Donald Trump

Dealing with hostile political leaders is nothing new for the Catholic church. It has two thousand years of practice, from Herod and Pilate through Napoleon to Stalin and Hitler. An institution that outlasted all of them will probably manage Donald Trump as well.

Comparisons to Hitler are wrong. Trump is more like Kaiser Wilhelm II: an erratic media monarch dismantling the guardrails of democracy to satisfy his own fragile, dangerous ego.

The American conservative viewpoint has drastically shifted from Reagan’s commitment to alliances and internationalism to Trump’s transactional approach, endangering global stability and leaving allies, like New Zealand, vulnerable.

Ukrainian President Zelensky faces pressure to accept a contentious peace plan influenced by Trump and Putin, threatening Ukraine’s sovereignty and reshaping global alliances.

The meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska symbolised a shift in power dynamics, undermining European security and enabling Russia’s aggressive ambitions while leaving Ukraine vulnerable.

US President Trump’s recent phone call with Putin has raised concerns about America’s withdrawal from Ukraine diplomacy. Europe now faces heightened risks without US support, leaving it vulnerable in the region.

Trump’s protectionist policies have paradoxically strengthened support for free trade among liberals, reshaping political alignments and highlighting its economic benefits despite initial resistance.

Donald Trump’s disruptive policies, while intended to harm, have paradoxically strengthened European resolve for free trade and defence, fostering greater unity and responsibility.