Dr. D's column: Why Gotham and Hans Zimmer are not very happy with Trump

Dear Dr D,
The two of us, one fictional character and the other historical but expired, have a grievance we want you to address. One of us comes from Gotham and the other from Porbandar, but we have united in a common interest.

The most disliked man in politics around the world (he goes by the initials DJT and not NDM, by the way) has been using our material to promote his 2020 campaign. We reproduce the text of a news report on this: “Trump posted a fan-made, two -minute video for his 2020 re-election campaign that featured Hans Zimmer’s 'Why Do We Fall?' from the 2012 film.


“It also featured the font used in the film’s title cards and the words: ‘First they ignore you. Then they laugh at you. Then they call you a racist. Donald J Trump. Your vote. Proved them all wrong. Trump: The Great Victory. 2020’, as pictures of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton flashed up – a Mahatma Gandhi misquote that the Trump campaign itself has previously employed and been pulled up for.” That quote is, of course, “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.”

We do not want to associate our work and our words with a man with no respect for women and no real intellect, even if he has millions of devotees. What can we do to distance ourselves from his appropriation?
Bruce Wayne MK Gandhi

Dear Messers Wayne and Gandhi,
This is indeed a delicate situation. I suggest that, in defiance of Bapu’s dictum, you first ignore him, as the rest of the world has long done.

(The author is one of the leading doctors in the country. He values his privacy, but not of his clients.)

STATUTORY WARNING: This humour column is not for the weak-kneed or the thin-skinned.

Donald Trump, Navjot Singh Sidhu & Jack Dorsey: When A Power Trip Goes Wrong

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A small misstep can turn a political or business-inspired visit into an international incident. Here’s a look back at some of the big blunders in recent times.

A small misstep can turn a political or business-inspired visit into an international incident. Here’s a look back at some of the big blunders in recent times.

In July 2018, President Trump’s remarks during a joint press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the US-Russia summit in Helsinki, Finland, shocked everyone back in the US. Trump contradicted US intelligence agencies and said there had been no reason for Russia to meddle in the 2016 presidential elections. “They [the agencies] said they think it’s Russia; I have President Putin, he just said it’s not Russia. I will say this: I don’t see any reason why it would be...” After facing backlash, Trump backtracked saying he meant to say ‘wouldn’t’ instead of ‘would’.

In July 2018, President Trump’s remarks during a joint press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the US-Russia summit in Helsinki, Finland, shocked everyone back in the US. Trump con..

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The 73-year-old Filipino President, Rodrigo Duterte, attended the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) annual meeting in Singapore last year. He, however, remained absent for four out of 11 events he was scheduled to attend on one of the days of the summit. His office then released a statement saying he had been taking power naps due to insufficient sleep the previous night. When questioned about it, he asked reporters “What’s wrong with my nap?”

The 73-year-old Filipino President, Rodrigo Duterte, attended the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) annual meeting in Singapore last year. He, however, remained absent for four out of 1..

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In November last year, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey (centre with the poster) became an easy target for trolls during his maiden visit to India. During a meeting with activists and journalists, Dorsey was photographed with a placard that read ‘Smash Brahmanical Patriarchy’. As the picture went viral on social media, Dorsey and Twitter were forced to issue an apology.

In November last year, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey (centre with the poster) became an easy target for trolls during his maiden visit to India. During a meeting with activists and journalists, Dorsey was..

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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and family visited India in February 2018. But during his stay in the country, Trudeau was widely mocked for his over-the-top sartorial choices and visits to well-known sightseeing spots. However, what drew serious flak was the news that the Canadian high commissioner had extended an invitation to convicted Khalistani separatist Jaspal Atwal for a dinner reception. The invitation was later rescinded and Trudeau offered a formal apology.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and family visited India in February 2018. But during his stay in the country, Trudeau was widely mocked for his over-the-top sartorial choices and visits to w..

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Punjab’s cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu was criticised for hugging the chief of Pakistan’s army General Bajwa at the swearing-in ceremony of Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan. Sidhu was also seen sitting next to the ‘president’ of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir at the event. Sidhu said he had hugged the general after being told that efforts were being made to open the Kartarpur Sahib corridor to facilitate pilgrimages.

Punjab’s cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu was criticised for hugging the chief of Pakistan’s army General Bajwa at the swearing-in ceremony of Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan. Sidhu was also ..

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