# A Perfectly Reasonable Amount of Schadenfreude about Things Happening to Trump & His Enablers (Part 3) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [January 20, 2025, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175 "2025-01-20T19:23:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 218
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2026, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/4342 "2026-07-31T20:58:59Z")
There was apparently an OpenAI watermark (itself not exactly a sign of high editorial standards on the part of the team), so it was definitely AI slop that nobody checked. Or did check but too stupid to realize was wrong. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2026, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/4343 "2026-07-31T22:44:10Z")
And… Case is dropped. I hope he sues for compensation. > **[Justice Dept. admits Reflecting Pool renovation was flawed, drops case...](https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/31/politics/doj-admits-reflecting-pool-renovation-flawed-drops-case-david-hearn?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=missions&utm_source=reddit)** > > The Justice Department is admitting that President Donald Trump’s $14 million renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was flawed, and it is dropping the criminal case against former Olympian David Hearn that accused him of damaging the... ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2026, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/4344 "2026-07-31T23:12:43Z")
I’m more surprised that they’re admitting that the job was flawed. Can it be so? (Off to read link…) ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2026, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/4345 "2026-07-31T23:24:27Z")
> … “It was not until after the return of the indictment [of Hearn], that the [Department of Interior] provided additional documents to the [US Attorney’s Office in DC] indicating that damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in June 2026 was the result of flawed installation by the contractor, Atlantic Industrial Coatings, and the rush to complete the project prior to events associated with the America 250 celebration in the weeks surrounding Independence Day 2026.” I wonder if the “additional documents” appeared as if by magic about the time the Keystone Kops at the DOJ realized that not only did their prosecution not have a leg to stand on, it was likely to be ~~laughed out of court~~ dismissed with extreme prejudice and a tongue lashing from the judge. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2026, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/4346 "2026-07-31T23:44:49Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > I have the means to look that up in milliseconds on the electronic device I’m typing this on. Why didn’t that person do the same? Because the target audience - Doesn’t know either - Doesn’t give a shit about _those_ countries. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2026, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/4347 "2026-08-01T09:29:53Z")
> [@OttoDaFe](#): > > I wonder if the “additional documents” appeared as if by magic about the time the Keystone Kops at the DOJ realized that not only did their prosecution not have a leg to stand on, it was likely to be ~~laughed out of court~~ dismissed with extreme prejudice and a tongue lashing from the judge. Not only that, but they actually damaged it themselves by stupidly driving a motorcade through it. While that’s not a secret, it’s also not something you want to draw further attention to by accusing someone else in court of an act you actually did. Because that’s a very obvious and easy defense. I expect that once he fought back a little they realized how bad a trial might make them look, and you really don’t want that a couple of months before the midterms. It’s already bad enough with a failing war and economy. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2026, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/4348 "2026-08-01T13:03:47Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Not only that, but they actually damaged it themselves by stupidly driving a motorcade through it. While that’s not a secret, it’s also not something you want to draw further attention to by accusing someone else in court of an act you actually did. I imagine the prosecution took it as far as they did for one simple reason, to appease Trump. They knew the whole time they didn’t have a case but wanted to show Trump they were doing something. ---
**Author:** ![JacobSwan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@JacobSwan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JacobSwan)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2026, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/4349 "2026-08-01T13:04:16Z")
You don’t need to be an expert in African Geography to realise that the Ivory Coast probably isn’t a land locked country. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2026, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/4350 "2026-08-01T13:10:39Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > And… > > Case is dropped. I hope he sues for compensation. These idiots finally figured out that it would be laughed out of court and Jeannine Pirro could be disbarred for attempting to create a scapegoat. In other words - “That total and complete bullshit didn’t stick to the wall” Oh, they will try again though. That’s how Trump ‘governs’ I hope he sues too. I would gladly contribute to that fund. > [@Procrustus](#): > > It’s a start, but the fact that _any_ American approves of this corrupt buffoon still baffles me. Proof that 30% of Americans are dum **b** er than that thing in the White House. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2026, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/4351 "2026-08-01T13:11:24Z")
> [@JacobSwan](#): > > You don’t need to be an expert in African Geography to realise that the Ivory Coast probably isn’t a land locked country. C’mon, give them a break. These are _really_ stupid people. That would also require them to realize that “Côte d’Ivoire” translates to “Ivory Coast.” Yeah, that’s not happening. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2026, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/4352 "2026-08-01T13:20:21Z")
I’ll give it a point for at least appearing to understand that Africa is not a country. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2026, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/4353 "2026-08-01T14:10:47Z")
Short of the his orangeness keeling over, this is just about most welcome bit of schadenfreude one could hope for. [**The MAGA media Machine is fracturing** (NYT gift link)](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/31/us/politics/trump-iran-economy-media-critics.html?unlocked_article_code=1.2FA.0Iyn.Ovgb1D8WKZi6&smid=url-share) > The shifts [in right wing influencers fortunes] add to a growing body of evidence that suggests the audience for pro-Trump content has fallen from its heights and, for some creators, has reached new lows. Views are dropping for many of Mr. Trump’s greatest allies, while some figures on the right who have taken to criticizing Mr. Trump are showing uneven gains. > > The shifts threaten to complicate messaging this year for Republican candidates, who have for years relied on a united front of content creators to rile up Republicans and guide them to the polls each election cycle. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2026, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/4354 "2026-08-01T14:17:09Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > I imagine the prosecution took it as far as they did for one simple reason, to appease Trump. They knew the whole time they didn’t have a case but wanted to show Trump they were doing something. I’m sure the reason they dropped the case on a Friday was no coincidence— so the story has the weekend to die down a little before the Monday news cycle starts back up. Announce the case with a lot of flag waving and fanfare, drop the case as quietly as possible. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2026, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/4355 "2026-08-01T15:16:55Z")
> [@solost](#): > > I’m sure the reason they dropped the case on a Friday was no coincidence— so the story has the weekend to die down a little before the Monday news cycle starts back up. Announce the case with a lot of flag waving and fanfare, drop the case as quietly as possible. Also, there was talk of the defense getting the grand jury transcripts released. I’m sure they needed to avoid that after the prosecution straight-up lied to get the indictment. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2026, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/4356 "2026-08-01T15:47:43Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > Also, there was talk of the defense getting the grand jury transcripts released. I’m sure they needed to avoid that after the prosecution straight-up lied to get the indictment. That was my thought, too. The grand jury presentation had to be a complete shitshow. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2026, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/4357 "2026-08-01T15:58:45Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > In other words - “That total and complete bullshit didn’t stick to the wall” Oh, they will try again though. I read somewhere it was dismissed without prejudice, so apparently they are leaving the door open for that very thing. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2026, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/4358 "2026-08-01T16:28:25Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > I imagine the prosecution took it as far as they did for one simple reason, to appease Trump. They knew the whole time they didn’t have a case but wanted to show Trump they were doing something. Yes, this. Also I heard that the defense in this case had notified the prosecution that they have better do NOTHING to fix the reflecting pool, as the peeling layers were evidence of improper installation. So that’s part of the reason it’s been sitting there waving it’s peeling layers in the wind, behind the laughable tarp barriers. It was there for all to see. Very hard to bullshit their way through it. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2026, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/4359 "2026-08-01T17:13:44Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > They knew the whole time they didn’t have a case but wanted to show Trump they were doing something. I donno if they knew they had nothing. These people are vindictive idiots after all. I think, if it’s possible they are dum_b_er than Trump. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2026, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/4360 "2026-08-01T17:18:52Z")
> [@OttoDaFe](#): > > I wonder if the “additional documents” appeared as if by magic about the time the Keystone Kops at the DOJ realized that not only did their prosecution not have a leg to stand on Hmm. According to Pirro in this video, Hearn was ripping up the liner from the bottom of the pool and was observed by several Park employees while doing so. And he did so using a ‘violent effort’. Yet somehow those additional documents refute those eyewitnesses? What a fucking clown show. > **[WATCH: U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announces felony charge related to...](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-u-s-attorney-jeanine-pirro-announces-felony-charge-related-to-reflecting-pool)** > > A former Olympian was indicted Thursday on a felony charge in what President Donald Trump has called vandalism of the Reflecting Pool. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2026, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/4361 "2026-08-01T17:36:14Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Proof that 30% of Americans are dum **b** er than that thing in the White House. They are probably the “you can fool some of the people all of the time” group that we often hear about. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175.md?page=217) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175.md?page=219)