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The Trump Presidency Timeline

Documenting the chaos since day one. 82 entries and counting.

Category: imperialism
imperialism

florida's everglade extravaganza: jailbirds and gators

President Trump tours the new migrant detention facility, a visionary blend of incarceration and wetlands conservation.

President Trump tours the new migrant detention facility, a visionary blend of incarceration and wetlands conservation.

In the latest installment of the Sunshine State's dystopian dramedy, a federal judge has mercifully interrupted the growth of 'Alligator Alcatraz'—a charmingly nicknamed immigration detention center parked in the middle of the Everglades. Because, obviously, nothing says welcome to America quite like being caged in a swamp alongside real-life dinosaurs. In other words, Florida's bold plan for immigration reform involved nature documentaries and muddy misadventures. Judge Kathleen Williams, clearly not a fan of Jurassic Park reenactments, pointed out that the rush to build this wonderfully situated facility seems to have overlooked trivial matters like environmental laws and basic human decency. But sure, let's file an appeal, because who wouldn't want a detention facility threatening billions of dollars in environmental restoration? As Trump's tour suggested, it's clearly a model for nationwide expansion—assuming the goal is to cage humans like zoo animals while courting environmental disaster.

Source: npr.org

#imperialism#anti-immigration
imperialism

nato summit: trump's military shopping spree

Trump explains how more spending will totally make NATO great again, while Rubio and Hegseth perfect their 'nod-and-smile' routine.

Trump explains how more spending will totally make NATO great again, while Rubio and Hegseth perfect their 'nod-and-smile' routine.

Ah, nothing like a NATO summit where Trump's flair for diplomacy shines through like a fireworks display in a gunpowder factory. The big takeaway? Let's crank military spending back to Cold War levels, because there's nothing quite as refreshing as reliving the good old days of mutually assured destruction.

European nations are now on a thrilling journey to funnel tens of billions into defense, all thanks to Trump's inspiring leadership and, of course, the looming threat of Russia. They’ll aim for a 3.5% GDP defense budget by 2035, because setting unrealistic goals is always more fun when the stakes are global security.

Spain and Slovakia aren't on board, but who cares about unity when there's a new arms race to fuel? Meanwhile, poor Canada and struggling European economies might need a few bake sales to hit these targets, but sure, let's build more tanks; that's definitely the answer to peace in our time.

Source: npr.org

#imperialism#national-security
imperialism

trump's nato charm offensive: bring your own defense budget

President Trump arrives at NATO summit ready to redefine 'unity' with a side of tariffs and territorial jokes.

President Trump arrives at NATO summit ready to redefine 'unity' with a side of tariffs and territorial jokes.

Ah, NATO: the alliance President Trump loves to hate. As he jets off to The Hague for a quick one-day summit, it seems like the only thing shorter than the meeting's agenda is the list of countries willing to up their defense spending to 5% GDP. Because nothing says 'unity' like drastically increasing military budgets that many member nations can’t afford.

Trump's fondness for criticizing NATO norms is no secret, especially Article 5's 'all for one' philosophy. The man who once mused about annexing Canada as the 51st state and joked about acquiring Greenland seems to think NATO's longstanding principles are more of a suggestion than a commitment.

The highlight of this whirlwind diplomatic jaunt? A glamorous dinner hosted by the Dutch king. But sure, showing up at all counts as a win—a low bar, but hey, we take what we can get in Trump's America.

Source: npr.org

#imperialism#national-security
imperialism

trump's 24-hour peace promise becomes infinite jest

Ukrainian rescuers performing their daily workout routine, courtesy of peace negotiations that never quite materialized.

Ukrainian rescuers performing their daily workout routine, courtesy of peace negotiations that never quite materialized.

Ah, the art of the deal, Trump-style: solving the Ukraine crisis in a day turned into a stunning display of diplomatic prowess that even the world's finest jesters couldn't top. Trump's bold plan to bring peace with a wave of his winning hands has, shockingly, hit a few bumps. Who could've predicted that complex geopolitical conflicts wouldn't bend to the reality TV script of 'deal-making'? In other words, Trump's version of 'walking away' might just boost Putin's morale, giving Russia a leg up in the war. But sure, disengaging from crucial talks and leaving Europeans to scramble for U.S. intelligence is a brilliant strategy. Meanwhile, the grim stats keep rolling in: 790,000 Russian and 400,000 Ukrainian casualties. But hey, who’s counting when there’s peace... promise to break?

Source: npr.org

#imperialism#killing-democracy
imperialism

trump's syrian strongman fantasy

Trump and Sharaa, two men destined to save Syria with charisma alone. What could possibly go wrong?

Trump and Sharaa, two men destined to save Syria with charisma alone. What could possibly go wrong?

In a move worthy of a political thriller gone wrong, President Trump has decided to lift U.S. sanctions on Syria, all because Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria's interim president, is apparently a 'young, attractive guy' and a 'tough guy'—the two essential qualities, of course, for stabilizing a war-torn nation. In other words, Syria's future rests on a personality contest. Trump, always the geopolitical strategist, believes Sharaa has a 'real shot' at pulling it together. No doubt, because nothing screams diplomatic success like betting on a 'former rebel fighter' with a 'strong past'. Meanwhile, actual reporters were barred from the meeting, but hey, who needs transparency when you have such an airtight plan for world peace? But sure, let's normalize relations with Israel and deter terrorism while we're at it, because why not pile on more unrealistic expectations?

Source: npr.org

#imperialism#killing-democracy#full-stupid
imperialism

trump's new world (dis)order

Truman signs the Marshall Plan, blissfully unaware that decades later a reality TV star would try to undo it all with a magic wand of 'America First'.

Truman signs the Marshall Plan, blissfully unaware that decades later a reality TV star would try to undo it all with a magic wand of 'America First'.

Ah, the good ol' days when America's foreign policy was about 'supporting free peoples' and building a global order, rather than bulldozing it. Truman had a vision, a plan, and a purpose with the Marshall Plan, NATO, and the UN. Enter Trump's second term, where the only doctrine is 'America First'—which actually means 'America Alone'. Why play nice with allies or uphold international institutions when you can threaten to take over Greenland and the Panama Canal? Because nothing says 'diplomacy' like territorial ambitions.
In other words, the world is now a buffet, and Trump's just picking what he likes, leaving the messy cleanup for everyone else. So, while Truman's America built the table, Trump's America is flipping it over, sledgehammer in hand. Cheers to a future of isolationism and alienation!

Source: npr.org

#imperialism#fascism
imperialism

Trump’s Panama Pipe Dream: Just Another Chapter in International Clownery

ships on the Panama Canal

ships on the Panama Canal

In yet another episode of 'What on Earth is Trump Thinking?', our wannabe emperor is eyeing a military escapade in Panama, an absurd ambition rooted in a cocktail of nostalgia and greed. The Pentagon is drafting strategies not for national security, but for the comedic relief of world leaders watching America stick its nose where it doesn’t belong—again! While our president falsely claims the Panama Canal is a pawn of China, he’s really just playing geopolitical Monopoly, seeking to ‘reclaim’ history with a shiny military toy. It's a farce that the man-child in charge thinks he can bully an entire nation for a century-old waterway. Meanwhile, Panama responds with resilience, reminding us that the canal is theirs—no matter how loudly Trump shouts for his toys!

#imperialism
imperialism

Trump Goes Full Dictator: Satellites Out, Ukraine on Its Own

Ukrainian soldiers in the back of a truck head north on the outskirts of Pokrovsk on Dec. 29. (Ed Ram/For The Washington Post)

Ukrainian soldiers in the back of a truck head north on the outskirts of Pokrovsk on Dec. 29. (Ed Ram/For The Washington Post)

The U.S. pulls the rug from under Ukraine's feet by suspending vital satellite imagery services, proving yet again that political games are more important than lives on the line. As Trump's administration abandons allies in their greatest hour of need, Ukrainian soldiers are left to fend for themselves without the crucial intel they rely on to outsmart Russian forces. Talk about a betrayal, all in the name of a flimsy peace deal—a nice way to send a message while soldiers risk everything. But hey, at least we're still focused on our 'contractual commitments'... whatever that means when it comes to actual support for a country under siege.

#imperialism#full-stupid
imperialism

Welcome to the Bizarro World: Trump and Putin, Besties Forever?

image of the new white house under president tinyhands

image of the new white house under president tinyhands

The Kremlin must be rolling in laughter as Trump's foreign policy rewrites decades of reason with a crayon. Here we see the White House eagerly aligning with Moscow's backwards vision while pretending to back democracy—what a charade! Trump’s grip on sanity has apparently loosened further, giving a personal invitation for Putin to take notes on how to manipulate the 'new' America. The irony runs deep: as America spends over a hundred billion to arm Ukraine, our leaders can’t wait to sit down with war criminals over a cup of tea and discuss ‘partnerships.’ Bravo, America! You’ve outdone yourself in sheer absurdity!

#imperialism
imperialism

trump's foreign policy: making friends with dictators, alienating allies

Nothing says 'let's destroy NATO' like a friendly chat at the Munich Security Conference between JD Vance and Mark Rutte.

Nothing says 'let's destroy NATO' like a friendly chat at the Munich Security Conference between JD Vance and Mark Rutte.

It's another beautiful day in Trump's America, where the President's foreign policy masterclass seems to be based on the simple principle of 'alienate allies and cozy up to autocrats.' Because nothing says 'I'm a stable genius on the international stage' like repeatedly criticizing NATO while giving Vladimir Putin a warm embrace. Stephen Walt, Harvard's own expert in 'how-not-to-destroy-diplomatic-relationships-101,' suggests that Trump just can't get enough of those autocratic vibes. After all, why let democracy get in the way of a good dictatorship?

Trump's attempts to 'negotiate' peace in Ukraine are going just about as well as you'd expect—by blaming Ukraine for being invaded and practically gift-wrapping Eastern Europe for Putin. I guess when you've built a reputation for the art of the deal, any deal will do. Meanwhile, Walt cautiously advises that Europe might want to take charge of its own defense, just as soon as it's done cleaning up the mess left by Trump's diplomatic wrecking ball.

Source: npr.org

#imperialism#killing-democracy
imperialism

trump dreams of a cold vacation home

Trump shopping for countries like he's at a garage sale, with Greenland and Panama as his latest impulse buys.

Trump shopping for countries like he's at a garage sale, with Greenland and Panama as his latest impulse buys.

Ah, Trump's brilliant real estate strategy strikes again! Because nothing says '21st-century diplomacy' like trying to buy a whole autonomous territory, right? Fresh off his first term tantrum, he's now pining for Greenland like it's a coveted timeshare. Meanwhile, back in the tropics, Panama's taking no chances with their flags flying higher than Trump's hair in a hurricane, all thanks to his idea of 'reclaiming' the Panama Canal.

And let's not forget the charming military flirtations: 'No, I can't assure you' about not using coercion. Well, isn't that a relief? For Greenland, it's a hearty 6% 'sure, why not' support rate for joining the U.S. In other words, they've got a better chance becoming the 52nd state right after Canada. But sure, keep dreaming, Mr. President.

Source: npr.org

#imperialism#forever-grifting
imperialism

just a little ethnic cleansing then we can build a hotel

dementia donnie in depends

dementia donnie in depends

Trump is doubling down on his Gaza real estate fantasy, now threatening to cut aid to Jordan and Egypt if they don’t agree to forcibly absorb displaced Palestinians—because what’s a little diplomatic blackmail in the middle of a humanitarian crisis? Meanwhile, he’s issued an ultimatum to Hamas: return all hostages by Saturday or “all hell will break out.” (because the president has the vocabulary of an 8 year old) Asked what that means, Trump played his favorite game: vague threats of military action. And in case his “Gaza is a real estate opportunity” idea wasn’t dystopian enough, he also clarified that Palestinians wouldn’t be allowed to return. Because nothing says stability and peace like ethnic cleansing with a luxury resort on top.

#imperialism
imperialism

hope you "no on genocide joe" morons are happy

Flowers decorated as an American flag are seen on a road leading to the U.S. Embassy compound ahead of its official opening in Jerusalem on May 13, 2018. (Ariel Schalit/AP)

Flowers decorated as an American flag are seen on a road leading to the U.S. Embassy compound ahead of its official opening in Jerusalem on May 13, 2018. (Ariel Schalit/AP)

Trump’s latest fever dream? Kicking out 2 million Palestinians and turning Gaza into a beachfront real estate project. Speaking alongside Netanyahu, Trump declared the U.S. would "own" Gaza, resettle its population elsewhere, and redevelop the ruins into a luxury resort hub—because when he looks at a humanitarian crisis, he sees a casino opportunity. The global response has been overwhelmingly negative (except from Netanyahu, who called it a “remarkable idea”), and many have rightfully labeled it ethnic cleansing. Even Trump’s own party freaked out when he suggested sending U.S. troops to oversee the process, forcing him to walk that part back. But his administration is still pushing the idea that Palestinians must be forcibly removed for Gaza to be rebuilt—a plan that sounds less like diplomacy and more like a dystopian real estate pitch.

#imperialism
imperialism

conservatives want greenland - except for the people who live there, those DAM LIBRULS

The statue of Hans Egede, the Dano-Norwegian Lutheran missionary who founded Nuuk, overlooks the capital city in Greenland. (Sebastien Van Malleghem for The Washington Post)

The statue of Hans Egede, the Dano-Norwegian Lutheran missionary who founded Nuuk, overlooks the capital city in Greenland. (Sebastien Van Malleghem for The Washington Post)

What started as a punchline in 2019 is now a full-blown diplomatic crisis—frumpy is once again pushing for U.S. control of Greenland, calling it an “absolute necessity” for Western security. While Denmark has firmly rejected the idea, they’re not taking it lightly this time, ramping up military spending and scrambling for European support. Meanwhile, Trump allies in Congress have already introduced a "Make Greenland Great Again" Act to back negotiations, and right-wing think tanks are daydreaming about what kind of U.S. territory it could become—just not a state, because, as Heritage Foundation scholars warned, Greenlanders are *gasp* SOCIALISTLIBTARDS. With Greenland’s local government increasingly frustrated with Danish rule, frump may be banking on an independence movement to help him land his prize. But Denmark and the rest of Europe seem to be gearing up for a fight.
#imperialism#full-stupid
imperialism

trump really really wants greenland lmfao what the f*ck

trump trying to figure out if he needs his diaper changed

trump trying to figure out if he needs his diaper changed

President Donald Trump reportedly unleashed a "horrendous" tirade on Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, demanding the keys to Greenland. When Frederiksen reiterated that the icy island isn't on the market, Trump threatened punitive tariffs against Denmark. Because nothing says diplomacy like a tantrum over not being able to buy the world's largest ice cube.
#imperialism
imperialism

Trump ignores the congress and scotus to save tiktok

Trump tries to ban tiktok then congratulates himself for saving it

Trump tries to ban tiktok then congratulates himself for saving it

In the greatest flip flop everyone saw coming, Trump first signed an executive order to ban TikTok, claiming it was a threat to national security. Now, he’s promising to swoop in during his next term to "save" it—because what’s a little whiplash between him and his favorite drama? Forget Congress and SCOTUS; who needs checks and balances when you can just rewrite the script on a whim? It’s the kind of bold, chaotic leadership that screams, "I’ll fix the mess I made, but only if you rehire me." Truly, this is the TikTok content we didn’t ask for.
#imperialism
imperialism

trump's global real estate shopping spree: greenland edition

Trump, seen here with a copy of Risk, contemplating his next 'strategic acquisition'.

Trump, seen here with a copy of Risk, contemplating his next 'strategic acquisition'.

Congratulations, America! As Trump prepares for his second term, he's decided that the best way to secure our nation's future is by playing Monopoly with actual countries. Because nothing says 'diplomatic genius' quite like threatening military action to acquire Greenland and the Panama Canal. Trump, ever the subtle negotiator, hasn't ruled out using military force, because why not mix a little 19th-century Imperialism into our 21st-century politics?

In other words, Trump's version of 'foreign policy' is akin to a toddler demanding candy in the checkout aisle—'give it to me, or else!' But sure, let's entertain the idea of expanding the U.S. borders as if annexing Canada is a pie-in-the-sky dream instead of a logistical and legal nightmare. Meanwhile, Congress and foreign capitals are reacting with the appropriate levels of horror and disbelief, as they brace for the coming era of Trump's 'Make America Bigger' campaign.

Source: npr.org

#imperialism#full-stupid
imperialism

trump's world tour of imperial delusions

Donald Trump Jr. lands in Nuuk, Greenland, because who doesn't love a good annexation trip complete with scenic fjords and geopolitical tension?

Donald Trump Jr. lands in Nuuk, Greenland, because who doesn't love a good annexation trip complete with scenic fjords and geopolitical tension?

Because nothing screams 21st-century diplomacy like a good old-fashioned land grab, President-elect Trump has decided that the U.S. simply must have Greenland, the Panama Canal, and yes, even Canada. Why stop at a mere wall when you can expand your empire instead? In other words, why not scare the pants off of everyone's favorite maple syrup suppliers and tropical canal owners just because you can? Trump's 'Madman Strategy' seems to be less about actual acquisition and more about unleashing chaos, reminiscent of the Monroe Doctrine—because who doesn't love a policy that's over 200 years old and dripping with imperial vibes? But sure, let's call it a negotiating tactic, Dan Hamilton. After all, nothing says 'let's make a deal' like threatening military force to protect us from the big bad Chinese and Russian ships. Welcome back to the 1800s, folks.

Source: npr.org

#imperialism#full-stupid
imperialism

greenland for sale: trump's real estate fantasy in the arctic

An aerial view of the future Trump Greenland Golf Resort, complete with snow-covered fairways and a potential new base for 'national security'—because that's not ominous at all.

An aerial view of the future Trump Greenland Golf Resort, complete with snow-covered fairways and a potential new base for 'national security'—because that's not ominous at all.

In a move that absolutely screams 'diplomatic genius,' Donald Trump has rekindled his burning desire to purchase Greenland, because apparently, nothing says 'national security' like acquiring an icy landmass with a population smaller than a mid-sized American town. This stunningly strategic vision was bolstered by his chip-off-the-old-block son, Donald Trump Jr., who made a totally coincidental tourist jaunt to the island—clearly just to enjoy the breathtaking views and not scout for future Trump Tower sites.

During a recent news conference, Trump left the door wide open for military or economic persuasion to make this dream come true. Because, naturally, when you can't buy your neighbor's backyard, just threaten to take it by force. Who knew imperialism could be so... modern?

Source: npr.org

#imperialism#full-stupid
imperialism

buying greenland: because why not?

Trump's real estate portfolio gets an international upgrade: Greenland and the Panama Canal (pending reality check).

Trump's real estate portfolio gets an international upgrade: Greenland and the Panama Canal (pending reality check).

In the latest episode of 'The Art of the Deal: World Domination Edition', President-elect Trump dreams big with a totally realistic strategy to annex Greenland and the Panama Canal. Why? Well, because nothing screams 'stable genius' like trying to purchase sovereign territories. According to Brown University's Amanda Lynch, climate change is opening up new trade routes in the Arctic, but sure, let's ignore the environmental devastation and focus on Trump's wet dream of toll-free shipping lanes. And while we're rewriting geography, we might as well make Canada the 51st state—because 'great ideas' are all the rage these days. Professor Lynch sagely points out that annexing these places isn't as simple as waving a magic wand or tweeting it into existence. Sovereign nations and Indigenous communities might have an opinion on their own status, but hey, why let that get in the way of a good fantasy? In other words, Trump might want to stick to building hotels and playing golf, and leave geopolitics to the grown-ups.

Source: npr.org

#imperialism#full-stupid