Trump is Floundering
Throwing in the towel on resolving Russia-Ukraine is the the latest example
As the person tracking broken norms under Trump, I can trace his patterns. When he is feeling emboldened, his breaks norms at record speed! In recent week, however, as I’ve written, he finds himself in retreat. Even more so this week, which will have the fewest broken norms since his inauguration!
Resolving the Russia-Ukraine Conflict
Trump had vowed to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine in his first 24 hours in office. Checks calendar - yep, we’re beyond that!
Yesterday, Trump threw in the towel, backing off his demand that Russia declare a ceasefire. Russian President Vladimir Putin of course rejoiced in their conversation, and why wouldn’t he? Putin has outmaneuvered and outplayed Trump, and made him look like a fool! Trump threatened to pick up his toys and walk away, and Putin got precisely what he was hoping for.
Halfway Mark of Tariff Pause
We have reached the halfway point of Trump’s 90-day tariff pause. Trade adviser Peter Navarro had promised “90 deals in 90 days.” Trump had promised 200 deals in an interview with Time Magazine. So far, he has a grand total of ZERO! His regime has brokered a “framework” of a deal with the U.K., and paused what had become an embargo with China. But not a single deal has been signed.