Anticipating numerous criminal charges, Mr. Trump flashed his usual arrogant confidence by claiming he could end the year-long war in 24 hours.
It’s a posture he projected as a presidential candidate in 2016 and an image that has gained increased support within the GOP, especially amongst those Trump loyalists who have vowed to end US support for Ukraine.
Yes, Trump’s acolytes have already labelled him the peace president reminding us that he’s the first leader in two generations not to start a war. (One can argue what is meant by “start” in this context.)
Trump refused to back his claim with details, but he cited his mutual admiration relationship with Putin as a major factor in ending the conflict. Trump’s affinity for Russia itself can be traced back to the mid-80’s, when it was alleged that the Trump Organization was willing to gift Putin a $50 million penthouse if a deal to build a Trump Tower in Moscow was approved.
Trump’s praise for Putin during his White House years was even more revealing. In his 2018 trip to Helsinki, Trump called the Western press the “true enemy of the people” – common buzzwords in Russian propaganda. This was followed by a joint press conference with Putin in which he rejected the credibility of his own intelligence agencies and fawningly accepted Putin at his word.
The late Republican Senator John McCain called it “one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in recent history” who had “debased himself… abjectly before a tyrant”. Trump shamed himself again as he applauded Putin’s “savvy” and “genius” when the latter formally recognized the “independence” of Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine. This all just 48 hours before Russia’s attack on February 24, 2022.
(Pikemalt saab lugeda Eesti Elu 6. aprilli 2023 paber- ja digilehest)
