The real problem with Trump's relationship with Putin is that Trump is a schoolyard bully; tough against lesser opponents, cowardly and pathetic in the face of real challenges. He is not pushing Putin because Putin is a sociopath and won't be pushed, and this is the one thing that child-man bully, Trump, recognizes.
Trump, being all about Trump, will continue to placate Putin, or even side with Putin to ensure his grossly insane self-image is not overly pressed. He will attack his allies, he will attack his enemies, he will attack the media, and he will attack democracy. But he will never attack the tougher bully. He is the epitome of the bully-coward.
Trump by an order of magnitude. That Putin is more of a sociopath than Trump isn’t though, sufficient to warrant him bending the knee. One must wonder what kind of crippling financial hold, or alternately, a devastating level of personal humiliation that allows Russia, a cold slice of the world that NO ONE needs, this kind of leverage.
Putin has out-foxed Trump by an order of magnitude. That Putin is more of a sociopath than Trump isn’t though, sufficient to warrant him bending the knee. One must wonder what kind of crippling financial hold, or alternately, a devastating level of personal humiliation that allows Russia, a cold slice of the world that NO ONE needs,
Putin has not only out-foxed Trump by an order of magnitude, he has made Trump look like a fool, mocking him caustically, and poor Trump -- like a deer in the headlights -- doesn't know what to do.
The likelihood is that Trump is not a sociopath, rather he is a grandiose and bullying narcissist. While he is a very repugnant human being, he is also afraid of the true sociopath, Putin. He doesn't want to exhibit his cowardice toward Putin, and he certainly doesn't want to be on the wrong side of Putin, so he plays his 'art of the deal' game to look tough without ever having to actually come to blows with the Butcher of Russia.
In addition, Trump catastrophically misread and misjudged Putin because he hasn't read a single book - or any book - about Russia and its nefarious history.
As Ukr continues to be destroyed, people & kids are still killed by missiles, Trump admires himself in the mirror as the 'KING' of America. Sadly, this nightmare is real & is getting worse. I keep hoping to 'wake' up - THIS is so BAD it CAN'T BE REAL!!!
A question Diane. Will the GOP control the dangerous bully they put in the White House? How much longer will it put up with a vile man who is rupturing the world economy and democracy? It is also up to Europe to attack Putin as clearly the GOP is spellbound by Trump.
The media needs to keep the world's attention on the Ukraine battle for democracy and national self-determination. The other hot spots like Gaza and Iran or Sudan are not in that ideological league. Thanks Diane.
Thank you for your writing. I have a question: Is the Steve Witkoff you mention earlier in your article the same person as the Howard Witcoff you mention later?
What really has changed since the world realized Biden had significant dementia. Europe has been forced to accept more responsibility for arming Ukraine. Russia continues to struggle to make significant gains in territory expansion. Russia's "friends" of Iran, China and North Korea have further upped their military support. North America continues to question whether it has "skin in the game" in the Ukraine war. The longer Russia dithers, the greater the chance that North America re-ups its supply of arms to allow Ukraine to push back.
Trump is being outplayed by Putin because Putin wants to regain complete control over Ukraine; full stop. Putin is a criminal who has little or no respect for human life as evidenced by the many wars he's supported around the World; do we remember the Wagner group, Syria, Afghanistan, etc? The free world is allowing Ukraine to be ravaged by Putin at great expense not only in terms of money but human life. Putin has essentially started World War III and we're allowing so many innocent people to die. When are we going to wake up? Where's the UN on this matter?
Only a complete victory will solve the matter once and for all. Putin has engaged other countries to physically support him on the ground. It's time for the EU, NATO, etc.. to do the same. Enough of this madness.
Brilliant commenraty, Diane. It's one of the best I recall. Trump forfeited all of his best cards with nothing to show, except being mocked and ridiculed by Putin.
I can’t remember who said it, but they were right. Trump has destroyed in 80 days what it has taken America 80 years to achieve and his enablers such as the Republican Party, MAGA, Vance, Miller, Witkoff, Rubio, Hegseth etc etc the list goes on, have allowed Trump to do this.
Putin was just doing what was instinctive, he doesn’t know any better and Trump allowed him to get away with it.
There was no pushback and indeed it is Ukraine that is perceived as at fault, by Trump. One day, if not Trump, then his enablers will face justice.
Emptiness, vacuousness and moral cowardice, simply stated! An American exceptionalism that has been more accurately described as it is worse to be America’s friend than her enemy!
The real problem with Trump's relationship with Putin is that Trump is a schoolyard bully; tough against lesser opponents, cowardly and pathetic in the face of real challenges. He is not pushing Putin because Putin is a sociopath and won't be pushed, and this is the one thing that child-man bully, Trump, recognizes.
Trump, being all about Trump, will continue to placate Putin, or even side with Putin to ensure his grossly insane self-image is not overly pressed. He will attack his allies, he will attack his enemies, he will attack the media, and he will attack democracy. But he will never attack the tougher bully. He is the epitome of the bully-coward.
Trump by an order of magnitude. That Putin is more of a sociopath than Trump isn’t though, sufficient to warrant him bending the knee. One must wonder what kind of crippling financial hold, or alternately, a devastating level of personal humiliation that allows Russia, a cold slice of the world that NO ONE needs, this kind of leverage.
Putin has out-foxed Trump by an order of magnitude. That Putin is more of a sociopath than Trump isn’t though, sufficient to warrant him bending the knee. One must wonder what kind of crippling financial hold, or alternately, a devastating level of personal humiliation that allows Russia, a cold slice of the world that NO ONE needs,
this kind of leverage.
Putin has not only out-foxed Trump by an order of magnitude, he has made Trump look like a fool, mocking him caustically, and poor Trump -- like a deer in the headlights -- doesn't know what to do.
It's so obvious yet tRUMP's blind to any kind of obvious problems.
The likelihood is that Trump is not a sociopath, rather he is a grandiose and bullying narcissist. While he is a very repugnant human being, he is also afraid of the true sociopath, Putin. He doesn't want to exhibit his cowardice toward Putin, and he certainly doesn't want to be on the wrong side of Putin, so he plays his 'art of the deal' game to look tough without ever having to actually come to blows with the Butcher of Russia.
In addition, Trump catastrophically misread and misjudged Putin because he hasn't read a single book - or any book - about Russia and its nefarious history.
As Ukr continues to be destroyed, people & kids are still killed by missiles, Trump admires himself in the mirror as the 'KING' of America. Sadly, this nightmare is real & is getting worse. I keep hoping to 'wake' up - THIS is so BAD it CAN'T BE REAL!!!
Excellent thank you
Another home run!
Not only a home run but a grand slam!
A question Diane. Will the GOP control the dangerous bully they put in the White House? How much longer will it put up with a vile man who is rupturing the world economy and democracy? It is also up to Europe to attack Putin as clearly the GOP is spellbound by Trump.
The media needs to keep the world's attention on the Ukraine battle for democracy and national self-determination. The other hot spots like Gaza and Iran or Sudan are not in that ideological league. Thanks Diane.
Yeah - Ukr has taken a back seat to the Gaza issue - grrrr
. . . and Trump's tariff wars.
Thank you for your writing. I have a question: Is the Steve Witkoff you mention earlier in your article the same person as the Howard Witcoff you mention later?
Diane. On Munk debate Andrew Coyne said Trump is 'a malignant narcissist '. Question is will Americans remove him?
What really has changed since the world realized Biden had significant dementia. Europe has been forced to accept more responsibility for arming Ukraine. Russia continues to struggle to make significant gains in territory expansion. Russia's "friends" of Iran, China and North Korea have further upped their military support. North America continues to question whether it has "skin in the game" in the Ukraine war. The longer Russia dithers, the greater the chance that North America re-ups its supply of arms to allow Ukraine to push back.
Trump is being outplayed by Putin because Putin wants to regain complete control over Ukraine; full stop. Putin is a criminal who has little or no respect for human life as evidenced by the many wars he's supported around the World; do we remember the Wagner group, Syria, Afghanistan, etc? The free world is allowing Ukraine to be ravaged by Putin at great expense not only in terms of money but human life. Putin has essentially started World War III and we're allowing so many innocent people to die. When are we going to wake up? Where's the UN on this matter?
Only a complete victory will solve the matter once and for all. Putin has engaged other countries to physically support him on the ground. It's time for the EU, NATO, etc.. to do the same. Enough of this madness.
Brilliant commenraty, Diane. It's one of the best I recall. Trump forfeited all of his best cards with nothing to show, except being mocked and ridiculed by Putin.
I can’t remember who said it, but they were right. Trump has destroyed in 80 days what it has taken America 80 years to achieve and his enablers such as the Republican Party, MAGA, Vance, Miller, Witkoff, Rubio, Hegseth etc etc the list goes on, have allowed Trump to do this.
Putin was just doing what was instinctive, he doesn’t know any better and Trump allowed him to get away with it.
There was no pushback and indeed it is Ukraine that is perceived as at fault, by Trump. One day, if not Trump, then his enablers will face justice.
Emptiness, vacuousness and moral cowardice, simply stated! An American exceptionalism that has been more accurately described as it is worse to be America’s friend than her enemy!