The Opinions Tom Friedman: Trump Is a ‘Small Man in a Big Time’
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Mar 20, 2025 
Tom Friedman, a seasoned foreign affairs columnist at The New York Times, candidly critiques President Trump’s disregard for American institutions. He discusses the implications of misleading economic policies and their effects on voters and international relations. Friedman explores how Trump's approach has reshaped global dynamics, particularly with China and Russia. He highlights the dangers of leadership prioritizing loyalty over reason, urging for a diplomatic strategy to restore unity in a deeply divided political landscape.
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Trump's Economic Fallacies
- Trump's economic plan lacks solid foundations, built on falsehoods like tariffs being tax cuts.
- This disregard for truth, as shown by Caroline Levitt's statement, is concerning.
Amplifiers, Not Buffers
- Trump's advisors now amplify his impulses instead of buffering them, exemplified by Mnuchin's market analysis.
- Friedman believes Mnuchin would short the market if he were still a hedge fund manager.
China and Russia's Shared Goal
- China and Russia benefit from Trump's rhetoric, using his words to undermine the U.S.
- They aim to diminish American influence globally, a goal Friedman finds illogical for China, given its past success.