Ta, Marcie. I want this entire maladministration, especially That Thing in the Offal Office and the entire cabinet to take a very long walk off a very short pier on the edge of a very active volcano.
Just look at the price of gold. Confidence in treasury bonds and stock market low. If Trump admin was interested in averting an economic crisis for the good of hard working people they would not be doing what they are doing.
Between the lies, the dementia, and the general stupidity, it’s hard piece together whether there was ever any “strategy” in his madness. He threw the entire world into turmoil and got some vague “framework” for some future potential deal that will probably look exactly like the one we signed with Denmark in 1951.
Was this all just market manipulation? Who the hell knows. This is the problem with being ruled by a mad king.
It wasn't market manipulation directed by him. He is no where near smart enough, or disciplined enough to be at the head of that kind of exercise. Were people in the inner circle able to take advantage of the short opportunity? undoubtedly.
Did he tell them in advance "oh, watch this and get ready to sell"? Not effing likely.
We need to note that it is not "foreign governments" that own about 30% of US debt; it's "other countries", including all the banks, pension funds, private investors and so on in them. That's what the link says, not "foreign governments". And you can also tell by, for instance, noting that the Cayman Islands are in 6th place, with about half the UK total. You know the Cayman Islands government is not some super-rich entity; but it is the address of many offshore banks, muddying the true ownership of stuff.
So it's not like that figure is representative of what governments, or government-adjacent entities like public pension funds, could do.
This phase of hype has to crash and the sooner the better. The next phase will hopefully focus on the reality of how it can be effectively used in current real world applications. The pie in the sky expectations won't survive the crash. Kinda like the whole dot com and bomb situation we went through previously.
I don't want the economic pain of all foreign investment turning into a selloff, but it might be what it takes for the people who own Trump to finally realize that he is a terrible investment.
One thing the Fed did historically was to stop the pattern of bank runs during severere cessions where depositors all demand their money. Umm... what happens if there is a run on the Fed and no backstop?
So Greenland turns out to be the world’s most effective “no” button. Trump growls, markets flinch, Denmark quietly sells some bonds, and suddenly it’s all “frameworks” and “everybody relax.” Nothing terrifies a strongman faster than investors reaching for the exit. Turns out the bond market speaks fluent reality, and it doesn’t care about bluster, tariffs, or pet psychics.
Discussion below by people talking about facing retirement and being concerned about their retirement funds. I pulled the plug this summer, and went into this with two pensions and Social Security, about 60% of the value of my home paid off, with a manageable mortgage. Looked good on paper.
Currency devaluation, Euro becomes world reserve currency, no one wants US debt instruments like T-bills anymore, IMF and World Bank require austerity just like US has done to Third World, we get a demagogue riding in on a white horse.
So once again, a more cynical person, not the ray of sunlight that is I, might think that the fact that
1. The first long screed about “Give me Greenland or back to Liberation day tariffs” was clearly not written by Trump
2. It was written on a Friday night after market close so zero casual investors (like us) could short any stock.
3. It was a 3 day weekend with the markets and banks closed on Monday to allow for an extra day of borrowing without having to pay back because bank closed.
4. Market tanks all day Tuesday. But at the same time Bessent is dropping hints and almost admitting Trump will back down.
5. Trump backs off tariffs next afternoon allow people to close out their short positions if they were so inclined.
That all this would be an indicator that his cronies egged on his Greenland obsession so they could manipulate the market and make billions on the dip.
But I’ll leave that to the pessimistic cynics to decide. I will remain blissfully optimistic in the belief that rich businessmen in stock and real estate speculation are overwhelmingly good people.
Given F34's well-known incontinence, how did he manage to stand at the podium in Davos and babble on for 2 hours? Was there a bucket under the podium, or what?
Ta, Marcie. I want this entire maladministration, especially That Thing in the Offal Office and the entire cabinet to take a very long walk off a very short pier on the edge of a very active volcano.
Just look at the price of gold. Confidence in treasury bonds and stock market low. If Trump admin was interested in averting an economic crisis for the good of hard working people they would not be doing what they are doing.
Between the lies, the dementia, and the general stupidity, it’s hard piece together whether there was ever any “strategy” in his madness. He threw the entire world into turmoil and got some vague “framework” for some future potential deal that will probably look exactly like the one we signed with Denmark in 1951.
Was this all just market manipulation? Who the hell knows. This is the problem with being ruled by a mad king.
It wasn't market manipulation directed by him. He is no where near smart enough, or disciplined enough to be at the head of that kind of exercise. Were people in the inner circle able to take advantage of the short opportunity? undoubtedly.
Did he tell them in advance "oh, watch this and get ready to sell"? Not effing likely.
Well, not Pedo. Bessent is the one who signals when it’s time to buy and sell.
Relax, guy!
We need to note that it is not "foreign governments" that own about 30% of US debt; it's "other countries", including all the banks, pension funds, private investors and so on in them. That's what the link says, not "foreign governments". And you can also tell by, for instance, noting that the Cayman Islands are in 6th place, with about half the UK total. You know the Cayman Islands government is not some super-rich entity; but it is the address of many offshore banks, muddying the true ownership of stuff.
So it's not like that figure is representative of what governments, or government-adjacent entities like public pension funds, could do.
I'm keeping a couple of my LONG GREENS in the SEELY CORNER NO LOADER BACK FORTY bug out mattress. So far so good!
AI is probably a colossal bust but it’s still a small part of our economy.
This phase of hype has to crash and the sooner the better. The next phase will hopefully focus on the reality of how it can be effectively used in current real world applications. The pie in the sky expectations won't survive the crash. Kinda like the whole dot com and bomb situation we went through previously.
What goes around, comes around. Stock market hype is no different than pyramid schemes.
Get in early, get out early, make bank.
Be a regular joe and get left holding the bag and lose your shirt.
I don't want the economic pain of all foreign investment turning into a selloff, but it might be what it takes for the people who own Trump to finally realize that he is a terrible investment.
As long as people like Bessent are there to signal to them when it’s time to buy and when it’s time to sell, they’ll be happy.
You know, I'm getting really tired of rich old white men telling us all to relax, lie back, and try to enjoy it.
Especially when they don’t even lube.
Hey, relax, guy!
One thing the Fed did historically was to stop the pattern of bank runs during severere cessions where depositors all demand their money. Umm... what happens if there is a run on the Fed and no backstop?
Prices go down until a buyer is found. Hence the old phrase "Pennies on the dollar."
Butbutbut they're not makin' pennies any more! Oh, I got it! Crypto Pennies! What can go wrong?
So Greenland turns out to be the world’s most effective “no” button. Trump growls, markets flinch, Denmark quietly sells some bonds, and suddenly it’s all “frameworks” and “everybody relax.” Nothing terrifies a strongman faster than investors reaching for the exit. Turns out the bond market speaks fluent reality, and it doesn’t care about bluster, tariffs, or pet psychics.
Discussion below by people talking about facing retirement and being concerned about their retirement funds. I pulled the plug this summer, and went into this with two pensions and Social Security, about 60% of the value of my home paid off, with a manageable mortgage. Looked good on paper.
This should be interesting.
By "interesting" you are referring to the old Chinese curse?
We should be so lucky…
It doesn't get less interesting the further you get into retirement.
I saws picture of myself from last spring, and I looked … rough. At least I seem to be getting more rested.
Gee...plummeting dollar...what could that cause? Hmmmmm...INFLATION?
Currency devaluation, Euro becomes world reserve currency, no one wants US debt instruments like T-bills anymore, IMF and World Bank require austerity just like US has done to Third World, we get a demagogue riding in on a white horse.
I’ve been afraid of this since Ross Perot.
If it hasn’t happened yet we probably won’t see it in our lifetime. But maybe. Nothing you can count on is America knows how to make money.
Why are any of us, or any of 'them', listening to that bloviating, ass-sucking, gasbag fake gentleman farmer?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYLuKOvXdQs
Green Acres Theme Song Intro
“As I said, sit back, relax.”
“Just lie back and think of Trump. No, bad idea! Think of America! Er, think of making lots of dough.”
So once again, a more cynical person, not the ray of sunlight that is I, might think that the fact that
1. The first long screed about “Give me Greenland or back to Liberation day tariffs” was clearly not written by Trump
2. It was written on a Friday night after market close so zero casual investors (like us) could short any stock.
3. It was a 3 day weekend with the markets and banks closed on Monday to allow for an extra day of borrowing without having to pay back because bank closed.
4. Market tanks all day Tuesday. But at the same time Bessent is dropping hints and almost admitting Trump will back down.
5. Trump backs off tariffs next afternoon allow people to close out their short positions if they were so inclined.
That all this would be an indicator that his cronies egged on his Greenland obsession so they could manipulate the market and make billions on the dip.
But I’ll leave that to the pessimistic cynics to decide. I will remain blissfully optimistic in the belief that rich businessmen in stock and real estate speculation are overwhelmingly good people.
Oh, you sweet summer child....
I'm convinced at least half of this "presidency" has been a big stock market game. The other half being ego-driven fascism.
Yeah that pretty much covers it. Maybe 1 percent Argon?
Classic pump and dump.
"I will remain blissfully optimistic in the belief that rich businessmen in stock and real estate speculation are overwhelmingly good people."
I LOL'd.
Given F34's well-known incontinence, how did he manage to stand at the podium in Davos and babble on for 2 hours? Was there a bucket under the podium, or what?
Depends
Super-jumbo size.