Donald Trump went to Davos on Wednesday morning and gave the speech that Vladimir Putin wanted him to, lying and pissing off Europe and shaking the North Atlantic alliance to its core.
Summary
The article argues that Vladimir Putin’s primary objective with Donald Trump is not a specific policy concession, but something far broader: the systematic weakening of American democracy, institutions, and alliances. According to the author, Trump’s actions—whether intentional or not—consistently advance Putin’s strategic interests by undermining NATO, destabilizing U.S. alliances, eroding the rule of law at home, and legitimizing authoritarian behavior abroad.
The piece contends that Trump’s refusal to meaningfully support Ukraine has allowed Russia to devastate Ukrainian infrastructure, while his threats toward Greenland and invasion of Venezuela normalize territorial aggression and reinforce Putin’s justification for land grabs in places like Ukraine and Georgia. At the same time, domestic actions—particularly aggressive immigration enforcement and disregard for civil rights—are portrayed as mirroring authoritarian tactics used by Russia, giving Putin propaganda victories by allowing Russian media to point to U.S. behavior as validation of their own repression.
The author emphasizes that America’s greatest historic strength has not been military power but its durable alliances and moral authority. Trump’s hostility toward NATO, dismantling of USAID, and abandonment of developing nations are described as destroying U.S. “soft power” and pushing countries toward Russia and China. These developments, the article argues, delight Putin because they fracture the Western-led international order without Russia having to directly confront it.
A major portion of the article questions why Republican leaders tolerate or enable Trump’s behavior. Possible explanations offered include ideological sympathy for authoritarianism, fear of retaliation, corruption legalized by Supreme Court rulings, and alignment with billionaire backers who openly reject democratic principles. The author suggests that Trump’s immunity from legal accountability has emboldened him to act as though he is above the law, further aligning the U.S. political system with authoritarian norms.
The article calls for political resistance—urging Democrats to block enabling legislation, pursue impeachment, and press Republicans to reclaim their constitutional responsibilities. It frames the central historical question starkly: what Putin wanted from Trump was “everything America once stood for.” Whether that outcome is finalized, the author argues, depends on how Americans and their elected officials respond now.
