Trump 2.0: Musk in the Oval, a Gift to Mayor Adams and a Win for Putin
Feb 14, 2025
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Maggie Haberman, White House correspondent for The New York Times, joins David Sanger and Zolan Kanno-Youngs to dissect the latest political theatrics. They dive into the unusual alliance of Trump and Musk during a recent Oval Office event, exploring its implications on both domestic policy and international relations. The trio also discusses Trump's transactional foreign policy, the controversial relocation plans for Palestinians, and how U.S. foreign policy is shifting amidst conflicts with Russia and Ukraine. Tune in for a sharp analysis!
Elon Musk's unexpected prominence during a White House event illustrates a shift in power dynamics and Trump's reliance on influential figures for credibility.
Trump's escalatory foreign policy approach towards Russia undermines traditional diplomatic principles, prioritizing personal alliances over established international norms and Ukraine's sovereignty.
Deep dives
The Unusual Oval Office Meeting
An extraordinary scene unfolded in the Oval Office when Elon Musk, accompanied by his young child, joined President Trump for an executive order signing related to federal hiring practices and cost-saving measures. Musk took center stage, dominating the discussion with lengthy assertions about government waste and alleged corruption, notably accusing some government employees of taking kickbacks amidst a lack of factual evidence. The role reversal was striking, with Trump seemingly relegated to a passive observer, reflecting on Musk's unusual prominence in a setting traditionally reserved for presidential authority. This moment not only elevated Musk's stature but also highlighted a tension in Trump's presidency characterized by aligning with influential private sector figures to bolster credibility.
Manipulating Justice for Political Gain
The Trump administration intervened in a federal corruption case against New York City's Democratic Mayor Eric Adams, pushing for the dismissal of charges related to bribery and other offenses amid political maneuvering. This move was interpreted as an effort to forge a cooperative relationship with Adams, potentially using the case as leverage to ensure his support for Trump's immigration initiatives in New York City. The Justice Department's rationale for dropping the charges lacked a thorough examination of the evidence, highlighting a concerning willingness to politicize legal matters for strategic advantages. This sets a precedent for subverting conventional justice systems, turning political allies into pawns in a broader scheme of power.
Shifting Foreign Policy Dynamics
Recent actions by the Trump administration marked a dramatic shift in U.S. foreign policy towards Russia, particularly regarding the war in Ukraine, effectively sidelining traditional support for Ukraine. Trump announced that the U.S. would pursue negotiations with Russia, promoting peace talks without involving Ukrainian participation, which many interpreted as conceding too much ground to Russia. He also suggested Ukraine should remain outside NATO, eliminating the protection it could gain from that alliance while indicating an eagerness to support Putin at the potential detriment of Ukraine's sovereignty. This transactional approach to international relations signals a radical departure from previous U.S. policy, underscoring a shift towards prioritizing personal relationships over long-established diplomatic principles.
Imperialism and Local Power Plays
President Trump’s approach is characterized by the idea that both domestic and international landscapes can be manipulated for maximum advantage, often reducing nations and people to mere pawns in his strategic game. In discussing the plight of Palestinians in Gaza, Trump proposed forcibly relocating them to neighboring countries while suggesting that the U.S. would oversee Gaza's redevelopment, demonstrating a willingness to impose his will disregarding established international laws. This highlights an imperialistic mentality, where the dynamics he applies domestically—such as threatening political allies—are mirrored in his foreign policy strategies, reflecting a total disregard for international norms and the autonomy of nations. The overarching theme of Trump's presidency emerges distinctly: everything operates on a zero-sum basis, positioning winners against losers in all domains of power.
Over the past week, President Donald J. Trump dramatically ceded the stage to Elon Musk in the Oval Office, turned the Democratic mayor of New York City into a political pawn and ensured that Vladimir Putin begins peace talks with Ukraine on Russia’s terms.
The Times journalists Michael Barbaro, Maggie Haberman, David E. Sanger and Zolan Kanno-Youngs sit down and discuss the latest week in the Trump administration.
Guests:
Maggie Haberman, a White House correspondent for The New York Times.
David E. Sanger, the White House and National Security Correspondent for The New York Times.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Photo: The New York Times.
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