Letter to the editor: 'Don' Trump

Letter reprinted from the Brunswick Beacon, 09.04.25

In “The Godfather,” Michael tells Kay how his father, Don Corleone, freed his godson from a bandleader’s contract: “My father went to see this bandleader and made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. Luca Brasi held a gun to his head, and my father assured him that either his brains or his signature would be on the contract.”

‘Don’ Trump has two political ‘godsons:’ Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro. Both are on trial. Netanyahu is charged with fraud, breach of trust and bribery. Bolsonaro is charged with orchestrating a scheme to stay in power after losing a presidential election, including an attempt to overturn the vote and a plot to assassinate the nation’s president-elect.

Like Don Corleone, ‘Don’ Trump made Israel and Brazil offers he thinks they can’t refuse. On June 28, Trump threatened to withhold military aid from Israel unless it stops prosecuting Netanyahu: “The United States of America spends Billions of Dollars a year, far more than on any other Nation, protecting and supporting Israel. We are not going to stand for this. LET BIBI GO!” On July 30, Trump imposed a 50% tariff on Brazil for prosecuting Bolsonaro: “The way Brazil has treated former President Bolsonaro is an international disgrace. This trial should not be taking place. It is a Witch Hunt that should end IMMEDIATELY!”

Trump compares himself to the mafioso he calls “the late great gangster, Alphonse Capone. I often say Capone was one of the greatest. He was seriously tough. If you looked at him the wrong way, he blew your brains out.” Trump brags that he’s outdone Capone: “he was only indicted once; I’ve been indicted four times.”

Trump outdoes Capone another way. Capone’s muscle was the Mafia. ‘Don’ Trump’s muscle is your federal government. It shouldn’t be working to spring foreign alleged criminals like Netanyahu and Bolsonaro. It’s supposed to be working for you.

Larry Widman

Leland