Michael Wolff Filed Lawsuit Against Melania Trump

[UltraBudgie]

Trump promised affordability and from I see there is no affordability to be had.

Things aren't great and I think the class divide is growing, but please consider that you are seeing through a far-away lens, a lens of media presentation that distorts for outrage and focuses selectively for non-objective purpose. In truth, it's not as bad as it might seem to you, perhaps. And America has certainly gone through much worse, and emerged stronger for it. And as Putnam I'm sure will be happy to point out, the statistics don't match the "reality" the opinion press would have you believe.

Personally myself and those I know are doing okay. I am curious if you have friends or relatives in the US who may be giving you their first-hand impressions?

[quintessentone]

Things aren't great and I think the class divide is growing, but please consider that you are seeing through a far-away lens, a lens of media presentation that distorts for outrage and focus for non-objective purpose. In truth, it's not as bad as it might seem to you, perhaps. And America has certainly gone through much worse, and emerged stronger for it.

Personally myself and those I know are doing okay. I am curious if you have friends or relatives in the US who may be giving you their first-hand impressions?

I am getting first hand impressions from the Americans on DI and it's not good from their perspective. So who should I believe here?

[UltraBudgie]

I am getting first hand impressions from the Americans on DI and it's not good from their perspective. So who should I believe here?

Yes but also consider that there may be those who are doing quite well financially, but would consider it in bad taste to mention here. So there is a bias in the comments you see. I remember other-forum from years ago, there were always folks going through hard times. Heck, I can think of one or two who weathered the storm and are here now at DI. Thus as it ever was? Not to invalidate anyone's personal situation or observations, of course.

[quintessentone]

Yes but also consider that there may be those who are doing quite well financially, but would consider it in bad taste to mention here. So there is a bias in the comments you see. I remember other-forum from years ago, there we always folks going through hard times. Heck, I can think of one or two who weathered the storm and are here now at DI. Thus as it ever was? Not to invalidate anyone's person situation or observations, of course.

I know how to sift through bias, but when independent (of government) facts and data are also sourced then that also affects what is most likely the reality. For example:

AI:

"The current economic outlook for the USA indicates a challenging environment, with several factors contributing to a slowdown:

• The OECD has cut its growth forecast for the U.S. economy to 1.6% in 2025, down from a previous estimate of 2.2%. This reduction reflects concerns over tariffs and inflation. 
  
  
• The Conference Board's Leading Economic Index (LEI) has contracted by 2.7%, marking the sixth consecutive month of decline. This decline is attributed to various economic factors, including tariffs and consumer spending. 
  
  
• RBC Economics forecasts a slowdown in growth, with a potential 0% growth for three quarters in 2025, which could lead to a recession if further shocks occur. 
  
  
• Overall, the economic landscape is characterized by higher prices and a rising unemployment rate, driven by shifting trade policies and consumer spending. 
  
  These insights suggest a cautious economic environment as the U.S. faces potential challenges in the near future."
  

If these types of sources are included with DI members' posts, then I am more likely to be swayed. If however it's just opinions (without sources) or government data (from a non-transparent government), then I question the motives of the poster.

The only thing I see doing well is the stock market, where most average people can't afford to buy stocks, so if the wealthy are doing okay, then does that translate to everything and everybody is doing okay? I think not.

[UltraBudgie]

most average people can't afford to buy stocks

Okay we're at the point in the conversation thread where we bust out AI, which I don't really care for, so I'm going to go do some chores and make breakfast.

But I'll leave you with this, as a parting shot:

As of April 2024, according to a Gallup survey reported on April 18, 2024, approximately 61% of Americans own stocks, either directly or through retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs. This figure marks a slight increase from previous years, reflecting a gradual recovery in public participation since the 2008 financial crisis. The survey includes ownership of individual stocks, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

For context, the percentage of Americans owning stocks peaked at 65% in 2007, dropped to 52% in 2013, and has since rebounded. The current level suggests renewed confidence in the stock market, possibly influenced by the proliferation of user-friendly trading platforms and increased financial literacy efforts.

https://www.bitget.com/wiki/what-percent...own-stocks

I tried to get AI to translate that number from individuals to households, which I suspect would increase it greatly from 61% (already a majority), but it didn't seem to understand what I was asking.

Have fun!

[quintessentone]

Okay we're at the point in the conversation thread where we bust out AI, which I don't really care for, so I'm going to go do some chores and make breakfast.

But I'll leave you with this, as a parting shot:

As of April 2024, according to a Gallup survey reported on April 18, 2024, approximately 61% of Americans own stocks, either directly or through retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs. This figure marks a slight increase from previous years, reflecting a gradual recovery in public participation since the 2008 financial crisis. The survey includes ownership of individual stocks, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

For context, the percentage of Americans owning stocks peaked at 65% in 2007, dropped to 52% in 2013, and has since rebounded. The current level suggests renewed confidence in the stock market, possibly influenced by the proliferation of user-friendly trading platforms and increased financial literacy efforts.

https://www.bitget.com/wiki/what-percent...own-stocks

Have fun!

Owning stocks through retirement plans does not necessarily equate into wealth for the elderly with the cost of living continually rising.

"According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the United States has the highest poverty rate among the world’s 26 most developed countries. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) ranks the United States second behind Mexico on a scale of what economists call “relative child poverty” when measured against 35 of the world’s richest nations.
 These rankings are not absolute measures. Relative child poverty refers to a child living in a household where the income is less than half of the national median; the relative standards in the United States are high."

U.S. Poverty Statistics and Facts (Updated for 2025)

Maybe you should be looking at poverty rates and conditions rather than how richer the rich are getting (?)

[quintessentone]

This lawsuit was filed at the end of October 2025 and from the court filing Melania has 20 days to respond, or longer?, but no response yet. It certainly seems to be strange that Melania is not pushing this lawsuit if she feels she is in the right.

[cherokeetroy]

I am getting first hand impressions from the Americans on DI and it's not good from their perspective. So who should I believe here?

Prices are still high



Link

[quintessentone]

Prices are still high

[Image: https://i.imgur.com/MOcyxny.jpeg]

Link

??? So border security allows beef cattle through but not immigrant's pets (?) M'kay.

[Maxmars]

I am getting first hand impressions from the Americans on DI and it's not good from their perspective. So who should I believe here?

If you are looking to make an assessment, I would suggest listen to neither exclusively.

DI is not a "filter"... it is effectively an archive of people's words to each other...
an ongoing, and occasionally raucous, conversation... generally pointing out how what
we are often told is never exactly true.

Our "mainstream" and "off-stream" sources may provide some useful and valid information...
but it appears that it literally never is free from "intents."  Even the "official" ones.

"Press release journalism" is now my favorite hateful manifestation to point out as a hall mark of the new "journalism," so I admit bias 'against' their narratives.

But truly, I take responsibility (in as much as I can) for my own looming situation, and orbiting the "homeless" funnel is not something I would talk about with anyone face to face. 
To me (perhaps my mindset) it is a blow to who I am and what I do... ego is a real thing.

I don't seek sympathy, or empathy... but I reserve the privilege of saying...
"I know how badly it feels, and how fearful one becomes when departing the "normal" 
world and entering this "desperate" one...

Trump, as a matter of fact, is nothing.
And until he does something for the friggin' economy for us... he will remain nothing,

Just like every politician before him.

The President is supposed to be our champion....
He is champion of Republicans, some Democrats, Some super citizens, and the media gets
to play Hero/Anti-hero... for bucks....  As far as that world is concerned - they "rule."

You only hear what they publish... I'm not certain we can ever find simple fact in there anymore.
His political games and shenanigans have been rendered into "theater for us to revel in."

OK... I get the "circus".... where is my goddamned "bread?"