Trump’s gangster affectation was always part of his appeal

Finally, some real evidence of electoral fraud. After weeks of claims and court dismissals, Donald Trump at last has solid evidence that this is a country where elected officials can pick up a phone and try to fix the results, and that, as the mobsters used to say, the fish rots from the head. Unfortunately for Trump, he’s the one on the line — and the hook. Call him The Codfather.

The leaked recording of Trump trying to strong-arm Georgia’s secretary of state Brad Raffensperger confirms that The Godfather movies aren’t just an immigrant parable, but also a handbook to how to get on and up in American life. If something’s broken — the political system, for instance — then fix it.

‘There’s nothing wrong with saying that y’know, er…that you’ve recalculated,’ the Don suggests, asking Raffensperger to feel down the back of his peach-coloured sofa for some loose votes.

When Raffensperger refuses, the Don warns he’s taking ‘a big risk’.