Caroline Orr

Behavioral scientist, political analyst, and freelance journalist. Follow her on Twitter: @RVAWonk.

Articles

Jake Tapper nails Tillerson for refusing to deny he called Trump a moron

Jake Tapper nails Tillerson for refusing to deny he called Trump a moron

On CNN’s State of the Union Sunday morning, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson repeatedly dodged questions about whether he called the president a “moron,” all but confirming that he did, indeed, say it. “Is it true? Did you call him a moron?” host Jake Tapper asked, referring to recent reports that Tillerson called Trump a […]

By Caroline Orr - October 15, 2017

GOP senator outs Trump as volatile liar, dares other Republicans to do same

GOP senator outs Trump as volatile liar, dares other Republicans to do same

Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) let loose on Donald Trump in a jaw-dropping interview Sunday evening, just hours after he referred to the White House as an “adult day care.” Corker told the New York Times that Trump is treating the presidency like “a reality show” and that he acts “like he’s doing ‘The Apprentice’ or something.” […]

By Caroline Orr - October 08, 2017

Trump’s Nazi sympathies heard loud and clear: “Very fine people” return to Charlottesville

Trump’s Nazi sympathies heard loud and clear: “Very fine people” return to Charlottesville

With torches in hand, a mob of white supremacists returned to Charlottesville, Virginia, for a rally Saturday night, less than two months after a similar protest erupted into violence and led to the death of a 32-year-old civil rights activist. According to local NBC affiliate WVIR, about three dozen white supremacists descended on the university town […]

By Caroline Orr - October 08, 2017

Trump makes 69th trip to a golf course while San Juan’s mayor pleads for clean drinking water

Trump makes 69th trip to a golf course while San Juan’s mayor pleads for clean drinking water

As storm-ravaged Puerto Rico struggles to recover from Hurricane Maria, Donald Trump made an unscheduled trip to his golf resort in Virginia on Saturday, marking his 69th golf trip since taking office in January 2017. The golf outing is just the latest in a series of negligent actions by Trump in the wake of Hurricane […]

By Caroline Orr - October 08, 2017

“Takes one to know one”: Gov Granholm nails Trump’s hypocrisy on Weinstein assault allegations

“Takes one to know one”: Gov Granholm nails Trump’s hypocrisy on Weinstein assault allegations

On CNN’s State of the Union, former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm ripped Donald Trump for calling accused sexual predator Harvey Weinstein’s behavior inappropriate, saying: “It takes one to know one.” Granholm made the comments a day after Trump weighed in on the scandal surrounding Weinstein, a Hollywood producer accused of sexual harassment by numerous women, […]

By Caroline Orr - October 08, 2017

“Very good towels”: Trump defends humiliating Puerto Rico trip in bizarre interview

“Very good towels”: Trump defends humiliating Puerto Rico trip in bizarre interview

In an interview Saturday evening, Donald Trump defended his decision to throw paper towels at a crowd of hurricane victims in Puerto Rico earlier this week, saying they were “very good towels.” Speaking to former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee on his eponymous show on the Trinity Broadcasting Network, Trump said the hurricane victims — many […]

By Caroline Orr - October 08, 2017

Trump heads off to golf trophy ceremony after a weekend spent attacking Puerto Rico

Trump heads off to golf trophy ceremony after a weekend spent attacking Puerto Rico

After two days of golfing and tweeting insults at hurricane victims in Puerto Rico, Donald Trump will cap off his weekend by participating in the Presidents Cup Golf Tournament trophy presentation Sunday evening. The announcement that Trump would attend the trophy ceremony came just hours after his latest attack on hurricane victims in Puerto Rico, […]

By Caroline Orr - October 01, 2017

“Pretty safe bet”: Former national security adviser warns Kushner compromised by foreign intel

“Pretty safe bet”: Former national security adviser warns Kushner compromised by foreign intel

The National Security Agency warned top Trump administration officials in a series of classified briefings that using their personal cell phones and emails could make them vulnerable to espionage by America’s adversaries, according to a new report. The briefings, which took place shortly after Donald Trump’s January 2016 inauguration, specifically named Jared Kushner as a […]

By Caroline Orr - October 01, 2017

“The execution has been horrifying”: Trump loses staunch ally Curt Schilling over Puerto Rico

“The execution has been horrifying”: Trump loses staunch ally Curt Schilling over Puerto Rico

Breitbart columnist and former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling ripped Donald Trump’s response to the humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico, calling the administration’s inadequate efforts “horrifying.” Schilling can usually be counted on as one of Trump’s most reliable allies, even holding a rally for him weeks before the election. But even he didn’t mince words […]

By Caroline Orr - October 01, 2017

Trump attacks Puerto Rico’s desperate hurricane victims as “politically motivated ingrates”

Trump attacks Puerto Rico’s desperate hurricane victims as “politically motivated ingrates”

A day after his shameful Twitter rant attacking the mayor of San Juan and the people of Puerto Rico, Donald Trump started his Sunday morning by doubling down on his assault on the island, calling the desperate hurricane victims “politically motivated ingrates.” Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico 10 days ago, killing at least 16 people […]

By Caroline Orr - October 01, 2017

Trump desperately touts D.C. lobbyist who praised his appalling Puerto Rico response

Trump desperately touts D.C. lobbyist who praised his appalling Puerto Rico response

Donald Trump’s disastrous response to Puerto Rico has been slammed by everyone from the Mayor of San Juan to Lin-Manuel Miranda to the stars of Saturday Night Live. Now, in a desperate bid to find someone who will say something positive about his woefully inadequate (and at times downright hostile) actions, Trump has taken the […]

By Caroline Orr - October 01, 2017

“How do you sleep at night?”: Former NFL player schools head of Trump’s diversity coalition

“How do you sleep at night?”: Former NFL player schools head of Trump’s diversity coalition

The head of Donald Trump’s “diversity coalition” got righteously schooled Sunday afternoon when he tried to defend Trump’s attacks on the First Amendment rights of NFL players. The controversy started when Trump called on NFL owners to fire players who choose to kneel, rather than stand, during the national anthem to protest against racism. Trump […]

By Caroline Orr - September 24, 2017

Fox host embarrasses White House official for lying about pre-existing conditions

Fox host embarrasses White House official for lying about pre-existing conditions

White House legislative affairs director Marc Short embarrassed himself Sunday morning when he got called out for lying about the GOP’s latest attempt to repeal and — supposedly — replace Obamacare. The Graham-Cassidy bill has been denounced by nearly every major health organization in the country. And chief among the criticisms of the legislation is […]

By Caroline Orr - September 24, 2017

“Stupid as a rock”: Dem rep nails Steve Mnuchin for denying NFL players’ First Amendment rights

“Stupid as a rock”: Dem rep nails Steve Mnuchin for denying NFL players’ First Amendment rights

California Democratic Rep. Ted Lieu used his First Amendment rights to clap back at Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin Sunday morning for declaring that NFL players don’t have free speech rights on the field, and should be punished for not standing for the national anthem. In an interview on CNN’s State of the Union, Mnuchin told host Jake […]

By Caroline Orr - September 24, 2017

White House blows off Constitution, declares new limits on free speech for private enterprise

White House blows off Constitution, declares new limits on free speech for private enterprise

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin defended Donald Trump’s recent attacks on free speech with his own galling sentiment. In an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, Mnuchin declared that NFL players only “have a right to free speech off the field.” The comments come after Trump repeatedly lashed out at athletes — particularly black athletes — who have […]

By Caroline Orr - September 24, 2017

Trump humiliated by poor attendance, no-show speakers as Berkeley “free speech week” implodes

Trump humiliated by poor attendance, no-show speakers as Berkeley “free speech week” implodes

Less than a week after being humiliated by the laughably low turnout at last weekend’s supposed “Mother of All Rallies,” Donald Trump is again facing embarrassment as yet another event organized by his supporters implodes in spectacular fashion. The four-day long event, which organizers are calling “Free Speech Week,” was scheduled to start Sunday, September […]

By Caroline Orr - September 22, 2017

Hero Democratic congressmen arrested protesting bigotry outside Trump Tower

Hero Democratic congressmen arrested protesting bigotry outside Trump Tower

Three Democratic congressmen were arrested outside Trump Tower Tuesday afternoon during a protest to demand action on protecting young undocumented immigrants from being deported. Reps. Raul Grijalva of Arizona, Luis Gutierrez of Illinois, and Adriano Espaillat of New York joined a group of demonstrators who sat down in the street outside Trump Tower and refused to move. They […]

By Caroline Orr - September 19, 2017

Trump brings jaw-dropping rise in hate crimes in 4 out of 5 largest cities in America

Trump brings jaw-dropping rise in hate crimes in 4 out of 5 largest cities in America

The Trump era has ushered in a rise in hate crimes, according to a new report. The data — collected by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino, and obtained by the Huffington Post — provide the most comprehensive look at hate crime statistics to date in […]

By Caroline Orr - September 18, 2017

Unpaid deposits, no-show speakers expose racist pro-Trump conference as a total sham

Unpaid deposits, no-show speakers expose racist pro-Trump conference as a total sham

With just a week to go before its scheduled start date, the far-right’s latest stunt in Berkeley is unraveling before it even began. According to officials at UC Berkeley, the organizers of the so-called “Free Speech Week” have missed three separate deadlines and failed to provide payments and sign contracts necessary to confirm event space […]

By Caroline Orr - September 17, 2017

Trump flack gives lamest possible excuse for Trump tweeting violence against Hillary

Trump flack gives lamest possible excuse for Trump tweeting violence against Hillary

The backlash came swiftly Sunday morning after Donald Trump retweeted a video of himself, originally posted by an account called “Fuctupmind,” swinging a golf club that pretends to show him hitting Hillary Clinton with a golf ball. The fake video, which praises “Trump’s amazing golf swing,” drew rapid and strong condemnation for what was widely interpreted as a […]

By Caroline Orr - September 17, 2017

“He gets emotional”: Nikki Haley gives awkward defense of Trump’s reckless terror tweets

“He gets emotional”: Nikki Haley gives awkward defense of Trump’s reckless terror tweets

In an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union” Sunday morning, United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley defended Donald Trump’s reckless tweeting about the subway bombing in London, saying it was a result of the president’s emotions. Just after the bombing on Friday, Trump tweeted that the suspected terrorists “were in the sights of Scotland Yard,” which many […]

By Caroline Orr - September 17, 2017

Trump starts his Sunday by promoting obsessive violence against Hillary Clinton

Trump starts his Sunday by promoting obsessive violence against Hillary Clinton

Humiliated by the small number of supporters that turned out for Saturday’s supposed “Mother of All Rallies” in Washington D.C., Donald Trump started his Sunday by obsessively tweeting about the woman who beat him by 3 million votes in November. This is nothing new for Trump, who cannot seem to let go of his fixation […]

By Caroline Orr - September 17, 2017

Miami airport busts Trump social media director for spreading fake news in midst of storm

Miami airport busts Trump social media director for spreading fake news in midst of storm

As Hurricane Irma made landfall in South Florida Sunday, White House social media director Dan Scavino was busy tweeting fake news about the storm. And apparently sharing it directly with Donald Trump. Just after 3:30 p.m. EST, Scavino tweeted a video of what he claimed was a flooded Miami International Airport. In the tweet, Scavino […]

By Caroline Orr - September 10, 2017

Florida residents want to know why Trump isn’t opening his resorts to hurricane victims

Florida residents want to know why Trump isn’t opening his resorts to hurricane victims

As shelters filled to capacity ahead of Hurricane Irma’s imminent arrival in South Florida, some residents are asking why Donald Trump isn’t stepping up to help them. Irma is on track to be among the strongest Atlantic hurricanes ever to make landfall in the United States. Millions of Florida residents have been forced to evacuate […]

By Caroline Orr - September 10, 2017

Charlottesville marches to D.C. to demand Trump’s impeachment

Charlottesville marches to D.C. to demand Trump’s impeachment

Nine days and over 100 miles into their journey, activists participating in the March Against White Supremacy say their bodies are tired, but their spirits are high. Chanting, singing, and carrying signs reading “No Hate In Our State” and “Imagine Equality,” the marchers have trekked an average of 12 miles a day for nine days as […]

By Caroline Orr - September 06, 2017

Trump’s heartless plan to punish children will cost the US $460 billion

Trump’s heartless plan to punish children will cost the US $460 billion

The Trump administration’s plan to end an Obama-era policy that protects nearly 800,000 undocumented immigrants brought to country as children could have “catastrophic” effects on families and communities — as well as the U.S. economy. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, instituted by President Barack Obama in 2012, has provided work permits and […]

By Caroline Orr - September 01, 2017

Leader of Trump’s voter suppression scheme exposed as a paid columnist for Breitbart

Leader of Trump’s voter suppression scheme exposed as a paid columnist for Breitbart

Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, the head of Donald Trump’s so-called commission on “Election Integrity,” has a new gig as a paid columnist for the inflammatory right-wing pro-Trump website Breitbart. According to the Kansas City Star, Kobach has been working for Breitbart since June but didn’t admit that he was being paid to write […]

By Caroline Orr - September 01, 2017

Ted Cruz spends week lashing out at people who catch him lying about hurricane relief

Ted Cruz spends week lashing out at people who catch him lying about hurricane relief

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz has found himself in an awkward position this week, asking the federal government to provide disaster relief funding for his flood-ravaged state of Texas while also trying to justify why he voted against the very same thing after Hurricane Sandy in 2012. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie called out the Texas […]

By Caroline Orr - August 31, 2017

Texas paper nails Trump for lying about “witnessing” devastation of hurricane “first hand”

Texas paper nails Trump for lying about “witnessing” devastation of hurricane “first hand”

Hurricane Harvey was the first test of how Donald Trump would handle a domestic crisis — and he failed that test miserably. On Tuesday, Trump traveled to Corpus Christi, Texas, to be briefed on the response to the storm, which destroyed an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 homes in the Houston area alone. With the Federal Emergency […]

By Caroline Orr - August 30, 2017

Breitbart goes to war on vulnerable GOP senator who dared criticize Trump

Breitbart goes to war on vulnerable GOP senator who dared criticize Trump

When Steve Bannon left his position as Donald Trump’s chief strategist earlier this month and returned to Breitbart, he said his plan was to get right back to work and use his “weapon” to “crush the opposition.” In Bannon’s first week back at Breitbart, the website’s headlines targeted so-called “globalists” and “establishment” Republicans like Paul […]

By Caroline Orr - August 30, 2017