Donald Trump’s second inaugural address was bizarre for a great many reasons. The Republican president, newly returned to power, delivered remarks that were dishonest, small, petty and conspiratorial in equal measure.
But when the speech turned to international affairs, Trump was also oddly ambitious. “My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier. That’s what I want to be: a peacemaker and a unifier,” he declared, adding soon after, “We will be a nation like no other, full of compassion, courage and exceptionalism. Our power will stop all wars and bring a new spirit of unity to a world that has been angry, violent and totally unpredictable. America will be respected again and admired again.”
When it comes to improving international respect and admiration for the United States, Trump is already failing spectacularly. As for the president’s prediction that he’d strengthen the country to such a point that we’d “stop all wars” and “bring a new spirit of unity” to the world, it appears international conditions are proving to be more “angry, violent and totally unpredictable” than he expected. The New York Times reported:
The war in Ukraine could be ended in as little as 24 hours, he said. He would knock heads to reach an agreement between Israel and Hamas to stop the fighting in Gaza. And he said he would strike a nuclear deal with Iran, ‘because the consequences are impossible. We have to make a deal.’
Trump’s failed promises on resolving Russia’s war in Ukraine are an ongoing embarrassment, and the Republican’s latest position is, effectively, to stop trying. “Sometimes you’re better off letting them fight for a while,” he said a couple of weeks ago, referring to a conflict he repeatedly told Americans he’d end on his first day.
Trump’s failed promises on resolving the crisis in Gaza follow his boasts in December about how much “easier” he saw the conflict, as compared to the war in Ukraine — the combat he said he’d end in one day.








