Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, has a big soft spot for poetry—bigger than you would expect. His favorite is Oscar Brown Jr. ’s “The Snake.” This song is one of the best descriptors I’ve ever heard for his political philosophy and his tumultuous love-hate relationship with the British establishment. This is a poem that Trump has been widely known to recite at his rallies, usually with eruption and delight of his own supporters. He has inspired audiences with his compelling tale of trust and betrayal. His recent trip to the UK has created some of the greatest buzz discussed above.
During his recent visit to Stansted, Trump found himself amidst warnings from Jon Cunliffe, former deputy governor of the Bank of England. Cunliffe warned that the United States risked being able to “weaponise” its supremacy over the international payments system. He raised fears that Washington would be able to flip a “kill switch,” shutting down any country that defies its commands. This is problematic because this rhetoric only serves to further muddy the waters surrounding an already complicated US-UK relationship.
Trump focused on the right geopolitical priorities during his trip. Most recently, he delivered a historic US/UK tech deal, hailed by many as his greatest success. The deal will create a wave of new datacentre construction across the whole of Britain. These facilities are imperative for the nation’s largest technology companies, including Microsoft and Google. Each datacentre will ultimately employ just 40 people once up and running. This prompts serious questions about how much economic benefits actually accrue to impacted local communities.
Cecilia Rikap, an AI expert at University College London, has drawn parallels between these datacentres and “American military bases on British soil.” This comment is an indication of a rapidly increasing concern. Although the tech deal is a great benefit to expedite infrastructure development, it increases concerns, especially with American tech and surveillance capabilities. Almost all of the energy-related spending under this deal will return to one region: Silicon Valley. This will raise the question of who is really being served by these agreements.
Trump’s courtship of key members of the British establishment – and their courtship of him – continues to cause a stir. Notably, Labour leader Keir Starmer has welcomed Trump as an honored guest at a banquet at Windsor Castle. This meeting is just one recent indication of a welcomed openness on the part of British politicians to work with Trump, even with his adverse reputation. King Charles was said to have called Trump “the closest of kin.” This assertion comes as a shock to most given Trump’s controversial reputation.
When Trump tells the story of “The Snake,” he is conjuring up all sorts of imagery that fits perfectly with his political narrative. The poemmatically narrates the tale of a woman who adopts a snake. She is sorely betrayed when the snake shows its true allegiance. Lyrics such as “Take me into your heart, darling,” come from the utmost sense of trust. “You knew your bite was poisonous and now I’m going to die,” uncovers the excruciating sting of betrayal.
“Take me in, oh tender woman,” sighed that vicious snake – Oscar Brown Jr.
This kind of imagery sounds just like Trump’s vision for America’s international partnerships. His dealings often seem to mirror the poem’s themes of seduction and betrayal, especially in light of Cunliffe’s warnings about potential US manipulation of financial systems.
Trump told the governments in his recent State of the Union that he was “hoping that the prime minister’s listening.” He intends for British leaders to appreciate the benefits that American partnerships can provide, while enticing them to consider the unintended consequences.
“I hope the prime minister’s listening” – Donald Trump
Trump wins over raucous audiences with stirring rendition of The Snake. Indeed, it will be fascinating to observe how his poetic inclinations inform prominence perceptions and political currents in both countries. The poem is serving a higher purpose than entertainment alone. It’s both a reflection of his ideology and a powerful symbol of how he uses that ideology to steer tumultuous political realignment.