The Trump phenomenon: Media’s obsession with his unpredictable statements

By N.S. Venkataraman*

Since assuming office as President of the United States for a second term, Donald Trump has become a focal point for media houses worldwide. Rarely does a day pass without him making a statement or comment on various issues—many of which surprise not only Americans but also governments and citizens across the globe.

Media outlets closely follow President Trump, as he consistently provides them with material that keeps readers and viewers engaged. His remarks are particularly captivating not just because they are unprecedented for a U.S. president, but also because he often seems to speak before fully considering his words.

Among his many entertaining statements is: “I will work with you both to see if, after a thousand years, a solution can be arrived at concerning Kashmir.” However, the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan only emerged after the 1947 partition. Another curious remark was his defense of accepting a $400 million luxury Qatari jet, saying, “Only a stupid will reject a gift.”

Trump’s statements sometimes seem beyond belief. For instance, he declared Canada the “51st state of the U.S.,” leaving many wondering whether he was joking from the White House. He also claimed he could not rule out a U.S. annexation of Greenland, announced plans to “take back” the Panama Canal, and made statements that hinted at territorial expansionist ambitions.

His approach to international conflicts has been equally controversial. He suggested that more than a million Palestinians should leave Gaza and that the U.S. could "take over the Gaza Strip" as a resolution to the ongoing crisis—an idea universally recognized as implausible.

In diplomatic interactions, Trump has broken norms, such as when he invited the Ukrainian president to the White House only to criticize him publicly on camera—an act seemingly without precedent in U.S. history. He also praised Russia while blaming Ukraine for the war, then signed a mining agreement with Ukraine’s government. At different times, he has supported Russia in the war while later proposing tariffs on Russia if it did not cooperate in ending the conflict.

Trump’s obsession with tariffs has become a major spectacle for media outlets, fueling debates and discussions. Initially, he announced a 245% tariff on Chinese products, later reducing it to 80%—raising questions about the rationale behind these abrupt shifts.

Most recently, Trump claimed to have mediated and ended the war between India and Pakistan. While leaders from several nations—including China and the U.S.—have urged both countries to pursue peace, Trump alone asserts that he successfully mediated. India appears unconvinced, yet Trump remains steadfast in his interpretation of events, regardless of opposing viewpoints.

Ultimately, the media thrives on Trump’s statements, which increasingly seem designed for entertainment, ensuring that audiences remain engaged and anticipating his next headline-worthy remark.

---

*Trustee, Nandini Voice For The Deprived, Chennai

Comments

From snowstorms to heatwaves: India’s alarming climate shift in 2025

By Dr. Gurinder Kaur* Climate change is no longer a future concern—it is visibly affecting every country today. Since the beginning of 2025, its effects on India have become starkly evident. These include unseasonal snowfall in hill states, the early onset of heatwaves in southern regions, a shortening spring season, and unusually early and heavy rainfall, among other phenomena.

'Incoherent, dogmatic': Near collapse of international communist movement

By Harsh Thakor* The international communist movement today lacks coherence or organizational unity. Many groups worldwide identify as communist, Marxist-Leninist, or Maoist, but most promote dogmatism, reformism, or capitulation, using revolutionary rhetoric. Some trace their origins to historical betrayals, like Trotsky’s efforts to undermine the Soviet socialist transition or the 1976 coup in China that restored a bourgeoisie under Deng Xiaoping. Others focus on online posturing rather than mass engagement. Small communist organizations exist in places like Turkey, South Asia, and the Philippines, where Maoist-led struggles continue. No international forum unites them, and no entity can forge one.

Priced out of life: The silent crisis in India's healthcare... who pays attention, and who takes responsibility?

By Aysha* Manisha (name changed) has been living with a disease since the birth of her third child—over ten years now—in the New Seemapuri area of North East Delhi. She visited GTB Hospital, where a doctor told her that treatment would cost ₹50,000, as the hospital would charge for the cost of an instrument that needs to be implanted in her body. Several NGOs have visited her home, yet she has received no support for treatment and continues to live with the illness. Manisha is divorced, without access to ration or pension, and lives with her three children by begging outside a temple.

Madhya Pradesh village's inspiring example of how small budget effort conserves water amidst heat wave

By Bharat Dogra Heat waves have been intensifying over vast areas of India in recent days and there are also many reports of water scarcity making the conditions worse for people. However the situation can differ significantly in various villages depending on whether or not significant water conservation efforts have been made. In recent years I have visited several villages of good water conservation efforts where I noticed that even at the time of adverse weather conditions, people of these villages as well as farm and other animals feel important relief in terms of access to adequate water. Due to water and moisture conservation, conditions of farms and pastures is also much better. What is more, with the participation and involvement of people, even quite low budgets have been utilized well to achieve very useful and durable results.

Population explosion: India needs a clear-headed policy, data-driven governance, long-term planning

By N.S. Venkataraman* At the upcoming G7 summit in Canada, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited as a special guest, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau citing two main reasons: India’s rise as the world’s fifth-largest economy and its status as the most populous nation. While economic growth is undoubtedly a point of pride, the latter distinction—India’s population—raises an important question: should this be seen as a strength or a source of growing concern? India has not conducted a national census since 2011, leaving the current population figures largely speculative. Estimates place the population at around 1.4 billion, with projections reaching 1.8 billion by 2050. Despite modest declines in fertility and death rates, the annual population growth remains between 1.5% and 2%. The next census, scheduled for 2026, will provide a more accurate demographic picture, but until then, policymaking remains uninformed by crucial data. Over the past eleven years, the gov...

Victim to cricketing politics, Alvin Kalicharan was a most organized left handed batsman

By Harsh Thakor* On March 21st Alvin Kalicharan celebrates his 75th birthday. Sadly, his exploits have been forgotten or overlooked. Arguably no left handed batsman was technically sounder or more organized than this little man. Kalicharan was classed as a left-handed version of Rohan Kanhai. Possibly no left-handed batsmen to such a degree blend technical perfection with artistry and power.

Vishwamitri river revival? New report urges action on pollution, flood risks, wildlife protection

By A Representative The Vishwamitri Committee, formed by the Gujarat State Human Rights Commission, has submitted two supplementary reports on June 5, 2025, detailing efforts to rejuvenate the Vishwamitri River in Vadodara, considered Gujarat's cultural capital. The reports (click here and here ) respond to directives from a May 26, 2025, GSHRC hearing. Comprising environmentalists, urban planners, and zoologists like Neha Sarwate, Rohit Prajapati, Dr. Ranjitsinh Devkar, Dr. Jitendra Gavali, and Mitesh Panchal, the committee focuses on mitigating pollution, stabilizing riverbanks, managing flood risks, and preserving biodiversity, particularly for crocodiles and turtles.

Mumbai jetty project: Is Colaba residential associations' outrage manufactured?

By Gajanan Khergamker When the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) filed an affidavit before the Bombay High Court defending its long-planned public jetty project, it did more than just respond to a writ petition by a Colaba Residents Association. It exposed, albeit inadvertently, a far more corrosive phenomenon festering beneath the surface of urban civil life across India—a phenomenon where residential associations, many unregistered and some self-professed custodians of ‘public sentiment,’ conspire to stall governance under the veil of representation.

Central London discussion to spotlight LGBTQ+ ex-Muslim rights and persecution

By A Representative On June 13, 2025, the Dissident Club in Central London will host a public discussion to mark the 18th anniversary of the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain (CEMB) and to commemorate World Refugee Day. The event, scheduled from 7:00 to 9:00 pm, will feature speakers Ali Malik, Maryam Namazie, and Taha Siddiqui, who are expected to address the intersecting challenges faced by LGBTQ+ ex-Muslims globally.

Search This Blog