Calvin Trillin

Verse Columnist

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

Leadership, Kevin McCarthy–Style

Leadership, Kevin McCarthy–Style Leadership, Kevin McCarthy–Style

He bowed to the wackos’ demands. He’d needed their votes. Those were vital To winning the office he craved. Now all he has left is the title.

Feb 23, 2023 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Victor Navasky looks at the camera wearing green knit tie and suit.

Remembering the “Placatory and Principled” Victor Navasky Remembering the “Placatory and Principled” Victor Navasky

Colleagues pay tribute to the former editor and publisher of The Nation.

Jan 30, 2023 / Editorial / Elizabeth Pochoda, Calvin Trillin, and Richard Lingeman

Why Americans Binge on Prince Harry vs. the Royals

Why Americans Binge on Prince Harry vs. the Royals Why Americans Binge on Prince Harry vs. the Royals

The world is full of serious strife. What peace there is could shatter. It’s nice to follow one dispute. That doesn’t really matter.

Jan 26, 2023 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Headshot of George Santos speaks in Las Vegas at the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) annual meeting. His hand is raised in oath.

George Santos George Santos

George Santos invented an alternate life, With chutzpah we’ve seen only rarely. Mendacity in all his statements was rife. He beat Trump in lying, though barely.

Jan 10, 2023 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Trump golf

Exit Trump? Exit Trump?

Some Washington types say that Trump’s here for good; He’ll handle those setbacks just fine. But some say they’re certain that soon he may go, And not with a bang but a whine.

Dec 27, 2022 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Winners

Winners Winners

Among the people Trump will not denounce, Who’s leading now for statements that appall us? The race remains quite close, but in the lead It’s Ye and his pal Fuentes über alles.

Dec 13, 2022 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Hunter Biden, wearing a suit and tie, speaks at the DNC via webcam

The Agenda of House Republicans The Agenda of House Republicans

We said when we ran that we’d make this place great. We’ll honor that pledge, but right out of the gate, Inflation, the border, will just have to wait. We need to nab Hunter before…

Nov 29, 2022 / Column / Calvin Trillin

The billionaire Elon Musk bought 9 percent of Twitter

Musk Takes Over Twitter Musk Takes Over Twitter

Nov 15, 2022 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Liz Truss

Supply-Side Economics Strikes Again Supply-Side Economics Strikes Again

We bid farewell to poor Liz Truss. Her economics caused a fuss. Supply-side loyalty prevails. Despite the fact it always fails. Liz thought that wealth would downward trickle. That…

Nov 1, 2022 / Column / Calvin Trillin

View of the entrance to Julia Richman Education Complex High School on Manhattan's Upper East Side in New York, N.Y.

Gallia Est Omnis Divisa in Partes Tres Gallia Est Omnis Divisa in Partes Tres

NYU organic chemistry professor fired after students complain that his course is too difficult.—News reports A pity that she’s now beneath the soil. She rests in peace, where one c…

Oct 18, 2022 / Column / Calvin Trillin

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