It’s not every day the head of NATO calls a US president “daddy”, especially a “daddy” like Donald Trump. But here we are: a transatlantic love story like no other.
It began with a gushing private message two days ago, man to man, from Mark Rutte, a former Dutch prime minister. “Daddy” was on his way to a meeting in the Dutch capital. He of course promptly leaked Rutte’s private note. Why wouldn’t he? The European had praised Trump to the heavens for his decision to unleash massive bombs on Iran’s nuclear sites.
Was this a case of Rutte taking one for the team, to secure Trump’s support through flattery? Call these “Come to Trump” moments, the point where you offer unbridled praise for the president, everything he has ever done anywhere in the world, no matter what you really think.
But no. Rutte was taking one for Rutte. He thinks the world of “daddy”.
NATO-ing the line
It’s unusual, to say the least, for a NATO secretary-general to so fulsomely back a president who 48 hours earlier had ridden roughshod over international laws and bombed a country which posed no immediate threat. Rutte, it should be noted, has been an enthusiastic supporter of Israel and was the first to call its Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, after the Hamas attacks of October 7.
For all this though, some might argue that Rutte has taken a downright perilous path. Europe’s dictator next door, Vladimir Putin, has his own expansionist designs which he can justify.
Mark his words
But this week has been historic for many reasons, not only because it is the first time Israel and the US have directly attacked Iran. Where this all leads is not yet clear given that it’s a job half done for Israel and the leadership of the Islamic Revolutionary government remains intact.
By bombing Iran’s nuclear sites Trump has given the middle finger to international law and to the UN. It has caused rightful and righteous angst among those who believe in the international rules-based order and its purpose of protecting the world from the excesses of dictators. Human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson argues this is the worst of Trump’s many crimes to date and is comparable to the actions of Putin.
Rutte is happy to live in this world of ends which justify means. Trump’s decision to intervene in the Middle East means we are all living in Trump World™. It’s a leap up from Trump America™, a place where the rules-based order has also been nixed — and represents the next development in the constant growth of the Trump organisation.
Capital gains
This week Trump put his trademark on history as he insisted via one of his late-night all-caps blasts that the Israel-Iran conflict now be known as “THE 12 DAY WAR”, in honour of his role in bringing the conflict to a quick end.
He has spent his adult life doing this: branding the world in his image and daring anyone to challenge it as he moves relentlessly through the Republican Party, the US government and now the world. It is an evil but brutally effective linguistic technique.
There are dozens of Trump-patented words the world must acknowledge represents the truth. As well as “THE 12 DAY WAR” this week we also had “OBLITERATED”, being the Trump-branded version of what happened to Iran’s nuclear sites. This is not allowed to be disputed, even by America’s intelligence agencies. The Trump administration has turned the FBI on to whoever it is that leaked intelligence which cast doubt on the effectiveness of the US attack, and therefore on the integrity of the Trump-produced “OBLITERATED”. (A reminder the FBI is run by QAnon supporter Kash Patel.)
Back in the US, we have had “LIBERATION DAY”, “DAY OF LOVE” (January 6, 2021), “RIGGED ELECTION” and “BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL”.
Bombs away
If you want to play ball with Trump you must have your “Come to Trump” moment. You must agree all these words are the truth. Fellow dictators, opportunists and nihilists have no problem with this if it serves their ends. Netanyahu and the Middle East pros play him off a break, knowing Trump can oblige because he has the mightiest military force the world, and a sidekick Defense Secretary who’s doing it all for the USA and God.
How unhinged has it become? Today “Daddy” sent his millions of followers a rework of the Beach Boy’s Barbara Ann, turning it into “Bomb Iran” with a video featuring bombs tumbling down on Iran from a B-2 bomber.
But having a “Come to Trump” moment is not easy if you believe in the processes of democracy and international law. Despite this, the Australian media continue their perverse obsession with taunting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for failing to meet Trump.
What planet are they on?
Fair shake of the sauce, give Albo a break and just let Trump self combust.
Peter McNeill, I feverishly hope and pray to every known (and yet to be known) God, that the last four words of your comment materialise sooner rather then later!!
Well said and about time it was,
If only.
Of course, Albanese and Wong themselves backed Trump’s illegal bombing of Iran – a country which, as you say, posed no immediate threat. Never again can Labor, or the Coalition for that matter, appeal to any international actors to abide by international law. In backing Trump they have shown their own moral bankruptcy and mark themselves as being no different to Rutte.
And seriously damaged the future of Labor’s integrity amongst those who have been Labor supporters for all of their voting lives.
To avoid being collected into a different version of reality one must stay grounded and sharpen skills of analysis and spotting language of deception.
Nobody could make a character like Trump up
Agree how obscene is all this Trumpery and attendant Flattery from those who should know better. But please stop conflating the equally obscene US hegemonic rule-based order with (often not achieved) International law and justice:
https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/international-law-and-justice
Disappointed in Albo and Wong and the pathetic Australian response to this crass stupidity. However, do also recognise that sfb Murdoch press ( The Australian) continues to be extremely un-australian in its support of oligarchs and other rapists of Western society.
Trump is an A grade gold plated narcissist.
The fawning, notwithstanding its performative nature, is truly nauseating.
Pity our poor world atm, but continue to resist the lies and false narratives.
The Murdoch and nine media and their frenetic love of all things America is why I support independent media. The current USpresident is a bad dream getting worse by day and the rest of world have to deal with it. The world will never forgive The American voters ever again
Donnie is definitely a stain on the world.
The Dutch a strange breed, their politics mostly right wing. And back whoever is in their corner. It will be too late for the world by the time the orange stain is up for election. The damage of the new world order has been done.
Infamy is equally (or more) desired & powerful than fame.
Maybe don’t give the bad guys so much air space.
Lets start here by no longer ‘feeding: their rapacious egos, mentioning their names or deeds. Let’s boycott their platforms & businesses.
What would happen if we all put our formidable energy, reputations & intellect behind solution focused good humans & their actions & just ignored the bad guys…? Bernie Saunders, AOC & the Australian Left could sure use the support.