Greetings everyone. Trump’s trip to China was a strategic disaster for the United States. Trump got nothing. China trashed him for his failed war in Iran. He looked weak and pathetic, the very embodiment of an aging, corrupt, declining superpower. There were a remarkable numbers of images in the media these last few days that looked like this:
The summit however was a rousing success for China. Trump waffled on Taiwan and elevated China to a super power status equal to the US. Here’s the home page of the Washington Post right now:
Here’s an excerpt from the story:
BEIJING — President Donald Trump embraced a name for this week’s summit with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, riffing on the Group of Seven meeting of the world’s largest economies.
“It’s the two great countries. I call it the G-2. This is the G-2,” he said in an interview with Fox News’s Sean Hannity that aired Friday and was taped after Thursday’s bilateral meeting with Xi. “I think it’ll go down as a very important moment in history.”
Though Trump was the one who said it, the image of two superpowers on similar footing was exactly what Xi aimed to achieve with the visit, analysts said. Over two days of meetings here, the carefully choreographed pageantry and the reciprocal gestures of friendship and respect between the world’s two most powerful men displayed a geopolitical dynamic that the Chinese have long craved and Americans had resisted.
“Xi has done something Chinese leaders have been working toward for decades — bringing an American president to Beijing as an undisputed peer,” said Julian Gewirtz, who served as China director on the National Security Council under President Joe Biden. “Xi used the opulent optics of the visit to make clear to the world that China and the United States are the two dominant, equally matched superpowers. There is no going back.”
Trump on Friday scoffed at the suggestion that the U.S. was an empire in decline — appearing to be reacting to something Xi had said, perhaps his reference on Thursday to the “Thucydides trap,” Harvard University historian Graham Allison’s term for a rising power challenging a dominant one. Trump said he sided with Xi as far as criticizing his predecessor but had already turned things around.
“Two years ago, we were, in fact, a Nation in decline. On that, I fully agree with President Xi!” Trump said on social media on Friday, before departing Beijing. “But now, the United States is the hottest Nation anywhere in the world, and hopefully our relationship with China will be stronger and better than ever before!”
Here’s what I wrote on Tuesday:
If he were smart Trump would call off his summit with Xi later this week. He is heading to China in a dramatically weakened position - his war is failing, his tariffs were just declared to be illegal (again), he economic plan here in the US isn’t working, in fighting with Europe and cutting research here he looks like a fool, and he is profoundly unpopular.
…………
Trump heading to China this week in this weakened state is a danger to our national security. May we hope for something to good to come from it all rather than Trump once again getting his lunch eaten by a foreign leader……
Here’s The Guardian’s home page right now:
Not content with making American look weak and China strong on the world stage Trump and Hegseth took another dramatic, dangerous step this week to help Russia and undermine Europe/Ukraine/NATO:
From the story:
Pete Hegseth’s last-minute decision to cancel the deployment of 4,000 troops to Poland caught Pentagon staff and European allies by surprise — the latest example of an abrupt personnel move from the Defense secretary that blindsided both sides of the Atlantic.
It wasn’t clear exactly why Hegseth issued the order, according to three defense officials familiar with the matter. President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed anger and frustration with European allies for their failure to help with the Iran war, although Trump has labeled Poland a “model ally” for its high defense spending.
The decision was even more surprising because troops and equipment had already started to arrive in the country. It sent fresh waves of anxiety through European capitals and inside the Pentagon on Thursday about whether such moves could embolden Russia — and which ally might turn into the next target.
“We had no idea this was coming,” said one of the U.S. officials, adding that European and American officials have spent the last 24 hours on the phone trying to understand the decision and figure out if more surprises are coming.
The move follows Hegseth’s announcement this month that the Pentagon would withdraw 5,000 troops from bases in Germany. But that decision followed through on a threat Trump made after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the U.S. was “humiliating” itself with the conflict in Iran.
The 4,000 Texas-based troops were preparing to leave on a long-planned nine month rotation to Poland that includes training with NATO allies when the order to halt came through. The cancellation of this routine mission is especially unusual given that American troops stationed on the continent are a key deterrent to Russia. Trump has insisted that Europe will have to fend for itself — even as he’s railed against allies’ opposition to the Iran conflict — and this latest order suggests the president is serious about reducing the American footprint on the continent.
What makes this all the more ridiculous, idiotic, and dangerous is that both Russia and China are allied with Iran. So Trump is taking clear, material steps to help countries allied with the country we are currently fighting, and losing, a war with; which of course further weakens our position not just globally but in the war that his undermining Trump’s standing abroad and at home.
The idiocy of all this is breathtaking.
Here’s how one French commentator put it on Twitter (translated from the original French):
Putin, for his part, must be laughing his head off.
For the last ten years we’ve debated - is Trump compromised by Putin, perhaps through the Epstein files, and a traitor to America? Just in love with strongmen and their power, and wants to be like them? So greedy and corrupt that he will sacrifice the national interest for his own self-enrichment? Some combination of it all?
Whatever the cause the damage Trump is doing to America is staggering. Some have called it “hegemonic suicide.” Dr. Timothy Snyder calls it “Superpower Suicide.” Here is something he posted on the topic this week:
The United States has just spent billions of dollars to lose a war that enriches its oligarchs, impoverishes the citizenry, sabotages its alliances, and strengthens its enemies. As justification for the self-destructive mindlessness, the White House gestures towards Jesus and genocide.
On April 20th I was asked to speak in New York about ethics and power. My thinking, which I expressed in a conversation at the Council on Foreign Relations, on this little video, and in the media, was that our utterly unethical war was also utterly self-destructive. The war, a catastrophe in itself, suggests the guiding principle of Trump foreign policy: superpower suicide. The term was since come into more general use, and readers have been asking me to spell it out.
Empires have risen and failed before, but to my knowledge no state has ever chosen to kill its own power, and succeeded with such rapidity.
It is hard to see this clearly. Even as we oppose individual Trump adventures, we hope that in some way they are based on some understanding of the national interest. They are not. To get the perspective we need to see the nature of this anti-strategic self-slaughter, it will help to consider thirteen traditional bases of state power…….
You can head here to dive into the rest of Dr. Snyder’s argument.
So what the f-ck do we do? The Democrats brought up resolutions to rein in the war in the Middle East in both chambers this week. We lost the Senate vote by only a single vote, 49-50. In the House it was 212-212, with a tie meaning it did not pass. It’s not clear how much longer the Rs can hold the line, and keep forcing their vulnerable incumbents to keep voting for this failed war and soaring prices here at home. We have keep at it.
While I think it is long past time for national Democrats to come together to fight this “superpower suicide” in an aggressive and strategic campaign, our next shot at a clear repudiation of Trump’s traitorous “foreign policy” will come in early June when the House takes up the Meeks bill to fund Ukraine, sanction Russia, and reaffirm our commitment to NATO. This becomes a must pass bill. It is called The Ukraine Support Act (H.R. 2913), and does a few key things:
More than $1 billion in direct security aid for Ukraine, plus $8 billion available in the form of loans.
Strict sanctions on Russian leaders and institutions, including top banks, oil and mining companies, 500% tariffs on all Russian goods imported to the U.S., and a ban on imported Russian crude oil.
Authorization of $8 billion for arms sales to Ukraine, and an extension of the Biden-era military lend-lease program.
Here is what it says about NATO:
The United States reaffirms its full and unwavering commitment to NATO, and that NATO remains vital to U.S. national security interests with the U.S. remaining fully committed to defending its allies under Article 5.
NATO’s open door policy is essential to European security, and every sovereign state has the right to determine its security arrangements, including Ukraine.
All NATO allies should dedicate at least 2 percent of their GDP to national defense or establish concrete plans to meet their 2 percent obligations, and allies must continue cooperation in advanced defense technologies, counterintelligence, and cybersecurity programs to counter evolving threats.
Here is a statement a bi-partisan group of House Members released on getting the 218th signature on their discharge petition this week:
"With today's 218th signature on our discharge petition, the Ukraine Support Act will soon come to the House Floor for a vote. We are glad the House will finally be moving forward with robust legislation to support the people of Ukraine as they fight to defend their nation and its sovereignty. Few have demonstrated as much courage and perseverance in our modern history as the people of Ukraine. In their battle for democracy, self-determination, and the preservation of their territorial integrity, they deserve our help and our material support. The Ukraine Support Act can deliver that assistance, as well as impose additional sanctions on Russia to hold it accountable for its brutal war. We look forward to seeing the House pass this bill quickly and encourage the Senate to take it up without delay. The brave men and women of Ukraine are waiting."
Please call your House Member today and demand they vote for it when it comes up for a vote in the next few weeks. Call your Senators and demand they work to bring it to the Senate and pass it. Call every day until it passes. While this bill may never become law the people of the world, of Europe, of Ukraine, need to see that the Congress and the American people are not on board with Trump’s reckless and dangerous abandonment of our allies and Ukraine.
We also can flip two Supreme Court seats in Georgia on Tuesday, and better position our candidates and state parties to flip more seats this November!
Yes, we cannot let this ongoing, extraordinary betrayal of the country stand. Which is why it is…..
Rallying For Jen Jordan and Miracle Rankin For Georgia Supreme Court - This is our next big opportunity to make good trouble all. The Election is May 19th, early voting has begun, and we have 2 great candidates, Jen Jordan and Miracle Rankin, who have a serious shot at flipping two GOP-held Supreme Court seats. Watch our new interview with Jordan and Rankin, donate to their campaign, hear about the race from the great GA Dem Party Chair Charlie Bailey, and volunteer no matter where you are!
We’ve now raised $48,200 towards our $50,000 goal. Amazing work everyone!!!!!!!!!
Hopium’s Winning The House Campaign (2026) - $677,600 raised, $1,000,000 goal (new ambitious, audacious even, q2 goal) - Donate to all twelve of our endorsed House challengers with one click | Get to know Jamie Ager (NC-11), Christina Bohannan (IA-01), Paige Cognetti (PA-08), Rebecca Cooke (WI-03), Elaine Luria (VA-02), Sean McCann (MI-04), Jo Mendoza (AZ-06), Chaz Molder (TN-05), Janelle Stelson (PA-10), Shannon Taylor (VA-01), and Sarah Trone Garriott (IA-03) by watching our recently recorded Hopium interviews.
Friends if these twelve win, the House will flip, no matter redistricting madness the Rs execute in the coming days. So eyes on the prize here.
Mary Peltola For Alaska Senate - $92,700 raised, $250,000 goal - Donate | Volunteer and Learn More | Enjoy my uplifting conversation with Mary Peltola as she fights to turn Alaska blue.
James Talarico For Texas - $70,300 raised, $250,000 - Donate | Volunteer and Learn More | Enjoy my inspiring interview with Rep. Talarico as he fights to turn Texas blue.
Winning Ohio - $143,100 raised, $250,000 goal - Our new campaign splits contributions evenly among Sherrod Brown, the Acton/Pepper ticket, and the Ohio Democratic Party | Donate today and help us turn this critical 2026 battleground blue | Watch my new discussions with US Senate candidate Sherrod Brown, our candidate for Governor Dr. Amy Acton, Lt. Gov candidate David Pepper, and Ohio Dem Chair Kathleen Clyde.
This total includes $21,000 sent by a Hopium community member directly to each of our three Buckeye State partners!
Hopium’s Audacious Expansion Fund - $561,900 raised, $1,000,000 goal (new stretch goal) - Join our campaign that has helped expand our map by investing in the Democratic Parties of Alaska, Florida, Iowa, Maine, and Texas, all now central battlegrounds in the 2026 election | Catch interviews with the five intrepid state chairs leading their troops into battle this year - will get you fired up! | Contribute to all five state parties with one contribution split evenly among these five new battlegrounds.
Many thanks to two generous Hopium community members who have audaciously donated $20,000 to each of our five state parties over the past two years.
Roy Cooper for NC Senate (2026) - $112,100 raised, $250,000 goal - Donate | Learn More | Volunteer | Enjoy my new discussion with Gov. Cooper as he fights to turn North Carolina blue.
Jon Ossoff GA Senate (2026) - $175,100 raised, $250,000 goal - Donate | Learn More | Volunteer | Enjoy my inspiring conversation with Senator Ossoff.
There are a few more ways to go to work in the coming days - call your leaders and advocate for elements of our working, ever evolving Hopium Agenda; bring resolutions that condemn our Mad King and lets facts be spoken to a candid world to your state or local government; and learn how you can help us win in evolving political and electoral battlefield this year.
Here’s our working, evolving Post-Iran Disaster Agenda:
Work to end this new gulf war and Trump’s Imperial global ambitions
Support Ukraine and Europe, not Russia
Roll back the new, illegal tariffs
Rescind the Trump tax cuts, claw back the extra ICE funding, fund the IRS so it can collect the taxes the rich are hiding from us
Launch a major anti-corruption, renewing democracy campaign, one that ensures accountability for the crimes and treason committed, limits the political power of our emerging oligarchy, and strengthens democracy here and everywhere
Make the US a clean energy superpower, fight for true energy independence, and lower utility and energy prices for the American people
Rein in ICE, end Mass Deportation
End Trump’s destructive war on science, research, our health scare system and our public Health
Make clear to American farmers that we want to end the failed war, repeal the terrible tariffs, find legal pathways for farm workers, and make health care and energy more affordable
Please use the paid subscriber chat to self-report the good trouble you make each day.
Keep working hard all. We have a country to save and elections to win, together! - Simon
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