By Hunter Avalone | Occupy Democrats
Donald Trump has not been having a very good week — and while some might find it funny (hello, karma), it’s also undeniably concerning. Why? Because when Trump has a bad week, America often does too. And unfortunately for the former president, things are only getting worse.
Let’s dive into what’s been a cascade of setbacks for Trump, ending with a newly resurfaced video that has Republicans, irony, and contradiction all rolled into one.
Legal Setbacks: The Law Comes Knocking
Trump’s troubles began with a major legal defeat involving FEMA grants. A federal judge ruled that Trump’s administration illegally halted hundreds of millions of dollars in aid — funding meant to support states across the U.S. in their emergency response efforts. The freeze, tied to Trump’s crackdown on sanctuary jurisdictions, was found to violate a court order.
Democratic attorneys general from 22 states and D.C. brought the case, and the ruling marked yet another legal blow for Trump’s legacy.
But the legal heat didn’t stop there.
In a separate ruling, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to bring back a deported Maryland man who had been unlawfully sent to El Salvador, despite a court order blocking his removal. The judge mandated that Kilmar Alrego Garcia be returned to the U.S. by midnight Monday, a rare and decisive legal rebuke.
His wife, in a tearful plea, thanked those who supported their fight and promised they would continue to stand by Kilmar — and by justice.
Skipping Duty: Trump Misses Transfer Ceremony for Fallen Soldiers
Adding to the list of controversial decisions, Trump chose not to attend the dignified transfer of four U.S. soldiers who died during a training exercise in Lithuania. While Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attended the solemn ceremony, Trump opted to travel to South Florida for the LIV Golf Tournament at Trump National Doral instead.
The decision sparked widespread criticism, including from Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego, who wrote:
“The President of the United States as of now will not meet the remains of our service members when they land at DOA because he will be at a golf tournament.”
Though the families of the fallen soldiers requested no media presence, the symbolism of Trump’s absence was not lost on many.
A Video Resurfaces — And It’s Brutal
Just when it seemed like things couldn’t get worse, a damning video compilation began circulating online, highlighting Republican leaders and even members of Trump’s own administration speaking out against one of Trump’s hallmark policies: tariffs.
The video is a stunning showcase of hypocrisy and contradiction — featuring GOP figures blasting Trump’s trade strategy before falling in line with his policies. Quotes from the video include:
- “The tariff is a tax on Americans.”
- “Trump has proposed a 40% tariff — which is a tax on all of you.”
- “China wins when the American consumer pays higher prices.”
- “These tariffs don’t punish China, they punish us.”
Even prominent Republicans who later served under Trump admitted they opposed his trade policies — yet publicly supported them. The video serves as a stark reminder of how Trump’s “America First” rhetoric often results in America footing the bill.
The Takeaway: Another Blow to “Make America Great Again”
When even fellow Republicans can’t back Trump’s decisions — and actively speak out against them — it becomes harder and harder to justify his actions as being in America’s best interest.
With mounting legal trouble, controversial decisions, and public embarrassments piling up, Trump’s rough week is a rough week for the country, too.
And as this newly resurfaced video shows, the cracks in Trump’s foundation are only getting wider — not just from Democrats, but from within his own party.
