Jokes, satire, and political polarization: Trump dominates the "Alfalfa" platform.
In a moment that combined the symbolism of protocol with the sharpness of political rhetoric, President Donald Trump returned to the circle of one of Washington's oldest social traditions. The US president participated in the annual dinner of the “Alfalfa” club, in the presence of an elite group of politicians and business leaders, including both allies and adversaries, at a politically sensitive time. Trump’s appearance on Saturday evening came at the end of a week described by observers as “turbulent,” marked by a security escalation related to immigration policies, controversial arrests, the release of millions of documents related to the late businessman convicted of sex abuse Jeffrey Epstein, and a wave of widespread protests in several American cities. Despite this tense atmosphere, Trump took to the podium wearing a black formal suit, delivering a speech that blended sharp political humor with serious allusions, in a style that once again reflected the characteristics of his polarizing and unconventional presidency, according to the Washington Post. The Alfalfa Club Dinner, established in 1913, is an annual private event that brings together an elite group of top executives, decision-makers, and politicians, and is held away from media coverage. However, Trump's participation, his first since boycotting the event in 2017, was exceptionally unusual for his political persona. He began his speech with a striking statement: "There are a lot of people in this room that I hate, and most of you that I like," a direct reference to the deep political divisions that characterize his relationships with many of those present. During the speech, Trump made a series of political jokes, some of which were met with notable silence, especially in a hall that included prominent figures from both parties, including Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, and Jerome Powell, Chairman of the Federal Reserve. Trump joked with the audience about “invading” Greenland before correcting himself by saying that the United States would “buy it,” adding sarcastic comments about making Canada the 51st state, Greenland the 52nd, and Venezuela the 53rd. He also touched on monetary policy, jokingly threatening to sue Kevin Warsh, his nominee for chairman of the Federal Reserve, if interest rates were not lowered, before adding: “I’m joking… It’s a comedy night.” The speech was not without biting sarcasm directed at his political opponents, as he returned to using insulting nicknames for Senator Elizabeth Warren and made sarcastic remarks about former President Joe Biden, which were not widely appreciated by the audience. On a more personal note, Trump commented on the new documentary about his wife Melania, mocking the fact that its title did not include the name "Trump," and pointing out that she speaks several languages, before jokingly saying: "When she gets mad at me, I feel like I'm in Davos again." Amid jokes and sarcastic remarks, Trump made sure to boast about some of what he considered his administration's achievements, including building a ceremonial hall in the White House, and the United States hosting the World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics, in a speech that combined complaining about "lack of appreciation" with boasting about accomplishments, in a picture that reflected his constant endeavor to impose his own narrative. The repercussions of the evening did not stop at the hall. After dinner, Trump boarded Air Force One and headed to Palm Beach, where he made a new series of statements to reporters, speaking of "serious talks" with Iran, and defending the dispatch of federal officials to Minneapolis, demanding that protesters be dealt with "very strongly," continuing an escalatory approach that has been a constant feature of his political rhetoric.
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