Politics
The Media’s Mute Button
In the grand theatre of American dysfunction, where the script is written in thought bubbles and the props are recycled from 2020, the media plays the role of hapless understudy – nodding along to every […]
Articles by Michael Taylor
Politics
The End of the Joke
The laughter stopped years ago. The consequences haven’t. For years, Donald Trump was treated as a punchline – a blustering reality show host who stumbled into the presidency, mocked for his ego, his rhetoric, and […]
Politics
Always someone better
If you’ve already won two presidential elections – both mired in controversy, lawsuits, and disbelief – and twice been named Time Person of the Year, you might think the world has already given you more […]
AIM Extra
The People versus Murdoch: the rise of independent media
Over a decade ago, I wrote about a subject that remains as relevant today as ever. For nearly twenty years, I’ve been hammering away at the keyboard – a space where I could speak freely, […]
Politics
Hastie’s ascent would be a gift for Labor
The chatter emanating from Canberra is as telling as it is delicious. The speculation that Andrew Hastie, the former SAS captain and current hard-right warrior, is considering a run for the Liberal leadership is the […]
Politics
Betrayed at the ballot: six ways Labor lost its progressive soul
Author’s Note: In the three years since Labor’s 2022 election victory, and particularly since the 2025 federal election, a growing chorus of progressive voices – once fervent supporters – has emerged online, voicing a profound […]
Politics
Political déjà vu: Ignore the problem, then blame Labor
Thou doth protest too much For as long as I’ve watched Australian politics, one pattern stands out: Coalition governments are largely idle, achieve little, and then, once in opposition, loudly criticise Labor for failing to […]
Politics
The verdict was clear, but is anyone in the Coalition listening?
Four months ago, at the federal election, the Australian people spoke with a clarity that reverberated across the political landscape. It wasn’t just a loss for the Coalition; it was a repudiation. The electorate delivered […]
Politics
The distant thunder: how Trump’s America echoes in our own backyard
From the sun-bleached beaches of Surfers Paradise to the quiet verandahs of the suburbs, we Australians have long viewed American politics with a mixture of fascination and detachment. It was a dramatic, often chaotic, television drama […]
Politics
Low-information politics: Trump’s home turf
When facts get fuzzy and slogans get loud, Trump isn’t just surviving – he’s thriving. Someone once told me politicians like to keep the electorate stupid so they’re more likely to keep voting for them. […]
Politics
Escalating nonsense at the UN
When an escalator at the United Nations momentarily stopped with President Trump on it, you might think the incident would warrant little more than a shrug and a quick call to maintenance. Escalators stop all […]
Politics
Trump’s rambling assault on science, amplified by Fox’s unquestioning echo
In a White House press conference on September 22, President Trump once again proved that when it comes to public health, coherence takes a backseat to conspiracy. Flanked by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert […]
Politics
The Trump-Albanese “snub”: media hysteria meets public indifference
Last week, President Donald Trump floated the idea of a meeting with Anthony Albanese during his whirlwind New York visit, even teasing a chat about an ABC journalist. But now, with Trump’s 24-hour itinerary for […]
Politics
Trump and the Shadow of Fascism
In recent months, accusations that Donald Trump and his administration embody fascism have become more frequent. The word carries historical weight, and using it carelessly risks turning it into a mere insult. But the question […]
Politics
America’s overreach: bullying allies to bury Palestine’s statehood
As the United Nations General Assembly convenes on September 22, the world watches a pivotal moment in the Israel-Palestine conflict. But instead of diplomacy, the U.S. Congress has chosen intimidation. On September 18, Republican leaders […]