Donald Trump the Megathread part II - mod warnings in OP, Updated 18/03/25

Well I was an emigrant to the US in the 80/90s but once things picked up in Ireland the flow went in reverse.

I think it's still a good destination if you've aspiration to be a MMA fighter or have a gig as a Tate type influencer.

You've claimed Ireland is 3rd world next to the US. You don't seem to be willing to illustrate why this is. You are equating the US as great but only taking into account scenarios where it's affluent. This is ignoring things like large scale poverty, spree shootings, lack of access to health care and just large scale inequalities that are encouraged there.

Are mods excempt from "uncivil posting"?

Mod Edit: Warned for backseat modding

I could move back to the US if I wished to, I have decided against doing that and I don't expect to change my mind.

The reasons Irish people went to the US are fast disappearing. The primary reason for the vast majority of people was "opportunity". That no longer exists as it once did. It's much more known as being exploitative right now than presenting opportunity. Look at how so many industries just flippantly cut swathes of people at the whim of a CEO. In industries where this is not as often done, such as the service industry, it is a very challenging environment with many people who work service jobs having to have more than one to have a basic standard of living.

Work to rule laws are overwhelmingly in the favour of the employer and if you lose your job for any reason, reasonable access to healthcare for you and your family is something that becomes a problem very quickly.

You can't advocate loudly and at length about the advantages of a Trump mindset leading the US and simultaenously think he is doing what people want him to do and that it will still be seen as an attractive destination to people. Big steps backwards in terms of equal rights, access to healthcare for women, increased costs, a much more vitriolic environment? What's so appealing again?

I live in a European country now, it is a vastly more pleasant society in which to live. Conservatives can't keep telling people they are going to change things, change those things and then tell people that things haven't changed. It can't happen. This is what you wanted, accept it.

And 2 days ago

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Saturday he had signed a declaration to expedite delivery of approximately $4 billion in military assistance to Israel.The Trump administration, which took office on January 20, has approved nearly $12 billion in major foreign military sales to Israel, Rubio said in a statement, adding that it "will continue to use all available tools to fulfill America’s long-standing commitment to Israel’s security, including means to counter security threats."

Trump first, Israel first and Russia first. Consistent theme

Why are Europe not looking to do a deal with Ukraine on these rare earth metals that Trump is after? Surely it would be in Europe's interest to do a deal on this and then have Trump over a barrel if he wants to do a deal on it?

There are many things that can be done, but we need to be aware of the consequences of those actions. Nearly everything I can think of will have severe reactions from Trump, supporting Putin.

Many countries including Russia and the US agreed to protect Ukraine in exchange for nuclear weapons. Give Ukraine back nukes as the other countries have not lived up to their end of the deal.

Allow weapons to be used for offensive purposes and allow Ukraine to attack inside Russia , anywhere, not just military locations attacking them. I am thinking bridges, rail lines, infrastructure, not stooping to the humanitarian attacks of others.

Claim all the assets being held and use it to provide aid to Ukraine.

If America was stepping back and becoming isolationist, or somewhat neutral different options would be available. Now that trump is on the side of Russia, the fear of them joining on Russia's side has to be considered

That's not what Trump is trying to do at all. He wants Ukraine to capitulate to Putin and in return he believes Putin will reward him by strategically aligning Russia with the USA instead if China.

Welcome newcomer or should I say dobro pozhalovat'!

Have you a better plan to stop Putin? I don't think asking nicely, even with a pretty please is likely to be much good.

Between Ukraine's own production and western Europe and the Baltic states, Ukraine still have approx. 75% of their capacity. With increased support from western Europe and the Baltic states, USA's shortfall can be mitigated.

The best time to stop Russia was years ago, the next best is now. Ukraine falling to Russia would be a disaster for western Europe and the Baltic states. Do you want to stand by and watch another Bucha happen, and another, and another,...

I know 3 people who have moved to the US since Xmas...and another couple leaving in the next few weeks.

Australia / New Zealand is just too far for some. The US is still attractive to many, just maybe not at 80s /90s levels.

What has actually happened?

Are you for real?

He's started a global trade crisis, he's destroyed the international order that underpins transatlantic trade amongst allies and long standing trading partners

He's emboldened the biggest threat to European security by aligning himself with Russia and in opposition to the EU and NATO, not to mention the appalling intervention he has made in Gaza.

Domestically, he is crippling the medias ability to report on him, and he's wrenching control over the infrastructure of the state to replace anyone who might oppose him in the Military, judiciary, law enforcement and civil service.....

Give Ukraine back nukes as the other countries have not lived up to their end of the deal.

You can't just hand a country nukes, it doesn't work that way.

Even Britain's "independent" nuclear arsenal doesn't work without American support.

France is more independent but they won't be handing nukes over to any non EU ally any time soon.

That said Ukraine would be more than capable in the short term to develop a WMD.

There is a very real danger now they may have no other choice.

You can't just tear up international agreements wit doesn't work that way. Yet many have essentially been torn up.

I know nukes are different but things have changed and are changing rapidly. If some agreements aren't honoured then why should others?

If the us enters on the side of Russia, all bets are off

The decision by Pete Hegseth to stand down US Cyber defence against Russia is insane. It will only add to suspicions among American allies about collusion. They may be more cautious about sharing intelligence especially with Tulsi Gabbard as DNI.

Any allies would be mad to share intelligence with America now, it would go straight to Moscow with someone like Gabbard as DNI and Trump still holding top secret documents.

Heh UK, Canada etc should start deliberately feeding in false information precisely because it will endup in Kremlin