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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTrump cannot be trusted to be alone with Putin - By Jennifer Rubin
July 19 at 1:15 PM
As much as the fact of the previously undisclosed tête-à-tête between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Hamburg at the G-20 meeting, the reaction to the news should alarm Trumps shrinking band of supporters who now find it increasingly difficult to mount credible defenses for the presidents conduct, especially where Russia is concerned.
Walter Russell Mead observes, Trumps willingness to meet with Putin without even an American interpreter present was at best a sign that he hasnt mastered some of the most basic elements of his job; whatever happened in that meeting, the impossibility of knowing what was said there will further diminish the Presidents ability to lead the country. Moreover, Mead argues that stories like this that will endanger the legitimacy of the Trump presidency; the naive belief that something like this could be concealed is almost as troubling as some of the more sinister interpretations Trumps most inveterate critics will place on this mysterious and unsettling encounter.
In short, the presidents motives, judgment and loyalty are so suspect that the presumption of legitimacy which Trump whined Democrats were trying to deny him has all but disappeared. Sure, Trump is indisputably the elected president the election results cannot be gainsaid at this point. Nevertheless, the impression is widespread that whatever actions he takes and statements he makes do not necessarily advance the interests of the United States. They might be designed to further his own legal position, to advance his business interests or to protect his family members. However, its not unreasonable to suggest that he only defends American interests when they happen to coincide with his personal interests. When the latter (e.g. maintaining he won the election without Russian help) depart from national interests, the national interests (e.g. protecting America from an assault on democracy) take a back seat.
Cagey world leaders tell him what he wants to hear (e.g., Putin denied meddling, Israels prime minister defends Trumps obsession with a wall) or publicly fawn over him to assuage his ego (as his Saudi hosts did on his Middle East trip), knowing that he will sacrifice American interests and values in favor of public adulation. Hes the dream pawn for foreign espionage operations, not only a useful idiot but a desperate one. He rushes to Putins side at the dinner table because he craves the appearance of camaraderie with the man his opponents accuse of attacking our democracy. Trump perhaps desires to show our European allies and domestic critics he has an in with Putin, or perhaps he simply needs Putins attention in the same way he needs big crowds (or needs to think they are big) and Fox & Friends hosts sycophancy.
The news of the extended conversation between Putin and Trump was it not disclosed because Trumps eagerness to be in Putins presence was so cringe-worthy? confirms our perception that Trump is dependent (for whatever reason) on Putins approval. But the incident also illustrates that at some level the White House knows the public no longer trusts the president to meet with Americas most formidable foe. We know and the White House knows we know Trump is a slave to his own ego, a compromised figure whose fidelity to America can no longer be assumed.
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https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2017/07/19/trump-cannot-be-trusted-to-be-alone-with-putin/?utm_term=.ae320fb8d392&wpisrc=nl_popns&wpmm=1
Eliot Rosewater
(31,131 posts)Period.
While he literally sells our country to Putin, he is also going to take our healthcare.
I hope the response by the populace is equal to the action of taking away our healthcare.
I truly do. I think we are out of time.
Gothmog
(145,820 posts)Trump is an idiot and is too stupid to know that he is an idiot