Emperor Donald Trump Put to the Test by Russia
Published in Le Temps
(Switzerland) on 4 March 2025
by Aline Jaccottet (link to original)
(Switzerland) on 4 March 2025
by Aline Jaccottet (link to original)
Translated from
by Emily Kelly.
Edited by Michelle Bisson.
By freezing aid to Ukraine after his altercation with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the American president has transformed the Oval Office into a Roman circus: Whoever refuses to swear allegiance will not come out alive. But does the emperor consider the risk he is taking by giving laurels to Russia?
Aside from a toga, a few lions and drums, there was little missing on Friday to complete Donald Trump's metamorphosis into what he really dreams of being: a new emperor. By symbolically executing Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who dared to oppose him, then harshly punishing Ukraine by freezing military aid, the Republican has finished proving that American power has entered an era marked by tyranny and arbitrariness, because anyone who opposes the plans of the tenant of the Oval Office puts themselves in danger. To hell with history, codes, alliances and misalliances.
But despite what the new Caesar in Washington may say, the United States is (still) a democracy. And a democracy in which history counts. In less than two years, at the end of 2026, the midterm elections will take place. How, then, will Americans judge Trump’s spectacular rapprochement with Vladimir Putin, who dreams of a new imperial Russia? Will this president who wants to make America great again really have prioritized national interests by approving, for example, a pause in cyberoperations against Russia?
"Morituri te salutant…"
With all due respect to the new American emperor, those who preceded him pursued a fundamental objective: the stability of the empire. This is the complete opposite of the policy of Trump, whose unpredictability and impulsiveness are reshuffling all the cards, both on the national and international scene. Here again, how will Americans react? No one knows yet. The Republican Party still has a year and eight months before being confronted with the wishes of the Americans who Trump represents. They are the only ones authorized to decide the destiny of the United States. And of many others.
“Those who are about to die salute you,” the gladiators said to the emperor, before going to fight in the circus. Today, Ukrainians have no more desire than Palestinians to pay tribute to Trump. But his decisions have a catastrophic impact on their destiny — even if the Europeans now seem to have woken up.
Aside from a toga, a few lions and drums, there was little missing on Friday to complete Donald Trump's metamorphosis into what he really dreams of being: a new emperor. By symbolically executing Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who dared to oppose him, then harshly punishing Ukraine by freezing military aid, the Republican has finished proving that American power has entered an era marked by tyranny and arbitrariness, because anyone who opposes the plans of the tenant of the Oval Office puts themselves in danger. To hell with history, codes, alliances and misalliances.
But despite what the new Caesar in Washington may say, the United States is (still) a democracy. And a democracy in which history counts. In less than two years, at the end of 2026, the midterm elections will take place. How, then, will Americans judge Trump’s spectacular rapprochement with Vladimir Putin, who dreams of a new imperial Russia? Will this president who wants to make America great again really have prioritized national interests by approving, for example, a pause in cyberoperations against Russia?
"Morituri te salutant…"
With all due respect to the new American emperor, those who preceded him pursued a fundamental objective: the stability of the empire. This is the complete opposite of the policy of Trump, whose unpredictability and impulsiveness are reshuffling all the cards, both on the national and international scene. Here again, how will Americans react? No one knows yet. The Republican Party still has a year and eight months before being confronted with the wishes of the Americans who Trump represents. They are the only ones authorized to decide the destiny of the United States. And of many others.
“Those who are about to die salute you,” the gladiators said to the emperor, before going to fight in the circus. Today, Ukrainians have no more desire than Palestinians to pay tribute to Trump. But his decisions have a catastrophic impact on their destiny — even if the Europeans now seem to have woken up.
Previous article![]( "Shyster in Chief? How Trump Is Making a Mockery of Good Governance")
Next article![]( "Trump vs Canada")