Professor Christopher Painter
@prfchrispainter.bsky.social
Politics and statecraft. Beware of blind alleys serving nefarious interests. Emeritus Professor, BCU. Posts in a personal capacity, as an academic and citizen.
As Trump becomes more vulnerable because of increasing public exposure of his past associations, pushback against him can begin, both domestically and internationally. A scandalous personal history is starting to unravel.
November 14, 2025 at 7:35 AM
As Trump becomes more vulnerable because of increasing public exposure of his past associations, pushback against him can begin, both domestically and internationally. A scandalous personal history is starting to unravel.
So far, so good.
BBC News - BBC apologises to Trump over Panorama edit but refuses to pay compensation
www.bbc.com/news/article...
BBC News - BBC apologises to Trump over Panorama edit but refuses to pay compensation
www.bbc.com/news/article...
BBC apologises to Trump over Panorama edit but refuses to pay compensation
Lawyers for the US president have threatened to sue the corporation for $1bn (£759m).
www.bbc.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:25 PM
So far, so good.
BBC News - BBC apologises to Trump over Panorama edit but refuses to pay compensation
www.bbc.com/news/article...
BBC News - BBC apologises to Trump over Panorama edit but refuses to pay compensation
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Trump simply has to be impeached before the end of his second term: for the well-being of the American people; for global stability; for the sake of a future habitable planet; and not least to secure justice for the victims of the Epstein circle.
November 13, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Trump simply has to be impeached before the end of his second term: for the well-being of the American people; for global stability; for the sake of a future habitable planet; and not least to secure justice for the victims of the Epstein circle.
It would be outrageous for UK taxpayers' money to further line the pockets of Trump. This US president is no better than a mobster. The BBC must not pay compensation under duress. It needs to stand up to Trump, fighting for its reputation and independence from political interference.
November 12, 2025 at 7:49 AM
It would be outrageous for UK taxpayers' money to further line the pockets of Trump. This US president is no better than a mobster. The BBC must not pay compensation under duress. It needs to stand up to Trump, fighting for its reputation and independence from political interference.
There is little doubt that senior figures on the Right of the political spectrum in the UK are using Trump to undermine vital British national interests - and with Farage little more than a messenger boy for Trump.
November 11, 2025 at 6:49 AM
There is little doubt that senior figures on the Right of the political spectrum in the UK are using Trump to undermine vital British national interests - and with Farage little more than a messenger boy for Trump.
Badenoch and Farage (increasingly indistinguishable) view everything through the prism of their culture wars, including the latest traumas at the BBC. Yet, as is becoming apparent in the US, that agenda is already losing its traction with voters.
November 10, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Badenoch and Farage (increasingly indistinguishable) view everything through the prism of their culture wars, including the latest traumas at the BBC. Yet, as is becoming apparent in the US, that agenda is already losing its traction with voters.
From Trump's White House to Reform-controlled English councils. The linking thread of the populist Right. Why, governing chaos.
November 7, 2025 at 10:02 AM
From Trump's White House to Reform-controlled English councils. The linking thread of the populist Right. Why, governing chaos.
Donald Trump provides an object lesson in what happens when the political executive governs on behalf of powerful interests rather than prioritising the well-being of a country's citizens.
November 5, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Donald Trump provides an object lesson in what happens when the political executive governs on behalf of powerful interests rather than prioritising the well-being of a country's citizens.
The only difference left between Farage's Reform and Badenoch's Conservatives is fiscal. Whereas Reform would bankrupt the country, a revived Tory Government would pursue austerity on steroids.
October 25, 2025 at 7:01 AM
The only difference left between Farage's Reform and Badenoch's Conservatives is fiscal. Whereas Reform would bankrupt the country, a revived Tory Government would pursue austerity on steroids.
Demolition of the White House's East Wing to create the biggest and best ballroom ever! What could be more reflective of the main priority of the Second Trump Presidency; why, self-aggrandisement, not the well-being of the American people.
October 24, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Demolition of the White House's East Wing to create the biggest and best ballroom ever! What could be more reflective of the main priority of the Second Trump Presidency; why, self-aggrandisement, not the well-being of the American people.
Looks like the Trump-Putin Summit has bitten the dust. Trump fooled again by Putin's mindset and motivation. Putin has a delusional belief that Ukraine is an integral part of the Russian Empire, not a sovereign state, with continuance of the war also a pre-condition for his own political survival.
October 22, 2025 at 6:32 AM
Looks like the Trump-Putin Summit has bitten the dust. Trump fooled again by Putin's mindset and motivation. Putin has a delusional belief that Ukraine is an integral part of the Russian Empire, not a sovereign state, with continuance of the war also a pre-condition for his own political survival.
The very essence of the Epstein scandal: one law for the rich and powerful, another one for everyone else; a cancer that is at the heart of contemporary global politics, not least all the way up to the pinnacle of the governmental chain in Washington DC.
October 21, 2025 at 6:45 AM
The very essence of the Epstein scandal: one law for the rich and powerful, another one for everyone else; a cancer that is at the heart of contemporary global politics, not least all the way up to the pinnacle of the governmental chain in Washington DC.
One minute Putin is destroying Russia by continuing a campaign in Ukraine at unsustainable cost. The next minute, unless Ukraine accepts peace on Putin's terms, Ukraine itself will be destroyed. Foreign policy Trump-style. Not just inconsistent, but incoherently self-contradictory - if not pathetic.
October 20, 2025 at 2:42 PM
One minute Putin is destroying Russia by continuing a campaign in Ukraine at unsustainable cost. The next minute, unless Ukraine accepts peace on Putin's terms, Ukraine itself will be destroyed. Foreign policy Trump-style. Not just inconsistent, but incoherently self-contradictory - if not pathetic.
At some point, boredom has to set in with the Donald Trump Show, as the politics of attention-seeking narcissism and outrage lose their attraction - and traction.
October 20, 2025 at 7:19 AM
At some point, boredom has to set in with the Donald Trump Show, as the politics of attention-seeking narcissism and outrage lose their attraction - and traction.
Trump and Putin. Round and round in ever decreasing circles. Putin appealing to Trump's ego and greed every time there's a prospect of decisive support for Ukraine from Washington;Trump endlessly falling for Putin's gameplay.
October 17, 2025 at 6:38 AM
Trump and Putin. Round and round in ever decreasing circles. Putin appealing to Trump's ego and greed every time there's a prospect of decisive support for Ukraine from Washington;Trump endlessly falling for Putin's gameplay.
It's been said many times before but needs repeating. Trump displays all the symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) - from living in a fantasy world of his own heroic deeds to hyper-sensitivity over any form of criticism. Map his behavioural pattern. This description fits perfectly.
October 16, 2025 at 6:46 AM
It's been said many times before but needs repeating. Trump displays all the symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) - from living in a fantasy world of his own heroic deeds to hyper-sensitivity over any form of criticism. Map his behavioural pattern. This description fits perfectly.
ReformUK tainted with bribes for Russian propaganda lines; a still unexplained house purchase: Farage raking in a fortune through lucrative sidelines to the day job; Reform-controlled local councils reneging on promises or descending into chaos. Should anyone remotely trust this lot of hustlers!!
October 15, 2025 at 5:48 AM
ReformUK tainted with bribes for Russian propaganda lines; a still unexplained house purchase: Farage raking in a fortune through lucrative sidelines to the day job; Reform-controlled local councils reneging on promises or descending into chaos. Should anyone remotely trust this lot of hustlers!!
Even in the midst of a Middle East peace process,Trump can't resist showing his contempt for the rule of law, whether domestic or international.
October 13, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Even in the midst of a Middle East peace process,Trump can't resist showing his contempt for the rule of law, whether domestic or international.
A US President who has to take all the credit for literally everything. Anyone who has occupied any organisational leadership position will know just how destructive (and implausible) such leadership styles can be.
October 13, 2025 at 6:45 AM
A US President who has to take all the credit for literally everything. Anyone who has occupied any organisational leadership position will know just how destructive (and implausible) such leadership styles can be.
"'Faragism' is neoliberalism at its most inhumane, more destructive even than monetarism, and vindictive far beyond austerity." Same applies to Trumpians. They are very close ideological bedfellows.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Don’t fall for the authoritarian hype – Reform and the hard right can be stopped in their tracks | Gordon Brown
From the US to Europe and Asia, grievances are being exploited to gain power. But moderate voices are still in tune with the majority, says former prime minister Gordon Brown
www.theguardian.com
October 11, 2025 at 9:15 AM
"'Faragism' is neoliberalism at its most inhumane, more destructive even than monetarism, and vindictive far beyond austerity." Same applies to Trumpians. They are very close ideological bedfellows.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Entirely appropriate that the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded to a politician fighting authoritarianism and not one heading an increasingly authoritarian règime.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Venezuelan politician María Corina Machado wins Nobel peace prize
Opponent of Maduro regime receives award and praise for keeping ‘flame of democracy burning’
www.theguardian.com
October 10, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Entirely appropriate that the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded to a politician fighting authoritarianism and not one heading an increasingly authoritarian règime.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Too many voters just don't pay attention until it's too late! It was obvious from a country mile away that Trump was planning an authoritarian presidency. Same with Brexit. Buyers' remorse there, too. Will be the same story of regret if somehow Farage squeezes into Downing Street in 2029. Sigh!!
October 9, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Too many voters just don't pay attention until it's too late! It was obvious from a country mile away that Trump was planning an authoritarian presidency. Same with Brexit. Buyers' remorse there, too. Will be the same story of regret if somehow Farage squeezes into Downing Street in 2029. Sigh!!
The irony of these charges, instigated by a president (contrary to the rule of law) who is himself a pathological liar (or else has little contact with reality).
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Ex-FBI director James Comey pleads not guilty on lying to Congress charge
Case marks significant step in Trump’s efforts to politicize the justice department and punish political enemies
www.theguardian.com
October 8, 2025 at 2:59 PM
The irony of these charges, instigated by a president (contrary to the rule of law) who is himself a pathological liar (or else has little contact with reality).
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery. But when it involves sacrificing a distinctive identity, as in the case of Badenoch's Conservatives with Reform, it spells disaster. And Heseltine is absolutely right. It is all too reminiscent of sinister, 1930s-style, far right politics.
October 8, 2025 at 6:31 AM
Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery. But when it involves sacrificing a distinctive identity, as in the case of Badenoch's Conservatives with Reform, it spells disaster. And Heseltine is absolutely right. It is all too reminiscent of sinister, 1930s-style, far right politics.
The absurd idea that Trump should be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to keep him engaged with developments in the Middle East and to sustain a child-like sugar rush. For goodness sake!! Aren't US presidents meant to be grown-ups.
October 7, 2025 at 10:25 AM
The absurd idea that Trump should be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to keep him engaged with developments in the Middle East and to sustain a child-like sugar rush. For goodness sake!! Aren't US presidents meant to be grown-ups.