Trump’s got the love as US cabinet sings the President’s praises
A New York production of Julius Caesar is under pressure after the director modelled his Caesar on a certain US president, The Wall Street Journal, Monday:
Delta and Bank of America pulled their sponsorships of New York’s Public Theatre over the weekend after its current production of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar depicted the assassination of a President Donald Trump look-alike …
Looks like Trump is working on a rival Shakespeare production of his own. Associated Press, yesterday:
Great president or greatest? That appeared to be the question at President Donald Trump’s first meeting of his full cabinet on Monday, as top aides took turns piling praise on the boss.
A mad old king demands his three daughters profess their love for him. The title character in Shakespeare’s King Lear, December 26, 1606:
Which of you shall we say doth love us most?
White House chief of staff Reince Priebus speaks at the Trump cabinet meeting, yesterday:
We thank you for the opportunity and blessing to serve your agenda.
Pretty good, Reince. Pretty good. The king’s eldest daughter, Goneril, in King Lear, continued:
Sir, I love you more than words can wield the matter; / Dearer than eyesight, space, and liberty.
It’s now Secretary of Health Tom Price’s turn. The Trump cabinet meeting, yesterday:
I can’t thank you enough for the privileges you’ve given me and the leadership that you’ve shown.
Good job, Tom. That was some great love and devotion for Trump there. Lear’s middle daughter, Regan, in King Lear, continued:
… I profess / Myself an enemy to all other joys, / Which the most precious square of sense possesses; /And find I am alone felicitate / In your dear highness’ love.
Secretary of Defence James Mattis in the White House cabinet room, yesterday:
Mr President, it’s an honour to represent the men and women of the Department of Defence.
That’s a bit lacking in enthusiasm, mate. Youngest daughter Cordelia in King Lear, continued:
I love your majesty / According to my bond; nor more nor less.
Cordelia had a tough time after refusing to praise the king, secretary … SparkNotes:
Lear enters, carrying the dead Cordelia in his arms …
Luckily for Mattis, Trump’s mind is elsewhere. CNN online, yesterday:
One of President Donald Trump’s friends said Monday he believes the President is considering dismissing special counsel Robert Mueller, who was appointed to lead the FBI investigation into Russia’s potential ties to the 2016 election.
You know, another president fired a special prosecutor. CNN, May 10:
The “Saturday Night Massacre” was one of the most dramatic turns of events in the Watergate scandal … (US president Richard) Nixon ordered the firing of Watergate special prosecutor Archibald Cox.
Didn’t end well … Richard Nixon addresses the American people from the Oval Office, August 8, 1974:
To leave office before my term is completed is abhorrent to every instinct in my body. But as president I must put the interest of America first.