President Trump took questions after the swearing-in ceremony today for Janine Pirro as U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. As would be anticipated, questions turned to the war in Ukraine and Trump’s recent assertion that Putin is acting “very crazy.” On Truth Social he had earlier fleshed everything out in writing:
“What Vladimir Putin doesn’t realize is that if it weren’t for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia, and I mean REALLY BAD. He’s playing with fire!”
This prompted former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to respond:
“Regarding Trump’s words about Putin ‘playing with fire’ and ‘really bad things’ happening to Russia. I only know of one REALLY BAD thing — WWIII.”
“I hope Trump understands this!”
So, bravado begets bravado, and empty threats remain empty threats.
I find this most interesting because all this happened on the same day that Trump’s new Wall Street nickname of TACO — “Trump Always Chickens Out” — was put forth in a question of the president, which caused him to bristle. Though the appellation refers to his tariff ups and downs, could TACO also apply to The Donald’s dealings with Putin specifically and with the Ukraine war in general?
In his quest to become known as The Great Statesman and Peace Purveyor, Trump has forgotten what made his first term so successful in foreign affairs. In short, as 45 he didn’t just make threats — he carried through on them. This left the world’s bad actors unsure of what Trump would do if they did something he didn’t like.
This Trump no longer exists, and Trump 47 should realize two things: 1) the Nobel Committee will never award you a peace prize, and 2) the way you are acting is more in line with becoming this century’s Neville Chamberlain — “peace in our time” (for nine months anyway) than the fodder for historians’ ultimate admiration (which should be #3: historians will rip both of your presidencies apart and assign you to the dustbin of failed presidents,)
My advice: Time for strong economic sanctions against Russia and time for arming Ukraine to the hilt (short of the nuclear option).
It’s also time to quit trying to claim no responsibility for the war. “This is not my war,” Trump keeps repeating when reporters question his inaction and lack of results.
The world has news for you, Mr. Trump: “This is your war now. Own up to it.”
PS The TACO appellation may no longer need apply to the tariff/trade war Trump initiated as a federal court this afternoon ruled that he lacked the authority to impose such tariffs. The ruling was issued by the full nine-member federal Court of International Trade. Interestingly, the case was heard by — and presumably decided by — a three-member panel comprised of one appointee each by Reagan, Obama and Trump himself.