During his recent visit to China, Donald Trump adopted a notably different demeanor compared to his usual confrontational style. Instead of scolding Ukrainian President Zelensky or threatening Iran, Trump sought to please Chinese President Xi Jinping. He called Xi a 'great leader' and praised his 'powerful' control over China's 1.4 billion people, as reported by the New York Times.
Xi's Thucydides Trap Reference
Xi Jinping, however, did not shy away from addressing underlying tensions. During their meeting, Xi referenced the 'Thucydides Trap,' a concept from the ancient Greek historian Thucydides describing how the rise of Athens led to conflict with Sparta. Observers interpreted this as a hint that America is in decline, with China's rise potentially provoking anxiety and conflict with the U.S. Xi later warned Trump that mishandling the Taiwan question could lead to a collision or conflict between the two nations.
Conciliatory Tone at Banquet
At a state banquet, Xi struck a more conciliatory note, stating that 'the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America great again can totally go hand in hand.' Trump quickly responded on social media, attributing Xi's barb to his predecessor, Joe Biden. He claimed that the United States was indeed a nation in decline during Biden's tenure but is now the 'hottest nation anywhere in the world.'
Trade Deals and Departure
Before leaving Beijing, Trump claimed that the U.S. and China had struck 'fantastic trade deals' and settled many problems, though no concrete breakthroughs on trade, Taiwan, or Iran were evident. He also asserted that he did not ask Xi to pressure Iran on the Strait of Hormuz, saying he believed Xi would automatically want it opened. Upon departure, Trump posted on Truth Social about China's ballroom, reiterating his desire to build a $400 million ballroom at the White House, calling Xi 'one of the World's Great Leaders.'
Trump's Nightly Social Media Ritual
Ahead of the visit, Trump maintained his nightly routine of posting conspiracy theories and attacks on Truth Social. In one session, he posted 55 messages between 10:14 p.m. and 1:12 a.m., including false claims about the 2020 election and calls for Barack Obama's arrest. He shared altered images of Obama, Biden, and Pelosi with derogatory captions.
Iran Conflict and Domestic Pressures
Amid reports that Iran retained 70% of its prewar missile stockpile, Trump attacked 'Fake News,' calling such reports treasonous. Back in Washington, he faced the dilemma of whether to bomb Iran again or resume talks, having dismissed Tehran's peace proposal as 'garbage.' A CNN poll found 75% of Americans felt the Iran war negatively affected their finances, but Trump said he didn't think about that 'even a little bit,' focusing solely on preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Domestic Projects and Legal Issues
Trump also focused on making Washington, D.C., beautiful for America's 250th birthday, announcing a 'National Garden of American Heroes' at West Potomac Park, though it likely requires Congressional approval. Meanwhile, financial disclosures revealed he missed a deadline to disclose stock trades and was fined $200 multiple times.
Guerrilla Art Mocking Trump
In a satirical move, guerrilla art group Secret Handshake installed an arcade game on the National Mall called 'Operation Epic Furious: Strait to Hell,' mocking Trump's use of video games to sell the Iran war. Players control Trump, collecting barrels of oil, fighting war opponents, and ordering Diet Cokes and Big Macs, with side quests involving other administration officials.
