Calvin Trillin

Verse Columnist

Calvin Trillin is The Nation’s “deadline poet.”

An excavator works to clear rubble after the East Wing of the White House was demolished. The demolition is part of President Donald Trump’s plan to build a ballroom on the eastern side of the White House.

The New Ballroom The New Ballroom

Nov 11, 2025 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Secretary of defense nominee Pete Hegseth at a Senate Armed Services confirmation hearing on January 14.

Pete Hegseth’s Call to Arms Pete Hegseth’s Call to Arms

Oct 14, 2025 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Donald Trump speaks to members of the media as he departs a House Republican meeting at the US Capitol on May 20, 2025, in Washington, DC. Trump joined conservative House lawmakers to help push through their budget bill after it advanced through the House Budget Committee on Sunday evening.

Stable Business Genius Stable Business Genius

Sep 9, 2025 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Donald Trump and Melania Trump

Republicans Look to Rename the Kennedy Center Opera House After Melania Trump Republicans Look to Rename the Kennedy Center Opera House After Melania Trump

—Headline, The New York Times

Aug 12, 2025 / Column / Calvin Trillin

A Jewish student wears a kippah given to him by Donald Trump’s campaign during a speech before prominent Jewish donors on September 19, 2024, in Washington, DC.

Trump Says He’s Punishing Harvard for Antisemitism Trump Says He’s Punishing Harvard for Antisemitism

Jun 10, 2025 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on March 6, 2025.

Flattery Will Get You Everywhere Flattery Will Get You Everywhere

May 13, 2025 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Paul, Weiss Caves In Under Trump Pressure

Paul, Weiss Caves In Under Trump Pressure Paul, Weiss Caves In Under Trump Pressure

Apr 8, 2025 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk joins President Donald Trump during an executive order signing in the Oval Office at the White House on February 11, 2025, in Washington, DC.

The Ballad of Elon Musk The Ballad of Elon Musk

Mar 11, 2025 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Marines

Presidential Leadership Presidential Leadership

Feb 11, 2025 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Bourbon Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans after the terrorist attack.

Terrorist Attack in New Orleans Terrorist Attack in New Orleans

Jan 14, 2025 / Column / Calvin Trillin

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