DOGE - USAID et al

Welcome to the Precious Metals Bug Forums

Welcome to the PMBug forums - a watering hole for folks interested in gold, silver, precious metals, sound money, investing, market and economic news, central bank monetary policies, politics and more.

Why not register an account and join the discussions? When you register an account and log in, you may enjoy additional benefits including no Google ads, market data/charts, access to trade/barter with the community and much more. Registering an account is free - you have nothing to lose!

searcher said:
Can't verify this at present,

Click to expand...


Update.

Trump Agency Pulls 443 Sites Off Market in Real Estate Reversal​

(Bloomberg) -- The Trump administration has reversed its decision to list nearly 80 million square feet of federal property for possible sale, another setback for President Donald Trump’s efforts to significantly shrink the size of the federal government.

The about-face capped a stunning 18 hours that shook federal agencies and threatened already-wobbly commercial real estate markets. At 2 p.m. Tuesday, the General Services Administration posted a list of 443 properties it was considering for sale — an inventory that ranged from an El Paso toll booth to the Food and Drug Administration’s research campus in Silver Spring, Maryland.

More:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/oth...S&cvid=c086fbb935b049769203da5bbff2b0df&ei=18
 
Goldhedge said:
The "Uniparty"... you scratch my back I'll scratch yours...


Is anyone here surprised at how much corruption is being revealed??
Click to expand...
I will admit, as cynical as I am, I am surprised at how much there is. This is just blatant theft of billions of dollars.
Stash 20 billion over here, we will get around to laundering it later? WTF. This is what happens when there is 0 accountability.

200 years ago, at the very least there would be politicians tarred and feathered for such theft, quite possibly even hangings. Nowadays, barely a peep out of folks. Just here, steal more of my money, it is income tax season after all. I'm not sure the slaves are ready to leave the plantation.
 

USDA employees fired en masse by Trump administration reinstated, workers’ board says​

A workers’ board is reinstating – at least temporarily – almost 6,000 fired probationary workers from the Department of Agriculture, according to a newly issued order obtained by CNN.

The order, by the Merit Systems Protection Board, undercuts President Donald Trump’s attempts to downsize the federal civil service and is a major indication that the mass layoffs were unlawful and may eventually be reversed by the board.

More:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/u...S&cvid=5c1b99b7abb1419d8dbb3cf2fff8a023&ei=28
 
Cigarlover said:
I will admit, as cynical as I am, I am surprised at how much there is. This is just blatant theft of billions of dollars.
Stash 20 billion over here, we will get around to laundering it later? WTF. This is what happens when there is 0 accountability.

200 years ago, at the very least there would be politicians tarred and feathered for such theft, quite possibly even hangings. Nowadays, barely a peep out of folks. Just here, steal more of my money, it is income tax season after all. I'm not sure the slaves are ready to leave the plantation.
Click to expand...
I'm with you on being cynical and being surprised...

I fear it's but the tip of the ice berg...
 
Cigarlover said:
I will admit, as cynical as I am, I am surprised at how much there is. This is just blatant theft of billions of dollars.
Stash 20 billion over here, we will get around to laundering it later? WTF. This is what happens when there is 0 accountability.

200 years ago, at the very least there would be politicians tarred and feathered for such theft, quite possibly even hangings. Nowadays, barely a peep out of folks. Just here, steal more of my money, it is income tax season after all. I'm not sure the slaves are ready to leave the plantation.
Click to expand...
Two hundred years ago Americans did not have central heating, indoor plumbing, LED lighting, public transportation, inexpensive variety of foods, easy access to sex and all forms of entertainment. They feared death at childbirth and the plague.

Government didn’t fix that stuff.
But same as our declaration of independence, we can handle a lot of crap from bad leaders(thieves) but won’t rebel until it’s really bad. Really bad must mean hungry, cold and tired, of which none of us are. And “they” know it.
 
The more we learn the more it appears that the entire Biden Administration was set up to do nothing but launder money to themselves.
 

Israeli Tel Aviv University receives millions in US funding: Report​

Israeli Tel Aviv University received $615 million in grants from the US in 2023, according to its Form 990 filing, a document required for tax-exempt organizations.

While it is unclear how much of this funding came from USAID or US taxpayers, reports indicate that $462 million was spent on salaries and employee benefits.

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-eas...eceives-millions-in-us-funding-report/3474994 aid to Israel, yippeee.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Cigarlover said:
The more we learn the more it appears that the entire Biden Administration was set up to do nothing but launder money to themselves.
Click to expand...
And the scheme that's already in place that goes to the Clinton's and Obama.
 
Private schools should do well.
 
Goldhedge said:
Click to expand...

I can't find the referenced WSJ article, or anything to verify any of the claims regarding either:
1). how the Biden administration continued to offer mortgage relief to defaulted homeowners well after the pandemic was over. Right now there are over 300,000 seriously delinquent mortgages being blocked from foreclosure by these regulations in 2025
or:
2). The US government is currently stopping over 1,000,000 defaulted mortgages from going to foreclosure under the FHA mortgage program
Got any links to print, audio or video?
Thanks
 
JayDubya said:
I can't find the referenced WSJ article, or anything to verify any of the claims regarding either:
1). how the Biden administration continued to offer mortgage relief to defaulted homeowners well after the pandemic was over. Right now there are over 300,000 seriously delinquent mortgages being blocked from foreclosure by these regulations in 2025
or:
2). The US government is currently stopping over 1,000,000 defaulted mortgages from going to foreclosure under the FHA mortgage program
Got any links to print, audio or video?
Thanks
Click to expand...
GROK: Is this true?
  • The Biden administration implemented measures during the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent foreclosures, including making mortgage payments for over 1 million FHA borrowers in default, as part of broader relief efforts under the Homeowner Assistance Fund and enhanced loan modifications.
  • Recent reports, including a Wall Street Journal article, highlight that these actions may have artificially inflated housing prices by keeping distressed properties off the market, potentially masking underlying issues in the housing market similar to those before the 2008 financial crisis.
  • FHA delinquency rates have risen sharply, reaching 10.46% in Q3 2024, up from 9.5% the previous year, indicating increased financial strain on borrowers and raising concerns about the sustainability of these interventions.
  • The Trump administration, set to take office, may reverse these policies, potentially leading to a surge in foreclosures and a crash in housing prices, especially in lower-income neighborhoods, as noted in related discussions on X.

websites

C-SPAN.org | National Politics | History | Nonfiction Books

C-SPAN.org gives you access to C-SPAN's daily coverage of Washington and more than 200,000 hours of extensively indexed and archived C-SPAN video.
www.c-span.org www.c-span.org
www.nolo.com

Is an FHA Loan Foreclosure Different Than Other Foreclosures?

If you have an FHA loan, you’re entitled to a special loss mitigation process to help you avoid a foreclosure. But the foreclosure itself isn’t any different.
www.nolo.com www.nolo.com
www.businessinsider.com

FHA Interest Rates: Get Today's Rates and See the Best FHA Lenders

Explore current FHA interest rates in March 2025, learn about FHA loans and who they're good for, and see our list of the best mortgage lenders for FHA loans.
www.businessinsider.com www.businessinsider.com
www.clevelandfed.org

ec 201015 the impact of foreclosures on the housing market

A record number of mortgage loans are either in default or in danger of being defaulted upon. Many of the properties that back these loans will end up going through the foreclosure process. A growing body of research shows that foreclosed homes sell at a discount and that foreclosures have a...
www.clevelandfed.org www.clevelandfed.org

Mortgage delinquencies are rising. FHA borrowers are feeling it

FHA borrowers exiting COVID-19 forbearance plans are under pressure. Investors could save millions by addressing the problem.
www.housingwire.com www.housingwire.com
www.brookings.edu

Shifting the risk of mortgage defaults from taxpayers to investors

Robert Pozen and Clayton Pfannenstiel argue that Fannie Mae should increase the amount of credit risk it transfers to CRT investors to protect taxpayers.
www.brookings.edu www.brookings.edu
 
foolsgold said:
And what wing is Trump?
Click to expand...

Hard to say. In the past he was all over the place:

Trump registered as a Republican in Manhattan in 1987; since that time, he has changed his party affiliation five times. In 1999, he changed his party affiliation to the Independence Party of New York. In August 2001, Trump changed his party affiliation to Democratic. In September 2009, he changed his party affiliation back to the Republican Party. In December 2011, Trump changed to "no party affiliation" (independent). In April 2012, he again returned to the Republican Party.


Today I'd say he's a Trumpist along with being a ring master.


From Grok:

can Donald Trump be described as a ringmaster?

The term "ringmaster" can be used metaphorically to describe someone who is in charge of or directs a complex situation, event, or group of people, much like a ringmaster in a circus oversees the performances and maintains order. Whether Donald Trump can be described as a ringmaster depends on the context in which you're considering his role.

Political Context
In his role as the 45th President of the United States (2017–2021) and as a prominent political figure, Donald Trump has often been characterized as a commanding and central figure within the Republican Party and his political movement. His leadership style, marked by bold rhetoric, media dominance, and a knack for rallying supporters, could be likened to a ringmaster orchestrating a large, dynamic spectacle. Critics and supporters alike might agree that he has a talent for drawing attention and steering narratives, much like a ringmaster keeps an audience engaged.

Business and Media Context
Before his presidency, Trump was a well-known businessman and television personality, particularly through "The Apprentice," where he was the central figure directing contestants and shaping the show's narrative. His ability to control the spotlight and manage complex business ventures (e.g., real estate, branding, and entertainment) could also align with the ringmaster analogy, as he often positioned himself as the key figure orchestrating the action.

Public Perception
  • Supporters might see him as a ringmaster in a positive light: a strong leader who commands attention, directs efforts, and brings order to chaos.
  • Critics might use the term more pejoratively, suggesting he presides over a chaotic or performative "circus," with an emphasis on spectacle over substance.
Conclusion
Yes, Donald Trump can be described as a ringmaster in a metaphorical sense, particularly if you're highlighting his ability to lead, control narratives, and maintain a central role in political, business, or media arenas. However, the connotation of the term—whether positive (a skilled leader) or negative (a showman presiding over disorder)—depends on one's perspective and the specific context being discussed.
Would you like me to explore this further, perhaps by analyzing specific examples from his career or public statements?

jm2c - fwiw
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom