As 2025 dawned a 40-year-old Norwegian man called Jørgen set out his hopes for the coming year. In particular, he spoke about his dismay at the increasing polarization, and the 'rise of autocratic political tendencies' around the world. 'More concerning was the erosion of freedom of expression even in democratic nations,' he complained. 'In the United States, President Donald Trump launched more than 100 verbal attacks on the media during his election campaign.' Such sentiments might be expected from a liberal speaking in Scandinavia but the man's words will reverberate at the White House. They were spoken by Jørgen Watne...