Letter to the editor: Trump's five stages of grief

First published in the Brunswick Beacon, 04.02.26

America’s role as “leader of the free world” kept us safe for 80 years. Trump squandered our influence by bullying and insulting allies.

Trump claimed, “We never really asked anything” of NATO, even though our allies fought and died for us in Afghanistan. He reneged on trade agreements he negotiated with those allies, then hit them with tariffs. He bullied Canada about becoming the 51st state. He bullied Denmark over Greenland. He pressured Ukraine to cede land to Russia, which invaded it without provocation. He called Spain a “loser.”

The Iran conflict has killed more than 2,000 people, caused widespread destruction and disrupted traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world’s oil passes. Gas prices have soared.

Trump’s inability to enlist help in reopening the strait is a stunning failure of leadership. He handled his loss of influence like someone going through the five stages of grief.

DENIAL: First Trump denied that America’s allies wouldn’t follow him. “Numerous countries have told me they are on their way,” he claimed.

ANGER: When that proved false, he lashed out. “Without the U.S.A., NATO IS A PAPER TIGER!” Trump posted. He called allies “COWARDS” and warned, “we will REMEMBER!”

BARGAINING: Trump tried to negotiate: “I’m demanding that these countries come in,” he said, “and we will help — A LOT!”

DEPRESSION: A demoralized Trump said, “You would have thought they’d have said, ‘We’d love to send a couple of minesweepers.’ But they didn’t.” Resigned, he added, “You could make the case that maybe we shouldn’t even be there at all.”

ACCEPTANCE: Finally, Trump conceded that America’s allies “don’t want to help open the Strait of Hormuz.”

He then contradicted himself with another denial: “We no longer ‘need,’ or desire, the NATO Countries’ assistance — WE NEVER DID! Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea.”

Leaders don’t bully and insult allies — and that’s why none of them followed.

Michael Maisel

Sunset Beach