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Politico
3 days ago
- Politics
- Politico
Trump found God — in himself
The religious right has long provided some of the most enthusiastic support for President Donald Trump. It appeared at first blush like a marriage of convenience — a manifestly impious man handing policy wins to the faithful. Trump himself seemed to hold an almost nihilistic, come-what-may philosophy that didn't quite fit into a purpose-driven Christian worldview. In a quote that roughly summed up his outlook on life, back in 2018, he said, 'My attitude is, whatever happens, happens.' He was talking about trade talks with China, but he could have been talking about anything — he said some version of that multiple times. Things are different now. Trump is different. He's not just a culture warrior or a political leader. After raising his fist in the air following the assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, he's also a survivor. And that almost nihilistic talk has been transubstantiated into almost messianic proclamations. 'God spared my life for a reason,' he said in November, referring to his survival of an assassination attempt. 'I was saved by God to make America great again,' he said in his inaugural address. 'It's … an act of God,' he said about a month after the shooting. 'For a while now, a roster of religious believers and leaders, grateful for the political victories Trump has bestowed in exchange for their votes, have suggested and sometimes outright said that Trump is 'chosen,' or 'anointed,' or a 'savior,' or 'the second coming' or 'the Christ for this age,'' writes Michael Kruse in this week's Friday Read. 'Now, though, Trump does it, too. And that matters. It matters, some say, because it highlights how his well-documented narcissism and grandiosity has metastasized into notions of omnipotence, invincibility and infallibility. And it matters maybe most immediately because it offers a window into how he is approaching his second term — even more emboldened, even more unilaterally oriented, even more apparently uncheckable and untouchable than the first.' Read the story. 'He has gone absolutely CRAZY! He is needlessly killing a lot of people, and I'm not just talking about soldiers.' Can you guess who said this about Russian President Vladimir Putin? Scroll to the bottom for the answer.** The Cracks in Trump's Sculpture Garden … Trump has an ambitious plan to unveil life-sized statues in the likeness of 250 great Americans — from George Washington to Whitney Houston — for the nation's 250th birthday next year. There's just one problem: The United States has neither the talented sculptors nor the museum-quality foundries in sufficient numbers to produce so many fine statues in such a short amount of time. 'Unfortunately, the schedule all but guarantees something less than awesome, splendid or timeless,' writes Capital City columnist Michael Schaffer. 'And, quite possibly, something less than American, too: The fine print forbids 'abstract or modernist' statues, and the biggest collection of artisans and fabricators working in Trump's preferred old-school realist style turns out to be in China, not the U.S.' The Trump administration's second-term tariff policy hit a major roadblock in the courts this week, with a ruling from the U.S. Court of International Trade concluding that the bulk of Trump's tariffs in his second term are unlawful. The ruling has been stayed pending further appellate review. But don't worry if you haven't been paying attention. Throw out a few of these talking points and you'll sound like you're in the know: (From legal columnist Ankush Khardori) — Be sure to mention the statute at the heart of the case — the International Economic Emergency Powers Act. (Bonus: Pronounce it eye-ee-pah.) — Pretend like you already knew that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit exists. The court typically handles patent and government contract cases, but it is also the court that hears appeals from the Court of International Trade. — Don't fall for the line that the judges who issued the ruling — there were three of them — were a bunch of partisan hacks. One of them is a Trump appointee; another is a Reagan appointee. (The third is an Obama appointee.) — Voice some skepticism about how easy it will actually be for the Trump administration to implement the same tariffs under different statutes. It will not be that easy. — Explain that those statutes have distinct procedural requirements, which is why the Trump administration didn't use them in the first place. IYKYK. The Dem AG Who Beat Trump in Court … Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, who led a coalition of Democratic states in suing to block a major portion of Trump's tariffs, seemed pleasantly surprised after the U.S. Court of International Trade issued a unanimous decision undercutting the president on Wednesday. He spoke with Joseph Schatz about why the courts pushed back on the administration. Dems Need a Shadow Cabinet … With her party still flailing about for a viable opposition strategy, Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-NY) offered an intriguing idea: a shadow Cabinet. It's common enough abroad for the party out of power to appoint its own answers to each individual member of the ruling party's leadership. But how do you build one here? According to Bill Scher, ranking members of Congress aren't fresh enough, and presidential hopefuls are too self-serving. So he came up with a shadow Cabinet roster of his own — and the picks might surprise you. Hegseth's Military Purge … Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth recently announced a purge of high-ranking military officials, pledging to cut 20 percent of 4-star officers and 10 percent of all other generals and admirals. 'That's a recipe not just for a politicized military, but an authoritarian military,' says Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), a Marine veteran. 'That's the way militaries work in Russia and China and North Korea.' He spoke with Deputy Editor Bill Duryea about Hegseth's dramatic move, and what's next for the armed forces. From the drafting table of editorial cartoonist Matt Wuerker. Who Dissed? answer: That would be President Donald Trump, posting on Truth Social this week. politicoweekend@
CTV News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Will Aiello named new co-anchor of CTV Morning Live
Ottawa residents will be waking up with Will Aiello on CTV Morning Live starting next month. Aiello will be joining co-anchors Rosey Edeh and Melissa Lamb on Ottawa's most-watched morning show, beginning Monday, June 16. 'I've loved waking up to CTV Morning Live for many years and cannot wait to join this incredible team, make connections with loyal viewers, and deliver on telling the local stories that matter most,' Aiello said. 'I began my career in Ottawa and to be coming back to be a part of the show on my 10-year anniversary with Bell Media makes it truly special.' Aiello, who was born in Ottawa, has been recently working at CTV News Kitchener, and previously worked at CTV News Northern Ontario. 'Will is the perfect person to join Rosey and Melissa on CTV Morning Live. We look forward to having this talented trio bring the nation's capital the sunniest, most positive wake-up they need to start their day,' said Jodi Hamilton, Operations Manager, Bell Media Ottawa. 'We can't wait for viewers to get to know Will,' said Peter Angione, Director of News and Information Programming, Bell Media Ottawa. 'He is the kind of person you want to be friends with and brings tons of positive energy viewers will be waking up to every day.' CTV Morning Live airs weekdays from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on CTV 2.
Western Telegraph
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Narberth Jazz welcomed back the Dick Hamer Quartet
The group returned to the Plas Hotel, Narberth, on April 17, with a set list showcasing its talent. The evening began with Wayne Shorter's Yes or No, followed by Recado Bossa Nova. Jenny Jones, known for her work with the Capital City and Morriston Big Bands, then took the stage with Big Band classics All of Me and Hoagy Carmichael's Georgia. The evening continued with instrumental pieces by Lee Morgan, including the salsa-infused Ceora, allowing the quartet to demonstrate their improvisational skills. Ms Jones returned with renditions of Peggy Lee's Do Right, Smile, and Bluesette. The quartet continued with Star Eyes and ended with Cherokee. The group's performance was supported by Dave Jones on piano, Alan Vaughn on bass, and Nick Hislam on drums. The event also saw an increase in younger audience members. The Plas room was transformed into a jazz club-like atmosphere with subdued lighting and table lamps. A spokesperson for Narberth Jazz said: "Altogether a wonderful evening of musicianship and entertainment." Next month, Narberth Jazz will feature the trumpet of Tomos Williams and his trio. Mr Williams, who previously performed with the Seven Steps quintet, will take the stage on Friday, May 30. Tickets for the event can be purchased from the Narberth Jazz website.
Politico
22-02-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Democrats have got to stop saying ‘POC'
President Donald Trump's victory over former Vice President Kamala Harris has Democrats reeling — especially because he significantly improved his numbers with nonwhite voters the party desperately needs to keep in its coalition. How can the Democrats regain the ground they've lost? Sociologist Jerel Ezell has an idea: Stop using the term 'people of color.' 'Democrats are now in the thick of a come-to-Jesus reckoning over these losses,' Ezell writes in this week's Friday Read, 'and it should begin with this obvious truth: There is no deep cultural, social, economic or political linkage between Black, Latino, Indigenous and Asian Americans — at least not one that can be leveraged by the party for votes.' In sociology, he writes, 'when it's clear that one of our terms has begun to lose its accuracy, we must muster the humility to redefine or jettison it. In politics, at least, it's time to stop thinking about 'people of color.'' Read the story.'It's getting a little uncomfortable, even for me. Even I'm starting to feel like that guy in the picture that would hail Hitler.' Can you guess who said this about Steve Bannon after he replicated Elon Musk's controversial 'salute' at CPAC? Scroll to the bottom for the answer.**Trump's Kennedy Center Won't Look Like You Think … Trump's takeover of the Kennedy Center stoked fears that it would devolve into Kid Rock and monster trucks. But trustee Paolo Zampolli — the man who reportedly introduced Donald and Melania — has a very different plan in mind. 'He wants a marina for boat parking and water taxis outside; a Cipriani restaurant upstairs; international outposts in Europe, Asia and the Middle East' writes Capital City columnist Michael Schaffer. And we haven't even mentioned sending art to outer space you're confused as to why everyone's talking about chain saws and memes, you probably didn't keep up with CPAC. But if you drop these talking points into conversation, your friends will think you were practically Vice President JD Vance's plus one. (From Associate Editor Dylon Jones) Talking to MAGA folks? Pretend like this was not the first time you ever heard of Natasha Owens, who became the latest woman to hop on the 'political text on a gown' trend when she performed the national anthem at CPAC. (Her outfit was emblazoned with a new take on the DOGE acronym, 'Democrats officially getting exposed.') 'Look y'all, her album That America is fine, but true fans know American Patriot was her best.' Of course you know that Vance got the warm reception the Munich Security Conference denied him. Make a new insult he deployed into a game with your group chat: 'Who's your favorite person the vice president might call an 'androgynous idiot'? Think he'd put Bowie on that list? Tilda Swinton? Prince?' As someone well-versed in the internecine divisions within the modern conservative movement, you'll be able to point out a certain irony in the schedule of speakers: 'They seriously put Steve Bannon right after Elon Musk? Bannon called the guy a 'parasitic illegal immigrant,' and Musk said he was 'a great talker, but not a great doer.' Whoever set that lineup is wild.' Everyone will have something to say about Musk's latest prop, the chain saw he got from Argentine President Javier Milei. But there's really only one fact that matters: 'Guys, he never even turned damn the thing on.' Little House in the 'Woke' Wars … The news of a Little House on the Prairie reboot kicked off a social media debate when Megyn Kelly tweeted at Netflix: 'if you wokeify Little House on the Prairie I will make it my singular mission to absolutely ruin your project.' Melissa Gilbert, who played Laura Ingalls Wilder in the original series, shot back on Threads: 'Umm…watch the original again. TV doesn't get too much more 'woke' than we did.' In some ways, the social media showdown was nothing new: 'Liberal Hollywood has been a favorite target of 'anti-woke' derision for some time,' writes Jason Kyle Howard. 'But Little House is a particularly striking example of the politicization of popular entertainment precisely because the original show was seen as decidedly non-political.'Elon Musk's 13 Kids Are Dividing the Right … The announcement that conservative influencer Ashley St. Clair had become the fourth woman to birth a child of Elon Musk — his 13th — got a mixed reaction from the right. Former Rep. Matt Gaetz praised Musk's 'incredible genetics,' while former Turning Point USA staffer Jon Root said that 'much of conservatism is filled with godless hypocrites who couldn't care less about conserving traditional family values.' To make sense of 'the potential rupture in Donald Trump's Barstool bros and Bible study coalition,' Adam Wren spoke with conservative sociologist Brad Wilcox. 'I'm delighted that Musk has been a proponent of what we're calling pro-natalism,' Wilcox said. 'But I think Musk hasn't yet demonstrated an appreciation for the important role that marriage as an institution plays in stabilizing family life.'From the drafting table of editorial cartoonist Matt Dissed? answer: It was white supremacist streamer Nick Fuentes. politicoweekend@
