Trump Flips On Five Core Campaign Promises In Under 24 Hours

[timosman]

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-04-12/trump-flips-five-core-key-campaign-promises-under-24-hours

Apr 12, 2017

Blink, and you missed Trump's blistering, seamless transformation into a mainstream politician.

In the span of just a few hours, President Trump flipped to new positions on several core policy issues, backing off on no less than five repeated campaign promises.

In a WSJ interview and a subsequent press conference, Trump either shifted or completely reversed positions on a number of foreign and economic policy decisions, including the fate of the US Dollar, how to handle China and the future of the chair of the Federal Reserve.

Goodbye strong dollar and high interest rates

In an announcement that rocked currency markets, Trump told the WSJ that the U.S. dollar “is getting too strong” and he would prefer the Federal Reserve keep interest rates low. “I do like a low-interest rate policy, I must be honest with you,” Mr. Trump said. “I think our dollar is getting too strong, and partially that’s my fault because people have confidence in me. But that’s hurting—that will hurt ultimately,” he added. “Look, there’s some very good things about a strong dollar, but usually speaking the best thing about it is that it sounds good.”

Trump then said the one thing that every other currency manipulator realizes all too well: “It’s very, very hard to compete when you have a strong dollar and other countries are devaluing their currency.”

During his campaign Trump had repeatedly said that a "strong dollar" policy would be beneficial for the US economy, despite our repeat warnings that he will inevitably reverse on this, especially if and when the "Goldman" circle of advisors starts providing macroconomic advice.

It is unclear if the shift in Trump's policy will mean that US economic data will now "mysteriously" begin to deteriorate to justify not only his request for a weaker dollar, but to also hit the breaks on Yellen's plans for further rate hikes over the next 2-3 years. In any case, the debate over the Fed's balance sheet unwind, and the trajectory of Fed hikes, is now on indefinite hiatus.

The biggest loser here, again, are America's savers who may have been hoping that their bank deposits will finally earn some interest.

As for the most notable outcome from this Trump statement, is that it counters his "desire" for a weaker dollar with the Fed's tightening bias. Will fireworks fly as Trump realizes that Yellen's actions are prompting the strong dollar? Stay tuned for what may be the most entertaining clash yet: Trump vs Yellen.

* * *

Labeling China a currency manipulator

Trump also told the Wall Street Journal that China is not artificially deflating the value of its currency, a big change after he repeatedly pledged during his campaign to label the country a currency manipulator.

"They’re not currency manipulators," the president said, adding that China hasn’t been manipulating its currency for months, and that he feared derailing U.S.-China talks to crack down on North Korea. Trump routinely criticized President Obama for not labeling China a currency manipulator, and promised during the campaign to do so on day one of his administration.

Trump's declaration also means that Peter Navarro may as well pack his bags, as the Goldman economic advisory team has now won its contest with the "Bannon nationalist" circle.

* * *

Yellen's future

Trump also told the Journal he’d consider re-nominating Yellen to chair the Fed's board of governors, after attacking her during his campaign." I like her. I respect her,” Trump said, “It’s very early.”

Trump called Yellen “obviously political” in September and accused her of keeping interest rates low to boost the stock market and make Obama look good. “As soon as [rates] go up, your stock market is going to go way down, most likely,” Trump said. "Or possibly.”

* * *

Export-Import Bank

Trump also voiced support behind the Export-Import Bank, which helps subsidize some U.S. exports, after opposing it during the campaign.

“It turns out that, first of all, lots of small companies are really helped, the vendor companies,” Trump told the Journal. “Instinctively, you would say, ‘Isn’t that a ridiculous thing,’ but actually, it’s a very good thing. And it actually makes money, it could make a lot of money.”

Trump’s support will anger conservative opponents of the bank, who say it enables crony capitalism.

* * *

NATO

Finally, Trump said NATO is "no longer obsolete" during a Wednesday press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, backtracking on his past criticism of the alliance. During the campaign, he frequently called the organization "obsolete," saying did little to crack down on terrorism and that its other members don’t pay their “fair share.”

“I said it was obsolete. It is no longer obsolete," the president said Wednesday.

Trump has gradually become more supportive of NATO after it ramped up efforts to increase U.S. and European intelligence sharing regarding terrorism. Trump still insisted that NATO allies “meet their financial obligations and pay what they owe.” He said he discussed with Stoltenberg his desire that allies put 2 percent of their gross domestic products into defense by 2024.

* * *

Add to this Trump's first, most prominent reversal, the launch of air strikes on Syria last Friday after repeatedly bashing Obama for even considering that, and Trump's transformation into a mainstream politician now appears complete.

 

[afwjam]

But will he build a wall?

 

[shakey1]

He's a genius... oh wait, he's an idiot.

 

[juleswin]

How about political correctness and SJWs? just as long as he fulfills those promises on those 2 issues, i'll be OK.

#issuesthatmatter

 

[helmuth_hubener]

How about political correctness and SJWs? just as long as he fulfills those promises on those 2 issues, i'll be OK.

#issuesthatmatter

Oh come on, jules. You are deciding to become yet another satirical account, but one that's harder to understand? We already have bxmTexan. That's enough.

 

[Athan]

Before the typical squabbling begins, keep in mind the most important thing.

SOMETHING HAS CAUSED AN ABOUT FACE BY TRUMP.
THIS IS CLEARLY SUCH A RADICAL CHANGE THAT SOMETHING DRASTIC HAS INSTIGATED IT AND NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT IT, OR MORE IMPORTANTLY WHY AND HOW.


Like it making no political sense for Assad to gas his own people, Trump is not making political sense alienating the political base that elected him and supported his reforms.

 

[AuH20]

Before the typical squabbling begins, keep in mind the most important thing.

SOMETHING HAS CAUSED AN ABOUT FACE BY TRUMP.
THIS IS CLEARLY SUCH A RADICAL CHANGE THAT SOMETHING DRASTIC HAS INSTIGATED IT AND NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT IT, OR MORE IMPORTANTLY WHY AND HOW.


Like it making no political sense for Assad to gas his own people, Trump is not making political sense alienating the political base that elected him and supported his reforms.

Unless the Mossad caught him at an Epstein Island.

 

[Athan]

Unless the Mossad caught him at an Epstein Island.

A possibility.

 

[William Tell]

Before the typical squabbling begins, keep in mind the most important thing.

SOMETHING HAS CAUSED AN ABOUT FACE BY TRUMP.
THIS IS CLEARLY SUCH A RADICAL CHANGE THAT SOMETHING DRASTIC HAS INSTIGATED IT AND NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT IT, OR MORE IMPORTANTLY WHY AND HOW.


Like it making no political sense for Assad to gas his own people, Trump is not making political sense alienating the political base that elected him and supported his reforms.

I disagree with the premise. He just lied to his base like the previous presidents. Their foreign policy made the same sense his does.

 

[Mordan]

I disagree with the premise. He just lied to his base like the previous presidents. Their foreign policy made the same sense his does.

well give Trump credit for openly supporting those issues, being fought by the red/blue establishment and winning. After 10 weeks, the deep state finally got him and he reversed on most of it.

Now if Trump really is terrible, he will lose in 4 years and Rand has a shot in 8 years.

 

[Origanalist]

I disagree with the premise. He just lied to his base like the previous presidents. Their foreign policy made the same sense his does.

Who could have seen that coming?

 

[Mordan]

Who could have seen that coming?

The deep state can create dirt on Rand and Rand will become a puppet if elected president. Who could have seen that coming?

 

[acptulsa]

Unless the Mossad caught him at an Epstein Island.

A possibility.

You two do realize you're having this private little conversation about what 'flipped' your hero in front of dozens of people who have been telling you for years what he really is, who he really serves, and that this very thing would happen, right?

Do you two just want to be reminded that you were suckered? Are you actually fishing for 'I told you so's? Are you sure this is the wisest place to try to maintain the fiction that no one could possibly have seen through him all along? Did you really think you could spin your face-saving conspiracy theories uninterrupted in front of people who have been telling you how you were being suckered for 18-24 months?

Did you two ever consider it would be wiser to get a room? Are you sure you wouldn't rather face facts than continue to show your asses?

well give Trump credit for openly supporting those issues, being fought by the red/blue establishment and winning. After 10 weeks, the deep state finally got him and he reversed on most of it.

You're congratulating him for lying to you? And I suppose Nixon deserves praise for pretending to care about law and order, Reagan for pretending to care about the national debt, one Bush for pretending to care how much tax he bleeds us for and the other for pretending to care how deplorably uneducated we are?

You're praising him for making a sucker out of you, the owner of this forum, and half the voting population?

You won't save face that way.

Now if Trump really is terrible, he will lose in 4 years and Rand has a shot in 8 years.

And the last time Republicans admitted they were totally suckered and primaried their own sitting president was...?

Oh, that's right. It has never, ever happened, ever. That's as much a pipe dream as hoping we'll all believed you weren't suckered, but Trump was everything you thought he was until Ivanka or Hillary or whomever put a hex on him.

 

[Madison320]

I disagree with the premise. He just lied to his base like the previous presidents. Their foreign policy made the same sense his does.

I agree with your disagreement.

We knew going in that Trump held multiple stances on almost every position.

 

[Origanalist]

The deep state can create dirt on Rand and Rand will become a puppet if elected president. Who could have seen that coming?

PT Barnum was a prophet.

 

[Pizzo]

well give Trump credit for openly supporting those issues, being fought by the red/blue establishment and winning. After 10 weeks, the deep state finally got him and he reversed on most of it.

Now if Trump really is terrible, he will lose in 4 years and Rand has a shot in 8 years.

Unless he wasn't fought by them at all and was all just part of the show. Paint him as being anti-establishment and if/when he is shitty and/or reverses his positions that were decent it will discredit anyone in the future who is running as anti-establishment. Anything is possible.

 

[William Tell]

well give Trump credit for openly supporting those issues, being fought by the red/blue establishment and winning. After 10 weeks, the deep state finally got him and he reversed on most of it.

Now if Trump really is terrible, he will lose in 4 years and Rand has a shot in 8 years.

Trump did the same the GWB did. Only difference is Trump lasted 10 weeks and Shrub managed to keep a relatively humble foreign policy for a full term 9 months before the administration gave birth to intervention.

Sad!

 

[specsaregood]

You two do realize you're having this private little conversation about what 'flipped' your hero in front of dozens of people who have been telling you for years what he really is, who he really serves, and that this very thing would happen, right?

Do you two just want to be reminded that you were suckered? Are you actually fishing for 'I told you so's? Are you sure this is the wisest place to try to maintain the fiction that no one could possibly have seen through him all along? Did you really think you could spin your face-saving conspiracy theories uninterrupted in front of people who have been telling you how you were being suckered for 18-24 months?

Did you two ever consider it would be wiser to get a room? Are you sure you wouldn't rather face facts than continue to show your asses?

At the same time, dancing around and saying " I toldja so" doesn't make many friends or allies.

 

[AuH20]

Before the typical squabbling begins, keep in mind the most important thing.

SOMETHING HAS CAUSED AN ABOUT FACE BY TRUMP.
THIS IS CLEARLY SUCH A RADICAL CHANGE THAT SOMETHING DRASTIC HAS INSTIGATED IT AND NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT IT, OR MORE IMPORTANTLY WHY AND HOW.


Like it making no political sense for Assad to gas his own people, Trump is not making political sense alienating the political base that elected him and supported his reforms.

You two do realize you're having this private little conversation about what 'flipped' your hero in front of dozens of people who have been telling you for years what he really is, who he really serves, and that this very thing would happen, right?

Do you two just want to be reminded that you were suckered? Are you actually fishing for 'I told you so's? Are you sure this is the wisest place to try to maintain the fiction that no one could possibly have seen through him all along? Did you really think you could spin your face-saving conspiracy theories uninterrupted in front of people who have been telling you how you were being suckered for 18-24 months?

Did you two ever consider it would be wiser to get a room? Are you sure you wouldn't rather face facts than continue to show your asses?

Read my past posts. I am not suckered. I wrote before the election that there was a 50 pct chance Trump would be like Bush and Obama. I also stated that there was a 25 pct possibility that he would be worse than those 2. I also staked him at 25 pct for being the real deal. So the odds were essentially 1 out of 4.

 

[Pizzo]

At the same time, dancing around and saying " I toldja so" doesn't make many friends or allies.

Probably cause by anyone who criticized trump during the campaign were called cucks, Hillary supporters/voters, NWO puppets, globalists, and so on by a group on this site. Naturally when the stooge they were pimping out here as the greatest thing since sliced bread fucks up, people are going to rub it in. Predictable.