The New Ugly American

[babylonsister]

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/12/24/2293531/-The-New-Ugly-American?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=trending&pm_medium=web

The New Ugly American
Tuesday, December 24, 2024 at 9:01:27a EST

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Donald Trump’s domestic and international behavior using bullying, threats, and extortion exemplifies a new level of “ugliness.” His actions demonstrate a disregard for diplomacy and cooperation, even before his second term as President begins.

snip//

Trump has also threatened the European Union with tariffs, saying, “I told the European Union that they must make up their tremendous deficit with the United States by the large-scale purchase of our oil and gas.”

Trump’s disdain for international cooperation is further evidenced by his intent to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accord and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. His threats to withdraw from NATO signal a retreat from multilateralism, jeopardizing global security and stability.

The original Ugly American highlighted the pitfalls of arrogance and cultural ignorance in diplomacy. Today, Trump’s actions embody a more dangerous form of the archetype—one that combines economic coercion, diplomatic incompetence, and a disregard for international norms. Trump’s approach is not merely “aggressive economic nationalism,” as Chrystia Freeland aptly observed, but a toxic blend of economic terrorism and hubris. In this context, he represents not just an ugly American but perhaps the ugliest one yet—a symbol of how the ideals of humility and cooperation have fallen out of the American diplomatic playbook.

[Blue_Tires]

1. Like someone else said,

Donnie is now officially running "the world's largest protection racket" 😒

[Woodycall]

5. That's a big "bingo"

Everything from tariffs, taxes, and worker deportation is going to be nothing but a big fucking "shake down" going forward because a synonym for fascism is, organized crime. Watch Schindler's List again and see if you disagree...

[Blue_Tires]

2. The problem is too many idiots have convinced themselves

That this is what "strong foreign policy" and "putting America first" looks like 👎

[rasputin1952]

3. Well...

We did have a bumper crop of idiots that turned out in November...

[Enter stage left]

4. The ugliest americans* now wear red MAGA hats!

*NOT CAPITALIZED ON PURPOSE!

[Irish_Dem]

6. A mob boss wants everyone to be terrified of him.

To make every one follow his orders and rules.
And to pay him large sums of money so he won't come after them.