545 of the Children Separated From Their Parents at the Border 545 of the Children Separated From Their Parents at the Border
The parents of these kids have not been found. De facto orphans now, their lives are blighted. A question that we really need to ask: Why haven’t those who did this been indicted?…
Nov 3, 2020 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Why Trump Doesn’t Wear a Mask Why Trump Doesn’t Wear a Mask
“As any woman can tell you, the masks smear makeup. The president is afraid of makeup stains on his mask and unsightly smears on his photographed face.” —letter to The New York Ti…
Oct 6, 2020 / Column / Calvin Trillin
At a Military Cemetery, Trump Reflects on His Only War Hero At a Military Cemetery, Trump Reflects on His Only War Hero
He was the very model of a neighborhood podiatrist. For he could find the bone spurs that these losers’ doctors always missed. So if your name was on the list of those he needed to…
Sep 22, 2020 / Column / Calvin Trillin
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