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Daily Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Telegraph
‘He didn't fool me': Four words from Donald Trump that say so, so much
Don't miss out on the headlines from World. Followed categories will be added to My News. Comment Three quotes here, all uttered by Donald Trump after he took office in January, and all referring to Vladimir Putin. 'I believe he wants peace. I mean, I know him very well. Yeah, I think he wants peace. I think he would tell me if he didn't.' 'I think he'll keep his word. I've spoken to him, I've known him for a long time now, you know? I don't believe he is going to violate his word.' 'I believe him. I think we're doing very well with Russia, and right now they're bombing the hell out of Ukraine. I'm finding it more difficult, frankly, to deal with Ukraine.' And here is another, from this week, which came as Mr Trump finally lost patience with Putin's doublespeak. 'He's fooled a lot of people. He fooled Bush, he fooled a lot of people. He fooled Clinton, Bush, Obama, Biden. He didn't fool me.' Donald Trump. Picture: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP A bit shameless, isn't it? This man's capacity to revise history so blatantly, and to expect everyone to accept it, as though we have neither eyes, nor ears, nor functioning brains. Putin did fool George W. Bush, who after meeting the Russian leader, claimed to have gotten 'a sense of his soul' and said he was 'very trustworthy'. He did at least somewhat fool Barack Obama, who got then-secretary of state Hillary Clinton to pose for a stunt with an obnoxious red 'reset button', representing the relationship between America and Russia. That predictably doomed move fell over when Crimea happened. Joe Biden? Hmm. He did agree to attend a summit with Putin during his presidency, which felt naive at the time. But the Biden administration was unequivocal about Russia's intentions in the lead-up to its invasion of Ukraine. So there is plenty to criticise in other US presidents' approaches to the Putin regime. But that last part, the 'he didn't fool me', takes some goddamn cheek. Nothing any of the presidents above said or did comes close to rivalling the credulousness with which Mr Trump has approached Putin, one of the most nakedly malicious leaders on the planet, since he first took power in 2017. Vladimir Putin. Picture: Maxim Shemetov/AFP And this goes right to the heart of the eternal, perhaps unanswerable question about Donald Trump: Does he actually believe his own rhetoric? When he says something brazenly false, as is his habit, is he doing it cynically, with the knowledge that enough people will believe him anyway? Or has he convinced himself it's the truth? Put in context: does Mr Trump genuinely think Putin did not outfox him, did not string him along with fake talk of peace for months? Or is the American President saying such nonsense with full self-awareness, to cover up his own embarrassment? The shift in stance from the Trump administration this week is an improvement. It's a recognition, seven years after Mr Trump met Putin in Helsinki and took his word over that of his own country's intelligence agencies, that the murderous Russian dictator with a record of breaking nearly every pledge he makes might not be trustworthy. So in relative terms, OK. Good, even. If American policy towards Russia is on a spectrum, with exploitable innocence on one end and cynicism on the other, we are at least heading in the right direction. In absolute terms though? Pissweak. A 50-day deadline, after which new sanctions might be imposed unless Putin agrees to a peace deal. Why not impose those sanctions now? The man has lied to you for months, Donald. At no point has he displayed anything resembling good faith. Why give him the leeway of a delay? Do it now. We've already seen Putin bomb Ukraine again since Mr Trump's announcement. He hardly seems worried. And honestly, why should he be? He's dealing with a serial flip-flopper, whose record indicates he'll sooner push back a deadline than enforce it. Genuine shoutout to George Bush though for his naivety. I mean come on, you can judge that guy from his skin alone, never mind his soul. And he's dealing with an American President who seeks to project strength, but even in his own telling comes off as credulous and manipulable. 'I speak to him a lot about getting this thing done,' he said of Putin, and a peace deal, while speaking to reporters after completing the flip-flop. 'And I always hang up and say, 'Well, that was a nice phone call.' And then missiles are launched into Kyiv, or some other (Ukrainian) city. And I say, 'Strange.' 'And after that happens three or four times, you say the talk doesn't mean anything.' No s***. He has retold a version of that anecdote several times, with First Lady Melania Trump usually serving as the unlikely snap back to reality. 'We thought we had a deal. Numerous times. I'd get home, I'd say, 'First Lady, I had the most wonderful talk with Vladimir. I think we're finished.'' As in, finished hammering out a viable path to peace between Russia and Ukraine. 'And then I'll turn on the television. Or she'll say to me one time, 'Wow, that's strange, because they just bombed a nursing home.' I said, 'What?'' What's the fictional equivalent here? Mon Mothma gets off the holo-phone with Emperor Palpatine. 'That was a really wonderful talk I had with Palpatine,' she tells some other rebel bigwig. 'Wow, that's strange, because he just blew up Alderaan,' her colleague replies. To which Mothma, would-be leader of the free worlds, offers an impotent: 'What!?' Before proceeding to publicly insist she was the only rebel leader to never be fooled by Palpatine. (Do watch Andor. Wonderfully written show, regardless of your politics. No I will not stop sneaking TV recommendations into serious rants about serious politics.) Apparently Melania Trump is more abreast of international war news than her husband, who has the entire US national security apparatus at his beck and call. But that's a discussion for another day. Picture: Brendan Smialowski/AFP Look, there are two elements here. One is US policy towards Russia, which has improved a bit. Second is Mr Trump's personality, which at the age of 79 is probably set in carbonite. The man's hatred of his political opponents, or for anyone who dares to criticise him, is one thing. Plenty to dissect there. But the shamelessness with which he can lie through his teeth to his own supporters, and mock the intelligence of the people who gave him the power he now wields? That, more than anything he could ever say or do to the Democrats or the media, speaks to his character. Twice this week, we have seen it in action, once with the Putin backflip, and again with his attitude towards the Jeffrey Epstein case. 'I don't understand why the Jeffrey Epstein case would be of interest to anybody,' Mr Trump said today when asked about the backlash against his sudden indifference within MAGA. 'It's pretty boring stuff. It's sordid, but it's boring. And I don't understand why it keeps going. I think, really, only pretty bad people, including fake news, want to keep something like that going.' Jeffrey Epstein. Picture: Palm Beach County Sheriff's Department Boring, is it? The years-long, unchecked, unprosecuted sex trafficking of minors to the rich and powerful? You find that boring? Only Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell were charged. All their clients are free without consequence. An election campaign last year in which Mr Trump and his associates eagerly fed the conspiracy theories. And now Mr Trump cannot comprehend why people still talk about it. Nor can he understand the dissatisfaction of those who were promised a reckoning by his own confidants – Vice President J.D. Vance, Attorney-General Pam Bondi, head honchos of the FBI Kash Patel and Dan Bongino – only to be told to 'move on' without any result. The blow-up over Epstein, this past fortnight, is of Mr Trump's making. His handpicked officials said they were practically drowning in Epstein-related material never before seen by the public. His officials released what they called 'phase one' of documents to selected right-wing influencers, implying more phases were coming. His Attorney-General said the Epstein 'client list', long sought by the cranks, was on her desk for review. Now they say there never was any client list, and no more material will be released, and no third parties will be pursued, and Mr Trump's contemptuous reaction boils down to: 'Why do you even care?' It's insulting. Donald Trump. Picture: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP And so is his rhetoric concerning Putin. Mr Trump told his supporters he would end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office, if not before. He has since sought to brush that off as a joke, as though we all have the memory of a goldfish, and cannot recall the dozens – no, sorry, hundreds – of times he said it without a hint of humour. It's the Trump playbook now, apparently. Say something ridiculous. Have it blow up in your face. Pretend it never happened. Assume your followers will accept it unquestioningly. 'Look, it's clear from what the President himself has said – although he wouldn't put it this way – that he got played by Putin, and dragged on for months,' the longtime chief political analyst for Fox News, Brit Hume, said this week. 'And he was being jollied along under the impression, that Putin had obviously given him, that Putin wanted to end the war, and was prepared to negotiate from where we are. 'And it's pretty clear now that Putin didn't want to end the war where we are. He had more conquests in mind, and perhaps wanted his whole original purpose of taking Ukraine.' We all bloody knew it, the whole time. Hume knew it, I knew it, you probably knew it. Putin certainly knew it. The only man in the dark, the only man of actual consequence fooled, was the one with genuine power to act. Originally published as 'He didn't fool me': Four words from Donald Trump that say so, so much
Daily Telegraph
7 hours ago
- General
- Daily Telegraph
Horror conditions inside Sydney sharehouse exposed
A Sydney renter has shared her experience of the conditions she claims she lived through in a sharehouse via a video posted to TikTok. The renter claimed in the video that the property in the inner west suburb of Petersham had unaddressed bug infestation throughout the house and a window that could be opened from the outside. The home also allegedly featured a random shipping container in the backyard. MORE: Aus man forced to live in mould-infested hellhole The creator said she spent $240 a week on rent, the least out of the sharehouse's nine tenants. 'I paid the least as well, they would change the prices for each room, some people were paying 350!' she said. The video also showed an outdoor 'shared living room' that was essentially an alleyway, and a shower with pretty lacklustre water pressure. The creator also said that only two toilets were available for the nine tenants. MORE: Homeowner's insane $2m demand for driveway Commenters were appalled by the state of the home, with one user commenting 'Sydney is probably the worst place to live in Aus (sic)'. Another said: 'Saving this for whenever someone bothers me about living with my parents'. Others urged the user to seek out better options. 'You don't need to live in the city. Go outer like western suburbs you will find something more cleaner and descent,' one comment said. Many users urged the poster to take action, with one user commenting 'I would lodge a complaint with NSW Fair Trade for unliveable conditions'. Other users were not surprised by the conditions, with one commenting: 'That's exactly what $240 will get you in Sydney.' It is understood the poster no longer lives at the sharehouse and filmed the video before she left. 'I genuinely wanted to report the living conditions … but I had no idea where to start,' she commented. 'I've also moved out now so not sure there's much I can do now.' MORE: Wild sum Aussie renters are losing each year
Daily Telegraph
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
Paul Gallen vs Sonny Bill Williams boxing live updates
Welcome to live coverage of the fight between retired footy greats, Paul Gallen and Sonny Bill Williams. After years of trash talk and taunting, Cronulla Sharks legend Gallen and two-code great Williams are finally meeting in a boxing ring at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney. Tszyu vs Fundora 2 & Pacquiao vs Barrios | SUN 20 JULY 10AM AEST | In the biggest fight of the year, Tim Tszyu faces Sebastian Fundora in a blockbuster rematch, plus Manny Pacquiao makes his highly anticipated return to the ring to face Mario Barrios. | Order now with Main Event on Kayo Sports. Despite the fact neither 43-year-old Gallen nor 39-year-old SBW have fought anyone since November 2022, there has still been strong interest in this long-awaited grudge match, particularly among rugby league fans. There appears to be a healthy dislike between the two fighters, who have traded insults and barbs ever since the fight was confirmed back in April. Sonny Bill Williams (left) and Paul Gallen (right) are finally meeting in the ring. (Photo by) They even took over the coverage of Game 3 of the State of Origin series, taking part in a live interview after the game when they did their best to shout each other down and increase interest in the bout. Gallen has the more accomplished record in the ring, while Kiwi Sonny Bill is the younger man and the favourite among the bookies. The heavyweight showdown will be held over eight, two-minute rounds. We'll have all the big moments, including the undercard, for you right here. Originally published as Paul Gallen vs Sonny Bill Williams boxing live updates: Fans split by grudge match
Daily Telegraph
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
NRL news: Josh Kerr reprimanded for Ashley Klein comments, Queensland Maroons, NSW Blues, result, video
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Maroons extended squad member Josh Kerr has labelled Origin referee Ashley Klein a 'double agent' in an all-time interview following Queensland's series-deciding win in Sydney. The Dolphins forward was in good spirits on Thursday morning when he fired a light-hearted barb at Klein over his officiating in game three, with the NRL handing down a breach notice alleging Kerr's comments were 'detrimental to the best interests of the game'. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer > The Queensland squad member was also deemed to have 'undermined the credibility of match officials', being given five days to respond before a potential punishment is handed down. Watch Josh Kerr's cheeky post-Origin interview in the player above. Josh Kerr labelled Ashley Klein a 'double agent' and has now been punished. 'I'm not sure how much trouble I could get into for saying it but I thought Ash Klein did a bit to try and, you know, even it up or make it a bit closer,' Kerr told Fox Sports News. 'We were sitting there going, 'it's rorted, the game's rorted'. 'I haven't got the best eyesight at times but I'm watching four passes and sh*t. 'We were all on the sideline just going, 'oh, no, it's a double agent'. 'It makes it more exciting, doesn't it, and it brings out the Queenslander in all those players.' Klein came under fire after game two in which the Blues were on the wrong end of a lop-sided 10-2 penalty count. That was reversed in the decider where the Blues won the count 7-3. The Maroons were too strong for the Blues in the series decider, winning 24-12 at Sydney's Accor Stadium. The visitors led 20-0 at halftime, scoring three unanswered tries through Xavier Coates, Tom Dearden and Harry Grant. Blues centre Stephen Crichton scored the first try of the night for the hosts at the 55th minute, before Dearden went in for his second of the night at the 73rd minute, to seal the result. NSW winger Brian To'o scored a consolation try at the 79th minute. It was Maroons coach Billy Slater's third series win from his four in charge, going back to 2022. Originally published as 'The game's rorted': Maroons forward who labelled Origin ref 'double agent' reprimanded
Daily Telegraph
12 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Telegraph
Australia's priciest rentals: homes listed for up to $25,000 a week
They're the homes that rent for more per year than many houses cost to buy outright. Long-term rental properties across Sydney's coastal enclaves and inner suburbs are being listed for extreme prices of over $10,000 a week as demand for lifestyle homes ramps up. And there is even one long-term rental advertised in Bellevue Hill for the eye watering sum of $25,000 a week. The lofty weekly prices make for staggering yearly rental costs, with one tenant in the CBD reported to have recently forked out about $520,000 annually to live in an executive apartment. But that pales in comparison to the annual $1.3 million required to live in the Bellevue Hill property listed for $25,000 a week. MORE: Hemsworth linked to billionaire Byron deal It's currently the country's priciest rental and details in the listing reveal it is available both unfurnished and furnished. The bond to secure the home is $100,000. Records show the landlords bought the home on Victoria Rd in 2002 for a reported $6.8 million – equivalent in today's money to about $13 million, although the current value is likely significantly higher. With its sweeping harbour views over Point Piper and Mosman, the five-bedroom, six-bathroom abode boasts a stately office, tennis court, pool and multiple entertaining areas. The $25,000 a week cost contrasts Bellevue Hill's median rental price of $3,400 for houses, according to PropTrack. MORE: Hidden cost bleeding Aussies of $71 a day Sydney's median weekly rent is $1,071 for houses and $702 for units, according to SQM Research. Then there is the North Bondi six-bedroom, five-bathroom home listed with a rental price of $12,000 per week with a $48,000 bond. In the same suburb, a luxury apartment on Ramsgate Ave is listed for the same weekly amount. These rents are well above the already staggering median rent in North Bondi of $2,300 a week for houses and $1,000 for units. In Barangaroo, a high level apartment within exclusive tower One Sydney Harbour is currently listed for $10,000 per week with a $40,000 bond. The four-bedroom, three-bathroom apartment listing comes with exclusive access to 24/7 concierge service, private dining and wine room, pool, spa sauna and gym. Another unit on the 25th floor of 161 Kent St within the CBD is also listed for $10,000 a week. Vanguarde director Travis Reeve – whose firm manages an array of pricey rentals across the CBD, including the Kent St listing – said there are usually one or two callers per week on such listings. Mr Reeve said the Kent St home may be listed for sale at $16.5 million as a previous tenant recently moved out. 'The previous tenant was paying $10,000 per week for 12 months and he moved out about six weeks ago,' he said. 'We were going to look at re-renting it – in the current market anywhere between $8,000 and $10,000 a week. 'We are now gearing up to put it on the market for $16.5 million.' Mr Reeve said pricey rentals have become common, especially following the completion of the Crown building in Barangaroo. 'We've set some big property prices in terms of rentals there – a three-bedroom goes from anywhere between $7,500 and $10,000 per week in Crown,' he said. 'Four bedroom units – will be anywhere between 11 and a half to 13 grand a week.' Mr Reeve said tenants who live in these pricey rentals are often between properties, renovating or owning dual properties. 'A lot of these people that rent are trying before they are buying,' he said. 'They want something super luxurious.'
