The media conferences of US President Donald Trump at the NATO Summit in Ankara are the most shocking since his meeting with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, in Helsinki 2018,
Then, Trump shocked those present when asked if he agreed with the US intelligence agencies’ conclusion that Russia interfered in 2016’s presidential elections. President Putin has said that it is not Russia.
“I don’t think there is any good reason for it to be,” he said. Trump’s credibility was ruined from that point on. The question of whether it was right to put America before Russia was raised.
Even more destabilising, the president’s performance in NATO media was erratic and unpredictable.
Trump was angry with NATO and Iran in the morning.
I’m angry with NATO for not wanting to assist us in dealing with Iran, the top state sponsor of terrorism. “They were not willing to help us.”
His fury was directed at Spain, and he demanded that his Treasury Secretary immediately cut off any trade with Spain. Spain is a waste of time. By the way, we don’t wish to trade with Spain any longer. You should cut off the trade. […] Please, I want nothing to do with Spain. Please stop all trade with Spain.
We make so much with them, but we will make sure that they are making a lot less. “I don’t want to do business with them.”
Trump then opened his imperial plan to purchase Greenland.
Greenland poses a major problem to the United States […] Greenland may be important to the United States but not Denmark. Denmark was invaded by Nazis within a day. Hitler took them over in less than a day, then asked us to look after Greenland. We took Greenland, and stupidly gave it back. It was stupid to give it back, because it is us who need it. It’s important for the protection of all people, not only the United States.
“It doesn’t benefit Denmark but helps us and is very important to us.”
Trump is cold towards NATO but hot toward Iran. The question was whether or not the Memorandum of Understanding to end hostilities and open the Strait of Hormuz was still alive.
For me, it seems to be over. They’re a pain. They’re scum. Do you know what scum means?
They’re scum. These people are sick. Sick people are leading them. They’re also violent and vicious people. They would use a nuclear device if it was available. “As far as I am concerned, the war is over.”
You know: “But they are sick, evil people.
We have to get rid of their cancer. Early cancer detection is key. “That’s how I feel.”
Trump’s tone had changed by the time he spoke to reporters in the late afternoon. It was more accommodative, even if it wasn’t affectionate.
There was a lot of love there. [NATO] Room […] They have good intentions, and not bad. They’re also doing an excellent job in their home country.
Trump assured his audience that his harsh language towards NATO leaders had not caused any concern.
They like what I do. We love you, Sir, they said. Isn’t it nice that grown-ups are saying this? They might be trying to reach me, but I’m not sure. “And in the manner they did, because there was incredible unity in that group.”
The prospects of ending current violence, reopening Hormuz or engaging in serious dialogue on Iran’s nuke program are rapidly fading.
Trump warned of imminent attacks on Iran at the NATO summit, and now a wave of new attacks have been launched. This is a retaliation for the Iranian bombings of ships yesterday. It will be much worse if it occurs again!
In the war against Iran, he made it clear that he was aware of his mortality. He cites repeatedly how he has killed successive Iranian leaders. “Their leadership is gone. Their leaders are gone.
“Now they might have another group of leaders.
Trump is concerned about his own life. They want me, the US president. Every list has me. This morning I’ve seen things.
They have me on all of them. “I’m lucky so far, but I don’t know how long that will last.”
Trump spoke for a full day. He was proud to leave NATO with America’s position. He left NATO proud of America’s standing.
[…] “They have never shown so much respect to our country.”
Trump’s torrent of contradictions and contradictory words left NATO under tension and with questions growing about his stability. The Iran War was still ongoing, the alliance in a state of intense tension and the Commander-in-Chief himself was under question.
