Mailwatch(ed) Forum

Boiler wrote: ↑Sun Jan 11, 2026 3:23 pm Reading and listening to various USanians of late, am I alone in thinking that the Trump administration and its cronies are now making a concerted effort to portray the UK as the new enemy of the US and of its idea of "free speech" in particular?

Absolutely.

And it's handled by the press as guilelessly as 'oh they say they care about free speech they must do end of story'.

RedSparrows wrote: ↑Sun Jan 11, 2026 3:35 pm

Boiler wrote: ↑Sun Jan 11, 2026 3:23 pm Reading and listening to various USanians of late, am I alone in thinking that the Trump administration and its cronies are now making a concerted effort to portray the UK as the new enemy of the US and of its idea of "free speech" in particular?

Absolutely.

And it's handled by the press as guilelessly as 'oh they say they care about free speech they must do end of story'.

Trump hates Europe because the EU is powerful enough to stand up to him. The weak and isolated UK is low hanging fruit, a part of Europe he can attack with impunity because any retaliation will hurt us more than it hurts him.

Oboogie wrote: ↑Sun Jan 11, 2026 3:57 pm

RedSparrows wrote: ↑Sun Jan 11, 2026 3:35 pm

Boiler wrote: ↑Sun Jan 11, 2026 3:23 pm Reading and listening to various USanians of late, am I alone in thinking that the Trump administration and its cronies are now making a concerted effort to portray the UK as the new enemy of the US and of its idea of "free speech" in particular?

Absolutely.

And it's handled by the press as guilelessly as 'oh they say they care about free speech they must do end of story'.

Trump hates Europe because the EU is powerful enough to stand up to him. The weak and isolated UK is low hanging fruit, a part of Europe he can attack with impunity because any retaliation will hurt us more than it hurts him.

The UK also speaks English.

Britain sold its arse to America in 1941, and still thinks they meant it when they said they loved us.

It depresses me massively that there are so many Americans willing to do this appalling shit apparently without question or demur, despite it being illegal, immoral or plain wrong. Truly, as a society they are finished.

I think James Ellroy was right when he said that America was never innocent, or benign. It was always a scam: kick arses and look good doing it.

I also like Bill Bryson's take on American history: they shot the bison, then they shot the natives, and then they shot each other.

Like this.

And still we believe they're our friends. America cares about America, they always have and always will.

Abernathy wrote: ↑Sun Jan 11, 2026 9:07 pmLike this.

Sad thing is... millions don't want to stop him. They're actively cheering him on and saying "and what are YOU going to do about it? Nothing. Because without us, you ARE nothing. U-S-A! U-S-A!"

davidjay wrote: ↑Sun Jan 11, 2026 9:19 pm America cares about America, they always have and always will.

But one that was mainly a rational state actor with a concert of allies across the globe who could rely on the US. Now its just a transactional power run by a mad man.

Boiler wrote: ↑Sun Jan 11, 2026 9:52 pm

Abernathy wrote: ↑Sun Jan 11, 2026 9:07 pmLike this.

Sad thing is... millions don't want to stop him. They're actively cheering him on and saying "and what are YOU going to do about it? Nothing. Because without us, you ARE nothing. U-S-A! U-S-A!"

And to those who disagree they have guns.

Oh dear Donald, look what that terrible Mayor in London has achieved;

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy8gpvdd1go

Homicide in London has fallen to its lowest level in more than a decade, new figures released by the Metropolitan Police show.

The force said 97 homicides were recorded in 2025, the lowest figure since 2014, at a rate of 1.1 per 100,000 people, lower than New York (2.8), Berlin (3.2) and Milan (1.6).

Now trying to prosecute the Fed Chair and put his mate Kevin Hassett into the job. This is fucking with the moneymen. Republican Senators will get it in the ear about this.

Oboogie wrote: ↑Sun Jan 11, 2026 3:57 pm

RedSparrows wrote: ↑Sun Jan 11, 2026 3:35 pm

Boiler wrote: ↑Sun Jan 11, 2026 3:23 pm Reading and listening to various USanians of late, am I alone in thinking that the Trump administration and its cronies are now making a concerted effort to portray the UK as the new enemy of the US and of its idea of "free speech" in particular?

Absolutely.

And it's handled by the press as guilelessly as 'oh they say they care about free speech they must do end of story'.

Trump hates Europe because the EU is powerful enough to stand up to him. The weak and isolated UK is low hanging fruit, a part of Europe he can attack with impunity because any retaliation will hurt us more than it hurts him.

It's the old Murdoch game again:
* Those isolated Brits do what they're told.
* Those uppity Europos talk back.

Who could have guessed that this might happen?

Shares in banks and credit card firms have fallen after US President Donald Trump called for credit card costs to be capped.

On Friday, Trump wrote on Truth Social that interest rates on cards should be limited to 10% for one year from 20 January.

He did not specify how such a cap might be introduced or whether such a move would be legally enforceable.

Shares in US credit card firms American Express, Visa and Mastercard fell in early trading, while shares in the UK bank Barclays, which has a sizeable US card business, were down 1.9% at close of trading in London.

US banking associations say capping rates will make it harder for people to access credit and be "devastating" for millions of families and small businesses.

The average interest rate for credit cards in the US is roughly 20%.

In his statement on social media,, external Trump called for limiting it to 10%, reviving an idea he had put forward during his 2024 presidential campaign.

"Effective January 20, 2026, I, as President of the United States, am calling for a one year cap on Credit Card Interest Rates of 10%," he wrote. "Please be informed that we will no longer let the American Public be 'ripped off' by Credit Card Companies."...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crmlkxjm88ko

How long before he's printing money?

Andy McDandy wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 9:29 am How long before he's printing money?

With his picture on the front?

He should go the whole hog and rename the Dollar. Not just the Trump, but the biggliest Trump ever.

Turmoil on Wall Street today, with fallout from the Federal Reserve's unexpected Trump decision.

Boiler wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 9:53 am

Andy McDandy wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 9:29 am How long before he's printing money?

With his picture on the front?

And the back.

And the watermark. Twice.

Samanfur wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 10:21 am

Boiler wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 9:53 am

Andy McDandy wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 9:29 am How long before he's printing money?

With his picture on the front?

And the back.

And the watermark. Twice.

Best watermark ever.