Trump's Poll Ratings
Guess which direction Donald Trump's poll ratings are headed - and that's before the latest revelations from his former chief strategist, Steve Bannon, have had time to sink in with the great American public
Donald Trump's approval ratings continue to be the worst of any new American president and for a man so obsessed by polls, unless they are unfavourable to him of course, it must be really galling for Trump to be trailing so far behind President Barack Obama.
Given Trump's Scottish roots maybe this excruciatingly bad Andy Stewart song "Donald Here's Your Troosers' will cheer the Trumpeter up in between his increasingly unhinged outbursts on Twitter.
Gallup poll shows new President has just 37% approval
The BBC reports on the latest revelations on Donald Trump's Presidency which suggest that the White House is more like a 'three ring circus' than a powerful seat of government offering leadership to America and the rest of the world.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42560520
Ex-aide Bannon has lost his mind - Trump
Media caption - Sanders: Attacking Trump's son not 'best way to curry favour'
Mr Bannon reportedly told Mr Wolff that the three senior campaign officials "should have called the FBI immediately" after the meeting, according to US media reports.
Mrs Sanders described the book as "filled with false and misleading accounts from individuals who have no access or influence with the White House".
"Participating in a book that can only be described as a trashy tabloid fiction exposes their sad desperate attempts at relevancy".
I am grateful to the reader who got in touch yesterday to suggest an alternative 'fat clown' image for my Glasgow Humour post from 7th January.
Now it's not my normal practice to comment on people's size or body shape.
But given Donald Trump's crude comments about women over the years and his ghastly behaviour during the American presidential campaign, I think he's what you could call 'fair game'.
The BBC reports on the trial of two men accused of attacking a journalist at his home in Glasgow and while the incident itself is not remotely funny, I had to laugh at the sheer of Russell Findlay for mocking his assailant with the words:
At one point I said' Why did they send a fat clown like you as a hitman. Is this alI I'm worth."
Now that's Glasgow 'gallows' humour for you at its very best, especially in the face of such adversity.
Sun journalist tells jury of acid attack at his home
BBC Glasgow and West Scotland
The investigations editor for the Scottish Sun newspaper has told a jury how acid was thrown at his face during an attack at his home in Glasgow.
Russell Findlay, 44, was giving evidence at the trial of William Burns, 56, and Alexander Porter, 48, who deny targeting him in December 2015.
Mr Findlay said his face became hot after a man who claimed to be a postman splashed liquid on him.
He also described grappling with the man before his daughter ran for help.
As well as working for the Sun newspaper, Mr Findlay is the author of books about Glasgow crime gangs.
'Corrosive substance'
On the first day of the trial at the High Court in Glasgow, he said that he answered the doorbell at his west end home at about 08:30 on 23 December 2015.
He said a man in a red jacket, claiming to be from the Royal Mail, said he needed a signature for a package.
The journalist said that as he turned to write his signature on a form he felt a liquid splash onto the right side of his face.
This was followed by a bottle flying past and then the man, whom he identified in court as William Burns, trying to barge his way into the house.
Mr Findlay said he believed the liquid was "a toxic corrosive substance" and described fighting with the man.
Mr Findlay told the court that his attacker managed to get two or three feet into his home, but he bundled him outside and they grappled on the area outside.
The journalist said that while the incident was going on, his 10-year-old daughter came to the door.
Daughter 'very scared'
He added: "She was clearly very scared and I shouted at her to go and get help from the neighbours and get them to call the police."
While his daughter ran to neighbour's Mr Findlay managed to hold on to his attacker.
He said: "At one point I said' Why did they send a fat clown like you as a hitman. Is this alI I'm worth."
Mr Findlay was asked if his attacker said anything and he replied: "He said very little. But towards the end I asked him who had sent him and he said 'Wee Jamie sends his regards."
The court was told that a knife was found in the doorway of his home and a set of broken false teeth were found on the driveway.
Mr Findlay was asked who the teeth belonged to and replied: "They are my assailant's false teeth."
Defence advocate Thomas Ross told Mr Findlay: "Mr Burns does not dispute he was the person at your door, but he will tell the jury there was no liquid, no delivery card, no knife."
Mr Findlay replied: "He was wearing a Royal Mail uniform , had a delivery card and threw acid, good luck with that."
The journalist denied a suggestion that he had phoned Mr Burns the night before and the accused had said he would meet him at his home the next day.
Facial burns
It was claimed the call had been to do with the death of a man by the River Gryffe at Bridge of Weir, but Mr Findlay said he knew nothing about that.
The court heard that as a result of the incident, Mr Findlay suffered burns to the right side of his face and had blurry vision in his right eye for a number of weeks afterwards.
Mr Findlay's daughter also gave evidence by police interview and told of seeing her father wrestling with a man whom she believed was delivering a parcel.
She said: "It caused the biggest fright of my life. All I could think about was my dad. I was crying and I couldn't stop."
Mr Burns and Mr Porter, from Paisley, are alleged to have shot Ross Sherlock in a murder attempt near St Helen's Primary in Bishopbriggs last September.
Both men are also accused of assaulting Mr Findlay to the danger of his life.
They deny the charges.
The trial before Judge Sean Murphy QC continues.
Trump's Terrible Ratings (27/07/17)
Donald Trump's approval ratings continue to be the worst of any new American president and for a man so obsessed by polls, unless they are unfavourable to him of course, it must be really galling for Trump to be trailing so far behind President Barack Obama.
Donald Where's Your Ratings? ((21/03/17)
The Independent reports that Donald Trump's 'stock' has fallen to an all time low with just 37% of Americans approving of his performance as POTUS (President of the United States).
If things go on like this, I suspect President Trump will turn into the political equivalent of a 'junk bond' and given his bizarre behaviour over the past 60 days that would be no bad thing.
Given Trump's Scottish roots maybe this excruciatingly bad Andy Stewart song "Donald Here's Your Troosers' will cheer the Trumpeter up in between his increasingly unhinged outbursts on Twitter.
Donald Trump’s approval rating falls to record low, finds Gallup poll
Gallup poll shows new President has just 37% approval
By Rachael Revesz - The Independent
Mr Trump entered office with a low rating of 45 per cent and it has fallen since then AFP/Getty
Donald Trump is only two months in and his approval rating has fallen to a new low, according to the latest Gallup poll.
The President’s approval has dropped three points this weekend to 37 per cent, the lowest point since Mr Trump stepped into the White House.
Other presidents have suffered even lower ratings during their time in office, but this is the first time in at least 70 years that any president dipped to this point by March of their first term, according to Gallup.
Gallup’s findings come shortly before the Congressional hearing on Russia and whether the country interfered in the 2016 election to give the Republican candidate a boost. Both parties have flatly denied the allegations.
Donald Trump is only two months in and his approval rating has fallen to a new low, according to the latest Gallup poll.
The President’s approval has dropped three points this weekend to 37 per cent, the lowest point since Mr Trump stepped into the White House.
Other presidents have suffered even lower ratings during their time in office, but this is the first time in at least 70 years that any president dipped to this point by March of their first term, according to Gallup.
Gallup’s findings come shortly before the Congressional hearing on Russia and whether the country interfered in the 2016 election to give the Republican candidate a boost. Both parties have flatly denied the allegations.
Trump is a Clown (04/01/18)
The BBC reports on the latest revelations on Donald Trump's Presidency which suggest that the White House is more like a 'three ring circus' than a powerful seat of government offering leadership to America and the rest of the world.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42560520
Ex-aide Bannon has lost his mind - Trump
Image copyright - REUTERS
Former White House aide Steve Bannon "lost his mind" after he lost his job at the White House, US President Donald Trump has said.
The president disavowed Mr Bannon after he was quoted in a new book describing a meeting between Mr Trump's son and a group of Russians as "treasonous".
The Russians had offered Donald Trump Jr damaging information on Hillary Clinton at the June 2016 meeting.
Mr Bannon's quote appears in a new book by journalist Michael Wolff.
"Steve Bannon has nothing to do with me or my presidency. When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind," Mr Trump said in a statement on Wednesday.
Former White House aide Steve Bannon "lost his mind" after he lost his job at the White House, US President Donald Trump has said.
The president disavowed Mr Bannon after he was quoted in a new book describing a meeting between Mr Trump's son and a group of Russians as "treasonous".
The Russians had offered Donald Trump Jr damaging information on Hillary Clinton at the June 2016 meeting.
Mr Bannon's quote appears in a new book by journalist Michael Wolff.
"Steve Bannon has nothing to do with me or my presidency. When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind," Mr Trump said in a statement on Wednesday.
10 explosive claims from new Trump book
"Steve was a staffer who worked for me after I had already won the nomination by defeating seventeen candidates, often described as the most talented field ever assembled in the Republican party," he continued.
"Now that he is on his own, Steve is learning that winning isn't as easy as I make it look. Steve had very little to do with our historic victory, which was delivered by the forgotten men and women of this country."
Mr Bannon, the president's former chief strategist, was considered a key player in the Trump White House and helped shape Mr Trump's "America First" campaign message before he left his post in August.
Media caption - Steve Bannon's three goals for the Trump presidency
He returned to his role as the head of the right-wing Breitbart News website, where he said he planned to help Mr Trump's administration as a "wingman outside".
Mr Trump reportedly spoke to Mr Bannon as recently as 13 December, the day of the special US Senate election in Alabama that saw the defeat of Republican Roy Moore, whom Mr Bannon supported.
The president reportedly spoke to his former chief strategist for 15 minutes, according to the New York Times.
White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said she believed Mr Trump's last conversation with Mr Bannon took place "in the early part of December".
The president's comments came hours after the explosive new book, Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, revealed that Mr Bannon called Mr Trump Jr's meeting "treasonous" and "unpatriotic".
How Trump cooled on Bannon
Speaking to the author, Mr Wolff, Mr Bannon said of the investigation into whether there was any collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign: "They're going to crack Don Junior like an egg on national TV."\
"Steve was a staffer who worked for me after I had already won the nomination by defeating seventeen candidates, often described as the most talented field ever assembled in the Republican party," he continued.
"Now that he is on his own, Steve is learning that winning isn't as easy as I make it look. Steve had very little to do with our historic victory, which was delivered by the forgotten men and women of this country."
Mr Bannon, the president's former chief strategist, was considered a key player in the Trump White House and helped shape Mr Trump's "America First" campaign message before he left his post in August.
Media caption - Steve Bannon's three goals for the Trump presidency
He returned to his role as the head of the right-wing Breitbart News website, where he said he planned to help Mr Trump's administration as a "wingman outside".
Mr Trump reportedly spoke to Mr Bannon as recently as 13 December, the day of the special US Senate election in Alabama that saw the defeat of Republican Roy Moore, whom Mr Bannon supported.
The president reportedly spoke to his former chief strategist for 15 minutes, according to the New York Times.
White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said she believed Mr Trump's last conversation with Mr Bannon took place "in the early part of December".
The president's comments came hours after the explosive new book, Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, revealed that Mr Bannon called Mr Trump Jr's meeting "treasonous" and "unpatriotic".
How Trump cooled on Bannon
Speaking to the author, Mr Wolff, Mr Bannon said of the investigation into whether there was any collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign: "They're going to crack Don Junior like an egg on national TV."\
An inevitable break-up
Anthony Zurcher, BBC News, Washington
Donald Trump swept to the presidency in part on the back of Steve Bannon and his Breitbart conservative media empire. Now we will see how he fares when he's at war with them.
The president's blistering reply to Mr Bannon's comments appears to indicate that the bridge between the politician and his ideological spirit guide has been reduced to cinders. But how will Mr Trump's legion of supporters react? It is never wise to underestimate their dedication to the man himself, above all else.
No matter the outcome of this coming battle, this has to be viewed as a devastating failure for Mr Bannon personally. After spending years advocating for an anti-establishment conservative populism, he finally had a seat in the halls of power. He said in early 2017 that his goal was nothing short of the "deconstruction of the administrative state".
Now he is on the outside again, besieged by long-time antagonists and former allies. His president recently signed a tax bill embraced by corporate interests. His first post-2016 foray into elective politics, the Alabama Senate race, ended in humiliating defeat.
Perhaps, given all this, the Bannon-Trump feud was as inevitable as it is certain to be vicious.
Emails show Mr Trump Jr agreed to meet Russian associates in June 2016 on the premise that they had damaging information against his father's Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton. The meeting was also attended by Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law and aide, and then campaign chairman Paul Manafort.
Anthony Zurcher, BBC News, Washington
Donald Trump swept to the presidency in part on the back of Steve Bannon and his Breitbart conservative media empire. Now we will see how he fares when he's at war with them.
The president's blistering reply to Mr Bannon's comments appears to indicate that the bridge between the politician and his ideological spirit guide has been reduced to cinders. But how will Mr Trump's legion of supporters react? It is never wise to underestimate their dedication to the man himself, above all else.
No matter the outcome of this coming battle, this has to be viewed as a devastating failure for Mr Bannon personally. After spending years advocating for an anti-establishment conservative populism, he finally had a seat in the halls of power. He said in early 2017 that his goal was nothing short of the "deconstruction of the administrative state".
Now he is on the outside again, besieged by long-time antagonists and former allies. His president recently signed a tax bill embraced by corporate interests. His first post-2016 foray into elective politics, the Alabama Senate race, ended in humiliating defeat.
Perhaps, given all this, the Bannon-Trump feud was as inevitable as it is certain to be vicious.
Emails show Mr Trump Jr agreed to meet Russian associates in June 2016 on the premise that they had damaging information against his father's Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton. The meeting was also attended by Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law and aide, and then campaign chairman Paul Manafort.
Media caption - Sanders: Attacking Trump's son not 'best way to curry favour'
Mr Bannon reportedly told Mr Wolff that the three senior campaign officials "should have called the FBI immediately" after the meeting, according to US media reports.
- Russia: The 'cloud' over the Trump White House
- Russia-Trump: Who's who in the drama to end all dramas?
Mrs Sanders described the book as "filled with false and misleading accounts from individuals who have no access or influence with the White House".
"Participating in a book that can only be described as a trashy tabloid fiction exposes their sad desperate attempts at relevancy".
Fat Clown (09/01/17)
I am grateful to the reader who got in touch yesterday to suggest an alternative 'fat clown' image for my Glasgow Humour post from 7th January.
Now it's not my normal practice to comment on people's size or body shape.
But given Donald Trump's crude comments about women over the years and his ghastly behaviour during the American presidential campaign, I think he's what you could call 'fair game'.
Glasgow Humour (07/01/17)
The BBC reports on the trial of two men accused of attacking a journalist at his home in Glasgow and while the incident itself is not remotely funny, I had to laugh at the sheer of Russell Findlay for mocking his assailant with the words:
At one point I said' Why did they send a fat clown like you as a hitman. Is this alI I'm worth."
Now that's Glasgow 'gallows' humour for you at its very best, especially in the face of such adversity.
Sun journalist tells jury of acid attack at his home
BBC Glasgow and West Scotland
The investigations editor for the Scottish Sun newspaper has told a jury how acid was thrown at his face during an attack at his home in Glasgow.
Russell Findlay, 44, was giving evidence at the trial of William Burns, 56, and Alexander Porter, 48, who deny targeting him in December 2015.
Mr Findlay said his face became hot after a man who claimed to be a postman splashed liquid on him.
He also described grappling with the man before his daughter ran for help.
As well as working for the Sun newspaper, Mr Findlay is the author of books about Glasgow crime gangs.
'Corrosive substance'
On the first day of the trial at the High Court in Glasgow, he said that he answered the doorbell at his west end home at about 08:30 on 23 December 2015.
He said a man in a red jacket, claiming to be from the Royal Mail, said he needed a signature for a package.
The journalist said that as he turned to write his signature on a form he felt a liquid splash onto the right side of his face.
This was followed by a bottle flying past and then the man, whom he identified in court as William Burns, trying to barge his way into the house.
Mr Findlay said he believed the liquid was "a toxic corrosive substance" and described fighting with the man.
Mr Findlay told the court that his attacker managed to get two or three feet into his home, but he bundled him outside and they grappled on the area outside.
The journalist said that while the incident was going on, his 10-year-old daughter came to the door.
Daughter 'very scared'
He added: "She was clearly very scared and I shouted at her to go and get help from the neighbours and get them to call the police."
While his daughter ran to neighbour's Mr Findlay managed to hold on to his attacker.
He said: "At one point I said' Why did they send a fat clown like you as a hitman. Is this alI I'm worth."
Mr Findlay was asked if his attacker said anything and he replied: "He said very little. But towards the end I asked him who had sent him and he said 'Wee Jamie sends his regards."
The court was told that a knife was found in the doorway of his home and a set of broken false teeth were found on the driveway.
Mr Findlay was asked who the teeth belonged to and replied: "They are my assailant's false teeth."
Defence advocate Thomas Ross told Mr Findlay: "Mr Burns does not dispute he was the person at your door, but he will tell the jury there was no liquid, no delivery card, no knife."
Mr Findlay replied: "He was wearing a Royal Mail uniform , had a delivery card and threw acid, good luck with that."
The journalist denied a suggestion that he had phoned Mr Burns the night before and the accused had said he would meet him at his home the next day.
Facial burns
It was claimed the call had been to do with the death of a man by the River Gryffe at Bridge of Weir, but Mr Findlay said he knew nothing about that.
The court heard that as a result of the incident, Mr Findlay suffered burns to the right side of his face and had blurry vision in his right eye for a number of weeks afterwards.
Mr Findlay's daughter also gave evidence by police interview and told of seeing her father wrestling with a man whom she believed was delivering a parcel.
She said: "It caused the biggest fright of my life. All I could think about was my dad. I was crying and I couldn't stop."
Mr Burns and Mr Porter, from Paisley, are alleged to have shot Ross Sherlock in a murder attempt near St Helen's Primary in Bishopbriggs last September.
Both men are also accused of assaulting Mr Findlay to the danger of his life.
They deny the charges.
The trial before Judge Sean Murphy QC continues.
