Troubling, Surprising Big Bucks Fact$ – POTUS Donald Trump v Modern Presidents Obama, Bush, Clinton, Tucker Carlson Other Views in Time for Flag Day Birthday; MHVille View, plus MHMarkets Update
“The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out for himself, without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane and intolerable.”—H.L. Mencken. Comparing the net worth of Presidents William Jefferson “Bill” Clinton (D), George W. Bush (R), Barack H. Obama (D) and Donald J. Trump reveals some surprising and troubling truths about their respective net worths before and after their time in the White House. Though Joe Biden (D) is still in office, he will be considered below too. In no particular order of importance are the following facts about each president, per sources as cited.
Part I
Ex-President of the United Status (POTUS) Barack H. Obama (D)
According to CNN Money on 2.24.2020, the Obamas [President Barack Hussein and Michelle] had a $1.3 million fortune upon entering the White House. On 4.11.2023: “Celebrity Net Worth and Business Insider have both reported the former president’s [Barack Obama] net worth as $70 million. GoBankingRates said on that date these timeline items: “2018 The Obamas founded Higher Ground Productions and signed a production deal with Netflix. 2020 Barack Obama released his latest book, “A Promised Land.” The book is part of an unprecedented $65 million deal that also included Michelle Obama’s memoir. 2022 The Obamas’ Higher Ground Productions signed an exclusive worldwide, multi-project, multi-year first-look deal with Audible, according to a 2022 press release.”
Ex-POTUS George W. Bush (R)
“In 2000, he [George W. Bush] was re-elected as governor [of Texas] before he ran for president. He entered the presidency with a net worth of $20 million and served for two terms,” says GoBankingRates. On 8.23.2021 that source reported his net worth rose to about $40 million. More recently, the South China Post pegged ex-President Bush’s net worth at about $50 million.
Note that G.W. Bush reportedly has been a post-presidency adviser to The Carlyle Group (CG), which Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin also had clear ties to CG. The Carlyle Group organization which has interests in manufactured home communities, among other investments.
Ex-POTUS William Jefferson “Bill Clinton (D)
Per Cheapism on 2.17.2023 is the following.
Bill Clinton
Before: $1.3 million
After: $241.5 million
Bill and Hillary Clinton were worth $1.3 million before they came to the White House, according to the American University study. Upon leaving, they embarked on a journey to the tippy, tippy top of the book deal and speaking tour universe that would see their combined net worths grow by more than 6,000%. They are the highest-earning post-presidency power couple by a mile, and Celebrity Net Worth estimates their combined fortune to be more than $240 million and counting today.”
Other Presidents…
Going back to the late President Ronald Reagan (Democrat turned Republican before he became President), and James “Jimmy” Carter (D), per YouTube, the Insane Luxury video below was posted a year ago and has had a million views. It includes more presidents, including Jimmy Carter, who’s son Bill Carter was directly involved in manufactured housing.
While still serving as vice president, his [Joe Biden’s] net worth was $2.5 million, but in the years between holding political office his net worth shot up to $8 million, according to Forbes. Celebrity Net Worth pegs Biden’s estimated net worth at $9 million, however.
The South China Post put Biden’s net worth at 9 Million dollars on 9.16.2022. Biden and his family, including his son Hunter and brother James, are facing evidence of a growing web of financial scandals tied to foreign influence peddling schemes. Russia, Communist China, and Ukraine are just some of the countries where various federal agencies and media have said there is evidence of millions of dollars in payments to a series of ‘shell’ companies for no apparent services being rendered (other than perhaps influence peddling contrary to the interests of the U.S.). Left-leaning media have largely been silent about these evidence-based allegations or has downplayed them. Meanwhile, more right leaning media has understandably spotlighted these charges against Biden. Speculation that Democrats may seek to distance themselves from Joe Biden has grown in 2023 as these allegations increase and evidence or concerns about health and possible cognitive challenges have grown. Biden has stated he will run for re-election, but may not headline his own campaign. Lifelong Democrat Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is currently the leading announced challenger to Biden.
Which brings us to deposed President Donald J. Trump, who says he has been the target of a political persecution. Tucker Carlson has dedicated his 3 episode of Tucker on Twitter to the moment he says Trump was targeted for prosecution, when he ripped former President George W. Bush in a debate with other Republican candidates. On June 14, 2023 (Flag Day) at At 8:33 AM ET, this tweet posted on 6.13.2023 has already racket up 41 million views. Carlson was taken off the air by Fox News, despite hosting their top news-talk show that averaged about 3.5 million viewers each weekday before he was pulled in the wake of the Dominion Voting Systems settlement with Fox News (subsidiary of News Corp). Fox and Dominion deny and connection between pulling Carlson and the Dominion settlement, which was for 787.5 million.
Deposed 45th President of the United States (POTUS) Donald J. Trump (R)
A report on Yahoo dated 6.7.2023 said: “Forbes listed him [Donald J. Trump] with a net worth of $4.5 billion in 2016 and $2.1 billion in 2020.” Yahoo provided a history of his business accomplishments, and noted “on Nov. 15, 2022, from his home in Mar-a-Lago, the former president announced his bid for re-election in 2024 after underwhelming midterm election results for the Republican party. His indictment, and possible conviction, will not block him from being president again since the Constitution does not prevent felons from holding office, according to Time magazine.”
Left-leaning CNN, hardly a pro-Trump media outlet, said on 9.9.2020: “President Donald Trump said in October 2019 that being president is costing him money. Lots of it. “Whether I lost $2 billion, $5 billion or less, it doesn’t make any difference,” Trump said. “I don’t care. I’m doing this for the country. I’m doing it for the people.” CNN added: “In 2016, Trump was worth $3.7 billion, according to Forbes. That dropped to $3.1 billion in 2017 and held there for 2018 and 2019. But this year Trump’s net worth dropped to $2.5 billion.”
GoBankingRates gave a somewhat different view of Trump’s pre- and post-White House net worth. Per that 6.7.2023 report: “Forbes estimated Trump’s net worth at $3 billion a year ago, but it dropped to $2.5 billion on the publication’s April 2023 list of the richest people in the world. Previously worth $730 million, his social media endeavor — Truth Social via the Trump Media and Technology Group — dropped in value by $550 million, FOX News reported. Trump announced the formation of the platform in October 2021 and launched it in February 2022. As of February 2023, the former president had nearly 5 million followers.”
Cheapism said this in the report previously cited on ex-presidents net worth.
Donald Trump
Before: $3 billion
After: $2.3 billion
According to an in-depth report from Bloomberg on “Trump’s Ailing Empire,” the presidency cost Donald Trump a cool $700 million. After stumbling out of office through an insurrectionist riot, a second impeachment, and a half-million dead Americans, his brand has been tarnished, to say the least. He’s facing serious legal challenges on several fronts, his political capital is dwindling, he’s lost his social media megaphone (though that was recently returned), his properties are aging, and his portfolio is lopsided in favor of commercial real estate that cratered when COVID-19 killed the traditional office. That all could change depending on his announced run for the presidency in 2024.”
So, there is a general pattern that most of those who entered the White House since Jimmy Carter left the White House and increased their net worth considerably. By contrast, President Trump left the White House, and it has to date cost him money. Which brings the following to mind.
Part II – Additional Information with More MHProNews Analysis and Commentary in Brief
The Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000 (MHIA) was enacted during the presidency of Bill Clinton (D-42nd POTUS). Among the changes in the MHIA were more consumer protections, the creation of the Manufactured Housing Consensus Committee (MHCC), creating a non-career administrator for the Office of Manufactured Housing Programs (OMHP), and the federal “enhanced preemption” provision in the MHIA.
The Duty to Serve (DTS) Manufactured Housing was enacted into law during the term of George W. Bush (R-43rd POTUS).
The Dodd-Frank Act was passed into law during the presidency of Barack Obama (D-44th POTUS). Dodd-Frank created several hurdles in financing for smaller dollar loans and established the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Warren Buffett was a very visible supporter of Obama for president and for his reelection. MHProNews has highlighted the oddities of Buffett, who has led Berkshire Hathaway (parent company to Clayton Homes and their related lending, 21st Mortgage Corporation and Vanderbilt Mortage and Finance (VMF)) who supported Dodd-Frank vs. Tim Williams, president and CEO of 21st and a prior MHI chairman, who publicly opposed and wanted to modify Dodd-Frank.
A slide in a presentation by Williams to MHI. It was provided by Williams to MHProNews. The opposition to the “progressive ideology,” in hindsight, is contradicted by Buffett partner’s Charlie Munger’s law firm bragging about how “progressive” they are. Buffett and Munger share such views. See the screen capture below.
This quote was posted on the Munger, Tolles & Olson website. Munger and Olson both serve Warren Buffett led Berkshire Hathaway.
In hindsight, it should have been obvious that the Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act would never pass. Warren Buffett said he was in favor of Dodd-Frank. He supported Barack Obama twice. Buffett’s grandson served in the Obama White House. Obama said he would veto Preserving Access if it hit his desk. Restated, there was no apparent chance for the bill to pass given those and other known dynamics. That raises the question – were MHI leaders merely naïve? Or were the wearing down the industry’s independents through a long and protracted battle that was never won and not meant to be won? Either of those possibilities looks bad for MHI and its leaders. Is it any wonder that Jason Boehlert left MHI – after letting the ‘cat out of the bag,’ and then Lesli Gooch, Ph.D., took his place? The linked report was posted on 8.21.2017 and is still insightful on several levels. https://www.manufacturedhomepronews.com/documented-conflict-between-21st-mortgage-ceo-tim-williams-mhi-chair-and-warren-buffett-chairman-of-berkshire-hathaway/This quotation graphic created by MHProNews which cited the remarks by Jason Boehlert, who was previously an MHI senior vice president for governmental affairs, was uploaded on 11.28.2017, but it first appeared in 2012 in the article linked below. MHI’s VP Boehlert provided the remarks as part of an op-ed to MHProNews that is found at this link here: https://www.manufacturedhomepronews.com/industryvoices/2012-election-results-and-coming-lame-duck-session/ That post included that quote by then MHI VP Boehlert’s remarks. When that article is carefully considered, in hindsight, it is logically inconsistent. Given President Obama’s reelection and Democratic gains in the Senate, as Boehlert then pointed out, it was not expected that Democrats would budge on Preserving Access. Nevertheless, MHI continued to press that legislation for some 5 more years. Millions were spent by MHI during those years for an effort that Boehlert made clear had no chance of succeeding.
During President Trump’s term of office, the 45th President supported several moves and positively highlighted factory-built housing in general, and manufactured homes in particular. The video that is part of this report with Trump talking about factory-built housing is quite insightful.
While Obama’s HUD Secretary Julian Castro (D) said nice things about manufactured homes, but there were no positive moves from HUD, FHFA, or FHA with respect to manufactured housing programs. Castro also used some dated and troubling remarks about manufactured homes and certain manufactured home community operators.
Trump also visited The Villages, in Florida, a retirement community that features conventional, manufactured homes and reportedly some modular construction too.
Biden’s HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge flatly rejected the “enhanced preemption” claims of manufactured housing advocates, including the Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform (MHARR) and MHI. She has said nice things about manufactured homes, but has not acted to remove the zoning barriers that are supposed to overcome by the MHIA’s enhanced preemption provision.
By contrast, prior Trump-appointed HUD Sec. Ben Carson praised manufactured housing often. The following are two examples.
Then HUD Secretary Ben Carson, M.D., quote is from the official comments as prepared, per the HUD website, on May 7, 2019. So, keep in mind that those costs per square foot for conventional housing and manufactured homes have risen since then. But the savings rate is about the same.
Dr. Carson also initiated the Innovative Housing Showcase (IHS) which featured manufactured homes and other forms of prefab housing.
It is an open question if Trump and Sec. Carson would have moved on the “enhanced preemption” issue had he been given a second term in office. But a White House professional, in response to an inquiry from MHProNews, told MHProNews, MHARR, and others that they were “looking at it” prior to the controversial outcome of the 2020 election.
Today is Flag Day (June 14th, every year). It is also ex-President Trump’s 77th birthday. Biden and his family have significant evidence of two sets of standards, where issues related to the Bidens are being downplayed by Administration officials, while an array of questionable prosecutions of deposed president Trump appears to be aimed in part to tarnish his image regardless if the array of charges against him stick or not.
With each new indictment of the deposed president, Trump’s polling has improved. It appears that people are realizing that he is the most proven candidate for fighting for the smaller business person and everyday Americans of all backgrounds, versus just talking a big talk like many politicians from both major parties have done.
CNN is not a pro-Trump media outlet, but using federal data, this graphic from their news company reflects the upward trend of income following President Trump’s enactment of the tax cuts and jobs act. It is worth noting that Democratic President John F. Kennedy Jr. did similarly. Income and productivity also rose. During the Reagan Administration, former Democrat turned Republican Ronald Reagan cut taxes with a similar outcome as Presidents Kennedy and Trump. Facts matter. By contrast, the Heritage Foundation reported in January 2023 that the average American household/family has lost some $7400 annually due to inflation and higher interest rates.
Warren Buffett is on a certain level free to do as he wishes within the bounds of the law and ethics with his campaign donations or other support. The point here isn’t who Buffett supported. Rather, it is that MHI, Tim Williams/21st Mortgage, Clayton Homes, et al claimed to be promoting Preserving Access, while Warren Buffett opposed any changes to Dodd-Frank which was the aim of Preserving Access. In hindsight, it was a grand contradiction, a purported deception in plain sight, a head fake.
Biden has repeatedly touted the lack of ethical scandals. This is apparently the Big Lie and demonstrated how ruthless politicos repeating a lie over and over without serious scrutiny by much of the mainstream media. President Harry S. Truman was a Democrat. How would he feel about several Democrats in the 21st century? The Washington Post is a left-leaning media source, clearly in the Biden camp. Which makes their spotlighting of Biden’s real estate holdings all the more telling.
While the presumptive Democratic nominee would be Joe Biden in the race of the 2024 Democratic Presidential nomination contest, Michelle Obama and California Governor Gavin Newsome (D) are among the names being floated should Biden get bumped from the race for any reason. Of the announced Democratic candidates, MHProNews has noted RF Kennedy Jr. appears to be the one more favorable to smaller businesses and the interests of everyday Americans. While the Republican field has blossomed and has numbers of candidates with seemingly positive resumes, some have apparent ties to the same types of financial interests that Trump and others have said represent the interests of the deep pockets that have dominated both major parties for too many years.
MHARR accused MHI of essentially sabotaging the efforts of the Trump Administration to undermine a pro-manufactured housing industry growth. Despite the fact that MHI was given amazing access, they seemed to fumble away their opportunities during the Trump years.
These are issues that no one else in what passes for MHVille trade media covers in anything like this objective, fact-driven depth and expert analytical breadth.
MHProNews will continue to monitor the campaign, provide insights on how the candidates stance on various issues may impact manufactured housing.
III. Daily Business News on MHProNews Markets and Headline News Segment
NOTICE 6.14.2023 – our image capture of the markets for 6.13.2013 failed. MHProNews regrets that error and any inconvenience it may cause. The headline capture performed as expected and follows below.
Headlines fromleft-of-center CNN Business – from the evening of 6.13.2023
Is the Great Resignation over?
As the dust settles after the Covid-fueled economic tumult, the pandemic-era trend of quitting may be over
Yellen on US-China trade: ‘Decoupling would be a big mistake’
Amazon is trying to make it simpler to sift through thousands of user reviews
Instant Brands, maker of Instant Pot and Pyrex, files for bankruptcy
Workers are historically stressed out and disengaged
CPI report: US inflation is coming back down to Earth
Grocery prices are rising in America again. Here’s what got more expensive
Elizabeth Holmes objects to government requesting she pay $250 a month to victims after prison
George Soros has handed control of his charitable and political activities to his son Alex
Tim Cook bets his legacy on augmented reality
Why is inflation cooling — and why isn’t it coming down more
UK employment hits record high but the economy is still short 1 million workers
Does a recession in Europe hurt the US?
Growing number of small businesses worry about inflation and the economy’s future
China makes surprise rate cut as economic recovery loses steam
Thousands of Reddit communities go dark to protest company’s controversial new policy
Mall operator Westfield gives up San Francisco Centre, latest business to pull back from city
News organizations are preparing to cover Trump’s historic arraignment
Forget space tourism. This company wants to make drug manufacturing the next big extraterrestrial business
Larry Ellison edges past Bill Gates as world’s fourth-richest person, Bloomberg says
FTC to seek federal court order temporarily blocking Microsoft-Activision deal
This new tool helps teenagers think about careers that will actually last
Trump Pleads ‘Not Guilty’ to 37 Counts in Federal Hearing
Former President Donald Trump was arrested and processed in his first court appearance Tuesday after being indicted on 37 charges related to retaining national-defense information under the Espionage Act of 1917. “Defiant,” Trump legal spokeswoman Alina Habba told Newsmax, when asked how Trump was feeling. [Full Story]
Trump Federal Indictment
McConnell Mum on Trump Charges, Potential Endorsement
Trump Aide Nauta Did Not Enter Plea in Docs Case
Indictment May Pause N.Y., Ga. Cases
Ramaswamy: Have ’24 Candidates Pledge Trump Pardon
Dershowitz: Why Won’t Trump’s Trial Be on TV?
Morning Consult Poll: Trump’s Lead Rises After Indictment
Trump Calls Out Prosecutor’s Conflicts, Dem Ties | video
No Cameras Allowed in Courtroom for Trump Arraignment
Greene: Defund Jack Smith’s Office
Could 2024 ‘October Surprise’ Be Trump Trial Verdict? |Platinum Article
Trump Vows ’25 Retaliation After Biden Broke ‘Seal’ | video
More Trump Federal Indictment
Newsmax TV
Dershowitz: ‘Hypocrisy’ to Seek Impeachment on Policies
Comer to Newsmax: Closer to Directly Linking Joe Biden to Bribes | video
Ogles: Time to Impeach Biden, Harris Because ‘Enough Is Enough’
Scalise: House GOP Majority Voting on ‘Important Bills’ | video
Langworthy: FBI Doc a ‘Smoking Gun’ of Biden Corruption | video
Hakes: Trump, Hillary ‘Treated So Differently’ | video
Graham: Ukraine Dam Collapse ‘Very Chaotic’ | video
Riley Gaines: Biden WH Out to ‘Erase Women’ | video
Blaine Holt: Ukrainians Are ‘Going for It’ | video\
Newsfront
Cruz, Blackburn Press FBI Deputy on Biden Document
Republican senators had heated exchanges with FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate at a hearing Tuesday over the existence of an FBI document with allegations that President Joe Biden and his family took $5 million in bribes during his time as vice president…. [Full Story]
S&P, Nasdaq Close at Highest Levels in 14 Months
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq reached their highest closes in 14 months [Full Story]
Trump Indictment May Pause New York, Georgia Cases
Former President Donald Trump’s federal indictment could cause the [Full Story]
Could 2024 ‘October Surprise’ Be Trump Trial Verdict?
As former President Donald Trump gears up for a series of legal [Full Story] | Platinum Article
No US ‘Political Will’ to Hold China ‘Accountable’ for COVID
A new report offering further damning proof of China’s role in [Full Story] | Platinum Article
House Democrats are mounting a fresh attempt at passing gun control [Full Story]
Trump: Hunter, Joe Biden ‘Deflecting’ Scheme Has ‘Backfired’
In an interview with a Miami Spanish-speaking network Monday night, [Full Story] | video
Hillary Clinton: GOP More ‘Cult’ Than Political Party
Former Democrat presidential nominee Hillary Clinton said Republicans [Full Story]
Morning Consult Poll: Trump’s Lead Rises After Indictment
Despite facing a federal indictment last week for his handling of [Full Story]
Inflation Slows to 4%; Lowest Level in 2 Years
Consumer prices in the United States cooled last month, rising just [Full Story]
GOP Primary Poll: Trump Leads by 34 Points
Almost three times as many California Republicans say they will most [Full Story]
Trans Model Derided for Posing Topless at White House
A model and transgender activist was met with criticism after she [Full Story]
Judge: Trump’s Case Against Niece Can Proceed
Former President Donald Trump scored a court win in New York, with a [Full Story]
TV Network Minutes on Scandals: Trump 291, Biden 0
Top news networks spent a total of 291 minutes covering former [Full Story]
Helicopter Accident in North Syria Injures 22 US Troops
A helicopter accident in northeastern Syria over the weekend left 22 [Full Story]
First Woman to Lead NYPD Quits After 18 Months
New York City Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell, the first woman to [Full Story]
Actor Treat Williams Killed in Vermont Motorcycle Crash
Actor Treat Williams, whose nearly 50-year career included starring [Full Story]
New York to Set Minimum Wage for App-Based Workers
New York City will implement a minimum pay rate for food delivery [Full Story]
Target Hit With Bomb Threats in 5 States
Target stores in at least five states were evacuated over the weekend [Full Story]
Westfield Pulls Out of San Francisco Amid Deteriorating Conditions
Westfield Group will no longer operate San Francisco’s largest mall [Full Story]
McCarthy, House Conservatives Reach a Truce
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy appeared Monday to have resolved, for [Full Story]
Prominent Jewish Conservatives Start ‘Jews Against Soros’ Group
Two prominent Jewish conservative activists launched “Jews Against [Full Story]
DeSantis Promises Big Changes in D.C. if Elected President
Ron DeSantis had a message for bureaucrats in Washington, D.C., [Full Story]
McCarthy to CNN Reporter: ‘You Can’t Put Words in My Mouth’
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., reamed out a CNN reporter [Full Story]
Looking for Sanity in America? Try Florida.
This writer did a personal assessment of Florida’s current and possible future problems and he came up with: homeowners insurance…. [Full Story]
Amazon Web Services Down for Thousands of Users
Pyrex, Glassware Maker, Files for Bankruptcy
AMD Ramps up AI Chip Production to Challenge Nvidia
Stellantis Evaluating Tesla’s Charging Standard
Health
Why Stress Makes Our Brain Crave Comfort Food
A new study out of Australia reveals why people who are stressed crave calorie-dense comfort food. Stress appears to override the part of the brain that signals satiety, or feeling full, say scientists at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research. In fact, chronic stress can…… [Full Story]
Weight-Loss Surgery May Weaken Bones in Teens
Sanders: Make Drug Plan or I’ll Hold Up NIH Nominee
