Donald Trump's first term was marred by chaos. In two weeks, things will get much crazier. Just ask the people of Canada and Greenland.
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It seems as though Donald Trump’s cockamamie ideas of turning Canada into a US state and somehow annexing Greenland are about to become the official policy of the United States of America.
If there is one way to sum up what’s in store during Trump’s second term, this is probably it: It’s going to be an endless stream of absurdity, bootlicking, and chaos.
Here is how it’s going to go:
Step 1 – The commander-in-chief has a harebrained idea.
In the past, these ridiculous ideas were sparked by sheer stupidity or ignorance, malignant narcissism, or something Trump saw on Fox News.
This time around, it could also be something that Elon Musk wants.
Step 2 – Trump just blurts out whatever crazy thing comes to his mind.
This can be on social media, at a rally, or in any other setting. It could be during a visit to a children’s hospital or a meeting with a foreign leader.
Today, it was on Truth Social.
First, Trump wrote about a “merger” between the US and Canada, and then stated that the people of Greenland “will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our Nation.”
It’s really important to keep in mind that this man will be president in two weeks.
Step 3 – The “adults in the room” try to dissuade Trump.
Just kidding, of course. That happened in the first term. There are no guardrails this time. But there are even more bootlickers to tell Trump that he is brilliant, which brings us to the next step.
Step 4 – All of the hangers-on tell the emperor that his clothes are awesome.
Here is co-president Musk weighing in, and here is Sean Hannity of Fox News, which means the two people who are in Trump’s ear constantly are telling him that this is simply a great idea.
Step 5 – Trump sows confusion and chaos everywhere.
What begins as just an incredibly moronic idea in Trump’s head becomes something else entirely for people who have to deal with the impact of his “plans.”
Obviously, Canada is not going to join the US, but officials there will now have to deal with right-wing idiots pushing the idea that it could happen.
Things are a bit more complicated in Greenland, which is home to only 56,000 people who sit on a huge, strategically important landmass full of precious natural resources.
To them, “If, and when, [Greenland] becomes part of our Nation” probably has a very different ring to it.
And, chances are that there are also some NATO officials who will have to draw up scenarios for what happens if one member of the alliance targets another.
Obviously, these things aren’t of concern to the incoming president… because soon he will already have moved on to the next crazy thing that pops into his head.
Welcome to Trump 2.0.
In his Navigating the Insanity columns, Klaus Marre provides the kind of hard-hitting, thought-provoking, and often humorous analysis you won’t find anywhere else.
