Flatterers out in force to fill Trump’s head with Venezuelan statue dreams
President’s popularity top of mind at another weird and wild cabinet meeting – riff on merits of Sharpies included

“We’ve made a lot of money and they’ve made a lot of money,” Trump declared. “I am the highest polling person. In other words, after the presidency I think I may go to Venezuela and run for president against Delcy. I may run against Delcy. It’s an option. They love me in Venezuela.”

Later in the meeting, Burgum, who recently visited Venezuela with oil and mining executives, sensed his opportunity. He said: “I literally think they’re going to put up a statue to President Trump and I’m not being – it’s not a political statement.”

Duly hooked, Trump interjected: “That would be a great honour!”

Someone in the room laughed, and Trump chuckled too. But Burgum was in full flow: “No, because it’s like they view President Trump like [independence hero] Simón Bolívar. He’s the liberator of a country and this is a country where they love American baseball … [and] you look on the street, they’re wearing NBA jerseys.”






Critics mock Mike Johnson and Republicans for presenting the president with the newly concocted award

Amid an aggressive war in Iran, heightening and devastating pressure on Cuba, immigration enforcement operations throughout the country and a partial government shutdown, the lead Republican in the House has given Donald Trump a newly concocted award.

Democrats, lawmakers and commentators are criticizing and ridiculing the “America First” award given to Trump on Wednesday evening during the National Republican Congressional Committee fundraiser.

“The president has done so much for the American people and we want to honor him, in some small way, some token of our appreciation for his leadership,” said Mike Johnson, the US House speaker. “So, tonight, we have created a new award.”