One of Trump’s defenses to his crimes – in his mind – is to persuade people that unless he is elected in 2024 (something that is more likely than most people think, still an underdog, but still too good a chance), the entire country will collapse for good – given it has already collapsed into a heaping pile of sh*t. Trump often says that “only he can save it.”

Readers know well that Trump is obsessed with China as America’s greatest threat, either financially or militarily. It is also convenient to rip at China because the alternative would be Russia and that’s just not going to happen. Whatever Putin has over Trump, it dwarfs what Stormy has and Stormy put Trump into a criminal courtroom.

Speaking of courtrooms and China, Trump took to Truth Social this evening obviously trying to distract from his problems and assert one of his only defenses, “America needs me too much to be charging me with crimes.”

China is trying to displace the U.S. Dollar as the NUMBER ONE CURRENCY throughout the World. Unthinkable three years ago! If this happens, and under Biden’s leadership it probably will, this would be the biggest defeat for our Country in its history. We will be reduced to SECOND TIER STATUS. AMAZING. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!

Well.

China has always been “trying” to displace the U.S. dollar. “Trying” doesn’t mean they’re even close. Indeed, “trying” could mean that Biden has made the dollar stronger. Trying means nothing.

The yen becoming the world’s number-one currency? Still an unthinkable, hotshot. The biggest defeat for our Country in its history? Every Vietnam vet and every Afghani vet ought to be furious with that comment. And it’s not going to happen.

We were FAR closer to second-tier status under Trump. He wiped out a lot of norms and was trying to pull us out of NATO. A full 25% of our deficit is due to the Trump administration and its tax cut. Angela Merkel became the leader of the free world. Trump will never see any of it because he was flattered by anyone wanting something from the U.S., which is nearly everyone. But the truth still matters to a majority of Americans.

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[email protected], @JasonMiciak, with Nicole Hickman