Author: David Smith
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What will it take for a former president to speak out against Trump?
The stadium announcer called on the crowd to give a warm welcome to “a very special guest”. A cheer went up as basketball fans realised that Barack Obama was in their midst. The former US president rose to his feet, smiled and waved before watching the Los Angeles Clippers take on the Detroit Pistons on…
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Joe Biden speaks for a vanishing age in eulogy praising Jimmy Carter’s decency
“Character. Character. Character.” Speaking from the pulpit of a hushed Washington National Cathedral on Thursday, Joe Biden seemed to be eulogising something bigger than the late US president who lay in a stars and stripes-draped casket before him. “Jimmy Carter’s friendship taught me, and through his life, taught me, that strength of character is more…
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The normalizers are exuding calm – but Trump 2.0 is anything but normal
Hollywood actors at Sunday’s Golden Globe awards did not make their usual jokes or protests. Silicon Valley titans are falling over each other to donate to his inauguration fund. In Washington, some Democrats who boycotted his first inauguration have signalled their intention to attend this time. There is no doubt the resistance to Donald Trump…
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Trump cabinet criticized as hodgepodge team unified only by ‘absolute fealty’ to him
During Donald Trump’s first administration, his vice-president became the target of an angry mob amid calls for him to be hanged. His top diplomat was fired via Twitter and branded “dumb as a rock”. His first attorney general was given his marching orders and called “very weak” and “disgraceful”. Despite it all, Trump has had…