Calvin Trillin

Verse Columnist

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

Trump thumbs-up

Approval Rating Approval Rating

“Trump’s approval rating has risen to the highest point in his presidency…according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll.”—Front page, The Washington Post “Accounts from a child dete…

Jul 16, 2019 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Trump

Foreign-Policy Decision Making Foreign-Policy Decision Making

Conflicting views are heard. The mood is tense. Around the president advisers cluster. But at the end he sticks to his approach— His formula of ignorance plus bluster.

Jul 2, 2019 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Donald Trump with flag

L’État, C’est Moi L’État, C’est Moi

Trump intends to speak at the traditionally nonpartisan Fourth of July celebration on the Mall.—news reports Though past presidents never inserted themselves In this fete, Donald T…

Jun 18, 2019 / Column / Calvin Trillin

White House Stonewall

White House Stonewall White House Stonewall

Subpoenas harass us. We throw them away. More witch hunt! We cannot abide it. We’ve said all along we’ve got nothing to hide, And that’s why we’re trying to hide it.

Jun 4, 2019 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Rudy Cancels His Trip

Rudy Cancels His Trip Rudy Cancels His Trip

He isn’t going to Ukraine. Alas. We hoped and prayed in vain That he would go and then explain That there he wanted to remain.

May 17, 2019 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Volodymyr Zelensky

Zelensky’s Victory Zelensky’s Victory

A brash comedian will lead Ukraine. He won the presidential vote hands down. Among world leaders, this may be a first, Although our leader’s often called a clown.

May 2, 2019 / Column / Calvin Trillin

William Barr leaving home

William Barr’s Handling of the Mueller Report William Barr’s Handling of the Mueller Report

He had the résumé and name For which such DC lawyers strive. The headline of his life has changed. It’s “William Barr; He Took a Dive.”…

Apr 29, 2019 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Herman Cain

Welcome Herman Cain Welcome Herman Cain

The late-night comics make it plain They’re thrilled to have back Herman Cain— Reminding us of days more sane, When folks like Herman would campaign For posts we knew they’d not ob…

Apr 22, 2019 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Fully Booked

Fully Booked Fully Booked

Trump, at the southern border, says to would-be immigrants, “We’re full.” —News reports “We’re full,” Trump said, as if he ran An inn that’s booked up for the night. Those empty ro…

Apr 15, 2019 / Column / Calvin Trillin

White House counselor Kellyanne Conway and Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders watch as Vice President Mike Pence speaks to reporters after a meeting between President Donald Trump and Congressional Democrats about the U.S. government partial shutdown and the president's demand for a border wall in the Situation Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., January 9, 2019. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

Who’s Going to Tell Trump? Who’s Going to Tell Trump?

Breaking: A report from inside the White House reveals infighting among advisers, consternation over Norwegian socialism, and the importance of chocolate milkshakes.

Apr 4, 2019 / Calvin Trillin

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