Forum Topic

Trump For President Again?

I always said that Trump would run again for President in 2024 and his campaign is well underway and gaining momentum.  After Trump's stunning victory in the recent Iowa 1st Primary his biggest Republican rival, DeSansantis, has conceded that he stands no chance against DT so has withdrawn from the presidential race...and in an extraordinary turnaround he is now endorsing the former President instead! The next Primary is upcoming in New Hampshire in a few days and it will be fascinating to see how well (or not) Trump fares there. Go Trump!

Sue Hammond ● 96d35 Comments

Boris's fangirl: "Go Trump!" Will we see "Go Putin"?Let's see how you feel about that when he takes the US out of NATO.BRUSSELS — One of Europe's most senior politicians recounted how former U.S. President Donald Trump privately warned that America would not come to the EU's aid if it was attacked militarily."You need to understand that if Europe is under attack we will never come to help you and to support you," Trump told European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in 2020, according to French European Commissioner Thierry Breton, who was also present at a meeting at the World Economic Forum in Davos."By the way, NATO is dead, and we will leave, we will quit NATO," Trump also said, according to Breton. "And he added, ‘and by the way, you owe me $400 billion, because you didn’t pay, you Germans, what you had to pay for defense,'" Breton said about the tense meeting, where the EU's then-trade chief Phil Hogan was also present.https://www.politico.eu/article/donald-trump-vow-never-help-europe-attack-thierry-breton/

Freddie Francis ● 88d

Mr MacLeod'Mr Hawkes: You of course have the right to say what you wish to say. Others on the Forum have the right to form their own conclusions about what you have said'.And I am sure that they do !Just as is the case with the comments you post.

John Hawkes ● 91d

Mr Hawkes: You of course have the right to say what you wish to say. Others on the Forum have the right to form their own conclusions about what you have said.

Alexander MacLeod ● 91d

Mr MacLoed'Mr Hawkes. You do not argue - you just say things and close your mind. That is why you are wasting the Forum's valuable time'.God - what arrogance !

John Hawkes ● 92d

The recent speech by Trump concerning state accountability will probably have popular support and shows a clear difference between Trump & Biden.Limiting the terms of representatives makes sense when most just echo the party / state line. Of course if the US had representatives that act independently then it would be different.Both candidates are obviously highly flawed as is Kennedy who is running as an independent  At least there is choice (assuming legal blocks fail that is).In the UK we have identical policies from both main parties - not really a choice.

Ed Robinson ● 92d

"I'm not your f-ing secretary, OK?"It's a tough position I have to admit :)

Ed Robinson ● 92d

Mr Hawkes. You do not argue - you just say things and close your mind. That is why you are wasting the Forum's valuable time.

Alexander MacLeod ● 93d

I'm not arguing that the west doesn't bring some of these issues on itself in that many interventions are in it's own interest and often backfire. However, we also have the rather dubious Chinese Belt and Road initiative that ensnare developing countries in debt, and the Russian Wagner private military group's intervention in a number of African states and the Middle East to support or change regimes. I guess all powerful nations like to meddle to think they're protecting themselves?If one looks at the Red Sea intervention to protect merchant shipping although that's a western initiative the Chinese probably won't object too much as if supply chains deteriorate and are rethought in a way that will be detrimental to China's manufacturing industry and economy. The Russians are probably ambivalent as they're currently economic outcasts but it might be useful for their vessels to pass uninhibited to those destinations still willing to accept their hydrocarbon products and give them hard currency?Of course, these things work at several levels, and one always has to believe there are back channels with continuing discussions. Let's face it, Roscosmos and NASA still cooperate on the ISS, and Hamas and Israel seem to negotiate via intermediaries in Qatar, etc. And Trump seemed to manage to negotiate a withdrawal from Afghanistan with the Taliban even if it wasn't honoured by the Taliban and seems to have had a disastrous outcome.It's a complex web; of course, it's always the innocent who suffer. Legality of actions is something lawyers will argue about but few interventions will end in court ... like any project where there may be a legitimate reason in the first place there's always an excuse for scope creep and extending deadlines, perhaps not always for totally legitimate reasons but maybe pragmatic ones ... sorry, my cynicism is creeping in there ...

Michael Ixer ● 93d

Ms Bond'Someone who suggests drinking bleach to avoid Covid in charge of the nuclear codes?'Of course he talks rubbish sometimes but luckily the governance of the US prevents him from actually doing something stupid.Whatever supporters of Islamism and their fellow travellers might say, this is not the case in Gaza, Syria, the Lebanon,Egypt, the West Bank of Palestine, to some extent Jordan and particularly the theocratic dictatorship of Iran.The latter ruled by so called religious MEN of dubious rationality if not sanity.They are the ones financing and stoking up plans to destroy Israel and who probably have dreams of a world-wide caliphate that would rule western Europe and the UK.This is why we have to be so cautious in dealing with the tens of thousands of Palestinians who somehow have gained the right of entry into the UK.

John Hawkes ● 93d

Mr MacLeod,'John Hawkes: precisely which planet do you reside on'?On your planet does the above pass for argument ?

John Hawkes ● 93d

Well said Michael. Likewise some of us are aware of there being an ‘ outer London’!

Jane Carter ● 93d

There was an initial UN mandate but this did not cover 20 years of occupation and multiple war crimes.https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_crimes_in_Afghanistan

Ed Robinson ● 93d

No need to be sarcastic, Ed, I'm fully aware of the difference between the UN and NATO. I was in the middle of doing something else; if you don't like my links try using Google yourself? I'm not your f-ing secretary, OK?

Michael Ixer ● 93d

Thanks, Ivonne 

Michael Ixer ● 93d

Is this of any help?https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2009/10/security-council-authorizes-international-security-force-afghanistan

Ivonne Holliday ● 93d

That's a NATO press release not an UN link.I know some people may confuse NATO with the UN but they are in fact different organisations.Let's not forget that the Labour government & Labour Party tried to conceal the truth about the wars. Many of those that voted over a dozen times opposing any inquiry are likely to be back in government again.

Ed Robinson ● 93d

Ed. The link regarding Afghanistan, which wasthe only  country I mentioned:https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_69366.htm#:~:text=In%20August%202003%2C%20on%20the,VII%20of%20the%20UN%20Charter.I can do a cheap deal on lessons in using Google if you want :-)

Michael Ixer ● 93d

Michael,Please share the link to the UN mandate for a twenty year occupation of Afghanistan and the invasion of other countries.

Ed Robinson ● 93d

I was amused to see this on Facebook. I was surprised Expedia's social media PR person had left it there for so long ...https://flic.kr/p/2pujJjm

Michael Ixer ● 93d

John Hawkes: precisely which planet do you reside on?

Alexander MacLeod ● 94d

Thanks, Jonathan, an interesting article. Some thoughts. If we go back to 1920s and 1930s, after WWI, the US followed an isolationist policy and Europe subsequently stumbled into WWII, with the US eventually being dragged into war after the conflict in east Asia extended to Pearl Harbour. I'm not going to pretend that global dynamics are the same now - we now have the US tech companies: Alphabet (Google), Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Intel, Apple, Starlink, Tesla, Ebay, Paypal, ... colonising the world. However, while we worry about the Russian threat in Europe we also shouldn't forget about the Chinese and North Korean threat in East Asia which are now a direct threat in the Pacific, particularly Taiwan, and even the US itself. Perhaps not so wise for a US President to withdraw again into an isolationist position ignoring Europe?I'm sure the US tech Emporers want their investments in the EU and Asia protected by their government? Of course, Trump also considers himself a business man; does he really want to see the US descend into chaos with the inevitable result that market values collapse? Will his own greed and that of others with influence moderate his actions to avoid such a scenario?Those with wealth in the US will see the effect that the Ukraine conflict has had on the businesses of oligarchs and other business leaders? (Ok, some like Kaspersky had the sense a while ago to register their private company in the UK, and put key servers in Switzerland and other neutral territories so business carries on, but can he and others get at the profits?) Would Trump want to see internal conflict in the US that could be equally damaging and restrictive to the US economy, and his businesses and wealth?Let's not forget, Trump is still the subject of civil and criminal indictments and court cases, will those detract from his campaign and ability to act as president? Perhaps it's again a case of plan for the worst, hope for the best?

Michael Ixer ● 94d

I am rather pleased that Trump may well regain the US Presidency.At least he will I hope not pussyfoot around over the conflict in the Middle East, where he will resist antisemitism and support Israel against attacks by its Islamist neighbours, and will generally stand up against Islamism worldwide.Keeping the screws on Iran for instance.More pro-Palestine marches in London at the weekend I read.The UK could do with a political leader that is committed to resisting the takeover of the country by groups motivated by an alien and backward religion.Unfortunately we are liable to get Starmer !And Trump will keep Putin in his box as US military expenditure is US$ 738 billion compared to Russia's 60.6.That is provided we support him and keep him supportive of NATO.Paradoxically Trump actually has the political personality and inclinations to keep the world a safer place.

John Hawkes ● 94d

Those who seem ready to accept if not welcome a second Trump presidency should read this analysis by a respected independent commentator. In summary they should be very careful what they wish for. Europe, including the UK, is wholly unprepared for a future outside the US military protective umbrella. It will cost billions and Russia will be waiting.As for Ukraine, the chances of that country retaining its independence without continuing US and European support are very slim indeed.https://davekeating.substack.com/p/europe-must-prepare-for-a-post-american?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=1890798&post_id=140990293&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=1e5el6&utm_medium=email

Jonathan Callaway ● 94d

In the case of Afghanistan there was a UN mandate for NATO to take action. (With the US being a primary member of NATO.)

Michael Ixer ● 94d

Under what right does the US have to occupy other countries?If your being occupied what colour uniform your occupier is wearing is of little consequence.Condemning Russian occupation and excusing US occupation is double standards and unfortunately the rest of the world sees this.There is also evidence that it harms the countries that do the occupying too. Lack of internal investment, less free speech which leads to poorer democracy etc.Of course can you even have democracy when you lock up journalists for telling the truth and use state bodies to suppress freedom of speech and even evidence?In the mean while we can't even cross Hammersmith Bridge by car or even get from one end of the UK reliably to the other by rail. We are falling behind which means we will be less competitive which means the uni-party will push for more war and the cycle will continue.

Ed Robinson ● 94d

Steven, one point I would make is that the timetable for the US to leave Afghanistan was part of a deal made between the Trump administration and the Taliban without the sanction of the then Afghanistan administration. The withdrawal under Biden's administration was, I believe, slower than that originally agreed abd led to a hasty final withdrawal and, yes, was generally considered to be disastrous. I'm not sure it's been subject to independent scrutiny but perhaps responsibility should be shared between Biden and Trump as perhaps the deal agreed by Trump was unrealistic?

Michael Ixer ● 94d

Trump’s faults are there for all to see: he is brash, narcissistic, sexist and a bad loser. And it was foolish and reckless on his part to encourage his supporters to protest in Washington against the result of the election, though I don’t think there is any evidence that he actually incited them to assault the Capitol. (If there were any such evidence, he would already have been arrested and charged along with the other violent demonstrators). But I don’t think he was a bad President on the whole. The American economy grew under his presidency and unemployment fell, particularly among black people , which is why many of them voted for him last time.  His ‘isolationist, ‘America First’ policy also meant that he was less likely than some of his predecessors to assume the moral guardianship of the world and enter into confrontation with states that are not democratic. He  even tried to make a deal with North Korea, until he realised that Kim Jon Un had no intention of negotiating in good faith. Unfortunately much of the media in this country are so consumed  with contempt for Trump on ideological grounds that they tend to characterise his supporters as rednecks or loonies and don’t even try to understand why around 70 million Americans, many of them decent and sensible people, voted for him last time and may do so again. One important issue, which may account for his support among  voters, is border security. Last year 2.3 million people crossed illegally into the United States. That level of immigration is unsustainable.But I don’t agree with the view that America’s aggressive stance towards Russia under Biden provoked Putin into invading Ukraine. If anything,  the opposite is true. Putin has always wanted to regain control of Ukraine and Biden’s hurried and humiliating withdrawal from Afghanistan  encouraged Putin to think that America would simply stand by if he were to invade. If the history of the nineteen thirties teaches us anything  it is that a policy of appeasement only emboldens tyrants to take more and more aggressive steps until war becomes inevitable. In my opinion the best way to avoid a war with Russia or  Iran or China is to let them know that any aggressive steps on their part will have consequences.My main concern about a second Trump presidency is his plan to put an end to the war in Ukraine.  If that means extracting concessions from Putin so as to arrive at a negotiated settlement, that might be worth considering. But if it means withdrawing support from Ukraine and handing victory to Russia, that would be very worrying. I hope and believe that Trump’s advisers would warn him of the danger to European security and the  NATO alliance if he pursued the second course.

Steven Rose ● 94d

Nato & the UK are already involved.A more realistic situation in the next couple of month is Ukraine's next mobilisation and calling for the return of  millions of Ukrainians scatter around Europe.Estonia has said it will deport any called up if Ukraines wishes. The pro war EU will probably give the nod to the other states.What will the UK do?What do people think the refugees will do?https://news.yahoo.com/estonia-ready-sign-pact-allowing-102900604.html

Ed Robinson ● 94d

Sue, there is a real possibility that Trump might regain the US presidency - and I can think of a couple of US friends who think that makes it more attractive to live in France. According to the Pew Research Center about a third of Americans say it Trump’s election was God’s will:https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2020/03/12/about-a-third-in-u-s-see-gods-hand-in-presidential-elections-but-fewer-say-god-picks-winners-based-on-policies/I understand that God now accepts Trump may have superior knowledge of the realities of living on earth and is busy rewriting the ten commandments, with priority on allowing adultery and bearing false witness, as the previous versions are rather restrictive to modern life and politics ... :-)Interestingly, during the last US presidential election campaign, the one Bidon won, the US sister-in-law of one of my friends was told by the evangelist pastor at her church to vote for Trump. An interesting rumour, I think mentioned on R4's Americast, was that Trump could nominate one of his son's as vice President and might even abdicate before his term ended leaving Donald junior or Eric in charge (I guess Ivanka is out of favour?) … perhaps they were just joking :-)It's sad that in the whole of the US they can't find two candidates who will both be in their 80s, if not now, by the end of the next presidency. Still, I guess if one's in one's twenties or thirties running a technology based business like Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Amazon, Tesla//Starlink/Space X, PayPal, ... gives one more global power - and is probably more fun?Looking at this Wikipedia site it seems that Trump's policies are often inconsistent and even contradictory; what does Donald believe in other than him and his fortune? I suppose that would at least keep Putin, Xi, and his chum Kim guessing what line he'd take?https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Donald_Trump#:~:text=As%20president%2C%20Trump%20has%20pursued,conservative%20(Republican%20Party)%20policies.

Michael Ixer ● 95d

Just to let add, sadly if Putin does succeed in Ukraine he may then be deciding which Baltic state to seize first - then NATO and the UK will be involved - and will a US led by Trump decide not to get involved? And, are the rumours true that Putin might consider tactical nuclear weapons if his troop losses become too costly?

Michael Ixer ● 95d

Some might say Trump's negative approach to NATO might have emboldened Putin, although many believe Putin's power base comes from the way the west let the Russian economy dive after the Soviet Union collapsed - and the oligarchs took their opportunity to grab the state resources. Anyway, US presidents seem to focus on global control for the US but it is worrying that they can't find better candidates than two elderly men who both may be showing signs of senility.I'm not sure Trump assisted middle east politics much by supporting the move of the US embassy to Jerusalem unless the touching of the glowing orb with the Saudi King and Egyptian President was his contribution?

Michael Ixer ● 95d

"Is there any suggestion that Biden encouraged Putin to invade Ukraine.."Biden's role is well documented as vice president. Clearly Hunter's laptop is just a conspiracy theory.The liberal view seems to be a million dead in Europe and no one could have prevented it or even stop it now. Putin takes the blame but he is not alone. Minsk accords, guarantees to Ukraine that the West is now backing away from.Has Biden facilitated peace in the Israeli - Palestinian conflict? Or even before Oct 23?? No.How is Biden any different from the other US presidents that have brought war and destruction?Are you going to send your kids to fight Putin? I doubt it - happy to be corrected.

Ed Robinson ● 95d

Is there any suggestion that Biden encouraged Putin to invade Ukraine or Hamas to attack Israel? I think the roots of both these wars reach back several decades before the current President came into office. My take on Trump's dislike of war - and NATO - is that it costs the USA money; personally I think he's more interested in saving cash than lives. Does he care about some of his supporters who seem to want to shoot Mexicans, if the police shoot people they've stopped for traffic violations, or if his supporters violently attack Congress when he lies about the election result?Looking at my Facebook feed US politics is tribal enough without worrying about whether the UK views on it are.

Michael Ixer ● 95d

The problem with the US debate in the UK, just like any other debate I guess, it is often just pure tribalism.Is anyone seriously suggesting that Trump is less capable than Biden in making decisions?No is the short answer.That's not to excuse Trump's views on many issues.The question I have is will the world be safer under Trump or Biden?We have war in Europe with possibly a million dead.We have war in the middle-east which is escalating.We have the US talking about war in Asia.A fool, a buffon, an Islamophobic almost certainly but oddly enough Trump is not pro-war.If I were to choose between a racist and sexist president that valued life or a so called liberal that would kill millions of families without a second thought then give me the racist sexist president anyday.Of course the real question is how can a liberal president be so pro-war?

Ed Robinson ● 95d

Someone who suggests drinking bleach to avoid Covid in charge of the nuclear codes?

Philippa Bond ● 95d