I’ve come up with a con man theory on Donald Trump. His economic policies are foolish. His immigration policy damages America. So, what is Trump really up to? What is Trump’s goal? We also check in on local Poway news including the Tony Blain Recall, another Poway Housing proposal, and discussion of Poway Mayor in 2026.



It’s Wednesday, June 4, 2025. This is what John Riley thinks.



WHEN YOU JUST FIGURE OUT THAT Trump is a con man then everything makes sense in its own weird way.




* The bombastic ideas. The uneducated policies. The subtle racism.



* None of these policies really matter to him personally.



* Do you think Trump gives a crap about illegal immigrants taking jobs or getting free govt services?



* tools to rally his base, distract voters, and remain in power.



* Trump has no political principles. It's obvious.



* Trump's real agenda is something different. This is what a con man does.



* Note his sons were a big part of the Bitcoin show a few days ago.



* But he needs to remain in power as POTUS to make those goals work.




TACO TRADE WARS.




* Trump tariffs are on. Trump tariffs are off. Circus.



* Nations don’t trade. People and corporations do.



* Trade Deficits = aggregation of who is buying more from whom.



* Trade deficits don’t matter. Grocery store.



* Canada and China are ripping us off!



* MAGA political strategy, rust belt swing states, Electoral College strategy.



* Meanwhile Eric Trump and Don Jr doing billion-dollar real estate deals.



* Trump trade “deals” help Trump kids’ real estate deals.




ART OF THE STEEL.




* Trump steel tariffs from 25% (Biden) to 50%.



* Trump announces deal with steel works.



* Promises $5,000 bonus and no layoffs.



* Steel products more expensive.* Domestic manufacturers raise prices.* Manufacturers that require steel parts pay more.

* More jobs lost than gained.





* So why Trump doing it?* It’s politics.* Strong loyalty with a powerful voting bloc in the swing states of the Rust Belt.

* It’s all about staying in power.





* Keep your eye on the other hand, namely “deals” his children are making around the world due to Trump’s power and popularity.




REPLACE INCOME TAX WITH TARIFFS?




* End federal income tax for people making less than $150,000/yr.??Point of tariffs is to lessen trade which lessens tariff revenue.



* Numbers don’t add up.* Bottom 90% pay 60% of taxes.* Income tax revenue $1.7T

* Bottom 90% pay $1TRoughly speaking, we are talking about ending federal income taxes for people in the Bottom 90% which makes up approx. 50% of total individual tax revenue, or approx. $850B/yr.





* Trump tariffs project $200B-$500B revenue per year.



* If you increase the tariff rate, then imports drop more and so does revenue.



* Doesn’t add up.



* It’s voter manipulation. It’s an Electoral College Strategy.




TRUMP BRAIN DRAIN.




* Trump driving away international college students (free speech)