Does Trump wake up wondering which Roman Emperor to be that day or perhaps which Greek or Roman God?
The past few weeks have left a shambolic confusion over the future of geopolitical relationships, a confusion sewn by a President of the USA who, in seeking always to shock and throw his opponents off course, has plumbed new depths even for him.
Were people more incensed by his threats or his insults? He threatened to attack another NATO ally country, then withdrew and threatened tariffs on any nation opposing his ownership of Greenland. He promised on 13 January to the Iranian protesters being murdered and tortured that “help is on the way” encouraging them to take over Iranian institutions. No help has arrived. Perhaps more than 25,000 are dead already, murdered by their own government. He rudely disrespected Macron, and accused Starmer of an act of stupidity, which in itself may have by accident some truth in it. Mark Carney called out American and Trump unreliability and contemplates a trade deal with China and was berated with 100% tariffs threatened as retaliation. He accused British and other coalition soldiers in effect of cowardice in Afghanistan, sparking fury as hundreds of British service people had made the ultimate sacrifice fighting alongside Americans. And even when on following days he changed his mind saying British soldiers were brave he made no apology. He insulted whole nations by publicising maps with the American flag planted on Canada, Venezuela and Greenland. And his speeches included as usual numerous untruths and made-up suggestions.
Journalists in the UK have been using words and phrases to describe Trump or his actions such as infantile narcissist – a child – a torrid dance of manic and fact-free unpredictability – reveals cruelty – venal and duplicitous – rapacious predator – narcissism, venality and idiocy – pugilistic blusterer – fire hose of lies, and more.
Even Starmer called him wrong about a number of things.
And Trump described himself as honoured to be invited to be eternal Chairman of the Board of Peace, somewhat disingenuous to say the least given the Board is a creature of his own making perhaps designed to subjugate world leaders to his veto. Meanwhile in his own country his ICE agents, masked and so far unaccountable, shoot seemingly innocent people in Minneapolis with an “impunity” awarded them by Trump’s acolytes.
Nero watched as Rome burned, but Trump does not just watch he lights the fires to burn down NATO and any law or institution or person as he decides in his Godlike judgement. Commonly, Roman Emperors considered themselves connected with the divine. Trump has of course suggested that God saved him from a bullet and that he is doing God’s work. There should be no doubt now in his mind what much of the world thinks of him, but it is said he reads little and he declares all opposition words or deeds as fake news and lies. Who will he be tomorrow? Nero, Caligula, Commodus or perhaps Marcus Aurelius? Or even Zeus or Aries?
Leave a Reply