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underpants

(195,873 posts)
Wed Feb 25, 2026, 12:17 PM Wednesday

The State of the Union Revealed a Sad Reality. David Frum

He writes long paragraphs



President Trump’s State of the Union address last night was very like the man who delivered it: divisive, abusive, and childish.

The speech turned reality on its head in many ways. The president who has enriched himself and his family by more than a billion dollars in his first year in office called on Congress to clean up its corruption. The president who has collected about $175 billion in illegal tariffs from the American people falsely told them that he had given them a great big tax cut. The president solemnly condemned political violence—the same president who ended his first term by inciting a mob to sack Congress and overturn an election. Maybe most shocking, Trump demanded that members of Congress rise to agree that it’s the first duty of government to protect American citizens—even as his own government by its brutal police methods has shot American citizens dead on the streets and then tried to deceive the country about how those Americans had been killed and why. Then of course there were the many misstatements of fact about the economy, about crime, and about wars and peace—many of which look like deliberate decisions to deceive the public watching on television.


The most radical fantasy in the speech, though, was its claims of a new golden age of prosperity. That misstatement surely deceived nobody. Prices continue to rise; the job market stagnates. In almost every way that can be measured, Americans are communicating economic anxiety and discontent. Trump insisted that they are all wrong. It is as if the nation were being soaked by a torrential downpour, water rolling over umbrellas and into boats, soaking everyone’s clothes—and the leader whose job it is to lead them through the deluge insists that it is not raining at all, that in fact it is sunny, the sunniest day ever.

But there comes a point when sad realities must be faced. The speech last night was empty and uselessly garrulous. Its length was its first declaration of disrespect for those obliged to sit through it. Trump’s name-calling of his predecessor and of the members of Congress in the chamber, his demands that legislators rise at his command, his strategic deployment of systematic untruth in service of those demands to rise and clap—put together, he misused the State of the Union ritual in ways so radical as to call the ritual itself into question. Are members of Congress really supposed to sit meekly and quietly while the president uses the rostrum of their chamber to abuse and insult them in the ugliest language? The president is present in Congress as a guest: That’s the reason for the famous language about the “high honor and distinct privilege” of welcoming him to speak. He has no right to be heard in person; it’s a courtesy.


https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/02/trumps-childish-state-of-the-union/686133/?gift=j8JiJIlliWfcdD_mDVMd94I5LFigbGOIYL8rso4U9_Y

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The State of the Union Revealed a Sad Reality. David Frum (Original Post) underpants Wednesday OP
Frum sure brought a keen look at what was really said bucolic_frolic Wednesday #1
Thought it was a good concise piece underpants Wednesday #10
I remember that The Atlantic gave a good, accurate wnylib Wednesday #15
On a different topic...I find myself having to have one hand on the mouse while I read DU, the page jumps up and Escurumbele 13 hrs ago #42
Kick dalton99a Wednesday #2
Trump could have just posted it on Truth Social leftstreet Wednesday #3
Most devastatingly to Trump, it was boring. C_U_L8R Wednesday #4
"Tiresome" was the adjective I found most descriptive. lastlib Wednesday #25
Would have been much better playing "YMCA" at several breakpoints in the speech. thought crime 15 hrs ago #37
Trump should have just maile a report to Congress delisen Wednesday #5
Last paragraph. Good idea. underpants Wednesday #9
Thanks, I should have read the whole piece delisen Wednesday #11
Trump truly is a union buster. BattleRow Wednesday #13
But he needs the drama of bestowing awards wnylib Wednesday #17
He calls it 'truth' social because in the cynical B.See Wednesday #6
I believe that "Pravda" hoosierspud Wednesday #12
Or maybe his boss Putin B.See Wednesday #19
It is purely Orwellian. Lies are Truth. thought crime 15 hrs ago #38
Well. Cherrycheeks Wednesday #7
Canadian neo-con pro-war Bushite says what? Seeking Serenity Wednesday #8
The truth: We are under attack from a psychotic cult led by a deranged propaganda outlet... Initech Wednesday #14
Strong words from a former Bush Admin! I wish GWB would write something as strong. nt Exp Wednesday #16
For GWB to do that...... lastlib Wednesday #26
You only think he writes long paragraphs. pnwmom Wednesday #18
I have noticed that too Skittles Wednesday #20
It's training us to be lazy readers and lazy thinkers. nt pnwmom Wednesday #21
I've heard that young folk are not avid book readers Skittles Wednesday #22
I did not know that. We must be really stupid. I think we are doomed. thought crime 14 hrs ago #40
It's a new age of prosperity for Trump Kablooie Wednesday #23
"I'm in charge of this court! Stand up! Sit down! Go 'moo'! See?" Grokenstein Wednesday #24
He considers himself a Dictator. We are in dangerous waters, people. RESIST. Joinfortmill Wednesday #27
As I commented last - He'd say a line, step back, glare at his side, underpants Wednesday #28
Trump didnt mention ICE..that says a lot BlueWaveNeverEnd Wednesday #29
I didn't know that. underpants Wednesday #30
Not one mention BlueWaveNeverEnd Wednesday #31
I know his history with Bush Jarqui Wednesday #32
He helped pave the road that led to Old Colostomy cab67 18 hrs ago #33
I have some distant, lengthy history with him Jarqui 16 hrs ago #34
I understand your point. cab67 16 hrs ago #35
I not only understand your point - I'm inclined to somewhat agree with you. Jarqui 15 hrs ago #36
He offers an interesting perspective. thought crime 14 hrs ago #41
Less words, but less elegant Dear_Prudence 14 hrs ago #39

bucolic_frolic

(54,769 posts)
1. Frum sure brought a keen look at what was really said
Wed Feb 25, 2026, 12:25 PM
Wednesday

It was lies and projection to cover up the crimes and inhumanity.

underpants

(195,873 posts)
10. Thought it was a good concise piece
Wed Feb 25, 2026, 01:10 PM
Wednesday

Last edited Wed Feb 25, 2026, 01:51 PM - Edit history (1)

The Atlantic has done really good pieces. I subscribed and I find it well worth it

wnylib

(25,529 posts)
15. I remember that The Atlantic gave a good, accurate
Wed Feb 25, 2026, 01:56 PM
Wednesday

warning in 2020 of how Trump would refuse to acknowledge a Biden win and what he might do about it.

They did not specifically mention an attack on the Capitol, but they did suggest a coup attempt by creating violence and using that as an excuse for martial law. If I remenber right, they suggested that he might call upon his militia supporters.

Escurumbele

(4,071 posts)
42. On a different topic...I find myself having to have one hand on the mouse while I read DU, the page jumps up and
Thu Feb 26, 2026, 12:34 PM
13 hrs ago

down because of the ads.

I understand the need for advertising, keeping up DU is not cheap, but I wonder if the jumping up and down can be stopped, due to respect for the readers, or maybe it is my browser? I use "FireFox", have not tried in other browsers.

If anyone knows a way to stop the jumping up and down of the pages, please let me know. It is kind of annoying having to find my place on the paragraph I was reading at the time the jump occurred.

Thank you

C_U_L8R

(49,225 posts)
4. Most devastatingly to Trump, it was boring.
Wed Feb 25, 2026, 12:30 PM
Wednesday

Last edited Wed Feb 25, 2026, 03:46 PM - Edit history (1)

a friggin snoozefest delivered by a senile angry old fart.
Trump is waning.

lastlib

(27,951 posts)
25. "Tiresome" was the adjective I found most descriptive.
Wed Feb 25, 2026, 03:12 PM
Wednesday

"Tiresome" it was! Projection, hypocrisy, grievances, obnoxious rants, falsehoods by the silo-load, and filled with really dumb, boring tangents, using people for props--every speech teacher I ever had would have given it at best a "D", but more likely an "F".

And what does he promise for the future? Only more of the same tiresome, boring, disgusting, obnoxious bullshit.

delisen

(7,313 posts)
5. Trump should have just maile a report to Congress
Wed Feb 25, 2026, 12:35 PM
Wednesday

Apparently that is all that is required.

He can send his lies on paper. no reason to waste the time of our representatives or to spread falsehoods around the nation in real time.

underpants

(195,873 posts)
9. Last paragraph. Good idea.
Wed Feb 25, 2026, 01:04 PM
Wednesday

Given the intentional abuse of Congress’s time and hospitality last night, the next speaker, if there is a different next speaker, should consider very hard whether to extend another such invitation. The case for suffering Trump is that the tradition, if interrupted, may take a long time to return. A future Republican Congress will requite the next Democratic president the same way. But there’s also a risk of setting a precedent that anti-institutional Republicans get to smash things, which pro-institutional Democrats must then clean up. Maybe the only way to restore norms is by imposing some meaningful costs for breaking them. Next January, the next speaker could do everyone a favor with a letter that begins: “Dear Mr. President, the time has come for your State of the Union message. Please send it in writing in the enclosed envelope. Congress will give it all the attention it deserves. This is the method that was good enough for Rutherford B. Hayes, and, Mr. Trump, it is more than good enough for you.”

BattleRow

(2,201 posts)
13. Trump truly is a union buster.
Wed Feb 25, 2026, 01:52 PM
Wednesday

He's busted up the union of states and created political devisiveness in unprecedented ways.
He is more interested in serving self than serving the American people..he's an employee of the populace.
Oh,to hear,"You're fired!",Mr.Trump.

wnylib

(25,529 posts)
17. But he needs the drama of bestowing awards
Wed Feb 25, 2026, 01:59 PM
Wednesday

and thinking that the applause given to the recipients is meant for him.

B.See

(8,178 posts)
6. He calls it 'truth' social because in the cynical
Wed Feb 25, 2026, 12:47 PM
Wednesday

BIZARRO WORLD of deviants, dictators, and psychopaths, lies are 'truth' and truth, lies.

And last night (apparently), Trump brought 'truth' social to primetime.

hoosierspud

(231 posts)
12. I believe that "Pravda"
Wed Feb 25, 2026, 01:37 PM
Wednesday

Is the Russian word for truth. He could have been more creative.

B.See

(8,178 posts)
19. Or maybe his boss Putin
Wed Feb 25, 2026, 02:44 PM
Wednesday

told him to call it the English translation of Pravda, and 'social' was the creative part.

Initech

(108,337 posts)
14. The truth: We are under attack from a psychotic cult led by a deranged propaganda outlet...
Wed Feb 25, 2026, 01:54 PM
Wednesday

That is out for absolute dominate power in the United States. They are bloodthirsty, ruthless, and want to do unspeakable things to eliminate any opposition. And yes this is about Donald Trump and his ass kissing goons.

lastlib

(27,951 posts)
26. For GWB to do that......
Wed Feb 25, 2026, 03:16 PM
Wednesday

would require him to construct sentences with cogent thoughts---that's above his pay grade. (there was a reason he was nicknamed "Dimson.&quot

pnwmom

(110,236 posts)
18. You only think he writes long paragraphs.
Wed Feb 25, 2026, 02:34 PM
Wednesday

AI has been training us to think a paragraph should consist of three 5-word sentences.

Skittles

(170,635 posts)
22. I've heard that young folk are not avid book readers
Wed Feb 25, 2026, 02:52 PM
Wednesday

and that a big reason is because they are so used to getting all their news and entertainment in snippets

it's pretty fucking disturbing, really

Kablooie

(19,087 posts)
23. It's a new age of prosperity for Trump
Wed Feb 25, 2026, 03:02 PM
Wednesday

When he talks about the great economy it’s only about how much he and his cronies have grabbed for themselves. It has nothing to do with the economy of anyone else.

I don’t know why that isn’t focused on. It should be the primary takeaway when thinking of the Trump economy. It was mentioned in the rebuttal but it should be drilled into everyone’s head daily.

It’s not about economy for you, only about the economy for himself

Grokenstein

(6,323 posts)
24. "I'm in charge of this court! Stand up! Sit down! Go 'moo'! See?"
Wed Feb 25, 2026, 03:11 PM
Wednesday

(skip to 4:20 for the most relevant part)

underpants

(195,873 posts)
28. As I commented last - He'd say a line, step back, glare at his side,
Wed Feb 25, 2026, 05:35 PM
Wednesday

and nodded at their fealty as they cheer.
Straight up Mussolini stuff.

Jarqui

(10,885 posts)
32. I know his history with Bush
Wed Feb 25, 2026, 08:57 PM
Wednesday

but I don't mind David Frum

He's certainly no fan of Trump

Jarqui

(10,885 posts)
34. I have some distant, lengthy history with him
Thu Feb 26, 2026, 10:22 AM
16 hrs ago

I have communicated with him directly - not about politics.
Both he and his sister were conservatives - probably still are.
His mother was an outstanding journalist but I wouldn't have described her as conservative - she never made me think of that about her she was so down the middle.
That he worked for GW Bush as a speechwriter really set me back - I couldn't imagine his mother doing that.

With Trump, he's obviously limited in how far right he would go.
He reminds me of the Republicans when I was growing up. They were conservative.
BUT for many of those I respected, the country definitely came first.
It was those type of Republicans that told Nixon he had to resign.
Unfortunately, there are not many of them around today. They're probably rolling in their graves over Trump.

A reasoned conservative voice is good for the country. It helps the pendulum from swinging too far to the left.
A good conservative voice makes us think about progressive efforts and helps to develop a better solution - getting us closer to what is best for the country and a palatable compromise that can be legislated.

One can't be accurate with generalizing but to me, that is what I think he does. I do not think it is a bad thing.

The other striking thing about him is how well informed he is.
He seems like a sponge for knowledge that is always at his fingertips when he talks.
Recently, when Trump snatched Maduro, Frum was interviewed within a few hours.
I don't have time to be on top of all the countries and their history, etc.
I think the interview with Frum was about 45 minutes.
I then spot checked some of the things he said. It was right on and has been since.
I came away from it feeling like I'd read three text books on Venezuela.
All the stuff he knew about its history, the oil business and where they fit, etc summarized & blew me away.
No way he could have put that together in a couple of hours. He knew what was going on.
To me, he blows away a bunch in what remains of the news media.




cab67

(3,677 posts)
35. I understand your point.
Thu Feb 26, 2026, 10:31 AM
16 hrs ago

But I'm not sure he was always putting country first during the Bush years. Like many others around Bush, he too often put party first.

Jarqui

(10,885 posts)
36. I not only understand your point - I'm inclined to somewhat agree with you.
Thu Feb 26, 2026, 11:20 AM
15 hrs ago

However, I didn't have any contact with him back then so I can't say I'm positive.

And, full disclosure, I worked for Bush 1 in a think tank.
I refused to accept any money or expenses.
I've always been progressive and they knew it.
I had some expertise they wanted input from.
Conditional: if left vs right crap came up, I was out the door.
I participated to do my best to help the country - not a party.
It seemed constructive because I feel I won some of the debates on policy.
That is all I did.

I doubt Frum had a complete gestalt. Some of how he ticks is in his core/soul.

thought crime

(1,432 posts)
41. He offers an interesting perspective.
Thu Feb 26, 2026, 12:26 PM
14 hrs ago

He is certainly an articulate and effective communicator, and in the current dilemma we need every voice we can get. I enjoy reading his articles because I always learn something from them, even if there are some aspects I don’t completely agree with. I’ve especially appreciated his crystal clear explanations of Fascism, which provide better insight into the purpose and methods of the Trump administration.

Dear_Prudence

(1,145 posts)
39. Less words, but less elegant
Thu Feb 26, 2026, 11:34 AM
14 hrs ago

Paragraph 2 above could have been summarized, "As to the economy, Mr. President, don't pee on my leg, then tell me it's raining." 🌧

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