Two things stand out in that crazy note that Trump sent the Norwegian Prime Minister. And no, it is not the reference to “the boat landing” and claim that there is a lack of formal documentation of any agreement about jurisdictional control of Greenland (it turns out that there is, including a 1917 convention swapping recognition of Danish control over Greenland in exchange for US possession of what were then known as the Danish West Indies–now the US Virgin Islands–and a 1951 “Defense of Greenland” pact granting the US exclusive military basing rights on the island).
Nope.
It is the fact that 1) Trump believes that the Norwegian government controls awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize. Besides the unhinged obsession with winning the Nobel Peace Prize and the lies about ending eight (?) wars (?), Trump seems to think that because the Nobel Awards Committee is located in Oslo and committee members are selected by parliament, the Norwegian government somehow “controls” it. This is like saying that the US government controls the Academy Awards because the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) is located in Los Angeles and receives (well, used to receive) federal funding. Then he goes onto say that because the Norwegian government did not give him the prize, he is no longer interested in peace. WTF?
2) He seems to think that Norway either controls Greenland or has influence over Denmark’s policies regarding Greenland. Greenland is an autonomous (self-governing) territory of Denmark, like the Cook Islands are for NZ or New Caledonia is for France. Norway is not Denmark and has no control over Greenland or its relationship with Denmark.
That suggests that Trump is an ignorant buffoon of the highest order–maybe there is Legion of Honor equivalent prize for that, akin to a First Class Darwin Award–or he operates in a sardonic alternate reality-turned–parallel universe where he can make threats and issue ultimatums devoid of practical, diplomatic, legal or moral grounding. This has moved from being a case of unbridled narcissism into an instance of madness, be it a product of old age, medications, unchecked ego or a combination thereof, all enabled and encouraged by a coterie of cynical and sociopathic advisors, political allies and partisan media hacks.
Time to put him out to pasture, because any way you look at it, he ain’t all there. He has become a destabilizing danger to both the world system as well as to the US itself (I will refrain from commenting on his domestic policies here but they are also malevolently and destabilizingly nuts). Although JD Vance may step into the role of POTUS, he will not have the cult-like hold on the MAGA base that the madman has and will be challenged in any event by rivals who are already lining up to take a run at the presidency in 2028. Meanwhile, the current MAGA entourage will turn on each other and/or disperse like rats.
It could get bad, but it cannot get worse than what we have now.
Time for Article 25 and if not, impeachment yet again.
The 1930s serve as history’s most haunting “what if?”
If the German electorate had rejected the rhetoric of extremism, or if leaders like Chamberlain and Daladier had prioritised collective security over the illusion of “peace in our time,” the 20th century might have been defined by progress rather than the graveyard of 75 million people.
Today, the parallels are increasingly difficult to ignore. We are seeing:
The Erosion of Internal Checks: Just as the Weimar Republic’s institutions crumbled from within, modern democracies are facing unprecedented internal strain.
The Hesitation of Global Alliances: Diplomacy is once again struggling to find a unified voice against clear territorial and ideological aggression.
The Cost of Inaction: History teaches us that the price of stopping a dictator or a movement grows exponentially every month that action is delayed.
If 1938 was the point of no return for the last century, will 2026 be viewed as ours? The responsibility doesn’t just lie with the leaders in the room; it lies with the people who put them there.
Thanks Allan,
For the good historical perspective. Needless to say there is a lot of factors in play that blue the parallels somewhat but your point is well taken. It is hard to believe that there are no backroom discussions being held within the GOP over what to do with the situation. Conservative media blathering notwithstanding, they are in deep trouble if this keeps up, and not just in the upcoming midterms.
Years from now, we might see a dramedy biopic named something to the effect of, “The Madness of King Donald”.
As far as the post-Trump MAGA movement is concerned, we can only hope against hope that it goes full Ross Perot ’92 on itself. JD has the approximate charisma of a razor wire fence and will struggle to unite the MAGA loyalists.
I used to think Trump was a combination of MacArthur’s megamania and Jacksonian tencdies. However, he appears to be on another level of madness that will wreck the post-war era of stability.
I view Trump differently. He is very limited, a complete stranger to nuance, subtlety, humour or irony. His idea of humour is mocking people for their looks or mannerisms. He then labels them with offensive monikers. This is not madness , it is targetted and intentional. His general knowledge base is limited. In the areas of history, geography and medicine for example he is either ignorant or confused. He is thus very easy prey to conspiracy theorists, enablers and clever manipulators. He was thus able to suggest ridiculous and dangerous remedies during Covid. I am not qualified to say whether he is mad or not but he is certainly not the brightest guy in town and how he has gained status as US President is one of the great mysteries of the age!!!
I do believe he is mad. And confusion is a symptom of dementia. But there are people behind him it appears who are (still) prepared to bolster his ego and support (or instruct) – his ideas – I hesitate to call them policies, though they become so – in all matters domestic and international. He is a useful tool perhaps – on top of his weird beliefs, and ignorance.
I have watched a few of the latest videos of his (how can you avoid them?) – the speech at Davos; and the announcement of his ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza. I cut out of both before the end (returned to the tennis across the Ditch lol – we all need distractions!)
I just find it all incredible. But it is real – and the wider world has to deal with it.
I feel sorry for the UK – lost in the middle; I applaud those beginning to speak out (Newsom, Ursula v d Leyen, Carney); long for Europe, and the world! to step even further up in their resistance and in unity against him.
But moreover while it is obviously a false sentiment in many ways, I’m just glad I am in NZ and so far away and not so dependent on all of this.
I really do think it is time we, and the world, ignored him.
If you ignore something, it goes away.
The problem is, he is in charge of the most powerful armed force in the world.
And I’m not quite sure how you deal with that.