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Trump Trades in Android Phone For Secret Service-Approved Device (cnet.com)

Who's got two thumbs and a Secret Service-approved phone to tweet from? On arriving in Washington on Thursday ahead of his inauguration, Donald Trump has handed in his Android device in exchange for an unidentified locked-down phone, according to Associated Press. From a report: The phone comes with a new number that is known only to a limited number of people. This marks a big change for Trump, who's frequently on the line with friends, business contacts, reporters, foreign leaders and politicians. Barack Obama was the first president to use a mobile device approved by security agencies because of hacking concerns. Initially he had a heavily modified BlackBerry and later switched to another phone that had most features totally disabled. He was not known to use it for making or receiving calls, but it was one of few devices that had access to the @POTUS Twitter account.

98 of 206 comments (clear)

  1. If they're smart... by Notabadguy · · Score: 2, Funny

    If they're smart it will have been a toy phone. He can beep-boop-beep on it to his heart's content. Bonus points if pressing the buttons makes a pleasant sound each time.

    1. Re: If they're smart... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Last day to bash Trump! Then he will deport you.

    2. Re:If they're smart... by CajunArson · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Yeah Trump's just SO STUPID!

      You are SO ORIGINAL with that zinger! Damn, are you up for a Pulitzer?

      Incidentally, if he's so stupid, how come Hillary isn't being inaugurated today?

      --
      AntiFA: An abbreviation for Anti First Amendment.
    3. Re:If they're smart... by GerardAtJob · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I'm not even a USA citizen, and I feel like you since
      - he did nothing yet
      - he was elected.

      Perhaps you'll see me hate him in a few weeks, but not yet lol

      --
      I can't call that English ;-)
    4. Re: If they're smart... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      the grapes are soar, eh hombre :)

      Muchacho, aboot the only time grapes can soar is if e.g. launched out of a window in the Trump Towers.

    5. Re:If they're smart... by kilfarsnar · · Score: 5, Informative

      Yeah Trump's just SO STUPID!

      You are SO ORIGINAL with that zinger! Damn, are you up for a Pulitzer?

      Incidentally, if he's so stupid, how come Hillary isn't being inaugurated today?

      I don't think he's stupid at all. I just think he's a boor and a con man.

      --
      "What the American public doesn't know is what makes them the American public." -Ray Zalinsky (Tommy Boy)
    6. Re:If they're smart... by Opportunist · · Score: 1, Offtopic

      Because people enjoy having a president they can identify with.

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
    7. Re: If they're smart... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Troll

      Trump needs a real phone to call russian prostitutes and golden-shower them.

      Sorry, Snowflake. This was yet another bogus Fake News story. Completely fabricated. And you fell for it.

      Thanks for playing.

    8. Re:If they're smart... by Notabadguy · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Yes...yes he is. And his opponent wasn't a boring public servant. She's a traitor, a habitual liar, incompetent, self-serving, and saggy-boobs deep in pay-for-play.

      Think on that. We elected an IDIOT because he's better than the alternative. If he gets our soldiers killed or sells us out, it'll be because he's dumb and incompetent, not because he's sleazy and malicious.

      At least with him, there's a chance.

    9. Re:If they're smart... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      I can't believe I found myself missing the Mormon.

    10. Re:If they're smart... by CajunArson · · Score: 1, Informative

      Yes, blame the blacks -- oh wait -- jews -- oh wait -- Russians for everything. It's literally impossible that Hillary might have lost because she ran an incompetent campaign while living in special bubble created by the press and her elite celebrity pals who told her that she didn't have to earn the election.

      It's sort of ironic that you call Trump a xenophobe while the entire Democrat and press establishment go on a witchhunt for foreigners that makes Mccarthyism look like Mr. Rogers.

      --
      AntiFA: An abbreviation for Anti First Amendment.
    11. Re:If they're smart... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      The best part about Trump is that it's never going to get old. He keeps talking. If he could learn to shut the fuck up, people might eventually forget how stupid and dishonest he is. But he keeps reminding everybody, "Hey, I'm stupid and dishonest!"

      Incidentally, if he's so stupid, how come Hillary isn't being inaugurated today?

      Because people didn't want that piece of shit to be president either. You might be surprised to learn that this is totally independent of Trump's stupidity and dishonesty. (If Trump had been smart, half the country still wouldn't want Clinton as president.)

      You can't fix Democrats by voting for Republicans, and you can't fix Republicans by voting for Democrats. If you are using either of these strategies, then you are also one of the stupid people. You need to start really voting, and that means finally voting against them. A vote for Hillary was a vote for Trump, and a vote for Trump was a vote for Hillary.

      So of course Trump and Hillary won. Trump just won a little more. Good job, Democrats. Enjoy your new president that you supported through your actions. Next time he says something stupid, or the next time you catch him in another lie, remember: you made that guy president. He represents you, because you said, in the voting booth, that you wanted one of those kinds of people to be president. And there were enough of you people doing that, for you to get your wish.

    12. Re:If they're smart... by Mycroft-X · · Score: 5, Funny

      I'm not even a USA citizen, and I feel like you since
      - he did nothing yet
      - he was elected.

      One Nobel Peace Prize, coming right up!

    13. Re:If they're smart... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      Umm, because the electorate is more stupid?

    14. Re:If they're smart... by houghi · · Score: 1, Offtopic

      Incidentally, if he's so stupid, how come Hillary isn't being inaugurated today?

      Because people voted against the current political situation. Enough did not vote for him, but against her. People who understand this have used this to direct their votes.

      --
      Don't fight for your country, if your country does not fight for you.
    15. Re:If they're smart... by GerardAtJob · · Score: 3, Insightful

      If he can drone strike enough people, perhaps he can too ;)

      --
      I can't call that English ;-)
    16. Re:If they're smart... by kilfarsnar · · Score: 1

      Umm, because the electorate is more stupid?

      The electorate in general is pretty stupid, yes. See my sig for more insight.

      --
      "What the American public doesn't know is what makes them the American public." -Ray Zalinsky (Tommy Boy)
    17. Re: If they're smart... by Mashiki · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Because his supports have an IQ of a retarded ferret?

      You'd think that after ~15-17 years of identity politics, labeling people as "racists, nazis, retards, bigots, sexists, etc, etc, etc" that the left would learn something. Seems to be a NOPE on that one. And it's only cost them in the US ~1200 seats of power. It's only cost them brexit. It's likely going to cost them Germany and France too. And with the shit that Trudeau and leftists are now pulling in Canada? I wouldn't be surprised if we see the death of the Liberal Party within the next 5 years. And I'll bet that instead of being introspective, people on the left are gonna double down. Just like the democrats in the US are, just like political parties, and media are in the US and Europe.

      Just a FYI: The left are overrun with extremists. Whether it be people who claim they're anti-racists being racists, claiming to be anti-bigots, while engaging in bigotry. Engaging in general shitty behavior that enables a literal cultural desert because "cultural appropriation." Engaging in sexist or anti-sexual liberation ideologies. It doesn't matter. You are, where the right was ~25 years ago, when you were out there screaming about the "crazy religious right-wing nuts." Get rid of the crazies, dump the identity politics. In short: Get your shit in order.

      --
      Om, nomnomnom...
    18. Re:If they're smart... by laughing_badger · · Score: 1

      Which of his opponents in the Republican primaries are you referring to?

      --
      Help children born unable to swallow - www.tofs.org.uk
    19. Re:If they're smart... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

      Here's a 3d map of the vote by county. Pretty interesting. http://metrocosm.com/election-...

      The "popular" vote is due to just a few counties, which happen to also be safe places for illegals, and highly alleged to be corrupt. We don't know how much voter fraud happened in those places, but it is likely non-zero.

      Being smart, Trump knew that these were no-win states, so he didn't waste any time or money campaigning there. He was going after the win rather than the popular vote. Considering Trumps relatively low campaign costs, he went about it wisely. I hope he handles his presidential decisions this well.

    20. Re:If they're smart... by quantaman · · Score: 2, Informative

      Yes...yes he is. And his opponent wasn't a boring public servant. She's a traitor, a habitual liar, incompetent, self-serving, and saggy-boobs deep in pay-for-play.

      Think on that. We elected an IDIOT because he's better than the alternative. If he gets our soldiers killed or sells us out, it'll be because he's dumb and incompetent, not because he's sleazy and malicious.

      At least with him, there's a chance.

      No you elected an idiot because you are an idiot.

      Clinton had flaws, but none of the things you mentioned were among them (with the possible exception of your weirdly sexist comment about her breasts).

      --
      I stole this Sig
    21. Re:If they're smart... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Incidentally, if he's so stupid, how come Hillary isn't being inaugurated today?

      Partly because when SHE had the opportunity to hand in HER phone for a government one, she refused. Which I find hilarious.

      The major reason I knew I, personally, could never vote for her was when (via leaked emails) it became clear that the reason she was mad at government IT and decided to use her own email server was because they wouldn't let her use her phone inside a SCIF. A SCIF is a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility. The entire point to it is that it's safe from eavesdropping, and therefore is shielded from cell reception (or any kind of reception - it's basically a giant Faraday cage).

      And Clinton was trying to force them to let her use her personal phone inside of it.

      The actual reason she lost, her complete lack of touch with workers, is just gravy. But the fact that she was the type of over-demanding "VP of marketing" type who demanded IT completely ignore security was enough to make me hate her, ignoring the mountain of other reasons. And, of course, her complete disdain for security practices and those who set them up and enforce them then came back to bite her in the ass when her campaign's email was hacked, multiple times. So that was nice too.

      Am I happy we wound up with Trump? No. That's a problem in the Primaries process, where other, better candidates were weeded out because despite the fact that the majority of the GOP hates Trump, they weren't able to settle on a single candidate. In a proper voting system like IRV, Trump never would have won the nomination. Am I happier that the harpy will never see the White House? Hell yes!

    22. Re:If they're smart... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I would argue that he has done something already. Those tweets about the trade deals, disparaging the UN/NATO, etc, are already having an affect on our foreign policy. This is evident by the moves that China has been making to enact their own trade deal as well as countries like Germany signaling that they are unhappy. He needs to realize that all of those off the cuff remarks do really mean something in the geo-political world because they signal his intentions. This bullshit about let's wait and see what he does is just that, when a man shows you who he is believe him the first time.

    23. Re:If they're smart... by PolygamousRanchKid+ · · Score: 1

      I'm not even a USA citizen . . .

      . . . and probably neither were a lot of folks who voted in the US Presidential Election . . . for all of the candidates.

      Oh, and Trump's new phone is not called a "Smart" phone because of all the features and apps, but because it is a Maxwell Smart shoe-phone. Just until that number gets posted on the Internet . . . Trump's shoes will be ringing like crazy! What a hoot and a half for a boring party . . . ring up and talk to Trump's feet!

      --
      Schroedinger's Brexit: The UK is both in and out of the EU at the same time!
    24. Re: If they're smart... by AmiMoJo · · Score: 1, Insightful

      You still don't get it. People don't label Trump and some of his supporters as racists and bigots. They ARE racists and bigots, it's just a statement of fact, and they don't even bother to deny it most of the time. In fact some of them revel in it, including Trump himself.

      This mistake was not countering the narrative that white males are oppressed and equality and progressive ideas have gone too far. Fear and resentment are powerful tools.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    25. Re: If they're smart... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      He's been accused of less rape that #42. So hypocrite.

    26. Re:If they're smart... by Notabadguy · · Score: 1

      I'm having fun watching myself get modded down hard. =D

    27. Re:If they're smart... by GerardAtJob · · Score: 4, Insightful

      That's not him, but all the FUD created by medias lol.
      Country was already divided, since it's voters that votes, not Trump.
      All I just wanna say is -> wait and see! If he does bad, then protest all you want and kick he's sorry ass out of there, but please wait to see what he's going to do, and how.

      We, in Canada, got one interesting guy which love to selfy and every media ""loved"" him... we're stacking record debt since then...
      I guess many US and worldwide big shots are just playing with all your minds via media. Just calm down, wait and see for yourself.

      TDLR : Don't "think emotionally".

      --
      I can't call that English ;-)
    28. Re:If they're smart... by jimbolauski · · Score: 2

      The reason many didn't get behind her was not because she was boring but because of her well earned reputation. When given the choice between a pompous, arrogant, jackass or a slimy, deceitful, politician America choose the arrogant jackass.

      --
      Knowledge = Power
      P= W/t
      t=Money
      Money = Work/Knowledge so the less you know the more you make
    29. Re:If they're smart... by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      Incidentally, if he's so stupid, how come Hillary isn't being inaugurated today?

      Because spewing racism while frothing at the mouth and making unrealistic and truly bizarre promises resonates more with Americans?
      Because stupidity has nothing to do with popularity?
      Because just because one man is incredibly stupid doesn't mean his opponent isn't incredibly dangerous?

      Given the choice of having my country run by Kim Jong Un and a bobblehead Jesus I too would do my best to ensure the ever agreeable Jesus gets inaugurated.

    30. Re: If they're smart... by Mashiki · · Score: 2

      You still don't get it. People don't label Trump and some of his supporters as racists and bigots.

      Going by your reasoning, then democrats and people who support them are pedophiles right? After all, there are so many of them that have deep links to people like Epstein. And there's just so many articles on leftwing media sources, sites and so on in the defense of pedophiles, child porn, and so on. See how easy that works? Haven't learned a single fucking thing.

      They ARE racists and bigots, it's just a statement of fact, ...

      Repeatedly saying that, doesn't make it true. Then again, your definition of "racist and bigots" seems to be anybody who refuses to agree with your political ideology. Which is why the left is right there, screaming no platform. Or attacking, assaulting, or violently assaulting people for having a different point of view. It's why they're organized into groups, it's why those big "left wing" groups keep doing it too. Let's look at that "j20" or whatever it's called and what do we see? Yep, the left has an extremism problem. You know what we call that kiddies? That's right, that would be a fascist ideology.

       

      This mistake was not countering the narrative that white males are oppressed and equality and progressive ideas have gone too far. Fear and resentment are powerful tools.

      The mistake was promoting that ideology and view in the first place. The second mistake is people jumping on board to support it. The third was then implementing progressive ideas that openly supported it and claiming it was diverse. You've suddenly discovered that the rest of society really doesn't support any of the bullshit you've been peddling -- rather they simply tolerated it. Then you decided to double down, and people started going "wait, didn't they argue against this." And you gave rise to the beast that'll kill it for you, unless you do it yourself.

      You enjoying your self-created extremism yet? You know what the real kicker is? You're now going to experience what it's like to be demonized, just like you've done to conservatives for decades. And it's going to be the moderates lining up to take shots at you.

      --
      Om, nomnomnom...
    31. Re:If they're smart... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Yeah, um, he's not the only one dividing the country. As they say, it takes two to tango.

    32. Re:If they're smart... by ItsJustAPseudonym · · Score: 1

      Don't forget "bully".

    33. Re:If they're smart... by newbie_fantod · · Score: 1

      That's not him, but all the FUD created by medias

      I'm getting sick of hearing this B.S.
      The effect Trump's casual comments on the on the stock market - on at least two occasions that I can name (Cancel Air Force1, Dec. 6th; Dollar too strong comment, Jan. 16th) are measurable and are matters of public record, as are many other troubling statements and contradictions by the man.

      What are we to do, pretend that we don't see what we see?

    34. Re: If they're smart... by ArylAkamov · · Score: 1

      Apparently you still don't get it. People who believe what you just posted are why I voted for the chaos candidate.

    35. Re:If they're smart... by Coren22 · · Score: 1

      Actually? He ran a fraudulent ponzi-scheme style 'university' until the court decided he couldn't legally call it that.

      Read up on what a ponzi scheme is some time, his university is nowhere close to that. What does this have to do with the office of the POTUS?

      He cheated HUNDREDS TO THOUSANDS of small business contractors out of their earned due.

      Proof?

      He gave neo-nazis a political platform when he saw the GOP needed new eunuch enforcers.

      Lie. Trump has never supported neo-nazis.

      He publicly attacked cripples, minorities, women, gold star families, veterans, reporters, officials, scientists, teachers.

      As if Hillary was any better?

      He literally undermined the US POTUS office by de-requiring tax disclosures and other basic shit for the office.

      It was never required. It was an optional thing, and never really provided the information you think it would. Trump's tax return is likely very complicated, and wouldn't show you his real earnings which are stored in the companies he owns. You would probably be surprised at how little he puts down that he makes, but if you think of it from the standpoint of his company owning all his property, it makes sense. Since the IRS has audited him many years in a row, don't you think that if there was an issue they would have found it? Do you think that citizen sleuths are going to find his misreported billions when the best auditors that the IRS employs don't see them?

      --
      APK likes to ask for responses to the same things over and over. Maybe he just likes the responses?
    36. Re:If they're smart... by Coren22 · · Score: 1

      A few states? A few states? What crack are you smoking?

      http://www.bbc.com/news/electi...

      Hillary decidedly took 4 states. That is a few states. She won 21 "states" (including DC which isn't a state, but is treated as one for the election). Out of the 51 "states", he won a plurality of the states.

      On the rest of your post, things are bad, those decreased unemployed are mostly underemployed. Also, salaries have stayed stable, and not increased with inflation for the past 8 years (at least), this means we are all making less than we were before the recession. If you think this is a true recovery, you must work on Wall Street.

      --
      APK likes to ask for responses to the same things over and over. Maybe he just likes the responses?
    37. Re:If they're smart... by tsotha · · Score: 1

      Quite literally, Hillary isn't being inaugurated because she's not as smart as Trump when it comes to security.

    38. Re:If they're smart... by martinfb · · Score: 1

      Incidentally, if he's so stupid, how come Hillary isn't being inaugurated today?

      Because it is those that voted for Trump that carry cognitive deficiencies (and insist they don't)!!!!!
      Trump is quite smart when it comes to pulling the proverbial wool over targeted eyes!

      --


      Self-importance and self-indulgence is the root of ALL evil.
    39. Re:If they're smart... by RockDoctor · · Score: 1

      divided the county...

      That's a work in progress.

      I heard rumours that California is considering secession. Which would put Trump in a category previously occupied by one Abe Lincoln - president's who have started a civil war.

      --
      Birds are not dinosaur descendants;birds are dinosaurs, for all useful meanings of "birds", "are" and "dinosaurs"
  2. Well... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I guess someone will have to program Putin's number in it for him.

    1. Re:Well... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      They'll just add a button with Putin's picture on it for him.

    2. Re:Well... by AmiMoJo · · Score: 1

      Don't worry, a helpful Russian agent will see to that.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    3. Re:Well... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      The irony of all this was if, during the Obama years, hell even the Clinton years, if you had started suggesting evil intentions of Russia being bad, you'd have been hounded with tirades of "Mcarthy!" and accused of being a conservative cold war throwback.

  3. Tweet less by jwhyche · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Did they take tweeter off it?

    --
    I read at +2. If your post doesn't reach that level I will not see or respond to it.
    1. Re:Tweet less by gnick · · Score: 2

      I don't know what the security implications are of having Twitter installed on the phone, but I'd be shocked if DJT didn't demand it. I'm sure a lot of his supporters and staff would like to have Twitter taken away so he'll stop making "He said WHAT!?!" headlines, but I'd be surprised if the inauguration was the last we heard of @realDonaldTrump. I do hope that he maintains a strict line between his personal opinions and tweets as @POTUS - I'd be upset if those weren't vetted in some fashion before being shared with the world. The thought of a @POTUS tweet complaining about SNL disturbs me.

      --
      He's getting rather old, but he's a good mouse.
    2. Re:Tweet less by gnick · · Score: 1

      Me too. Up until now, I've only been following one account. I just made it 2. And when I see him abusing @POTUS, I'll get really upset and I'll... I'll... I guess I'll just deal with it.

      --
      He's getting rather old, but he's a good mouse.
    3. Re:Tweet less by jwhyche · · Score: 1

      Hell yes. Hail Eris, let this be interesting.

      --
      I read at +2. If your post doesn't reach that level I will not see or respond to it.
  4. Re:Nice try, NSA... by halivar · · Score: 1

    The Secret Service is the Department of Treasury, not the NSA.

  5. The office? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    The safest thing to do is give him a phone with no sim card, set the shortcut for twitter to open notepad, and let him tweet til his heart is content in that local text file.

    1. Re:The office? by The-Ixian · · Score: 1

      Then later dump that text file to pastebin... 1000+ post /. comment section ensues

      --
      My eyes reflect the stars and a smile lights up my face.
    2. Re:The office? by Agripa · · Score: 1

      The safest thing to do is give him a phone with no sim card, set the shortcut for twitter to open notepad, and let him tweet til his heart is content in that local text file.

      Wouldn't it be safer to give him an etch-a-sketch?

  6. Please... by Kierthos · · Score: 5, Insightful

    tell me the phone somehow has Twitter blocked entirely.

    --
    Mr. Hu is not a ninja.
    1. Re:Please... by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      Worse. They gave him access to a second account.

    2. Re:Please... by ebvwfbw · · Score: 1

      You're thinking of the phone they gave Barry. He used to think he was posting directly to twitter. It actually went to a staff of people that took what he said, messaged it so it was whacko crazy left, passed it by a focus group, took a poll on it, rewrote it accordingly, then posted it after it was well polished.

      Sometimes they just gave him an etch-a-sketch.

  7. The Cyber by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

    I hope they're also giving him a locked-down version of the nuclear football.

    --
    You are welcome on my lawn.
  8. Not starting OS wars.. but by guacamole · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I am personally glad our new president wasn't part of the iSheep sect.

  9. Re:So which version Twitter app does it run? by silas_moeckel · · Score: 1

    It's it any sensible setup it's twitter app never talks to twitter only a proxy.

    --
    No sir I dont like it.
  10. Very strange by GeekWithAKnife · · Score: 1


    Why believe the intelligence agencies now? -is this another vector for "leaks" and "very dishonest reporting" + "fake news"?

    I'd say more but Trump is doing very well in digging himself into a hole without needed a shove.

    --
    A 'singular oddity' is an event that cannot be explained and only happens when you are alone.
  11. Re:Reasonable and boring. by guacamole · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Let's face it. Your argument is kinda weak because every president elect has always been the world's biggest target regardless of how much of the popular vote the pres won (for the curious, the presidential candidates must always spend resources to optimize their electoral college votes because that's what counts, unlike the useless popular vote). The president's smartphone is always locked down and provided by the government IT specialists regardless of what his previous preferences were. Just last year, when the Samsung Galaxy S7 was "the thing", Obama was handed a "locked down" Galaxy S4 because this is how it works. The commander in chief must always be using a tested and locked down device.

  12. Yeah but no but yeah but no by k2r · · Score: 1

    I use both iPhone & Samsung. If Apple doesn't give info to authorities on the terrorists I'll only be using Samsung until they give info.
    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 19, 2016

    https://twitter.com/realDonald...

    1. Re:Yeah but no but yeah but no by gnick · · Score: 1

      ...bring their manufacturing back into the US as they're a US company and should be creating US jobs.

      I'd say they're a global company based in the US and, as such, should be creating jobs wherever it makes sense for their bottom line.

      --
      He's getting rather old, but he's a good mouse.
  13. At least he'll have Twitter by kilfarsnar · · Score: 2

    He was not known to use it for making or receiving calls, but it was one of few devices that had access to the @POTUS Twitter account.

    And really, that's the most important part for Trump.

    --
    "What the American public doesn't know is what makes them the American public." -Ray Zalinsky (Tommy Boy)
  14. Re: Reasonable and boring. by Opportunist · · Score: 2

    ...currently still known as the Washington Monument...

    --
    We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  15. Re:Bear Grylls by kilfarsnar · · Score: 1

    It comes as no surprise that Trump would have to do the same for the sake of his security.

    This is true; it is perfectly reasonable and expected that he would get a special, locked down phone. But at the same time, any excuse to be snarky about Trump is a good excuse to be snarky about Trump.

    --
    "What the American public doesn't know is what makes them the American public." -Ray Zalinsky (Tommy Boy)
  16. Please please please..... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Tell me they replaced it with a Samsung Note 7.

    1. Re:Please please please..... by ItsJustAPseudonym · · Score: 1

      "Hello, hello? Why do I keep getting Verizon Customer Service? Sad!"

  17. should be been Bernie Sanders! by Joe_Dragon · · Score: 3, Interesting

    should be been Bernie Sanders!

    1. Re:should be been Bernie Sanders! by thunderclees · · Score: 3, Interesting

      During Obama's first run the DNC was concerned about Hillary splitting the ticket so a deal was cut with the Clinton's that included the SOS appointment and the nomination when Obama's 2nd term was up. You could tell the fix was in as usually there are usually many candidates to throw their hat in the ring and this is whittled down quickly. This past DNC nomination was unusual in that there were so few to come forward especially since there are so many better candidates than Hillary in the DNC. Bernie would have run against Satan and he gave the nomination process an air of legitimacy but he was not supposed to win. He did far better then he should have as which is why he is enjoying his new $500k vacation home the DNC/Clinton's gave him to go away. After the nomination was completed much of the DNC committee resigned to avoid any potential fraud charges.

      The thing is that Trump did not win, Hillary lost. By nominating her the DNC gave most no choice, she was practically the worst candidate to nominate. Too much corruption and too polarizing for no good reason.

      “this is a man whohas said women don’t deserve equal pay unless they do as good a job as men.” - Hillary Clinton on how Trump is a sexist

    2. Re:should be been Bernie Sanders! by Coren22 · · Score: 1

      Personally, as a resident of Maryland, I am just glad it wasn't O'Malley, he was an awful governor here and passed awful legislation such as the rain tax. We were happy for finally be rid of him, but I can't even imagine how bad a president he would be.

      --
      APK likes to ask for responses to the same things over and over. Maybe he just likes the responses?
  18. why direct access? by ooloorie · · Score: 1

    It would be better if Trump just tweeted by sending text messages to his staff, who can then post it. That would also add an extra level of protection against making a fool of himself.

    1. Re:why direct access? by Cajun+Hell · · Score: 1

      Why would anyone who isn't Trump himself want to protect him from making a fool of himself?

      The more he speaks his mind, the better off everyone is. Let him dig his hole.

      --
      "Believe me!" -- Donald Trump
    2. Re:why direct access? by gnick · · Score: 1

      Why would anyone who isn't Trump himself want to protect him from making a fool of himself?

      We elected him POTUS. When he makes an ass of himself, we all look bad. I'd prefer it if he'd stop.

      --
      He's getting rather old, but he's a good mouse.
    3. Re:why direct access? by Cajun+Hell · · Score: 1

      When he makes an ass of himself, we all look bad.

      Maybe we are bad.

      --
      "Believe me!" -- Donald Trump
  19. Don't worry by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    the idiot will soon tweet his new number and brag about it being secure.

  20. Re:Reasonable and boring. by Eyezen · · Score: 1, Troll

    I really tire of hearing he got elected without the popular vote. Why? Because it's absolutely meaningless and the only thing the left keeps hanging there hat on.

    The rules of the game are to win the most electoral votes, the end. Harping on the popular vote is like a losing football team harping on the fact that they had more yards total offense or a higher TOP (time of possession). Doesn't matter-the rules say the team with the most points wins. If the rules say gain the most yards, the strategy of the teams would totally change.

    BUT BUT the people's votes should matter...If the rules of the US Presidential election say gather the most votes, then ENTIRE CAMPAIGN STRATEGIES CHANGE COMPLETELY. Who know's what would of happened then. Noone can say for sure. But I can tell you this, the popular vote total is not the same by any means. Maybe Hillary wins with a bigger margin, who knows...but for this vote we'll never know.

    But as it stands the popular vote is just a meaningless statistic, yes most of the time the team with the most total yards and greater TOP wins the game, but not always and not this year. Hillary was a stat padding fantasy (pun intended) football player and meainwhile Trump won the Lombardi Trophy.

  21. More adapted to his very small fingers by Petronius · · Score: 1

    Also contains a custom version of Twitter that allows Putin to review and approve his tweets.

    --
    there's no place like ~
  22. Android? by DesertBlade · · Score: 4, Funny

    I thought only people who couldn't afford to use iPhone purchase Android.

    --
    Half of writing history is hiding the truth.
    1. Re:Android? by The-Ixian · · Score: 2

      iPhone is for poor people who want to feel like they matter, it's a status symbol among the blue collar crowd... like prada, louis vuitton, dolce & gabbana, armani.... things that higher class people get paid to hawk in public but in private would never actually use

      So what kind of phone do the higher class people use in private? It's Windows Mobile isn't it?

      --
      My eyes reflect the stars and a smile lights up my face.
    2. Re:Android? by tlhIngan · · Score: 1

      I thought only people who couldn't afford to use iPhone purchase Android.

      No, Trump vowed to banish Apple from the land because they refused to unlock that iPhone the FBI was bringing them to court about.

      You know, the one they wanted the special "backdoor firmware" written for.

      Apple refused, and Trump said he'd get rid of his iPhone until Apple became a good little dog and write the FBI their backdoor firmware.

  23. If he gets people killed, it's because she's a scu by raymorris · · Score: 1

    > If he gets our soldiers killed or sells us out, it's because SHE'S sleazy scumbag.

    FTFY

    Trump wouldn't have been elected if the Dems hadn't nominated Cruella de Vil.

  24. Justifying assasination? by mi · · Score: 1

    Tump with getting elected without the popular vote + stating negative comments towards nearly anyone who didn't fully indorse him (people, corporations and countries) + have a reputation as a a bully and in general everything wrong with America.

    So, if he is whacked today before taking office (and Obama appoints the next President, as CNN helpfully advised us will happen), you'll be relieved and think — perhaps even state — the murderer has done all of a us a favor?

    --
    In Soviet Washington the swamp drains you.
    1. Re:Justifying assasination? by mi · · Score: 1

      never read about murder fantasies on slashdot when the previous prez was sworn in.

      No, actually, I haven't. Maybe, because there were very few, and the idiots got promptly prosecuted?

      --
      In Soviet Washington the swamp drains you.
  25. Secret Service? by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · · Score: 1

    I can understand why the Secret Service might be the ones who actually break the bad news and hand over the handset; but does anyone know if they actually have any role in 'approving' it; or do they just provide whatever the Information Assurance Directorate tells them is the correct answer?

    Even aside from their recent history of embarrassing scandal, you don't really think of them as one of the techie outfits.

  26. Do we know what kind of phone? by nanodec · · Score: 1

    I'm assuming it's either a BlackBerry or some Android... anyone have an idea?

    1. Re:Do we know what kind of phone? by ventsyv · · Score: 1

      Hopefully one that doesn't support twitter...

  27. Smart Move by SuperKendall · · Score: 1

    Certainly smarter than Obama

    --
    "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
  28. Re:So which version Twitter app does it run? by gnick · · Score: 1

    This is actually a great idea. A Twitter proxy for the POTUS. He might notice a 30 minute delay before his tweets get posted, but it would allow staffers a chance for a, "Mr President, are you sure about this?" moment.

    It might even be enough for him to catch himself - "Do I really want to admit to SNL that I'm still watching?" or some such.

    --
    He's getting rather old, but he's a good mouse.
  29. Bizarro World by sjbe · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It's sort of ironic that you call Trump a xenophobe while the entire Democrat and press establishment go on a witchhunt for foreigners that makes Mccarthyism look like Mr. Rogers.

    I'm curious what the sky looks like in the Bizarro World that republicans appear to inhabit where they actually believe this sort of crap. Tribalism at its finest people...

    Trump's xenophobic actions and statements stand on their own. If you don't recognize him for the reprehensible human being he is then I'm not sure what I can do to help you. The best arguments against Donald Trump come right out of his own unfiltered mouth. He's on the record endorsing torture, denigrating women, opposing reproductive rights, calling for mass deportations,endorsing trade wars, cutting taxes on the richest but not the poor, removing health care from millions without a plan to replace it, supporting religious bigotry, and a whole lot more.

    1. Re:Bizarro World by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      What you should be asking yourself is, how did this man who you describe as being reprehensible win?
      Look at it this way: You go into the supermarket for an apple. All apples are the same price. One apple, say, the Tump variety, is wrinkly and smells funny. There is another apple there (Hilary farms), yet you pick the Wrinkly smelly one. Why?
      BECAUSE THE OTHER APPLE WAS WORSE THAN THAT ONE.
      If Trump's so godawful bad, what does that say about Hilary? If you answer "but but but racists and sexists and homophobes!", then you don't get it, you never will, and you will continue to assume everyone not you is a bad bad person.

  30. Trump is worse in every way by sjbe · · Score: 3, Interesting

    She's a traitor, a habitual liar, incompetent, self-serving, and saggy-boobs deep in pay-for-play.

    "Traitor"? Seriously? Can I have some of what you are smoking? And claiming that Clinton is less of a self serving liar than Trump is just idiotic.

    Think on that. We elected an IDIOT because he's better than the alternative. If he gets our soldiers killed or sells us out, it'll be because he's dumb and incompetent, not because he's sleazy and malicious.

    Trump is dumb and incompetent AND sleazy and malicious. It's not either/or. The man collects vendettas like a teenager collects Pokemon cards. Whatever you imagine Clinton's faults to be, Trump has matched or exceeded each and every one of them. Trump is a reprehensible, cruel, ignorant, narcissist, whose only real talent is self promotion.

    At least with him, there's a chance.

    If you actually believe that then you are dumber than you claim Trump is.

    1. Re:Trump is worse in every way by Coren22 · · Score: 2

      As AC points out, just her email scandal showed how very corrupt she is. The Freedom of Information Act was designed to prevent corruption, and provide the American people with a view into the performance of their government. By running her private email server, she was able to prevent future FoIA requests from being delivered for information about what she did. What is more corrupt than bypassing a law passed by your own party to combat corruption?

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

      --
      APK likes to ask for responses to the same things over and over. Maybe he just likes the responses?
  31. LOL, we can still geolocate him by WillAffleckUW · · Score: 1

    You forget who wrote the code.

    --
    -- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
  32. What I want to know is by mark_reh · · Score: 1

    why no one has commented about this: http://metro.co.uk/video/donal...

    Is Trump trying to tell us something about his hotels? Does he have a bunch of video of politicians, heads of state, and CEOs doing things they'd rather not have become public knowledge?

  33. Re:If he gets people killed, it's because she's a by Coren22 · · Score: 1

    That is the first time I have seen her compared to me. It is a surprisingly apt comparison.

    --
    APK likes to ask for responses to the same things over and over. Maybe he just likes the responses?
  34. Re:You're absolutely right by Notabadguy · · Score: 1

    Not likely - in the 95% of America that isn't a wildly liberal anti-gun and crime-free metropolis, we have guns.

  35. Re:So which version Twitter app does it run? by silas_moeckel · · Score: 1

    True it need not even be automated but a staffer crossing an air gap.

    --
    No sir I dont like it.
  36. Voters-R-Stupid [Re:If they're smart...] by Tablizer · · Score: 1

    if he's so stupid, how come Hillary isn't being inaugurated today?

    Because voters are stupid. Trump knows how to play suckers. A million trade wars won't bring back old-style manufacturing jobs. It's educate or perish. He sold them snake-oil-nostalgia.