COMMENT
— Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration sparks unsettling parallels to dystopian fiction, with his “manifest destiny” rhetoric, Mars ambitions, and frontier ideals raising troubling questions about America’s expansionist and divisive past.
US Politics
OPINION
— Elon Musk’s controversial gesture at Trump’s inauguration sparked accusations of Nazi symbolism, while Trump’s extremist policies and global provocations highlight an alarming shift towards far-right authoritarianism. The world watches anxiously.
OPINION
— On his first day, Donald Trump pardoned January 6 rioters, emboldened extremists, and signed a vague economic order, raising deep concerns about his emboldened presidency and unpredictable future actions.
The Inauguration of Donald Trump
— Donald Trump’s second inaugural speech showcased an authoritarian manifesto, blending messianic self-aggrandisement, disdain for democratic norms, and admiration for dictators, marking a profound shift toward personality-driven, divisive governance.
The Inauguration of Donald Trump
— In his fiery address, Donald Trump pledged bold, contentious reforms prioritising immigration, energy, and national sovereignty, reigniting “America First” rhetoric.
Politics
— Ambition, a powerful force, drives Donald Trump’s controversial return and Liz Truss’s misjudged rise. It highlights the need for a balanced ambition that prioritises purpose and the common good over reckless self-interest.
Donald Trump
— After two years investigating Donald Trump, special counsel Jack Smith’s work ended with a scathing but legally impotent report, highlighting alleged election lies, pressures, and violence-linked rhetoric.
United States
— Donald Trump’s return heralds dramatic shifts in US foreign policy, blending bluster, deal-making, and strategic disengagement from Europe and the Middle East, while intensifying Western Hemisphere dominance and China confrontation.
OPINION
— Democrats’ 2024 loss highlights their failure to embrace the “MAGA lesson”: unwavering loyalty to leadership. By abandoning Joe Biden and over-relying on Kamala Harris, they handed Donald Trump a decisive victory.
Long-Read
— National populism, fuelled by media-backed disinformation, anti-immigrant rhetoric, and libertarian ideologies, threatens democracies globally by eroding institutions, fostering fear, and exploiting divisions.
US Politics
— Donald Trump’s unpredictability, as demonstrated during his first presidency, leaves global leaders uncertain about his potential actions in his second mandate. His approach mirrors game theory’s “chicken game,” where risk-taking can deter adversaries.
US Immigration
— President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to accelerate the pace of U.S. military shipbuilding. However, his commitment to tightening immigration controls could exacerbate the labour shortages already plaguing the U.S. shipbuilding industry, potentially jeopardising production schedules.
Censorship
— Pulitzer-winning cartoonist Ann Telnaes has left The Washington Post following the newspaper’s decision to withhold her satirical cartoon targeting Jeff Bezos and other tech moguls’ perceived deference to Donald Trump.
US Politics
— Polling accuracy in the U.S. presidential election faced criticism, despite improved performance over 2020. Small errors in a tight race amplified perceived inaccuracies, but swing state polls generally proved reliable, reflecting a close contest, Professor John Curtice explains.
COMMENT
— Elon Musk’s attacks on the US spending bill, labelling it “criminal” and urging electoral consequences for supporting lawmakers, highlight troubling parallels with “state capture,” exposing risks to American political integrity.
COMMENT
— Donald Trump’s administration is appointing media figures like Kari Lake, Pete Hegseth, and Mehmet Oz to key roles, emphasising communication skills over journalistic integrity, raising concerns about credibility and impartiality.
