The Ukraine crisis
reminds us that Trump is no run-of-the-mill fool, but a unique combination of
stupidity and venality. A quick refresher on his relations with Putin and
Ukraine leaves little doubt that far from deterring Putin, he was Putin’s most reliable
“useful idiot.” Trump’s most durable legacy is the Putinesque level of deceit
he introduced into the American bloodstream, but he was also a mark.
Trump was a dupe and a dope, a walking refutation of the
adage “you can’t kid a kidder.” An inveterate liar himself, he could never
discern when he was being played, at least by the strongmen he admired like
Putin, Kim, and Xi. It was more than ignorance,
it was hero worship.
Trump
is a disturbed human being who is constantly revealing his attraction to
violence and “strength.” Even as Putin was smashing his tanks into Ukraine,
Trump fawned over his “genius” and then boasted that “I know him very, very well.” He said
it was “wonderful.” He backtracked after a day or two, but doubtless only after
being advised that it was politically unwise.