Inflammation

There is so much to be said in the latest edition of "President Trump Tries to Break Up the Atlantic Alliance."

We may have thought things couldn't get worse after the USA sided with Russia in two votes at the United Nations. The USA sided with Russia, North Korea, and Belarus in voting against a resolution which condemned Russia's actions and supported Ukraine's territorial integrity. Then we supported a resolution we drafted which omitted criticism of Russia while calling for an end to the war.  (Both resolutions were tabled.)

Then came the Trump-Vance- Zelensky meeting in the Oval Office, which prompted a vigorous defense of the President from a few Republicans who would appear not to have watched the confrontation. This is not a case of mere difference in judgement, as when the compromised Lindsey Graham saying that he has "never been more proud" of Trump, nor Secretary of State Rubio, Speaker Johnson, and Senator Lee substituting "America" for "Russia" in claiming the President has "put America first."

There were Republicans who instead opted for self-delusion or, less generously, lying. Representative Andy Biggs of Arizona fantasized "Dictator Zelensky had the audacity to disrespect President @realDonaldTrump and VO @JDVance during what should have been a friendly meeting, and @POTUS rightfully showed him the door."

Dissatisfied with the cordial exchange among the three leaders which had characterized the meeting, Vance decided to poke Zelensky with

I’m talking about the kind of diplomacy that’s going to end the destruction of your country. Mr. President, with respect, I think it’s disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media. Right now, you guys are going around and forcing conscripts to the front lines because you have manpower problems. You should be thanking the president for trying to bring an end to this conflict.

Instead of rebuking the Vice President for lecturing him, suggesting he bow down to Trump by "thanking the President for trying to bring an end to this conflict," Zelensky asked Vance "have you ever been to Ukraine that you say what problems we have?"

Vance was unable to say that he ever had. Zelensky could have pointed out that Vance was speaking from ignorance but instead replied "come once." That was what Andy Biggs called "the audacity to disrespect Donald Trump and JD Vance." 

If this was not the "friendly meeting" Biggs said could have come about, it was the meeting set up by President Trump. It was on Trump's ground, a venue the American president chose. Vance claimed  Zelensky had "come into the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media." However, it was one Ukrainian and two Americans, one of whom (Vice President Vance) was there to praise Donald Trump and urge worship of him. The meeting was set up by the President with media the President wanted there and featured a bully and his sycophant teaming up against a wartime leader. 

Similarly, Ron DeSantis, whom candidate Trump enjoyed calling "Ron DeSanctimonius," posted on X "the disrespect shown by Zelensky to @POTUS was jarring- especially given how much support the US has provided."  Indiana senator Jim Banks actually contended "Zelensky ungratefully expects us to bankroll and escalate another forever war- all while disrespecting the President. This entitlement is insulting."

That's an unwavering supporter of Donald J. Trump accusing another president- another human being, even of a sense of "entitlement."  Donald Trump whines when anyone dares even to question him and claimed a right to theft and possession of classified, even top secret, documents. By contrast, it's not "entitlement" when, as the BBC explained

It's going to be a very hard thing to do business like this," said Trump. It's going to be a tough deal to make because the attitudes have to change."

The President and Vice-President reprimanded Zelensky, appearing most angered by what they perceived as his "attitude."

Just say thank you," Vance demanded at one point.

Zelensky's responses- which were to fact-check the two far more powerful men and argue his corner- seemed driven by the existential nature of this moment.

Donald Trump, however, had far different motivation indicated by this segment, from a commentary/podcast by Stephen A. Smith. Trump gives Vladimir Putin a negotiating point with "you're not winning the war," He waves his finger at Zelensky and at 4:23 actually pushes him:

This is not how diplomacy works and it is not how meetings between two (or more) individuals work, (Adding insult to insult, after the meeting the Ukrainian delegation was kicked out of the White House.) It is how one individual seeks to seek dominance and to prove he is the alpha dog. And it is Donald Trump trying to precipitate a physical fight he then would have blamed on the Ukrainian. (Don't buy it? Think of how pleased you are when anyone but a close friend or family member shoves you.) It fell far short of aggravated assault because Trump might not have come out of that unscathed. However, it was an unmistakable act of provocation and classic go-to move of a bully.

Not that anyone has taken notice of that, though, because such things tend to get lost in the despicable words and acts of a uniquely despicable human being. Yet even without referring to that incident, but emphasizing President Trump's acquiescence to Vladimir Putin's plot line- Steve Schmidt summarizes (first sentence at :07, the rest at 6:48 of the video below)

There has never been a moment of greater disgrace that has ever taken place in the Executive Mansion or in the Oval Office than this..... If Donald Trump gets his knife in the back of Ukraine, it's the United States that will bleed out and we'll bury more of our children than we'll be able to count. This is the warning: on this day of epic national disgrace, without question, in my fifty-four years of life, the worst, the lowest, in our history. What today was, was a Donald-Trump inspired 9/11 attack on our values, on

our ideals.

              

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