George Washington and the Cherry Tree—Updated George Washington and the Cherry Tree—Updated
Young George could not deny he felled that tree. His moral code would certainly forbid it. In such a situation, Trump would say, “I cannot tell a lie: Obama did it.”…
Sep 8, 2020 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Birtherism 2.0 Birtherism 2.0
Trump spreads doubt about Kamala Harris’s citizenship.—news reports No citizen, though Oakland-born, Hints Donald and his claque— Just like Obama, culpable Of being born while bla…
Aug 25, 2020 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Presidential Diagnosis Presidential Diagnosis
He tweets wacko theories. He rants and he raves. His language decay is steady. The question is asked: Is he falling apart— Or was he apart already?…
Aug 11, 2020 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Wartime President Wartime President
“Trump calls himself ‘wartime president’ over coronavirus pandemic.” —CBS “The Trump Administration is trying to block billions of dollars for states to conduct testing and contac…
Jul 28, 2020 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Donald Trump: Confederate From Queens Donald Trump: Confederate From Queens
Trump says he will fight efforts to remove Confederate statues and to change the names of military bases named after Confederate generals.—news reports No matter that they fought…
Jul 14, 2020 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Temper, Temper Temper, Temper
With SCOTUS rulings seen as Trump defeats, Trump answered with a burst of angry tweets. At West Point, he prepared to look like Caesar. Instead his ramp walk showed a fragile geeze…
Jun 30, 2020 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Tough-Talking Trump Tough-Talking Trump
If he’s so tough, one asks, why did he hunker Inside that White House armor-plated bunker? With protests peaceful, why did it make sense To build a fence around the White House fen…
Jun 16, 2020 / Column / Calvin Trillin
A Fourth Inspector General Bites the Dust A Fourth Inspector General Bites the Dust
The IG had Pompeo in his sights. An IG’s independence is required— Or was. Pompeo needed just a word With Trump to get that pesky fellow fired.
Jun 2, 2020 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Barr Drops the Case Against Flynn Barr Drops the Case Against Flynn
A pass for Flynn, Barr thought, might be quite nice, Despite the fact that Flynn pled guilty twice. To Barr, the law’s whatever serves his boss. For that he sees no line he wouldn&…
May 19, 2020 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Donald J. Trump, MD Donald J. Trump, MD
Because his uncle taught at MIT, He catches on to science—so says he. That means that from those genes of his from Queens He knows his stuff on testing and vaccines. For otherwise…
May 5, 2020 / Column / Calvin Trillin