Buffalox

You are right, the problem is very much a widespread attitude in USA.
They need to modernize their democracy, and they need to modernize their interpretation and regulation of what free speech is.
The 2 main reasons USA is as fucked up as it is now, is that the 2 party system undermines democracy, and way too much misinformation is allowed.
You can't build democracy on lies.

I really really hope Americans will wake up soon, and realize this.

Only because the people allow it.
I know nobody can change that alone, but USA need to friggin get some graasroot movements going to get real democracy, and elect politicians that don't prioritize only the 1%.
The 2 party system simply doesn't work.

Even if you are right, there's a huge difference between what Trump is asking, and what normal presidents ask of you to be friends.
Being friends is supposed to be a 2 way relationship, but with Trump it's not.

As an EU citizen, we want good relations with USA, It's 100% Trump and Musk who are ruining it.
They are literally insane, and USA needs to remove them. Unless they do, I guess we can't be friends anymore.

death threats against Musk.

STOP THREATENING!!!

This split seems more likely by the day.
But it won't help Russia, because Europe will pull together and increase aid to Ukraine, and I seriously doubt Americans really want this split. So in the most extreme case, Trump will be removed, and things will hopefully normalize.

But I think the split will indeed get worse before it returns to normal again.
I bet at least 90% of American politicians are very well aware who their true allies are, and it's not the dictators Trump wants to work with.

Half the military is probably MAGA, military persons tend to like authoritarian leaders.
So don't bet on them as the last defense. It needs to be resolved BEFORE military becomes a factor.

but who the hell is going to step up and actually try to stop him?

To me it seems that there is no actual hard checks and balances, it's all based on respecting norms, and anyone who doesn't, that has control of the executive branch, will be very hard to stop.

But that's what I've been warning USA about repeatedly for more than 20 years. USA is a dysfunctional democracy, the 2 party system undermines democracy. Everybody has known that since the constitution was written, but Americans wanted that because they imagine this system to be more "efficient" at making "strong" decisions.

Maybe so, but if it's at the cost of democracy, those decisions are very likely not good decisions.
I think we can safely say that the US government has failed the people for decades, despite being richer, when you compare to the superior rights and freedoms and quality of life in Europe.

As an absolute fan of USA in the 70's when I was young, the decline of American society over the past 50 years has been a sad sight.
Everything changed when Reagan was elected over Carter, and the humanist ideal have never come back.

how close is the United States to a constitutional crisis: Are we headed toward one, on the brink, or already there?

Since Trump has already declared that only the President can interpret the law, I'd say USA is already there.
Also the administration is taking over offices that are supposed to be controlled by congress.
Finally, the illegal intervention and control extended to Elon Musk where he has has lifted information also illegally, and has CLEAR conflicts of interest, is enough by itself.

So IMO USA is already there on several counts.

Trump is a fascist, and he is REALLY trying to create a totalitarian state this time, and it's evident to have been planned beforehand.

PS: This alone too is a constitutional crisis:
https://thesource.com/2025/02/19/king-trump-official-white-house-social-media-page-sends-long-live-the-king-message/

To declare himself King, might seem like just in bad taste, but it's actually what he see himself as, and he won't stop until he has absolute control.
It's also unconstitutional because Kings are above the law, and the constitution says nobody is above the law.
So the constitutional crises began already BEFORE Trump was president, when a hijacked supreme court declared the President to actually be above the law. (as long as it's a republican)

PS: Quote from the constitution Section 9 clause 8:

No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States.

Understaffed IRS benefit the rich the most, because those are the most difficult to go after, because they use expensive lawyers.
The average guy however, can only bend over and take it. So they are always targeted first!!!

I didn't know that, but yes, it would probably seem confusing to use different terminologies for essentially the same thing.

Yes of course, bi-fold rolls equally well. 👍