Quiz Jonathan Freedland on Trump, May, Brexit and anything else that takes your fancy

[KateMumsnet]

Hello all - do join us for a webchat with Jonathan Freedland this Thursday at 1pm. Jonathan writes about UK and global politics for the Guardian and the New York Review of Books, amongst others - and is the author, under the pseudonym Sam Bourne, of the Maggie Costello series of thrillers.

His latest, To Kill the President, charts the rise to the presidency of a volatile demagogue whose vanity and tyrannical leanings threaten global stability. As the US hovers on the brink of a nuclear attack on North Korea, Maggie discovers a plot to kill the president - and has to decide whether to expose the plot or leave the president to his fate.

The novel was published in July to great reviews - many of which pointed out that the novel's eponymous president is a not unfamiliar figure .

So now's your chance to ask one of the premier analysts of global politics your questions on the Trump presidency, the prospects for American democracy and its place on a turbulent world stage - and indeed, any questions you might have about the current state of play of British politics, mid-Brexit.

The webchat will take place at 1pm on Thursday 3rd August - do join us then, and in the meantime leave your advance questions in the comments below.

Ol

Welcome Jonathan

Following on from the OP subject matter, I have two thoughts on my mind that I realise could almost be books in themselves, but clearly based on the format a brief comment would be appreciated.

Regarding President Trump and his first international meetings of other world figures, and at EVERY press conference afterwards (possibly with the exception of ‘mutti’ Merkel) he gushes about a ‘beautiful relationship’ as if that leader will be THE Trump U.S. relationship, including China’s President Xi, who appears to me, to be building a better relationship with Russia and President Putin.

And so in your opinion is Trump’s presidency pushing them closer together, and would this be a development Europe should be concerned about on ANY level?

Regarding Brexit, IMO in the UK we historically tend to sidestep revolutionary movements as somehow ‘common sense’ appears to kick in, and (arguably) on balance we got it right. But with so many UK politicians basically saying ‘the people’ got it wrong via a referendum, how democratically significant would it be within the UK if, one way or another, the admittedly close result was overturned.

Would we just go about our business, queuing, looking after our lawns etc as the British do, almost as if nothing had happened, or would it cause lasting popular damage to our democratic process, where in the future, even less people ‘bovver’ to vote?

Hi Jonathan,
I'm predicting a two-term Trump presidency because I think that the forces that gave him victory are still there, and he is successfully blaming others for not achieving his 'agenda'. This does depend on some kind of tax cut getting through within the next year so that the GOP stay onside, and on the Democrats not suddenly finding a unifying candidate (Warren not being one). Am I too pessimistic? Or in fact am I being optimistic in that whatever comes after will be worse?

Hi Jonathan

Have you any views on the theory that Trump is showing signs of cognitive decline? It seems more and more obvious that on top of his 'difficult' personality there are word-find problems, rambling speech (with lots of repetition and the substitution of general terms for the more specific ones he's searching for), apathy, irritability, inappropiate outbursts (!) and sometimes actual disorientation - wandering off, for instance. Also the unsteadiness in his walking. Trump's father suffered from dementia.

If he is, like Reagan, in the early stages of dementia what are the mechanisms available to have his health checked out? Does it suit the GOP for this to continue?

What is Donald Trump's favourite biscuit?

It's quite common for someone to say they will eat their hat if something or someone they don't expect to do well actually does do well.

As President Trump is well on his way to making America great again and will continue to be a successful President, what item of clothing will you eat when he ultimately proves you and his other critics wrong?

I'm the daughter of a German-Jewish refugee and have recently acquired restored German citizenship. I'd be interested to know whether Jonathan feels that UK society has become increasingly undemocratic in a way that can resemble post-1933 Germany?

Do you think democracy is in crisis? It feels that way to me. I wonder what history will say on this time period, and indeed who will be around to write it.

I like you post

I don't have anything intelligent to ask, other than is there a way back from this point?

But I am definitely going to buy that book.

Josiah - you have a hilarious sense of humour!

book should be arriving tomorrow morning curtesy of evil Amazon. Some speed reading will be required tomorrow I feel.

It's often said that everyone has a price.

Similarly, what do you think it would take for you to consider killing (or helping to kill) the leader of your own country?

What do you see happening to the US, in terms of international relations, if Trump continues to conduct his Presidency as he has so far? Will it pose a real threat, or will it fizzle out in terms of influence?

How do you see the US in five years? Will it have succumbed to a dictator or will it manage to come out stronger with an improved democratic system?

Welcome Jonathan

I receive the distinct impression that many of those in Washington just want to see a return to 'business as usual'. Do you think this will be possible afterwards - and would it be a good thing?

(My apologies if that requires a lengthy answer.)

Do you think anyone (in the WH at the moment, or elsewhere) is watching the president's moves and has the authority (or directions from some authority, e.g. secret services) to ensure he doesn't press the button in a moment of madness. Just thinking about Gen Kelly . . . .

Sorry, should have said how much I'm enjoying your book!

Latest book!

Jonathan, welcome to Mumsnet!

There have been a series of threads running here on Mumsnet discussing the Trump administration since the election. The posters have been well informed and cite wide ranging sources. Do you think that Trump's election (as well as Brexit, etc) has resulted in a portion of society becoming more politically engaged? Personally I do feel more engaged and make a point of seeking out information, but I'd be interested if that was reflected in wider society.

Also (sorry!) do you think that main stream media has been lacking in its reporting? For example, in the recent case of Charlie Gard, the MSM did appear to leave some relevant facts in the case out of some of their reporting, which led to an element of bias against "the establishment" in my opinion.

More and more people, particularly the younger generation (can't believe I just used that phrase, I'm only 36 myself!) are getting their news/information from Social Media and I think that's a scary thing. Should we be teaching our children to distrust everything they read on SM and how to fact check for themselves?

Thanks

Oh god I waffled on a bit there didn't I!

Hello Jonathan. I've enjoyed all your books and have the latest lined up on my Kindle. I'm interested in all the previous questions on current US politics, including whether you think it is possible that Trump will survive and prosper as President.

On the book, why did you go back to writing as Sam Bourne?

Thanks, and I hope you enjoy the web chat.

Hi Jonathan,

Are you confident that anyone in the current administration would actually stop Trump launching nuclear missiles?

Hi Jonathan,

Thanks for coming on - my question is:

The Guardian's recent financial figures seem a bit more promising. Has the Guardian got a solid future? What do you think about the decision not to introduce a paywall?

Hello Jonathan

Since you wrote the book, Trump has appointed several generals to key government positions whereas in the book, the military are the good guys. Do you think Trump's generals are likely to be a steadying influence? And/or do you think this is shaping up to be a military coup?

Thanks!