simple1

Usual diplomatic process to try and protect his countries economy.

Don't know, I'm not a drug addiction expert. Surely out of a population of 330 million plus, in addition to other countries input there is sufficient knowledge to commence targeted campaigns, plus addressing over subscription by the medical profession in the US. Many years ago I had an illegal drug addition, I didn't need countless counselling sessions, just woke up one day after an overdose and a nurse said to me do you want to die - so I never used again from my own will, no rehab etc etc. IMO opinion addiction is a state of mind and the only person who can stop the use is oneself - a lot of BS and hot air and god knows how much money is wasted

I was specifically referring to opioids which killed over 80,000 people in the US last year. As I understand opioids primarily kill the less well off in the US. Whilst it seems helping out the less well off in the US goes against the grain the economic and societal damage of hard drug abuse must be significant. EU has less than 10% illegal drug deaths than the US., surely there are lessons to be learnt.

A good start would be to reduce demand for illegal drugs and stop the shipment of weapons for the cartels from the US into Mexico - over to you trump to step up.

Same context, stirring up divisions and hatred

One post the guy made was: The message included emojis of both an ethnic minority person and a gun I assume you're a trump supporter, such content would also be illegal in the US? However, US and UK have different tolerances for "hate speech". Personally I view the level of unrestrained hate speech ridiculous and extremely divisive within the US. At this stage I agree with HMG doing down the correct path by not supporting the equivalent vile rhetoric emanating from trump & co.

Musk became a US citizen in 2002. No, not with a view to "USA bash", but trying to understand the psych of senior US players. Given Musk is a direct appointee of trump and a significant influencer I'm fairly sure his public opinions of foreign countries would be viewed through a diplomatic filter. trump also previously made some very obnoxious comments concerning UK. Personally I struggle with some of the Free Speech policies in USA e.g. Nazi Party being legal in the USA, perhaps the only country in the world where this is so. Plus of course the volume of spiteful hate speech which, IMO, must damage the social fabric in the USA. Another example of Musk's breach of privilege- the guy obviously has some serious issues... 'Libelous on its face': Internet critics blast Musk's 'disgusting' treason accusation

Disagree. Why Musk makes these statements I do not comprehend. Given his appointment by trump one would think his commentary would be considered interference in UK's domestic affairs from a diplomatic POV. However, let's see where the USA is heading in a few years with suppression of the media / free speech under trump.

Another excellent description of MAGA world

Disinformation

"Until they sign this agreement, they’re not yet government employees. They can do anything they want. They can have any conflicts of interest they want. They could be taking money from foreign governments for all we know,” said Richard Painter, the chief White House ethics lawyer in the George W. Bush administration. Trump and his team “need to convince the American people, including the people who voted for them, that they’re working to help the country, not just make a bunch of billionaires even richer. Not signing these agreements is a great way to tell all those working class voters: ‘Thank you very much. Now eff you.’” Trump team barred from agencies amid legal standoff - POLITICO

Even after all these years you and other are still claiming fraud blah blah Don't you think it's time to move along from that meme....I guess MAGA world will only cease when trump does...

snipped for brevity. Your first point is rather odd comment considering trump is nominating people from the "political class", albeit a number from the Project 2025 group about which he previously lied. Given trump has indicated he wishes to disband some institutions e.g. DoE, again rather odd to claim he wishes to reform. It's trump claiming he has a major mandate so no comparison to your Clinton comment.. Depends how one measures such a claim, personally I would think the correct measurement would be by the popular vote, which I understand is less that 50% for trump. Even if trump receives a "mandate" by popular vote I do believe it will a decision deeply regretted in the coming years.

Survivor of Orbán’s 'autocracy' reveals 'key lesson' Dems need to learn to fight back In an essay for Politico, former Hungarian MP Gábor Scheiring noted that there are numerous similarities between Orbán and Trump. Survivor of Orbán’s 'autocracy' reveals 'key lesson' Dems need to learn to fight back Both men are authoritarians bent on expanding executive power and crushing institutional opposition.

trump quoted Orban as an admirer in one of his last speeches prior to election. Vance is an admirer of Orban who could possible win the presidency in the next elections. There is a trend in place to destroy US institutions by trump / vance, need only to look no further than trump's nominees for Cabinet positions. To be complacent concerning the treat the trump administration represents to Western democracy is, in my opinion, a grave error of judgement.

Based upon response on this platform I'd say fairly accurate, but as I posted above nothing compares to the volume of lies and BS with trump's 2020 loss.

Your commentary is a great description of MAGA world whining about their 2020 loss with trump still doing so.

The articles are opinion pieces which acknowledge trump's win by Electoral College, but in their opinion does not equate to a large mandate as claimed by trump as he he has received less than 50% of the overall votes; very easy to comprehend accept by MAGA world. On the other side of the coin the Dems are not claiming fraud, corruption etc for their loss as trump has done with 2020 results and still does.

trump did not receive more than 50% of the vote, actually less, so how does that equate to a mandate?

Interviews with Donald Trump's voters reveal a dark truth about the "mandate" his supporters say the president-elect has been granted, a new report reveals. 'Deception and denial': Voter views reveal dark truth about Trump's 'mandate' How big is Donald Trump’s mandate? data suggests it was a much closer contest than he and his allies are suggesting. His communications director Steven Cheung has called it a "landslide" victory. Yet it emerged this week that his share of the vote has fallen below 50%, as counting continues.

Ain't a win, just demonstrates the perversion of the justice system by trump.

She hardly 'sets things straight' when she supports trump's endless lies and misinformation. I see trump intends to waste more tax payers money with an investigation into his 2020 loss.

Caught between a rock and a hard place as Australia is reliant on trade with both PRC and US. US had threatened to place tariffs on Australian imports (an US ally for 70+ years and fought alongside US in WW1 and WW11, Korea, Vietnam, and ME).

Actually billions, perhaps good idea to charge the equivalents back to US for basing military and secret spying facilities in Australia. But I suppose you know nothing...

Now selected is Pam Bondi who supported trump's claims, among other issues, of a Stolen Election in 2020. IMO anyone who supports trumps claims with zero evidence is unworthy to be AG, but we know in MAGA it's a requirement. Let's see how many trump appointees end up with charges as they did during his last administration.