First, the calculated flattery. Then three big signals about the future of Europe
The visitors to the White House made sure to soften the American president with a jumbo pack of soft soap to guard against an angry clash that might wreck their hopes.
The flattery was lavish but necessary. Europe cannot rely on Trump, but it cannot afford to antagonise him. And it will only face bigger dangers if he is fooled by honeyed words from Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky needed the seven allies with him in the room. This was smart diplomacy by the major European democracies, and it gave Trump what he craves: more spectacle, more attention, and more praise.
Once the meeting was over, with its inconclusive outcome, the praise flowed again because the Europeans wanted to remind everyone of Trump's promises. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, for instance, thanked him for a clear commitment to ensuring Ukrainian children are reunited with their loved ones.
Loading
The Europeans had to use their gratitude to try to hold the American president to his own words. This dynamic revealed what the meeting so clearly lacked: a shared resolve about what should come next.
There was no collective statement because there was no collective will. Trump listened to the visitors, but he was not one of them. In theory, he was an ally under the NATO pact. In fact, he felt he was doing them a favour by getting involved.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Trump's huge civil fraud penalty thrown out by court
In a triumph for Donald Trump, a New York state appeals court has thrown out an approximately half-billion-dollar penalty against the US president, in a fraud case. The case had been one of his biggest legal setbacks before his return to the White House. The decision by the Appellate Division in Manhattan is a defeat for New York Attorney General Letitia James, who Trump accused of bringing the civil fraud lawsuit to advance a political witch hunt and deny him a second term. A trial judge had ordered the penalty in February 2024 after finding that Trump fraudulently overstated his wealth and the value of his properties to bolster his family business. Trump denied wrongdoing, and his lawyers argued that any errors in reporting Trump's fortune to his lenders and business partners were irrelevant because none was harmed. Thursday's decision by the five-judge appeals court was deeply splintered, with some agreeing Trump should be held liable while others called for a new trial or even dismissal. In a social media post, Trump called the decision a "TOTAL VICTORY." "I greatly respect the fact that the Court had the Courage to throw out this unlawful and disgraceful Decision," Trump wrote. James said she will ask the Court of Appeals, the state's highest court, to review the case. "It should not be lost to history: yet another court has ruled that the president violated the law, and that our case has merit," she added. Trump was separately convicted in May 2024 on criminal charges in a New York state court in Manhattan stemming from hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels, but received no punishment. The appeals court in James' case issued approximately 320 pages of opinions. Two judges found Trump was properly held liable, and James "vindicated a public interest" by suing, but said the penalty was unconstitutionally excessive. They upheld restrictions imposed against Trump's businesses. Two other judges also found James had authority to sue, but a new trial was necessary because of errors by the trial judge. The fifth judge said the case should be thrown out. Thursday's decision came as the US Department of Justice investigates James for possible mortgage fraud. The probe is part of a White House effort to use the power of government against people who have investigated Trump or resisted his agenda. In February 2024, Engoron ordered Trump and other defendants to pay $US464.6 million ($A723.1 million) in penalties plus interest, which has continued to accrue. Trump was personally liable for nearly 98 per cent of the judgement, with his eldest sons, Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump, and former Trump Organisation chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg responsible for the remainder. Referring to Trump and other Trump Organisation figures, Engoron said their "complete lack of contrition and remorse borders on pathological". Engoron also banned Trump and the Trump Organisation from applying for loans from banks registered in the state for three years, and effectively barred Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump from running the business for two years. The appeals court put these restrictions on hold during the appeals process, while letting a court-appointed monitor for the Trump Organisation continue her work. In a triumph for Donald Trump, a New York state appeals court has thrown out an approximately half-billion-dollar penalty against the US president, in a fraud case. The case had been one of his biggest legal setbacks before his return to the White House. The decision by the Appellate Division in Manhattan is a defeat for New York Attorney General Letitia James, who Trump accused of bringing the civil fraud lawsuit to advance a political witch hunt and deny him a second term. A trial judge had ordered the penalty in February 2024 after finding that Trump fraudulently overstated his wealth and the value of his properties to bolster his family business. Trump denied wrongdoing, and his lawyers argued that any errors in reporting Trump's fortune to his lenders and business partners were irrelevant because none was harmed. Thursday's decision by the five-judge appeals court was deeply splintered, with some agreeing Trump should be held liable while others called for a new trial or even dismissal. In a social media post, Trump called the decision a "TOTAL VICTORY." "I greatly respect the fact that the Court had the Courage to throw out this unlawful and disgraceful Decision," Trump wrote. James said she will ask the Court of Appeals, the state's highest court, to review the case. "It should not be lost to history: yet another court has ruled that the president violated the law, and that our case has merit," she added. Trump was separately convicted in May 2024 on criminal charges in a New York state court in Manhattan stemming from hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels, but received no punishment. The appeals court in James' case issued approximately 320 pages of opinions. Two judges found Trump was properly held liable, and James "vindicated a public interest" by suing, but said the penalty was unconstitutionally excessive. They upheld restrictions imposed against Trump's businesses. Two other judges also found James had authority to sue, but a new trial was necessary because of errors by the trial judge. The fifth judge said the case should be thrown out. Thursday's decision came as the US Department of Justice investigates James for possible mortgage fraud. The probe is part of a White House effort to use the power of government against people who have investigated Trump or resisted his agenda. In February 2024, Engoron ordered Trump and other defendants to pay $US464.6 million ($A723.1 million) in penalties plus interest, which has continued to accrue. Trump was personally liable for nearly 98 per cent of the judgement, with his eldest sons, Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump, and former Trump Organisation chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg responsible for the remainder. Referring to Trump and other Trump Organisation figures, Engoron said their "complete lack of contrition and remorse borders on pathological". Engoron also banned Trump and the Trump Organisation from applying for loans from banks registered in the state for three years, and effectively barred Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump from running the business for two years. The appeals court put these restrictions on hold during the appeals process, while letting a court-appointed monitor for the Trump Organisation continue her work. In a triumph for Donald Trump, a New York state appeals court has thrown out an approximately half-billion-dollar penalty against the US president, in a fraud case. The case had been one of his biggest legal setbacks before his return to the White House. The decision by the Appellate Division in Manhattan is a defeat for New York Attorney General Letitia James, who Trump accused of bringing the civil fraud lawsuit to advance a political witch hunt and deny him a second term. A trial judge had ordered the penalty in February 2024 after finding that Trump fraudulently overstated his wealth and the value of his properties to bolster his family business. Trump denied wrongdoing, and his lawyers argued that any errors in reporting Trump's fortune to his lenders and business partners were irrelevant because none was harmed. Thursday's decision by the five-judge appeals court was deeply splintered, with some agreeing Trump should be held liable while others called for a new trial or even dismissal. In a social media post, Trump called the decision a "TOTAL VICTORY." "I greatly respect the fact that the Court had the Courage to throw out this unlawful and disgraceful Decision," Trump wrote. James said she will ask the Court of Appeals, the state's highest court, to review the case. "It should not be lost to history: yet another court has ruled that the president violated the law, and that our case has merit," she added. Trump was separately convicted in May 2024 on criminal charges in a New York state court in Manhattan stemming from hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels, but received no punishment. The appeals court in James' case issued approximately 320 pages of opinions. Two judges found Trump was properly held liable, and James "vindicated a public interest" by suing, but said the penalty was unconstitutionally excessive. They upheld restrictions imposed against Trump's businesses. Two other judges also found James had authority to sue, but a new trial was necessary because of errors by the trial judge. The fifth judge said the case should be thrown out. Thursday's decision came as the US Department of Justice investigates James for possible mortgage fraud. The probe is part of a White House effort to use the power of government against people who have investigated Trump or resisted his agenda. In February 2024, Engoron ordered Trump and other defendants to pay $US464.6 million ($A723.1 million) in penalties plus interest, which has continued to accrue. Trump was personally liable for nearly 98 per cent of the judgement, with his eldest sons, Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump, and former Trump Organisation chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg responsible for the remainder. Referring to Trump and other Trump Organisation figures, Engoron said their "complete lack of contrition and remorse borders on pathological". Engoron also banned Trump and the Trump Organisation from applying for loans from banks registered in the state for three years, and effectively barred Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump from running the business for two years. The appeals court put these restrictions on hold during the appeals process, while letting a court-appointed monitor for the Trump Organisation continue her work. In a triumph for Donald Trump, a New York state appeals court has thrown out an approximately half-billion-dollar penalty against the US president, in a fraud case. The case had been one of his biggest legal setbacks before his return to the White House. The decision by the Appellate Division in Manhattan is a defeat for New York Attorney General Letitia James, who Trump accused of bringing the civil fraud lawsuit to advance a political witch hunt and deny him a second term. A trial judge had ordered the penalty in February 2024 after finding that Trump fraudulently overstated his wealth and the value of his properties to bolster his family business. Trump denied wrongdoing, and his lawyers argued that any errors in reporting Trump's fortune to his lenders and business partners were irrelevant because none was harmed. Thursday's decision by the five-judge appeals court was deeply splintered, with some agreeing Trump should be held liable while others called for a new trial or even dismissal. In a social media post, Trump called the decision a "TOTAL VICTORY." "I greatly respect the fact that the Court had the Courage to throw out this unlawful and disgraceful Decision," Trump wrote. James said she will ask the Court of Appeals, the state's highest court, to review the case. "It should not be lost to history: yet another court has ruled that the president violated the law, and that our case has merit," she added. Trump was separately convicted in May 2024 on criminal charges in a New York state court in Manhattan stemming from hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels, but received no punishment. The appeals court in James' case issued approximately 320 pages of opinions. Two judges found Trump was properly held liable, and James "vindicated a public interest" by suing, but said the penalty was unconstitutionally excessive. They upheld restrictions imposed against Trump's businesses. Two other judges also found James had authority to sue, but a new trial was necessary because of errors by the trial judge. The fifth judge said the case should be thrown out. Thursday's decision came as the US Department of Justice investigates James for possible mortgage fraud. The probe is part of a White House effort to use the power of government against people who have investigated Trump or resisted his agenda. In February 2024, Engoron ordered Trump and other defendants to pay $US464.6 million ($A723.1 million) in penalties plus interest, which has continued to accrue. Trump was personally liable for nearly 98 per cent of the judgement, with his eldest sons, Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump, and former Trump Organisation chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg responsible for the remainder. Referring to Trump and other Trump Organisation figures, Engoron said their "complete lack of contrition and remorse borders on pathological". Engoron also banned Trump and the Trump Organisation from applying for loans from banks registered in the state for three years, and effectively barred Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump from running the business for two years. The appeals court put these restrictions on hold during the appeals process, while letting a court-appointed monitor for the Trump Organisation continue her work.
AU Financial Review
2 hours ago
- AU Financial Review
Trump suggests Ukraine ‘play offence' as he pressures Putin
Washington | President Donald Trump insinuated in a social media post that he's open to Ukraine launching more attacks on Russia, as the White House looks to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to a one-on-one meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky. 'It is very hard, if not impossible, to win a war without attacking an invaders country,' Trump wrote. 'It's like a great team in sports that has a fantastic defence, but is not allowed to play offence. There is no chance of winning!'
Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Perth Now
Trump's huge civil fraud penalty thrown out by court
In a triumph for Donald Trump, a New York state appeals court has thrown out an approximately half-billion-dollar penalty against the US president, in a fraud case. The case had been one of his biggest legal setbacks before his return to the White House. The decision by the Appellate Division in Manhattan is a defeat for New York Attorney General Letitia James, who Trump accused of bringing the civil fraud lawsuit to advance a political witch hunt and deny him a second term. A trial judge had ordered the penalty in February 2024 after finding that Trump fraudulently overstated his wealth and the value of his properties to bolster his family business. Trump denied wrongdoing, and his lawyers argued that any errors in reporting Trump's fortune to his lenders and business partners were irrelevant because none was harmed. Thursday's decision by the five-judge appeals court was deeply splintered, with some agreeing Trump should be held liable while others called for a new trial or even dismissal. In a social media post, Trump called the decision a "TOTAL VICTORY." "I greatly respect the fact that the Court had the Courage to throw out this unlawful and disgraceful Decision," Trump wrote. James said she will ask the Court of Appeals, the state's highest court, to review the case. "It should not be lost to history: yet another court has ruled that the president violated the law, and that our case has merit," she added. Trump was separately convicted in May 2024 on criminal charges in a New York state court in Manhattan stemming from hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels, but received no punishment. The appeals court in James' case issued approximately 320 pages of opinions. Two judges found Trump was properly held liable, and James "vindicated a public interest" by suing, but said the penalty was unconstitutionally excessive. They upheld restrictions imposed against Trump's businesses. Two other judges also found James had authority to sue, but a new trial was necessary because of errors by the trial judge. The fifth judge said the case should be thrown out. Thursday's decision came as the US Department of Justice investigates James for possible mortgage fraud. The probe is part of a White House effort to use the power of government against people who have investigated Trump or resisted his agenda. In February 2024, Engoron ordered Trump and other defendants to pay $US464.6 million ($A723.1 million) in penalties plus interest, which has continued to accrue. Trump was personally liable for nearly 98 per cent of the judgement, with his eldest sons, Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump, and former Trump Organisation chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg responsible for the remainder. Referring to Trump and other Trump Organisation figures, Engoron said their "complete lack of contrition and remorse borders on pathological". Engoron also banned Trump and the Trump Organisation from applying for loans from banks registered in the state for three years, and effectively barred Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump from running the business for two years. The appeals court put these restrictions on hold during the appeals process, while letting a court-appointed monitor for the Trump Organisation continue her work.
