Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

gfarber

(205 posts)
31. Emoluments Clause
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 01:29 PM
Dec 30


At a Trump broadcast coast to coast,
A reporter stepped up to the bloke:
“Please tell us on air,
With receipts if you dare,
How billions were earned—no clause broke?”

With the cameras all glowing quite bright,
And the audience tuned in that night,
Came a query direct:
“Can you help us connect
Your profits with law done just right?”

The Emoluments Clause took the stage,
Not a whisper, but a front-page engage.
“Three billion, you say?
While in office—okay…
Could you walk us through that to quell the rage?”

No sidebars, no spin, no delay,
Just a question in plain USA:
“As President sworn,
How were fortunes still grown
Without crossing constitutional gray?”

The crowd held its breath, live and still,
As the mic hovered close to the grill:
“Explain, if you would,
For the public’s own good—
How the math works and follows the will.”

On a stage with a bald eagle seal,
Came a question both simple and surreal:
“Three billion, sir—how?
As President, wow.
Was the Clause on vacation in Peel?”

With confetti and cannons galore,
And a crowd yelling “Encore! Encore!”
Someone asked through a kazoo,
“Is that income from you,
Or from hotels that bill foreign decor?”

The Emoluments Clause wore a hat,
Said, “I thought we agreed I’d watch that.”
But it blinked twice, confused,
As the profits accrued,
And fell asleep on a velvet doormat.

A moderator, nervous but brave,
At a nationally televised wave,
Asked, “Explain to us all,
With a pie chart or scrawl,
How billions obeyed what you gave.”

Was it pennies? Was it gold? Was it air?
Was it branding? Was it hair?
Asked the crowd in a hush,
As accountants went shush,
And the Clause did a shrug from its chair.

A jumbotron flickered and froze,
Showing numbers in clownish repose:
“Three billion earned clean?
While running the scene?
Please show us the math, if you chose.”

Then a trombone went wah-wah on cue,
As the question just hovered and grew:
“How does one make a stack,
While the law says ‘step back’—
Is it magic? Or hotels? Or glue?”

Recommendations

1 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Law without prosecution is merely a suggestion. usonian Dec 29 #1
"Law without prosecution is merely a suggestion mdbl Dec 29 #7
No media have the spine to ask him that. n/t CousinIT Dec 29 #2
Neither does ANYONE else. IMHO. Captain Zero Dec 29 #3
I always thought they should have impeached for everything... Chemical Bill Dec 29 #22
Sadly, the USSC kind of said emoluments are not a problem...nt Wounded Bear Dec 29 #4
Covering their own ass on this gravy train ride. KPN Dec 29 #11
That won't happen with this crop of "journalists". LoisB Dec 29 #5
Well, there wouldn't be a satisfying answer PatSeg Dec 29 #6
His answer: I don't know anything about it - my sons are running things. Look, SQUIRREL! Marie Marie Dec 29 #8
Ha, ha, sounds about right PatSeg Dec 29 #9
Frontotemporal dementnia MadameButterfly Dec 29 #16
Yep, which confirms PatSeg Dec 29 #20
But it still should be asked because.... electric_blue68 Dec 29 #13
Yes, absolutely PatSeg Dec 29 #14
Perfect! KPN Dec 29 #10
He would say leftieNanner Dec 29 #12
He'd first ask "Who are you with?" Seinan Sensei Dec 30 #29
"Emoluments" is a Democrat hoax, a scam. JustABozoOnThisBus Dec 29 #15
I'm sorry to disagree Dan, JMCKUSICK Dec 29 #17
You know I have thought about that in reference to the Red States Farmers Dan Dec 29 #23
Nope. They know he is lying but they want immigrants gone and liberals punished for something or other. travelingthrulife Dec 30 #28
He wouldn't ABC123Easy Dec 29 #18
They all know they will be banned! nt ProudProgressiveNow Dec 29 #19
He's dumb enough to reply "$3 billion? Terrible reporter, I made $6 billion. $3 billion is fake news. flvegan Dec 29 #21
Trump can't even pronounce " Emoluments Clause"..... much less understand it Jack Valentino Dec 29 #24
Reporters should surely ask the question vapor2 Dec 29 #25
He is a pathological liar, and would flatly deny it. Martin Eden Dec 30 #26
I think I would add... OldBaldy1701E Dec 30 #27
Waste of time. His answer would be,"because I'm a great businessman." Martin68 Dec 30 #30
Emoluments Clause gfarber Dec 30 #31
Outstanding!!! Dan Dec 30 #32
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»I would like to hear some...»Reply #31