Trump prizes strength, but the world may see weakness in reluctance to confront Saudis

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

When then-candidate Donald Trump debuted his “America First” foreign policy, he argued that the nation under President Obama had “absolutely no respect” and was being “laughed at all over the world.”

For Trump, little is more important than appearing to project strength. And in that April 2016 speech, he vowed again and again that he alone would make America strong again.

The challenge now facing President Trump is that his waffling public response to the Oct. 2 killing of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi and his consistent acclaim for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman could leave a lasting impression of weakness.

Despite a growing body of evidence suggesting Mohammed ordered the ghastly killing carried out by his henchmen inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Trump has declined so far to take action to punish the Saudis. In fact, he has showered praise on the crown prince, 33, who is the kingdom’s de facto leader and heir to the throne.

“He’s a strong person,” Trump said Saturday in an interview with The Washington Post. “He has very good control . . . He’s seen as a person who can keep things under check. I mean that in a positive way.”

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-prizes-strength-but-the-world-may-see-weakness-in-reluctance-to-confront-saudis/ar-BBOGnnI?li=BBnbcA1

[Ohiogal]

1. For weak cowards like Donald Trump

"control" is the main goal.

[RHMerriman]

2. "Weakness" ... call it what it is:

Cowardice with a capital C.

[JI7]

3. how is beating up on women without much power strength ?

i understand that his base loves it but it's not strength. it's cowardice.

[underpants]

4. I think the world already sees weakness

and that's just one of the things the world sees in him.

[C_U_L8R]

5. Trump is totally spineless

The only thing he stands for is himself. What a weakling

[dalton99a]

6. He is a despicable coward.

[shanny]

7. This is the point we have to make over and over and over.

Rump is a spineless coward, never did anything for himself, doesn't know the truth from a hole in the ground, can't even remember his lies from one sentence to the next, and is a laughing stock around the world.

Footage from the surrender summit, a "Daily Show" montage of his tweets or words about the Saudi excuses; a montage of contradictory statements about anything and everything. Using his own words and behavior against him, over and over and over.

Weak, stupid and dishonest. (a caveat: the individual candidates should focus on their own, local issues; independent groups should ridicule Rump. I want to encourage our voters and discourage theirs.)

[struggle4progress]

8. The Don only cares that halfwits roar their approval at him.

[Solly Mack]

9. Trump isn't about strength. He's about exerting control.

Not the same thing at all.

He's a coward, like all bullies.

[Andy823]

10. I think there is another reason

I think trump is worried about covering his own ass along with Jarred's. I really think there is a reason why the Saudi's thought they could get away with this. They wouldn't have been this bold unless they though they had cover from someone with a lot of power, and someone that could be bought off. Maybe Jarred assured them it was going to be taken care of?

[ooky]

11. "Remember Helsinki"

This latest episode of displayed cowardice is not his first rodeo.