Random Thoughts on Everything

The President Whisperer

Is President Zelensky a cuddly hero and Putin a demented monster? Is Netanyahu indecisive and self-serving, and did a Palestinian identity exist before Yasser Arafat glorified Islamist terror?

Questions, questions, questions.

Perhaps missing the most important of all … where oh where is Melania? As Trump rampages through European politics with his bros Musk and Vance … like Captain America, Wolverine and Spider Man … the woman behind the throne has disappeared.

In my opinion, men holding power benefit from a steady woman or partner who will prompt and cajole. That special someone who can defuse the ranting minions and prevent escalating the kind of hostilities that lead to all out war. Only a better half can stroke the bloated ego and whisper sense into a leader’s otherwise deaf ear. I will bet that Zelensky’s wife Olena, has told him, ‘you’re right, Putin is a mad bastard, and Trump, crazy as a bag of snakes, but enough with your khaki outfits and the begging bowl Volodymyr. Let us choose life.’ Zelensky has said of his wife, “she is my love. My greatest friend.” Time magazine recognised her power when they voted Olena one of the 100 most influential people of 2023. If she, instead of her husband, had met a belligerent Trump in the Oval Office, might the outcome have been different?

A cuddly hero … maybe … but not for The Donald.

There is some uncertainty about Putin’s marital and mental status. Divorced in 2014, he is believed to have a partnership with Alina Kabaeva, a Russian rhythmic gymnast. Picture it as you choose … in Wikipedia her only listed skills are, ‘back-scale pivots.’ These were clearly not fascinating enough on the day Putin invaded Ukraine. I shall assume that Kabaeva was busy that day, possibly polishing her Olympic medals and doing it somewhere far from the Kremlin. Switzerland is where she’s rumoured to be living. In 2008 a Russian newspaper dared print a story saying that Kabaeva was engaged to Putin, as a result the paper found itself shut down. I cannot comment on her influence, but I’m happy to imagine she writes coded advice notes to her President, sprinkles them with sequins, and hides them in cuckoo clocks that she posts to Moscow by second-class mail.

A demented monster … probably.

Netanyahu’s Sara, is not popular. Few would imagine her offering sensible advice to her husband. Her career as a psychologist is similar to that of a butcher who chops and sells, but never eats his meat. Lacking in empathy she is a controversial figure thought to be pugnacious and greedy. She seems more likely to whisper threats than good advice, and unfortunately for the wife of a political leader, she may prefer conflict to peace. Alongside her husband she is clinging to power, so perhaps theirs is a partnership of survival in which she plays an avenging Judy to Bibi’s Punch. ‘That’s the way to do it!’ she shrieks, as she hits him over the head.

Indecisive and self-serving … yes if you have family or friends held hostage in Gaza.

The Egyptian born, Yasser Arafat went to his grave in 2004. I remember the Canadian reporter for the BBC (Barbara Plett) crying as she relayed news that “the frail old man” was critically ill. Yes she really did present a terrorist responsible for many deaths as the poor victim. And following a surge of complaints the BBC issued a statement in full support of her actions. Of course they did. Only later was it retracted as “an editorial misjudgment.“

Ms Plett may have been more bothered by his death than was Arafat’s widow Suha. She was finally free of a husband she had often tried to leave during their years together. She said the marriage was, “a big mistake and I regret it.” Suha is no angel. In 2006 finding herself wanted in Tunisia for corruption she fled to Malta. Many Palestinians believe her opulent lifestyle is financed by large sums of stolen money and property, that rightfully belong to them. Suha, a Christian convert to Islam, makes a poor candidate for talking up Middle East peace. During Arafat’s lifetime, and since, she has endorsed suicide bombings and made antisemitic speeches. In 2020 she threatened the Palestinian Authority from her home in Malta, saying she would publish explosive revelations from her late husband’s diary unless they stopped harassing her online.

Glorifier of Islamist terror and inventor of a Palestinian identity … unless your name is Barbara Plett … yes, yes, and yes.

So where is Melania? Hat shopping perhaps? Pondering the merits of Trump’s vision for Gaza? Or his imploding peace plan for Ukraine? Hiding in a dark room and worrying that Usha, the wife of JD Vance, has stolen her edge? Or is she out spending the whopping 28 million dollars paid by Amazon for a documentary about her life?

Might she be the cleverest of political wives, the one who understands that she holds the power to embarrass her husband, the egotistical, thin-skinned, bombastic bully. Following his inauguration she stepped back so far that she disappeared, truly the ‘freelance magician’ Vogue bitchily titled her official portrait. Melania dressed in a slim tuxedo is the black and white image you see above. Her lean-in pose was reported by the Guardian as reminiscent of the Apprentice. If that’s so, the First Lady appears to have a sense of humour. President Trump would do well to watch his back in the boardroom after Team America gathers to justify the debacle of episode peace treaty.

Sorry Mr President … Melania says, ‘you’re fired!’