Lede
The red carpet stretches. The patience snaps.
What does not make sense
- A president who breaks law and truth gets royal treatment.
- Britain must pretend respect while citizens mutter disgust.
- Entertainment turned politics, now staged as theatre.
- A man who dreams of being a king, in a republic with no crown.
The numbers
- Trump has made over 30,000 false or misleading claims during his presidency, according to fact-checks (Washington Post).
- Public approval ratings abroad dropped to record lows under Trump, with confidence in US leadership at 22% in the UK (Pew Research).
- Costs of state visits run into millions — the 2019 Trump UK visit cost taxpayers £18 million in policing and security (BBC).
The sketch
- Scene one: A red carpet rolls out. Citizens wear gas masks.
- Scene two: Trump waves from a balcony, crown tilted, fast food wrappers below.
- Scene three: The hosts smile for photos. Thought bubbles: “When will this end?”
What to watch, not the show
- Diplomacy swallowing dignity.
- The rise of extremes when boredom kills peace.
- The danger of turning politics into a series.
The Hermit take
When kings were real, at least the velvet was honest. Now crowns are plastic and lies cost more than gold.
Keep or toss
Toss the carpet.
Sources
Washington Post – Trump’s false or misleading claims tally:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/interactive/2021/timeline-trump-false-misleading-claims/
Pew Research – Global attitudes toward Trump presidency:
https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2020/01/08/trumps-international-ratings/
BBC – Trump UK state visit cost £18m:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-48947883
Satire and commentary. Opinion pieces for discussion. Sources at the end. Not legal, medical, financial, or professional advice.