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ruet

(10,224 posts)
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 01:31 PM Yesterday

Trump Threatens to Take Over Spain's Air Bases Without Permission

Source: The New Republic

Donald Trump is attacking Spain over the country’s refusal to let the U.S. use its air bases to bomb Iran.

“Spain has been terrible. In fact, I told [Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent] to cut off all dealings with Spain,” Trump said Tuesday while in a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, before going off on a tangent about how Spain refuses to pay 5 percent of its GDP to NATO, unlike other countries in the alliance. “And now Spain actually said that we can’t use their bases and that’s alright, we could use their base if we want, we could just fly in and use it. Nobody’s gonna tell us not to use it.”

Read more: https://newrepublic.com/post/207275/trump-threatens-take-over-spain-air-bases-iran-war



OMFG! Every GD day!
102 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Trump Threatens to Take Over Spain's Air Bases Without Permission (Original Post) ruet Yesterday OP
Threatening to ignore... truddy777 Yesterday #1
I'd say it rather more Alliepoo 23 hrs ago #33
Spains military will stop DonOLD Rump !!!!! Trueblue1968 14 hrs ago #80
Inquiring minds.... Marcuse 13 hrs ago #82
It's obvious... Roy Rolling 13 hrs ago #83
Their weapon is fear....fear and surprise.... Ferretherder 1 hr ago #98
Grump is a menace 2 society Gum Logger 4 hrs ago #92
He is assuring the US will not have any allies and no foreign bases from which to operated quickly Attilatheblond Yesterday #2
Except that Iran and Russia are allies. Even Putin won't be Piggy's friend any more. Ocelot II Yesterday #4
"I love useful idiots" VGNonly 23 hrs ago #26
"Until I'm done with them" PatSeg 22 hrs ago #46
In the movie Casablanca VGNonly 22 hrs ago #49
Such a brilliant line! PatSeg 22 hrs ago #50
Unless the new Iranian regime is remains friendly to Russia while also with the US Ilikepurple 23 hrs ago #34
Well, Russia gets it's drones from Iran. ... aggiesal 23 hrs ago #40
"Even Putin won't be Piggy's friend any more." I HOpe Cha 22 hrs ago #56
Many reasons, and it's complicated. Lots of info here: Ocelot II 21 hrs ago #69
Mahalo, Ocelot... I really appreciate this Cha 17 hrs ago #77
Just like every other abuser! SheltieLover Yesterday #12
And cult leader. Attilatheblond Yesterday #15
Yes, of course. SheltieLover 22 hrs ago #51
It's about time all those ailments he seems to suffer from got organized and did something useful. Ocelot II Yesterday #3
Best post of the day in my opinion!!! NNadir Yesterday #23
NN - I could not agree more. FadedMullet 22 hrs ago #45
Indeed. yellow dahlia 22 hrs ago #52
He wants a coalition of the coerced. Snort. Solly Mack Yesterday #5
That attitude of his... Baitball Blogger Yesterday #6
And Jake Tapper will be all over this in 3-2-1. Oh, nevermind it's not Biden. AnotherMother4Peace Yesterday #7
Legacy media is owned by the people who profit from what he does Attilatheblond Yesterday #10
Does anyone else have knots in their stomach from the global chaos vapor2 Yesterday #8
Oh yeah. And I have to remain calm in order to help keep favorite great neighbor from popping an artery. Attilatheblond Yesterday #11
Hell! yellow dahlia 22 hrs ago #55
Self care so we stay in the fight, dear dahlia Attilatheblond 21 hrs ago #61
Indeed. yellow dahlia 21 hrs ago #67
Thanks! You're right, the more we know the more we suffer vapor2 16 hrs ago #79
gordian guts cynical_idealist 23 hrs ago #25
Absofuckinlutely! yellow dahlia 22 hrs ago #54
I think there's a word for that SSJVegeta Yesterday #9
Classic abuser SheltieLover Yesterday #13
Fucking completely unhinged and insane. niyad 19 hrs ago #74
El Tonto lpbk2713 17 hrs ago #78
Out of control karynnj Yesterday #14
It will become a global war. He must be stopped. Isn't there anyone close enough to him... QueerDuck Yesterday #16
They're either allied with him or afraid of him. highplainsdem Yesterday #18
Maybe someone non-political... perhaps a secret service agent could have a quiet word in private. QueerDuck 23 hrs ago #28
In service of their country. yellow dahlia 22 hrs ago #57
Exactly. God Bless America! QueerDuck 21 hrs ago #68
The mentally ill megalomaniac only listens to those who... pat_k Yesterday #19
Crazier by the day. highplainsdem Yesterday #17
And more dangerous by the day. sheshe2 22 hrs ago #48
True. highplainsdem 21 hrs ago #64
Maybe Trump will order a regime change attack against Spain. patphil Yesterday #20
Won't someone rid us of... ruet Yesterday #21
Wouldn't this be an act of war against Spain? Dem_in_Nebr. 2 hrs ago #93
I was actually being sarcastic. patphil 2 hrs ago #94
War against Spain, Iran, Denmark, Venezuela, who knows what else? NNadir Yesterday #22
Dont forget Greenland. Amaryllis 22 hrs ago #47
And Cuba Deuxcents 21 hrs ago #63
"Nobody's gonna tell us not to use it." Rob H. Yesterday #24
NATO Article 5 BidenRocks 23 hrs ago #27
"Cut off all dealings" -- he is such a pathetic child anneboleyn 23 hrs ago #29
I've been watching much more YouTube. BidenRocks 23 hrs ago #30
The lawn rescue videos I've seen Nittersing 23 hrs ago #38
I really need the naysayers JustAnotherGen 23 hrs ago #31
Putin is talking about invading Estonia next. My niece lives there. Fuck. OMGWTF 23 hrs ago #37
JHFC JustAnotherGen 23 hrs ago #43
Tanking our economy, living standards, healthcare, world standing and our credibility. Fucking great. nt Exp 23 hrs ago #32
". . . we could just fly in and use it. . . . " AverageOldGuy 23 hrs ago #35
Its his--I want it, so I'll just take it philosophy Bayard 20 hrs ago #72
Little child rapist Whip-poor-will 8 hrs ago #90
Oh FFS! Germany and Japan, it's your turn to invade us to save us from ourselves. Please and thank you. OMGWTF 23 hrs ago #36
He really thinks he is King of the World Owens 23 hrs ago #39
Good God, can someone in Congress not call for impeachment proceedings. dugog55 23 hrs ago #41
Um, this guy is a Hitler. He is threatening countries all over the world and bombing several. hadEnuf 23 hrs ago #42
Remember how the media and our own party wnylib 22 hrs ago #59
Just a giant scam and the media took it hook, line and sinker. They always do, and they are GOP owned anyway. hadEnuf 20 hrs ago #70
Nicer climate than Greenland... sarisataka 23 hrs ago #44
Just bdamomma 22 hrs ago #53
He's high on his own supply. Let a sociopath get away with something, and they feed on it. yellow dahlia 22 hrs ago #58
THIS could all end in 48 hours. bluestarone 21 hrs ago #60
Provocation... poking every bear. What a waste of human flesh. live love laugh 21 hrs ago #62
Spain could invoke Article 5 of the NATO charter, calling for a united defense against the USA. eppur_se_muova 21 hrs ago #65
He governs like a mafia boss. Emile 21 hrs ago #66
Pease tell me this is some crazy comedy exagerating the stupidity of those who want to start a war! NowsTheTime 20 hrs ago #71
He says Spain owes NATO funds.... Bayard 19 hrs ago #73
Every Day MissouriDem47 18 hrs ago #75
Spoken like the rapist everyone knows him to be. RockRaven 17 hrs ago #76
We are soybean farmers. murielm99 14 hrs ago #81
You understand that "all the X who Y" is necessarily a *subset* of X, right? RockRaven 13 hrs ago #84
I don't need your condescension. murielm99 10 hrs ago #86
He thinks he can get away with anything SunImp 12 hrs ago #85
So far he is correct in that assumption jgmiller 1 hr ago #96
I wonder how deep our country is working to undermine the Spanish Govt. wolfie001 8 hrs ago #87
How did this motherfucker live so long? A-Schwarzenegger 8 hrs ago #88
Are we insane? COL Mustard 8 hrs ago #89
I'm waiting for the orange pedo and piss drunk Pete to stumble us into a war with Europe. Javaman 7 hrs ago #91
This is a good analysis of the TX races. He is spot on about Crockett's messaging LtTx 2 hrs ago #95
Spain's Pedro Snchez hits back at Trump threat to sever trade saying 'no to war' Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin 1 hr ago #97
Message auto-removed Name removed 48 min ago #99
WOW!! TomJulie 40 min ago #100
Spain's in now OC375 22 min ago #101
You Sure About That? ruet 15 min ago #102

truddy777

(101 posts)
1. Threatening to ignore...
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 01:35 PM
Yesterday

Threatening to ignore sovereignty like this is just going to isolate us from our European allies even more. My brother is stationed in Europe right now and everyone there is already on edge about these kinds of statements. It basically makes the whole NATO agreement look like a joke.

Trueblue1968

(19,196 posts)
80. Spains military will stop DonOLD Rump !!!!!
Wed Mar 4, 2026, 12:12 AM
14 hrs ago

They arrest him and put him in a castle dungeon because he is a danger to their country and the world.

Roy Rolling

(7,577 posts)
83. It's obvious...
Wed Mar 4, 2026, 01:14 AM
13 hrs ago

…they forgot the Spanish Inquisition.

They operate with ruthless efficiency, ….😂

Attilatheblond

(8,659 posts)
2. He is assuring the US will not have any allies and no foreign bases from which to operated quickly
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 01:36 PM
Yesterday

Probably orders from Putin: Make America an isolated sitting duck.

Ocelot II

(130,141 posts)
4. Except that Iran and Russia are allies. Even Putin won't be Piggy's friend any more.
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 01:40 PM
Yesterday

And we will be a rogue state with no allies at all, not even Putin.

PatSeg

(52,991 posts)
46. "Until I'm done with them"
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 04:21 PM
22 hrs ago

Then watch out for open windows and loose carpeting on that staircase.

VGNonly

(8,466 posts)
49. In the movie Casablanca
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 04:30 PM
22 hrs ago

the corrupt chief of police said something like "We haven't yet decided how he died, either he committed suicide or was shot while trying to escape?"

Ilikepurple

(556 posts)
34. Unless the new Iranian regime is remains friendly to Russia while also with the US
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 03:24 PM
23 hrs ago

I’m out of my depths here, but I don’t really think Iran and Russia are allies as much as partners in isolation. I would think the sabre-rattling would be a little louder if Trump and Putin are not somewhat on the same page.

Cha

(318,304 posts)
56. "Even Putin won't be Piggy's friend any more." I HOpe
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 04:42 PM
22 hrs ago

So!

Could you please tell us why Putin likes Iran?

TY!

Cha

(318,304 posts)
77. Mahalo, Ocelot... I really appreciate this
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 09:15 PM
17 hrs ago

information..

Lots to study. and it doesn't seem like Putin would be happy with the bombing to smithereens of Iran by the US Traitor and Netanyahu.

Ocelot II

(130,141 posts)
3. It's about time all those ailments he seems to suffer from got organized and did something useful.
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 01:39 PM
Yesterday

yellow dahlia

(5,529 posts)
52. Indeed.
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 04:37 PM
22 hrs ago

And it's tough competition today. I just read the comment to Mr. Dahlia, and I said: there are so many smart people on DU.

AnotherMother4Peace

(5,095 posts)
7. And Jake Tapper will be all over this in 3-2-1. Oh, nevermind it's not Biden.
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 01:52 PM
Yesterday

How the media sane washes tRump is mind numbing. HE IS INSANE!

Attilatheblond

(8,659 posts)
10. Legacy media is owned by the people who profit from what he does
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 02:01 PM
Yesterday

So, legacy media talking heads go along because they are not journalists, but gutless wonders who probably have no other job skills beyond ass kissing.

vapor2

(4,300 posts)
8. Does anyone else have knots in their stomach from the global chaos
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 01:55 PM
Yesterday

by this demented sick monster?

Attilatheblond

(8,659 posts)
11. Oh yeah. And I have to remain calm in order to help keep favorite great neighbor from popping an artery.
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 02:03 PM
Yesterday

It's hell for those who can see and put pieces together. Take care of yourself and get outside if at all possible.

karynnj

(60,896 posts)
14. Out of control
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 02:08 PM
Yesterday

Not to mention, he still doesn't understand that the commitment is not to NATO but to fund their own militaries.

He doesn't get that he likely did not even try to build a coalition with EU. This was the US and Israel.

QueerDuck

(1,459 posts)
16. It will become a global war. He must be stopped. Isn't there anyone close enough to him...
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 02:15 PM
Yesterday

... who can make a difference?

QueerDuck

(1,459 posts)
28. Maybe someone non-political... perhaps a secret service agent could have a quiet word in private.
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 02:59 PM
23 hrs ago

Or maybe one of the chefs or housekeepers might know how to reach him.

pat_k

(13,038 posts)
19. The mentally ill megalomaniac only listens to those who...
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 02:28 PM
Yesterday

... have shovelled billions into his pockets -- and promise to keep on shovelling in exchange for serving them in whatever way they may demand.

He's a jabba the hutt whose greed and corruption know no bounds. He only responds to powerful forces that oppose him with every lever at their disposal. As he gets more desperate and extreme, the free states of this nation MUST coordinate on an all out offensive against his insanity to protect our rights and protect our elections. And we need the Democrats in the House and Senate to step up to the challenge. And that means joining together to UNITE -- 100% -- in powerful opposition.

patphil

(8,944 posts)
20. Maybe Trump will order a regime change attack against Spain.
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 02:41 PM
Yesterday

The crazy just keeps getting more and more obvious. Are there any sane people left in the Trump administration?

Trump has got to go.

Dem_in_Nebr.

(341 posts)
93. Wouldn't this be an act of war against Spain?
Wed Mar 4, 2026, 12:15 PM
2 hrs ago

It would seem that this could get the US kicked out of NATO. And then Spain could call upon NAtO for assistance in retaliation .

Not sure Russia would want to get involved on the US' behalf -- they're already stretched pretty thin.

Pardon my assumptions, I"m not a pol sci person but I"m just wondering . . .

patphil

(8,944 posts)
94. I was actually being sarcastic.
Wed Mar 4, 2026, 12:23 PM
2 hrs ago

Trump likes to throw his weight around. He thinks he's omnipotent as the head of the most powerful military force on the planet.
He likes to keep everyone guessing what he would do next. The reality of it is that he doesn't know until he does it.
Dementia does that to you.

NNadir

(37,793 posts)
22. War against Spain, Iran, Denmark, Venezuela, who knows what else?
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 02:47 PM
Yesterday

The prefrontal dementia is really ramping up.

Rob H.

(5,819 posts)
24. "Nobody's gonna tell us not to use it."
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 02:50 PM
Yesterday

Somebody already did: Spain. Naval Station Rota isn't US territory and Spain retains overall command of it.

BidenRocks

(3,112 posts)
27. NATO Article 5
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 02:56 PM
23 hrs ago

Presidential threats can be considered an attack.
What he just said is Assault!
Assault is an attack!

I guarantee Brussels is busy!

anneboleyn

(5,626 posts)
29. "Cut off all dealings" -- he is such a pathetic child
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 03:00 PM
23 hrs ago

His tantrums are just ridiculous. Everyone is tuning him out at this point.

BidenRocks

(3,112 posts)
30. I've been watching much more YouTube.
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 03:13 PM
23 hrs ago

I like SB Mowing.
This guy does landscaping on run down or abandoned properties and does much community service work.

I am watching a guy do yard work over getting more pissed at chump.

Nittersing

(8,295 posts)
38. The lawn rescue videos I've seen
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 03:30 PM
23 hrs ago

Often have neighbors calling the police on them... which I don't get. Ruins the vibe.

JustAnotherGen

(37,964 posts)
31. I really need the naysayers
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 03:13 PM
23 hrs ago

Not at DU - but in places like threads and Bluesky to stop saying that 'NATO' will hold.

It won't.

Exp

(884 posts)
32. Tanking our economy, living standards, healthcare, world standing and our credibility. Fucking great. nt
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 03:15 PM
23 hrs ago

AverageOldGuy

(3,684 posts)
35. ". . . we could just fly in and use it. . . . "
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 03:26 PM
23 hrs ago

Then we could see how effective is all that air defense equipment and training we gave Spain over the years.

Whip-poor-will

(58 posts)
90. Little child rapist
Wed Mar 4, 2026, 06:21 AM
8 hrs ago

Just like him and his best buddy seeing an adolescence females at the talent shows

OMGWTF

(5,072 posts)
36. Oh FFS! Germany and Japan, it's your turn to invade us to save us from ourselves. Please and thank you.
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 03:26 PM
23 hrs ago

dugog55

(375 posts)
41. Good God, can someone in Congress not call for impeachment proceedings.
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 03:37 PM
23 hrs ago

Trump has violated practically every rational protocol a President is supposed to adhere to. Plus, he just looks like a madman who just happens to be controlling the most powerful military on earth. He is making America a joke, and is dragging any decent citizens here cringe with his theatrics.

hadEnuf

(3,584 posts)
42. Um, this guy is a Hitler. He is threatening countries all over the world and bombing several.
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 03:38 PM
23 hrs ago

Somebody needs to get him the hell out of there NOW.

It's definitely 25th Amendment time. He's nuts.

wnylib

(25,636 posts)
59. Remember how the media and our own party
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 04:50 PM
22 hrs ago

were so concerned about Biden's age and abilities?

On Biden's worst day he was miles above Trump's best day.

hadEnuf

(3,584 posts)
70. Just a giant scam and the media took it hook, line and sinker. They always do, and they are GOP owned anyway.
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 05:57 PM
20 hrs ago

And now we have a maniac.

sarisataka

(22,437 posts)
44. Nicer climate than Greenland...
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 03:49 PM
23 hrs ago

Somebody really needs to take away his game of Risk and hide it. He thinks that is how the real world works.

bdamomma

(69,490 posts)
53. Just
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 04:37 PM
22 hrs ago

a fucking BULLY everyday. I must bring out my "voo doo" doll!!! Just STOP HIM NOW!!!!!! Get him out NOW!!!!!!!!!!

yellow dahlia

(5,529 posts)
58. He's high on his own supply. Let a sociopath get away with something, and they feed on it.
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 04:47 PM
22 hrs ago

And make it a deranged megalomaniac sociopath - all restraints are gone.

Rules? I don't need no stinkin rules.

bluestarone

(21,973 posts)
60. THIS could all end in 48 hours.
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 05:03 PM
21 hrs ago

IMPEACH this crazy bastard and REMOVE him. Then put him in the worst care facility available!!

eppur_se_muova

(41,628 posts)
65. Spain could invoke Article 5 of the NATO charter, calling for a united defense against the USA.
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 05:21 PM
21 hrs ago

Trmp's tried to remove the US from NATO, so that only seems appropriate.

NowsTheTime

(1,294 posts)
71. Pease tell me this is some crazy comedy exagerating the stupidity of those who want to start a war!
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 06:06 PM
20 hrs ago

Bayard

(29,301 posts)
73. He says Spain owes NATO funds....
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 06:58 PM
19 hrs ago

Right now, the U.S. is $4 BILLION in arrears to the United Nations. He doesn't have much room to talk.

Taking over Spain's air bases would be another act of war. Is he willing to take on NATO? Or, I should say, is he willing for the U.S. to be bombed out of existence?

RockRaven

(19,079 posts)
76. Spoken like the rapist everyone knows him to be.
Tue Mar 3, 2026, 08:55 PM
17 hrs ago

Oh, and to all the soybean farmers who voted for him: thanks to your Dotard claiming he will stop all trade with Spain, there goes another billion dollars a year in your sales -- which like China, Spain will get from Brazil instead.

murielm99

(32,906 posts)
81. We are soybean farmers.
Wed Mar 4, 2026, 12:23 AM
14 hrs ago

We did not vote for him. Your stereotyping is shameful. Not even all the billionaires voted for him. Our governor Pritzker is a billionaire and Democratic Presidential material.

Proud Democratic soybean farmer and Pritzker supporter

RockRaven

(19,079 posts)
84. You understand that "all the X who Y" is necessarily a *subset* of X, right?
Wed Mar 4, 2026, 01:14 AM
13 hrs ago

So that comment was not aimed at, nor did it hit, you -- unless you voted for him, which you say you did not.

SunImp

(2,682 posts)
85. He thinks he can get away with anything
Wed Mar 4, 2026, 02:24 AM
12 hrs ago

One day it'll all come to bite him in the ass

jgmiller

(681 posts)
96. So far he is correct in that assumption
Wed Mar 4, 2026, 01:10 PM
1 hr ago

The founders never anticipated that the entire political and legal spectrum would fail to stand up to a dictator

wolfie001

(7,494 posts)
87. I wonder how deep our country is working to undermine the Spanish Govt.
Wed Mar 4, 2026, 06:07 AM
8 hrs ago

Hitler had Franco. What are these fascist mf'ers up to?

Javaman

(65,573 posts)
91. I'm waiting for the orange pedo and piss drunk Pete to stumble us into a war with Europe.
Wed Mar 4, 2026, 07:06 AM
7 hrs ago

sadly, it's not that far fetched.

LtTx

(72 posts)
95. This is a good analysis of the TX races. He is spot on about Crockett's messaging
Wed Mar 4, 2026, 12:51 PM
2 hrs ago

Takeaways from the Texas and North Carolina primaries
Analysis by Aaron Blake, CNN
Updated: 2:33 AM EST, Wed March 4, 2026

Voters in three states headed to the polls for the first primary day of
the 2026 midterm elections on Tuesday, with the big story being a pair
of Texas Senate primaries that both seemed to break quite well for
Democrats’ majority hopes.

State Rep. James Talarico’s win over US Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the
Democratic primary gave Democrats what appears to be their most
electable nominee, while baggage-laden Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton
forced a runoff with GOP Sen. John Cornyn.

Primaries were held Tuesday not just in Texas but also in North Carolina
and Arkansas.

Below are some takeaways from those races and other primaries on Tuesday.
Crockett misses her opportunity

The story of the Texas Democratic Senate primary wound up being largely
about a missed opportunity for Crockett.

The congresswoman came into the race with buzz around her name and some
real built-in advantages. But her campaign never seemed to do the kinds
of traditional things – the blocking and tackling – that you need to do
to complement that.

She got in the primary at the 11th hour just three months ago. Her
campaign advertising was scant. (In fact, Texas GOP Gov. Greg Abbott
accounted for a large share of the money spent on her behalf as he
sought to elevate her candidacy in hopes of hurting Democrats.)

Her message at times seemed to be more focused on process and grievances
rather than talking about what she would do as a senator. In the closing
days of the campaign, her staff made a reporter from The Atlantic leave
an event.

None of it suggested she was ready for primetime, and that showed on
primary day. Despite most of the polling having shown her leading, it
was pretty clear early on that this was Talarico’s night.

One way to look at that is that Democratic primary voters made a more
pragmatic choice rather than picking the firebrand. But also — the
firebrand’s campaign just didn’t stack up.

A potentially brutal 12-week Texas Senate runoff looms

The GOP primary went about as expected, with Cornyn and Paxton headed
for a runoff that will conclude on May 26.

Under normal circumstances, you’d say Cornyn is the clear underdog in
the runoff. Usually these primaries break down between the incumbent
vote and the anti-incumbent vote. And a majority of primary voters voted
against the incumbent.

But Paxton’s baggage — including a past indictment and allegations of
infidelity from his wife — suggests voting for him could be a hurdle for
some Rep. Wesley Hunt supporters, who could either vote for Cornyn or
sit out the runoff after Hunt finished third.

And beyond that, Talarico’s win in the Democratic primary could put a
premium on Republicans putting forward the more electable candidate,
which would seem to be Cornyn. Expect to see plenty of talk about
whether President Donald Trump, who praised all three candidates in the
primary, might join the national GOP in picking Cornyn over Paxton in
the name of holding the seat.

That might be a tough pill for Trump to swallow, given Paxton is more
MAGA than Cornyn. But Trump will also be concerned about keeping the
GOP’s congressional majorities.

(CNN’s Dana Bash reported on the air Tuesday night that it was “very
likely” Trump would come off the sidelines and endorse in the runoff.)

Talarico would be the underdog against either Republican, and Democrats
haven’t won any statewide race in Texas since 1994. But putting this one
in play would be huge for their majority math.

What’s clear for now is that a massively expensive and increasingly ugly
GOP campaign just got extended for 12 weeks. And that’s suboptimal for
Republicans.

Ted Cruz helps take down an incumbent Republican

Speaking of incumbents not getting love from key figures in their
national party, Rep. Dan Crenshaw got the cold shoulder from Trump,
Abbott and Sen. Ted Cruz. Now he’s a lame duck.

Crenshaw lost to state Rep. Steve Toth. And it doesn’t appear to have
been particularly close.

Cruz played an especially large role in taking down Crenshaw, including
even cutting an ad supporting Toth – a highly unusual move for an
incumbent senator.

As for why it happened? Crenshaw undoubtedly rubbed some of the MAGA
movement the wrong way by occasionally showing some independence from
Trump over the years. But it’s also true that Texas’s new map worked
against him by moving in lots of Toth-friendly territory.

Other incumbents get scares

Crenshaw had the worst day for an incumbent, and Cornyn is clearly in
some trouble.

But they’re not the only incumbents getting scares on Tuesday.

As of late Tuesday night, longtime Democratic Rep. Al Green was locked
in a tight contest with Rep. Christian Menefee, who recently won a
special election for his Houston-area seat. (The two are running against
each other under the new map.)

And in North Carolina, Democratic Rep. Valerie Foushee was in a tight
contest with Durham County Commissioner Nida Allam, a well-funded
challenger running to Foushee’s left in a very blue district.

The Tony Gonzales saga goes on

But for one incumbent, facing a runoff was actually a good outcome.

GOP Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas faced a rematch with Brandon Herrera,
whom he narrowly defeated in his 2024 primary. Gonzales has faced a
series of brutal recent disclosures about an alleged affair with a
staffer who later died by suicide. The news has led even some
Republicans to call for him to resign.

He could still lose a runoff. But for now, he’s got reason not to resign
and to keep fighting.

That could be good for Republicans in that it means they might not see
their already slim majority shrink. But it could be bad in that they
have to keep dealing with a really ugly situation.

A not-so-good day for ambitious House members

In part thanks to disillusionment with the state of legislating in the
House, there are an extraordinary number of House members running for
statewide office – more than two dozen of them, in fact.

They are not off to a good start.

While both Crockett and Hunt lost their Senate primaries, Republican
Rep. Chip Roy finished a pretty distant second in the Republican primary
for Texas attorney general.

He was in line for a runoff with state Sen. Mayes Middleton, but Roy is
looking like a distinct underdog.

Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(134,705 posts)
97. Spain's Pedro Snchez hits back at Trump threat to sever trade saying 'no to war'
Wed Mar 4, 2026, 01:37 PM
1 hr ago

Pedro Sánchez has delivered a strong rebuttal to US President Donald Trump's threat to end trade with Spain by restating his opposition to war and what he called the "breakdown of international law".

In a 10-minute televised address, the Spanish prime minister reflected on the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as the Iraq War more than 20 years ago, and said the Spanish government's position could be summed up as "no to war".

Trump threatened to impose a full trade embargo on Spain in response to its refusal to allow the US to use the jointly run bases at Morón and Rotafor to strike Iran.

-snip-

In response to the US economic threat, the Élysée Palace said French President Emmanuel Macron had conveyed his "solidarity" with Spain during a phone conversation with Sánchez on Wednesday. European Council President António Costa also said he had spoken to the Spanish leader "to express the EU's full solidarity".

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/spains-pedro-nchez-hits-back-083743916.html

Response to ruet (Original post)

ruet

(10,224 posts)
102. You Sure About That?
Wed Mar 4, 2026, 02:38 PM
15 min ago
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/04/pedro-sanchez-donald-trump-threat-cut-off-trade-spain

The Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has responded to Donald Trump’s extraordinary threat to cut off all trade with Spain over his government’s refusal to facilitate the US’s ongoing attacks against Iran, comparing the growing conflict in the Middle East to playing “Russian roulette with the destiny of millions”.

Sánchez, who has been one of the most vociferous European critics of Israel’s conduct in Gaza, said his government’s position on the widening instability could be summed up in three words: “No to war.”

In a section of the speech that appeared to directly address Trump’s threats to end all trade with Spain, the prime minister said his country would “not be complicit in something that is bad for the world – and that is also contrary to our values ​​and interests – simply out of fear of reprisals from someone”.


I've seen several articles that support this and one that conflicts.

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