s staying on as a “caretaker”until his Conservative Party chooses a new PM in September or October. When a PM quits, he or she may choose a senior party member to act as interim PM so the stench of a rotting administration doesn’t waft out of Number 10 and pervade Downing Street.

And many Tories have been proposed as caretaker Prime Ministers, and the list ranges from Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab to Theresa May to Peppa Pig, but Mr. Johnson insists on extending his odious administration into autumn. The reason? He’s scheduled a lavish wedding reception for himself and Carrie, the mother of his last two children, on July 30th at Chequers, the Prime Minister’s official country estate. And we all know Boris loves a good party.

More:

“Boris Johnson plans July wedding party with Carrie at Chequers,” Jessica Elgot, The Guardian

“UK Conservatives say ‘toxic’ Boris Johnson should be replaced now,” Andrew Macaskill, Reuters

“Boris Johnson’s plans to remain as PM are ‘unwise’ and ‘unsustainable’, warns Sir John Major,” Sky News

“Boris Johnson will cause ‘carnage’ if allowed to stay on as caretaker prime minister, Dominic Cummings says,” Mary Bulman, The Independent

“Boris staying on until October would be like PM ‘working with own firing squad,’” Josh Layton, The Scotsman

Related:

“Who wants to be UK prime minister? Just about everyone.” Cristina Gallardo, Politico

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Ivanka Retooling for White House Exit Strategy

Presidential Advisor, sweatshop shmata merchant, book marketer, multimillionaire wife, nanny-hiring mother, retail brand and former runway model Ivanka Trump is also an hôtelièr, earning millions by renting out rooms in a publicly-owned building her Dad’s company leases in Washington. Recently, she became an administration employment coach, urging the 30 million Americans who lost jobs during the pandemic to “Find Something New,” implying that their rich daddies can find them something.

Facing her own unemployment, Ivanka is looking for “Something New” herself, possibly a reality TV show. Good choice. she’s been a cast member of the White House reality show for the past four years.

More:

“What will Ivanka Trump do next? Probably try hard to stay in the public eye,” Arwa Mahdawi, The Guardian

“Goodbye, Ivanka,” Dahlia Lithwick, Slate

Related:

“Ivanka Trump obsessed with status, says former friend in tell-all essay,” Rory Carroll, The Guardian

“Six Things We Learned About Ivanka Trump From Her Ex-BFF’s Vanity Fair Essay,” Mimi Montgomery, Washingtonian

“Ivanka Boldly Highlights Trump Administration’s Big Pandemic Success,” Brian Kahn, Gizmodo Earther

“Ivanka Trump Applies for Job as Biden’s Daughter,” Andy Borowitz, The New Yorker

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Jerry Falwell Jr. Sues Liberty U. for Damaging His Non-Existant Reputation

Trump-backing, pistol packing attorney Jerry Falwell Jr., once President of Liberty University by grace of God being fathered by university founder Jerry Falwell Sr., recently stepped down as head of LU, world’s largest evangelical diploma mill, following revelations of sexual scandal involving Falwell Jr., his wife, and a hotel pool boy. Liberty University’s code of honor holds that sex outside of “biblically-ordained marriage” is a ticket to Hell, and the disgraced Mr. Falwell slunk away with a mere $10.5 million separation package. 

His sexual shenanigans shredded what was left of Liberty University’s reputation after his shady real estate deals, low-quality online courses, and 2016 endorsement of Donald Trump, but Junior now says he is the injured party after the seamy sex scandal and the university board’s independent investigation of his dubious business operations. Mr. Falwell claims this reputational damage means he can no longer pose as a righteous Christian on the holier-than-thou circuit, or even on morally-challenged Fox News. He’s suing the university for alleged damages.

Fiddlesticks. It’s not as if Mr. Falwell’s current situation leaves him with no viable career alternatives. Liberty U is in Lynchburg, Virginia, an area short on entertainment alternatives, and “Jerry Junior’s” would be a great name for a topless bar.

More:

“Falwell sues Liberty, saying school damaged his reputation,” Sarah Rankin and Elana Schor, Associated Press

“Jerry Falwell Jr. sues Liberty University over reputation damage,” Justine Coleman, Thr Hill

Related:

“How Falwell Kept His Grip on Liberty Amid Sexual ‘Games,’ Self-Dealing,” Maggie Severns, Brandon Ambrosino, and Michael Stratford,, Politico

“Sex, Lies, And Regret: Giancarlo Granda Reels From Eight Years With The Falwells,” Josh Kovensky, Talking Points Memo

“A Trump executive order set the stage for Falwell’s political activities,” Maggie Severns, Politico

Updates:

“Falwell drops defamation lawsuit against Liberty University,” Associated Press

“Jerry Falwell Drops Lawsuit Against Liberty University,” TalkingPointsMemo

“Jerry Falwell Jr. spent heavily on Trump, GOP causes with funds from nonprofit Liberty University,” Peter Weber, The Week

“‘They All Got Careless’: How Falwell Kept His Grip on Liberty Amid Sexual ‘Games,’ Self-Dealing,” Maggie Severns, Brandon Ambrosino, and Michael Stratford, Politico

“Falwell’s Liberty University-Funded Think Tank Relentlessly Pushing Trump Fraud Claims, Says Report,” Jamie Ross, Daily Beast

“In final years at Liberty, Falwell spent millions on pro-Trump causes,” Maggie Severns, Politico

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Berlusconi Goes on Vacation, Gets COVID-19

Berlusconi in Sardinia

Billionaire octagenarian, former football team owner, Bunga-Bunga Party host, one-time cruise ship crooner, Trump-before-Trump, and disgraced 3-time former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi went to Sardinia with all the other oligarchs and contracted Coronavirus.

More:

“Silvio Berlusconi admitted to hospital with coronavirus,” Angela Giuffrida, The Guardian

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The Falwell Legacy at Liberty University

Trump-backing, pistol packing attorney Jerry Falwell Jr., President of Liberty University by grace of God being fathered by university founder Jerry Falwell Sr., has stepped down as head of LU, the world’s largest evangelical Christian diploma mill. His exit last month followed revelation of sexual scandal involving Falwell Jr., his wife, and a hotel pool boy. Liberty University’s code of honor holds that sex outside of “biblically-ordained marriage” is a ticket to Hell, and students who practice it are automatically expelled. Mr. Falwell Jr. slinks away in disgrace with a mere $10.5 million separation package. 

An early endorser of Donald Trump in the 2016 campaign, Jerry Falwell Jr. forgave him for his adultery and other transgressions. “We’re all sinners, every one of us,” he said. “We’ve all done things we wish we hadn’t.”

Under Junior’s leadership, LU prospered through shady real estate deals, low-quality online courses, and untold hundreds of millions in federal student loans. The university board has started an independent investigation of business operations under Falwell Jr.’s tenure.

More:

“Business partner of Falwells says affair with evangelical power couple spanned seven years,” Aram Rosten, Reuters

“‘She was the aggressor’: Former Liberty student alleges sexual encounter with Becki Falwell,” Brandon Ambrosino, Politico

“Jerry Falwell Jr., Trump’s early and effusive evangelical champion, lifted a president before his own fall,” Eugene Scott, Washington Post

“Liberty University investigating fallen president Jerry Falwell Jr.’s entire tenure,” Theresa Braine, NY Daily News

“My Final Farewell to the Falwells,” Larry Flynt, Daily Beast

Updates:

“Liberty tells staff to refrain from interacting with Falwell,” AP via WTOP News

“The Falwells, the pool attendant and the double life that brought them all down,” By Michael E. Miller and Sarah Pulliam Bailey, Washington Post

Related:

“A Trump executive order set the stage for Falwell’s political activities,” Maggie Severns, Politico

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GOP’s Kanye Spoiler Campaign May Backfire

Republicans have been supporting the 2020 presidential campaign of rapper Kanye West in an attempt to split the Black vote, to the disadvantage of the Democratic ticket. There are reports of a meeting between Trump’s Secretary of Everything and son-in-law Jared Kushner and Yeezy, and the two are said to be frequent chat buddies. At least two people involved in Kanye’s campaign are Republican operatives.

Mr. West’s campaign seems to have little traction with Black voters, and may actually harm the Trump campaign by siphoning off the votes of the mentally ill.

More:

“Kanye West Indicates That His Spoiler Campaign Is Indeed Designed to Hurt Biden,” Randall Lane, Forbes

“Kanye West, who is pursuing a spot on the 2020 ballot, met with Jared Kushner.” Maggie Haberman and Danny Hakim, New York Times

“Here’s How Republicans Are Boosting Kanye West’s Presidential Campaign,” Barbara Sprunt, NPR News

“Kanye West’s presidential bid bolstered by Republican operatives in at least five states,” Rosalind S. Helderman and Josh Dawsey, New York Times

“Kanye flops among Black voters,” Maya King and Alex Isenstadt, Politico

“Kanye West ‘speaks daily’ to Jared Kushner amid fears of ‘mental health exploitation,'” James Brinsford, The Mirror

Updates:

“Judge orders Kanye West off Virginia ballot,” Laura Vozzella, Washington Post

“Kanye West Wisconsin Ballot Lawsuit Linked To Firm Of Former RNC Chief Counsel,” Zoë Richards, TalkingPointsMemo 

 

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Ivanka Trump, Employment Counselor

Presidential Advisor, sweatshop shmata merchant, and former runway model Ivanka Trump is also an hôtelièr, earning millions by renting out rooms in a publicly-owned building her Dad’s company leases in Washington. But wait; now she’s an employment counselor, urging the 30 million Americans who have lost jobs during the pandemic to “Find Something New.” Maybe their rich daddies can find them something.

“Find Something New” is a great slogan. Remember it when you vote in November.

More:

“Ivanka’s Tone-Deaf Advice to Millions of Unemployed Americans: Find Something New,” Mother Jones

“Unemployed Should ‘Find Something New,’ Urge Heirs to Fred Trump’s Fortune,” Jonathan Chait, New York Magazine

“Ivanka Trump: Let The Jobless Eat Cake,” Stephen Robinson, Wonkette

“Ivanka Trump’s Find Something New career campaign is more hype than help,” Michelle Singletary, Washington Post

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Happy Birthday Frida Kahlo

Mexican painter and activist Frida Kahlo de Rivera  was born on July 6, 1907 in Coyoacán, Mexico. The National Museum of Women in the Arts is celebrating with a virtual Happy Hour today, 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM Eastern. Reserve your spot and mix up a cocktail. ¡Salud!

Related:

Frida Kahlo at MoMA

Frida Kahlo: The Complete Works, Frida-Kahlo-Foundation.org

“Frida Kahlo Was a Painter, a Brand Builder, a Survivor. And So Much More.” Rebecca Kleinman, New York Times

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AU Grad Student Lands Government Job

Former American University graduate student Maria Butina, following a post-grad stint in U.S. federal prison and deported back to her native Siberia, may have a new job with the Russian government. The former NRA and GOP sweetheart has been offered a berth at the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russia Federation. Perhaps she will focus on Russians imprisoned abroad for gun crimes.

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