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Flattery will get you everywhere.
https://time.com/7310486/trump-zelensky-europe-praise-putin/To be clear: This is not how the United States—or any rational government, really—should be deciding on strategy.
Trump is famously fickle and famously susceptible to shameless praise, even when it seems to most outside observers as feigned. Sycophancy is a survival skill in the President’s orbit, and survivors know its currency. Cabinet meetings with Trump are ultimately a tour of department chiefs, each of whom knows to come ready with lavish compliments for their boss. Trump, as expected, responds with a wide grin.
The Europeans made the pilgrimage to Washington on a moment’s notice. They flattered their host, President Donald Trump, with praise for his ability to convene an impromptu peace summit with their Ukrainian counterpart, who in turn updated his fashion choices to fall in line with what White House officials expect from visitors. Above all, they made Trump feel every bit like the most powerful person on the planet.
Zelensky, having learned his lesson after a disastrous visit in February, returned on Monday with gratitude being shoveled in spades. Not only that, he traded in the military wardrobe he’s favored since Russia’s invasion in 2022 for one of an all-black field jacket and buttoned-up dress shirt. It set the stage for a warmer welcome from Trump, who from the start seemed pleased to have forced a wardrobe update based on his whims.
We got a real winner with Trump.
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