TRUMP EFFECT: THE POWER OF NOUN AND VERB
The New Indian Express Hubballi|December 15, 2024
OWER is not a means; it is an end... The object of power is power." Donald J Trump has imbibed George Orwell's immortal observation and embodies the idea in letter and spirit.
SHANKKAR AIYAR
TRUMP EFFECT: THE POWER OF NOUN AND VERB

The inauguration of the 47th US president is more than a month away. Yet, for all intents and purposes, Trump is in power, calling the shots. Mar-a-Lago, his antique-studded mansion spread over 20 acres, is a destination of political pilgrimage. The pilgrims include Keir Starmer, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Javier Milei and Justin Trudeau. Previously, skeptical tsars such as Mark Zuckerberg of Meta, Tim Cook of Apple, who paid obeisance, and Jeff Bezos of Amazon, slated to meet Trump next week, are all contributing to the inaugural.

The analogies triggered in the wake of worthies seeking his audience range from gestures last seen in 18th and 19th century royal courts or in Francis Ford Coppola's cinematic rendition of lesser dons kissing the ring of "The Godfather" to show fealty. Trump sees himself not just as the commander in chief, but as the chief diplomat, the chief trade negotiator and an arbiter of geopolitics and issues that matter.

Trump has no time for the niceties of protocol. His declarations stream on Truth Social and are re-posted on X (formerly Twitter). China is already in his crosshairs, with tariffs of 50-plus percent threatened. In recent weeks, he has threatened Mexico and Canada, members of the USCAM trade treaty, over illegal immigration and drugs. He has warned BRICS countries to not try to replace the "mighty US dollar or face 100 percent tariffs", adding for effect, "They can go find another 'sucker'!"

This story is from the December 15, 2024 edition of The New Indian Express Hubballi.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 15, 2024 edition of The New Indian Express Hubballi.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS HUBBALLIView All
The New Indian Express Hubballi

Don't Stress Out to Avoid Rapid Ageing, Comorbidities

FOR six months, Akshay (name changed), an expat in Dubai, had been experiencing abdominal bloating sensation, pain in the abdomen, and constipation.

time-read
5 mins  |
January 07, 2025
The New Indian Express Hubballi

India Needs Stem Cell Donor Registry

Pulse of the Matter

time-read
2 mins  |
January 07, 2025
The New Indian Express Hubballi

HMPV is mild and non-fatal

NO CAUSE FOR PANIC

time-read
1 min  |
January 07, 2025
The New Indian Express Hubballi

Raising the bar pays off for hockey coach Sangwan

A SNUB can either break one down or spur the individual on to scale new heights. Unfortunately, a majority of people end up heartbroken. But a better future awaits those who manage to swallow the bitter pill. Haryana hockey coach Sandeep Sangwan falls under the second category.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 07, 2025
The New Indian Express Hubballi

Focus on TOPS list as new-look MOC set for 1st significant meet today

NEW Year, new dawn, so it seems for the sports ministry's Mission Olympic Cell that is expected to meet on Tuesday.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 07, 2025
The New Indian Express Hubballi

Finding Roots of Enigmatic Cummins

The Australian captain's on-field success and personality off of it are intertwined and it goes back to his upbringing

time-read
4 mins  |
January 07, 2025
The New Indian Express Hubballi

Maiden ODI call-up for Bist against Ireland

AFTER nine white ball fixtures in less than a month, three against Australia in the away series and six against West Indies at home, India's regular captain Harmanpreet Kaur and pacer Renuka Singh Thakur have been rested for the three ODIs against Ireland.

time-read
1 min  |
January 07, 2025
The New Indian Express Hubballi

HIL: Soorma beat Delhi SG Pipers in penalty shootouts

SOORMA Hockey Club clinched a penalty shootout victory against the Delhi SG Pipers in the Hero Hockey India League 2024-25 at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela on Monday.

time-read
1 min  |
January 07, 2025
The New Indian Express Hubballi

Govt Launches Updated ₹4k Cr PLI Scheme for Steel Sector

The government on Monday launched a new round of steel production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, with a total outlay of ₹4,400 crore.

time-read
1 min  |
January 07, 2025
The New Indian Express Hubballi

Rupee hits new low of 85.83 on strong dollar

THE rupee continued to its southward-ho for the fourth month, losing 4 paise to close at a new low of 85.83 on Monday, weighed in the blood bath on the equity markets amid persisting bearish tilt.

time-read
1 min  |
January 07, 2025