Letters from an American: December 26, 2024

Host: Heather Cox Richardson

Overview

In the December 26, 2024 episode of Letters from an American, Heather Cox Richardson delves into the intertwining of modern political rhetoric with historical and cultural phenomena. She examines President Elect Donald Trump's recent social media activity, drawing parallels to professional wrestling's "kayfabe," explores the implications of his foreign policy threats, and analyzes the broader impact on international relations and the established global order.

Trump's Social Media Tactics: A Modern-Day Kayfabe

Richardson begins by likening President Elect Donald Trump's social media posts to professional wrestling's concept of "kayfabe"—a facade where performers maintain the illusion of scripted storylines. She references Abraham Josephine Riceman's analysis from The New York Times, highlighting how Vince and Linda McMahon transitioned professional wrestling into pure entertainment to circumvent health regulations and taxes. This shift blurred the lines between reality and performance, making it difficult for audiences to discern truth from fiction.

"Neo Kayfabe rests on a slippery, ever wobbling jumble of truths, half truths, and outright falsehoods," Richardson notes ([02:15]). This analogy underscores the challenges in interpreting Trump's communications, where his statements oscillate between reality and theatrical performance, leaving the public uncertain about their authenticity.

Unprecedented Foreign Policy Threats

Richardson outlines Trump's recent social media declarations made on Christmas and the first night of Hanukkah, where he not only extended holiday greetings but also made alarming claims and threats:

• False Claims: Trump falsely stated that Chinese soldiers are operating the Panama Canal and that President Joe Biden is incompetent ([05:30]).

• Territorial Threats: He asserted that the U.S. should take over the Panama Canal and Canada, and claimed intentions to acquire Greenland for national security purposes. This dramatic shift marks a departure from his 2024 campaign, which predominantly focused on domestic issues like lowering grocery prices.

Richardson emphasizes that Trump's abrupt and serious pronouncements have left media outlets scrambling to interpret his motives. Some suggest these threats aim to showcase an "America First" ideology with tangible power, while others believe it's a strategic move against China or related to Arctic competition due to global warming.

Erosion of the Rules-Based International Order

Delving into the historical context, Richardson recounts the establishment of the United Nations post-World War II, emphasizing the commitment to sovereign equality and the prohibition of force against territorial integrity. She cites the UN Charter: "All members shall refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state..." ([12:45]).

The episode draws parallels between Trump's rhetoric and Russian President Vladimir Putin's aggressive actions, such as the invasions of Georgia (2008) and Ukraine (2014, 2022). Richardson warns that such behaviors signal a desire to dismantle the international order that has maintained peace and cooperation since 1945.

Russia's Aggression and Global Response

Richardson details Russia's recent actions, including:

• Christmas Day Attack: On December 25, Russia launched over 70 missiles and 100 drones targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure, leading to significant power outages despite Ukrainian defenses downing many of the missiles ([18:20]).

• Calendar Shift in Ukraine: Ukraine's adoption of the Gregorian calendar for Christmas to distance itself from Russian traditions, symbolizing a move towards European alignment ([19:10]).

• Undersea Cable Sabotage: Finland and Estonia experienced disruptions in their telecommunications cables, with Finland seizing an oil tanker suspected of being part of Russia's shadow fleet—a fleet engaged in covert operations against NATO nations while evading sanctions ([21:05]).

The European Commission has condemned these attacks, highlighting Europe's commitment to international cooperation and signaling intentions to impose further sanctions on Russia's shadow fleet.

Implications of Trump's Foreign Policy and International Dynamics

Richardson discusses responses from various quarters:

• Russian Propaganda Support: Russian media praised Trump's demands for Greenland, seeing it as a strategy to weaken Europe's cohesion and the established world order. Political scientist Sergei Mikhail interprets Trump's actions as undermining post-WWII international norms ([25:30]).

• Academic Perspectives: Stanislav Kachenko suggests that Russia might view Trump’s blunt diplomatic language as a tool to assert U.S. dominance, potentially dividing the world into uncontestable spheres of influence.

• Regional Reactions: In Tbilisi, Georgia, protests erupted against government moves to align more closely with Russia, with citizens advocating for stronger ties with Europe instead ([28:50]).

U.S. Commitment to Ukraine

In response to Russia's latest assault, President Joe Biden reaffirmed the United States' support for Ukraine:

"The Ukrainian people deserve to live in peace and safety, and the United States and the international community must continue to stand with Ukraine until it triumphs over Russia's aggression," Biden stated ([30:15]).

Conclusion

Richardson's episode paints a complex picture of contemporary geopolitics, where populist rhetoric intertwines with aggressive foreign policies, challenging long-standing international norms. By drawing historical parallels and analyzing current events, she underscores the fragility of the rules-based order and the profound implications of leadership that blurs the lines between performance and reality.

Notable Quotes

• "Neo Kayfabe rests on a slippery, ever wobbling jumble of truths, half truths, and outright falsehoods." — Heather Cox Richardson ([02:15])

• "The Ukrainian people deserve to live in peace and safety, and the United States and the international community must continue to stand with Ukraine until it triumphs over Russia's aggression." — President Joe Biden ([30:15])

Production Credits

Letters from an American was produced at Soundscape Productions, Dedham, MA, with music composed by Michael Moss.

For more insights and historical analyses on today's politics, visit heathercoxrichardson.substack.com.