Archives for 2016

Artist Creates Portrait Of Donald Trump With Roadkill

October 20, 2016 By John DeProspo 3 Comments

Artist Cara DeAngelis has a history of using roadkill in her paintings, and is no stranger to social commentary. In her first attempt at political satire, she has painted a portrait of Donald Trump with roadkill replacing the “hair” that is normally on his head. The painting is titled “Donald Trump with a Crown of Roadkill”. The release of this painting comes at the climax of this election season, and on the heels of many great works by other artists, all defaming Trump.

The painting is done primarily in oils, which references traditional aristocratic portraiture, and at first glance appears to be nothing more. The idea to create what looks on the surface like a traditional portrait is done as a nod to the many portraits Trump has commissioned of himself over the years. DeAngelis also employs tar as a medium to symbolize corruption, greed, and over-industrialization. Tar has long been used as a potent representation of death and criminality in film, literature, and art. In this vein, the artist uses it extensively in her work, and in the portrait of Donald Trump his suit is coated in a layer of black tar.

The furry victims on top of Trump’s head refer not only to his hair dilemma, but also more poignantly to the many skeletons in his closet, of which we’re learning about daily. In the portrait, Donald Trump seems to be unaware of the rot, which is even starting to drip down his temple. The viewer can see what he cannot: that there is blood coming out his… “wherever.”

About the artist: Cara DeAngelis is a recipient of the CT Office of the Arts Fellowship Grant for 2012, as well as the Barbara Deming/Money for Women Grant. She has had full fellowships at both the Vermont Studio Center and the Prairie Center of the Arts. In 2010 she was awarded residency at the Terra Foundation in Giverny, France, along with a Guggenheim travel grant. She is also a recipient of the Rudolph Zallinger Painting Award. She currently lives and works between CT and NY as artist and curator, and is represented by gary marotta fine art in Provincetown, MA.

Trump Doubles Down In Vegas On Question Of Accepting Election Results

October 19, 2016 By John DeProspo 6 Comments

Donald Trump’s main campaign theme during the past few weeks has been that our election system is corrupted. If he loses the presidency, he tells his loyal followers, it will be because the voting was rigged.

In tonight’s third and final presidential debate, moderator, Chris Wallace, asked Donald Trump a direct question – twice – to which he refused to give a direct answer.

After reminding Trump that his running mate, Mike Pence, pledged that both he and Trump would “absolutely” accept the will of the people, Wallace asked him, “Will you absolutely accept the results of the election?”

Trump’s reply, to a question he no doubt was prepared to answer, was, “I will look at it at the time.”

I will look at it at the time?

By refusing to say if he would accept the legitimacy of a Hillary Clinton win, Trump undermined the basic American belief that our election system is fair. By leaving in doubt whether he would concede after a loss, Trump did something no other presidential candidate has ever done… question the entire basis of American democracy.

Wallace did not ask Trump a Bush v. Gore type question, namely, if the election results were close in one particular state, would he question those results if they went against him. No, Wallace was talking about our national election system.

Many analysts are now saying Trump sealed his fate with his unprecedented, conditional answer. They are labeling his refusal to give a “yes” or “no” reply to Wallace’s direct question as one that disqualifies him from office.

So why would Trump answer the way he did?

A Morning Consult survey of nearly 2,000 registered voters found that a strong majority of Republicans, 73 percent, now believe the election could be unfairly taken from Trump.

Trump’s loyal base has heard his message that he can only lose if the election is stolen from him… and they buy it. They have heard talk of massive voter fraud from their Republican leaders for years … and they believe it exists.

Many pundits are predicting Trump will keep pounding this narrative of a rigged election no matter how much pushback he gets from his Republican comrades.

The bottom line? Trump has no regard for any down ballot Republicans he may hurt. He doesn’t care if he loses in a landslide, even if it costs the GOP the Senate and the House.

For the purported billionaire, it’s all about keeping the loyalty, and anger, of his diehard base intact for his next, post-election business venture… whatever that maybe.

Nothing else makes any sense.

Photo | (Joe Raedle/Pool via AP)

Beyond Trump’s Business Failures Lies A Moral Bankruptcy

October 18, 2016 By John DeProspo 4 Comments

Before his foray into politics, most people viewed Donald Trump as a smart, successful businessman. It has only been during his presidential run did we learn Trump’s business acumen revolves around running businesses into the ground, declaring bankruptcy and leaving his creditors, investors and employees holding the bag.

Trump, of course, always comes out smelling like a rose so, in a sense, he is a “smart” businessman.

We also learned the man is bereft of a moral compass.

The recent Access Hollywood tape where Trump boasts of sexually assaulting women, with impunity, just follows in a long pattern of morally reprehensible behavior and comments.

Trump began his presidential campaign by insulting Mexicans. Then he moved on to denigrate Muslims, women, blacks, the disabled and even the Pope. Though he has tried to walk back some of his more derogatory comments, the apologies have all rung hollow (I apologize if you were offended by the truth that I spoke). As Trump himself has said, he never really apologizes because he is never wrong.

As we get ready for tomorrow night’s third and final presidential debate in Las Vegas, look for Donald Trump to go as low as he’s ever gone. Heck, he has no sense of shame nor does he have anything to lose. His path to the presidency has been thwarted by a giant roadblock of his own making.

While his followers may not want to accept reality, Trump understands he will not win the presidency. Some are saying he has known this for some time. Others are convinced it was never Trump’s intention to become the Republican Party’s presidential nominee. All Trump wanted, they say, was a way to promote his brand.

There is serious speculation that Trump’s endgame now is to solidify his base of conspiracy-loving, Hillary-hating diehards for his next business venture, whatever that turns out to be. Trump Media Empire?

Tomorrow night may be Trump’s last shot at a national audience of his fanatical followers. While some delusional Republican establishment-types still hold out hope Trump will pivot to a softer, more presidential candidate, don’t look for him to break form.

I look for Trump to go full kamakaze by attacking Hillary Clinton with every alt-right conspiracy theory he can think of in order to placate his rabid base.

Moderator Chris Wallace will certainly have his hands full in Sin City.

Photo | REUTERS/Scott Morgan

Donald, If The Election Is Rigged, Here’s a Suggestion …

October 16, 2016 By John DeProspo 2 Comments

Drop out! If, as you say, the election is rigged against you by the press, Democrats, international bankers, Carlos Slim, global elites and even Saturday Night Live, why continue your campaign?

If the “fix” is in, you have no chance. Why suffer through a humiliating defeat next month? Why keep asking supporters for money? Why waste all that dough on a quixotic quest?

Think of your brand! It has taken a serious hit during your run for the presidency. Bookings at your hotels are down. Your casinos, stores, products and golf courses are all hurting.

Depending on the level of the fix, a Clinton landslide is a very real possibility.

For your sake and that of your family, there is still time to bow out.

Yes, your party would devolve into complete chaos but since when did you care about those cowardly Republican politicians anyway? They’ll figure something out. But the point is that you, Donald J. Trump, will not forever be known as a loser.

You might even rehabilitate your brand by telling us what we’ve suspected from the start… the whole thing was a ploy, a con, to promote your beloved brand. You can confess that you are as shocked as anyone that your “movement” developed the legs that it did.

A Hillary endorsement may make sense.

Yes, your diehard supporters would be up in arms (perhaps literally!) but they are not the ones that buy your products or stay at your hotels. Think of the legacy you wish to leave your children … a brand that is once again synonymous with luxury, class and refinement.

No doubt it will take time for your brand to bounce back. But it will happen. As you like to say, “At this point what do you have to lose?”

When you get around to having someone ghostwrite your book about this incredible ride you’ve been on, it will no doubt be a blockbuster!

If you get out while you can, and not give those forces against you the satisfaction of wallowing in your defeat, history may actually be kind to you.

Photo | Richard Bravo

Women Supporters Form “Pussies For Trump!”

October 14, 2016 By John DeProspo 2 Comments

Many women are deeply offended by Trump’s lewd, sexist remarks made during a taping of Access Hollywood in 2005. Yet today there is a group of GOP women organizing to support the alleged groper. They call themselves “Pussies For Trump!”

“We stand behind Mr. Trump more than ever,” said group leader, Amanda Swift. “We are not offended by his remarks or conduct in the least. He can have his way with me anytime!”

That some females would support a man whose abusive behavior towards women is so well known, one wonders what motivates these women.

Psychologist Beverly Bevis may have the answer.

“ Throughout history, women have been attracted to strong, powerful, wealthy men. They just can’t resist,” said Bevis.

“Men understand this so they strive for wealth and power to get women,” Bevis added. “This perk is why they seek to become wealthy in the first place.”

So in a very real sense, a woman thwarting a wealthy man’s advances is bad for the economy, say some Trump surrogates.

“If women don’t allow these alpha males to have there way with them,” said a Trump surrogate who chose to remain anonymous, “it messes up the whole equation. These men will not create the businesses that make them powerful and wealthy. These job creators stimulate the economy. We need them. So what if they also stimulate a woman or two?”

But what about the issue of consent? Without that, doesn’t such behavior amount to sexual assault?

“Women may say ‘no’ to a wealthy man’s advances, but they really mean ‘yes’,” said Bevis. “They’re flattered when a powerful man takes an interest in them. The bottom line is women are attracted to money … the kind of wealth and power that can get them things.”

Whoever thought allowing rich men to grope and fondle women had such a direct impact on our GDP!

Ironically, the first meeting of “Pussies For Trump” will me take place next week in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania.

Photo | scoopnest.com

Could Trump Make His Intentions Any Clearer?

October 13, 2016 By John DeProspo 6 Comments

Sorry, folks, but I must indulge in a little of that Trumpian “I told you so.” You see, I told you so!

As readers of this page know, it has been my belief all along that Trump’s “run” for the presidency has been a complete charade. A con job from the ultimate con man. Trump never wanted to trade his gilded Fifth Avenue penthouse for the relatively spartan White House.

While many analysts thought Trump would surely pivot from his “primary election mode” to a “general election mode” once he secured his party’s nomination, I kept saying “no way Jose.” And to the utter consternation of the Republican establishment, the pivot never came. The nastiness Trump exhibited during the primary only increased once Trump became the Republican Party’s presidential nominee.

The irrefutable proof of this came last week during the second presidential debate. With sinking poll numbers everywhere, Chef Trump skipped over the Caesar salad appetizer and went straight to a giant serving of red meat. Trump promised his hungry base the first thing he would do if elected president would be to jail Hillary. Oh how those “lock her up” supporters savored every bite!

Now that even the slightest pretence of winning the presidency is done with, Trump has promised to go nuclear against all his enemies. He has declared war not only on Hillary and Bill Clinton, but also on the media and his own party. He has told House Speaker Paul Ryan to go “f” himself after he stated he would no longer defend or campaign for the Republican presidential nominee.

Kamikaze Trump recently tweeted, “It is so nice that the shackles have been taken off me and I can now fight for America the way I want to,” instigating a full scale civil war within the Republican Party… less than four weeks before the election.

This will get really ugly, folks.

Trump’s game plan is now abundantly clear. Far from trying to broaden his appeal, he will be solidifying his hold on a large segment of Americans who think he is the second coming of Christ.

Look for Trump, and his campaign guru, former Breitbart boss Stephen Bannon, to stoke more hatred among the ready-made audience for his next business venture. Could it be a Trump cable empire to rival Fox News? Or an online right wing media outlet in the mold of Huffington Post? Or might he even have the discipline to form a third party for his rabid base (unlikely)?

The only question remaining is will Trump merely lose to Clinton or get annihilated?

Either way, it won’t matter to Trump. He wins. The system is rigged against him, right? His angry base will no doubt buy this lie as they have bought every kind of flimflam snake oil he has peddled.

Whatever the end game, Trump will come out of this political debacle smelling like a rose with a few extra dollars in his pocket. For The Donald, it has always been about making money off the misfortune of others having the bad sense of trusting him. That he has caused serious harm to our people, our nation and it’s political institutions, well that’s just the cost of doing business. It has worked great for Fox News and all those other conservative media outlets!

For Trump, it is not about party over country but himself over all else.

Photo | YouTube

Does Trump Have The “Midas Touch” … Or The “Sadim Touch?”

October 11, 2016 By John DeProspo 3 Comments

In Greek mythology, everything King Midas touched turned into gold. We call this the “Midas Touch.” But there is another kind of magical power which is the opposite of this great feat … it’s called the “Sadim Touch,” where everything that’s touched turns into #!#! … well, you get the idea.

For the curious, Sadim is the reverse spelling of Midas.

Donald Trump has sold himself as the man with the ability to be successful at whatever he attempts. Making money just darn comes naturally to the man! Whatever he touches, we are told, turns out benefitting all involved. Most of Trump’s avid supporters believe he is the candidate with the “Midas Touch” who will bring prosperity (winning) to a great many struggling Americans.

But a close look at Trump’s business record shows his touch is anything but golden.

Trump has the “Sadim Touch.”

Take Trump’s four business bankruptcies. All involved casinos where the rule is “the house never loses.” Or how about these business busts: Trump Steaks; Trump Airlines; Trump Vodka; Trump Mortgage; Trump Magazine; Trump University; Trump The Game; GoTrump.com.

We just recently learned Trump took a nearly one billion dollar loss in 1995. This is the “Sadim Touch” on steroids!

While everything Trump touches seems to turn to #!#!, he, nevertheless, usually does well for himself. His secret? OPM. Always use other people’s money. Never put your own greenbacks at risk.

It looks as if Trump’s greatest reverse-Midas touch is about to unfold before our eyes.

Donald Trump is on track to accomplish what Democrats for decades have been unable to do … bury the GOP.

There is a civil war brewing within the Republican ranks. Members are turning against one another. With each day comes a new GOP politician renouncing his or her party’s presidential nominee. Even the highest elected Republican official, House Speaker Paul Ryan, has said he can no longer defend Trump and has green-lighted his party members to do whatever they think is best for their political futures.

It’s every man and woman for themselves!

The Republican game plan now is to try to hold their majorities in the Senate and in the House. The White House, they painfully realize, is a lost cause.

The GOP elites rolled the dice with Trump and are now stuck with an unelectable candidate. What becomes of the Republican Party is anybody’s guess. It is certainly not the concern of one Donald J. Trump.

We do not know Trump’s end game but it is abundantly clear by now that it is not to win the general election. Trump is doing all he can to shore up his base by continuing to feed them red meat (Jail Hillary!). Trump knows he needs them stoked for his next venture. Could we see a Trump media empire? Or a Trump third party?

While Trump has worked his “Sadim Touch” on the Grand Old Party, you can bet he will come out of this latest disaster smelling like a rose. One way or another, he will make money for himself.

For all the man with the “Sadim Touch” has done, and continues to do, for Democrats, they will forever be grateful.

Photo| schooltube

For A Man Who Praises The Constitution, Trump Knows Very Little About It

October 10, 2016 By John DeProspo 2 Comments

If elected president, Donald Trump would be the first commander in chief never to have been elected to previous office, or have served as a high-ranking military officer, or have served as a federal government official.

But beyond his lack of experience, Trump would perhaps become the president with the least amount of knowledge of the United States Constitution and its workings. He gives every indication he does not understand the brilliant concept devised by our Founding Fathers, the separation of powers.

Trump has often stated his admiration of Russian strongman Vladimir Putin.

Last night, Trump actually said that if he were elected president, one of his first jobs would be to jail Hillary Clinton. Could there be more red meat for his base than this?

“If I win, I am going to instruct my attorney general to get a special prosecutor to look into your situation because there has never been so many lies, so much deception,” Trump said to Clinton during the second presidential debate.

Clinton replied, “It’s just awfully good that someone with the temperament of Donald Trump is not in charge of the law in our country.”

The man with no self-control interjected, “Because you’d be in jail.”

American’s do not elect a dictator, or even a quasi-autocrat like Putin, to lead the country. A fifth grader with minimal knowledge of our system of government would be able to tell you that.

“Be afraid of any candidate who says he will order DOJ/FBI to act on his command,” said Eric Holder, who served as Attorney General under President Obama.

The activist Michael Moore tweeted, “Never has a candidate threatened to jail his opponent. This happens in dictatorships. Scariest man ever to run for WH.”

What makes Trump so dangerous is he seems to have no interest in learning about a government he seeks to run. Equally dangerous is that his uninformed supporters believe Trump would be able to do all the things he promises to do even though most are clearly not within a president’s powers or are flat out unconstitutional.

Trump is a graduate of the distinguished Ivy League school, the University of Pennsylvania. He either never took the required civics class or was able to avoid the requirement through some sort of “son-of-a-rich-man” deferment.

Photo | slate.com

Trump Holds His Own In Second Presidential Debate

October 9, 2016 By John DeProspo 4 Comments

The predication that Donald Trump would self-immolate in tonight’s second presidential debate proved to be wishful thinking on the part of the Democratic faithful. The Trump campaign lives to see another day!

With all the negative press surrounding Trump following the release of the now infamous Hollywood Access “sex” video, many analysts thought this topic would consume the debate and prove fatal for Trump.

Yet very little time was spent on the video or Trump’s treatment of women. The reason for this is that the debate was held in a town hall format where audience members ask prepared questions of the candidates. Many different questions were asked; many different topics were discussed.

The most interesting question of the night came at the very end of the debate.

Carl Becker asked the candidates, “Regardless of the rhetoric, would either of you name one positive thing that you respect in one another?”

Hillary Clinton answered first. “I respect his children. His children are incredibly able and devoted and I think that says a lot about Donald,” Clinton said.

For his part, Trump paid a huge compliment to Hillary, whether wittingly or not. The man who loves winners and fighters said, “I will say this about Hillary. She doesn’t quit. She doesn’t give up. I respect that.” Trump called his opponent a “fighter.”

To me this was a most unexpected answer from Trump. I had to ask myself if I really heard Trump’s words correctly. I did.

I don’t know how that answer will play with a base that believes Hillary is the devil incarnate, but Trump’s gracious, seemingly sincere compliment might sit well with many undecided voters or independents. But not enough, I believe, to swing the momentum of the race in Trump’s favor.

One could almost see the Clinton camp preparing an ad with Trump’s kind words being used against him.

Whether the Access Hollywood video will continue to have legs going forward remains to be seen. Whether more unflattering tapes from Trump’s past are made public also remains in doubt but, with the many videos of Trump over the years, you can bet it’s a good possibility.

Rejoice. There will be a third and final debate!

Photo | chicagotribune.com/Jim Lo Scalzo / EPA

Trump’s Lewd Remarks … Is Anyone Really Surprised?

October 8, 2016 By John DeProspo 6 Comments

Yesterday, the nation was hit with a tidal wave … Donald Trump’s 2005 audio of vulgar, sexist comments made during a taping of Access Hollywood. The Republican presidential candidate boasted to the show’s host, Billy Bush, he could do anything he wants to women because he is a star. He could even “grab them by the p_ _ _y” with impunity.

As shocking as the tape turned out to be, is any one really surprised?

Trump has demonstrated his disdain and disrespect for woman throughout his adult life. To Trump, women are mere objects that exist to satisfy his personal pleasure. And they must meet his high standards of beauty! If a woman is not a “10,” he’s not interested. He simply tosses those “losers” into the garbage heap of “dogs, fat pigs and slobs.”

No, no one who has paid any attention to Trump’s history of treating women is surprised.

Republican establishment types are outraged over the latest development. Some good Christian Republicans, like Utah Congressman Jason Chaffetz, are unendorsing Trump.

“I’m out,” said Chaffetz on Fox News. “I can no longer in good conscience endorse this person for president. It is some of the most abhorrent and offensive comments that you can possibly imagine.”

Chaffetz is not the first, nor will he be the last, Republican to jump ship.

The Hollywood Access video is forcing the hands of many Republicans who have tired to straddle the fence … criticizing Trump’s rhetoric on one hand, while promising to vote for their party’s nominee on the other.

Tomorrow night we will be treated to “must see TV.” The second presidential debate will be held at Washington University in St. Louis. There is little doubt Trump’s “sex” audio will be a topic of discussion. How Trump handles the situation may be the difference between a simple loss in November and a landslide victory for Clinton.

The dye is set. Trump is done. He will not be able to talk or bully his way out of this predicament. Any other candidate with an ounce of self-respect would skip the debate or drop out of the race. But, hey, we’re talking about Trump here!

Many voters, especially the undecided, are finally seeing Trump for what he is: the most crass, sexist and racist candidate to earn the nomination of a major party in American history.

Photo | mashable.com