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peppertree

(23,586 posts)

26. America's Mobutu

Sun Jun 28, 2026, 11:29 AM

Yesterday

Mobutu was, as you may know, the longtime (and CIA-installed) dictator of what's now the DR Congo.

Already a poor country, he drove what was then Zaire into the ground by basically treating the central bank as his own piggy bank - and generous U.S. and French aid as his personal payments.

And what money didn't end up in European banks and estates, it ended up paying for the construction (using costly European contractors) of several mansions scattered throughout Zaire - one of the largest countries in the world.

One looked like a Chinese temple in the Forbidden City, and another included a runway big enough for a Concord.

Few dared complain.

That's Cheeto's model of governance: that of a craven African dictator.

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greatauntoftriplets wave_maker IcyPeas calimary electric_blue68 Attilatheblond

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Highlight:

Donald Trump's golf club seeks approval for 11,330-square-foot expansion, and it has little to do with golf [View all] riversedge Yesterday OP

We ARE NOT FU@#ing Paying for it! PuraVidaDreamin Yesterday #1

Yep. And he probably plans to entertain there at taxpayer expense. Lonestarblue Yesterday #5

Best little whorehouse... ananda Yesterday #14

Just like Mar A Lago; he's made MILLIONS off of US by hosting there. Callie1979 Yesterday #32

At least we'll know, under which cement structure Ivana is buried. 3Hotdogs Yesterday #7

Trump wants his name on everything... GiqueCee Yesterday #2

;-{) THEN THIS Goonch Yesterday #3

This is not accurate. There needs to be a fat slob on a green, along with the golf cart ON the green. 3Hotdogs Yesterday #8

Can't believe he left the clubhouse white instead of gold. KS Toronado Yesterday #9

;-{) Case is on Supreme Court Docket Goonch Yesterday #25

Construction cannot begin until all permits are issued AverageOldGuy Yesterday #4

This is New Jersey, so they slow walk it dave99 Yesterday #6

Hopefully! electric_blue68 Yesterday #40

The must be Trump's plan B for his eternal shrine. If they don't stuff the corpse under glass and display it Vinca Yesterday #10

What is it about ballrooms with this guy? The Madcap Yesterday #11

Members of the Post family must talk to him at night Bengus81 Yesterday #13

We've seen him dance Bayard Yesterday #27

OH GOD WHY Callie1979 Yesterday #33

I was just wondering the same thing. calimary Yesterday #31

He thinks his tux is slimming Attilatheblond Yesterday #42

Are.You.Fuckkking.Kidding.Me??? IcyPeas Yesterday #12

America's Mobutu peppertree Yesterday #26

Woah! I do remember the name. electric_blue68 Yesterday #41

As Donald Fagen put it: '90 minutes, from New York to Paris'....But for that little thing called the sonic boom... peppertree Yesterday #43

Yeah.... THAT! electric_blue68 Yesterday #44

After he leaves office, he will still be entitled to Secret Service protection. Tanuki Yesterday #15

congress can and shoul remove it moonshinegnomie Yesterday #17

As is Joe Biden. You can later decline it as Biden did as VP Bengus81 Yesterday #24

Joe Biden didn't add an 11,330 ft ballroom to his residence. Tanuki Yesterday #38

Thats why he only lived at his resorts when he was out of office; the grift. Callie1979 Yesterday #34

trump is a convicted felon moonshinegnomie Yesterday #16

oh, HE doesnt own them. A COMPANY does! Callie1979 Yesterday #35

Is it possible that his entire WH project is an effort to sweep the costs of his NJ ballroom under the rug? Bristlecone Yesterday #18

I'm sure that's why the inflated no-bid reflecting pool contract Tanuki Yesterday #39

At least we know where the Whitehouse "ballroom" overcosts will be used. Buddyzbuddy Yesterday #19

What is this dude's obsession with freaking ballrooms??? RazorbackExpat Yesterday #20

He's going to build his own ballroom! This is nuts .... FakeNoose Yesterday #21

"The club will also need to build a larger sewage treatment facility" chouchou Yesterday #22

The answer is "Yes." The Madcap Yesterday #28

So that is why the WH ballroom kacekwl Yesterday #23

Room for more burial plots? Pinback Yesterday #29

Trump wants to be the belle of the ball Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Yesterday #30

The Great Fatsby The Madcap Yesterday #36

Hey, MSN... OldBaldy1701E Yesterday #37

I thought maybe it Faux pas Yesterday #45