Don’t dignify Donald Trump with talk of a ‘new world order’

From real estate deals to Trump University, all that this guy swears is solid gold soon settles into so much bullshit, writes Aditya Chakrabortty

President Donald Trump speaks to House Republican lawmakers during their annual policy retreat on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, in Washington. Picture: AP

Of all the commandments for living under Donald Trump, the first is always this: Don’t believe him.

Nothing he says can be taken at face value; everything should be fed into a polygraph. Those of scrupulous courtesy can wrap it up in red ribbon, or uncork that aphorism about how the man must be taken seriously but never literally.