Member-only story
He can see it clearly from his office in Moscow, his pet cat Fifi on his lap.
Trump has been threatening tariffs on nearly everyone, friend or foe.
The president of Colombia changes his mind on how his country’s illegal migrants to the US are to be returned — not in military aircraft but civilian instead — and Trump throws a tantrum. ‘I’m putting tariffs on you, restricting travel to the US on all government personnel, right now!’
Oh, dear, muses Putin. ‘Trump could’ve picked up the phone, Hey Mr President of Colombia, you agreed to the military aircraft to take back the migrants but changed your mind. Of course, you have an audience to play to, just like I do. But there’s no question they came in illegally and committed crimes. I’m all for resolving this amicably, are you?’
And the matter could’ve been addressed without the blowups.
Something about grandstanding is more newsworthy. Gets far more applause and flattery.
Trump’s devotees can say, ‘We have someone in control, someone really tough!’
A few days before inauguration he spoke to the prime minister of Denmark about Greenland. ‘I want Greenland!’ said Trump, or something close. ‘No, it’s not for sale,’ went the response.
‘I want it!’ Trump insisted, as if he may choose to take it by force.
And the Russian laughs.
‘He’s trying to be like me,’ says Putin, smiling to himself as he sits in office, caressing Fifi.
And Putin muses to himself that Americans still don’t get…
