World leaders now have to deal with Trump as POTUS

[pellinore]

Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s resounding victory in Tuesday’s election prompted a wave of congratulatory messages from top global politicians — including many who have previously voiced fierce criticism of the Republican figurehead.

At least one former leader has already scrubbed their social media of remarks critical about the president-elect. Australia’s ambassador to the U.S., former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, deleted a tweet from 2020 labeling Trump “the most destructive president in history.”

The post was removed “out of respect for the office of President of the United States,” Rudd said in a statement.

Given that Trump has promised to use his second term to settle old scores and go after his enemies, these are some of the politicians who may have cause to worry about his impending return to the White House. 

Then: “Trump is not only a woman-hating, neo-Nazi-sympathising sociopath,” British Foreign Secretary David Lammy wrote in 2018, when he was a backbench MP, in an article for Time magazine. “He is also a profound threat to the international order that has been the foundation of Western progress for so long.”

Europe’s leaders congratulated Trump. But here’s what they said about him before. – POLITICO

Edited November 8 by pellinore

[psyche101]

2 hours ago, pellinore said:

Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s resounding victory in Tuesday’s election prompted a wave of congratulatory messages from top global politicians — including many who have previously voiced fierce criticism of the Republican figurehead.

At least one former leader has already scrubbed their social media of remarks critical about the president-elect. Australia’s ambassador to the U.S., former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, deleted a tweet from 2020 labeling Trump “the most destructive president in history.”

The post was removed “out of respect for the office of President of the United States,” Rudd said in a statement.

Given that Trump has promised to use his second term to settle old scores and go after his enemies, these are some of the politicians who may have cause to worry about his impending return to the White House. 

Then: “Trump is not only a woman-hating, neo-Nazi-sympathising sociopath,” British Foreign Secretary David Lammy wrote in 2018, when he was a backbench MP, in an article for Time magazine. “He is also a profound threat to the international order that has been the foundation of Western progress for so long.”

Europe’s leaders congratulated Trump. But here’s what they said about him before. – POLITICO

It's one of those posts that needs a dual emoji, a like and a

This mini feud began back in March. Well, earlier but that's when Rudd's Twitter post hit the proverbial fan. 

Donald Trump calls Kevin Rudd ‘nasty’ and says he ‘won’t be there long’ as Australia’s ambassador to US

In short:

Rudd, before becoming ambassador in March 2023, had been scathing of Trump. In a tweet still available on his X account, Rudd called Trump “The most destructive president in history”.

“He drags America and democracy through the mud. He thrives on fomenting, not healing, division. He abuses Christianity, church and bible to justify violence.” In another tweet, he called Trump “a traitor to the West”.

Donald Trump has taken a swipe at the former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd, calling him “nasty” and claiming he “won’t be there long” as Australian ambassador to the United States.

But the Australian foreign minister, Penny Wong, said the government would retain Rudd as American ambassador if Trump won November’s presidential election, backing him as doing “an excellent job”. 

I think there's a thread on it. 

Kevin 07. 

PM 2097 Became PM and spent a few rounds with his backstabbing staff and hit a few in himself as they traded leadership. 

I voted against him. He won anyway. I felt like Trump he bought a lot of votes with his stimulus package. One thousand dollars a person won enough people over. 

I posted the other day that I suspect he would be packing his bags. He either leaves gracefully, gets thrown out, or gets on his knees and begs forgiveness. There's no easy out for him. 

Australia is hopeful to maintain AUKUS. It was a huge controversial investment. It's why Rudd is there, it remains to be seen if just Rudd is coming home or if he is bringing 1/10th of a submarine and nullified contracts with him. Albany Anthonese might have to call Marcon and ask if he has some second hand submarines he wants to move on. 

Edited November 9 by psyche101

[psyche101]

28 minutes ago, Unusual Tournament said:

Tell you something Biden’s latest speech at the White House concerning the election was interesting in the fact that without a teleprompter he actually spoke really well and without any slurring or forgetfulness. 
 

An extra dose of drugs?💊 

 

 

 

Perhaps just a tremendous weight lifted from his shoulders. I think he was a good President and history will be kind to him. 

Classy speech. That's a statesman. It's the America the world admires. Let's hope it can be maintained.

[Unusual Tournament]

10 minutes ago, psyche101 said:

 

Perhaps just a tremendous weight lifted from his shoulders. I think he was a good President and history will be kind to him. 

Classy speech. That's a statesman. It's the America the world admires. Let's hope it can be maintained.

Absolutely. Biden was one of the most effective presidents of all time. Managed the COVID mess he inherited from Trump, righted the economy, confronted Russia, held back China from Taiwan, managed Israel and Iran etc. 

[Unusual Tournament]

18 minutes ago, psyche101 said:

It's one of those posts that needs a dual emoji, a like and a

This mini feud began back in March. Well, earlier but that's when Rudd's Twitter post hit the proverbial fan. 

Donald Trump calls Kevin Rudd ‘nasty’ and says he ‘won’t be there long’ as Australia’s ambassador to US

In short:

Rudd, before becoming ambassador in March 2023, had been scathing of Trump. In a tweet still available on his X account, Rudd called Trump “The most destructive president in history”.

“He drags America and democracy through the mud. He thrives on fomenting, not healing, division. He abuses Christianity, church and bible to justify violence.” In another tweet, he called Trump “a traitor to the West”.

Donald Trump has taken a swipe at the former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd, calling him “nasty” and claiming he “won’t be there long” as Australian ambassador to the United States.

But the Australian foreign minister, Penny Wong, said the government would retain Rudd as American ambassador if Trump won November’s presidential election, backing him as doing “an excellent job”. 

I think there's a thread on it. 

Kevin 07. 

PM 2097 Became PM and spent a few rounds with his backstabbing staff and hit a few in himself as they traded leadership. 

I voted against him. He won anyway. I felt like Trump he bought a lot of votes with his stimulus package. One thousand dollars a person won enough people over. 

I posted the other day that I suspect he would be packing his bags. He either leaves gracefully, gets thrown out, or gets on his knees and begs forgiveness. There's no easy out for him. 

Australia is hopeful to maintain AUKUS. It was a huge controversial investment. It's why Rudd is there, it remains to be seen if just Rudd is coming home or if he is bringing 1/10th of a submarine and nullified contracts with him. Albany Anthonese might have to call Marcon and ask if he has some second hand submarines he wants to move on. 

I like Rudd’s in your face attitude but he’s prone to main character syndrome and not exactly diplomatic and like most completely misread the will of the American people 

[Tatetopa]

I would be willing to guess Russia and China are just trying to figure out how much they can get.  With Elon in the mix, will it make a difference?  Its a golden opportunity for China to start making moves in Central and South America.  Especially when the deportations start, they can probably make some deals.

I am rather glad Elon was in on the Ukraine call.  Elon probably knows how many trillions of dollars worth of resources and agricultural products are available to the US if Ukraine wins.  Its not about kindness, its about money.

[psyche101]

2 minutes ago, Tatetopa said:

I would be willing to guess Russia and China are just trying to figure out how much they can get.  With Elon in the mix, will it make a difference?  Its a golden opportunity for China to start making moves in Central and South America.  Especially when the deportations start, they can probably make some deals.

I am rather glad Elon was in on the Ukraine call.  Elon probably knows how many trillions of dollars worth of resources and agricultural products are available to the US if Ukraine wins.  Its not about kindness, its about money.

Yep 

The taxpayer's will end up refunding the losses of twitter tenfold. It was a winning investment for Elon. Millions invested, billions in return. 

[psyche101]

50 minutes ago, Unusual Tournament said:

I like Rudd’s in your face attitude but he’s prone to main character syndrome and not exactly diplomatic and like most completely misread the will of the American people 

LoL I think he's an utter twit. 

Got upset about a hair dryer lol.

[+and-then]

1 hour ago, Unusual Tournament said:

was interesting in the fact that without a teleprompter

I agree that he seemed a bit more focused but the teleprompters were where they always are.

[+Link of Hyrule]

2 hours ago, Unusual Tournament said:

Tell you something Biden’s latest speech at the White House concerning the election was interesting in the fact that without a teleprompter he actually spoke really well and without any slurring or forgetfulness. 
 

An extra dose of drugs?💊 

 

 

I heard excepts. Sounds like he's calling for a peaceful transfer of power.  Nice sentiment. Does he still believe Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans pose an existential threat to democracy? If so why is he caving to such an existential threat and asking all Americans to peacefully accept such a threat,  and if not what has changed to make Trump less threatening to democracy? Or was it just political rhetoric,  aka lies from the start?

Edited November 9 by Link of Hyrule

[+and-then]

8 minutes ago, Link of Hyrule said:

Or was it just political rhetoric,  aka lies from the start?

Most Americans and probably a majority of Europeans understand the rhetoric was all political but I can think of at least TWO individuals who took it seriously enough to try killing the man.  The rest of those who fanned the flames would do well to remember Machiavelli by way of Emerson:

"When you strike at a king, you must kill him,"

I think Orange Man Bad isn't above a little petty payback but he'll be far kinder to his enemies than they've been to him.

[Unusual Tournament]

54 minutes ago, psyche101 said:

LoL I think he's an utter twit. 

Got upset about a hair dryer lol.

Yeah I read he was prone to spitting the dummy. But a hair dryer? What a girl 

[Unusual Tournament]

39 minutes ago, and-then said:

I agree that he seemed a bit more focused but the teleprompters were where they always are.

I didn’t see the teleprompters. Then again you got Trump vision 😂

[Unusual Tournament]

32 minutes ago, Link of Hyrule said:

I heard excepts. Sounds like he's calling for a peaceful transfer of power.  Nice sentiment. Does he still believe Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans pose an existential threat to democracy? If so why is he caving to such an existential threat and asking all Americans to peacefully accept such a threat,  and if not what has changed to make Trump less threatening to democracy? Or was it just political rhetoric,  aka lies from the start?

Maybe you’re right in saying it was all just political rhetoric. Thou what Trump proposes compared to Biden is polls apart foreign and trade policy. Europe will wanna insulate itself from the massive bi polar highs and lows over the last 20 years of American commitments. 
 

I guessing now but Trump foreign policy has won out over the establishment. It has caused America’s allies to decide to go it alone. 
 

For good or bad - America has isolated itself 

[+Link of Hyrule]

18 minutes ago, Unusual Tournament said:

Maybe you’re right in saying it was all just political rhetoric. Thou what Trump proposes compared to Biden is polls apart foreign and trade policy. Europe will wanna insulate itself from the massive bi polar highs and lows over the last 20 years of American commitments. 
 

I guessing now but Trump foreign policy has won out over the establishment. It has caused America’s allies to decide to go it alone. 
 

For good or bad - America has isolated itself 

I suspect America is more resilient than you're perhaps giving credit, it's not going to be isolated,  in my estimation. We'll see what happens eventually. 

[Unusual Tournament]

11 minutes ago, Link of Hyrule said:

I suspect America is more resilient than you're perhaps giving credit, it's not going to be isolated,  in my estimation. We'll see what happens eventually. 

Don’t think resilient is a good choice of word to describe the ‘Trump effect’. Western Europe and Western leaning Asia are gonna have to go it alone. 
 

As Australians, this election will play out with AUKUS and the nuclear submarine deal. Taiwan will be shaking with no neo-cons in power. South Korean and Japan also. The South China sea is gonna become a Chinese lake and we have no idea how far it will reach south. All that will effect us directly 
 

I can understand the worry in Australian political circles with another 4 years of Trump. Trump isn’t overly fond of Australians 🇦🇺 so let’s wait and see 

Edited November 9 by Unusual Tournament

[Doc Socks Junior]

1 hour ago, Link of Hyrule said:

I heard excepts. Sounds like he's calling for a peaceful transfer of power.  Nice sentiment. Does he still believe Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans pose an existential threat to democracy? If so why is he caving to such an existential threat and asking all Americans to peacefully accept such a threat,  and if not what has changed to make Trump less threatening to democracy? Or was it just political rhetoric,  aka lies from the start?

One can believe that Don the Sexually Abusive Felon, his fans, and their general attitude is an existential threat to democracy, while still recognizing that he won the 2020 election, and the peaceful transfer of power is important. Seems that's what Biden realizes.

Should Biden start ranting on social media about the election being filled with fraud? Should he start calling secretaries of state, pressuring them to overturn the results of the election? Should he orchestrate multiple slates of fake electors for Kamala to certify in her position in the Senate?

Obviously no, Biden shouldn't do any of those things. That's what people who are threats to democracy, and our democratic republic, do. However, it seems that electorally it doesn't really matter. 

[psyche101]

1 hour ago, Link of Hyrule said:

I heard excepts. Sounds like he's calling for a peaceful transfer of power.  Nice sentiment. Does he still believe Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans pose an existential threat to democracy? If so why is he caving to such an existential threat and asking all Americans to peacefully accept such a threat,  and if not what has changed to make Trump less threatening to democracy? Or was it just political rhetoric,  aka lies from the start?

Acknowledging the will of the people is classy and strong. He is illustrating it doesn't matter what one believes. When the people speak the government must comply. The president eating humble pie is a good message to Americans.

[psyche101]

59 minutes ago, Unusual Tournament said:

Yeah I read he was prone to spitting the dummy. But a hair dryer? What a girl 

Bet he kisses Trump's butt to stay.

[+joc]

All the rest of the world will just quietly kneel before Trump and kiss the Ring.  

[Hawken]

I don't recall where the world exploded Trump's first term in office. But orange man bad because the tv says so. 

 

[Tatetopa]

Well this is good.  I have probably been insufferable for the last couple of years, so now its your turn. Seems like justice.

[+Link of Hyrule]

7 hours ago, Doc Socks Junior said:

One can believe that Don the Sexually Abusive Felon, his fans, and their general attitude is an existential threat to democracy, while still recognizing that he won the 2020 election, and the peaceful transfer of power is important. Seems that's what Biden realizes.

Should Biden start ranting on social media about the election being filled with fraud? Should he start calling secretaries of state, pressuring them to overturn the results of the election? Should he orchestrate multiple slates of fake electors for Kamala to certify in her position in the Senate?

Obviously no, Biden shouldn't do any of those things. That's what people who are threats to democracy, and our democratic republic, do. However, it seems that electorally it doesn't really matter. 

Of course I agree that Biden should do what he's doing now.  But he never truly believed Trump was a danger to democracy, and that's my point in this.  He was just talking. If he truly believed Trump was a danger to democracy  he would do anything he could to prevent it, including stopping him from taking office. 

[+Link of Hyrule]

7 hours ago, psyche101 said:

Acknowledging the will of the people is classy and strong. He is illustrating it doesn't matter what one believes. When the people speak the government must comply. The president eating humble pie is a good message to Americans.

If Biden truly believed that Trump was a danger to democracy he'd do something about it. He took an oath to defend the united States from enemies both foreign and domestic. 

Don't get me wrong, he's doing the right thing, but by doing so he's proving he doesn't believe his lies about Trump. He knows this isn't the end of democracy, he knows life will go on, he knows he was trying to use fear to beat Trump and that the people saw straight through his lies. 

Edit: I could have combined this reply with my post above to Doc,  I just noticed I wrote a similar response in both. Apologies for the double post, so to speak. 

Edited November 9 by Link of Hyrule

[Golden Duck]

11 hours ago, Tatetopa said:

I would be willing to guess Russia and China are just trying to figure out how much they can get.  With Elon in the mix, will it make a difference?  Its a golden opportunity for China to start making moves in Central and South America.  Especially when the deportations start, they can probably make some deals.

I am rather glad Elon was in on the Ukraine call.  Elon probably knows how many trillions of dollars worth of resources and agricultural products are available to the US if Ukraine wins.  Its not about kindness, its about money.

XAI in the MIC