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There's one way Trump has united the world
Under President Donald Trump, the United States’ reputation among nations of the world has dropped precipitously. Today’s America is no longer admired, respected, or looked up to by practically anyone. Fear of the US has replaced positive feelings, as America’s vast military and economic power is used by an unprincipled, adventurist president as a cudgel against sovereign nations, often in violation of international law. Under Trump, America has few friends left. Former allies are resetting relationships with the US, realigning economies for self-preservation, strengthening national defenses, and growing more united in response to a reckless, untrustworthy US. Adversaries such as Russia and China see Trump’s embracement of authoritarianism and disengagement from traditional allies as beneficial to their own strategic interests. Countries in dire need are deprived of the financial aid America has provided for more than a century. Countries rich in natural resources or strategically located are potential targets for imperialism and exploitation. America’s underlying ethos in its interaction with any country is, “What’s in it for us?” Trump’s America is selfish, greedy, shallow, bullying, cruel, and arrogant. Its own democracy in shambles, it ridicules the great democracies of Europe for being weak and insufficiently xenophobic, supporting European right-wing extremist factions that threaten those democracies. It turns a blind eye to human rights’ abuses in any country where it can make a buck.Like Trump, today’s America lacks a moral compass, bereft of any principles to inform and guide its behavior. It is no longer a defender of democracy at home or abroad, a champion of women’s rights, an advocate for the poor, a safe haven for the oppressed, a vigorous foe of racial discrimination, or needless to say, a proponent of truth in government.Instead, America follows the loathsome, morally bankrupt doctrine of “America First.” In practice, it has meant that America goes it alone, taking whatever it can get its rapacious hands on and the rest of the world be damned. Not only is “America First” a selfish, cynical worldview, it is stupid. It fails to recognize that America’s great historical success has relied to a great extent on its use of soft power in support of other countries.An America that functions not only for its own good but for the good of all nations accrues universal goodwill, has made America the leader of the free world, created steadfast universal partners, and prospered. The Trump “America First” doctrine is creating a widely despised, weakened America at odds with even its closest allies, its international influence reduced to saber-rattling adventurism. Rather than a nation to emulate, Trump’s America is seen by citizens of strong democratic countries as a troubled nation. They are puzzled that the American people would make the mistake of electing Trump a second time and have no confidence in Trump doing the right thing regarding world affairs. Unlike their own countries, they see an America so beset by gun violence that foreign tourists avoid it for their safety. They see a country with a broken, outrageously expensive health-care system, leaving over 27 million Americans uninsured. They see a country that does nothing to address catastrophic climate change like their countries are doing and exacerbates the problem by relying more heavily on fossil fuels. Unlike their own countries, they see America’s once esteemed democracy crumbling under the weight of an anti-democratic, autocratic president, a feckless Congress that bows to his will, and a Supreme Court that has ruled the president above the law. They justifiably see their own countries as superior in many ways and are increasingly dismissive of America aside from their trepidation over the existential threat that it increasingly poses.Under Trump’s presidency, America is on a road to self-destruction, the moral rot at the core of Trumpism infecting the country. Of course, Trump doesn’t care if he drags the country down with him. There are always others to lay the blame on and a deluge of monstrous lies to bury the truth.In the midterm elections, US citizens have the opportunity to send a powerful message to the world that Trump’s America isn’t our America and that we abhor what he and his spineless allies are doing to the country. We can use the power of the ballot to halt Trump’s assault on democracy and then begin the task of rebuilding America’s democracy and restoring our shattered relationships with our global partners.Tom Tyner is a freelance editorialist, satirist, political analyst, blogger, author and retired English instructor.
'Stunning moment': CNN host taken aback as Trump's 'obsession' comes to the White House
The arrival of Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado at the White House on Thursday was a "stunning moment" in history, according to one CNN anchor. Machado traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with President Donald Trump amid the U.S.'s ongoing intervention in Venezuela. Earlier this month, the U.S. captured dictator Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and flew them to New York to stand trial for narco-terrorism and weapons charges. The U.S. also left Maduro's second-in-command, Delcy Rodríguez, in control of the country instead of supporting Machado's opposition party, even though the latter won Venezuela's most recent election. During the meeting, Machado presented Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize, which she won in 2025 for advocating for democracy in Venezuela. Burnett mentioned that the Nobel Prize has been an "obsession" of Trump's for decades, and played a clip from an old interview in which he described it as a "trophy" of achievement. Trump later said he intends to keep the prize, even though the Nobel Foundation has said that it does not mean Trump is now counted among the Nobel winners. CNN's Erin Burnett seemed taken aback by the meeting on her show, "Erin Burnett OutFront." "It is a stunning moment to just take a pause and think about," Burnett said. "With everything going on in the world at a moment like this, not only that it happened, but it might really matter." Trump has said he supports leaving Rodríguez's regime in place because it is compliant with Trump's demands. One of those demands is that Venezuela fork over 50 million barrels of oil, which the Trump administration is now selling and parking the revenues from the oil in a back account in Qatar, according to reports.
‘Can he still do the job?’ CNN analyst raises on-air alarm over GOP senator's voice
An analyst on Thursday said that Sen. Mitch McConnell's (R-KY) voice sounded "distressing."CNN political commentator Karen Finney told anchor Jake Tapper that McConnell's comments on the United States' relationship with Greenland struck a chord — and how President Donald Trump's talks of seizing the island nation could have global repercussions — something McConnell mentioned. That was when Tapper brought up the longtime senator's health. "I just want to take a note to talk about how Sen. McConnell sounded in that clip, he's 83 years old," Tapper said. "He's had a number of public stumbles and health related episodes in recent years, he's not running for reelection, but as somebody who defended President [Joe] Biden, who had his moments as well, what was your reaction to that delivery?"Finney responded, saying she was surprised by McConnell's delivery. "It was distressing," Finney said."But, you know, I guess he's going to finish out his term and we'll see who who wins his seat," she added. "Look, you know, I kind of defended President Biden. I also was, you know, I did, as you may remember, question at times, you know, what's going on and what are we being told. But look, the most important thing is, can he still do the job? And according to what he just said, he made a very important, cogent point, despite the fact that he it is, noticeable that he doesn't sound well."McConnell, the longtime Republican Senate leader who has served as Senate Majority Leader for 17 years, has experienced several notable health incidents in recent years, including a fall in 2023 that resulted in a fractured shoulder and subsequent periods of recovery. He has also dealt with other health challenges during his time in the Senate, leading to increased scrutiny about his age and fitness for office, though he has continued to work through these medical issues while gradually reducing his public appearances and eventually announcing his retirement from Senate leadership in 2024. Editor's Note: Finney previously stated that McConnell had a stroke. That is incorrect. Finney later corrected her statement in a post on X, writing the following:"I misspoke during the panel — Sen. McConnell didn’t have a stroke. It was an honest mistake. People who know me know I care deeply about getting the facts right and correcting the record when I don’t. For the record I also agreed with Sen. McConnell on Trump, Greenland, and NATO," she wrote.
'The president is an idiot': Senator unloads on Trump's 'really dumb' obsession
A Democratic lawmaker Thursday shot down President Donald Trump's push to take over Greenland. Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) had a stern response to Trump's threats to take the island nation and Danish territory, despite the country's foreign minister and Danish foreign minister pushing back and saying Trump lied in his main claim about why the United States should seize the country. Gallego was asked in an interview with MS NOW if there was a way to address Trump's security concerns without handing over Greenland — and he didn't hold back. "No, because this has nothing to do with actual security concerns. This is the president being an idiot, and he is really excited about the idea of taking this big piece of land that's on a map, and he's using any excuse to actually cover up his idiotic idea," Gallego said. Gallego accused Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio — whom he referred to as "court jesters" — of green-lighting the move without understanding the real repercussions the move could have on the country's relationship with other nations. "And then you have people like, you know, JD Vance and Marco Rubio, they're coming up with all these weird excuses. 'We have access to Greenland, we have a base in Greenland. The kingdom of Denmark has said you could expand all the bases you want. They have they have agreed to to work with us on economic issues. They've agreed to any type of economic treaty that to secure mineral rights,' whatever it is, they'll do anything because they certainly don't want to work," Gallego argued. "But this is just a fit of fancy this president is having. And then all his court jesters around him are coming up with an excuse, because the real excuse is because the real reason is really dumb."Gallego added what he really thought of the ordeal, which experts have said could signal the end of NATO if the U.S. were to attack a key ally. "It's just the president is an idiot, and we're all trying to come up with excuses. But the fact is, at the core base, this president is an idiot," he said. "And now he's putting that foreign policy into effect, which is going to negatively affect us and the long run in terms of our national security."
'He double booked his invasions': Internet mocks Trump after he backs down on military act
President Donald Trump backed down on his threats against Iran Thursday, and the internet was ready to mock the move.Trump could reportedly be having second thoughts on interfering in Iran in the wake of deadly protests against the Middle Eastern country's clerical regime. The move could drag the U.S. into a longterm conflict following strikes against the country last year and current military operations in Venezuela — something his MAGA base might not be keen to support — despite the president's statement that "help is on its way."Online, plenty of talk was underway after Trump's reversal on action against the Iranian regime, including references to Trump as TACO — his internet nomenclature for Trump Always Chickens Out. "Can I get a T, can I get and A, can i get a C, and an O, what’s that spell??! TACO!" Adam Kinzinger, former U.S. representative and Air Force officer, wrote on X."He’s been looking at his dismal approval ratings again," user Dwayne Fontenot wrote on X."Not quite the cast iron guarantee that Iranians hoped for," electrician Colin Atkinson wrote on X."Can't attack your own cities and other country's at the same time. Priorities!" User Astrid wrote on X."Taco taco man all he is a taco man," user El Azúcar wrote on X."He double booked his invasions, that’s all. It conflicts with his invasion in Minnesota," Cindy Chastulik wrote on X.
'Stop playing dodgeball!' Elizabeth Warren corners Trump nominee on 'illegal orders'
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) pressed President Donald Trump's nominee for commander of the U.S. Southern Command after he struggled not to contradict Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about whether it was proper to question the legality of orders.During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Thursday, Warren sought to clarify why Hegseth has censured Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ), a retired captain, for "conduct [that] was seditious in nature" after he and other Democrats encouraged troops not to follow illegal orders."General Donovan, is it sedition for someone in the military to question whether an order is legal?" Warren asked Lt. Gen. Francis Donovan. "Senator, in my 37 years of experience, I have received many orders over time," Donovan replied. "And when I ever have faced a situation where I need to seek clarity, I ask higher headquarters to clarify the task. Then I come back and work on that with legal advisors, the core staff, the subordinate commanders, senior listed leaders, and then present my thoughts to higher headquarters for their consideration.""So I think what you're telling me is you have questioned whether an order is legal. Is that right?" Warren observed. "Senator, I did not, what I believe I'm focused on here is that the legality of the order, we face orders, we carry out missions," the nominee stuttered. "And so in that planning process, we look at all aspects of each mission, each task, each order, to ensure that we're structuring the command, the force, the unit to achieve the objective.""I appreciate that, General, but that's the question I'm trying to ask," Warren replied, "Is it sedition for someone in the military to question whether an order is legal?""And I thought I just heard you say that you had actually questioned orders and whether they were legal, and you sought advice," the senator continued. "So I will ask it one more time. Is it sedition to question whether an order is legal?""Senator, I would not use the term sedition," Donovan admitted. "I use the term basically our order and discipline, how we approach any situation where we have to accomplish a mission and provide the best capability for the task at hand.""I'm sorry," Warren gasped. "I still can't understand your answer here. I'm just asking you a very straightforward question."After another attempt, Donovan refused to give Warren a straight answer."I will stop playing dodgeball here," Warren said. "Back in 2016, Secretary Hegseth was very clear that service members have a duty not to follow illegal orders. Since then, he has repeatedly made clear his contempt for legal review, including by sidelining military legal advisors.""General Donovan, if your legal advisor tells you that an order is illegal, will you refuse to carry out that order?" she wondered. "I will take that very seriously if my legal advisor says that is an illegal order, and I will seek clarification from higher headquarters," the general remarked."Okay, but your intention is not to carry out an illegal order? Is that right?" Warren asked."I will never carry an illegal order, Senator," Donovan said."I appreciate that. That's what I want to hear," Warren concluded.
Trump accused of lying by key NATO ally
A key NATO ally has accused President Donald Trump of lying and pushed back on the president's main argument of why the United States should takeover Greenland. Foreign ministers from Greenland and Denmark said that Trump "made up" the claims that China wanted to seize the country in an attempt to mislead his desire to purchase the country, The Daily Beast reported. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Greenland's Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt spoke with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday, calling Trump's claims to take the island as "totally unacceptable."“It’s not a true narrative that we have Chinese warships all around the place,” Rasmussen told press after the meeting."According to our intelligence, we haven’t had Chinese warships in Greenland for a decade or so," Rasmussen said, rejecting Trump's assertion.Motzfeldt described how the U.S. has been a NATO ally, yet “that doesn’t mean we want to be owned by the United States.”Trump has claimed that Russia or China would try to take hold of Greenland if the U.S. doesn't act and that it's a matter of national security. “NATO should be leading the way for us to get it. IF WE DON’T, RUSSIA OR CHINA WILL, AND THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday, just hours before the meeting.
Trump's attack on Iran 'could come in the next 24 hours': Reuters
President Donald Trump has likely decided to attack Iran, and the strike "could come in the next 24 hours," officials indicated on Wednesday.According to Reuters, a U.S. decision to withdraw some personnel from bases in the Middle East was widely seen as preparation for strikes.Trump has suggested he would attack Iran if the country's regime continues to kill protesters. Over 2,000 protesters had been killed in the anti-government demonstrations, one Iranian official said."Two European officials said U.S. military intervention appeared likely, with one saying it could come in the next 24 hours," the report noted. "An Israeli official also said it appeared Trump had taken a decision to intervene, though the scope and timing had yet to be made clear."Iran has vowed to retaliate against any U.S. strikes.
'Not what MAGA signed up for': Right-wing host flips out over Trump's 'sacrilegious' wars
Pro-MAGA host David Brody suggested President Donald Trump had turned his back on his followers by flirting with wars in Venezuela, Iran, and Greenland.After Trump hinted that he would "make Iran great again" on Wednesday, Brody lashed out at the president on Real America's Voice."Well, I mean, we obviously heard that all throughout the campaign, make Iran great again. Oh, I'm sorry, my bad. No, we didn't!" he exclaimed. "Make Iran great again? Okay. So there's that. Clearly, he's the acting president of Venezuela at this point. I mean, so we've got to make Venezuela great again. But that doesn't sound very good. MAGA sounds better than MVGA, whatever that is. So there's that.""Really? And then what is it going to be the Chancellor of Greenland next?"Brody noted that Trump was the chairman of the Gaza Board of Peace and put his name on a building to create the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace in Washington."Guys, it's what I've been saying all along, which is he's falling in love with being the peace president, the world peace president," the host explained. "Guys, I'm sorry, that's not what MAGA signed up for. I'm just being straight up about it.""What I'm talking about is that there is a sacrilegious element here to saying MIGA, to say, make Iran great again," he added. "That is a sacred term. It's a term that is important to MAGA.""And if you're going to start diluting it with make Iran great again and make Venezuela great again and make Greenland great again. That's the problem I have."
Search for single-tusked elephant after 22 killed in India rampage
Eastern region on high alert as authorities try to track animal tearing through villages in Jharkhand after apparently becoming separated from herdForest officials in India are on the hunt for an elephant that has killed more than 20 people in a days-long rampage through the eastern state of Jharkhand.Since the beginning of January, 22 people have been killed by a single-tusked elephant that has been tearing through forests and villages in West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand. Continue reading...
Russia working to circumvent sanctions to ensure India oil imports continue
Delhi is world’s second largest purchaser of Russian crude, which is now cheaper than oil from Middle EastRussia is already working to circumvent the latest US sanctions to ensure India can continue to import high levels of cheap Russian crude oil, according to industry analysts.Since the outbreak of the Ukraine war, India has become the world’s second largest purchaser of Russian crude oil, which has been heavily discounted due to the impact of western sanctions. Continue reading...
Sikh activist in UK told to increase security over Hindu nationalist threats
Police ask Paramjeet Singh Pamma to install security cameras and reinforce door locks at his homePolice have advised a high-profile Sikh activist in the UK to install security cameras at his home and reinforce door locks because of threats from Hindu nationalist elements.Paramjeet Singh Pamma, 52, said he had been visited by police and received verbal advice to increase his security due to intelligence suggesting threats to his safety. Continue reading...
