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)


• nonsense policy to appeal to MAGAs, hate elites.


• International students with STEM degrees should get a Green Card.


• Trump policy pushes talent away to empower rivals.


• Brain drain idea where America is the Loser.


• Missed educational opportunity to teach American values.
  
  
  
  • future high-impact international scientists, business people, politicians, and journalists around the world.
  
  
  
  

POWAY

TONY BLAIN RECALL.

• BREAKING NEWS:
  
  
  
  • John Couvrette
  
  
  
  
  
  
  • There were three uniformed police officers from the District Attorney’s office. They detained Tony Blain and searched his car after the City Council meeting. I did not see any arrest. Since the DA started interviewing multiple people regarding Tony’s alleged vote trading and extortion several months ago, the DA has declined to comment on the Tony Blain matter. This is the first public action I am aware of regarding the DA’s office investigation of Tony Blain.
  
  
  
  


• Other recall efforts in Poway sputter.


• Tony Blain recall campaign is well run.


• Messaging is consistent and on target. The evidence is presented clearly. I have seen the message in direct mail, email, website, YouTube and on Facebook. I am sure the message is on other platforms too.


• Signature Drive:
  
  
  
  • John Couvrette
  
  
  
  
  
  
  • Ed Franklin – we need 25% of the 9,700+ registered voters. We are half way through the 90 days and are more than half way to our required signatures. Momentum has picked up – however there is still an effort required to get us across the goal line.
  
  
  
  


• I’d sign the recall petition, but I don’t live in District 2.


• I don’t see how Blain can survive this.

TONY BLAIN FOR POWAY MAYOR SIGN SPOTTED ON ESPOLA.

• You must applaud Tony for staying on offense. LOL.


• What does Blain want to do as mayor that he can’t do as a council member?

SUNSHINE IS THE BEST DISINFECTANT.

• Transparency in govt is a good thing.


• official communications should be done on official channels.
  
  
  
  • so, the public can see it.
  
  
  
  


• Politicians are going to have private communications.
  
  
  
  • including private official discussion that violates the Brown Act.
  
  
  
  


• Be vigilant in identifying it and calling it out.


• That’s what is happening with Blain.

WITCH HUNT?

• Some locals upset Poway suing Blain.
  
  
  
  • Abuse of taxpayer dollars?
  
  
  
  


• Some see this exercise as a Witch Hunt.
  
  
  
  • In a political context, a “witch hunt” refers to an intense and often unfair public campaign or investigation, typically aimed at exposing perceived wrongdoings or disloyalty, but often used to harm opponents. It can involve elements of moral panic, mass hysteria, and the scapegoating of individuals or groups. 
  
  
  
  


• Enemy of my Enemy is my Friend?


• Addendum: withdrawn proposal to allow council members to fine each other, likely another way to shut down Blain.

GOOD OLD DAYS?

• Was Poway better in the 1970s? Some say yes.


• Local politics is best when things are calm and quiet.


• Local leaders of high character focusing on the basics.
  
  
  
  • Poway used to be that way.
  
  
  
  


• Recalls on Blain, DeHoff and Vaus.


• What happened in Poway?
  
  
  
  • Housing
  
  
  
  

TIRE SHOP OR HOUSING?

• Poway NIMBYs are freaking out about the proposal to put in a 16-unit apartment building on Poway Rd in place of a tire shop.


• Usual complaints.
  
  
  
  • More traffic!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  • More stress on infrastructure!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  • Not enough parking!
  
  
  
  


• Commercial property like a ti