When Your Policy is Your ATM
President Donald J. Trumps approach to foreign, and domestic, policy is beginning to look more like a “smash and grab.”
President Donald J. Trumps approach to foreign, and domestic, policy is beginning to look more like a “smash and grab.”
By the early morning hours of November 9, 2016, Donald Trump had received enough electoral votes to become the 45th President of the United States.
The notorious businessman who had unsuccessfully shilled gambling, vodka, water, steaks, clothing, college, to name a few, and licensed his name to anyone willing to pay a fee and scored a hit television series with The Apprentice…that man had been elected to arguably the most powerful position on the planet.
The world’s largest example of capitalism had just entered a post-modern state.
The writers of the American constitution included a provision called a “domestic emoluments clause” which states that the president shall not receive compensation that would, as the word emolument is defined, “profit from ordinary market transactions.”
Because the breadth of Trump’s business’ was international, the biggest question facing the president-elect was how he was going to handle his business affairs. As a result of the “emoluments clause” and to assuage everyone Trump announced that he would extricate himself from the day-to-day operations of his business to prevent any appearance of a conflict of interest.
Trump did hand over the reins of leadership to his sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump after being sworn in as president. Despite having recently proclaimed that the emoluments clause is “phony”.
That said, one of the crown jewels of The Trump Organization is The Trump International Hotel, located in Washington D.C. Since January 2017 it has been true to its name and become the unofficial convention center for international politics and deal-making.
It’s not much of a stretch to say that Trump International acts as more of a foreign policy advisor to the administration than the newly appointed Robert O’Brien, his advisor as of this writing, or the three that preceded O’Brien.
The hotel has become ground zero for countries seeking favor with the capitalistically flexible president and his administration. It’s a favorite meeting and overnight spot for dignitaries and politicians from countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Nigeria.
All looking to be seen as beacons of diplomacy but are currying favor. In fact, according to The Washington Post, “an Iraqi sheik spent a whopping 26 nights at the Trump hotel not long after advocating for a tougher US policy towards Iran.”
It’s worth noting that as of June 2019, President Trump has made 15 international trips but has made an estimated 21 trips to The Trump International.
Officials of the executive branch have visited 263 times and members of Congress, or their chiefs of staff, have been 453 times.
While the goings-on at The Trump International may raise more than one eyebrow, nothing is more head-scratching than the 45th president’s approach to foreign policy…inasmuch as it can be called an “approach.”
With a revolving door of foreign diplomatic advisors and no international diplomatic experience whatsoever, President Trump has been relying on his “great and unmatched wisdom” to guide him through the geopolitical labyrinth.
To date, Trump’s “great and unmatched wisdom” has proven to be anything but.
There is an ongoing trade war with China that shows no real sign of abating. A trade war that has not only impacted both the American and Chinese citizens but is also now beginning to affect countries from Iceland to Japan.
In the geopolitical environment, President Trump has spoken harshly about Russia. Going so far as to enacting sanctions twice, one in May of 2018 and again in April of 2019.
However, his personal relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, arguably one of the most feared men in the world, is confounding. One conspiracy theory would have you believe that Trump fosters this relationship to keep the mysterious Steele Dossier hidden.
However, that just isn’t likely. Whether the Steele Dossier exists and what it contains is irrelevant. The fact is that President Trump wouldn’t be concerned about anything it may say about him.
After the 130,000 dollar payout to the porn star, the payout to the Playboy model and the audiotape of him acknowledging his approach to courting women by sexually assaulting them, does anyone really believe he would care if the Steele Dossier had evidence that he was into “water sports”?
Donald Trump would not care if the world knew he liked “water sports.”
What matters to President Trump is money. So, the most likely reason he continues to fawn over Russian President Vladamir Putin is that Trump has been unsuccessfully pursuing deals in Russia since 1987. And as President of the United States, he may finally be able to angle that for his personal profit.
In early October, President Trump announced the immediate withdrawal of troops from northeastern Syria. Those troops had served as back-up for the Kurds, who had fought alongside American’s to help defeat ISIS.
A move that stunned most of America, including military leaders. In fact, it was so stunning that he finally upset his Republican supporters.
As with most things related to President Trump, the time-line is sketchy but days after Trump’s announcement, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced his intention to militarily move on the Kurds and seize their land.
A move that led to worldwide confusion. But what made Trumps withdrawal and Erdoğan’s announcement worse is that it brought American military support and its allegiance to other allies into question. Additionally, the president created an environment for the Turks to ethnically cleanse and displace the Kurds without any American interference.
It won’t be surprising to learn that there is an economic connection between President Trump and Turkey…and its name is Trump Towers Istanbul.
The conjoined buildings were developed by Turkish billionaire Aydan Dogan and were Trump’s first foray into Europe. It’s home to many European and Middle Eastern businesses, including Iranian born businessman Reza Zarrab. It’s worth noting that Zarrab was arrested in 2016 by the United States as being a member of an international crime organization.
After a couple of attempts at a cease-fire between the Turks and the Kurds, President Trump announced a permanent cease-fire had been reached on 22 October. As Russian troops moved in, President Trump proclaimed this as a “victory.”
There is also the controversy with Ukraine.
Once again, angling foreign policy to benefit himself, he indicated that he was withholding 400 million dollars in aid from that country until they agreed to look into any illegal actions by leading Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden. An offense so brazen, idiotic and illegal that it finally led Nancy Pelosi and the U.S. House of Representatives to begin official impeachment hearings.
Just as the impeachment hearings had begun, Trump decided to double down.
Looking to score some notoriety, but mostly revenue, for his “severely underperforming” Trump National Doral Miami Resort he announced that the 2020 G7 meeting would take place there. According to Vox, revenue at the resort has declined 70% since 2015.
Just as Americans were picking their collective jaws off the ground at this latest shameless and flagrant attempt to profit from his position, Trump changed course…but not without first blaming the Democrats, the media and calling the emoluments clause “phony”.
President Trump’s approach to foreign policy as his ATM also seems to be his domestic approach. Despite the room rates being far beyond the military’s hotel allowance, some US Air Force personnel stayed at his Scottish golf resort on a flight back to America. In September, the USAF opened an investigation into that specific event.
And when Vice-President Pence went to Ireland in September, he stayed at Trump International Golf Links & Hotel in Doonbeg, Ireland for “security concerns”. Which might not have raised any eyebrows except that the hotel was 180 miles away from Dublin where Pence was taking meetings.
It’s no secret to anyone that Donald Trump’s background is in New York City real estate. It’s also no secret that New York City real estate employs a wide array of graft. It appears as though Donald Trump views international diplomacy the same way he approaches his dealings in New York City and elsewhere.
Unfortunately for him, one is designed for the con game and can hide it well and the other is not.
Three years into the President Trump era it’s coming into focus that the number one item on his policy agenda, nationally or internationally, is determining ways in which he can profit from it.
As the impeachment hearings continue, pundits argue that President Trump appears to be becoming more unhinged. However, maybe he just sees the writing on the wall and is embracing the enemy within, his criminal self.
With everything that has taken place, or come to light, over the past few months it could be argued that Trump is perpetrating the very first American geopolitical “smash and grab.”