Badlands News Brief
Wins at Home and Deals Abroad
The News Cycle is almost impossible to track these days. At least, to do so fully.
That’s where we come in.
In the Badlands News Brief, the Badlands Media team hand pick news items of interest from the previous days to give you an overview of the biggest goings-on relevant to the Truth Community with some Badlands flavoring to help wash it down.
Now, onto the news from Monday, July 1 …
Supreme Court rules Trump has immunity for "official acts"
The Supreme Court on Monday ruled that presidents have immunity for "official acts," but punted to the trial court the question of whether former President Trump's alleged conduct in his Jan. 6 case was protected.
Why it matters: The 6-3 decision, though not a sweeping victory for Trump, all but guarantees that his Jan. 6 case won't go to trial before this year's presidential election.
The trial had originally been scheduled to take place earlier this year, but was postponed indefinitely.
Driving the news: A former president is entitled to "absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions within his conclusive and preclusive constitutional authority," Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the majority opinion.
The former president is entitled to "presumptive immunity" for other official acts but "no immunity for unofficial acts," he added.
It is now up to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan — who is overseeing Trump's Jan. 6 case — to determine whether the acts Trump is accused of in the indictment are "official" or not.
Zoom in: Roberts wrote that Trump is "absolutely immune" from prosecution for any conduct in the indictment involving his discussions with Justice Department officials. — Axios
Our Take: The Supreme Court ended their October 2023 session with fireworks, appropriate for Independence Week, as they ruled that President Trump is absolutely immune from prosecution for his official acts while in office.
This immunity covers his communications and actions with the Vice President and his cabinet, though the court remanded the question on whether his communications and actions with state officials and other players qualified as official acts.
In a concurring opinion, Justice Thomas dunked on Merrick Garland and Jack Smith, questioning whether the Special Counsel prosecuting 45 has actual authority to do so. It’s likely that he doesn’t.
The dissent was melodramatic screeching, which Justice Barrett joined in part despite joining in the judgement overall.
From Sotomayor, if the President ‘uses his official powers in any way, under the majority’s reasoning, he now will be insulated from criminal prosecution. Orders the Navy’s Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organizes a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune.’
Take a Xanax, Sonia.
Notably, the court affirmed that there is no immunity for unofficial acts. So, for example, crimes committed while running the country illegally behind the mask of a demented, geriatric puppet would not result in prosecutorial immunity for a former president.
Expect calls to pack the court to continue.
Expect the hysteria about President Trump’s ‘retribution’ to increase.
Expect the ongoing trials against 45 to be exceptionally frustrated or entirely finished.
It’s a good day for democracy. It’s an even better day for the Republic. —
Another Take: The Supreme Court just delivered some of the most seismic decisions in its history, and presidential immunity wasn't even at the top of the list this week, even if it’s delivering the biggest headlines.
In case any in the Truth Community were too taken with the establishment panic pattern to note the underlying dread that overtook the Deep State this weekend, very little of it had to do with Donald Trump or Joe Biden, though the former's Supreme Court picks have been packing quite a punch.
In SEC v. Jarkesy, the court ruled that defendants accused of fraud by the SEC have the right to a jury trial. It may shock you to learn that wasn't standard practice ... just as it may shock you to learn that communist retards are currently lamenting the fact that the Administrative State won't be able to bring as many cases now for fear of running out of budget.
In a separate case, the court overturned the Chevron deference doctrine, moving benefit of the doubt firmly from [them] to us.
We're winning the Story. AND we're winning the war. —
DAR GLOBAL STRENGTHENS ONGOING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE TRUMP ORGANIZATION BY ANNOUNCING SECOND COLLABORATION AND FUTURE LAUNCH OF TRUMP TOWER JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA
Dar Global, the luxury international real estate developer, and The Trump Organization, renowned for its prestigious properties and iconic developments worldwide, have announced plans to develop a new project in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This new agreement builds on the tremendous success of The Trump International Oman project within the AIDA development, one of the largest premium mixed-use real estate projects in the world, which has already received remarkable acclaim.
Targeting the luxury Saudi Arabian market and international investors, this development significantly advances Dar Global's growth strategy of capitalizing on opportunities across key cities in the Kingdom. As the international arm of the Saudi mega-developer Dar Al Arkan, this new project marks Dar Global's debut in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and will further strengthen its real estate offerings in the country. Listed on the London Stock Exchange, Dar Global currently has US$5.9 billion worth of projects under development in six countries – the UAE, Oman, Qatar, the UK, Spain, and Bosnia.
Ziad El Chaar, CEO of Dar Global, said: "We are delighted to strengthen our ongoing relationship with The Trump Organization and expand our portfolio by delivering premium properties to redefine Saudi Arabia's high-growth real estate market. The new agreement in Saudi Arabia will leverage the strengths of both organizations to attract more international investors and vacationers. This collaboration underscores our commitment to grow our footprint by elevating the standards of luxury living in the region." — PR Newswire
And …
The $500 million Trump International Oman has launched with an expected opening in 2028 and the Trump Org probably just earned a large payment from a Saudi company as Trump runs for president
While the media has been consumed with coverage of the recent presidential debate and the many legal cases against Donald Trump, the Trump Organization continues to profit from foreign companies as Trump continues to mix his business interests with his political agenda.
Last week a press release announced that Dar Global, a majority owned subsidiary of Saudi Arabian real estate company Dar Al Arkan, has launched the $500 million Trump International Oman in Aida with a projected opening date set for December 2028. The Trump Organization team working on the project is led by Eric Trump.
The Trump Organization signed a licensing and management deal with Dar Al Arkan in 2022. The Trump Organization and Donald Trump will earn significant licensing fees for use of the Trump brand name, and will receive additional fees to manage the hotel, golf course and luxury villas which will be developed and launched over the next decade.
While the exact terms of the deal are not known, according to Trump’s 2023 financial disclosure for the year 2022, Trump had earned $5.35 million in licensing fees for the golf project in Oman. — News TRACS
Our Take: Trump of Arabia.
(That's what they'll call him.)
Last week, it was reported that Dar Global—a Dubai-based real estate developer—would be expanding into the United States for the first time, investing $300 million into residential projects in New York, Miami, and Los Angeles.
"Dar Global hopes to announce its latest development in the United States before the year-end, said Ziad El Chaar, Dar Global's chief executive officer. He said Dar Global has been meeting with top real estate developers, but declined to identify the firms with whom it might partner."
That same day, Newsweek published an article titled "Donald Trump Jr.'s Trip to Middle East Raises Eyebrows," citing social media posts by Don Jr., which announced a 2028 opening date for the villa community and golf course planned for Muscat, Oman that will feature the Trump International Brand.
The Oman project is part of a partnership that was first announced in November 2022 between The Trump Organization and Dar Al Arkan—a Saudi-based real estate company that is a subsidiary of Dar Global. Back in March, Eric Trump and Dar Global shared renderings of the villas planned for Phase One of the project, citing a $200 million project cost. Yesterday's headline states a $500 million price tag, indicating that the project has perhaps doubled in size.
With the simultaneous announcement of a new Trump Tower in Jeddah—Saudi's port city on the Red Sea with an upscale beach-town component—being developed in partnership with Dar Global, I think it is safe to say that the "unnamed partner" from last week's article was likely you-know-who, though I expect the Emirates and Saudis to play things close to the chest in their dealings with Eric, Don Jr., and Jared, out of respect for President Trump's campaign.
But let's get back to the major story here: We are getting a Trump Tower in Saudi Arabia. (I guess my past speculation of a future cathedral in Saudi where Catholic Mass is held doesn't sound so crazy anymore?) MBS said he was going to turn the Red Sea into the next French Riviera, in terms of becoming a iconic tourist destination. Bringing the Trump brand to the waterfront is a major step toward achieving that goal.
We are also getting UAE developers (big oil $$$) investing hundreds of millions of dollars in US-based construction projects for the first time.
The winning has only just begun. The only thing that can stop us now is... forever wars. (See the conundrum?)
In unrelated news, Saudi Arabia also announced yesterday that they just discovered seven new oil and gas deposits in the Empty Quarter—the barren desert wasteland in the south that borders Yemen and Oman, and considered useless land by everybody except the Bedouin. (Based outdoorsmen who live off-the-grid as nomads, and perhaps the only civilization that has continuously survived every empire that has ever existed—a history that is maintained orally.) —
Democratic governors reportedly waiting in wings after dire Biden debate
With the White House scrambling to prevent Joe Biden’s candidacy being enveloped in a full-blown crisis, several state governors were said to be subtly positioning themselves as late substitutes while avoiding being seen to do so.
The Biden campaign has launched a counter-offensive, including furious networking among senior Democrats, to counteract fears that the 81-year-old president’s frail appearance in last week’s debate had made defeat at the hands of Donald Trump in November’s election inevitable.
But while several governors – seen as the next generation of Democrats’ leadership – have publicly avowed loyalty to Biden, they are keenly watching for slippage in Biden’s already fragile poll standings and a loss of support among donors in the next two weeks.
“The temperature is high,” one Democratic governor told Politico, referring to the state of mind among the party’s state leaders . “A lot of anxiety, a lot of folks at the edge of their seats.”
Gavin Newsom, the governor of California and a key Biden surrogate, defended the president immediately after Thursday’s disastrous debate performance, saying he would “never turn my back” on him. But he was widely seen to have expressed ambiguity by saying that he was ready “to step up”. — The Guardian
Our Take: This is fun to watch. Publicly, all the Democrat leaders are backing Biden and downplaying Thursday’s devastating debate. But, reportedly, behind closed doors, it’s another matter.
Tucker Carlson reported that he had a ‘reliable source’ claiming that Barack Obama is now supporting an open convention. Since he is widely believed to be the one calling the shots behind Biden’s low energy muttering and soiled diapers, Obama’s directly likely carried weight.
If Tucker’s reporting about Obama is true, that means Democrat politicians are brazenly lying to their voters while they figure out what to do next. Not a trust or credibility inspiring move at this particular moment.
Perhaps the funniest bit of all is that, while these governors are ‘ready to step up,’ unfortunately it’s not their turn. ‘…even if Biden stepped aside and opened up a nominating contest at the Democratic national convention in August, Harris would be the clear forerunner.’
That’s tough considering Kamala’s polling is usually several points behind Biden’s — and Biden has obvious dementia.
The election could be called for 45 right now.
This summer is going to be fiery. Let’s see if democrats can keep it mostly peaceful. —
Another Take: All this public panic, and yet, the biggest names associated with the Dems in the Collective Mind are standing pat … for now.
As
and I floated Sunday night on DEFECTED, this particular series of deployments by the Old Guard in the establishment make sense when viewed through Patriot Control framing, and I'm not even talking about direct control over these players.Many in the truth community (particularly Q followers,) as well as those who've follow the research of
on the potential implementation of Devolution by the Trump Admin believe that Joe Biden is either directly or indirectly working for patriots.If it's direct control, it's likely the result of Biden being a Cooperating Human Source consummating his end of a plea deal. If it's indirect, it's via the Game Theory inherent in Devolution.
Following the Debate Disaster, Obama and Clinton set the narrative for the Old Guard, standing pat with Biden despite their media underlings pulling the knives out.
What this suggests to me is that the Old Guard isn't afraid they might HAVE to replace Joe.
They're afraid they might not be able to. —
Trump in the White House Would Be Bad for Netanyahu
I didn't watch the televised debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump live, partly due to the time difference and partly because I felt it would be painful. When I watched it later, I understood why the Democratic Party is panicking.
[…]
What happens in America never stays in America. It has an impact on the entire world, and especially Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for instance, has been waiting for this moment – one that would give him an indication, months before the U.S. presidential election, of what the outcome would be and thereby answer whether it would pay for him, after the failure of October 7, to keep clinging to power at all costs until Biden is replaced. On Thursday, he got his answer, or at least seemed to get it.
Despite the excitement among Netanyahu's fans over Biden's temporary collapse, Trump in the White House would be bad for Netanyahu. The energy he displayed in the debate stemmed primarily from Biden's evident weakness. Like a vampire who feeds on blood, Trump feeds on weakness. Call it narcissism, call it a severe lack of empathy, but that man doesn't like losers.
And Netanyahu, in Trump's view, is a loser. He hasn't managed to destroy Hamas, he is sinking in the quagmire of Gaza with no rescue plan on the horizon, he rejected a proposal for an excellent regional arrangement that would have ensured the return of the hostages, Israel's economy is deteriorating, he has no public support and the International Criminal Court in The Hague will apparently issue an arrest warrant for him. By Trump's standards, Netanyahu, like Biden, is easy prey. — Haaretz
Our Take: The villagers that
routinely mentions seem to be catching on to the plotline—the real plotline, that is. However, they still have some fine-tuning to do to their discernment. (After all, she concedes that there is still a possibility that Biden will recover and defeat Trump.)In this op-ed, the Israeli-based writer asserts that Trump's dominant performance over Biden in the debate will give Netanyahu anxiety, because it seems inevitable that Trump will win the election. And on those points, we are in full agreement.
Where our opinions deviate is in her assertion that it is Netanyahu's "loser" persona that will rob him of Trump's support. (Assuming she is a total leftist-- she writes for Haaretz—I do give her a little credit for leaning into the Trump rhetoric. It's fun. Just lighten up and enjoy it.)
I've opined plenty in the Brief about my belief that the Abraham Accords were wielded as a political weapon, intended to ignite a peaceful counterinsurgency in the region, and within Israel against Netanyahu and the Israeli Deep State. And that is exactly what appears to be happening.
The Accords got the Arabs all playing the same sheet of music, as they have spent decades infighting over a multitude of issues, most of them revolving around the debate over what to do with Israel, and what they perceive as "Zionist aggression."
Now, we see the Arabs bending over backwards to make sure Israel remains well-provisioned, as proxy militias (purportedly linked to Iran) embargo their shipping by attacking ships in the Red Sea. We also see them protecting Israel from Iran's missile barrage—like a slap-tickle fight—while even Hezbollah (perhaps Israel's greatest historic foe) gives very specific warnings about which targets they will attack, if the IDF invades Lebanon.
Very bizarre strategy, if you actually intend to fight.
The Arabs are killing them with kindness, while the rest of the Muslim world stays its hand, and allows the Saudi diplomats to work their statecraft magic.
It's Faisal bin Farhan's show now, and he is working every channel and speaking to members of the Sovereign Alliance daily—per Foreign Minister press releases—including Iran, China, and Russia.
Peace will break, but first it appears we will get some heat. —
Zelensky's wife buys one of the most expensive hypercars in the world
The wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Elena, has purchased one of the most expensive sports cars in the world – a Bugatti Tourbillon hypercar for 4.5 million euros. This was reported by Verite Cachee , citing an employee of the Bugatti showroom in Paris.
According to media reports, Zelensky's wife was shown the new car two weeks before the official presentation, and she decided to order the hypercar.
At the moment, the production of 250 cars of this brand is planned. The Bugatti Tourbillon is expected to be handed over to Elena Zelenskaya in 2026.
Earlier, Elena Zelenskaya told the media in an interview that at some moments she feels that she is close to psychological exhaustion.
Earlier it was reported that the Ukrainian president's wife spent $1.1 million in the expensive Cartier boutique on New York's famous Fifth Avenue. — Mockba 24
And …
‘I am not made for war’: the men fleeing Ukraine to evade conscription
The autumn cannot arrive soon enough for Dmytro, when his handlers have promised to get him out of Ukraine.
For the past month, the 31-year-old photographer from Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, has been holed up in his flat, rarely stepping outside, to avoid being conscripted into the army. “I want to leave the country. My mind can’t take being trapped here any more,” Dmytro said.
Since the start of the war, thousands of Ukrainian men have illegally crossed the Ukrainian border to dodge conscription, despite a nationwide ban prohibiting men between the ages of 18 and 60 from leaving.
Attempts to flee the country are expected to increase after Ukraine’s recent adoption of new sweeping mobilisation measures, which allow the military to call up more soldiers and impose stricter penalties for draft evasion.
“I never thought about leaving until the mobilisation laws were introduced. But I can’t stay in my flat forever,” Dmytro said. — The Guardian
Our Take: It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.
These two stories perfectly showcase the current dichotomy in today's world between the elitist reprobates who see themselves as the keepers of mankind against the backdrop of overwhelming suffering among the commonfolk.
Zelensky's wife is so shameless, she would make Marie Antoinette blush.
And that cash is our money.
This is all so obscene and grotesque, yet so necessary. The world must see it all for what it is. A scam. —
BONUS ITEMS
French far right ahead in 1st round of snap elections. Here’s how runoff works and what comes next
French voters face a decisive choice on July 7 in the runoff of snap parliamentary elections that could see the country’s first far-right government since the World War II Nazi occupation — or no majority emerging at all.
Official results suggest Marine Le Pen’s anti-immigration, nationalist party National Rally stands a good chance of winning a majority in the lower house of parliament for the first time, but the outcome remains uncertain amid the complex voting system and political tactics.
In Sunday’s first round, the National Rally and its allies arrived ahead with around one-third of the votes. The New Popular Front coalition that includes center-left, greens and hard-left forces came in second position, ahead of President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist alliance.
Dozens of candidates who won at least 50% of Sunday’s vote were elected outright. All the other races head to a second round June 7 involving two or three top candidates.
Polling projections suggest the National Rally will have the most seats in the next National Assembly, but it is unclear whether it will get an absolute majority of 289 of the 577 seats.
The French voting system is not proportionate to nationwide support for a party. Legislators are elected by district. — AP News
Biden’s family privately criticizes top advisers and pushes for their ouster at Camp David meeting
Members of Joe Biden’s family privately trashed his top campaign advisers at Camp David this weekend, blaming them for the president’s flop in Thursday’s debate and urging Biden to fire or demote people in his political high command.
There is no immediate expectation that Biden will follow through on that advice, according to three people briefed on the family conversations but not directly involved. The three people were granted anonymity to discuss the matter.
Among the family’s complaints about the debate practice: that Biden was not prepared to pivot more to go on the attack; that he was bogged down too much on defending his record rather than outlining a vision for a second term; and that he was over-worked and not well-rested.
The blame was cast widely on staffers, including: Anita Dunn, the senior adviser who frequently has the president’s ear; her husband, Bob Bauer, the president’s attorney who played Trump in rehearsals at Camp David; and Ron Klain, the former chief of staff who ran point on the debate prep and previous cycles’ sessions.
“The aides who prepped the President have been with him for years, often decades, seeing him through victories and challenges. He maintains strong confidence in them,” Biden campaign spokesperson Kevin Munoz said in a statement.
A senior Biden aide also pushed back, saying it was “not true” that frustration was directed at Dunn, Bauer and Klain. — Politico
Confidence In U.S. Universities Plunges To New Lows, As Young People, Women And Democrats Sour On Academia
Who could have guessed that after multiple Ivy League university presidents publicly humiliated themselves during congressional testimony - and then it broke that Harvard's president, among others were likely involved in plagiarising key parts of their "academic" work - that confidence in U.S. universities has plunged to a new low?
The data is according to two new national polls commissioned by FIRE and conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago. Americans were asked “How much confidence, if any, do you have in U.S. colleges and universities?”
In FIRE’s May poll, 42% of Americans expressed “some” confidence in U.S. colleges and universities, similar to Gallup’s 40%. However, fewer Americans reported “a great deal” or “quite a lot” of confidence (28% vs. 36% in Gallup), while more expressed “very little” or “none at all” (30% vs. 22% in Gallup).
When compared to other institutions, confidence in higher education is on par with the U.S. Supreme Court (27%) and banks (26%). However, Americans have much higher confidence in small businesses (65%) and the military (60%), and much lower confidence in Congress (8%), television news (14%), and the criminal justice system (17%). — ZeroHedge
House Republicans sue Attorney General Garland over access to Biden special counsel interview audio
House Republicans on Monday filed a lawsuit against Attorney General Merrick Garland for the audio recording of President Joe Biden’s interview with a special counsel in his classified documents case, asking the courts to enforce their subpoena and reject the White House’s effort to withhold the materials from Congress.
The lawsuit filed by the House Judiciary Committee marks Republicans’ latest broadside against the Justice Department as partisan conflict over the rule of law animates the 2024 presidential campaign. The legal action comes weeks after the White House blocked Garland from releasing the audio recording to Congress by asserting executive privilege.
Republicans in the House responded by voting to make Garland the third attorney general in U.S. history to be held in contempt of Congress. But the Justice Department refused to take up the contempt referral, citing the agency’s “longstanding position and uniform practice” to not prosecute officials who don’t comply with subpoenas because of a president’s claim of executive privilege.
The lawsuit states that Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., made a “last-ditch effort” last week to Garland to resolve the issue without taking legal action but the attorney general referred the Republicans to the White House, which rebuffed the “effort to find a solution to this impasse.” — AP News
We hope you enjoyed this brief look back at the major news items you might have missed in this ever-escalating and ever-accelerating news cycle as the Information War continues to rage on around us.
As always, if you have any thoughts on these news items or the MANY others swirling in the digital ether, drop into the comments below to share them with your fellow Badlanders.
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The prospect of an "Open" Democrat Convention is delicious. The Democrats are no longer a "Party" but a marginally organized coalition (dare I say confederacy?) of special interests, each of which would undoubtedly demand priority in the nomination process, "And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand." [Mark 3:25]
Avoid Chicago this August.
Watching the Breaking News Team on CBS when the announcement came out from the Supreme Court about Trump's immunity was true comedy in action. You would have thought they were announcing the death of Beyonce. But no. It was, at that point, how this might stop Judge Chutkin from prosecuting Trump for the insurrection he caused on January 6th.
Tells you everything you need to know about their mindset.
Then you add Dark Brandon's speech last night and AOC's call to impeach the Supreme Court, and we see full scale head explosions.
It was a beautiful thing!