As you know a maniac with guns made a crazed attempt to shoot his way into the White House Correspondents Dinner, and presumably take aim at Trump and other administration members in attendance. Thankfully he was stopped (or rather tripped over his own two feet and held down by agents who caught up to him) before he could get there. I’ve had plenty of thoughts about security for the event but want more detailed information before commenting. However it’s not too soon to follow The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart and mock Trump for using the incident to justify his freaking ballroom.
You know the whole, sordid saga of Trump tearing down the historic East Wing for his vanity ballroom project – currently held up by a federal injunction. Now, he’s trying to use the shooting incident at the WHCD in an actual legal filing to claim the ballroom construction has to get going again so that future dinners can be held in a place where things will be ‘totally secure.’ Huh? This past Saturday was the first time Trump even deigned to attend (as President’s in the past have tried to do) and even then it was revealed he intended to berate the journalists then walk out before the awards were handed out. I wonder, after Obama roasted him all those years ago did he ever attend again? I doubt it. No matter. As The Daily Beast reports last night Jon Stewart called Trump out big-time.
Referring to it as ‘the dumbest f**king remark’ Stewart called bullshit on Trump by sarcastically suggesting he might use the moment to call for more or better gun control. Sarcastic is exactly right because as Stewart went on to say Trump had other ideas about how to protect his fat orange butt:
“Maybe this is a moment where Trump will rise up,” Stewart began. “These events clearly point out that we have a problem in this country at the nexus of mental health and the availability of powerful weapons, and maybe, just maybe, this sobering night will spur a movement for some solutions.”
“It’s actually a larger room and it’s much more secure. It’s got… it’s drone-proof, it’s bulletproof glass,” the president said to reporters at a press conference after the dinner, which was cut short by the shooting. “We need the ballroom.”
Stewart’s blunt response was devastating: “Yeah, that’s a great solution to gun violence, for you.” Stewart wasn’t done:
“What about the un-ballroomed rest of us?” the TV veteran said. “Not every town can have a ballroom. Didn’t you even see Footloose?”
“A ballroom? That’s the solution? That is the dumbest f—ing idea I have ever heard,” he continued. “No one is going to go along with that.” The host then cut to a slew of MAGA voices and panelists echoing the president’s idea, calling it “imperative,” and agreeing that Trump needs a ballroom for protection.
“Let’s build a ballroom, and just all dance like no one’s shooting,” Stewart quipped.
Let’s be clear about one thing I saw a pundit say which you can be sure it true – there is no way in hell the WHCD is ever going to hold their annual dinner (meant to honor the First Amendment and journalists who’s work has advanced it) at the White House regardless of who is President. If the security lapses that allowed a lunatic to get through an outer layer of security for the part of the hotel (which is prominent and filled with non WHCD guests) that hosts the dinner are rejected by the Secret Service then the President can skip the event, or send a representative.
However, I’d like to return to Stewart’s theme of a ballroom for every town. But you know what? For people to be truly secure a community ballroom is impractical. Too many events for even small towns. Dinner parties, birthdays, sports and band/choral concerts and who knows what all. Too many individuals would get left out. So, taking Trump’s ‘A Ballroom is the only true protection’ logic that means each one of us needs our very own ballroom attached to our home! AND an armored vehicle like the limo the President gets driven around in, complete with a highly trained driver and armed security detail to take us to other people’s ballrooms!
Think of it as an updated version of the bandit in Blazing Saddles saying “We don’t need no stinking badges!” According to Trump, we don’t even need guns for self-protection. Just a ballroom attached to a home with layers of security and highly trained agents if we want to enjoy some home entertainment and socialize at the same time. Oh, and an armored Humvee with driver and security team if we have to go out and about.
The cost? Well, I’m sure Trump has a plan to cover it that he’ll be releasing. In say “a couple of weeks…”
Friends, I know everyone begs you for money. I promise, among all those asking for spare change, we are the smallest and the hardest working. We’re a group of old, disabled people, except for one writer in his mid-50s. The rest of us are in our sixties and seventies, and this is a labor of love. All we’re asking for is the chance to keep telling the truth about Trump and help ensure democracy survives. If you can help, please do. Thank you. Ursula
To expect anything “normal” re: 47 is to be 1) dissappointed. 2) infuriated. 3) made crazy yourself. How do I know? I had a narcissisctic mother. But this is beyond much more serious. Add in 47’s dementia and he gets fixated. That’s why the ballroom. He doesn’t give a flying f*ck about the country and never has. IMO: this insanity is going to get much worse for all of us. Financially for sure. We must take care of ourselves right now – in small ways. Laugh. Sleep. Laugh some more and never, ever expect anything other than insanity from 47.
Who knew the solution to gun violence was more dance-halls?
That Trump sure is a genius!
Think of the job opportunities of building all those dance-halls – and running them.
The economy is turning out just like the 1930s, dance-halls fit right in.
Are you all really that stupid? I’ll give you the benefit of dout and say you’re simply being purposely disingenuous if not flat out lying (to yourselves). Obviously the ballroom is not the solution to leftist violence for ordinary citizens, it’s just for enhanced security & piece of mind for events like these.
What would you clowns do, ban shotguns & handguns? Rhetorical question, I know you would if you could.