Elephant in the room

[Sparts99]

I can't believe it hasn't been mentioned yet. After the US election and some of the things Trump has said about NATO, Russia, Ukraine, North Korea, what do people think?

We'll need more cooperation with Europe on defence if nothing else, things like this

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/land ... prosperity

as has been posted in the Mess.

[Nighthawke]

Two and a half months until inauguration...

[cat1]

Two and a half months until inauguration...

And potential for a stupid long drawn FC argument about things we can't control with a side of internet trolls.

[iainpeden]

I assume you know that the elephant is the symbol of the Republican Party!?

(The jackass being the symbol of the Democrats which currently seems quite appropriate.)

[Condor68]

I raised it a while ago after watching a programme on TV about it.Sadly cant remember the programme .but Trump did say if a NATO country had not paid its share he wouldnt be sending American forces.Apparently he can do this.USA is commited to NATO by a treaty but as Commander in chief of US resources he can overrule this and there is not a lot anyone can do..

[Ghastly Whisper]

Two and a half months until inauguration...

And potential for a stupid long drawn FC argument about things we can't control with a side of internet trolls.

Agreed, bored with it already. zzzzzzzzz

[Sparts99]

Blimey sorry I asked. I wasn't intending there to be any arguments, just what people's thoughts were. None of us have a crystal ball but there are some on here with good insights.

[iainpeden]

OK - my thoughts.
Trump will talk to Putin about Ukraine and there will be an "agreement" which leaves Russia with Crimea and the Russia/Ukraine border will be on the Don River. An uneasy armistice ala North and South Korea continues for another 50 years.
The Israeli government will be allowed to continue kicking three shades of hell out of the Palestinians and Lebanese and that will continue for another 3000 years.
USA will actually continue to reduce their carbon emissions and India and China will continue to increase theirs.
There'll be rows about trade tariffs but agreements will continue to take years to reach.

What's really making me interested is the succession after Big Orange - one of his children, or will Barron become the next POTUS - or will Mr Musk be number 48?

Oh - and Mrs Trump will continue to look haughty and downright gorgeous.

In sport trump wants to solve the current schism in world golf.

[C24]

Interesting suggestions from Ian…
Trump was quite friendly towards the N. Korean leader when Trump was in office. N. K troops are in action against Ukraine under Putin’s leadership.
Trump could reduce defence spending by withdrawing US ground support from S. Korea and move a minority of them into what was Palestinian homes, eventually moving out the Lebanese from their homes too.
Scotland should be safe from change unless more golf courses impinge upon the beautiful countryside.
Ukraine will be annexed by Putin aided by Trump reducing support for NATO.
China will be allowed to occupy Taiwan and perhaps the Philippines.
Trump’s bald spot will be treated
I will win a major prize on the Lottery.
The world will soon be overpopulated so we can stop worrying about global warming.

This post will be trashed by the magic mod but I have taken a screenshot!

[STN RAMP RAT]

What's really making me interested is the succession after Big Orange - one of his children, or will Barron become the next POTUS - or will Mr Musk be number 48?

Elon Musk was born in South Africa which procludes him from being President of the US as only people born in the US are entitled to be Presesident. He became a US citizen by way of his grandfather being a US citizen. I believe the highest office he could achieve, were he to be elected, would be State Governor like Arnie was. I dont know what unelected roles he could be appointed to in the Government as a naturalised citizen.

[iainpeden]

Good point but FDR was elected to his fourth stint as president and then they changed the rules to restrict a president to two terms; quick scribble on an executive order and Elon becomes eligible.

[TommyC]

Trump 2.0 or whatever his second time in office is called by journalists as time progresses should really reflect that as President this time around he has much much more power than previous Presidents of recent history. With Republicans controlling the senate, the house and the supreme court and Trump having learnt from his previous presidency he should be able to deliver for the American people whatever he wants...

Which I imagine will be the biggest, biggest ever seen; bestest there has ever been most beautiful policies - the most beautiful bestest biggest policies the whole world, the whole universe, the whole entire universe that God has ever seen in the world - happen, we're gonna make it happen people you see. God loves you. God bless America, we're gonna make it happen.

And while some shudder at the thought of Trump, I take the observations of a friend who studied US politics who described Trump when he first ran to become the Republican nominee as the most liberal/normal/soft of the Republican candidates - which when I then looked into it was true!
I didn't scrutinise the candidates this time for their respective extremeness of views!

I agree - Trump would like to mirror Putin and find a way to everlasting presidency!

[slogen51]

Apparently the Oval office desk or Resolute ? Desk is being moved to the Louisiana State Penitentiary or perhaps Rikers Island