Forum Topic

Novel behaviour

Before Donald Trump, presidents did not display massive, building-sized images of themselves on federal buildings. Standard practice has long been to display smaller, official portraits of the current and past presidents inside government buildings, but not on their exterior.During the Trump administration, large banners of his image have been displayed on the exterior of some federal buildings, a move widely criticized for departing from tradition. Examples include:- In May 2025, a banner of Donald Trump's portrait was hung on the outside of the Department of Agriculture building. (See link)In August 2025, another banner of Trump was displayed on the exterior of the Department of Labor building. (See link)https://images.newrepublic.com/ed97889aa82a9c0f06f1f3dae883bb6d8aacbf51.jpeg?auto=format&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=65&w=768&ar=3%3A2&ixlib=react-9.10.0https://cdnph.upi.com/pv/upi/2679ec66b7fe944a624ef66eb49378af/USDA.jpgAll a bit North Korean?

David Ainsworth ● 2d12 Comments

Their standards as in the First Amendment? It does seem quite a protection from government action, in theory."one wonders if she has left HMS employment after all"Well, the podcast of which she is co-host seems to be related to RUSI and NATO, so ....

David Ainsworth ● 1d

"I think that she is applying their standards, which have seemed higher in the past than those of the UK, isn't she?"In what area David?To mention Windsor Castle and Epstein without Prince Andrew, one wonders if she has left HMS employment after all!

Ed Robinson ● 1d

"Seems she is holding the US to a higher standard than the UK."As she lives in the USA and is a naturalised US citizen, I think that she is applying their standards, which have seemed higher in the past than those of the UK, isn't she?

David Ainsworth ● 1d

"The polarisation of politics in the US, and increasingly here in the UK"Perhaps a neutral foreign policy may be the answer?"However, on reflection, I concluded that they were inappropriate, especially given the circumstances of his killing. I felt mortified, immediately deleted the post, and decided that I actually ought to take a step back from X, if only to give myself time to reflect on how I came to this point."At least they did not censor her post which is what was happening under Biden.A rather strange article especially mentioning “lese majeste” laws and Epstein without mentioning the British State links to Epstein and it's laws to protect the monarchy. Seems she is holding the US to a higher standard than the UK. A good piece of journalism would challenge the inconsistencies of such views.

Ed Robinson ● 1d

Thanks for the article. The Trump portrait displayed is so important. Why would any US President want to go down in history with that as his 2024 inaugural portrait?"Some saw in the image a signal of the retribution and strong hand that Mr. Trump promised on the campaign trail. Many of his supporters erupted in glee about the tone they saw it as setting for the new era in Washington. “Dad is home,” Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist and media figure, wrote on X." (NYT 17/1/25)

David Ainsworth ● 1d

Thanks, Jonathan. That looks, interesting, one to study in detail later.  I'd have to say my views on this are influenced by US news feeds and FB posts from US friends, few who choose to live outside of the US if they can!So if I suffer from TDS it's that influence. I saw recently that a freelance journalist, Geoff White, who investigates and produces books and features on world cyber events announced on LinkedIn he'd cancelled his 'X' account. I think there could be another flood of 'Xitter' accounts being cancelled by influential pieces and politically neutral organisations that don't want to be associated with hate speech.Difficult as Twitter had become the goto place for public utilities, transport organisations, etc to disseminate information. But does one want announcements of Network Rail signal failures at East Putney intermixed with some hate jock ranting about school shootings in the US being staged by the anti gun lobby?

Michael Ixer ● 1d

MikeThis article is worth reading (though it’s quite long) but is written by a former UK diplomat, now a US citizen with an American husband and living in the US. It is about the nature of vitriol that opponents of the Trump regime face online. Being accused of TDS is the least of it!  The polarisation of politics in the US, and increasingly here in the UK, should concern us all. It is another reason why PR is needed in our voting system - in a multiparty democracy PR tends to exclude the extremes. Anyway, recommended: https://bylinetimes.com/2025/09/18/why-im-now-scared-to-live-in-trumps-america/

Jonathan Callaway ● 1d

Obviously taking advice from President Putin in that private chat in Alaska :-)In itself just interesting, but coupled with trying to shutdown criticism on media, firing attorneys that don't make decisions he agrees with, etc perhaps of concern to some in the US? I expect his friend Farage is monitoring to see how he can emulate it?

Michael Ixer ● 2d

Thank you, Ms Hammond, for your interesting input. I always appreciate readers who take the time to give me feedback.

David Ainsworth ● 2d

You're not suggesting that we may get enormous posters of King Charles hanging from the Wheel, are you? Posters hanging, I mean, not the King, obviously.

David Ainsworth ● 2d

"All a bit North Korean?"Difficult to believe that in 2025 there are still countries that inherit being the head of state?

Ed Robinson ● 2d

What a pointless thread.  You really must curb your TDS because it’s becoming an obsession.

Sue Hammond ● 2d