logo
Donald Trump Wins Praise from 'Prince of Darkness'

Donald Trump Wins Praise from 'Prince of Darkness'

Newsweek13-07-2025
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
British ambassador to Washington Peter Mandelson, known at home as the "Prince of Darkness," once said President Donald Trump was a "danger to the world... little short of a white nationalist and racist."
Now, after successfully closing one trade deal with the U.S. president, he has drastically changed his tune.
In a newly published interview with The Sunday Times, Lord Mandelson described Trump as "a unique politician" and a "phenomenon," showing that the British politician might have earned a new understanding of the U.S. president over several encounters in the last few months.
"I've never been in a town or a political system that is so dominated by one individual. Usually, you're entering an ecosystem rather than the world of one personality. But he is a phenomenon. A unique politician," Mandelson told the British newspaper.
An Exchange Of Pleasantries Across The Atlantic
Mandelson, a Labour Party member, became Britain's ambassador to the U.S. in February of this year, right after Trump's inauguration. In his home country, he is a very well-known figure—and someone who many would recognize as fit to take on such a difficult role, as the U.K. tries to maintain the "special relationship" with the U.S. at a time of growing uncertainty.
During his early career in the late 80s and early 90s, Mandelson became the communications guru behind Labour's rise to power under Tony Blair and one of the first figures to be recognised as a "spin doctor" in the U.K. His expertise in the "dark arts" of backroom political strategy and tactics earned him the nickname Prince of Darkness on the Left of the Party, and it stuck.
At the age of 71, the politician now has a long career behind him which survived some notable downfalls. His political enemies likely thought he was done for after his second resignation from the government in January 2011, when he was accused of using his position to influence the passport applications of a businessman.
The politician went on to become European Commissioner for Trade from 2004 to 2008 and first secretary of state under Gordon Brown's government between 2009 and 2010. In December, he was chosen by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to replace Dame Karen Pierce as ambassador to the U.S.
U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with British ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson after making a trade announcement in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on May 8, 2025....
U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with British ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson after making a trade announcement in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on May 8, 2025. More
JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images
If his political background as a political operator rather than an experienced diplomat and previous statements made it seem Mandelson an odd choice, the facts have proved skeptics wrong. In May, when the two met at the Oval Office, Trump greeted Mandelson with a very friendly: "God, you're a good-looking fellow, aren't you?"
In a show of appreciation, Mandelson later described Trump as a "people person" who takes people at "face value."
The comment cleared the air after Mandelson had been called by Trump-aligned strategist Chris LaCivita an "absolute moron," in what appeared as a reaction to Mandelson's previously disparaging comment about the president. The British politician had already tried to make amends for those comments, going to Fox News in late January to say those have been "ill-judged and wrong" and claiming he had "fresh respect" for the president.
Trump's 'Kernel Of Truth'
In the interview with The Sunday Times, the British politician reiterated this point, saying that there is often "truth" in what the president says, even when what he says sounds like an exaggeration made to infuriate Americans.
"He's not only a unique politician—he's also going to be one of the most consequential presidents in American history," he said.
"He has this sense of history, this grasp of power which I think perhaps recent inhabitants of the White House haven't quite seen. He is not a man for endless seminars and thinking," he added.
"He's not a victim of analysis paralysis. He has a very quick, easy way of grasping the core points about an issue. And let's be honest: more often than not, there's a kernel of truth in everything he says."
Mandelson brought the Trump administration's aggressive anti-immigration agenda as an example of this, saying that while ICE mass deportations have been portrayed negatively in the media, the U.S. president's goal is well-intended.
"If you take immigration, for example, people feel that the work of ICE and the policy of deportation is extreme. But what he's trying to roll back was an extreme opening up of the Mexican border," he said.
"Allowing anyone from anywhere in the world to fly in and simply pass into the United States—and fan out across the country without any control or management! The public wouldn't stand it."
In the U.K, Starmer has also been pushing for stricter measures against immigration, warning that Britain risked becoming an "island of strangers"—a term that sparked harsh criticism among Labour voters and some members of parliament.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Ukraine's Zelenskyy promises safeguards after street protests over a new anti-corruption law
Ukraine's Zelenskyy promises safeguards after street protests over a new anti-corruption law

The Hill

time22 minutes ago

  • The Hill

Ukraine's Zelenskyy promises safeguards after street protests over a new anti-corruption law

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Opponents of a new law they say strips Ukraine's anti-corruption watchdogs of their independence called for a third straight day of street protests across the country Thursday, despite President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's attempts to defuse the tension with promises of legislative safeguards. After meeting with the heads of Ukraine's key anti-corruption and security agencies, Zelenskyy promised to act on their recommendations by presenting a bill to Parliament that strengthens the rule of law. 'And very importantly: all the norms for the independence of anti-corruption institutions will be in place,' Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address late Wednesday. Zelenskyy acknowledged the controversy triggered by the new corruption law, which also drew rebukes from European Union officials and international rights groups. 'It's not falling on deaf ears,' Zelenskyy said of the complaints. 'We've analyzed all the concerns, all the aspects of what needs to be changed and what needs to be stepped up.' However, he didn't promise to revoke the law that he approved. The legislation that was adopted this week, despite pleas for Zelenskyy to veto it, tightened government oversight of two key anti-corruption agencies. Critics said the step could significantly weaken the independence of those agencies and give Zelenskyy's circle greater influence over investigations. The protests haven't called for Zelenskyy's ouster. But the first major anti-government demonstrations since the war began come at a tough time for Ukraine in its three-year battle to thwart Russia's invasion. Russia's bigger army is accelerating its efforts to pierce Ukraine's front-line defenses and is escalating its bombardment of Ukrainian cities. Ukraine is also facing a question mark over whether the United States will provide more military aid and whether European commitments can take up the slack, with no end to the war in sight. Delegations from Russia and Ukraine met in Istanbul for a third round of talks in as many months Wednesday. But once again the talks were brief and delivered no major breakthrough. Zelenskyy had insisted earlier Wednesday that the new legal framework was needed to crack down harder on corruption. Fighting entrenched corruption is crucial for Ukraine's aspirations to join the EU and maintain access to billions of dollars in Western aid in the war. 'Criminal cases should not drag on for years without verdicts, and those working against Ukraine must not feel comfortable or immune from punishment,' he said. Meanwhile, Russian planes dropped two powerful glide bombs on the center of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, on Thursday morning, regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said. At least 16 people were injured, including a 10-year-old girl who suffered an acute stress reaction, he said. The southern Ukrainian city of Odesa and Cherkasy in central Ukraine were also hit overnight, authorities said. The drone and missile strikes on the cities injured 11 people, including a 9-year-old, and damaged historic landmarks and residential buildings, officials said. Ukraine has sought to step up its own long-range drone attacks on Russia, using domestic technology and manufacturing. An overnight Ukrainian drone attack on the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi killed two women and injured 11 other people, local authorities said Thursday. An oil depot was hit, officials said, without offering details.

Ukraine's Zelensky promises safeguards after street protests over a new anti-corruption law
Ukraine's Zelensky promises safeguards after street protests over a new anti-corruption law

Boston Globe

time22 minutes ago

  • Boston Globe

Ukraine's Zelensky promises safeguards after street protests over a new anti-corruption law

Zelenskyy acknowledged the controversy triggered by the new corruption law, which also drew rebukes from European Union officials and international rights groups. 'It's not falling on deaf ears,' Zelenskyy said of the complaints. 'We've analyzed all the concerns, all the aspects of what needs to be changed and what needs to be stepped up.' However, he didn't promise to revoke the law that he approved. Advertisement The legislation that was adopted this week, despite pleas for Zelenskyy to veto it, tightened government oversight of two key anti-corruption agencies. Critics said the step could significantly weaken the independence of those agencies and give Zelenskyy's circle greater influence over investigations. The protests haven't called for Zelenskyy's ouster. But the first major anti-government demonstrations since the war began come at a tough time for Ukraine in its three-year battle to thwart Russia's invasion. Russia's bigger army is accelerating its efforts to pierce Ukraine's front-line defenses and is escalating its bombardment of Ukrainian cities. Ukraine is also facing a question mark over whether the United States will provide more military aid and whether European commitments can take up the slack, with no end to the war in sight. Advertisement Delegations from Russia and Ukraine met in Istanbul for a third round of talks in as many months Wednesday. But once again the talks were brief and delivered no major breakthrough. Zelenskyy had insisted earlier Wednesday that the new legal framework was needed to crack down harder on corruption. Fighting entrenched corruption is crucial for Ukraine's aspirations to join the EU and maintain access to billions of dollars in Western aid in the war. 'Criminal cases should not drag on for years without verdicts, and those working against Ukraine must not feel comfortable or immune from punishment,' he said. Meanwhile, Russian planes dropped two powerful glide bombs on the center of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, on Thursday morning, regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said. At least 16 people were injured, including a 10-year-old girl who suffered an acute stress reaction, he said. The southern Ukrainian city of Odesa and Cherkasy in central Ukraine were also hit overnight, authorities said. The drone and missile strikes on the cities injured 11 people, including a 9-year-old, and damaged historic landmarks and residential buildings, officials said. Ukraine has sought to step up its own long-range drone attacks on Russia, using domestic technology and manufacturing. An overnight Ukrainian drone attack on the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi killed two women and injured 11 other people, local authorities said Thursday. An oil depot was hit, officials said, without offering details.

Netflix's new political thriller series looks like a seriously gripping binge-watch — here's the full trailer
Netflix's new political thriller series looks like a seriously gripping binge-watch — here's the full trailer

Tom's Guide

time22 minutes ago

  • Tom's Guide

Netflix's new political thriller series looks like a seriously gripping binge-watch — here's the full trailer

Netflix has just released the full trailer for 'Hostage,' the much-anticipated political thriller arriving on August 21. Following earlier first-look images and a short intense teaser, the new trailer offers a deeper look at the series' central conflict, where risky diplomacy and personal relationships intersect. This full trailer intensifies the drama: when British Prime Minister Abigail Dalton's husband is kidnapped and French President Vivienne Toussaint is simultaneously blackmailed, both leaders face impossible choices in a tense power struggle that threatens their lives, careers, and nations. 'Hostage' stars and is executive produced by Suranne Jones, with Julie Delpy co-starring. The series was created by Matt Charman and directed by Isabelle Sieb and Amy Neil. At the start of the new trailer, Prime Minister Dalton's husband, Alex (Ashley Thomas), reassures her with the words, 'If it ever comes down to a choice, you'll make the right one.' Moments before a crucial summit with French President Toussaint (Deply), PM Dalton learns that her husband has been seized, and the kidnappers insist she step down from office if she wants him returned safely. The trailer then offers a preview of what follows, revealing a simultaneous blackmail scheme aimed at President Toussaint. Despite their stark political differences, Dalton and Toussaint must join forces under intense global scrutiny. Meanwhile, the prime minister and her team race to uncover the reasons behind this unexpected and alarming assault. Dalton's already fragile world is made even more complicated by her daughter's heartbreaking admission: if anything happens to her father, she'll never forgive her. Now, in addition to handling a national crisis and navigating political demands, Dalton is also grappling with a fractured family dynamic that threatens to pull her even further apart from her daughter. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Charman tells Netflix: 'I have always wanted to tell the story of the reality of living where you work as a prime minister and being torn between your family and your country.' Jones then added: 'She [Dalton] is put in such extreme circumstances, and we see that when push comes to shove she puts her country over her family. The original, working title for the series was The Choice, and that's why.' At the end of the trailer, Alex begs his masked captor, 'Please, we have families.' The kidnapper's reply: 'So did I.' This immediately hints at a personal loss or trauma that may have driven them to commit the kidnapping. Clearly, there's more going on beneath the surface. The full trailer reveals just enough to tease without spoiling (thankfully), leaving the complete story for when Netflix drops all five episodes of 'Hostage' on August 21. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store