Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Unfit (2020) | Donald Trump Documentary | Full Movie | Malcolm Nance | George Conway

Is Donald Trump fit to hold the office of President of the United States? An eye-opening analysis of Trump by leading US mental health professionals and Republican strategists, on the record for the record. Science. Truth. Duty to Warn. Cast: Malcolm Nance, George Conway, Anthony Scaramucci, John Gartner, Lance Dodes, Justin Frank, Ruth Ben-Ghiat and Ramani Durvasula Director: Dan Partland

ROBERT REICH: TRUMP SUPPORTER

I finally found a Trump supporter -- this morning when I went to buy coffee. (I noticed a Trump bumper sticker on his car.)

“Hi,” I said. “Noticed your Trump bumper sticker.”

“Yup,” he said, a bit defensively.

“I hope you don’t mind my asking, but I’m curious. Why are you supporting him?”

“I know he’s a little bit much,” said the Trump supporter. “But he’s a successful businessman. And we need a successful businessman as president.”

“How do you know he’s a successful businessman?” I asked.

“Because he’s made a fortune.”

“Has he really?” I asked.

“Of course. Forbes magazine says he’s worth four and a half billion.”

“That doesn’t mean he’s been a success,” I said.

“In my book it does,” said the Trump supporter.

“You know, in 1976, when Trump was just starting his career, he said he was worth about $200 million,” I said. “Most of that was from his father.”

“That just proves my point,” said the Trump supporter. “He turned that $200 million into four and a half billion. Brilliant man."

“But if he had just put that $200 million into an index fund and reinvested the dividends, he’d be worth twelve billion today,” I said.

The Trump supporter went silent.

"And he got about $850 million in tax subsidies, just in New York alone," I said.

More silence.

"He's not a businessman," I said. "He's a con man. Hope you enjoy your coffee."

This is the wild and opulent history of Mar-a-Lago, long before Trump and the FBI

This is the wild and opulent history of Mar-a-Lago, long before Trump and the FBI

https://www.npr.org/2022/09/08/1121578102/mar-a-lago-trump-fbi-investigation-history-merriweather-post

STEWARD - FOR PROFIT HEALTH CARE SUCKS! THERE IS NO DISCLOSURE, NO COOPERATION!

U.S. Rep. Lynch: Financing deal is 'not enough' to keep all Steward hospitals open

February 16, 2024

Deborah Becker

Massachusetts officials are preparing contingency plans to avoid closures at Steward Health Care facilities, which include the Carney Hospital in Dorchester. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Steward Health Care is attempting to sell some of its assets to shore up its finances, but the company may still be unable to continue operating all nine of its Massachusetts hospitals, according to those who have met with Steward executives in recent days.

On WBUR's Radio Boston Friday, Massachusetts U.S. Congressman Stephen Lynch said Steward executives told him in meetings this week that although they received an infusion of money to keep some hospitals running, it's "not enough." Lynch also said Steward has not deviated from its initial statements to his staff that the company will leave Massachusetts.

"That statement that they intend to exit the Massachusetts health care market has not been retracted," Lynch said. "Steward is trying to find buyers or other configurations that will allow these hospitals to continue in operation."

Lynch believes those other configurations could include selling Steward's physicians practice and identifying a buyer for one or more of its hospitals. State officials are also planning for other possibilities such as a state takeover or a potential bankruptcy.

Steward declined to comment but a company executive said last week it has no plans to close hospitals in Massachusetts. Earlier this month, the company announced it had secured bridge financing to allow it time to sell assets and stabilize its finances. Details of the deal remain unknown.

With five Steward hospitals in his district, Lynch, a Democrat, called the situation "precarious" and potentially "catastrophic" because Steward facilities serve about 200,000 patients a year and employ some 16,000 people.

Leaders at neighboring hospitals are concerned that if Steward facilities fail, they won't have the capacity to accept all the affected patients. State officials are conducting daily monitoring inside Steward hospitals to ensure the quality of patient care amidst the company's financial difficulties.

Lynch said he has asked Steward to break down its plans for each hospital to help with contingency planning. He attributed the company's financial problems largely to its decision to sell hospital real estate for large sums and lease it back.

Steward's landlord, Alabama-based Medical Properties Trust, says it is the nation's largest hospital landlord. The company has said Steward owes it $50 million in back rent. Steward also faces several lawsuits alleging it has not paid its bills, including a more than $40 million dollar claim from a health care staffing agency.

Because Steward is a private company, it does not have to disclose financial information and has resisted providing the full financial statements required of all hospitals in Massachusetts, which Lynch said makes it difficult to understand the scope of its problems and how to handle them.

Lynch took particular aim at Steward's backing from private equity. The company was founded in 2010 with funding from Cerberus Capital Management, a private equity firm, and later received other private financing including through sales of its property to MPT.

"We're trying to get at Steward for what they've done here, but they've been very cagey," Lynch said. "They've used some very creative financing and this whole private equity model is very slippery and ill-defined. This is sort of triage, ironically."

Economic researchers and analysts say it's become increasingly common for hospital real estate to be sold, providing the hospital operator with capital to pay off debts and provide additional returns to investors. The deals then require the hospital company to pay rent to continue running the facility.

"This is a strategy of generating additional returns but also increasing the risk, because now the [hospital operator] faces even more financial pressures given the new rent obligations it did not have before," said Dr. Zirui Song, an associate professor at Harvard Medical School who has studied private equity in health care.

Song's research has found worse patient outcomes in hospitals that were acquired by private equity investors, compared with hospitals that were not. Private equity has had an increasing role in U.S. health care, investing $1 trillion in the last decade.

Lynch and other members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation have asked Steward for more information about its finances. This week lawmakers also wrote to the private equity firm Cerberus, which backed Steward until 2020 and was part of the move to sell the company's Massachusetts real estate.

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: 5 things to know about Warren’s challenger

BY LISA KASHINSKY AND KELLY GARRITY

SEX, DRUGS AND CRYPTO — John Deaton is launching his campaign against Elizabeth Warren, giving the state’s senior senator some more prominent — but still long-shot — competition in her bid for a third term.

A website and a Facebook page for Deaton’s campaign went live over the long weekend. But unless you’re really into crypto, you’ve likely never heard of the digital-assets advocate and attorney who moved to Massachusetts last month to take on Democrat Warren, Congress’ loudest crypto critic.

We’ve already covered the basics : He’s a dad to three daughters, a testicular cancer survivor and a former Marine who opened a law firm in Rhode Island representing asbestos victims. He’s renting a house in Swansea that is now his primary and full-time residence, and is selling his Barrington, Rhode Island, home for $2.5 million, according to real-estate listings and Jim Conroy, a political adviser to former Gov. Charlie Baker who is consulting for Deaton. He also plans to loan his campaign $500,000 to start.

Deaton's 314-page memoir, “Food Stamp Warrior,” says a lot more. We read it over the long weekend. Here’s what we learned:

John Deaton | Jim Conroy/Courtesy photo

A VIOLENT UPBRINGING — Violence pervaded Deaton’s childhood in a rough Detroit enclave. He writes that he was raped, had a gun pressed into his mouth on the first day of high school and sold pot in exchange for food stamps for his family.

He also may have shot someone — and to this day, he writes, he doesn’t know if he did. In Deaton’s telling, his close friend was killed in a drug-related drive-by shooting. As he was dying, Deaton, then 17, took his friend’s gun and opened fire: “I kept squeezing the trigger, as bullets shot through the car and blasted the back window into shards. I saw a person in the back slump down, and I’m still not sure if it’s because I hit him or if he ducked.”

Deaton writes that years later, “I couldn’t stop asking myself: Did he kill my friend, did he get hit with a bullet, did he live or die? ”

‘COKE-FUELED SEX BENDER’ — Deaton writes that after his divorce he “went on a coke-fueled sex bender.” Using sites like “Plenty of Fish” and “Sugar Daddy” to find partners, Deaton says he would search for “women in their mid-twenties, decades younger than me.”

He met his current partner, Kristiana, when he hired her as an assistant at his law firm. “Within a couple of years of Kristi working for me,” they struck up a romance. They’ve been together for almost nine years and share a 5-year-old daughter.

OVERCOMING ADDICTION — Deaton says he “periodically battled dependency on pain pills” after being prescribed opioids following a back surgery.

CRYPTO CURIOUS — Part of what helped pull Deaton out of a self-described “mid-life crisis” was discovering crypto — and the online community of digital-asset enthusiasts that comes with it. Deaton, who has invested in Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP, gained notoriety in the crypto world when he battled the SEC’s efforts to classify XRP as a security as part of a lawsuit against Ripple Labs.

Here’s how Deaton sees crypto: “It's a story, one much like my own: it is a story of survival and evolution, not just for the few but for the many.”

TRUMP'S 'ANTITHESIS' — Though Deaton is running as a Republican, whether he’ll embrace his party’s standard bearer (and likely 2024 presidential nominee) is unclear. In his book, Deaton references former President Donald Trump — but only to draw contrast with himself.

“I’ve always believed that money should never define someone. If anything, I’m the antithesis of Donald Trump,” Deaton writes. “You’ll never catch me being flashy or anything like that.”

GOOD TUESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS . As Deaton readied his launch, Warren released a report from her Senate office this morning that says she’s helped secure $50 billion in federal funding for Massachusetts since taking office in 2013.

TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll have no public events. Rep. Ayanna Pressley celebrates federal funding at 10:30 a.m. at Chelsea City Hall. First lady Jill Biden arrives in Boston at 7 p.m., after attending a political finance event in Connecticut and ahead of a Wednesday event in Cambridge that’s part of the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research.

Tips? Scoops? Running for Congress? Email us: lkashinsky@politico.com and kgarrity@politico.com .

DON’T MISS POLITICO’S GOVERNORS SUMMIT: Join POLITICO on Feb. 22 to dive into how Governors are wielding immense power. While Washington remains gridlocked, governors are at the center of landmark decisions in AI and tech, economic development, infrastructure, housing, reproductive health and energy. How are they setting the stage for the future of American politics, policies and priorities? How are they confronting major challenges? Explore these questions and more at the 2024 Governors Summit. REGISTER HERE .

YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS

‘AN INTERESTING BACKGROUND’ — MassGOP Chair Amy Carnevale thinks John Deaton will “present a strong candidacy” for U.S. Senate despite only recently returning to the state (he lived here during law school).

“He has an interesting background,” Carnevale said Sunday on NBC10’s “At Issue.” Taking on Sen. Elizabeth Warren , who has nearly $4 million in her campaign coffers, is no small challenge for a Republican in Massachusetts — particularly in a presidential election year, Carnevale said. But Deaton “came to us and said he has a passion for running for office and he wants to compete and present his vision."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

THAT’S NOT A NO — It wouldn’t be an appearance on WCVB’s “On the Record” if the politician sitting in the hot seat didn’t get asked — directly or indirectly — whether he or she aspires to higher office. On Sunday, it was Auditor Diana DiZoglio ’s turn to field that question.

“When you are governor, are you going to allow the governor’s office to be audited?” host Ed Harding asked.

DiZoglio laughed it off. “Like I’ve said time and time again, I am incredibly grateful to be in the position that I am in and looking forward to continuing the work to increase accountability and equity,” she said.

When ROMNEY left office, he removed ALL of the HARD DRIVES and there is no record of his tenure. Where were REPUBLICAN voices then?

Former Romney Aides Deleted Electronic Footprint https://www.npr.org/2011/11/21/142609014/former-romney-aides-deleted-electronic-footprint

DiZoglio said the governor’s office “absolutely, 1,000 percent” should be subject to the state’s public records law. Former GOP gubernatorial nominee Geoff Diehl agreed in a post on X .

She also feels the budget Gov. Maura Healey put forward is “less equitable than it could have been” because her office is slated for a lower percentage spending increase than the offices of the attorney general, secretary of state, inspector general and treasurer. Coincidentally, DiZoglio is “getting ready to soon release the results of an audit of the Office of Administration and Finance.”

MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS

— “Cambridge officials press secretary of state to turn migrant shelter into 24/7 operation,” by Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald: “[State] Rep. Mike Connolly, a Democrat whose district encompasses the old courthouse in East Cambridge, told the Herald on Saturday that he, city officials, and the rest of the city’s state delegation, have been ‘begging’ Secretary William Galvin for weeks to run the shelter around the clock, but Galvin hasn’t budged. … Galvin spokesperson Deb O’Malley … said Gov. Maura Healey’s office ultimately makes the final call about the shelter’s hours even though the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office owns the building.”

— “New day shelter opens in Chelsea, as state shelters remain full,” by WBUR: “Sarah Bartley, vice president of United Way's safe and stable housing program, said the day shelter is particularly needed since the Cambridge state shelter has limited hours.”

FROM THE HUB

— “Boston Fire continues to fail to reflect the community it serves, new data show,” by Danny McDonald, The Boston Globe: “The Boston Fire Department continues to struggle to diversify its ranks, with its current academy class being overwhelmingly white and male, in stark contrast to the city it serves, according to new city figures the Globe obtained through a public records request."

Don’t sleep on it. Get breaking New York policy from POLITICO Pro—the platform that never sleeps—and use our Legislative Tracker to see what’s on the Albany agenda. Learn more.

FROM THE DELEGATION

BLUNT TALK — Warren was asked on “Pod Save America” who she would want in her “dream blunt rotation” — aka four people she would “hypothetically” smoke weed with “because they’d be a really fun time.” Sen. Ed Markey was on host Jon Favreau ’s list. But Warren only had one person in mind: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson . Though, she noted that she interpreted the question as “nothing to do with weed” and just “who you think is fun.” The Hill has more .

— “Rep. Lynch: Financing deal is 'not enough' to keep all Steward hospitals open,” by Deborah Becker, WBUR: “On WBUR's ‘Radio Boston’ Friday, Massachusetts U.S. Congressman Stephen Lynch said Steward executives told him in meetings this [past] week that although they received an infusion of money to keep some hospitals running, it's ‘not enough.’ Lynch also said Steward has not deviated from its initial statements to his staff that the company will leave Massachusetts.”

FROM THE 413

— “Former Agawam personnel director pleads guilty to tax fraud,” by Jeanette DeForge, Springfield Republican: “The former long-term personnel director in Agawam has pleaded guilty to tax fraud, more than two years after federal investigators showed up at City Hall with subpoenas demanding records related to their investigation.”

— “Springfield shelter system at capacity and homelessness expected to expand,” by Jeanette DeForge, Springfield Republican.

WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD BE READING

SHOT — “MTA exerts more power amid a wave of teacher strikes, generating praise and scorn,” by James Vaznis, The Boston Globe: “The more forceful approach has rejuvenated union activism among its members and attracted attention from national politicians like Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, who have sided with striking teachers. But the MTA’s combative style has increasingly chafed Beacon Hill lawmakers and local leaders who quietly and sometimes publicly complain the union is difficult to deal with and has instilled resentment among some parents grappling with the repercussions of teacher strikes and pandemic school closures on their children and families.”

CHASER — “Newton parents file class-action lawsuit, seek damages for teachers’ strike,” by Ross Cristantiello, Boston.com.

— “Should National Guard be deployed at Brockton High to 'prevent a potential tragedy'?” by Cody Shepard, The Enterprise: “Four members of the Brockton School Committee have asked Mayor Robert Sullivan to consider contacting Governor Maura Healey to ask her to temporarily send National Guard soldiers to Brockton High School ‘to prevent a potential tragedy.’ … Brockton High School has been in increasing turmoil this school year with many teachers publicly describing shocking levels of chaos and violence.” They defended their call in a press conference on Monday ; the mayor opposes it.

— “How the Newburyport mayor became a regional lightning rod,” by Billy Baker, The Boston Globe: “In 2021, Sean Reardon won a tight election for mayor. But after a landslide win in a huge fight over a new building for Whittier Tech, he sits a bit differently in the corner office.”

— “Red flag law seldom used to confiscate firearms,” by Christian M. Wade, The Eagle-Tribune: “Data from the state Trial Court shows the law was used to confiscate firearms belonging to just 12 people last year, which is higher than the previous year. In all, there have been 57 ‘extreme risk’ petitions filed under the 2018 state law, which was passed in the wake of previous school shootings nationally.”

— “Revamping literacy, with fewer school librarians,” by Colin Hogan, The New Bedford Light: “More than 9,500 students don’t have an active school library or librarian in New Bedford Public Schools. ... In one school, Normandin Middle, the abandoned library is now where suspended students serve their detentions.”

MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

DRUGS ARE NOT COMING IN FROM MIGRANTS!

SUNUNU LIED!

REGURGITATING GOP LIES IS STILL A LIE!

— “Sununu wins approval to send NH National Guard soldiers to US-Mexico border,” by Josh Rogers, NHPR: “[Gov. Chris] Sununu repeatedly defended it as necessary to stem the flow of fentanyl and other drugs into New Hampshire. He said while the nation's southern border may feel distant, the impacts of unauthorized immigration touch the entire country.”

HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH

TRANSITIONS — Bill Keefe is PERAC’s next executive director.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to WBZ’s Tiffany Chan and Benchmark Strategies SVP Susan Elsbree .

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