Trump fiddles as markets burn

A meme retweeted by US President Donald Trump showing him playing the fiddle - just as the coronavirus causes global havoc and stock markets crash - brings to mind the leader of another country: Emperor Nero of Ancient Rome.

Trump retweeted the image, which had a caption reading: "My next piece is called nothing can stop what's coming."

He attached a disclaimer saying: "Who knows what this means, but it sounds good to me!"

Nero, of course, is famous for "fiddling while Rome burns" - a phrase that has come to mean someone is frivolously neglecting their duties in times of crisis.

Whatever hidden meaning the meme might have, it sure sounded a sour note with his critics, with one commenting: "I guess they're [Trump supporters] counting on Americans being too dumb to see the Nero comparison."