Staff Reports
The notion of Donald J. Trump diving headfirst into peacemaking roles a mere two months before his next presidential inauguration may make some folks scratch their heads, but for the midterm hypocrisy aficionados on the left, it’s just another example of the Trump derangement syndrome at play. As if Trump isn’t actually capable of solving problems the establishment has tackled for decades and failed.
Mr. Trump recently connected with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, laying out plans for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing war in Ukraine. With an entire global situation teetering on the brink of chaos, it seems the former president is already donning the mantle of diplomat. Scholz’s government may be fumbling like a toddler trying to balance on a tricycle, but now they’re all aboard the Trump train, citing a desire to work collaboratively to restore peace, which, if history serves, was Trump’s forte during his presidency.
US President-elect Trump and German Chancellor Scholz have agreed to work for "a return to peace in Europe" in their first call since the US election https://t.co/qvVp67opwJ pic.twitter.com/woMt8YIWwa
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) November 11, 2024
The irony is rich, considering Germany’s energy woes brought on by its own over-dependence on Russian gas—something Trump flagged like a warning sign stuck to a hoopla-worthy political circus. The German economy, the pride of Europe, has faced substantial setbacks thanks to energy supply nightmares exacerbated by short-sighted policies and the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipeline. Ah, the poetic justice of it all: a country that mocked Trump’s prophetic warnings now finds itself gasping for energy while recalling the days when they could have heeded that advice instead of laughing it off.
In this soap opera of international politics, Scholz finds himself at the helm of a sinking ship, with his “traffic light” coalition floundering worse than a flipper-less sea mammal. With his Social Democrat Party lagging in the polls, the German chancellor is staring down the barrel of imminent regime change. As Scholz juggles budget concerns and a parliamentary minority, it becomes increasingly clear that Europe’s heavyweights, namely Germany and France, are too busy patching up their own houses to stand as a credible resistance to Trump’s plans.
The cautious optimism of the elite may soon turn into panic as Trump eyes a peace deal in Ukraine and negotiations with none other than Putin himself. The idea of Trump advocating for a demilitarized zone and telling Ukraine to hold off on NATO membership illustrates a sharp departure from the fireworks diplomacy of past administrations. Instead of throwing endless money at a broken relationship, Trump is constructing a framework meant to stabilize the situation. In exchange for a dose of reality—essentially placing the conflict on ice—there’s a promise for continued military support, something that could prove to be a win-win for all involved.
As Trump weaves his tapestry of diplomacy, it becomes abundantly clear that both European powers are going to have to adjust their perspectives. With their budgets already blowing up like a piñata at a sugar-fueled child’s party, the appetite for self-funded support of Ukraine’s military endeavors is waning. With Trump stepping in as a peacemaker now, his potential effectiveness is a constant reminder that the path to prosperity lies not in endless conflicts but in pragmatism and, dare one say it, a little bit of Trump-style deal-making.
