THE EDITOR, Madam:It seems like forever that Donald Trump has bathed in the glow of klieg-lights, whether in his private, public or political life. From numerous well-publicised front-page infidelity scandals to many distinctly dubious business transactions, misadventures and bankruptcies from casinos, airline shuttle services, sports franchises, etc, etc. There has been so much newsprint and airtime dedicated to this man known as “The Donald”, constantly craving attention as a global property developer and a reality television show host, before he waded nose-deep into the cesspool that we all know as American politics. He was always acerbic when dealing with those he didn’t agree with, while turning on the charm for those who may help him to further his ambitions. These character traits perfectly suit the position he now holds as the world’s most powerful politician. Bearing all of this in mind, it was not surprising that he called his good buddy Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, to suggest a review of the red card penalty issued to Team US’ star striker Folarin Balogun. Of course, the FIFA president followed in the footsteps of everyone else in power around the world – except the leaders of Iran, China and Russia – to pathetically placate President Trump by stroking his enormous ego. An obscure rule in FIFA’s constitution allowed the red card penalty to be suspended, and Mr Trump was smiling like Alice In Wonderland’s Cheshire Cat. When the red card was issued in the previous World Cup round against Bosnia, I did some research of Folarin Balogun and learned that his Nigerian parents were living in England; his mother was seven months’ pregnant when they visited New York. Airline staff decided Mrs Balogun was too much of a health risk to return to UK, so she gave birth in Brooklyn, and baby Folarin flew to London when he was just a few weeks old. He joined Arsenal Football Club as a boy of eight and played in all their youth teams; he also represented England at youth levels from Under-17. He had eventually transferred to Monaco in the French League in 2023, about that same time, he decided to switch allegiance to Team US.  Immigration regulations were the lynchpin of President Trump’s 2024 election campaign and, on Inauguration Day in 2025, he signed an executive order to ban birthright citizenship. That order has since been overturned by the US Supreme Court. How ironic that Donald Trump went to bat so vociferously to defend Folarin Balogun, who was a classic textbook case of birthright citizenship, if ever there was one  –  spotlighting countless confusing, confounding contradictions surrounding this precariously predictable president.

BERNIE SMITHParksville, BCCanada