The Modern Hermit

Kids run the empire, dad runs his mouth

A velvet cushion holds not a crown but a gold-plated “TRUMP” logo, with children’s hands tugging at it.

Lede
When presidents sound like mob bosses, democracy walks the shame parade.

What does not make sense

  • A president moonlighting as a businessman.
  • Kids “running” billion-dollar empires, as if the conflict vanishes with nepotism.
  • Threatening a reporter with diplomatic tattle-telling.
  • Turning the most powerful office into a family franchise.

Sense check / The numbers

@sbsnews_au

US President Donald Trump has clashed with an Australian journalist during a tense exchange outside the White House, warning him that his questions were “hurting Australia” and vowing to raise the matter directly with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The confrontation came after the ABC’s Americas editor, John Lyons, asked the president about his “business activity”. “In my opinion, you are hurting Australia very much right now,” Trump said before telling the reporter to be “quiet”. Read more @sbsnews_au (link in bio).

♬ original sound – SBS News
  1. Trump retained ownership of his business empire while president, merely placing assets in a revocable trust managed by his sons (NPR).
  2. The Office of Government Ethics repeatedly warned about conflicts of interest, but no binding law forced divestment (NYT).
  3. In 2019 alone, Trump businesses billed US taxpayers over $16 million for government travel, events, and security stays (Washington Post).

The sketch

  • Scene one: Reporter asks: “Why all the business?” Trump points: “My kids handle it.”
  • Scene two: Reporter presses. Trump snarls: “I’ll tell your Prime Minister!”
  • Scene three: Cut to a medieval walk of shame. Bells ring. Banner reads: “Democracy.”

What to watch, not the show

  • Normalising nepotism as governance.
  • Threats against press as policy.
  • The slow corrosion of democratic credibility abroad.

The Hermit take

Television kings make good drama, not good presidents.
Shame echoes louder when no one in power feels it.

Keep or toss

Toss the throne.

Sources

NPR – Trump’s business conflicts and ethics concerns:
https://www.npr.org/2017/01/11/509570216/trump-says-he-wont-divest-from-his-businesses
New York Times – Ethics officials on Trump’s refusal to divest:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/11/us/politics/trump-business-conflicts-of-interest.html
Washington Post – Trump businesses billed taxpayers $16m:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-business-taxpayers/
SBS News (TikTok) – Trump vs Australian reporter:
https://www.tiktok.com/@sbsnews_au/video/7550825902033095942

Satire and commentary. Opinion pieces for discussion. Sources at the end. Not legal, medical, financial, or professional advice.

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Satire and commentary. My views. For information only. Not advice.