PROMINENT Republicans insist on treating President Donald Trump like a child or a clueless old man, telling Americans that he does not mean what he says — despitePROMINENT Republicans insist on treating President Donald Trump like a child or a clueless old man, telling Americans that he does not mean what he says — despite

The dubious art of explaining what Trump ‘really means’

2026/01/15 00:02
5 min read

By David M. Drucker

PROMINENT Republicans insist on treating President Donald Trump like a child or a clueless old man, telling Americans that he does not mean what he says — despite the commander in chief making quite clear he means exactly that.

Trump’s threat to use military force to seize Greenland from Denmark, a US ally via the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is a recent example. “I don’t think it’s a threat,” Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama told The Bulwark. “I think it’s a promise that we’ll offer some money for it.” Senator John Kennedy offered his own, colorful reimagining of the president’s saber rattling. “Even a modestly intelligent ninth grader knows that to invade Greenland would be weapons-grade stupid. Now, President Trump is not weapons-grade stupid,” the Louisiana Republican told CNN. Trump, Kennedy added, does “not plan to invade Greenland. That does not mean they’re not going to seek a legal, formal partnership with Greenland.”

Trump’s subsequent comments on the matter? All options are on the table, including a military invasion. “We are going to do something on Greenland whether they like it or not,” the president told reporters during a White House news conference last week. “If we don’t do it the easy way we’re going to do it the hard way.”

The phenomenon of redefining Trump’s rhetoric was somewhat understandable during his first presidency. He was new to elected office and still learning how the federal government operated. Although still somewhat infantilizing of a man who had reached high office, Republicans uncomfortable with the president’s rhetoric could theoretically make the case that Trump didn’t understand the implications of what he was saying, or of his policy proposals.

But as we head toward Year 2 of his second presidency, those excuses have worn thin. Trump has plenty of on-the-job experience and has demonstrated an understanding of executive power, so much so that he rejects most limits on it.

What gives? In my experience, it’s about political expediency. Republicans’ clumsy verbal cartwheels are obvious attempts to avoid publicly disagreeing with Trump while simultaneously attempting to avoid publicly agreeing with him.

It’s been more of the same regarding what’s next for Venezuela following an American military operation that led to the capture of dictator Nicolas Maduro and his wife and their arrest by federal law enforcement. During a Jan. 3 news conference , Trump, 79, said the US is “going to run” the South American nation “until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition.”

The president elaborated under questioning by reporters, suggesting his declaration was hardly flippant. “It’s largely going to be, for a period of time, the people that are standing right behind me,” Trump said, when asked who inside the US government would be running Venezuela.

Flanking Trump on stage: Air Force General Dan Cain, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, among others.

Yet the very next day, Rubio revised his boss’ remarks. “What we are running is the direction that this is going to move, going forward. And that is, we have leverage. This leverage we are using and we intend to use,” the secretary said Jan. 4 in an interview on the ABC News public affairs program This Week. To be fair, Rubio’s argument wasn’t wholly inaccurate.

But: Want to guess what Trump said later that day when asked, during a gaggle with reporters on Air Force One , if Washington was running the show in Caracas? “Don’t ask me who’s in charge because I’ll give you an answer and it will be very controversial,” Trump said. When asked what he meant, the president was blunt: “It means we’re in charge. We’re in charge.”

Naturally, Trump’s unequivocal comments didn’t discourage Senator Jim Risch, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, from claiming the president’s rhetoric was equivocal. “I think that’s a matter of interpretation,” the Idaho Republican told NOTUS,  when asked what the commander in chief meant by repeatedly saying the US is “running” Venezuela.

Shawn J. Parry-Giles, a University of Maryland professor who studies political communication and rhetoric, explained the ongoing dilemma posed by Trump and his penchant for provocative rhetoric and proposals.

“His messaging puts members of his party in difficult positions. They manage the rhetorical and political messiness by providing different interpretations that reshape the message into one they can support that appears more reasoned and grounded in legal [and] political principles,” said Parry-Giles, director of the Rosenker Center for Political Communication and Civic Leadership . “This is also happening with members of his cabinet. They are trying to reshape his messages into something that would be more acceptable politically.”

They’re hoping to “send” Trump “a subtle message of how the president would better express his views,” she added, while maintaining a sense of decorum that the commander in chief does not. “He routinely flouts such decorous practices,” Parry-Giles said.

All true and all understandable.

But after all this time, it should be crystal clear to Republicans — on Capitol Hill and everywhere else — that Trump knows what he’s saying and knows what he’s doing (or what he wants to do.) When he speaks and when he acts, it’s with deliberate intent. Congressional Republicans who oppose an American invasion of Greenland might want to ponder that rather than soothe themselves with fantasies that Trump’s tough talk is about “leverage.”

BLOOMBERG OPINION

Market Opportunity
LiveArt Logo
LiveArt Price(ART)
$0.0004312
$0.0004312$0.0004312
-0.73%
USD
LiveArt (ART) Live Price Chart
Disclaimer: The articles reposted on this site are sourced from public platforms and are provided for informational purposes only. They do not necessarily reflect the views of MEXC. All rights remain with the original authors. If you believe any content infringes on third-party rights, please contact service@support.mexc.com for removal. MEXC makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the content and is not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided. The content does not constitute financial, legal, or other professional advice, nor should it be considered a recommendation or endorsement by MEXC.

You May Also Like

Exploring Market Buzz: Unique Opportunities in Cryptocurrencies

Exploring Market Buzz: Unique Opportunities in Cryptocurrencies

In the ever-evolving world of cryptocurrencies, recent developments have sparked significant interest. A closer look at pricing forecasts for Cardano (ADA) and rumors surrounding a Solana (SOL) ETF, coupled with the emergence of a promising new entrant, Layer Brett, reveals a complex market dynamic. Cardano's Prospects: A Closer Look Cardano, a stalwart in the blockchain space, continues to hold its ground with its research-driven development strategy. The latest price predictions for ADA suggest potential gains, predicting a double or even quadruple increase in its valuation. Despite these optimistic forecasts, the allure of exponential gains drives traders toward more speculative ventures. The Buzz Around Solana ETF The potential introduction of a Solana ETF has the crypto community abuzz, potentially catapulting SOL prices to new heights. As investors await regulatory decisions, the impact of such an ETF on Solana's value could be substantial, potentially reaching up to $300. However, as with Cardano, the substantial market capitalization of Solana may temper its growth potential. Why Layer Brett is Gaining Traction Amidst established names, a new contender, Layer Brett, has started to capture the market's attention with its early presale stages. Offering a low entry price of just $0.0058 and promising over 700% in staking rewards, Layer Brett presents a tempting proposition for those looking to maximize returns. Comparative Analysis: ADA, SOL, and $LBRETT While both ADA and SOL offer stable investment choices with reliable growth, Layer Brett emerges as a high-risk, high-reward option that could potentially offer significantly higher returns due to its nascent market position and aggressive economic model. Initial presale pricing lets investors get in on the ground floor. Staking rewards currently exceed 690%, a persuasive incentive for early adopters. Backed by Ethereum's Layer 2 for enhanced transaction speed and reduced costs. A community-focused $1 million giveaway to further drive engagement and investor interest. Predicted by some analysts to offer up to 50x returns in coming years. Shifting Sands: Investor Movements As the crypto market landscape shifts, many investors, including those traditionally holding ADA and SOL, are beginning to diversify their portfolios by turning to high-potential opportunities like Layer Brett. The combination of strategic presale pricing and significant staking rewards is creating a momentum of its own. Act Fast: Time-Sensitive Opportunities As September progresses, opportunities to capitalize on these low entry points and high yield offerings from Layer Brett are likely to diminish. With increasing attention and funds being directed towards this new asset, the window to act is closing quickly. Invest in Layer Brett now to secure your position before the next price hike and staking rewards reduction. For more information, visit the Layer Brett website, join their Telegram group, or follow them on X by clicking the following links: Website Telegram X Disclaimer: This is a sponsored press release and is for informational purposes only. It does not reflect the views of Bitzo, nor is it intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, or financial advice.
Share
Coinstats2025/09/18 18:39
Tests 50-day EMA barrier near 183.00

Tests 50-day EMA barrier near 183.00

The post Tests 50-day EMA barrier near 183.00 appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. EUR/JPY remains steady after three days of gains, trading around 182.70 during
Share
BitcoinEthereumNews2026/02/23 17:03
Moonshot MAGAX vs Shiba Inu: The AI-Powered Meme-to-Earn Revolution Challenging a Meme Coin Giant

Moonshot MAGAX vs Shiba Inu: The AI-Powered Meme-to-Earn Revolution Challenging a Meme Coin Giant

Discover how Moonshot MAGAX’s AI-powered meme-to-earn platform outpaces Shiba Inu with innovative tokenomics and growth potential in 2025.
Share
Blockchainreporter2025/09/18 03:15