The President is at the center of a brazenly transactional ecosystem that rewards flattery and lockstep loyalty.

A cellophane window in each box showed that the speaker was a miniature bust of Trump wearing a red tie, a blue suit coat with an American flag lapel pin and a red hat bearing the MAGA mantra.

An illustration of a magnifying glass. An illustration of a magnifying glass.

It was then-President Joe Biden who embraced Whelan and talked with him for several minutes. Later, Biden took his American flag lapel pin and handed it to the former U.S. Marine. President Joe Biden ...

Later, Biden took his American flag lapel pin and handed it to the former U.S. Marine. Whelan says the warm welcome from America was short-lived.

Later, Biden took his American flag lapel pin and handed it to the former U.S. Marine. President Joe Biden greets Paul Whelan at Andrews Air Force Base following his release. Whelan says the warm ...