The News Agents - USA Do Dems have to sound like Trump to beat him?
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Aug 20, 2025 The podcast dives into the unexpected diplomatic chaos surrounding Ukraine, highlighting Trump's complex position and the rising concerns among his supporters about U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts. It also explores Gavin Newsom’s bold imitation of Trump on social media, which seems to energize his prospects for the 2028 presidential race. The discussion further examines the challenges of political strategy in relation to crime perception in American cities, revealing the tension between populism and effective governance.
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Trump's Ukraine Tightrope
- Trump's talk of brokering Ukraine peace clashes with a MAGA base that wants to avoid foreign wars.
- That internal tension limits how far he can credibly commit to European security guarantees.
Peace Requires Mutual Will
- A real peace needs two leaders who want it, and Putin has shown no will to end the war.
- Discussing bilaterals, security guarantees or boots on the ground is premature without Putin's buy-in.
Venue Shapes Negotiation Risks
- A bilateral meeting in Budapest would be ironic and risky for Zelensky given Hungary's pro-Russia tilt.
- Putin seeks a humiliating surrender, not equal negotiations, so venue matters politically and symbolically.