Dear friends, especially my American friends, this post is about Trump from a European point of view. I am so sorry if it offends but it is how most of us think. I’d skip it if you approve of Trump’s recent actions at home and abroad.
Anyway, last week on Thursday, I had written about 25% of what I thought would be my next post. This was a calm and measured response to Trump’s first month. I’d written about the goings on inside the US. Indeed, encouraged by an item I read I even looked at the American Constitution and Articles I Section 1 and Article III and Section 1 which both explicitly set out that power resides in the judiciary and legislature.
I then aimed to look at the Trump’s apparent closeness to Putin and the consequences for Ukraine, and Europe’s position in all of this. Why? Because although we did not vote for Trump, my word we have to take note of him and act. We should have known that because – does Trump care for Europe in any way whatsoever? No. So obvious after Vance’s lecture to European leaders about democracy in Europe and then his meeting with the near fascist AfD.
But at that point, it was still quite an academic exercise, with me having a coffee early this week, with a friend who is an Emeritus Professor of Economics who has a lot of information about Ukrainian minerals and that deal the Ukrainians were having to get to grips with. I thought I’d be looking at that deal closely. Then finally I was going to take a look at the truly, quite awful view Trump has of Gaza.
It was all so neat and tidy.
Also to get out of my leftish bubble I not only read, JD Vance’s memoir Hillbilly Elegy, I twisted my other half ‘s arm to watch the film of the book (as he couldn’t believe I wanted this) and on Friday evening we watched it on Netflix.
Actually, it’s not a bad film, and having read the book and now watched the film, I did feel a smidgen of empathy for the man. What a rough start to his life. What an effort he made to move away from the poverty and chaos of his childhood. Yes. OK, I thought when the film ended, I see where you came from and well done you to get where you are.
And then I picked up my phone and saw there had been some kind of altercation in the Oval Office. I opened the video of a shouting match. What the actual….?
Good grief. I was appalled. You watch and it’s like you’ve been punched in the gut. Is this really happening? And as for that Vance person, my view of him went down south in an instant. You toad, I thought. Yup, my academic approach slid away at that moment, and I thought you utter toadying, weasel of a person. How dare you. And Trump, how dare you berate Zelensky who is at war with a ruthless dictator who invaded his country and is determined to take over and swallow up his homeland, Ukraine. Zelensky is a hero. And you two….? Cowards and bullies, both of you. Bone spurs….military journalist……
Anyway, my jaw which has been dropping over this last month was well and truly on the floor. What behaviour!
So that post is in the bin, and I write a completely different post now. I am really trying not to shout, but it is quite an effort to calm down. Because every day something new happens and these are not good happenings either.
First of all, what did we expect from Trump? This behaviour of his should not be a surprise.
We knew Trump was a disrupter, we could see that. We could see this happening almost immediately with his friend/donor Musk put in charge of DOGE and winkling his way into national databases to lay off thousands of federal employees many of whom are doing essential work for the US and its citizens. What happens to their lives, their health insurance and their mortgages? It must be so painful.
And away from the shores of America the cuts to the US Agency of International Development will have a devastating effect on millions of the poor, the vulnerable and the starving of this world. Apparently 90% of foreign aid contracts are terminated so food assistance to the starving of Ethiopia, malnourished children in the Congo, communal kitchens in war-torn Sudan, 50 health centres in Somalia, health clinics in Afghanistan and so many more projects and programmes – all closed down.
Quite frankly, the cutting of foreign aid is not thought through one bit as China and Russia will race to fill the gap. And any good will to America and the soft power that these humanitarian programmes provide – gone. As for people dying as a result of these cuts – who cares? Not the Trump administration.
I suppose Trump and MAGA see these people as losers? America first they will say. And look, we in the UK are also cutting foreign aid to fund an increase in defence spending (more about defence in a minute). It’s an easy target isn’t it. Why give money to far away people in countries we know nothing about? But aid is so much more than the actual money.
Did Trump think (no, of course not) that aid is not only food, but education, health, well-being, and lives lived better than before rather than so many people dying. The consequence of this non-provision is not only short sighted (as far as the loss of strategic soft power) the thing to consider is that the worse a third world country becomes, the poorer a country becomes, the hungrier people become, the more they will want to move across oceans and live elsewhere.
America is now known as unreliable in so many ways, but the cuts to foreign aid are so harsh. But it is part of the plan.
So, who has read all the 900 pages of Project 2025? I admit I haven’t. But I do read things, so you don’t have to (!) like Putin’s treatise on returning and incorporating a part of the world into Russia’s historically righteous embrace, namely Ukraine.
And I have read summaries of this ‘Project’ 2025.
As you all know the American constitution was set up to prevent a monarchy ever returning by separating power into 3 arms: legislature, executive, and judiciary with many additional checks and balances. But I would argue (as many are doing) that Trump and his followers are involved in a revolution. Yes. A revolution, to change this balance to one arm – to his advantage.
Is that hyperbole? Well, no. Project 2025 reads as a right-wing takeover of Government institutions. And amongst many targets and aims, sets out plans to take control and/or abolish key government departments and agencies, reduce taxes on corporations, cut Medicare and Medicaid, reduce environmental regulations, criminalise abortion and birth control medications and above all, replace federal workers (who are seen as unaccountable and ’liberal’) with people loyal to Trump.
An aside here, I must one day, set out the different interpretations of the term liberal. Because it is a neutral word in the UK and apparently not so in the US.
Anyway, despite denying that he had anything to do with the Project 2025, the majority of the Executive orders signed by Trump in his first month, mirror aims and ideas in this manifesto.
OK setting aside Trump’s plans for domestic matters within the US, and indeed Gaza, the latter of which are horrific, let’s just look at the damage done last Friday. And now as I write (on Tuesday) here we have it the cessation, or pausing, of US support for Ukraine.
The thing is many Americans voted for a disrupter. But we didn’t. And yet look how Trump affects us all.
The fracas in the Oval Office was so obviously deliberate. It was a set-up. Anything to make this remarkable President (and that’s not Trump) look bad. And now we have the end of that ‘game’ played on Friday.
Here are my thoughts on this drastic change of US policy and the ramifications of ‘pausing’ the military aid to Ukraine.
First of all, this is the end of the Atlantic Alliance. We stand alone now against tyranny. America is not our ally anymore. We know now where we stand. We being Europe. My first thought is, it feels very Munich, peace in our time, and 1938.
We cannot rely on America.
But why are we surprised? If Trump was elected this turning away from Europe was going to happen. He was always going to do the opposite of Biden in every possible way.
Second, what a disgrace it is that we are so dependent on the US. It has been said many times we should have upped our contributions to NATO – all of us, every one of us Europeans. And why have we, the UK, bought so much military kit from the US? We are so beholden to the US and now that rather sticks in the throat. It’s all so ill-thought through.
And yet at the same time, let’s step back a moment. And look a little deeper. We should also attempt to understand Putin’s paranoia and his alarm that Ukraine, on his doorstep, might join Nato. I wrote about NATO’s expansion some time ago – see here. Russia has always wanted the countries around the Russian border to be sympathetic to Russia rather than the encroachment of Western alliances, friendships, treaties and so on that he and Russia have got now. What Putin and indeed the entire population of Russia wants are sympathetic countries surrounding Russia to act as buffers. Look at Russia’s history to understand Putin’s actions. You don’t have to like Putin, or approve of his invasion, to say, oh yes, Russia has always suffered hugely from invasion.
I rather agree with a pundit (Simon Jenkins) writing that Putin is far more like Stalin than Hitler so my description of feeling that this is all rather like 1938 is probably unwarranted. That was truly a first reaction. The key question for Europe is, does Putin really want Poland and the Baltic states? My answer is, although we are now living is exceedingly dangerous times, I think not.
But what he does want is Ukraine.
Now interestingly I don’t know what ‘news’ you read or hear, and I haven’t double and trebled checked this as it is my first thoughts on this subject. But i) Russia’s economy is tanking and ii) the advance of Russia and the supposed imminent defeat of Ukraine is largely propaganda. Instead, I’ve heard that it would take Russia 88 years to advance to Kiev at the rate it is going now. I give several sources below but I also hear that we with our Western media tend to immediately know when Russia advances and captures a couple of villages but there is little about Ukraine’s successes and dogged determination to hold the line.
In other words, throughout the 3 years of war, the might of Russia has been held in check by Ukraine forces (and all the military aid it’s been given – for which it is very grateful). Of particular significance is that on its invasion of Ukraine Russia did not advance to Kiev in 3 days – it was stopped in its tracks. And at that point, remember, Ukraine had no military aid. Now, Russia must be dancing a jig with glee, as Trump is managing to hand them a kind of victory. But never ever forget that Putin’s army isn’t particularly effective.
So, will everyone get round the table and agree a ‘peace’? Which from the Russian point of view would be keeping what they have grabbed so far. The answer is, don’t know.
What is certain is nothing is certain, as I hear on Tuesday evening that the minerals treaty between the US and the Ukraine is on again. With this administration expect shocks and awe and events to be announced all the time – whether anything coherent happens is another matter.
If Putin wins what he wants – the parts of the Ukraine Russia holds now – I do predict (and one shouldn’t do that) that he won’t stop with what are to him small and incomplete gains.
A couple of years down the line while Trump is still in power, there will be another invasion of Ukraine. In the meantime, there will probably be elections in Ukraine, which I expect Putin hopes would prove fruitful for him. Never forget though, Putin didn’t really win – what a David and Goliath effort it has been.
But moving into more of Europe? That is and would be so very dangerous, and I really don’t think that will happen. Mind you expect lots of rhetoric from European leaders. They will ramp up the fear in order, I think, to change hearts and minds – and budgets.
And now setting aside both Trump and Putin, back to Europe.
I absolutely believe even if the Democrats return to power in 4 years – the reliance on the US is over. Things will never be the same again. Europe has to get its act together and be united in its defence and strategic place in the world. What a criminal shame the UK is not part of the EU. Because what might happen is that we might indeed come to play an important part in the strategic development of a European defence policy – we absolutely must stand with Europe because where else…? Yes, all of that, but what we lack will be the economic benefits of belonging to the EU. Ah well, democracy…..
I am going to end on a note of an exceedingly cautious note of small positive next steps.
This really is the wake-up call for Europe. We have two leaders carving up the world. Think of that Gilray cartoon. Two powerful leaders Trump and Putin now have their allotted spheres of influence. With Trump easing off all restrictions and sanctions on Putin and both of them carving up Ukraine between them. In some ways we‘ve gone back to the 19th Century. Or if not the 19th Century think of Orwell and the three areas of Oceania, Eurasia and Eastasia – with the UK not in Oceania but slightly lost in the sea next to Eurasia.
Europe stand your ground. Be there, Europe. That could happen. Do we really have to grovel. Dear American friends it is so amazing and mind-blowing that I am saying that last sentence about Europe grovelling to America rather than Russia.
And as for defence know that we have to contribute. Yes, the UK has upped its defence budget a bit from 2% to 2.5%. But I think every single country will have to go much further, to 3% at least, 4% perhaps. That’s going to be interesting, as to how that might be funded. Starmer, for goodness sake, please tax the rich!
There will need to be much higher contributions to NATO although what actual form NATO will take in Trump’s time – who knows. But Europe and European leaders – this is it. Go for it. Btw, an aside. Overall, I am quite conflicted about NATO, I’m not keen, as it’s a fossilised relic that everyone wrings their hands over. Oh, we’ve had it ever since the Second World War, we must keep it. But it is a truly aggressive manifestation of Western military power. Or was. Where do we go with a President in America who now sides with Russia? What a crazy situation.
And secondly, we have to look at democratic processes. Who runs our lives? Corporations and tech bros? Or our Parliaments and legislature. Limit these bro behaviours do – and tax them. It could be done. Also look at the right-wing parties that are growing ever stronger and ask why is that? We do need to think outside the box.
While there is so much more to think and write about, e.g. the tariffs currently causing world-wide turmoil. Does Trump understand tariffs – not sure. And I never once mentioned the treaty signed in Budapest in 1994 when Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons. They gave these weapons up and in exchange had security guarantees from the US, the UK, France, China and, oh, Russia! But I shall stop now.
In the meantime, expect this post to be out of date by tomorrow.
With love
Penny
P.S. The next post will be on films, the Oscars and tv shows.
References and further reading
Atlantic Council experts, What the world thinks of Trumps return. November 8 2024
Andrew Roth, JD Vance breaks taboo by meeting with leader of Germany’s far-right party, The Guardian February 14 2025
David Allen Green, Thinking about a revolution The Law and Policy blog, March 5 2025
Sam Mednick et al, USAID cuts: Here are 20n projects that have closed. AP News, March 1 2025
Simon Jenkins, Putin is not Hitler. The Guardian, March 4 2025
Also anything by Heather Cox Richardson who writes a daily Letters from an American.
Bravo Penny! I was incandescent with rage when I saw them bullying Zelensky. Trump is of course a draft dodger.
You’re right that Europe (and Canada, God bless them) has to step up. Together we have more GDP and military force than the US. The problem is that we would contravene NATO guidelines if we reacted v Russia. I hope it doesn’t come to that. However we cannot be allies of the US any longer with Trump’s support for despots and pariahs.
Yes, me too, I was so very very angry. Such horrible behaviour. Btw I am very sorry to have missed out a mention of Canada who really ought to have had (and should have) more support from the King as head of the Commonwealth.
It is a new world order.
Thanks Gail
Oh Penny, I so appreciate your ability to be clear headed in your writing to get the frightening points across. I try to keep up with what that idiot is doing around the world but I am so concerned for our own country of Canada. He is convinced he will take us over and rape our country of it’s natural resources. We must also remain united but with a change in leadership hanging over us I am worried. We are surrounded by bullies to the south and north. How is it possible that one man can cause so much chaos in such a short time. My heart aches for our future.
Thanks again for your brilliant writing
HI Diane B
I also live in Canada, and I am tired of listening to Trump and seeing his unprofessional and classless behavior. For now, I only look at headlines – I can’t and won’t watch an entire newscast.
Oh Cindy I am so sorry. I had to write this – we are all so angry with Trump. You are so right – it was such un-Presidential and unprofessional behaviour. And I do apologise for not mentioning that Trudeau came over to England for that meeting on Sunday with other European leaders. He was so very welcome.
Moreover I do hope the King says something in favour of Canada being head of the Commonwealth. He really should rather than invite that man to come here.
Thank you Cindy, I send many good wishes to you and your country from across the pond.
It is all so ghastly Diane and I do apologise for not mentioning that Trudeau came over for that meeting on Sunday with European leaders. He was so welcome.
I rather wonder who will take over from Trudeau? Will it be Mark Carney – he feels like a safe pair of hands.
We have to act together and it is wonderful that Canada is with Europe. But oh my goodness where is this all going. Thing is we don’t know.
Very best wishes to you Diane
Hi Penny. I agree with almost everything you say. These are frightening and depressing times, to say the least. I would just challenge you on one thing though – your statement that “What Putin and indeed the entire population of Russia wants are sympathetic countries surrounding Russia to act as buffers.” Putin, yes of course; entire population of Russia – not at all. It’s difficult to estimate the size of the anti-Putin constituency in a society in the grip of a murderous dictatorship, where dissent regularly leads to imprisonment or worse, but the examples that we do get to see probably only represent a tiny fraction of those who strongly disagree with Putin. Most are understandably too scared to voice their opposition. I very much doubt that these people harbour the same crazy ambitions as Putin. Like the rest of us, they probably just want to live their lives in peace. x
Oh yes, I absolutely agree there is opposition to Putin as we saw many people putting roses on Navalny’s grave at his burial last year in Moscow – those were brave people.
But I do think that all Russians have this atavistic fear of invasion. NATO has not helped in this at all. I spent some time during my degree on International Relations studying the Soviet Union and its satellite countries. Even those in Russia who oppose Putin must be aware of how the West views Russia. Protection from countries around their border that are a bit more sympathetic to them would be, I think, what most Russians want.
if Russia were to take the whole of Ukraine – that wouldn’t work at all as there would be a continuous guerrilla war. If Russia takes on the parts that it now holds – that might just about work as many of the inhabitants in that region are of Russian origin. But yes, there have to be some Russians who oppose the war in Ukraine who we would never hear from. It is sadly true, however, that Putin has a very big hold on the ‘news’ and many believe it is a just war to remove fascists.
And indeed yes, so true, most people want to live out their lives in peace. Thank you so much Jan
Penny – unfortunately, you are spot on with every single point – and what a beautiful and eloquent job you did! I am in the 50% of Americans who are sickened, horrified, and in utter horror over what that monster is doing to our country, and the world. The lack of any meaningful resistance from our members of Congress has caused many to speculate that there is an understood threat to them and their families – indeed, anyone, who speaks out against him. A tweet or two calling someone out by name is all it takes for the death threats to roll in and they’re having to pay for private bodyguards for their children. So my daily calls to my representatives make me feel like I’m doing something, but it’s pretty futile. My 74-yr-old sister has already marched in 2 protests so far this year. I was determined to maintain friendships with some on the other side, to not live in an echo-chamber, but I have unfollowed/unfriended several on social media this week.
The disgraceful spectacle in the White House on Friday was the most disgusting thing I have seen on a public forum. A conman and a hillbilly tried to beat up a war hero, and humiliated themselves and our country in the process – schoolyard bullies, or Mafia shakedown operatives. I was never ashamed to be an American until the election of 2016. I thought hope was restored in 2020. I am in utter despair now. Please don’t think it’s all of us who support this madness.
I listen to a lot of podcasts and all have brought to our attention that Trump didn’t win by the huge majority that he claims, instead the margin is really small. I’ve also seen clips of Rep Al Green being interviewed – well done that man! He seemed very sincere. Hopefully this will happen more and more. But where are the younger up and coming Democrats? Over here we all know of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, but I don’t expect she will ever rise to be President what with so many voters in the US not wanting a woman.
And well done you and your sister.
The thing is Ukraine is in our back-yard. It really matters to us what happens over the next few weeks and months, and years. And actually I think never feel despair and shame for being American but you can feel that for Trump and Vance who are despicable people who Europe cannot trust one single inch.. But we know who our friends are and you, and so many Americans, are our friends right now. We have to hold on to that.
Thanks so much MaryK
Agree with everything Mary Katherine said. Many US citizens are enraged and ashamed.
Hi Royleen – as I’ve just said to Mary Katherine put all that feeling of shame and rage onto Trump and Vance who are truly despicable and kind of low calibre people. We know that the margin Trump got was small, so there are so many of you who feel like us in the UK and beyond and are saying what….. ? and what on earth….? all the time.
We are with you. Royleen. Thank you
The world is in a much poorer and dangerous position for having Trump in the White House.
Zelensky is a true hero for how he has led his country with dignity and determination during this horrific war. Trump is only oafish, bullying, and comes across as having very limited understanding and intelligence. Ravaging a country that has bedn blown apart by bargaining for their scarce resources says all anyone needs to know.
I’d urge everyone to listen to a song by Woody Guthrie calked Old Man Trump. Like father, like son ( and I’m not referring to the talented Guthries here)
And support charities like Mary’s Meals and Lend With Care to help children and families around the world.
It is astonishing that Trump is touting the idea that he is preventing World War III when it is more likely it will happen with the edifice of NATO and the Atlantic Alliance so damaged by the US supporting Russia and becoming a near ally of that country. I mean just as he is disrupting the internal affairs of the States so is Trump disrupting the world order. Little does he seem to realise that the US cannot escape the nuclear cloud.
But I do think quite strongly that we shouldn’t be too alarmist and apologies for that last sentence which I nearly removed but decided not. Having studied the Soviet Union I do believe that it is Ukraine that Putin wants rather than more of Europe. In Putin’s mind Ukraine is Russian, end of, no question etc. To go any further, no. You can read Putin quite easily. What is dangerous is Trump’s instability. Interestingly Scaramucci on The Rest is Politics said that Putin and his administration must have watched that rant in the Oval Office with alarm as they wouldn’t like an out-of-control erratic US. While they must be pleased with the way things are panning out, at the moment, I thought that a very interesting point.
And yes, to supporting charities as you suggest – thanks Pauline.
Thank you Penny for your detailed and elegant analysis of the geopolitical mess that we are in. The world is a very frightening place because of this egocentric, megalomaniac bully boy and his henchmen, Musk and Vance. The faces of the Democrats during his speech says it all. While it was the American people who voted for Trump, the rest of the world has to suffer the consequences and in particular Ukraine.
I didn’t watch the speech to Congress but I’ve just seen a clip of Representative Al Green being interviewed after his removal during the speech for heckling – more power to his elbow and well done that man. But apparently many Democrats are fearing death threats if they say anything against Trump, it’s come to that. It must be awful.
The person I really dislike though is Marco Rubio – his face and demeanour in the Oval Office. He knows… but does nothing. Shame on him.
And yes, we did not vote for Trump but everyone around the world is feeling the consequences. Some of the consequences are harsh and immediate (foreign aid and internal cuts to budgets) some consequences will be felt everywhere very soon (trade wars) and some consequence are forever – because this is a change in world order. I expect MAGA thinks this is amazing and just what they voted for!
Thanks Rowena
Thank you.
Thank you Jean for reading this.
Thank you, Penny, for a view from outside the country. One would think, after that performance and that of the muskrat, the Republican party and constituents would finally see the truth of what they’ve elected. One would be wrong. Instead, they’re focusing on the photo of tRump and the child in the wheelchair which just disgusts me more than I can say. They forget the mocking of the disabled man as well as calling dead soldiers “losers.” They also forget that should that child have a recurrence of his cancer, the agency that might have helped find a cure is probably gone. I have absolutely no idea why they are so mesmerized by his chicanery. My only thought is they think he’s on the side of right to life (anti-abortion), and that’s the hill they’ll stand and die on. They don’t seem to see how his dismantling of the government agencies that care for those children will hurt them. And, like you, I see so many parallels to 1938. For the first time in my life, I am truly frightened of what is going to happen in this country. I even wonder how much Facebook posts will come back to land us in deep trouble as no one seems to want to stand up to him. I do believe the members of the Republican Congress are both in awe and terrified of him. He’s more or less threatened them. And, one thing that needs to be stopped, if we ever have elections again with people (including me) thinking clearly, is this issuance of Executive Orders. I know both parties have used them extensively. But, the precedent of using them to countermand the checks and balances set forth in the Constitution is, well, unconstitutional. Please, my European friends, don’t forget, tRump didn’t win by the landslide he says he did. It was more like 51/49 so there are almost as many people who didn’t vote for him as did. And, I’m guessing quite a few of them are recognizing the gross error they made back in November. I am just really afraid, Penny. This is not the country I used to believe in.
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Ah, we haven’t seen that photo over here. But we all know and understand his personality and what is going on. I mean some Americans might think why are non-Americans so bothered about another country’s election and internal and external politics. But oh my goodness, everything is interconnected. And this is a new world order now.
My friend (who I told you about) is not on Facebook quite as often these days. I mean my timeline is full of Democrats railing against Trump, but, you are correct, it is above all, abortion. Which I find so interesting on the one hand but on the other, look where it’s got people – supporting Trump!!! I think I have said, the UK is not the least bit interested in abortion and actually supports it fully. And before anyone says there are people against abortion – they are a very small minority. I have the figures if you want them. We have also put a boundary around abortion clinics to prevent people praying silently and not so silently outside and making women’s lives more of a misery during what no-one thinks is a good time. That was one of the things that Vance highlighted in his speech in Munich. That someone in England who was praying was arrested – err, yes because he was breaking the law.
There will be a lot of fear-mongering amongst politicians, some for good reason and some not so as the armaments industry must be clapping its hands. It is possible we are near a 1938 moment, but I do think that Putin is more like Stalin (also a monster) and just wants Ukraine. A big ask but to Putin it is logical, historical and normal. Ukraine is Russian, end of, and that’s it. But Poland, the Baltics? He couldn’t do it. Look at the mess he’s made of trying to get Ukraine. Now of course Trump has handed him a victory – of sorts – but it wont’ go well. The thing is everything is up in the air. We need to hold on to our hats.
Thanks so much Marsha – we know you and many Americans are still our friends.
Hi Penny: (from across the pond)
I marched in the Women’s March 8 years ago and felt such solidarity. This year is such
a deep horror. I now go to “marches” locally in my community and nearby to where I live (Berkeley, California). The occupant of the White House states he has a mandate but the actual popular vote is 76.9 million to 74.4 million. I have actually asked a number of people why they voted for him after the election in November. It does not have to do with geopolitics but with how they feltl locally. Many people are MAGA, yes, but he suggested (falsely) that he could change local prices of goods. There are lots of people
who live paycheck to paycheck and think he will make it better in the next 3+ years. Many people did not vote. What most people who voted for him don’t understand is that things is our country will not be better for poor people (the Republicans are intent on gutting Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act-we do not have the NHS in this country)-and as much of the Social Security safety net as they can get away with. I do think that the leaders in Europe and in Canada and Mexico should band together and simply begin to ignore his behavior and statements. Make Ukraine secure (spend the money that Germany is coming up with and all the other countries)–suggestions that the two former politicians on The Rest is
Politics /Alistair Campbell and Rory Stewart have made. Stop paying attention (except to the fact that
he is a Putin afficianado). If he says he will put in tariffs immediately put in the same tariffs. Move away from the attention. It is heartbreaking. I love my country but the seeds have been sown long before this
exceptionally unpleasant,frankly stupid and morally corrupt man became president. I visited parts of our country 25 years ago when I met my husband and the Democrats were doing nothing to help areas which were thriving 20 years before. I fear for our exceptional National Parks, I fear for the health of our children, and I fear for our poor.
Republicans: It is partly banning abortion, partly allowing church schools to be paid for by taxes, partly making sure oligarchs and large corporations make even more money, partly getting rid of the social safety net. One can go on and on. It is also unutterable racism.
Our neighbors to the north and south are good people, live in amazing countries and it is horrific to hear
the demonization from the occupant of the White House. Trudeau as he leaves has been brilliant.
Al Green was also brilliant. He is from South Houston and many in his district rely on Medicaid (health insurance for the poor). (By the way I read Hillbilly Elegy 9 years ago and did not have a positive view of
the now Vice President from that book then) .
Thank you for your exceptional writing and thoughtfulness.
(to end on a lighter note: There is a Manitoban: https://www.instagram.com/wabber/
excellent to look at !)
Mary
Hi Mary and thank you so much for your wonderfully interesting comment. I am particularly interested in the why’s and especially why people voted for Trump. And you know what I don’t think any western country has really dealt with globalisation and the loss of industry that has led to the diminishing value put on working class lives and their situation. It’s the same in the UK – what do these people do? Deliver stuff for Amazon? Working in coal mines and the steel industry and all the other factories was brutal and we shouldn’t glamorise it in any way, but people had some sense of worth and commitment – and now…? Their lives are so hard so of course when they hear someone saying they will change things for the better and make their country better, what else will they do but vote for him. These people are desperate and to be quite honest I don’t see the Democrats doing much for them.
In the UK we have a new and popular very right-wing party waiting in the wings which might upset things enormously come the next UK election. What we don’t have is a Trump like figure to lead that party. On the whole the people who are representatives of this party are pretty low calibre, but still there are plenty of people willing to vote for them.
And yes, listening to the podcasts including The Rest is Politics (both the UK one and the US one) the margin was small and Trump absolutely does not have a huge majority that he claims.
I am so sorry for the people who voted for lower food prices – they will only go up. Will they realise then??? But what does puzzle me in one way, and then again perhaps not, are the Christians who vote for Trump. Many of these are not left behind people or going from one pay check to another, but they are obsessed with abortion, which thankfully the UK is not. I can say that as I have a friend who is one of them – and she supports Trump absolutely – won’t say any more.
Yes, Europe has to rethink everything. And stand up to the bullying repellant President and his ghastly side-kick. I was rather disappointed with Katty Kay saying the only way for Zelensky to get anything is to be a complete apologist for his behaviour at the Oval Office and just say adoring things to Trump. Which quite frankly I did not like to hear. But OMG we do live in challenging and dangerous times. This change in world order was I think inevitable, but Trump has done this in an incredibly disruptive way.
I watched a clip of Representative Al Green being interviewed, and thought what a good and decent man – well done him. I have followed Wabb Kinew.
Thank you so much, Mary, for giving me and others so much information about the state of affairs in the US. It is so good to know there are so many people who think the same way as you do.
A brilliant piece of writing Penny . I was absolutely dumfounded by the actions of Trump and Vance toward Zelensky last week . So pleased European leaders have stepped up to support Ukraine .
There are also concerns down here regarding the reliability of the U.S. in the Asia Pacific region and just this week Trump told our government to also spend more on defense.
I feel so much for my American friends that didn’t vote for this unfolding nightmare .
That behaviour was horrible and so un-Presidential but of course, that’s the way they see things. And there it was for us to see that. Now we know for sure, that Trump prefers Putin to Europe and Ukraine. Unbelievable.
Yes, it was a small margin and not the landslide Trump says it was and many people did not vote for him. I do hope things calm down.
Thanks Jill
Penny, thank you. Every day , I get an email from The Lincoln Project, a pro-democracy organization. Yesterday a survey question asked about how things were going. I wished I could figure out how to send a big box of balls to congress. Trump is causing worldwide misery in all its forms. Congress could intervene, however, it lacks balls.
Apologies for the long delay in replying to you Denise. Indeed as I follow both The Rest is Politics US and the UK version podcasts I hear this a lot – that Congress is very weak. That’s sad.
Thanks for reading this Denise – I appreciate the thoughts of all Americans
Penny, when I read the email introduction that you were going to “share about Trump” I was not expecting such a thorough thoughtful review of what has happened in barely 2 months. I consider myself a moderate politically and the polarization that has developed here in the U.S. saddens me. And the behavior of our executive branch both angers and grieves me. This is not why “American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.” I keep looking for our legislators and the courts to bring sanity back to our federal government. Please do not give up on us, many of us still want to be a force for good in this world.
Hello Aletha and apologies for the delay in replying. Indeed I haven’t given up one bit on the large number of Americans who are as horrified as all of us around the world. Trump is actually a different President to the one he was in 2016. He’s far more dangerous because of the people behind him. it is Project 2025 writ large. But I do read that the courts are putting up barriers against the attack on US democracy. We watch this from across the pond and do more than wish you luck, it has to be stopped somehow or mitigated. The consequences reach all of us – as it is such an interconnected world.
Thank you Aletha – I absolutely am with you as so many are here in Europe.
We are appalled by this administration on a daily basis, sick to our stomach when we go to bed at night, not knowing what new denigration we’ll wake up to in the morning. Worse than his actions are seeing the posts of family and friends CHEERING about the devastation.
I’ve struggled from the beginning to understand his following. What I see is that the political pendulum swung too far left for the middle majority and now it swings to the far right. It has always been the middle majority that has kept this country on an even keel, but media has created extreme partisanship with more and more extreme ‘news’ coverage feeding the masses a steady diet of hate, just to garner ratings.
My apologies to the world.
NOT my president!
Hello Arlene and thank you for commenting. Over here we know that you are indeed a divided nation and that even though Trump got both the electoral college and the popular vote – it is a small majority. We absolutely get why some vote for Trump and the disruption including that of the disruption in the world order. If someone comes along and says I will bring prices down and I will make things better for you – yes of course. What I don’t get are the Christians who vote for Trump, that is a puzzle, although of course I have been offered explanations, which to a European sound really odd.
It is interesting how very different our countries are. To my ears Bernie Sanders sounds really normal but not in the States, I guess. Social media can be a source of good, but there are so many negatives to it. And on the whole I’d say that has been the source of so much mis-information and indeed hate. I’m going touch on the effect it has on the young in my next post.
Thanks again Arlene – we know there are many like you in the US. I really appreciate your input.