When we were putting together the latest issue of Spectator Life, we had a debate about whether to put Donald Trump on the cover – not out of any political squeamishness, but because the article about him by Alex Connock is 26 years old. Back in 1990, Alex was a cub reporter for an American weekly magazine and was sent to Atlantic City to write a piece about Trump’s latest casino. The billionaire took a shine to him and made him an offer that, as a journalist, he couldn’t refuse: to join him and Michael Jackson on a trip in a private jet. Alex’s account of that adventure is so funny – and so illuminating – we decided it justified its cover slot in spite of its age. I particularly enjoyed Alex’s description of the King of Pop:
Michael was a nervous presence, taller than you’d think, with a finely shaped nose and visible make-up. If he had scars, you couldn’t see them. He spoke very little and in that weird, high-pitched whisper which would not have felt out of place in a Star Trek movie. I couldn’t make out what he was saying and thought it would be impertinent to ask him to repeat himself. So I nodded along, grinning enthusiastically. I’d be surprised if Trump could make head or tail of it either, but he was polite and good-humoured about it. All casino owners have a good poker face.
There are plenty of other goodies to get your teeth into in the current issue. Alex Wickham, chief reporter for the Guido Fawkes website, has put together a revealing profile of Jon Lansman, the surprisingly affable leader of Momentum. Emily Hill has written a piece about the rise and fall of Cameron’s Notting Hill Set, which has disappeared almost without a trace since his resignation. I say ‘almost’ but Sarah Vine, aka Mrs Michael Gove, is still alive and kicking and has test-driven the new McLaren Spider for us in her regular motoring column. Julie Burchill has done a travel piece about Tel Aviv, her favourite city. And Taki looks back at the world’s greatest ever nightclub, El Morocco in New York. We also have our usual array of star columnists: Roger Scruton, Merryn Somerset Webb, Brendan O’Neill, Olivia Potts, Bruce Palling and Candida Crewe.
You can read all of these pieces online or pick up a hard copy for free with the current issue of The Spectator.
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