In a whirlwind visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Donald Trump has managed to stir up a hornet’s nest of criticism, both at home and abroad. The former US president’s latest antics, including dismissing the role of NATO troops in Afghanistan and his plans for a “Board of Peace” to rival the United Nations, have prompted a strong rebuke from British leaders.
Keir Starmer, the leader of the UK’s opposition Labour Party, has lambasted Trump’s comments about NATO soldiers, calling them “insulting and frankly appalling.” Starmer praised the bravery and sacrifice of British troops who served in Afghanistan, many of whom paid the ultimate price. Veteran’s minister Al Carne echoed Starmer’s sentiments, describing Trump’s remarks as “ridiculous.”
Trump’s attempts to establish his own global organisation, the “Board of Peace,” have also fallen flat, with European nations snubbing his invitation. Instead, the likes of Bahrain, Belarus, and Saudi Arabia have signed up, leading to accusations that the board is little more than a protection racket for authoritarian regimes.
The fallout from Trump’s Davos trip has not been limited to the international stage. The former president has also been embroiled in a war of words with US politicians, including a spat with California Governor Gavin Newsom and a bizarre claim that the people who brought a tariff case to the Supreme Court were “very China oriented.”
As Trump’s second term progresses, the world seems to be growing increasingly weary of his antics. With the former president increasingly isolated and marginalized, the question remains: what will he do when backed into a corner? One thing is certain – it’s unlikely to be pretty.