Across
They attack nitwit introducing crazy serial (9)
Most fitting introduction to Trump’s cogito? (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Cogito , Latin for ‘I think’, is best known as part of the Cartesian philosophy Cogito ergo sum , ‘I think therefore I am’, the principle establishing the existence of a being from the fact of its thinking or awareness. Whether the current POTUS is capable of any serious thinking or awareness is open to question, but if he had a first guiding principle, it might be I DEAL. Witness the ‘deals’ he has done in various parts of the world, or the deal he is soon going to offer Greenland …
Partner of 26, or just the opposite (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Brendan is referencing the fact that NORTH and SOUTH (26dn) can be partners in bridge, but opposites when it comes to geography.
Televise broadcast about cold courses for choosy types (9)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
An insertion of C in (TELEVISE)* The insertion indicator is ‘about’ and the anagrind is ‘broadcast’.
Takes in one lot of rubbish or another (7)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
A charade of A BS OR BS, which if you take BS to mean ‘bullshit’ is one lot of rubbish, or another.
Protest less than polite, altogether fiendish (7)
19a
Like others in hierarchy, a baron avowed noble must change (5,3,5)
See 17
See 17
Removes children, withdrawn over inadequate service (7)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
An insertion of LET (think tennis) in SEED reversed. The insertion indicator is ‘over’ and the reversal indicator is ‘withdrawn’.
Slander university in peaceful US city (7)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
An insertion of U in CALM, followed by NY. The insertion indicator is ‘in’.
Bad fine contributed to ruin for sinister school members (9)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
An insertion of EVIL and F in DISH. The insertion indicator is ‘contributed to’. A school of DEVILFISH might be considered ‘sinister’, but only because of their name. They eat mainly krill.
Partner of 11, or just the opposite (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
The same parsing as for 11ac.
It’s signed like this – that’s a disadvantage (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
The en dash has to be included as part of the definition, since it’s also used as a minus sign.
Key line on senate is rewritten (9)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
A charade of (SENATE IS)* and L. The anagrind is ‘rewritten’.
Down
Not for the first time, 20% is skimmed off top as profit (4)
Strong drink available in judge’s press office (8)
Religious leader under intense pressure bungled rites (4,6)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
A charade of HIGH, P and (RITES)* with ‘bungled’ as the anagrind.
Rest of MPs are heard too much after vote’s cancelled (6)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
A charade of R for ‘are’ said out loud (‘heard’) and E[X]CESS.
Rose, while initially cultivated, later destroyed (8)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
A charade of AS, C for the initial letter of ‘cultivated’ and ENDED.
Raise temperature for last part of personal story (4)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Brendan is inviting you to replace the E in LIFE with a T.
Drag higher on charts? It’s way up there (6)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
A charade of HEAVE and N. ‘Higher on charts’ would be N or North.
Starts off puzzle like ultimate solver – that’s an advantage (4)
Confer on area with room for improvement (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
A charade of A and WARD.
I help police following gang I left, preparing for action (10)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
A charade of MOB, I, L and I SING.
Concealing pained expression, call for old form of money (5)
Dropped from height, rests up in a part of hospital (8)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
An insertion of LIES reversed in A BED. The insertion indicator is ‘in’ and the reversal indicator is ‘up’.
Bottom falling out of luxury vehicle in part of France once (8)
Full of affection, experience desire, sex included (6)
House goes into what bill gives one party organizer (2-4)
Put down as stupid, giving away bishop for pawn (4)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
A replacement of the B for ‘bishop’ with P for ‘pawn’ in DUMB.
Part of Hollywood location ultimately doubled deficit (4)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Hollywood is in LOS ANGELES; the first part of that is LOS; double the last letter and you end up with LOSS.
It’s a long way down but it can be raised (4)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
A dd. The second element is referring to the expression ‘raising hell’.
Type letters or click words in the clue