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Los Angeles Times
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Where artists tippled, an ode to Cole's French dip: L.A. arts and culture this weekend
Artists are formed by the spaces they spend time in — and in the case of countless Los Angeles artists, writers and musicians, that place was the city's oldest restaurant and bar, Cole's French Dip, which is slated to close on Aug. 2. Founded in 1908 by Harry Cole in downtown's historic Pacific Electric building, then the city's primary railway transit hub, the legendary public house is credited with inventing the French dip sandwich after its chef dipped bread in au jus to soften it for a patron who had trouble chewing. (Note: Philippe the Original in Chinatown takes issue with this story, claiming full credit for the juicy culinary delight.) The possibility of an apocryphal legend aside, Cole's went on to become one of the very best bars in the area, attracting a solidly blue-collar crowd over the years, including the notoriously ribald, drunken poet Charles Bukowski. The restroom even sported a placard that read, 'Charles Bukowski pissed here,' an unflinchingly literal claim to fame frequently mentioned in self-guided tours of literary L.A. (Barney's Beanery in West Hollywood has a less off-color plaque at its bar in reference to Jim Morrison, who allegedly relieved himself on the spot without heading for the urinals.) I like to think of Bukowski with a beer and a shot of whiskey in front of him, scribbling away on a napkin at the bar in Cole's. I've done the same over the years, having discovered the bar in 1999 when I first moved to Los Angeles. Downtown was not on the up-and-up in those days, and Cole's had fallen on hard times but was still beloved. My rock band played a few shows in its back room, and I fell in love with what was at the time a true dive bar — a place where the occasional unhoused patron spent his Social Security check alongside a smattering of unknown, paint-spattered artists who stopped by from nearby studios. I remember meeting a musician there one night who invited me and a friend to his 6th Street loft and showed me literally thousands of records stacked like a maze throughout the space, so high that you couldn't see over them, so many that I wondered if he had space to sleep. Cole's was that kind of bar — a refuge for artists and misfits, a place that didn't care what your story was as long as you had a good one. The last time I went to Cole's before downtown bar magnate Cedd Moses (artist Ed Moses' son) bought it and restored it to its early 20th century glory, a rat ran over my foot as I sat at a torn, tufted banquette. I love a good dive (my husband proposed to me at the now-shuttered Brown Jug in San Francisco's Tenderloin District), but that was a bridge too far, even for me. Moses has long had a deep affinity for dive bars and, in the aughts, went about transforming and resurrecting a number of spaces in downtown L.A., including Cole's, in ways that stayed true to their historic integrity. His 213 Nightlife Group (now called Pouring With Heart), was integral to downtown's prepandemic boom. That downtown is once again suffering from the kind of trouble and malaise that beset it in the '80s and '90s should be cause for great concern. On the bright side, it's times like these when artists can again afford to move in. Maybe they can rally to save Cole's. I'm arts and culture writer Jessica Gelt, warning you that there is now often a line to get into Cole's, but encouraging you to go anyway. Paying your respects to the classic institution is worth the wait. Bring a good book and a sketch pad. 'Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair'Quentin Tarantino presents rare screenings of the complete version of his four-hour martial arts epic that brought together 'Vol. 1' and 'Vol. 2,' with additional flourishes. Uma Thurman stars as the Bride in a quest for revenge against the title character (David Carradine) and his band of assassins (Lucy Liu, Daryl Hannah, Vivica A. Fox and Michael Madsen). Added flair: It's the filmmaker's personal 35 mm print screened at the Cannes Film Festival in 2006, so it has French Thursday-July 28. Vista Theater, 4473 Sunset Drive. Artemisia Gentileschi in NaplesCurator Davide Gasparotto discussses the Italian artist's work from the period she spent in Naples beginning in 1630. Gentileschi quickly became one of the most in-demand painters in the region, and Gasparotto illustrates the large-scale works, including the newly restored 'Hercules and Omphale,' she completed during this time.2 p.m. Saturday. J. Paul Getty Museum, 1200 Getty Center Drive, L.A. George StraitChris Stapleton and Little Big Town join the country legend on this stadium tour in support of his latest album, 'Cowboys and Dreamers.'5:45 p.m. Saturday. SoFi Stadium, 1001 S. Stadium Drive, Inglewood. TaikoProjectThe L.A.-based taiko drumming group marks its 25th anniversary with a one-night-only concert featuring its innovative percussion work, plus guests including the Grammy-winning Latinx group Quetzal and multi-instrument soloist Sumie Kaneko, performing vocals, on the koto and the shamisen.7 p.m. Saturday. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 'Bye Bye Tiberias'Filmmaker Lina Soualem portrays four generations of Arab women, including her mother, actor Hiam Abbass, who carry the burden of history within them and deal with an evolving meaning of home. Preceded by a 1988 short, 'Measures of Distance,' in which filmmaker Mona Hatoum combines letters from her mother in war-torn Beirut with layered images and voice to question stereotypes of Arab womanhood. Both films are part of the UCLA Film and Television Archive's series '(Dis)placement: Fluctuations of Home.'7:30 p.m. Saturday. Billy Wilder Theater, UCLA Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. 'Berta, Berta'Andi Chapman directs the West Coast premiere of Angelica Chéri's love story about a Black man seeking redemption in 1920s Mississippi. DeJuan Christopher and Kacie Rogers ('Furlough's Paradise' at the Geffen) 19-Aug. 25; 8 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays; 4 p.m. Sundays. The Echo Theater Company. Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave. GiselleAmerican Ballet Theatre dances this romantic tale set in the Rhineland forests where betrayal, revenge and forgiveness play out. With the Pacific Symphony.7:30 p.m. Thursday and July 25; 2 and 7:30 p.m. July 26; 1 p.m. July 27. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. The Los Angeles Philharmonic opened its 103rd season at the Hollywood Bowl earlier this month, and all was not well, writes Times classical music critic Mark Swed, noting low attendance, the cancellation of highly anticipated shows featuring Gustavo Dudamel with the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra and a general edginess that has taken root in the city since the intensive ICE raids began. ''A Beautiful Noise' is a jukebox musical that understands the assignment,' begins Times theater critic Charles McNulty's review of the show playing at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre through July 27. Anyone familiar with McNulty's taste knows this is high praise coming from a critic who often doesn't take a shine to the genre. This musical gets a pass because it exists simply to pay tribute to Neil Diamond's beloved catalog with 'glorious' singing of 'American pop gold.' Former American Idol winner Nick Fradiani delivers a 'thrilling vocal performance,' McNulty notes. The New Hollywood String Quartet celebrated its 25th anniversary with a four-day festival at the Huntington's Rothenberg Hall, and Swed was there to capture the scene. The festivities conjured the magic of the legendary studio musicians who first formed the quartet in the late 1930s. Classical music fans and lovers of cinematic scores didn't always see eye to eye, but it was Hollywood that 'produced the first notable American string quartet,' Swed writes. McNulty also reviewed two shows in Theatricum Botanicum's outdoor season: 'The Seagull: Malibu' and 'Strife,' both of which are reimagined in the American past. Ellen Geer directed the former, setting Chekhov's play in the beach city of Malibu during the 1970s. Geer co-directs John Galsworthy's 1909 social drama alongside Willow Geer — moving the action from the border of England and Wales to Pennsylvania in the 1890s. The plays are ambitious, if uneven, writes McNulty. The Hammer Museum is back with its annual summer concert series, which is free as always. There are two upcoming shows: Very Be Careful with Healing Gems and DJ Eléanora, July 31; and Open Mike Eagle with Jordan Patterson and Aug. 19. Ann Philbin, former director and current director emeritus of the Hammer Museum at UCLA, was named this year's Getty Prize recipient. She chose to donate its accompanying, pay-it-forward $500,000 grant to NPR and its Los Angeles member stations, KCRW and LAist. The 'Jesus Christ Superstar' casting news keeping coming. Earlier this week, it was announced that Josh Gad will play King Herod and Phillipa Soo will play Mary Magdalene in Andrew Lloyd Webber's iconic musical, staged at the Hollywood Bowl in early August and starring Cynthia Erivo as Jesus and Adam Lambert as Judas. The Carpenter Center announced its 2025–2026 season, including an evening with Sandra Bernhard and Mandy Patinkin in concert; a cabaret series that opens with Melissa Errico performing Barbra Streisand's songbook; a dance series featuring Alonzo King LINES Ballet; a 'Wow!' series that includes the Peking Acrobats; and a Sunday afternoon concert series with a special tribute to the songs of John Lennon and Harry Nilsson. — Jessica Gelt Hot cheese bread and meat pies? Count me in!
Daily Mail
09-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Beloved LA restaurant forced to close after 117 years
A beloved restaurant in California , that claims the invention of an iconic Los Angeles staple, has announced it will close its doors for good after 117 years as rampant crime continues to wreck havoc in LA. Cole's French Dip, inventor of the French Dip Sandwich, announced it will permanently close on August 3 due to the rampant crime in the area that has been felt by businesses throughout LA. 'After exhaustive deliberation and numerous attempts at last ditch efforts, our beloved Los Angeles institution, Cole's, Originators of the French Dip, has made the difficult decision to close its doors,' a spokesperson said in a statement to 'The litany of reasons for closing are not unique to Cole's alone; they are affecting most independent restaurants in Los Historical Independent Restaurants are struggling under the weight of these issues and have already closed, while those remaining are fighting to survive.' The statement cited further issues such as the Covid-19 Pandemic, the actors and writers strikes, the consistent rising costs of labor and goods, high rent costs, 'mounting bureaucracy and legal exposure'. The restaurant and bar, founded by Harry Cole in 1908, has been a favorite in the area for many years and was named a city Historic-Cultural Landmark in 1974, according to their website. Cole's claims the invention of the French Dip Sandwich, as well as being the oldest public house in LA, after one of the original house chef's, Jack Garlinghouse, dipped bread in Au Jus to soften it for a customer with bad gums. 'We have cherished our time serving the Downtown community, and will continue to craft great drinks and our renowned French dip sandwiches until we shutter. We care deeply about our family of staff and are immensely grateful for our amazing guests who have supported Cole's over the years,' the statement said. Yet, their longstanding history and iconic reputation has proved to be unable to withstand LA's climate of crime and rising costs. The city has become a byword for crime, riots and homelessness, amid claims local Democrat lawmakers pay little attention to those affected by the city's many social issues. Accounts of vicious attacks as well as widespread riots and chaos has poured out from the Los Angeles area over recent years, as the once iconic, star-studded area has descended into despair. LA county is spending hundreds of millions to combat its notorious homelessness, while many politicians have seen the efforts as simply condoning drug use. Republican State Sen. Roger Niello said the state needed to improve the lives of homeless people with stricter drug policies, and argued that providing drugs or offering housing would enable homeless behavior, the LA Daily News reported. Earlier this year, a homeless man allegedly tried to start a fire with a blowtorch before he was tackled by locals who zip-tied the man in a citizen's arrest. Locals claimed the man was riding a bicycle around the Woodland Hills neighborhood carrying a large 'propane tank or a flamethrower.' Donna DeChristoper, 52, was walking in her usually safe and walkable area when the man began sprinting and attacking her without warning. The man, described as a Hispanic male in his 20s, allegedly punched her in the face three or four times before fleeing the scene. DeChristopher lost consciousness and believed she may have been hit again while on the ground. She was left with a broken nose, stitches, and significant trauma to her face. Councilmember Nithya Raman, who represents the district, responded with a statement: 'While our work has yielded results, including a 40 percent drop in the number of people living on the streets in our district last year, much more remains to be done and we will continue to deploy every resource available toward address this issue.'
Daily Mail
08-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Beloved LA restaurant that invented iconic meal forced to close after 117 years due to rampant crime
A beloved restaurant in California, that claims the invention of an iconic Los Angeles staple, has announced it will close its doors for good after 117 years as rampant crime continues to wreck havoc in LA. Cole's French Dip, inventor of the French Dip Sandwich, announced it will permanently close on August 3 due to the rampant crime in the area that has been felt by businesses throughout LA. 'After exhaustive deliberation and numerous attempts at last ditch efforts, our beloved Los Angeles institution, Cole's, Originators of the French Dip, has made the difficult decision to close its doors,' a spokesperson said in a statement to 'The litany of reasons for closing are not unique to Cole's alone; they are affecting most independent restaurants in Los Historical Independent Restaurants are struggling under the weight of these issues and have already closed, while those remaining are fighting to survive.' The statement cited further issues such as the Covid-19 Pandemic, the actors and writers strikes, the consistent rising costs of labor and goods, high rent costs, 'mounting bureaucracy and legal exposure'. The restaurant and bar, founded by Harry Cole in 1908, has been a favorite in the area for many years and was named a city Historic-Cultural Landmark in 1974, according to their website. Cole's claims the invention of the French Dip Sandwich, as well as being the oldest public house in LA, after one of the original house chef's, Jack Garlinghouse, dipped bread in Au Jus to soften it for a customer with bad gums. 'We have cherished our time serving the Downtown community, and will continue to craft great drinks and our renowned French dip sandwiches until we shutter. We care deeply about our family of staff and are immensely grateful for our amazing guests who have supported Cole's over the years,' the statement said. Yet, their longstanding history and iconic reputation has proved to be unable to withstand LA's climate of crime and rising costs. The city has become a byword for crime, riots and homelessness, amid claims local Democrat lawmakers pay little attention to those affected by the city's many social issues. Accounts of vicious attacks as well as widespread riots and chaos has poured out from the Los Angeles area over recent years, as the once iconic, star-studded area has descended into despair. LA county is spending hundreds of millions to combat its notorious homelessness, while many politicians have seen the efforts as simply condoning drug use. Republican State Sen. Roger Niello said the state needed to improve the lives of homeless people with stricter drug policies, and argued that providing drugs or offering housing would enable homeless behavior, the LA Daily News reported. Earlier this year, a homeless man allegedly tried to start a fire with a blowtorch before he was tackled by locals who zip-tied the man in a citizen's arrest. Locals claimed the man was riding a bicycle around the Woodland Hills neighborhood carrying a large 'propane tank or a flamethrower.' Community members claim they surrounded the man, brought him to the ground and detained him up with zip ties after they allegedly saw him trying to set fire to an object behind a vehicle. The near fire came amid the catastrophic fires in LA that caused widespread devastation and killed at least 29 people. Republican State Sen. Roger Niello said the state needed to improve the lives of homeless people with stricter drug policies, and argued that providing drugs or offering housing would enable homeless behavior Months later, a woman in the Los Feliz neighborhood was savagely attacked near Sunset Drive. Donna DeChristoper, 52, was walking in her usually safe and walkable area when the man began sprinting and attacking her without warning. The man, described as a Hispanic male in his 20s, allegedly punched her in the face three or four times before fleeing the scene. DeChristopher lost consciousness and believed she may have been hit again while on the ground. She was left with a broken nose, stitches, and significant trauma to her face. Councilmember Nithya Raman, who represents the district, responded with a statement: 'While our work has yielded results, including a 40 per cent drop in the number of people living on the streets in our district last year, much more remains to be done and we will continue to deploy every resource available toward address this issue.' The Los Angeles Police Department arrested a homeless man believed to be responsible several days later. While homelessness saw a decline by 49 percent in Hollywood and 22 percent in Venice, Skid Row saw a nine percent increase last year.
Miami Herald
08-07-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Oldest LA restaurant permanently closing after 117 years
It is uncommon for a restaurant to stay in business for over a century, so when one is open for that long, it becomes a local legend and everyone's go-to hangout spot. Every city and town has a much-loved local restaurant that has stood the test of time, a place where many have created lasting memories and fostered meaningful connections. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter Although it's sad when a place that brought us so much joy closes forever, this unfortunate event has become increasingly common in the restaurant sector. Related: After bankruptcy, closed clothing chain hints at comeback Running a restaurant is no piece of cake, especially in today's uncertain economy and amid a consumer slowdown that has been so disruptive, even major restaurant chains have been forced to close locations or file for bankruptcy. Now, a local LA favorite has reached the end of its long-lived run after 117 years in business. Image Source: Shutterstock Cole's French Dip was established in 1908 by Harry Cole inside the historic Pacific Electric Building, making it the oldest public house in Los Angeles. The restaurant has become one of the most iconic eateries in the city because it claims to have invented the French dip sandwich after the house chef, Jack Garlinghouse, dipped bread in meat broth (the "jus" accompanying a sandwich served "au jus") to make it easier for customers with sensitive gums to chew. However, rival LA restaurant Philippe the Original has also claimed the title for years. More Food News: Wendy's quietly brings back unexpected menu item after 8-year hiatusStarbucks unveils huge store updates amid turnaround planMcDonald's brings back experimental menu item 13 years later In 2008, Pouring With Heart, previously called 213 Nightlife, acquired Cole's to continue the restaurant's legacy. It spent $1.6 million on renovations and brought in chef Neal Fraser to improve the original French dip recipe. Cole's is so iconic to LA culture that it has appeared in various classic films and shows, including "Forrest Gump," "The Lincoln Lawyer," and "Mad Men." After 117 years of serving French dip sandwiches to Los Angeles locals, Cole's French Dip announced that it will permanently close its doors on August 3. Unfortunately, being a local favorite didn't make the beloved restaurant immune to the aftermath of uncontrollable events, including the Covid pandemic, the SAG-AFTRA strikes of 2023, and steadily rising operational costs. Compounded by an uncertain economy, these challenges created a financial burden that ultimately proved unsustainable for Cole's, leaving it unable to pay rent. Related: Starbucks' huge new rival opens first US stores Although shocking to the entire community, this was a devastating event waiting to follow after Cedd Moses, the leading partner of Pouring With Heart, closed Varnish, a speakeasy inside Cole's, the year prior, after 15 years in business. "We have cherished our time serving the Downtown community, and will continue to craft great drinks and our renowned French dip sandwiches until we shutter. We care deeply about our family of staff and are immensely grateful for our amazing guests who have supported Cole's over the years," said Moses in a statement to Eater. Related: Veteran fund manager unveils eye-popping S&P 500 forecast The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
The Sun
28-04-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Donald Trump has slaughtered woke, trans sacred cows, shut down illegal migration & rocked the EU – what's next?
Harry Cole, Political Editor Published: Invalid Date, WELL it certainly feels like far longer, but today Donald Trump sails past the 100 day mark in the White House, leaving a world reeling in his wake. With a frantic — perhaps even manic — energy, the 47th President has installed his grip on Washington and the West with eye-popping results. 9 9 9 9 He has sacked thousands of civil servants and taken out whole government agencies at home, while abroad he has flipped over the tables of international norms, once again. Nato countries are in a tizz after being told to finally pay their way, while the EU wobbles under regular assault from a President that hates everything it stands for. China has been hit with the sort of giant stick it uses to throw its weight around the world, while in Iran enemies spend their days nervously looking skyward fearing the dreaded crack of a drone strike. At home Trump has shut down swathes of illegal migration on the southern border and left the human rights brigade howling at the moon with his sweeping deportations back to South America with the flick of the pen. It turns out this sort of thing can be done where there is the political will and a tough enough hind to ignore the shouting. Woke and trans sacred cows have been slaughtered within the US government by Presidential decree, leaving ultra-right-on corporate America scrambling to ditch their own DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) agendas in a dramatic game of catch-up. Wasteful international aid spending has gone up in smoke, while every day the Elon Musk -led Department for Government Efficiency is exposing eye-watering fraud and waste that has taken the American taxpayer for mugs. Carnival of chaos Meanwhile, once scathing tech titans and world leaders, including Sir Keir Starmer, have been quick to take the knee in a newly decorated West Wing that appears to have had its interior design done by Auric Goldfinger. 'It's just a higher level of respect,' the President chortled to the Atlantic magazine this week. Critics howl, markets have wobbled and the world has watched agog as the reality TV guru has turned the Oval Office into a near nightly must-watch docu-drama where you never quite know what will happen next. Blistering tariffs turmoil could spiral into WW3 as China fears 'century of humiliation' plus Europe faces crucial choice Dictators have been fawned over, friends have been lambasted and domestic political enemies humiliated — all while the cameras rolled. Ever the showman, the shot of the leader of the free world standing on the White House balcony last weekend flanked by a giant Easter bunny as he gave solemn remarks about the death of the Pope was a typically and hilariously iconic image that just about sums up the madness of the last the four months. But unlike his first tilt at the Presidency, Trump has installed a White House machine and Cabinet that seem to have his back. The media leaks that plunged his first administration into a den of toxic back-stabbing and paranoia have been plugged, bar a spectacular mishap of two of his most senior lieutenants accidentally texting war plans to a cock-a-hoop magazine journalist. And for a man who knows he only has a couple of years before he becomes a 'lame duck', he has certainly been in a hurry and appears to be enjoying conducting a carnival of chaos. 'The first time, I had two things to do — run the country and survive; I had all these crooked guys,' the President added to Atlantic. 'And the second time, I run the country and the world.' But is he right? And is there a method to the madness? That is the million dollar question that will come to define President Trump's entire legacy. His critics will say otherwise, but what other President has been able to bend the global news and economic agenda to his will in such a way? Countries, including Britain, are literally begging the Americans to spare them from the pain of tariffs — and in doing so, offering to scrap their own import levies on American goods. Trump was talked into a 90-day pause on the most vicious of export duties by Wall Street giants and by seeing the rocketing cost of American debt. Rocketing cost of American debt But that has not stopped world leaders from swinging into action to try to ease their punishment beatings, vowing to close trade deficits and ease barriers to business with the Americans. Should Trump pull that off — and his 'Liberation Day' tariff assault on the world's free markets actually results in lower tariffs and barriers around the world — then he will be laughing. But it will take far longer than 100 days for that pipe dream to be believed. And while the President tells the world he is greatly loved and everything is going swimmingly, the numbers tell a different story. At home his enemies have been quick to leap on an 80-year low in approval ratings for a President after 100 days. For a man who sees TV ratings as the ultimate success benchmark, his 39 per cent approval standing has clearly niggled him, with the President taking to social media to slam pollsters. 9 9 9 Meanwhile, abroad it is a similarly downbeat picture. According to pollsters Ipsos, only 39 per cent of Brits now think the US — once the undisputed leaders of the free world — is still a 'force for good.' That is down 17 points since Trump's remarkable comeback election victory late last year. Alarmingly, across 29 countries, the average of people saying the US is a 'force for good' is just 46 per cent, which is lower than Communist China, for the first time, who are at 49 per cent. Positive sentiment about America has dropped in 26 of 29 countries after Trump's tariff wars sent global markets into freefall and he threatened to invade his nearest neighbours — perhaps not entirely seriously. With the menace of his New York real estate dealer past, he has threatened to annex Greenland, Panama and even the King's own Canada. Rogue state Meanwhile, it appears the President was talked out of bombing Iran with the help of Israel in a bid to rid the rogue state of its alarmingly advanced nuclear developments. A rear-guard action from his own isolation team led by Vice President JD Vance appears to have won the argument, for now, that the administration was elected to stop being the world's policeman. And the tense ceasefire in Gaza, that briefly saw the release of some of the Israeli hostages, has lapsed back into fighting and blockading Hamas, who show no sign of backing down. But nowhere has there been a clearer sign of the President's failure to deliver than in Ukraine. After promising to bring peace within days and weeks of taking office, it appears the self-proclaimed deal-maker may have bitten off more than he can chew. Lavishing praise on Putin has not worked, nor has biting off Zelensky's head in front of a global TV audience. Losing patience with Putin The Kremlin appears to be thumbing its nose at the White House, while it is far from clear that any Ukrainian leader could sign up to the terms being discussed — tracts of land lost to the invader and no guarantee that Putin would not be back for the rest before too long. Trump talks about his loathing of bloody war, but it is far from clear there is an end in sight beyond a total capitulation. The White House said yesterday that the President was increasingly losing patience with Putin's refusal to properly come to the table. But you can not help feel that he is itching to lift sanctions on Russia rather than twist the thumbscrews even further right when the time to squeeze is here. The sovereignty of a ravished nation must not play second fiddle to Trump's desire for economic gain and attempt to lure Russia away from closeness to China. While it may not hurt his domestic standing much, a failure on Ukraine could poison Trump's already rocky standing around the world. Trump's rocky standing And he does not have long to turn things around and for the fruits of his big promises to come true. Those that know him best say there is a zeal to Trump 2.0 that was just not there in his first term. Some put that down to his surviving the horrific assassination attempt last July, where he dodged the reaper — and a sniper's bullet — by just an inch. Others say it is the freedom from the concerns of re-election that mean he has been truly unleashed. But he does not have long. Unable to stand again due to the two-term limit, by the end of next year the question of who comes next to keep the MAGA flame alive will be dominating. The ceaseless pace of the US election cycle means it will not be long before the mid-terms come around and eyes are on the 2028 race. Were the Republicans to lose the House in 18 months' time, Trump's enemies will have more than just screaming in their arsenal as they crank up hearings, probes and the inevitable attempt to impeach him once again. And unless he is careful, plenty of decisions and moments from these first 100 days could give them just the ammunition they need. 9
