Free Republic

Even by the extraordinary standards of Donald Trump, it was a creepy chat-up line. We were at 30,000ft on Trump’s private jet flying to Florida, when he showed me his white leather double bed. ‘I like beautiful things,’ he purred seductively. ‘That’s why I like you so much.’ This was just one of many revealing and excruciating moments during the two weeks I spent with Trump in 1995 while making a 60-minute profile of him for ITV – a fortnight which started with a charm offensive, but ended in bitterness, recrimination and intimidating letters that only stopped when I threatened...

**SNIP** He is set to announce plans that will make it easier for Americans to but homes and attend college. It is a plan he is hoping will be carried by the momentum gained following the high-profile immigration moves with Cuba. On Wednesday he plans to stop in Michigan, Arizona and Tennessee aimed at highlighting how his own economic policies were contributing to the country's recovery. Obama, expected back in Washington on Sunday, has appeared energized by the end-of-the-year action on immigration policy and Cuban relations, suggesting continued presidential relevance despite a political landscape dramatically altered by deep Democratic losses...