Don't cower to the bullies behind Trump's conviction

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Editor's note: This article was originally published on TheBlaze.com.

On Thursday, I asked myself something that Ben Franklin asked himself as the Founding Fathers were writing the Declaration of Independence. As they were debating what should be included in the document, he looked at John Hancock's chair. It had a half sun engraved on it. He asked himself if it was a rising sun or a setting sun. He deemed, in the end, that it was a rising sun. He was right.

We must be willing to get back up time and time again.

I asked myself the same question after a Manhattan jury convicted Donald Trump of 34 felonies. Does this mark a rising sun or a setting sun on our nation? Is this the day historians will write down as the end of America? Is this the day when our slumber and complacency finally caught up to us? Or is it the beginning of a new chapter?

We, both in our national history and in our individual lives, are faced with challenges that test our resolve and push us to the limits. It's in these moments when everything seems unwinnable, when everything seems too steep to climb, when the odds are all against us, that you discover who you really are. Those are the times that forge your character.

We, as a nation, have been fat and lazy. We’ve had everything handed to us, and we don't really know who we are. Most people never change because they’re afraid. When I was at my worst, I was afraid there was nothing good in me, that here was nothing good to discover. I was afraid to look inside myself. But you’ll never find those things unless you look and embrace the hard things. You have to understand that every trial and every setback will make you stronger, wiser, and gentler.

America, today is the day of choosing. Today is the day it is now our turn to step up and save the republic and, consequently, the world. Make no mistake that the world is watching. I hope you feel the weight of that expectation. I hope you realize the sting of failure that will come if we don't step up.

I thought a lot of Teddy Roosevelt last night. To paraphrase his speech “The Man in the Arena,” it’s not the critic who counts, but the one who dares to step into the ring and risk everything. It’s the man who’s willing to fail over and over again if it means that he will stand against his accusers. He continues to get up, though he’s tired, his face marred with blood and mud. Despite all that, he gets up and fights again.

We’ve had everything handed to us, and we don't really know who we are.

It's easy to quit. It is easy to believe that we have no chance. It is easy to be knocked down, and as humiliating as it is to lie face-down in the dirt, that’s exactly what every bully wants you to do. That’s why every bully demands that you stay down and don't get up lest you face a bigger beating.

But the man who inspires others to stand continues to get up — wobbly, barely able to fight — but he refuses to bend the knee and surrender to the bully. Failure is not the end, nor was Thursday’s stain on American justice our end. It is simply a stepping stone to the path of greatness, a stepping stone to make America great again.

That is not just a slogan for a political campaign. That is true. We have lost our way, and we will become an embarrassment for everything we say we stand for if we maintain the present course.

It’s time to get up from the dirt and stand.

Each fall teaches us resilience. Each setback strengthens our determination. Every time we get up after the bully knocks us down, there is someone in the crowd watching who then turns our way and sees the bullies for who they really are. Oh, Lord, here are the words of my mouth: Save our republic. If we don't follow Him, He cannot help us.

What we have in front of us today is a decision. Do we get up, or do we lie face-down in the dirt?

What is possibly worth taking these beatings? Donald Trump is just a symbol. He's a symbol of what bullies do to anyone who refuses to play their game. Bullies come to town all the time, and they teach everybody go along with their rules. They whisper, “Don't you try to help that beaten man stand up.” We must decide if we will do their bidding or stand up to them. Will we stand idly by while the crowds chant “Barabbas!”? Building anything of value, whether it's a country, a career, a relationship, or simply our own character, requires unwavering dedication.

We must be willing to get back up time and time again, to face our fears, to face our doubts, to press on no matter what happens to us. It is through that relentless effort that we become Americans. We discover our true potential as a people the world has always known as Americans — not the kind of Americans we've become, but the kind of Americans we've all striven to be throughout our history.

America, today is the day of choosing.

I've always believed the American was defined by a “can-do” spirit. The people who crossed the Rockies tamed the West. We change, rescue, and heal the world. I didn't realize how much until I studied history — real history, not the crap they teach you in school. I never really understood how stained our name is from those in power, those who only serve through corruption and greed and sometimes even evil.

But I have truly always believed, and I still believe today, that the American stands for honor, integrity, truth, and justice. That is the American way. To those of you who live in the shadow of fear around the world, yesterday may have changed that perception, but it did not change it for me. I will not surrender to those words.

We are not done. Each of us needs to come together. You don’t have to do anything grand, and I'm not going to do anything grand. We need to remember that every step forward, no matter how small, contributes to the journey of those who continue to stand up. Those people who refuse to give in always end up winning.

The value is not just in the destination but in the courage and perseverance that we show along the way. It wasn't that we always won with no cost. Americans have always paid a high price for what we believe. That's what's admirable, and quite honestly, I think that's what Americans have lost and what has put us into this position. By doing the hard things, by refusing to give up, we build a legacy of strength and integrity, and I fear we’ve squandered it because we didn’t understand it. That’s what we’ve lost. That is what the world will lose should we fail — should America fail. It’s time to get up from the dirt and stand.

Is Romania squashing its own 'Trump' candidate?

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This week the streets of Bucharest, the capital of Romania, erupted in protest after the Constitutional Courts annulled the recent first round of the presidential election after the "far-right" candidate won.

The government is lying to you. If you have been listening to Glenn for a long time you already know that, and you also know that if you try to call attention to the lies you get labeled a conspiracy theorist or "far-right." This is not only true in America but across the world. Politicians cheat, steal, and grab power, then lie about all of it. This is the root of countless issues across every government on the planet, and recently Romania has become the latest example of this unfortunate phenomenon.

But what is really happening in Romania? Was this an actual attempt to stamp out someone who would shed light on lies and corruption? Or did the Romanian government put a stop to a genuine bad actor?

The Election

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On December 6th, 2024, the Romanian Constitutional Court canceled the second round of the presidential election amid claims of Russian interference. The second round of the election would have seen right-wing candidate, Calin Georgescu face off against pro-European centrist Elena Lasconi.

The trouble surrounds Georgescu, who stands accused of using Russian aid to run an unprecedented social media campaign that helped him win an election pollsters claimed he stood no chance of winning. Georgescu's rapid rise in popularity on social media does raise some eyebrows, and to add to the suspicion he declared he had zero campaign spending. On the other hand, Georgescu's supporters claim that his quick rise to stardom and underdog victory is due to the growing resentment for the ever-out-of-touch political elite.

Georgescu's Platform

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Georgescu rose to prominence on a platform many of his detractors have labeled "far-right," "pro-Russian," and "populist" (sound familiar?). His positions include supporting Romanian farmers, increasing Romanian self-reliance, and increasing local energy production. Georgescu has been lauded for his message of hope and vision for the future and his dedication to truth, freedom, and sovereignty.

Georgescu is also a vocal Christian and a supporter of the Romanian Orthodox Church. He has questioned the climate change and COVID-19 narrative as well as NATO and the war in Ukraine, which is how he earned his "Pro-Russian" monicker. Georgescu promised to respect and honor its obligations to the EU and NATO, but only to the extent that they respect Romania and its interests.

What Happens Next?

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After Georgescu's unexpected victory, the Romanian Constitutional Courts annulled the election's first round and scheduled it to restart on May 4th. As of now, it is unclear whether Georgescu will be allowed to participate in the new election. This act by the Constitutional Courts triggered mass protests in the capital, Bucharest, and has caused many Romainians to question the state of democracy within their country.

Many of the protesters are calling what happened a coup and are demanding the election be allowed to continue to the second round. They are also calling for the resignation of current President Klaus Iohannis, who has maintained power thanks to the incomplete elections. Georgescu has officially challenged the court's decision and even made a complaint to the European Court of Human Rights, but it is unclear if his appeal will make any difference.

The tides have turned — and now the very same banks that were pushing heavy-handed environmental, social, governance rules are running away from them.

In a significant victory, a federal judge in Texas has ruled that employers and asset managers cannot use environmental, social, and governance factors in employee retirement accounts. If this ruling holds up — which is likely, given the conservative composition of the appellate court — it will dramatically shift the balance of power between corporations and their employees.

This decision represents one of the most substantial blows to the ESG agenda to date. Companies that have been steering employees into ESG-focused investments, which prioritize progressive values over financial returns, now face legal repercussions. Continuing such practices would directly violate federal law. The ruling forces companies to re-evaluate their commitment to ESG initiatives, and many may withdraw from these funds before the case even reaches the appellate court.

Watching these corporations squirm as they try to backtrack and avoid legal repercussions is ever so satisfying.

The impact of this ruling could very well be the beginning of the end for the ESG movement as it’s been pushed by elites.

In even better news, BlackRock, a major player in the ESG movement, has officially left the United Nations’ International Association of Asset Managers. This is a direct rebuke of the global push for ESG initiatives and a major sign that the tide is turning. In contrast to the Glasgow Net Zero Conference in which the Global Financial Alliance for Net Zero — an organization championed by global elites — was pushing for ESG to be a central focus, BlackRock’s departure from the group signals that even those who were at the forefront of this movement are starting to distance themselves.

But it doesn't stop there. Every major U.S. bank has now announced that they too are leaving the U.N.’s Association of Net Zero ESG Bankers, another key part of the Glasgow Financial Alliance. For years, we’ve been warning that ESG in banking was one of the primary ways elites like Biden, the Davos crowd, and others were planning to reset the world’s economy.

The tides have turned — and now those very same banks are running away from ESG, a powerful signal of things to come. They know they’re on the losing side, and they’re scared that a new administration will come down hard on them for their involvement in these globalist initiatives.

In another win, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau unveiled a shocking new rule that, if it survives, would prohibit many financial institutions from de-banking customers based on their political or religious views, or even certain types of speech. While the rule is not as comprehensive as we need it to be, it’s a step in the right direction — and it includes concerns raised by our allies about the dangers of ESG. The Trump administration has promised to come down even harder on the banks with tougher rules, and this is a very good start.

Watching these corporations squirm as they try to backtrack and avoid legal repercussions is ever so satisfying. Some are running for cover while others are desperately trying to ingratiate themselves with the powers that be. It’s clear that the backbone of these companies is made of rubber, not steel. They don’t really believe in the ESG values they preach — they’re just playing the game to get in bed with the political elites.

Now that Trump is back in town, these corporations are showing their true colors. They never cared about their customers or the values they forced upon them. It was always about the power they could acquire through catering to those in power at the time.

No company should be afraid of the president of the United States. But they’re not afraid of Donald Trump. They’re afraid of the return of the rule of law. They know that fascistic public-private partnerships between the government and corporations are on the way out. That’s a victory for freedom and a victory for the American people.

Editor's Note: This article was originally published on TheBlaze.com.

Inside President Trump's EXCLUSIVE inauguration balls

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Inauguration Monday was a busy day for President Trump, and it didn't stop after his inauguration address either. President Trump partied across D.C. long into the night.

Exclusive balls are a D.C. tradition on inauguration night, hosting many of the nation's most influential people. President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump appeared at three of the most prestigious balls: the Commander-in-Chief Ball, the Liberty Ball, and the Starlight Ball.

These parties had star-studded guest lists that included celebrities, musicians, politicians, and many more. Here is a peek into the exclusive inaugural balls:

Commander-in-Chief Ball

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Trump's first stop was at the Commander-in-Chief Ball, an event dedicated to the armed forces that defend our nation. The event included a dance where Vice President J.D. Vance and his wife Usha Vance joined the President and First Lady on stage and a performance from the country music band Rascal Flatts and country singer Parker McCollum. President Trump also spoke to U.S. service members stationed in South Korea on a video call and cut a cake shaped like Air Force One with a sword.

Several people of note were in attendance, including Trump's pick for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, and actor Jon Voight. Musician and avid Trump supporter Kid Rock was also in attendance along with country music star Billy Ray Cyrus.

Liberty Ball

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Trump's second stop of the night was at the Liberty Ball, an event thrown for all of Trump's loyal supporters. The event had a magnificent lineup of musicians, including country singer Jason Aldean and rapper Nelly. There was even a live performance of Trump's iconic campaign song, "YMCA" by Village People.

Also in attendance were President Trump's daughter, Ivanka Trump, and her husband Jared Kushner, who appeared on stage with her father.

Starlight Ball

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Wrapping up his night of celebration, President Trump visited the Starlight Ball, which was full of major donors to his campaign.

Shortly after arriving, the presidential couple and the vice presidential couple shared a dance in front of a mock White House. Later the stage featured singer Gavin DeGraw for a memorable performance. Notably, renowned podcaster and comedian Theo Von was spotted entering the event. Von is known for hosting President Trump on his podcast for an in-depth interview during his campaign, which many credit boosting Trump's popularity with the younger generation.

Top five executive orders Trump plans to sign

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Donald J. Trump has officially been sworn back into office, and the restoration of America begins today!

Over the weekend, President Trump gave a sneak peek into the tidal wave of executive orders he has promised to sign on day one. Judging by the nature of these orders, it appears that Trump will hit the ground running, making massive strides toward his campaign promises mere hours after being sworn in. While the scope of the 200-plus orders is wide-reaching, there is a special focus on the southern border, the energy crisis, and purging DEI policies from the federal government.

Below we have compiled a list of the top FIVE executive orders that will be on Trump's desk today:

Declare a national emergency at the border

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The situation on the U.S.-Mexico border has been in a state of free fall for the past four years as millions of undocumented, illegal immigrants have flooded into our nation. By declaring this crisis a national emergency, Trump will bring the needed attention to the border, as well as free his hands to act decisively.

Designate cartels as terrorist organizations

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Drug cartels are responsible for many of the most heinous crimes committed across the border. These cartels are well-organized and run illicit operations including drug and weapon smuggling and human and sex trafficking. Over the past four years, the cartels have begun to establish themselves deeper and deeper in America, as in the case of an apartment complex reportedly being taken over by a Venezuelan cartel in Aurora, Colorado. By labeling these cartels as terrorist organizations, we can begin handling them with the necessary force required to relinquish their hold on American soil.

Resume construction on the border wall

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Shortly after taking office, President Biden halted the construction of the border wall, a project that was a staple of Trump's 2016 campaign. Over the past four years, no progress has been made on the mammoth structure designed to help secure our border—but that ends today.

Declare a national energy emergency

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During Trump's first term in the Oval Office, America was energy independent, a status quickly lost under Biden. By declaring an energy emergency, Trump plans to cut through miles of red tape and help America tap its bountiful natural energy sources, such as oil and gas. Under Trump, Keystone XL can resume, and new sources of oil and gas can be tapped for the first time, ending our reliance on foreign energy.

Force the federal government to recognize biological sex

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Flying in the face of the woke ideology that has been permeating the American government for years, Trump will sign an executive order that establishes a government-wide acknowledgment of the gender binary—that is, that there are only two genders, male and female. This will require all government identifications, such as passports and personnel records, to reflect biological reality and end the forced use of "preferred pronouns." It will also end taxpayer-funded transition procedures for members of the military and prisoners.