Melania Trump

Friday January 20, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday January 20, 2017

President Trump’s Twitter plans: Tweet as usual

President-elect Donald Trump is well on his way to be an entirely new kind of “Tweeter in Chief,” with no plans to cut back on his frequent use of Twitter despite the disapproval of the majority of Americans and a range of security risks.

January 20, 1997 second inauguration of U.S. President Bill Clinton. Graphite sketch (Prisma filtered)

He’s tweeting despite the fact that this week a new NBC/WSJ poll reported that 69 percent of Americans believe Trump’s Twitter habits are a “bad thing” and want him to cut back. Just 26 percent of respondents said Trump’s use of Twitter is good, agreeing with the statement that “it allows a president to directly communicate to people immediately.” It’s no surprise that Democrats overwhelmingly disapprove of Trump’s tweets — just 8 percent say it’s good. And Republicans are divided, with 47 percent calling his tweets a bad idea.

January 20, 2001

Though Trump will inherit the @POTUS handle President Barack Obama established in May 2015, along with its 13.2 million followers, Trump won’t give up his personal account, which has 20.3 million followers, and plans to keep tweeting from it. The Obama administration’s “digital transition” team will wipe the timelines clean of @POTUS accounts on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, and will archive all that content. (Source: CNBC) 

 

Saturday December 17, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Saturday December 17, 2016 Donald TrumpÕs Denial About Russia No matter how divided our politics and our times, Americans can agree thatÊour status as a strong, democratic nation rests on the bedrock of free andÊfair elections. That confidence is what was targeted whenÊRussia, one of ourÊoldest, most determined foreign adversaries, invaded American computerÊnetworks and released thousands of pages of documents to undermine theÊlegitimacy of the 2016 election. This news emerged last summer. Last month, theÊCentral IntelligenceÊAgencyÊshared aÊfurther conclusion,Êbased on months of analysis, that theÊRussian hacking was intended to favorÊDonald Trump. ÒThere shouldnÕt be any doubt in anybodyÕs mind,Ó Adm. Michael Rogers,Êthe director of the National Security Agency and commander of UnitedÊStates Cyber Command,ÊsaidÊrecently. ÒThis was not something that wasÊdone casually, this was not something that was done by chance, this was notÊa target that was selected purely arbitrarily,Ó he said. ÒThis was a consciousÊeffort by a nation-state to attempt to achieve a specific effect.Ó Extrapolating motive from evidence is always tricky. But after the C.I.A.Êprovided classified briefings for Congress and the White House, members ofÊboth political parties were convinced. But not President-elect Trump. Mr. TrumpÕs instant rejection of the C.I.A. findings as Òridiculous,Ó based onÊno review of its work, echoed MoscowÕs. ÒThis tale of ÔhacksÕ resembles aÊbanal brawl between American security officials over spheres of influence,ÓÊMaria Zakharova, the spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry,Êwrote on Facebook. Mr. TrumpÊsaidÊof American security officials, ÒTheyÕreÊfighting among themselves.Ó (Continued: New York Times) USA, Russia, Donald Trump, Melania Trump, Vladimir Putin, Red Square, Diplomacy, military, politburo, cabinet

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday December 17, 2016

Donald Trump’s Denial About Russia

No matter how divided our politics and our times, Americans can agree that our status as a strong, democratic nation rests on the bedrock of free and fair elections. That confidence is what was targeted when Russia, one of our oldest, most determined foreign adversaries, invaded American computer networks and released thousands of pages of documents to undermine the legitimacy of the 2016 election.

Reminiscent of the Cold War days - the Soviet politburo, powerful, stern, disciplined, shrouded in mystery. Downright scary.

Reminiscent of the Cold War days – the Soviet politburo, powerful, stern, disciplined, shrouded in mystery. Downright scary.

This news emerged last summer. Last month, the Central Intelligence Agency shared a further conclusion, based on months of analysis, that the Russian hacking was intended to favor Donald Trump.

“There shouldn’t be any doubt in anybody’s mind,” Adm. Michael Rogers, the director of the National Security Agency and commander of United States Cyber Command, said recently. “This was not something that was done casually, this was not something that was done by chance, this was not a target that was selected purely arbitrarily,” he said. “This was a conscious effort by a nation-state to attempt to achieve a specific effect.”

Extrapolating motive from evidence is always tricky. But after the C.I.A. provided classified briefings for Congress and the White House, members of both political parties were convinced.

But not President-elect Trump.

Mr. Trump’s instant rejection of the C.I.A. findings as “ridiculous,” based on no review of its work, echoed Moscow’s. “This tale of ‘hacks’ resembles a banal brawl between American security officials over spheres of influence,” Maria Zakharova, the spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, wrote on Facebook. Mr. Trump said of American security officials, “They’re fighting among themselves.” (Continued: New York Times)

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Friday July 22, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Friday July 22, 2016 Is the Trump family AmericaÕs next political dynasty? The glaring absence of prominent Republicans from the party's convention in Cleveland raised questions about who would be filling the speaking slots in support of Donald Trump. But, confident as ever, the New York billionaire had it covered. Waiting in the wings were a host of family members willing to get on stage. Mr Trump's third wife Melania dominated the headlines after sections of her speech mimicked an address given by Michelle Obama - something Trump's campaign denied for more than a day before a Trump staffer took responsibility for "including some of the phrasing"Êused by Ms Obama.Ê Now with successful appearances from the likes of Donald Trump Jr, his eldest son, and anticipation ahead of Ivanka Trump's speech on Thursday, many commentators have been asking whether Mr Trump's children could also follow him into politics. Presentations by Donald Jr along with Tiffany, Eric and Ivanka Trump certainly help to "humanise" the candidate, political scientist Larry Sabato told the BBC. But it should come as no surprise that the children are willing to speak out to support their father, he added. The children of political candidates have long spoken at conventions, and many even go on to take an active role in politics. But the Trumps are "remarkable" because the sheer number of family members giving evening speeches - more than any past political family, including the Kennedys, the Clintons, and the Romneys, Mr Sabato said. The high-profile appearances also highlight a historical pattern in American politics. "We may be a democracy but we seem to like oligarchy," he added. (Source: BBC)Êhttp://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2016-36852604 USA, United States, election, Republican, RNC, convention, Donald Trump, Melania Trump, Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, Baron Trump, Mike Pence, Ted Cruz, Godfather

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday July 22, 2016

Is the Trump family America’s next political dynasty?

The glaring absence of prominent Republicans from the party’s convention in Cleveland raised questions about who would be filling the speaking slots in support of Donald Trump.

But, confident as ever, the New York billionaire had it covered. Waiting in the wings were a host of family members willing to get on stage.

Live Sketch - Acceptance Night

Live Sketch – Acceptance Night

Mr Trump’s third wife Melania dominated the headlines after sections of her speech mimicked an address given by Michelle Obama – something Trump’s campaign denied for more than a day before a Trump staffer took responsibility for “including some of the phrasing” used by Ms Obama.

Now with successful appearances from the likes of Donald Trump Jr, his eldest son, and anticipation ahead of Ivanka Trump’s speech on Thursday, many commentators have been asking whether Mr Trump’s children could also follow him into politics.

Presentations by Donald Jr along with Tiffany, Eric and Ivanka Trump certainly help to “humanise” the candidate, political scientist Larry Sabato told the BBC.

But it should come as no surprise that the children are willing to speak out to support their father, he added.

Donald Trump

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The children of political candidates have long spoken at conventions, and many even go on to take an active role in politics.

But the Trumps are “remarkable” because the sheer number of family members giving evening speeches – more than any past political family, including the Kennedys, the Clintons, and the Romneys, Mr Sabato said.

The high-profile appearances also highlight a historical pattern in American politics. “We may be a democracy but we seem to like oligarchy,” he added. (Source: BBC)

Wednesday July 20, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Wednesday July 20, 2016 RNC official cites 'My Little Pony' to defend Melania Trump Who said it: Melania Trump or Twilight Sparkle from "My Little Pony"? After Trump's controversial speech from the first night of the Republican National Convention that has some accusing the Trump campaign of plagiarizing passages from a speech by first lady Michelle Obama in 2008, Republican National Convention chief strategist Sean Spicer said the lines being discussed are common phrases. "We're talking about 70 words, three passages," Spicer told Wolf Blitzer on CNN Tuesday. "Melania Trump said, 'the strength of your dreams and willingness to work for them.' Twilight Sparkle from 'My Little Pony' said, 'This is your dream. Anything you can do in your dreams, you can do now,' " Spicer said. He also compared passages of Trump's speech with phrases from musicians John Legend and Kid Rock. "I mean if we want to take a bunch of phrases and run them through a Google and say, 'Hey, who else has said them,' I can do that in five minutes," Spicer said. "And that's what this is." The Trump campaign announced it doesn't plan to fire anybody over the allegations. Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort also addressed the controversy on CNN Tuesday morning. "There's no cribbing of Michelle Obama's speech. These were common words and values. She cares about her family," Manafort said. "To think that she'd be cribbing Michelle Obama's words is crazy.Ó (Source: CNN)Êhttp://www.cnn.com/2016/07/19/politics/sean-spicer-melania-trump-my-little-pony/index.html USA, politics, United States, republican, GOP, Donald Trump, Melania Trump, RNC, convention, Cleveland, Michelle Obama

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday July 20, 2016

RNC official cites ‘My Little Pony’ to defend Melania Trump

Who said it: Melania Trump or Twilight Sparkle from “My Little Pony”?

After Trump’s controversial speech from the first night of the Republican National Convention that has some accusing the Trump campaign of plagiarizing passages from a speech by first lady Michelle Obama in 2008, Republican National Convention chief strategist Sean Spicer said the lines being discussed are common phrases.

“We’re talking about 70 words, three passages,” Spicer told Wolf Blitzer on CNN Tuesday.

Donald Trump. Colour illustration by Graeme MacKay (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada). caricature, Donald Trump, apprentice, USA, politics, GOP, republican, boxer, billionaire, The Donald, celebrity

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“Melania Trump said, ‘the strength of your dreams and willingness to work for them.’ Twilight Sparkle from ‘My Little Pony’ said, ‘This is your dream. Anything you can do in your dreams, you can do now,’ ” Spicer said.

He also compared passages of Trump’s speech with phrases from musicians John Legend and Kid Rock.

Wed. night live sketch of 2016 RNC

Wed. night live sketch of 2016 RNC

“I mean if we want to take a bunch of phrases and run them through a Google and say, ‘Hey, who else has said them,’ I can do that in five minutes,” Spicer said. “And that’s what this is.”

The Trump campaign announced it doesn’t plan to fire anybody over the allegations.

Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort also addressed the controversy on CNN Tuesday morning.

“There’s no cribbing of Michelle Obama’s speech. These were common words and values. She cares about her family,” Manafort said. “To think that she’d be cribbing Michelle Obama’s words is crazy.” (Source: CNN)