'Political weakling': How Trump's 'narcissism' has rapidly eroded his own power

15 May

U.S. President Donald Trump walks with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during their meeting, at Qasr Al Watan, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, May 15, 2025. REUTERS/Amr Alfiky

One columnist is arguing that President Donald Trump's second term has significantly weakened the power of the U.S. presidency both domestically and abroad.

In a Thursday op-ed for the Daily Beast, columnist David Rothkopf observed that Trump has already made several moves diminishing the role of the United States as both a geopolitical and economic hegemon during his first few months back in the White House. Rothkopf referred to Trump as a "corrupt, demented criminal seeking to undermine our most fundamental freedoms" and opined that the rest of the world has moved to keep the U.S. at arms' length given the man running it.

"The fall of the influence of the U.S. presidency and the impact of Trump’s narcissism, extremism and greed on American leadership has been sudden and self-inflicted," Rothkopf wrote.

To underscore his argument, the Beast columnist observed that China came out on top during recent trade talks between the Trump administration and Chinese President Xi Jinping's government. And he pointed out that in backing off of his steep tariffs on Chinese goods without getting much in return, both the United States' reputation — as well as Trump's — has taken a beating.

"He is now seen the blustering bully he is—and, simultaneously, as an impulsive, poorly-advised political weakling," Rothkopf wrote.

Rothkopf further noted that after Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected Pope Leo XIV, Trump may not even be the most powerful U.S. citizen in the world. And given Trump's latest gambit of trying to have a $400 million Qatari jet serve as a stand-in for Air Force One, Rothkopf made the argument that because Trump is "monetizing the White House like never before," the current administration is signaling to the world that any policy decision can be swayed with a big enough gift.

That’s corrupt. But what it does is essentially say the power that once resided in the presidency is now for sale or rent, cash, checks, crypto or aircraft accepted in exchange for a slice of U.S. policies, actions or government disbursements.

Click here to read Rothkopf's full column in the Daily Beast (subscription required).

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