That Strain Again

Seven out of the nine musical acts booked for a concert series which the Trumpster and his head-tribble decreed to celebrate America's quarter-millennium have withdrawn within two days of the announcement. Freedom 250, the Trumpster affiliate behind the feast of culture, describes itself inspiringly as a "nonpartisan 501(c)(3)," which means a non-profit organisation that can be used as a tax dodge. Such organisations have hitherto not been permitted to engage in political campaigning; but if this anniversary is about anything, it is about America's return to government by men and not by laws. Some of the artists managed to extricate themselves without laying down a carpet of F-bombs; others expressed surprise at having been extended the privilege in the first place. In music as in diplomacy, the Trumpster and his head-tribble do not stoop to inform their servants; which presumably means the CEO of Team Starmer will shortly claim that the Special Relationship means Britain gets the rock-star treatment.