Andrew Neil has blasted Donald Trump, claiming that the President cares little for the values and beliefs of the United States. Writing for the Daily Mail, the veteran broadcaster detailed the journey he had been on since the US election which has seen him willing to give the former Apprentice host the benefit of the doubt to feeling as if he is “an unprincipled, narcissistic charlatan.”
Neil wrote: “Perhaps second time round, Trump would be a bit more mature, a little less unpredictable, somewhat more aware of the dignity the presidency should embody, more focused on his legacy than the next day’s headlines. “Well, how wrong can you be? The last seven days have confirmed what those of us prepared to give Trump the benefit of the doubt have, in our heart of hearts, always feared: that he is an unprincipled, narcissistic charlatan.”
Since assuming office in January, Trump has threatened to leave NATO, proposed occupying several overseas territories, slapped tariffs on a number of allied countries and called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a “dictator” who “started the war with Russia.”
All of this was enough to change Neil’s views on the suitability of the real estate magnate to lead the world’s largest economy.
He added of Trump’s stance on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which has seen Trump hold phone calls with Putin and commence peace negotiations that do not involve the invaded nation.
Neil added: “There is an invader (Russia) and a victim (Ukraine). There is a democracy (Ukraine) and a dictatorship (Russia). There is a country which wants to be a democratic European market economy (Ukraine) and another that hates democracy, freedom, markets and everything else the West stands for (Russia).
“That we have a US president who sides with the invader and penalises the victim is proof our world has turned upside down. Europe, with Britain playing a pivotal role, must do all it can to fill the gaps, as it’s already starting to do.”
The approach to Ukraine, which has been at odds with the vast majority of European NATO members, has called into question the reliability of the US as the main player in the defensive alliance.
This change in stance has led Neil to believe that European nations must become capable of defending their borders without the assistance of the United States.
He said: “Whatever happens, Europe – even if Trump comes to his senses – must prepare for a future without America. It was already starting to realise as much before Trump pulled the rug from under Ukraine. It can now be in no doubt – and must rearm accordingly.”
He concludes that forcing a Ukrainian capitulation to Russia, which could see Putin grasp more of the nation than he could have believed possible just two months ago, will solidify Trump’s status as somebody with little regard for democracy.
He concluded: “There is a difference between peace and capitulation. When it comes to Ukraine, it is not clear Trump knows the difference. What can he care of democracy in Ukraine when he encouraged the mob to overthrow the result of a democratic election in America?
“Those of us who wished for better should have known better. It was on January 6, 2021, that the real Trump was in view for all to see. He did not even try to hide from us what he was.”
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