Trump’s Undiplomatic Thuggish Approach Threatens U.S. Interests internally and internationally By Enabling Russian Expansion.

American International Reputation in Peril: An Introduction

American International Reputation in Peril is a clear result of the Trump and Vance dressing down of President Zelenskyy in the Oval Office in front of domestic and foreign reporters.  The ever-fraught political landscape that President Donald Trump shaped during his first term is now on steroids. The encounter between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stands out as one of the most appalling examples of the current and former president’s diplomatic failure. His status on the world stage is dragging the United States through a cesspool where his actions speak louder than his display of vulgarity.

On a stage where diplomacy was paramount, Trump and his Vice President, an uninspiring relic of small-town America, took part in a bizarre and undiplomatic spectacle. They didn’t just undermine the serious dialogue needed for international relations; they ensured that the United States’ role in the world would be nothing more than a pawn in Vladimir Putin’s international chess game.

Trump and his loyal puppy dog Vice President J D Vance refused to demonstrate even a semblance of respect for the gravity of this encounter, engaging in a screaming match with the press in full view.

The rhetoric they employed was reminiscent of a mob boss squaring off with a rival, their actions bringing to mind more of a thug’s playground than a scene involving the highest offices of the most powerful nation in the world. This performance was not only unprofessional but dangerously oblivious to the interests of the United States.

Trump’s actions, including his willingness to cower to the whims of Vladimir Putin, raise legitimate questions about his motivations. One could easily argue that Trump was no longer acting as a president for the American people but instead as a loyal pawn of the Russian dictator.

Putin’s desire to dismantle the U.S. influence in Europe seems to be mirrored by Trump’s questionable decisions and actions during his presidency. As President Trump flexed his ego on the global stage, he effectively played into Putin’s hands, destabilizing the Western alliance and welcoming Russian influence into Eastern Europe, all while claiming to be “America First.”

1. Trump’s Egotistical Behavior: A World Leader or a Mob Boss?

Let’s not sugarcoat it—Trump’s leadership is anything but conventional. What could have been an important diplomatic moment quickly descended into a circus, with Trump using the presence of the press not to further diplomatic relations but to channel his inner thug. The way he barked at reporters, belittled foreign leaders and undermined the very essence of diplomacy felt as if we were watching a reality television star struggle to keep his ratings high, rather than the president of a country that wields significant global influence.

This wasn’t just an exercise in ego. Trump’s treatment of Zelenskyy and his willingness to turn the press conference into a shouting match also showcased his ignorance and his disregard for the responsibilities of his office. He wasn’t just mismanaging foreign policy—he was actively damaging the standing of the United States in front of the world. These actions weren’t those of a world leader; they were the actions of a criminal mob boss, wielding power for personal gain while leaving the rest of the nation in shambles.

Then again, President Trump was handed a felony conviction on 34 counts of financial fraud in New York while handed a gift by the Judge who refused to sentence him to any jail time or any other punishment like serving a probationary period like any other convicted criminal. I argue that this failure of the New York court released the President exposing his worst behavior to the world.

2. The Hillbilly Vice President J D Vance: Extra Fodder for Global Embarrassment

Alongside Trump, his Vice President, JD Vance, played his part in this undiplomatic farce. Often relegated to the background, Vance’s role in this was no less sinister. As Trump blustered through the event, Vance stood behind him, smiling awkwardly, offering little more than a mechanical and uninspired performance.

While Vance’s contributions to American politics could be seen as more pragmatic at times, this moment exposed the vice president’s true role in the Trump administration: a loyal follower who participated in reinforcing the dysfunctional, chaotic agenda of a man who had no regard for tradition, dignity, or reasoned statecraft.

Vance’s lack of substance on the world stage alongside Trump’s reckless antics made clear one painful reality: the U.S. was being led by a group of individuals who were out of their depth in terms of international diplomacy. This was not the governance of a global superpower but the childish grandstanding of a man who viewed politics as nothing more than a game to be won at any cost.

3. Is Trump Putin’s Pawn: A Clear and Present Danger to the United States

While the world watched, Trump’s actions seemed eerily in line with Vladimir Putin’s broader agenda to destabilize Europe. The Russian dictator’s intentions have always been clear: he wishes to fracture NATO, weaken the European Union, and restore Russia to its former imperial glory.

For Trump, whose ties to Russia have been the subject of ongoing scrutiny, his behavior—especially when interacting with leaders like Zelenskyy—has often been too friendly, too deferential, and far too friendly to Putin’s vision.

By casting doubt on NATO’s legitimacy, frequently praising Putin’s authoritarian rule, and even attempting to sideline Ukraine’s struggle for sovereignty, Trump has actively worked to weaken the West’s opposition to Russian expansion. It’s not just a case of poor diplomacy or reckless foreign policy; it’s a case of active complicity in a larger plan that serves no interest but Putin’s.

The very idea that Trump could serve as a pawn for Putin, destabilizing the geopolitical landscape, is a chilling thought for Americans who still believe in the values of democracy, transparency, and stability.

When one considers the realpolitik of Trump’s actions, it’s clear that Trump sought not to strengthen the U.S., but to embolden authoritarian figures across the world. His repeated praise of Putin, his disregard for Ukraine’s democratic aspirations, and his almost pathological desire to diminish the influence of Europe all point to a troubling question: Was Trump actively supporting Russia’s mission to see the destruction of the United States’ influence in the global order?

4. A National Security Crisis Waiting to Happen

At its core, Trump’s thuggish diplomacy created a national security crisis in plain sight. His actions were not only reckless but dangerous. When the president of the United States acts as a dictator’s stooge, it sends a dangerous message to adversaries, allies, and the American public.

For those who still hold the belief that the United States must stand as a beacon of democracy and freedom, Trump’s relationship with Putin and the disastrous press conference with Zelenskyy serve as a glaring reminder of how fragile the republic truly is.

The international community cannot be blamed for wondering where the United States stands when its leader acts as though he’s a pawn in a game much bigger than himself. Every misstep, every appeasement to Putin, and every decision to allow authoritarianism to rise in Europe is part of a larger pattern that undermines the very fabric of the Western world.

Conclusion: Standing Against Trump’s Fascist Agenda

The damage caused by Trump’s administration continues to reverberate, both in the United States and across the globe. His behavior at the Zelenskyy press conference, as well as his broader approach to foreign policy, reveals an individual who is out of touch with the duties and responsibilities of his office. He has consistently undermined democratic values, abetted authoritarian regimes, and weakened the U.S.’s global standing. This is not the action of a patriot or a statesman, but the work of someone willing to sacrifice the well-being of the United States for personal gain, ideological reasons, or perhaps something even darker.

To resist the coming tide of fascism and authoritarianism that threatens to unravel the West, Americans must ask themselves: How do we stand against a man who has shown time and again that his true loyalty lies with foreign dictators rather than the people of his own country? The fight for democracy and freedom is far from over, but we must stand together to ensure that those who seek to destroy these principles never again rise to power.

Sources Cited:

Bernstein, R. (2019). Trump and Putin: The Dangerous Liaison. The New York Times.

Kagan, R. (2020). The Twilight of Democracy: The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism. Doubleday.

Seddon, M. (2019). Trump’s Attitude Toward Putin: A Threat to U.S. National Security. Journal of International Relations, 34(2), 44-61.

Suggestions for Further Reading:

Kagan, R. (2020). The Twilight of Democracy: The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism. A sobering examination of the rise of authoritarianism worldwide, and how it has shaped U.S. foreign policy under Trump.

Hill, F. (2019). There Is Nothing for You Here: Finding Opportunity in the Twenty-First Century. A powerful memoir detailing the importance of democracy in Eastern Europe, particularly in Ukraine.

Gelb, L. (2020). The China Nightmare: The U.S. and the Struggle for Global Supremacy. An exploration of the U.S.’s foreign relations under Trump and the impact of rising authoritarianism.

Tisdall, S. (2019). Trump’s America: The End of the West?. An incisive critique of Trump’s impact on the international system.

Satter, D. (2020). The Putin System: An Analysis of Russia’s Political Structure. A critical look at how Russia’s domestic and foreign policies have been strengthened under Trump’s presidency.

Pomerantsev, P. (2019). Nothing Is True and Everything Is Possible: The Surreal Heart of the New Russia. A chilling look at Putin’s grip on power, with implications for the U.S.

McFaul, M. (2020). From Cold War to Hot Peace: An American Ambassador in Putin’s Russia. A firsthand account of U.S.-Russia relations from a former ambassador.

Acemoglu, D., & Robinson, J. (2020). The Narrow Corridor: States, Societies, and the Fate of Liberty. A deep dive into the relationship between state power and individual freedoms.

Zakaria, F. (2020). The Future of Freedom: Illiberal Democracy at Home and Abroad. A sharp analysis of the global rise of illiberal democracies and its implications for the U.S.

Gessen, M. (2020). Surviving Autocracy. A pointed critique of Trump’s authoritarian tendencies and how they mirror global autocrats.

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