When to stop laughing, and when to definitely laugh

It’s been another weird and wonderful week in the world of Donald J Trump.

He posted an AI-generated image of himself as Pope on Truth Social, then denied it.  He clung to his plan to buy Canada. He rambled about reopening Alcatraz. And his administration conducted an influencer briefing in a fake briefing room that rapidly and inevitably descended into racist fawning.

This is so strange as to be legitimately funny. Until it isn’t. Because the US President also continues to deport people to countries like El Salvador and Libya, where conditions are life threatening, and upend the global economy on a daily basis. 

As John Oliver previously pointed out, we’ve crossed the threshold where the terrifying reality eliminates the humour from even the funniest asides.

Which brings us, for (probably) the final time, to Clive Palmer. Because if success in implementing awful right-wing policies is the line between hilarity and horror, Trumpet of Patriots is the fairest game imaginable. 

After winning 1.85% of the national vote (Legalise Cannabis Australia, which barely campaigned, won 1.14%), Palmer is preparing to turn back to his other endeavors. 

Perhaps he can reinvigorate Palmersauras, which was once the ‘world's largest dinosaur park’ and is now a run down golf course that is currently rated 2.4 on Tripadvisor. Ron W sums up both the dinosaurs and the Trumpets with his review, “You can give this one a miss with a clear conscience”. 

Like basically everyone else, we will.