Trump’s inauguration was a glimpse of what is to come | Sidney Blumenthal
Trump began his inauguration day encircled by a bevy of oligarchs, but ended it giving favor to his mob
The most sacred ceremony conducted at the Trump inauguration undoubtedly for Donald Trump personally, with its mystical meaning elevating him to his greatest height as an emperor, was the prayer for Fred Trump. Father Frank Mann, a retired priest from Brooklyn, offered a blessing to the ruthless real estate operator who made his fortune in the borough and bankrolled his son’s pilgrimage over the Queensboro Bridge into Manhattan to blow a half-billion dollars through six bankruptcies and the financial collapse of the Taj Mahal Hotel and Trump Castle casino in Jersey City, and a blessing for Fred’s wife, too, without whom “this day would never be the miracle that has just begun”.
Father Frank had struck up a relationship with Donald after he sent him a photograph of how he had weeded the Trump family gravesite at the Lutheran All Faiths Cemetery. A single tombstone marks not only Donald’s parents, but also Fred’s father and mother, Donald’s original immigrant grandparents – Friedrich deemed an undesirable in Germany – and Fred Jr, subject of Fred’s abuse that helped drive him into alcoholism and his early spot in the family plot. “From their place in heaven,” intoned Father Frank, “may they shield their son from all harm by their loving protection and give him the strength to guide our nation along the path that will make America great again”.
Sidney Blumenthal is a Guardian US columnist. He is a former senior adviser to President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, has published three books of a projected five-volume political life of Abraham Lincoln: A Self-Made Man, Wrestling With His Angel and All the Powers of Earth
Continue reading...Topics
-
America 2025: A glimpse through Trump’s looking glass
America has fallen through the looking glass into an un-wonderland where the Red Queen’s demand for “sentence before verdict” has become the law of the land.The Hill - 1d -
After Trump Reprieve, What Comes Next for TikTok?
The TikTok ban won’t be enforced until April, but there will be plenty of contentious negotiations between China, the U.S., and prospective buyers in the meantime.Inc. - 6d -
At inauguration, Donald Trump’s agenda comes to light
The agenda Trump laid out today is a relatively popular one, and Democrats would be wise to find a way to work with the president to enact much of it.The Hill - Jan. 21 -
What's next for Trump's administration picks after inauguration?
The Senate will start to vote on President Trump's picks for his Cabinet and other top administration roles in the coming weeks, as more confirmation hearings are held. CBS News' Nikole Killion ...CBS News - Jan. 20 -
What to watch for at Donald Trump’s 2nd inauguration
Donald Trump’s historic inauguration will offer a range of ceremonies demonstrating continuity and change, from the swearing-in happening inside the Capitol to a message of unity. NBC’s Kelly ...NBC News - Jan. 20 -
‘La Migra!’ A Glimpse of Trump’s Promised Deportation Storm
Sweeps by Border Patrol agents in California have stoked fears among undocumented migrant workers on the eve of Donald J. Trump’s presidential inauguration.The New York Times - Jan. 18 -
What to know about Trump's second inauguration
President-elect Donald Trump's announced that his inauguration on Monday will be indoors due to cold weather. CBS News political reporter Aaron Navarro has more details on the decision.CBS News - Jan. 17 -
What an indoor Trump inauguration means for preparation efforts
The second inauguration of Donald Trump will be held indoors Monday in anticipation of frigid weather. CBS News chief White House correspondent Nancy Cordes reports on reactions to the decision ...CBS News - Jan. 17 -
Donald Trump isn’t even in office yet and silly season has already begun | Sidney Blumenthal
He wants to seize the Panama Canal, Canada and Greenland. And now wants to rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America. Donald Trump’s silly season has already caused irreparable damage to United ...The Guardian - Jan. 13
More from The Guardian
-
India crowd crushes: dozens feared dead at Kumbh Mela religious festival – latest updates
Pilgrims are desperately searching for missing loved ones after deadly crushes in Prayagraj where world’s largest religious gathering is taking place . Dozens feared dead in India at Kumbh Mela ...The Guardian - 8m -
UN aid agencies cut back operations after Trump’s 90-day funding suspension
Exclusive: UNHCR chief orders clampdown on spending, including 90-day delay in ordering new supplies and hiring freeze. UN agencies have begun cutting back their global aid operations following the ...The Guardian - 5h -
Trump invites Netanyahu to be first foreign leader to visit White House
President makes major concession to Israeli PM, US ally who is wanted by international court for war crimes. Donald Trump has invited Benjamin Netanyahu to be the first foreign leader to visit the ...The Guardian - 4h -
Former OpenAI safety researcher brands pace of AI development ‘terrifying’
Steven Adler expresses concern industry taking ‘very risky gamble’ and raises doubts about future of humanity. A former safety researcher at OpenAI says he is “pretty terrified” about the pace of ...The Guardian - 10h -
Orcas hunt great white sharks in Australian waters and eat their livers, 50cm bite mark confirms
Behaviour of ‘remarkable predators’ also seen off coast of South Africa could affect ecosystem, researchers say. Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news ...The Guardian - 1h
More in World
-
Sri Lanka v Australia: first men’s cricket Test, day one – live
Updates from the opening day of the first Test in Galle Travis Head makes blazing fifty after Konstas dropped Any thoughts? Email Angus Final XIs have been confirmed and it’s a case of ‘Come ...The Guardian - 7m -
India crowd crushes: dozens feared dead at Kumbh Mela religious festival – latest updates
Pilgrims are desperately searching for missing loved ones after deadly crushes in Prayagraj where world’s largest religious gathering is taking place . Dozens feared dead in India at Kumbh Mela ...The Guardian - 8m -
Wednesday Briefing
Confusion in the U.S. after a Trump spending freeze.The New York Times - 10m -
A look at stampedes and crowd disasters in India over the years
Several people are feared dead and many more injured as tens of thousands of Hindus rushed to take a holy bath in the river at the massive Maha Kumbh festival in IndiaABC News - 11m -
FirstFT: Fed on collision course with Donald Trump over rate cuts
Also in today’s newsletter, UK considers EV subsidies and OpenAI finds ‘distillation’ evidenceFinancial Times - 21m