The scariest thing about Trump? Nothing he does can shock us any more
A trope of the Trump years is that a Hollywood scriptwriter would be laughed out of town for authoring such a madcap screenplay. America is in its final season, goes the joke, and the showrunners have completely jumped the shark. On this occasion, however, they would have been sent back to the writing room, and told to try harder. The personal insults. The threats of cancelled government contracts. Even Musk's taunt about the Jeffrey Epstein files felt cliched. I would not even have been surprised if either Trump or Musk had sought to monetise their row by launching a crypto coin in the shape of a broken heart. That is a measure of how, in the 10 years since Trump descended that golden escalator, the abnormal has been normalised.
The chaos in Los Angeles was also entirely foreseeable. A crackdown on protesters in a Democratic-run city in a Democratic-run state was always going to be an obvious Trump play. Better still, the faux flashpoint came when agents from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) tried to arrest and expel unauthorised immigrants. For Trump, the staging for this American passion play could hardly have been more perfect.
And what a dramatis personae and props. An African-American Democratic mayor, Karen Bass. A liberal Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, with a surname that lends itself to the playground slur 'Newscum' which Trump rejoices in using. A Democratic US senator, Alex Padilla, being bundled out of a press conference and then handcuffed after trying to ask Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem a question. Protesters waving the national flag of Mexico. And a big beautiful battalion of federalised National Guard, under the president's command and control, with 700 US Marines standing by on the fringes of the city.
'Lights! Camera! Action!' A Hollywood summer blockbuster executive produced by the country's most powerful executive.
Nor should we overlook how the Democratic Party, and the Biden administration in particular, was crucial in the plot development. 'Democrats have gotten the border issue so wrong, for so long, that it amounts to political malpractice,' wrote W ashington Post columnist David Ignatius, a frequent Trump critic.
Loading
The Musk meltdown and Los Angeles showdown are, of course, linked. Trump, whose personal approval ratings have slumped sharply, needed a distraction after the breakdown of his billionaire bromance, and Musk's complaints that the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' would add $2.4 trillion to the deficit.
So Trump became the first US president since 1965 to federalise the National Guard without the agreement of a state governor. Back then, in one of the most climactic showdowns of the civil rights era, president Lyndon Johnson did so to protect black protesters marching between Montgomery and Selma, who had been bludgeoned by Alabama state troopers on 'Bloody Sunday'. Johnson's opponent was George Wallace, the white supremacist governor of Alabama, a 'Dixie' demagogue often viewed as a populist forerunner of Trump. Wallace would have applauded the president's announcement this week restoring the names of seven army bases which honoured Confederate leaders.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Libyan Express
a day ago
- Libyan Express
Trump moves subs after Russian provocation
US Navy photo shows nuclear sub with 154 Tomahawk missiles transiting Suez Canal on April 7, 2023. Based in Kings Bay, Georgia. U.S. President Donald Trump has announced the repositioning of two nuclear submarines in response to what he described as 'highly provocative' remarks by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, raising concerns over escalating tensions between Washington and Moscow. In a post published Friday on his Truth Social platform , Trump said he ordered the submarines to be deployed 'to the appropriate regions,' though he did not specify their location or whether they are nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed—a detail typically withheld under U.S. military protocol. 'Based on the highly provocative statements of the former president of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev… I have ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned,' Trump wrote, cautioning that 'words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences.' The move follows a series of inflammatory exchanges between Trump and Medvedev, who now serves as deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council. Medvedev had lashed out at Trump's recent demands for a ceasefire in Ukraine, calling them theatrical and accusing Washington of issuing dangerous ultimatums. Speaking to reporters later, Trump said his decision was made 'on the basis of safety for our people,' in light of what he described as a threat from the former Russian president. 'We didn't think it was appropriate,' he said. 'We're going to protect our people.' Medvedev has been a vocal supporter of Russia's war in Ukraine and a frequent critic of the West. On Thursday, he referenced Russia's 'dead hand' doctrine—a term widely interpreted by analysts as a reference to Moscow's nuclear second-strike capability—in a Telegram post warning of potential consequences if tensions with the U.S. continue to escalate. The Kremlin has not officially commented on Trump's remarks, but Russia's stock market experienced a sharp decline following the news. The exchange between Trump and Medvedev comes amid mounting pressure from Washington on Moscow to end its war in Ukraine. Trump has repeatedly issued deadlines for Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to a ceasefire, most recently demanding an end to hostilities by 8 August. Previous ultimatums included threats of sweeping sanctions on Russian energy exports and other economic measures. With both the United States and Russia maintaining the world's largest nuclear arsenals, the latest rhetorical standoff has heightened international concern over the risks of miscalculation or escalation. Medvedev, who served as Russia's president from 2008 to 2012, responded to Trump earlier this week by saying 'each new ultimatum is a step towards war,' accusing the U.S. of provocation. Trump, in turn, dismissed Medvedev as 'the failed former president of Russia' and warned him to 'watch his words,' saying the Russian official was 'entering very dangerous territory.'
Libyan Express
3 days ago
- Libyan Express
Meloni's Tunisia visit draws scrutiny amid shifting regional alliances
Geopolitics and migration at play in Meloni's sudden Tunisia visit Tunisian political activist and former member of parliament, Majdi Karbai, has raised serious concerns over the motives behind Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's recent visit to Tunisia, suggesting that the trip was driven by efforts to reconcile growing American pressure with broader European interests. The visit, announced at the last minute, has drawn considerable attention in both Tunisian and Italian political circles. According to Karbai, the timing and manner of the visit have triggered unease among Italian political figures and media commentators, who view it as more than a routine diplomatic engagement. The context surrounding the visit adds to its significance. Just days earlier, Massad Boulos — a Lebanese-American businessman closely associated with former US President Donald Trump — had travelled to Tunisia and reportedly conveyed strong concerns about what he described as Tunisia's increasing proximity to Iran. Karbai suggested that this development has sparked alarm in Washington and may have prompted European actors, particularly Italy, to re-engage more assertively with Tunis. Meloni's trip, therefore, appears to have been carefully calibrated to address these shifting dynamics. On the one hand, it serves to reassure American allies of Italy's role as a mediator and regional stabiliser. On the other, it reinforces Rome's direct interests in North Africa, particularly on the issue of migration — a key domestic concern for the Italian government. Tunisia remains a major transit point for irregular migrants attempting to reach European shores. Karbai believes the visit may have involved proposals for enhanced cooperation on migration control in exchange for economic or political support to President Kais Saied's administration. Such a deal, he argues, would fit within a pattern of short-term transactional diplomacy aimed at delivering immediate policy wins for both sides. Beyond the immediate implications, the visit may also signal a deeper strategic shift. Italy, under Meloni's leadership, appears intent on redefining its role in the southern Mediterranean, asserting itself more confidently amid an evolving regional landscape shaped by new alignments and great power competition. Karbai noted that Meloni's close ties with the American right — particularly figures associated with the Trump camp — may be influencing her foreign policy choices, as she seeks to position Italy as a key player between Washington and the Maghreb. Tunisia, caught in the middle of these intersecting agendas, finds itself increasingly central to wider geopolitical negotiations. The visit, in Karbai's view, should not be seen merely as a bilateral event, but rather as a reflection of the shifting balance of power across the Mediterranean. With migration, energy, and security concerns now tightly interwoven with global rivalries, Tunisia is emerging as a focal point in a rapidly changing regional equation.
Tatler Asia
24-07-2025
- Tatler Asia
Need a break from the noise? These 9 films are made for introverts seeking solitude and peace
'Paterson' (2016) A gentle masterpiece, Paterson follows one week in the life of a bus driver and poet named Paterson (Adam Driver) in New Jersey. He observes passengers, writes poetry in his notebook and shares tender moments with his spontaneous wife Laura (Golshifteh Farahani). Director Jim Jarmusch creates a startlingly undramatic work that finds profound meaning in routine and small details, celebrating the quiet act of creation as a beautiful antidote to our chaotic world. 'Tokyo Story' (1953) An ageing couple (Chishu Ryu and Chieko Higashiyama) travel from their small town to bustling Tokyo to visit their grown children, who are too busy to pay them attention. Only their widowed daughter-in-law, Noriko (Setsuko Hara), shows genuine kindness. Director Yasujiro Ozu's masterpiece uses static cameras and 'pillow shots'—brief, still images of everyday details—to create space for quiet reflection, letting emotion emerge from what remains unsaid. Don't miss: Celebrating Meryl Streep: 9 roles that built a legacy on the silver screen 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' (2004) After a painful breakup, Joel Barish (Jim Carrey), a bookish introvert, discovers his ex-girlfriend Clementine (Kate Winslet) has erased her memories of him. As he undergoes the same procedure, he relives their relationship in reverse within his crumbling mind. This surrealist romance argues that painful memories are essential to who we are, rejecting easy solutions while exploring the circular nature of destined connections. 'Her' (2013) In near-future Los Angeles, Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix), a lonely, introverted man, develops a complex relationship with Samantha (voiced by Scarlett Johansson), an advanced AI operating system. In Her , director Spike Jonze creates a warm, inviting world that feels deeply human despite its futuristic setting. This quiet, introspective exploration of loneliness and connection is grounded by Phoenix's beautifully understated performance, examining love and consciousness in our increasingly alienated world. 'Paris, Texas' (1984) A silent, amnesiac man named Travis (Harry Dean Stanton) wanders from the desert after a four-year absence, reconnecting with his brother and young son before embarking on a road trip to find his estranged wife Jane (Nastassja Kinski). A visual poem about despair, Paris, Texas uses the vast, sun-bleached American landscape as a metaphor for Travis's internal emptiness. Ry Cooder's haunting slide-guitar score enhances the yearning within these quiet, expansive spaces. 'Arrival' (2016) When mysterious alien spacecraft appear around the world, expert linguist Dr Louise Banks (Amy Adams) is tasked with uncovering their purpose. Working alongside physicist Ian Donnelly (Jeremy Renner), Louise races against global tensions and mistrust to communicate with the extraterrestrial visitors. What unfolds is a profoundly human story about language, memory and the nature of time. Based on Ted Chiang's novella, director Denis Villeneuve's version is a quietly powerful narrative that favours introspection over spectacle, transforming first contact into a meditation on love, loss and the choices that define our lives. With its muted tones and haunting score, Arrival offers a cerebral, emotionally resonant alternative to conventional science fiction blockbusters. 'Drive My Car' (2021) Two years after his wife's sudden death, stage director Yusuke Kafuku (Hidetoshi Nishijima) accepts a residency in Hiroshima, forming a profound bond with his quiet chauffeur Misaki Watari (Toko Miura) as they navigate shared histories of loss. Drive My Car is a three-hour Oscar-winning epic adapted from a short story by Haruki Murakami. The film rewards patient viewers with powerful emotional payoff through its deliberate, novelistic pacing. The film asks us to slow down and experience stark, quiet reality—a necessary palette cleanser for our fast-paced world. 'Blade Runner 2049' (2017) Released 35 years after the classic 1982 film, the sequel is set in 2049 Los Angeles, where blade runner K (Ryan Gosling) unearths a secret that could plunge society into chaos, leading him to find the missing Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford). Despite its epic scale, director Denis Villeneuve's sequel maintains deliberately slow, meditative pacing that immerses viewers in its stunning yet desolate world. This intimate story explores profound philosophical questions about humanity, creating a contemplative experience enhanced by practical sets over CGI. Credits This article was created with the assistance of AI tools
