Congratulations, Donald Trump, you just cemented Angela Merkel as the leader of the free world
When Donald Trump (allegedly) colluded with the Russian government to illegally rig the 2016 election in his favor, he took what would otherwise have been a victory away from Hillary Clinton, thus preventing a woman from becoming the leader of the free world. But this week he came within striking distance of the definition of irony, when he destroyed the reputation of the United States so thoroughly at the NATO summit that now a woman is the leader of the free world.
Say hello to German Chancellor Angela Merkel. You already know her for being a reasonable moderate who’s been holding Europe together. You also know her for the icy glare she gave Donald Trump during his humiliatingly inept performance during their joint press conference at the White House earlier this year. But now you might as well get used to Angela Merkel as the new leader of the free world, at least for awhile, because Donald Trump just forfeited America’s leadership position during his overseas trip. And Merkel is mincing no words about her role.
Merkel told a German audience today that Germany can no longer rely on the United States for leadership (link). Stunningly, she said it in almost those act words: “The times in which we could rely fully on others, they are somewhat over.” Then she went on to make clear that she’s basing this on Donald Trump’s meltdown during the summit: “This is what I experienced in the last few days.”
So there you have it. Angela Merkel is now cemented as the leader of the free world, thanks almost entirely to freefall which the United States has instantly plunged into under Donald Trump’s willful lack of leadership. At least we have Merkel, right? She seems competent enough and reasonable enough. But what happens, now that the U.S. has handed Europe control of the free world, if Germany (or France or the UK) turns around and elects a fascist? That might be the real long-term danger for America: it no longer has any influence over what direction Europe decides to take the free world in. If you’re a regular reader, feel free to support Palmer Report
