If Vladimir Putin had any doubts whether his big investment in Donald Trump would pay off, he got his answer relatively quickly. Trump’s just concluded first trip abroad as commander in chief of the United States made all those rubles spent to get him elected the bargain of a lifetime.
Yes, Putin no doubt knew a Trump presidency would be a destabilizing factor inside American politics but could he have known the former reality TV star would be able to single-handedly sink America’s hard earned reputation in the world, particularly among our allies, so fast?
Ivo H. Daalder, a former U.S. NATO envoy, has said, thanks to Trump, the days of American global leadership are over.
“This seems to be the end of an era, one in which the United States led and Europe followed,” stated Daalder. “The president’s failure to endorse Article 5 in a speech at NATO headquarters, his continued lambasting of Germany and other allies on trade, his apparent decision to walk away from the Paris climate agreement – all suggest that the United States is less interested in leading globally than has been the case for the last 70 years.”
German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, in a speech following Trump’s visit admitted (ok indirectly) Germany and Europe could no longer count on the United States for support.
The days when her continent could rely on others was “over to a certain extent,” said Europe’s de facto leader. “This is what I have experienced in the last few days. And that is why I can only say that we Europeans must take fate into our own hands.”
A relationship with our allies that took President Obama years to mend following the disaster otherwise known as George W. Bush, wiped away by a bullying, hostile Trump in just one visit! Or as Trump himself described it: “Trip was a great success for America.” Putin, the former KGB spy, must be downright giddy! He has proven himself to be nothing short of a political mastermind.
Americans, and allies, take heart. Trump will not always occupy the Oval Office. Whether sooner or later, a new chief executive will be elected.
One can only hope the new American leader will be able to repair the damage done by the most unqualified, unfit president in American history and reclaim America’s rightful title as “leader of the free world.”
Do the Democrats have another Obama hiding somewhere?
Photo | the sun.co.uk
We can hope that in 2020, someone will emerge as truly a leader of men and women and not just a bully, a fascist, a narcissist, a misogynist, a xenophobe, a conman, a fraud and an orangutan.
2020 seems so far away. Just think of the further damage Trump could inflict! I don’t think we have to wait that long for Trump to go.
Better investment than having bought Apple at $7 a share!
Don’t remind me. I’m still kicking myself!
So sad and so true