Attacking NATO and then applauding Putin is entirely the plan.
Trump is actively working to diminish everyone BUT Putin while lifting Putin up.
1/
He will then go and make a hugely exaggerated show of his mtgs w Putin to try to cast him as a reasonable, wonderful partner.
Per my pinned thread, Trump is incapable of doing otherwise.
2/
They aren’t the product of reasoning or judgment; they can’t be changed through reasoning or discussion.
Trump is a bottomless pit of emotional needs with virtually no intelligence in the programming.
He’s a purely self-interested bot.
3/
If they acquiesce, they lose. If they stand firm, they lose.
The best option is to merely get through this summit by de-escalating the conflict thus neutering its headline value.
4/
1) Pretend things had gone swimmingly this week
2) Make a big show of saying Trump clearly loves NATO and thus the reporting of conflicts is just silly
...and lastly - and this would be delicious...
5/
At the close of the meeting, make a big show of NATO leaders saying its wonderful Trump is meeting with Putin because the world would lavish him with praise if he can get Putin to right his wrongs.
6/
6/
...and he wouldn’t be able to torch Putin because that undermines the legitimacy of his own election.
8/
A narcissist with competing interests that make serving both impossible is a lost dog. Not sure where to go. Growls. Runs. Growls. Runs... but mostly runs.
9/
If they leave him in a position where he stands to face embarrassment if he doesn’t come back as the West’s hero, they’ll go well.
10/
It is always a game of managing their narcissistic impulses to avoid shame and seek adoration.
If you’re on the right side of those impulses, you win. If not, buckle your seatbelt.
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