Showing posts with label Commentary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Commentary. Show all posts

Monday, November 17, 2025

Sketching the News — #3: Trumping Through the Epstein Files

Politica UK podcast by Sarnia de la Maré Logo ping


DISCLAIMER:
Sketching the News is a satirical political commentary series. All characters, scenarios, and descriptions in this article are fictionalised for humour, parody, and critical commentary. No allegations are made; real public figures are portrayed through exaggerated, imaginary scenarios for satirical effect only.

Sketching the News — #3: Trumping Through the Epstein Files

DISCLAIMER:
Sketching the News is a satirical political commentary series. All characters, scenarios, and descriptions in this article are fictionalised for humour, parody, and critical commentary. No allegations are made; real public figures are portrayed through exaggerated, imaginary scenarios for satirical effect only.

“🎵 A merry burst of news today,
In operetta style we say…
🎵”

“🎵 Oh! The Epstein files appear again to cause a great kerfuffle,
And Trump begins his trumping with a most cacophonous shuffle!

While Andrew the Sweaty Lodger hangs excuses out to dry,
The Left declare the elite decayed, the Right give Trump a shine.

And over in America, the people softly pray:
‘Forget the billionaires’ tall tales — we’d like our rent to pay!’ 🎵”

“🎵 This has been Politica UK — where the news is operatic,
and the truth… emphatically problematic!
🎵”


Sketching the News — #3: Trumping Through the Epstein Files

BREAKING: Newly unsealed Epstein files have triggered simultaneous panic attacks in Washington and Westminster, as public figures across the English-speaking world frantically rehearse their denials in front of bathroom mirrors and attempt to recall what happened after that eighth Martini.

Donald Trump, meanwhile, has taken to trumping — a verb now defined as:
“speaking loudly, continuously, and off-key.”

He insists, between trumpet solos, that he “never went to that island” and “doesn’t even like islands, or holidays, or planes, or girls.” He added:
“Lots of people have islands; it means nothing; it’s fake news; SAD!”

Reporters noted he managed to contradict himself twelve times in one sentence, which is believed to be a new presidential record.
 
Enter: Andrew (WHO?)

Across the pond, the UK watches with that uniquely British blend of horror and smug superiority.
We, after all, have our own royal train wreck.

Prince… man… mortal… bloke… Andrew — formerly of Windsor, now apparently living in a council flat in Hull — has become a distant memory except when anyone mentions perspiration issues.

Dubbed “Andrew the Sweaty Lodger,” he allegedly shares a washing line with a bloke named Gary, who keeps asking why Andrew sweats in the launderette but not on the dance floor.

His fall from grace remains the national benchmark for disgrace:
“Have you heard the latest about so-and-so?”
“Well, at least he’s not Andrew.”
 
Left and Green Wing View: “The Whole Elite Is Rotting”

Lefties and Greens have formed new alliances over their mutual disgust.

“This is what happens,” one activist said, “when billionaires and aristocrats treat the world like a private members’ club. Next it won’t be an island — it’ll be an entire planet.”

When asked who was paying whom in this case, the activist replied:
“Brother, at this level, everyone pays everyone. It’s a revolving door of hush money and hypocrisy.”
 
Right Wing View: Farage Lights a Candle for Trump

Meanwhile, Nigel Farage has reportedly added Trump’s latest denial to his personal shrine — a shelf containing one MAGA hat, three cigars, and a framed photograph of him beaming like a possessed frog beside the man himself.

Farage praised Trump’s “courageous truth-telling,” which critics noted is an interesting phrase to use for someone who decides truth based on his personal bank balance.
 
Meanwhile, America Is Feeling the Pinch

Ordinary Americans — caught between inflation, cuts, and political chaos — are wondering how they always end up footing the bill for the misadventures of powerful men who swear they “barely knew the guy.”

One exhausted voter told reporters:
“I don’t care who went to what island. I care that my rent eats half my salary. Can someone leak that?”
 
The Trumpet Blows On


For now, Trump continues trumping his way through the scandal — blowing loud, blowing long, and hoping the noise drowns out the details.

Andrew the Sweaty Lodger continues hanging his laundry of excuses out to dry.

And the Epstein files continue their grim march across global headlines — forcing the world to listen to daily trumping.

There is no pain without gain, as Trump’s music teacher allegedly used to say.

More updates as the files leak, the denials crescendo, and the political orchestra continues to play wildly out of tune.
 


DISCLAIMER:
Sketching the News is a satirical political commentary series. All characters, scenarios, and descriptions in this article are fictionalised for humour, parody, and critical commentary. No allegations are made; real public figures are portrayed through exaggerated, imaginary scenarios for satirical effect only.



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Sunday, November 16, 2025

Sketching the News — #2: Britain Copies Denmark Without Reading the Instructions

Daily political sketching, commentary, and illustrated insight from the woman observing the animals.


Politica UK podcast by Sarnia de la Maré Logo ping

Government Considers “Danish-Style” Immigration Policy, Mainly Because They’ve Run Out of Their Own Ideas


In yet another episode of Britain Looks Over the Fence, the UK government has announced it is “seriously considering” adopting Denmark-style immigration legislation — a statement that, according to insiders, means “we saw a headline about Denmark and thought: ooh, that sounds firm.”

Officials say the plan is to “take inspiration” from Denmark’s approach, despite not being entirely clear on what Denmark’s approach actually is, how it works, or whether it would accidentally create more problems than it solves.

A Home Office source said:
“The Danes seem organised, and frankly we’re a bit tired. If someone else has a functioning policy, why not borrow it wholesale and hope nobody notices?”

What This Actually Means (According to Experts Who Know Things)

The Denmark model involves offshoring asylum processing, strict border controls, and a no-nonsense approach that works precisely because Denmark is… well… Denmark.

The UK, meanwhile, is less Denmark and more “a stressed Victorian circus tent held up by leftover optimism and three fraying ropes.”

One academic warned:
“You can’t just take a Nordic policy and plonk it on Britain. That’s like copying someone’s homework without noticing theirs is written in another language.”

Government Response: “Don’t Worry, We Haven’t Read the Details Yet”

When pressed for specifics, ministers assured the public that everything would be fine because “the vibes are strong,” and the Denmark plan “looks firm, fair, and reassuringly Scandinavian.”

The Prime Minister added that the UK would never outsource asylum processing “in an irresponsible way,” which, translated from Westminster-speak, means “we would absolutely outsource it, as long as it polls well.”

Opposition Reaction

Labour responded by saying the government was “panicking,” “copying Denmark without understanding Denmark,” and “once again discovering a policy via Google Images.”

A Liberal Democrat spokesperson attempted to offer nuance before being immediately ignored.

Public Reaction

The British public, recovering from last week’s announcements, shrugged in the national manner and said:
“Sure. Why not? It’s not like anything makes sense anymore anyway.”

And in Denmark…

The Danish government said it was flattered Britain had taken an interest, adding politely:
“Please stop.”

More updates as the situation develops, collapses, or is replaced by a shiny new announcement tomorrow.

©2025 Sarnia de la Mare

Published by Tale teller Club Press

Saturday, November 15, 2025

Sketching the News — #1: Trump, the BBC, and the Licence Fee Shake-Down

Donald Trump vs the BBC illustration by Tale Teller Club for Politica

Donald Trump vs the BBC: The Billionaire Who Wants Your Licence Fee

There are certain headlines that make Britain collectively choke on its tea. “Donald Trump threatens to sue the BBC” is one of them.

Not because the idea of Trump threatening legal action is shocking — he’s sued (or threatened to sue) everything from entire newspapers to comedy shows to, reportedly, a small Welsh farmer (long story). No, the real eyebrow-raiser is the unintended punchline:

If Trump sues the BBC… UK licence fee payers could, in theory, end up footing the bill.

Yes.
You.
Me.
Your nan in Worthing who only wants to watch Strictly.
All of us.
Potentially paying the world’s richest political performer for the privilege of him being offended.

The Irony Is Almost Too On-the-Nose

The BBC is not a private corporation lounging on Scrooge McDuck vaults. It’s a public service broadcaster with a funding model that is, famously, unpopular with everyone — except, apparently, Donald J. Trump, who may have just discovered it’s a pot of money he might like a scoop from.

The licence fee:

  • £169 a year.

  • A sore point in every British household.

  • Not designed, one imagines, to bankroll a former US president’s legal adventures.

Yet here we are.

Trump, Outrage, and the Perpetual Motion Machine

Trump’s relationship with the press is well-documented: he criticises them, sues them, sues them some more, and then uses the lawsuits to reinforce his criticism. It is a loop as predictable as the EastEnders doof-doofs.

But the BBC is not some rogue blog. It’s the BBC. The idea of suing Auntie is a bit like suing a church bell — it’s loud, occasionally irritating, but suing it feels spiritually wrong.

But Trump has never been one to resist a spotlight, particularly if it’s one he can invoice.

The Truly British Tragedy: Paying for All This

Should a case progress (and most of Trump’s threats don’t), the unfortunate reality is that the BBC’s defence comes from its pot of public money. Which means:

Britain’s poorest households — those who already struggle with the licence fee — could effectively fund a billionaire’s fight against an institution they didn’t even criticise.

Austerity Britain meets Mar-a-Lago.
It’s the most unlikely crossover episode of 2025.

Meanwhile, Back in Reality…

The BBC will almost certainly defend itself vigorously. Trump will almost certainly continue shouting into microphones. And the British public will almost certainly continue Googling “Do I really have to pay the licence fee?” while quietly paying it anyway.

But the optics are too exquisite to ignore:

A publicly funded broadcaster potentially being shaken down by a man who literally lives in a gold-plated penthouse.

It is, politically speaking, the equivalent of being mugged by someone driving a Lamborghini.

Final Thoughts

Whether this becomes a real legal ordeal or just another entry in Trump’s ever-expanding list of legal sparring matches, one thing is certain:

If anyone is going to cost the British public more money this year, it really didn’t need to be a billionaire from Queens.

But this is where we are — in a world where the culture wars have reached such a fever pitch that the UK might accidentally contribute to Trump’s legal coffers.

If it wasn’t tragic, it would be hilarious.
And let’s face it — it is hilarious.

©2025 Sarnia de la Maré FRSA Published by Tale Teller Club Press




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