The Blame Game Begins

Donald John Trump, born June 14, 1946, in Queens, New York, is an American businessman, media personality, and politician. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School in 1968 with a degree in economics. In 1971, he took over his family’s real estate business, renaming it the Trump Organization, through which he expanded into building and managing skyscrapers, hotels, casinos, and golf courses. Trump gained widespread fame as the host of the reality TV show *The Apprentice* from 2004 to 2015, which helped establish his public persona as a successful entrepreneur. Trump entered politics as a Republican and was elected the 45th president of the United States, serving from 2017 to 2021. His presidency was marked by significant policy actions including tax cuts, deregulation, the appointment of three Supreme Court justices, renegotiation of trade agreements (notably replacing NAFTA with the USMCA), and a focus on immigration control including border wall expansion. He withdrew the U.S. from international agreements such as the Paris Climate Accord and the Iran nuclear deal, and engaged in a trade war with China. His administration’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic was criticized for downplaying the virus’s severity. Trump was impeached twice by the House of Representatives—first in 2019 for abuse of power and obstruction, and again in 2021 for incitement of insurrection—but was acquitted by the Senate both times. After losing the 2020 election to Joe Biden, Trump challenged the results, culminating in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. He remains a central figure in American politics, having won the 2024 presidential election and returned as the 47th president in 2025, continuing to promote policies aimed at economic growth, border security, and military strength[1][2][3][4].

Keir Starmer, born on September 2, 1962, in London, England, is a British politician and barrister. He grew up in Oxted, Surrey, with his father working as a toolmaker and his mother as an NHS nurse. Starmer was the first in his family to attend university, studying law at the University of Leeds and later earning a postgraduate degree from the University of Oxford[2][3]. Before entering politics, Starmer had a distinguished career as a barrister. He qualified in 1987 and was appointed Queen's Counsel (QC) in 2002. Notably, he served as the Director of Public Prosecutions from 2008 to 2013, leading the Crown Prosecution Service[2]. He was knighted in 2014 for his contributions to criminal justice[2]. Starmer was elected as a Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras in 2015. He became the Shadow Minister for Immigration under Jeremy Corbyn but later resigned in protest. He then served as Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union[5]. In April 2020, he was elected as the leader of the Labour Party, winning with a significant majority in the first round of voting[5]. In July 2024, Starmer became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom following a landslide Labour victory in the general election, replacing Rishi Sunak[1][4]. As Prime Minister, he is focused on implementing Labour's manifesto, which includes objectives related to the economy, crime, healthcare, education, and climate change[1]. His leadership marks a significant shift in British politics, emphasizing national renewal and change[4]. Starmer is married to Victoria Starmer, an NHS worker, and they have two children[4].