America in 2024

 'An old, blind, mad, despised and dying king.'

In the lead up to the US election I was resigned to a Trump win. He'd been leading for an age and despite Harris's late dead cat bounce, seemed to be on track to become prez. 

And yet... The mood music of the last few days hinted at a different outcome and like many, I allowed myself to be seduced. It's the hope that kills you.

Never underestimate the US's love of cheap gas and a carnival barker preying on their worst instincts. Not all of Trump's voters are racists and misogynists but all of the racists and misogynists voted for him.

Harris was an uninspiring candidate dealt a completely shit hand with 100 days to go. So, it could be argued that you can't blame people for picking the populist they know. But you can blame them for believing anything he says. He was a flailing president last time with an anti-Midas touch who lowered America in the eyes of the world.

In a decent society, Trump wouldn't be within a million miles of the candidacy given what we know of him. Is he really the best the US can offer?

Watching this angry and exhausted old man giving yet another rambling speech yesterday, it still beggars belief that the country has fallen for a conman who will piss on them and tell them it's raining.

As for the UK's 'special relationship', well it wasn't that special last time (nor under Obama TBH). Trump got to meet the Queen, so what else can we offer? Maybe Starmer's planning reforms will allow him to lay out a few more golf courses but he doesn't need us. Europe seems to have realised this and will cling together for strength while we shiver on the sidelines.

So four more years of this. Scarily, this time he's come packing a toolbox of ideological wingnuts like Vance and Musk so his capacity to wreak havoc will be even greater.

Frightening times. When America shits the bed, we all get a whiff of the stink.