Donald Trump
🇩🇪 Angela Merkel sought the pope’s advice on handling Donald Trump to persuade him not to withdraw from the Paris climate accords, concerned about his winner-or-loser mentality as a property developer.
🇦🇺 Unearthed footage shows Aussie Ambassador Kevin Rudd calling President-elect Trump a “village idiot” and “incoherent,” raising questions over his role in Washington. Rudd’s past critiques of Trump, labeling him a “problem” for global stability, now fuel scrutiny as the former PM faces fallout.
🇮🇪 Irish PM Simon Harris has launched the general election campaign, setting Nov. 29 as voting day, aiming to capitalize on his coalition’s poll lead and Sinn Fein’s recent decline. Key issues include housing, immigration, and potential trade impacts from Trump’s U.S. presidency.
🇺🇸 Elon Musk joined President-elect Trump’s call with Ukraine’s Zelenskiy to reaffirm Starlink support, emphasizing their alignment on future U.S.-Ukraine ties amid Trump’s cautious stance on aid. Musk’s growing political presence and Trump’s endorsement hint at Musk’s role in the administration.
🇺🇸 The U.S. has charged an Iranian man linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards with plotting to assassinate President-elect Trump, alleging he coordinated with former prison contacts in the U.S. to target a pro-democracy critic of Tehran. The man remains at large in Iran.
🇰🇷 South Korean President Yoon and U.S. President-elect Trump discussed enhancing security ties and addressing shared concerns over North Korea’s involvement in Ukraine and missile threats. Trump praised South Korea’s shipbuilding prowess, hinting at collaboration to bolster U.S. industries.
🇨🇳 China extended congratulations to Trump on his election win, calling for a “pragmatic” approach to ease U.S.-China tensions amid looming tariff threats. While state media sees an opportunity to reset ties, China faces significant risks if Trump imposes 60% tariffs.
🇦🇺 Australia’s PM Albanese discussed strengthening security ties with Trump, focusing on AUKUS and regional stability. Foreign Minister Wong affirmed bipartisan U.S. support, while Ambassador Rudd removed past critical comments about Trump to align with his diplomatic role.
🇯🇵 Japan’s PM Ishiba is seeking a swift meeting with U.S. President-elect Trump this month to bolster ties amid concerns over potential trade tensions and defense cost-sharing demands. Following a friendly call, Ishiba aims to emphasize alliance strength rather than monetary disputes.
🇮🇷 With Trump set to return, IAEA’s Grossi is preparing a critical visit to Iran, aiming to address unresolved nuclear issues as Tehran edges closer to bomb-grade uranium enrichment. Iran’s stance and regional tensions may challenge diplomacy, with European leaders keen to revive talks.
🇺🇦 Facing an uncertain U.S. alliance, Ukraine appeals to Trump’s “peace through strength” vision, hoping for a balanced stance despite his push to curb U.S. aid. Zelenskiy’s outreach signals Kyiv’s pragmatism as Ukraine readies for winter battles, while analysts anticipate Trump’s swift concessions.
🇺🇸 Trump’s victory signals a seismic shift in U.S. politics as Hispanic, working-class, and younger voters rally behind his populist promises on jobs and economic reform. Trump won with a 14% gain among Hispanic voters and a stronger foothold across urban areas.
🇺🇸 WaPo: Trump says he doesn’t mind someone shooting at journalists at rally
“I have this piece of glass here,” Trump said. “But all we have really over here is the fake news, right? And to get me, somebody would have to shoot through the fake news. “And I don’t mind that so much,” Trump said. “I don’t mind. I don’t mind.” The audience roared with laughter. Trump also said he regretted leaving office after losing the 2020 election and trying to overturn the result. He at one point said he “shouldn’t have left” the White House, while complaining about Democrats’ handling of the border and returning to his false claims that he won the 2020 election.
That offhanded regret about leaving office? It’s not wistful—it’s a seed, planted to cast doubt on whether he should have left at all, suggesting a world where he never conceded, where rules don’t apply if they don’t suit him. His audience isn’t laughing at a joke. They’re signaling their commitment to his story. To the bloody end.
🇭🇺 Orban declares Europe must pivot on Ukraine if Trump wins US presidency, claiming continent can’t sustain war support alone. Hungary’s pro-Putin PM, who openly backs Trump, predicts American stance will shift from war to peace - forcing EU recalculation.
NYT: Harris Aides Quietly Grow More Bullish on Defeating Trump
Top Democratic strategists are increasingly hopeful that the campaign’s attempts to cast former President Donald J. Trump as a fascist — paired with an expansive battleground-state operation and strength among female voters still energized by the end of federal abortion rights — will carry Ms. Harris to a narrow triumph. Even some close to Mr. Trump worry that the push to label him a budding dictator who has praised Hitler could move small but potentially meaningful numbers of persuadable voters.
Bullish.
The Atlantic: Trump: ‘I Need the Kind of Generals That Hitler Had’
Retired General Barry McCaffrey, a decorated Vietnam veteran, told me that Trump does not comprehend such traditional military virtues as honor and self-sacrifice. “The military is a foreign country to him. He doesn’t understand the customs or codes,” McCaffrey said. “It doesn’t penetrate. It starts with the fact that he thinks it’s foolish to do anything that doesn’t directly benefit himself.”
This is a portrait of a man who views military service through the lens of a playground bully who never grew up. To Trump, getting captured makes you a “loser.” Getting wounded makes you unsightly photo op material. And dying for your country? That just means you’re a failure.
The truly chilling part isn’t just Trump’s contempt for military service and sacrifice - it’s what that contempt reveals about his vision for America’s future. When someone tells you who they are, believe them. And Trump has been telling us, over and over, exactly who he is and what he wants to do with power.
The question is: are we listening?
NYT: Inside the Movement Behind Trump’s Election Lies
The New York Times has obtained recordings of more than 400 of those meetings, over 400 hours of conversations, along with additional documents and training materials. It is a trove that provides an extraordinary behind-the-scenes look at how misinformation is used to manufacture a movement.
The mortifying ordeal of spending 400 Hours on zoom talking about voter fraud because you cannot handle the concept of losing.
🇺🇸 Backlash erupts as Trump-allied comedian calls Puerto Rico “garbage” at MSG rally. Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny & GOP leaders condemn racist remarks while Trump campaign distances itself from the racist movement it deliberately created.
🇺🇸 The NYT: Donald Trump Says He Will
Donald Trump has described at length the dangerous and disturbing actions he says he will take if he wins the presidency. His rallies offer a steady stream of such promises and threats — things like prosecuting political opponents and using the military against U.S. citizens. These statements are so outrageous and outlandish, so openly in conflict with the norms and values of American democracy that many find them hard to regard as anything but empty bluster. We have two words for American voters: Believe him.
🇺🇸 The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Michael Cohen’s appeal to revive his lawsuit against Donald Trump, alleging retaliation for writing a book critical of Trump. Cohen’s lawyer calls it a “dangerous moment for democracy,” while Trump’s attorney dismisses it as a “frivolous” attempt to involve Trump in court again.