A surprise guilty verdict on Trump after a chaotic trial and botched defence is heading for sentence on July 11th. Any sentence, whether jail or fine, is likely to be deferred pending an appeal which could take up to a year. Legal experts are divided about whether a prison sentence is likely for a non-violent … Read more
Barron Trump, just turned 18, briefly emerged into the political arena as a Florida delegate to the Republican convention in July only to be hastily withdrawn by his mother Melania, who has always been protective of his privacy. This is only en passant since the astrology could be interpreted either way. But since he … Read more
Trump’s Stormy Daniels hush money trial starts on Monday after he alternately dozed and raged through jury selection. There is anxiety in GOP quarters about how damaging the ‘time-suck’ of a possibly two month trial will be on campaign fund raising. And questions are being asked about whether the reduced bond of $175 million put … Read more
On the other side of the electoral aisle, many of Trump’s erstwhile helpers from his previous stint – Mike Pence, John Bolton, William Barr – have said he is not fit to be president. However he has collected a coterie of advisers moving ahead which the FT usefully listed. Most don’t have birth times … Read more
A week is a long time in politics and there are – only – 35 weeks to go before the USA presidential election filled with whatever mayhem the fickle fates decide to throw as disruptors to best laid plans. Despite a thumping win Trump did less well than the pollsters expected. In New Hampshire, … Read more
Donald Trump has brushed aside a judge’s seering comments about his company’s fraud in inflating the worth of his properties as he was landed with a fine of $350m plus interest. The frauds the judge said “leap off the page and shock the conscience”. “Their (Trumps) complete lack of contrition and remorse borders on pathological.” … Read more
Donald Trump rampages on, giving by all accounts a confused and repetitive as well as bullying 100 minute oration to himself over his New Hampshire win. This is only a snippet since the tedium ahead never mind widespread panic and disbelief will keep him centre foreground for the next ten months. He is on a … Read more
David Cameron springs back into the public arena as UK Foreign Secretary as Rishi Sunak pulls to the centre, facing up to the far-right and averting his eyes from Cameron’s past misdeeds – Brexit, Greensill financial scandal, cosying up to China, crashing into Libya. Cameron for all his flaws does have international standing which will … Read more
Ivanka Trump has had her argument that she should not have to testify at her father’s fraud trial rejected. He has been accused of inflating the value of his assets on financial statements and if found guilty will have to pay a fine of at least $250m. Her brothers are also listed as defendants in … Read more
Will the unthinkable happen and Trump get re-elected? Not only are sensible Americans agitated at the prospect so are the reasonables of the rest of the world. Only the dictators elsewhere are adjusting their plans in the hope of a fellow-traveller back in the White House. Putin may drag out the Ukraine campaign for that … Read more