Trump and Zelenskyy trade barbs as US-Ukraine relations sour over the war with Russia
apnews.com
Zelenskyy said Trump was living in a Russian-made “disinformation space” and Trump called Zelenskyy “a dictator without elections” in comments that were sure to complicate efforts to end the war with Russia.

Summary

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Donald Trump of living in a “Russian-made disinformation space” due to his administration’s talks with Kremlin officials.

He urged Trump’s team to be “more truthful” after Trump blamed Kyiv for the war and downplayed U.S. aid contributions.

Zelenskyy’s remarks came as U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg visited Kyiv amid shifting U.S. policy on Russia. Meanwhile, European leaders, feeling sidelined by U.S.-Russia talks, held emergency meetings.

Zelenskyy canceled a Saudi Arabia trip in protest.

  • tree_frog@lemm.eeEnglish
    61·
    3 days ago

    Donald Trump is authoritarian. Rather or not the United States can keep him in check is a different question

    And since you were so big on being pedantic, scroll back up and see what I said. I said President Trump is an authoritarian.

    He wants to be king, he wants to be like Putin, he admires people like Hitler.

    I’m talking about his attitudes and intentions. Not rather or not the US qualifies as an authoritarian regime. We will find out the answer to that question very soon.

    He’s a toddler who is going to push the boundaries until they break. And if anyone tells him no, he’s going to throw a fit. What happens after that, will answer the question.

    But my initial comment, was about Trump’s character. Not if the union currently qualifies. I think how they start responding to mass protests in the spring will let us know for sure.

    I fully expect state violence and suppression will be the response. At which point you can eat all of your words.

    • lil0ps@lemmings.worldEnglish
      110·
      3 days ago

      From chatGPT: “Donald Trump is often described as having authoritarian tendencies, but whether he can be classified as a “true authoritarian leader” is debated. While he has demonstrated some characteristics that align with authoritarianism—such as a disregard for democratic norms, an emphasis on strong, centralized leadership, and a penchant for undermining checks and balances—he has not fully implemented the institutional changes or widespread repression typically associated with authoritarian regimes.

      Key authoritarian tendencies in Trump’s leadership style include:

      1. Attack on Democratic Institutions: Trump’s frequent criticisms of the press, the judiciary, and other institutions that could check his power reflect a disregard for democratic norms.
      2. Populism and Cult of Personality: Trump has cultivated a strong personal following, often positioning himself as the sole representative of the “will of the people” against perceived elites and institutions.
      3. Undermining Elections: His repeated claims of a “stolen” 2020 election and the pressure to overturn the results show an authoritarian approach to consolidating power.
      4. Centralized Power and Disdain for Bureaucracy: Trump often favored executive actions and direct control over the government, sidelining bureaucratic processes and established norms.

      However, several factors complicate the argument that Trump is a “true” authoritarian:

      1. Checks and Balances: Despite his tendencies, U.S. democratic institutions (like Congress, the courts, and the media) have proven to be resilient and have pushed back against some of his more authoritarian impulses.
      2. Electoral System and Rule of Law: In a functioning democracy like the U.S., leaders can’t exercise full authoritarian control without undermining the very system that allows them to hold office. Trump’s loss in the 2020 election and the subsequent peaceful transfer of power is a counterpoint to claims of authoritarianism.

      So, while Trump exhibited several authoritarian behaviors, he did not fully embrace the comprehensive, systematic authoritarian rule seen in other countries or historical figures. Whether this was due to institutional constraints or his own leadership limitations is a subject of ongoing analysis.”

      • tree_frog@lemm.eeEnglish
        71·
        3 days ago

        Again, this isn’t 2020. That information is outdated and obviously came from earlier training data. Yet you keep citing it as your source.