The View From Abroad May 12, 2016May 11, 2016 The cover of The Economist: Trump’s Triumph, America’s Tragedy . . . [I]t is now clear that Republicans will be led into the presidential election by a candidate who said he would kill the families of terrorists, has encouraged violence by his supporters, has a weakness for wild conspiracy theories and subscribes to a set of protectionist and economically illiterate policies that are by turns fantastical and self-harming. The result could be disastrous for the Republican Party and, more important, for America. Even if this is as far as he goes, Mr Trump has already done real damage and will do more in the coming months. Worse, in a two-horse race his chances of winning the presidency are well above zero. It is possible that, with the nomination secured, Mr Trump will now change his tone. The crassness of his insults may well be muted as he tries to win over at least some of the voters, particularly women, who now abhor him. His demeanour may become more presidential (though there was little sign of that in this week’s bizarre and baseless pronouncements that the father of Ted Cruz, his erstwhile rival, had been around Lee Harvey Oswald before he shot John F. Kennedy). What he will almost certainly not do is change political course. For it is increasingly clear that Mr Trump has elements of a world view from which he does not waver. These beliefs lack coherence or much attachment to reality. They are woven together . . . with a delight in conflict and disregard for facts . . . But they are firm beliefs and long-held. . . . . . . Mr Trump’s triumph has the makings of a tragedy for Republicans, for America and for the rest of the world. With most of you, of course, this is just preaching to the choir. And Sarah Palin will not be persuaded — what could The Economist know about economics or world affairs that she does not? She can see Russia from her porch. But for anyone somehow on the fence — or supporting Trump but open-minded (is anyone open-minded anymore? or do we just all think we are? I know I am*) — I commend the entire article. (The above is excerpted from what The Economist calls its “leader” — a sort of executive summary.) And if that weren’t enough, here are 12 cartoons from around the world. It’s fair to say, much of the world is horrified that someone who could do this — knowingly on camera, no less — might next year be president. But if we don’t all pitch in, it could happen. Have a great weekend. *Irony intended. Though I do try.