Things Trump has said and done in the past made sense, despite upsetting a lot of folk (mainly those whose cosy arrangements were upset by his actions), but the letter to Norway over the Nobel peace prize is a childish reaction and his stance over Greenland is petulant and pointless. Is the man's mental acuity fading?
His recent behaviour has been bizarre, he’s looked quite unhinged at times.
I have agreed with some of what he has said and done, but his current behaviour is only serving to arm his critics, with ammunition, questioning his sanity, his sincerity and his intentions.
I agree with you about fading mental acuity. Also, perhaps, the psychological effect of having a bullet whistle past his head in the run up to his re-election may play a part.
Thank you for writing on this Paul, because I too am baffled by the attitude of some on the right towards this outrageous behaviour from Trump. I am a Conservative, and as far as I know all conservatives are in sync with the government on this issue. Some people whose political views are further to the right, however, seem to have developed a strange crush on the orange man, to the extent that they can concoct excuses for anything he does, however bizarre.
Their approval of Trump’s very worrying threats towards ‘certain countries’ who have had the audacity to support a fellow NATO member is even more baffling given that their spiritual leader, Nigel Farage, has firmly (and uncharacteristically) condemned the President.
I have noticed that almost without exception GBNews presenters have been putting forward very unconvincing arguments in favour of Trump seizing Greenland, in the face of unanimous condemnation from guest interviewees and panellists. I find this very odd.
I’m just hoping that political forces within the USA can remind Trump that the power of the President is still limited by democratic processes in that country. He is not yet a dictator, even if he would like to be.
Very good article with lots of food for thought. I agree with you and others Paul that his rebuke to Norway for not giving him the Nobel Prize for Peace and then accepting the prize granted to the Venezuelan opposition leader, while not seemingly understanding it’s being awarded the prize that counts rather than holding the gold prize itself, is incredibly strange behaviour from a strange guy. I doubt it’s a Hungary moment for the right as Farage and others have distanced themselves from Trump on Greenland and tariffs but it won’t help for sure.
Thanks for pointing out Trump’s treatment of the Great White North (Canada).
I agreed with many of his administration’s criticisms of Canadian leadership on the dairy board, borders, Chinese interference, fentanyl and international gangsters in Canada.
I am no fan of Mark Carney and Justin Trudeau.
However, at this point his continual punishment of my nation is coming across as petty and stupid. We are long time allies, huge trading partners and neighbors with the longest undefended border in the world.
No surprise that Canadian leadership is seeking closer ties with China, the EU, Qatar and other places. Obviously CUSMA (Canada-US-Mexico trade agreement), and NORAD (North American defense agreement) are meaningless to the Trump administration.
Yup! Spot on! It's the complete lies that shock. We're used to politicians not being er completely truthful but the garbage being said by Trump re Greenland is next level. As if people can't see them too! People know Greenland is covered already by NATO, people know Greenland has a US base, and options for two more, people know that the USA has systematically lowered it's military presence in Greenland, as there is no external threat, and to therefore repeat, everyone knows that neither Russia nor China is planning to attack, invade or occupy Greenland. And we though Ronald Reagan was mad! :-o
Completely agree with everything you say about Trump. Especially his stupid actions right before the Canadian election. What a tragedy that Mark Carney is now in power when it could have been so different. And as you say he's killing the populist response in Europe too which is so tragic. It's no excuse, but I can only assume that TDS from Trump's own supporters is a result of being so relieved to have got rid of the wokery and trans and race obsessions of the Democrats. Such a relief that indeed they have fallen prey to cultish behaviour. Overall I am still relieved that Trump is in power despite his recent childish actions, but that will not stop me calling him out. Calling out "your own side" is the fastest way to breaking down the division and group think. It shows you can't be trusted to be rational rather than a robotic follower. It confuses the other side and makes them think. It is only a positive thing so it's indeed sad to see it's not happening with so many on Greenland.
Trump has completely lost the plot and many are now saying he needs to go.
You're absolutely right about the plastic so-called 'patriots' as well. Anyone who supports Trump's madness on this is no kind of patriot at all.
If this lunatic is allowed to take Greenland, it provides him with an extra front form which to launch aggression against Canada.
We, the UK, should be sending a task force to Greenland as a clear warning to the USA that this will not be tolerated.
As for his threats on Canada, let's remind him and his fellow rednecks that the last time they did this it didn't end well for them. We occupied Washington and burned down their White House.
Trump has always been a disrupter, unconventional but part performance led most of us to understand the letter was a show of petulance, the threat of invasion was more a demand to come to the table (which ultimately, is what happened).
You mention sovereignty a few times. But what is sovereignty without borders? U.K. cant protect its borders and neither can the EU (exceptions being Poland and Hungary). So where is our sovereignty never mind Greenlands.
The EU hates confrontation, hates war - until it’s a war of their own making. The EU and U.K. have already decided on a war - with Russia of all countries!! They want their money back and that’s what it’s about. Starmer speaks of peace but has never outlined a peace plan. He’s never asked for meetings with Russian counterparts to make a deal.
The world order you refer to is over as Carney so eloquently told us. Group hugs and climate summits will be no more.
Greenland is a component of a much larger strategy, Paul. Take a look at the below link to an analysis from Firas Modad, a geopolitical expert. And it should be remembered that Trump's negotiating strategy is always to start with the outrageous, and then slowly concede to a point where he gets what he wants. He won't be invading Greenland anytime soon:
I completely agree with this article, as already stated.
If I could make a suggestion, particularly in response to some of remarks being made by tories on this and other comments threads, it would be good to see an article focussing on the positive achievements of our Labour Government.
Labour, under Keir Starmer, has brought in the biggest package of employment rights in a generation, the Renters' Rights Act, brought railways back into public ownership, provided free breakfast clubs, expanded free childcare, raised the minimum wage and it today announcing the Warm Homes Plan which will lift one million people out of fuel poverty.
The tories - whether of the light blue Reformist or darker blue Conservative variety - wouldn't do any of this.
I looked at the main headline and thought "wow , he has finally gone after Keir " 😉
While I know you are brexit Paul ( so i dont include you in some 9f this ), I do find it ironic that those on the left that are more loyal to the flag of the eu , Russia, China, Iran , hamas and hezbollah are now lecturing others on what a "Paitriot " is ( something which is also affliction the right, "if you dont agree with me , you a traitor etc , see zia and jenirick , farage ) .
You see activists threatening businesses and the future employment of workers in the UK the left when left wing activists vandalism a private buisness here, forcing them to loss money .
Where is the outrage that workers at the prison had to go to work and abused by pro pally mob daily , if it were Dr's and Nurses abused by far right skinheads , parliament would unite to condem
Outrage when lefties target a private buisness affecting workers and livelihoods in the UK = zero
But when trump does it = TDS
Look at all the remainers on the left that worship rejoin EU ( looks at number 10 )
Patrisim? The left shouldn't throw stones in the greenhouse , its not exactly a place of strength for them , your last two elected leaders, Jeremy Corbyn and keir .
Meanwhile, I feel it is only fair to say thst I was pleasantly surprised and I give credit to Home Src Shabbana for no confidence in wmp chief constable. , for a modern labour home sec to stand up to anti semites, its a start .
Have a lovely week Paul and readers 😊
Ps I have noticed a upturn in "Wolves-a-lona " recently, it looks like Santa actually read my email 😉
Pps one of the only hope for labour is that those dissaffected tory/ labour voters who are considering voting reform at GE catch on to the same lies , spin , word salads and hypocrisy that they stay at home .
I get the gist that the left don't call out vandalism and damage to uk businesses when perpetrated by leftist activists and I agree. Too many people are incapable of calling out their own side. It's the result of group think.
Your last pps is a tragedy. I think most on the left and right in these pages would agree that Starmer's government is the worst we've ever had, with the Tories in close second place. Urging people to stay home on election day is a total cop out. No party can be perfect, no party will tick all the boxes, but only a coward (or extreme centrist dad) would stay home on election day. You have to make a call on which party will be best. Even if that means voting for one or two policies you don't agree with. We have to stop the influx of immigrants (legal and illegal), it's killing our country on so many fronts. We have to stop giving ILR after 5 years which kills us many more times over with immigrants then bringing in extended family all of whom have full rights to all benefits and the NHS. We have to deport illegal immigrants. We have to get those of working age and on long term sick benefits back into work. To me those issue are the biggest to sort out and then things will start falling into place. The only party who is saying they'll do these things is Reform. Whether you like their rhetoric or not, the Tories and Labour have, and are doing, the opposite of these things. Tories had a chance and failed, Labour had a chance and have failed in 18 months, even faster than the Tories. We must give Reform a chance. We must put our ideological stance and pride aside and look at who the only party is that has a chance of turning things around. We have nothing to lose. To stay home and not vote is madness because if Reform don't get in, the UK will never recover, ever. And that last bit is what keeps me up at night because I fear for my children's future. So please come out and vote, and vote for the party you think is most likely to turn things around. More of the same or give someone else a crack at the whip.
As someone who has been around politics , thr political block over many decades , my BS detector doesn't discriminate.
Why would reform labelled Rob jenirick a "traitor " and ",fraud " ( very serious allegations) and then roll out red carpets for him ? Unless they were lying ...
How can you trust them to be ",champions of free speech " when the then chairman called the police to report "hurty words " by Rupert?
Judge Judy wrote a couple of books , one is titled :
"Dont pee on my leg and tell me its raining "
Have a lovely week 😀
Ps withholding your vote is as important as voting. I cannot give my consent to establishment that covers itself in lies, spin , dark arts and hypocrisy.
Yes I agree allowing Tories to join can be risky and Reform should not let too many in, but given that they need experienced politicians who understand how Westminster works, these defections will also be extremely useful to them. At least Jenrick was talking the right talk long before moving to Reform, and resigned from his position over immigration. Farage, I'm sure, won't hesitate to throw him out if he tries to implement any Tory wet style stuff.
But the most important point is that we know the Tory and Labour record. We have proof that they both totally wrecked things, so why wouldn't you give someone else a chnace who is at the very least saying the right things.
So forget lies spin and all the rest of it, they are all at it, you still can make an educated choice over who will do the best for the country. To me, not voting is like throwing your toys out of your pram when a tough decision has to be made. Vote for someone, because not doing so is often the same as giving your vote to a different party. Assess each party/candidate and make the best decision you can. Not voting, in my view, is only for those who have no opinions whatsoever or for those who have just given up. And if you give up you have no right complain about the state of things.
I think you may be over-rationalising Trump’s motives. The minerals may be part of it, but the US could already mine there, though US companies haven’t shown much interest as the conditions are so difficult, making extraction very expensive. As Trump himself said the other day, he needs Greenland psychologically and when asked whether he meant for him personally or for the US he said for him.
Things Trump has said and done in the past made sense, despite upsetting a lot of folk (mainly those whose cosy arrangements were upset by his actions), but the letter to Norway over the Nobel peace prize is a childish reaction and his stance over Greenland is petulant and pointless. Is the man's mental acuity fading?
I have been wondering the same thing, John.
His recent behaviour has been bizarre, he’s looked quite unhinged at times.
I have agreed with some of what he has said and done, but his current behaviour is only serving to arm his critics, with ammunition, questioning his sanity, his sincerity and his intentions.
Crazy times.
I agree with you about fading mental acuity. Also, perhaps, the psychological effect of having a bullet whistle past his head in the run up to his re-election may play a part.
That's a very good point regarding the assasination attempt.
Thank you for writing on this Paul, because I too am baffled by the attitude of some on the right towards this outrageous behaviour from Trump. I am a Conservative, and as far as I know all conservatives are in sync with the government on this issue. Some people whose political views are further to the right, however, seem to have developed a strange crush on the orange man, to the extent that they can concoct excuses for anything he does, however bizarre.
Their approval of Trump’s very worrying threats towards ‘certain countries’ who have had the audacity to support a fellow NATO member is even more baffling given that their spiritual leader, Nigel Farage, has firmly (and uncharacteristically) condemned the President.
I have noticed that almost without exception GBNews presenters have been putting forward very unconvincing arguments in favour of Trump seizing Greenland, in the face of unanimous condemnation from guest interviewees and panellists. I find this very odd.
I’m just hoping that political forces within the USA can remind Trump that the power of the President is still limited by democratic processes in that country. He is not yet a dictator, even if he would like to be.
Very good article with lots of food for thought. I agree with you and others Paul that his rebuke to Norway for not giving him the Nobel Prize for Peace and then accepting the prize granted to the Venezuelan opposition leader, while not seemingly understanding it’s being awarded the prize that counts rather than holding the gold prize itself, is incredibly strange behaviour from a strange guy. I doubt it’s a Hungary moment for the right as Farage and others have distanced themselves from Trump on Greenland and tariffs but it won’t help for sure.
Thanks for pointing out Trump’s treatment of the Great White North (Canada).
I agreed with many of his administration’s criticisms of Canadian leadership on the dairy board, borders, Chinese interference, fentanyl and international gangsters in Canada.
I am no fan of Mark Carney and Justin Trudeau.
However, at this point his continual punishment of my nation is coming across as petty and stupid. We are long time allies, huge trading partners and neighbors with the longest undefended border in the world.
No surprise that Canadian leadership is seeking closer ties with China, the EU, Qatar and other places. Obviously CUSMA (Canada-US-Mexico trade agreement), and NORAD (North American defense agreement) are meaningless to the Trump administration.
Yup! Spot on! It's the complete lies that shock. We're used to politicians not being er completely truthful but the garbage being said by Trump re Greenland is next level. As if people can't see them too! People know Greenland is covered already by NATO, people know Greenland has a US base, and options for two more, people know that the USA has systematically lowered it's military presence in Greenland, as there is no external threat, and to therefore repeat, everyone knows that neither Russia nor China is planning to attack, invade or occupy Greenland. And we though Ronald Reagan was mad! :-o
Sensible and informed piece, Paul. Trump will lose a lot of support from middle of the road voters over this. He looks, as you say, slightly demented.
Completely agree with everything you say about Trump. Especially his stupid actions right before the Canadian election. What a tragedy that Mark Carney is now in power when it could have been so different. And as you say he's killing the populist response in Europe too which is so tragic. It's no excuse, but I can only assume that TDS from Trump's own supporters is a result of being so relieved to have got rid of the wokery and trans and race obsessions of the Democrats. Such a relief that indeed they have fallen prey to cultish behaviour. Overall I am still relieved that Trump is in power despite his recent childish actions, but that will not stop me calling him out. Calling out "your own side" is the fastest way to breaking down the division and group think. It shows you can't be trusted to be rational rather than a robotic follower. It confuses the other side and makes them think. It is only a positive thing so it's indeed sad to see it's not happening with so many on Greenland.
Well said, Tracy.
Exactly this.
Just to add, Trumps recent extremely overlong speeches have lost their vibrancy, and have become the ramblings that we witnessed with Biden.
Spot on Paul.
Trump has completely lost the plot and many are now saying he needs to go.
You're absolutely right about the plastic so-called 'patriots' as well. Anyone who supports Trump's madness on this is no kind of patriot at all.
If this lunatic is allowed to take Greenland, it provides him with an extra front form which to launch aggression against Canada.
We, the UK, should be sending a task force to Greenland as a clear warning to the USA that this will not be tolerated.
As for his threats on Canada, let's remind him and his fellow rednecks that the last time they did this it didn't end well for them. We occupied Washington and burned down their White House.
I have long called for "none of the above " to added to the ballot paper .
Trump has always been a disrupter, unconventional but part performance led most of us to understand the letter was a show of petulance, the threat of invasion was more a demand to come to the table (which ultimately, is what happened).
You mention sovereignty a few times. But what is sovereignty without borders? U.K. cant protect its borders and neither can the EU (exceptions being Poland and Hungary). So where is our sovereignty never mind Greenlands.
The EU hates confrontation, hates war - until it’s a war of their own making. The EU and U.K. have already decided on a war - with Russia of all countries!! They want their money back and that’s what it’s about. Starmer speaks of peace but has never outlined a peace plan. He’s never asked for meetings with Russian counterparts to make a deal.
The world order you refer to is over as Carney so eloquently told us. Group hugs and climate summits will be no more.
Greenland is a component of a much larger strategy, Paul. Take a look at the below link to an analysis from Firas Modad, a geopolitical expert. And it should be remembered that Trump's negotiating strategy is always to start with the outrageous, and then slowly concede to a point where he gets what he wants. He won't be invading Greenland anytime soon:
https://www.lotuseaters.com/premium-realpolitik-30-19-01-2026
He got diddly squat this time. He overreached massively and has paid the price reputationally.
Ah, it's a long way from played out yet. You should listen to Firas.
I completely agree with this article, as already stated.
If I could make a suggestion, particularly in response to some of remarks being made by tories on this and other comments threads, it would be good to see an article focussing on the positive achievements of our Labour Government.
Labour, under Keir Starmer, has brought in the biggest package of employment rights in a generation, the Renters' Rights Act, brought railways back into public ownership, provided free breakfast clubs, expanded free childcare, raised the minimum wage and it today announcing the Warm Homes Plan which will lift one million people out of fuel poverty.
The tories - whether of the light blue Reformist or darker blue Conservative variety - wouldn't do any of this.
Labour is the true party of the people.
There's certainly some validity in what you say, Karl. I'll give some thought to a piece.
Hi Paul 👋
I looked at the main headline and thought "wow , he has finally gone after Keir " 😉
While I know you are brexit Paul ( so i dont include you in some 9f this ), I do find it ironic that those on the left that are more loyal to the flag of the eu , Russia, China, Iran , hamas and hezbollah are now lecturing others on what a "Paitriot " is ( something which is also affliction the right, "if you dont agree with me , you a traitor etc , see zia and jenirick , farage ) .
You see activists threatening businesses and the future employment of workers in the UK the left when left wing activists vandalism a private buisness here, forcing them to loss money .
Where is the outrage that workers at the prison had to go to work and abused by pro pally mob daily , if it were Dr's and Nurses abused by far right skinheads , parliament would unite to condem
Outrage when lefties target a private buisness affecting workers and livelihoods in the UK = zero
But when trump does it = TDS
Look at all the remainers on the left that worship rejoin EU ( looks at number 10 )
Patrisim? The left shouldn't throw stones in the greenhouse , its not exactly a place of strength for them , your last two elected leaders, Jeremy Corbyn and keir .
Meanwhile, I feel it is only fair to say thst I was pleasantly surprised and I give credit to Home Src Shabbana for no confidence in wmp chief constable. , for a modern labour home sec to stand up to anti semites, its a start .
Have a lovely week Paul and readers 😊
Ps I have noticed a upturn in "Wolves-a-lona " recently, it looks like Santa actually read my email 😉
Pps one of the only hope for labour is that those dissaffected tory/ labour voters who are considering voting reform at GE catch on to the same lies , spin , word salads and hypocrisy that they stay at home .
I hope you gist of this post 👍
I get the gist that the left don't call out vandalism and damage to uk businesses when perpetrated by leftist activists and I agree. Too many people are incapable of calling out their own side. It's the result of group think.
Your last pps is a tragedy. I think most on the left and right in these pages would agree that Starmer's government is the worst we've ever had, with the Tories in close second place. Urging people to stay home on election day is a total cop out. No party can be perfect, no party will tick all the boxes, but only a coward (or extreme centrist dad) would stay home on election day. You have to make a call on which party will be best. Even if that means voting for one or two policies you don't agree with. We have to stop the influx of immigrants (legal and illegal), it's killing our country on so many fronts. We have to stop giving ILR after 5 years which kills us many more times over with immigrants then bringing in extended family all of whom have full rights to all benefits and the NHS. We have to deport illegal immigrants. We have to get those of working age and on long term sick benefits back into work. To me those issue are the biggest to sort out and then things will start falling into place. The only party who is saying they'll do these things is Reform. Whether you like their rhetoric or not, the Tories and Labour have, and are doing, the opposite of these things. Tories had a chance and failed, Labour had a chance and have failed in 18 months, even faster than the Tories. We must give Reform a chance. We must put our ideological stance and pride aside and look at who the only party is that has a chance of turning things around. We have nothing to lose. To stay home and not vote is madness because if Reform don't get in, the UK will never recover, ever. And that last bit is what keeps me up at night because I fear for my children's future. So please come out and vote, and vote for the party you think is most likely to turn things around. More of the same or give someone else a crack at the whip.
Hi 👋
As someone who has been around politics , thr political block over many decades , my BS detector doesn't discriminate.
Why would reform labelled Rob jenirick a "traitor " and ",fraud " ( very serious allegations) and then roll out red carpets for him ? Unless they were lying ...
How can you trust them to be ",champions of free speech " when the then chairman called the police to report "hurty words " by Rupert?
Judge Judy wrote a couple of books , one is titled :
"Dont pee on my leg and tell me its raining "
Have a lovely week 😀
Ps withholding your vote is as important as voting. I cannot give my consent to establishment that covers itself in lies, spin , dark arts and hypocrisy.
Yes I agree allowing Tories to join can be risky and Reform should not let too many in, but given that they need experienced politicians who understand how Westminster works, these defections will also be extremely useful to them. At least Jenrick was talking the right talk long before moving to Reform, and resigned from his position over immigration. Farage, I'm sure, won't hesitate to throw him out if he tries to implement any Tory wet style stuff.
But the most important point is that we know the Tory and Labour record. We have proof that they both totally wrecked things, so why wouldn't you give someone else a chnace who is at the very least saying the right things.
So forget lies spin and all the rest of it, they are all at it, you still can make an educated choice over who will do the best for the country. To me, not voting is like throwing your toys out of your pram when a tough decision has to be made. Vote for someone, because not doing so is often the same as giving your vote to a different party. Assess each party/candidate and make the best decision you can. Not voting, in my view, is only for those who have no opinions whatsoever or for those who have just given up. And if you give up you have no right complain about the state of things.
Well said Tracy
Two wrongs don't make a right mate.
I think you may be over-rationalising Trump’s motives. The minerals may be part of it, but the US could already mine there, though US companies haven’t shown much interest as the conditions are so difficult, making extraction very expensive. As Trump himself said the other day, he needs Greenland psychologically and when asked whether he meant for him personally or for the US he said for him.
This is a good analysis: https://youtu.be/PwRsTDlqU8I?si=VO3KtPqd-o1jD8hw