Calvin Trillin

Verse Columnist

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

John Mccain Casket

Comparison Comparison

“Trump Rejected Plans for a White House Statement Praising John McCain.” —Headline, The Washington Post One person’s a hero for how he endured The hell with which he was beset. T…

Aug 30, 2018 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Manafort and Gates

Manafort and Gates Manafort and Gates

Their tales of corruption and thieving and fraud Don’t alter the president’s views in the slightest. He’s comfortable boasting, when all’s said and done, That he has attracted the…

Aug 16, 2018 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Walking on Regent's Park Lawn

Job Description Job Description

“Bill Shine, who was forced out of Fox after being accused of aiding and abetting the sexual predator Roger Ailes, is named White House communications director.” —News reports He…

Aug 2, 2018 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Trump blimp in London

Trump Baby Over London Trump Baby Over London

“A giant orange balloon of Mr. Trump depicted as a pouting baby in a diaper and holding a smartphone took flight in London earlier in the day.”—The New York Times As pointed as the…

Jul 19, 2018 / Column / Calvin Trillin

‘Under Trump the GOP Has Become a Cult’

‘Under Trump the GOP Has Become a Cult’ ‘Under Trump the GOP Has Become a Cult’

—The Boston Globe So why do they maintain their loyalty Despite his lies, despite the fact that he Acts like a child instead of an adult? ’Cause it’s a cult. Why would his people a…

Jul 5, 2018 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Trump and Obama meet

Obama Envy Obama Envy

(Or, Why Isn’t Orange the New Black?) How great am I? As great as one can be. So why do they admire him, not me? The phony press keeps saying he’s got class, Implying I’m a blimp-l…

Jun 21, 2018 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron

Political Horticulture Political Horticulture

Since one of his administration’s features Is quite a large supply of swamp-like creatures, Perhaps he thinks he’ll make this swamp a garden By offering each miscreant a pardon. T…

Jun 7, 2018 / Column / Calvin Trillin

White House sinkhole

Drain the Swamp! Drain the Swamp! Drain the Swamp! Drain the Swamp!

This metaphor for cleaning up DC Has now become a Trumpian refrain. The task is getting harder day by day, With Trump appointees clogging up the drain.

May 24, 2018 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Donald Trump

It’s a Witch Hunt! It’s a Witch Hunt!

Or Some witchlike people have disguises that May cover up a black and pointy hat. The one nabbed first of all, to Trump’s chagrin, Was “Lock Her Up” adviser Michael Flynn. Then Man…

May 10, 2018 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Jon Tester

Trump Threatens Senator Tester Trump Threatens Senator Tester

“I know things about Tester… and if I said them he’d never be elected again.” —Donald Trump That Trumpian threat sounds familiar— That boast of what he can unearth. You think he w…

May 3, 2018 / Column / Calvin Trillin

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