Columbia University students maintained a protest encampment on their campus following arrest of more than 100 protesters. (Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)

 

"[We appeal to you to expedite a method of entry into the United States for Jewish Canadians] who are experiencing persecution or who credibly fear for their safety because they are Jewish."

"[There exists] an alarming climate of harassment intimidation, vandalism, threats and violence [faced by Canadian families since the Hamas terrorist attacks of 7 October 2023]."

"Advocates working directly with these families report that more than 2,000 Jewish Canadians have expressed interest in relocating because of growing concerns for their safety."

"Accordingly, we respectfully ask that you direct the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security to identify and implement lawful, secure, and appropriately expedited pathways for eligible Jewish Canadian nationals and their immediate family members who face persecution."

National Association of Christian Lawmakers (NACL)

The NACL letter urged the administration to coordinate with state and local governments, Jewish organizations, churches, nonprofits and employers willing to help families establish new lives in the United States.

 

This Christian group forwarded a proposal to the White House, attention of the President of the United States, appealing for a legal pathway to welcome Jewish Canadians fearing for their safety during a renascent flood of antisemitism whose effects have impacted the sense of security of Canadian Jews for the past three years and more. Led by Palestinian student groups, fuelled by hatred of Israel, incited and paid for from abroad through the Muslim Brotherhood and its sponsor Qatar, manifestations of that in-your-face antisemitism have taken place in the streets through mass protests, on university campuses and has seeped into public medical institutions where Jews now fear being treated in hospitals that employ Muslim medical staff where they are met with hostility.

 

There have been far too many instances of vandalism perpetrated against Jewish-owned businesses and institutions, in Canada, with Jewish parochial schools and community centers and synagogues being targeted with the violence of being shot at, vandalized, and fire-bombed. Crowds of Jew-hating Muslims and leftist allies have marched through Jewish neighbourhoods in Toronto and Montreal, shouting invective, chorusing 'Globalize the Intifada', 'Final Solution', and 'From the River to the Sea', terrorizing the residents, with insufficient response from municipal authorities and related police services.

 

Christian organizations like that of the NACL have expressed their sympathy at the plight of Jews in North America and Europe being verbally attacked and facing violent threats. Their empathetic responses, fellowship and offers of assistance have been heart-warming and serve as a balm to the wounded sentiments of Jews everywhere. However, the solution sought here, to encourage and formalize a system whereby Jews can leave Canada for haven in the United States, while a kindly gesture, would only move Jews from one threatened place to another, since American Jews are also facing very similar circumstances of exposure to racist hatred from the very same sources.

 

Trump shared a link to the report on Truth Social on Sunday evening, but did not comment on the contents.

 

The letter, sent to the attention of President Donald Trump, signed by Jason Rapert, founder and president of NACL, along with state representatives and religious leaders, with copies to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other U.S. senators and representatives, expresses a heartfelt concern with the hope of ameliorating the pain and vulnerability being felt by some Jews in Canada who have expressed a wish to leave the country for another that they believe promises them greater safety, respect and dignity. Yet, there too the harassment and hatred will assail them. Just as fundamentalist Muslims in Canada preach hatred of Jews, so too do those in the United States.

 

People set up a makeshift memorial for the hostages taken in the Oct. 7 Hamas-led militant attacks on Israel near an ongoing pro-Palestinian protest encampment on the Columbia University campus. (Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)

 

As good-hearted as the move by the Christian group is, in the expression of its concern for a beleaguered community with which they feel a brotherhood, it is but a band-aid solution to a serious disease immune to band-aid responses. Calling for the Trump administration to cooperate with states, local governments, Jewish organizations, churches, non-profits and employers willing to assist arriving families does nothing to solve the larger issue. That issue is the presence of antagonistic, hostile religious exponents of fundamentalist Islam for whom obligatory jihad for the faithful begins with expunging the presence of Jews.

 

Statistics Canada's latest data reflect that 71 percent of religious hate crimes in the country targeted its Jewish population. In the United States, the Anti-Defamation League's August report highlighted that 63 percent of all reported religion-based hate crimes in 2025 targeted American Jews, according to data from the FBI, making 2025 the third-highest year on record of anti-Jewish hate crimes in America. "We believe this moment presents another opportunity for America to demonstrate those principles" of "America's historic commitment to stand against religious persecution", the letter states.

 

CHRISTIAN LEADERS HOLD EMERGENCY SUMMIT IN JERUSALEM TO CONFRONT GLOBAL RISE IN ANTISEMITISM   Fox News

 

"For generations, America has served as a refuge for people fleeing religious persecution."

"We urge you to ensure that, consistent with federal law and the security interests of the United States, that door remains open to our Jewish brothers and sisters in Canada who need it today."

National Association of Christian Lawmakers (NACL) 

Students demonstrate on the campus of Atlanta's Emory University on Thursday as campus protests across the U.S. lead to confrontational standoffs with police, mass arrests and accusations of antisemitism. (Elijah Nouvelage/AFP/Getty Images)

"We haven't seen big movements [since the U.S. bombing in June]. Maybe a car or a truck [but] not bulldozers digging things out." 

"[The cylinders are] not very big [and] not specially protected [though it is possible that some] decoys [have been placed among them to confuse and impede anyone trying to remove them]."

"[While not privy to any military decisions] what I can say is that this considerable amount of material ... is highly contaminant, so there could be some contamination if there was a direct hit on it."

Rafael Mariano Grossi, director general, IAEA

 

"[To get to the buried Isfahan stockpile], you have to get excavation equipment, break through the concrete and lead shield [and any other protective covering], and then you somehow have to get to the bottom of this silo and remove the containers full of nuclear material and fly them out."

Anonymous expert 

 

"There's a lot of risks associated with it. This is a very high order of complexity. There likely will be casualties."

"But this is the problem set for U.S. Special Operations forces. It's what we do."

"We have people who are specifically trained to go into these types of environments."

"[The best way to recover the material would be following a ceasefire and accompanied by IAEA personnel.] But if you have to fight your way in [it could be feasible]."

Retired General Joseph Votel, U.S. Central Command/U.S. Special Operations Command 

U.S. President Donald Trump appears to be mulling over the possibility of monitoring or retrieving highly enriched uranium believed to be buried at the Iranian nuclear sites attacked by the U.S. last year at Isfahan. "Intense satellite surveillance" could help to monitor the location of the nuclear material. Should the plan be to seize Iran's uranium it "would be one of, if not the largest, most complicated special operations in history" in the opinion of former deputy assistant secretary of defence, retired CIA and Marine officer, Mick Mulroy. "It's a major risk to the force." 

"It's the job of the Pentagon to make preparations in order to give the commander-in-chief maximum optionality."

"It does not mean the president has made a decision."

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt 

Iran, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency, has stockpiled some 970 pounds of uranium enriched to 60 percent; short of weapons-grade level. A nuclear facility outside Isfahan holds over half of that total stored in tunnels over 300 feet deep. Satellite imagery from early June analyzed by the Institute for Science and International Security show a large flatbed truck carrying 18 blue barrels toward the southern entrance of the Isfahan facility. The barrels, it was conjectured, contained highly enriched uranium cylinders moved for storage within the tunnel mere days prior to Israel and the U.S. launching airstrikes on Iranian targets. 

 

The logistics of an operation of recovery of those barrels are extraordinarily complex; to begin with, striking Iranian defences and equipment to clear a safe passage for ground troops to fly hundreds of miles into the country to establish a defence perimeter at the facilities. The Army's 82nd Airborne and Rangers parachuting to seize the ground within range of enemy artillery, missiles and drones. Engineers might build an airstrip to bring in supplies and equipment airdropped from cargo aircraft; operations vulnerable to enemy fire.

 

A large number of support troops -- mechanics, drivers, refuellers and others would be required to work 24-7 with food and water resupplied constantly. Nuclear specialists would be on site to assess risks and supervise the removal of uranium. The need to blast through rock and enter the storage area would be a yard-by-yard process for commandos to enter an unknown facility. Saws and blow torches would be needed to breach the area, possibly the Army Delta Force or Navy SEALS, to pass underground facility obstacles. 

South tunnel entrance of the Isfahan underground complex near the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center, Iran. (Bulletin / Google Earth)

 

Commandos geared with protective uniforms and rebreathers, carrying radioactive detection sensors while shooters covered them. Anything shot at, that might explode or cut through, could hit dangerous material. Radioactive exposure requires arduous and repeated decontamination of personnel and equipment. "It is slow, meticulous and can be an extremely deadly process", stated a former operator. Troops, equipment and nuclear material would be exposed to possible attacks by Iranians through the exfiltration process as personnel are airlifted through enemy airspace.  

 

An Iranian woman walks past a view of Tehran's research reactor in Tehran. Morteza Nikoubazl/Getty

"The Gordie Howe Bridge has been a bipartisan priority because it supports jobs, makes transport easier, and will lower costs."

"At the last minute, the President wants to derail this hugely important project because a billionaire campaign donor told him to."

"This kind of blatant corruption hurts working families, and needs to end. For the sake of Michigan's economy, let's pass this bill."

Kristen McDonald Rivet, Democratic U.S. Representative 

 

"Twenty-five years in the making. Seven years of construction, and, at its peak, 2,500 workers on-site. Costing $6.4 billion and stretching 2.5 kilometres—the longest cable-stayed bridge in North America, rising 46 metres above the Detroit River—the Gordie Howe International Bridge is much more than these impressive numbers."

"“The Gordie Howe International Bridge is a symbol of the friendship between Michigan and Canada and a testament to what’s possible when we work together,” said Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer when the bridge deck was completed last July."

"Construction started on October 18, 2018, and after more than 19 million work hours, the structure is complete. What remains before the first vehicle crosses the bridge is testing, re-testing and training."

David McPherson, ReNew Canada

Could Trump block bridge opening? Workers are shown at the Gordie Howe International Bridge in Detroit on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. Photo by Dan Janisse /The Windsor Star

 

After having praised the building of the Gordie Howe International Bridge linking Windsor, Ontario to Detroit Michigan, as a second bridge crossing, after the century-old Ambassador Bridge, in 2017, President Trump suddenly diverted from pushing for the "expeditious completion" of the bridge, to posting outraged messages on his social media site. His apoplectic charges have no base in reality, however.  

Canada, he states, has treated the U.S. "very unfairly for decades", including the charge that the bridge was built "with virtually no U.S. content". "With all that we have given them, we should own, perhaps, at least one half of this asset", he grumped. Well, in fact, Detroit does 'own one-half' of the bridge, a gift from Canada. Canada, as it happens, footed the entire $6.4 billion cost of the bridge, but has granted joint ownership between Canada and the state of Michigan. Once the cost of the bridge has been paid through collected tolls, toll receipts are to be divided evenly between Canada and Michigan.

This is called mutual partnership generosity. In the building of the bridge, American workers were employed alongside their Canadian counterparts. The bridge was built with the use of American steel included in the process. "I will not allow this bridge to open until the United States is fully compensated for everything we have given them", thundered the American president in righteous fury on a Truth Social post. 

U.S. President Donald Trump spoke to the Detroit Economic Club on Jan. 13. (Ryan Sun/The Associated Press)

"I know the importance of Michigan manufacturing and that's why I'm demanding Trump drop this reckless threat, let the bridge open, and stop playing games with our jobs and our economy." 

"[By threatening to block the opening of the bridge, Trump is] unsurprisingly [placing jobs and] billions of dollars in economic growth at risk."

U.S. Representative Haley Stevens 

It has been reported by the New York Times that the president's post was prefaced by a meeting mere hours before, when U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnik and Matthew Moroun, the billionaire private Lebanese-American owner of the Ambassador Bridge, took place. This is a bridge that rivals the new Gordie Howe Bridge which has enjoyed its monopolistic trade conduit between Windsor and Detroit since 1929. The company representing the owners has parted with millions of dollars over the past decade in an attempt to thwart government plans for a competing, publicly-owned bridge.

 

Trucks line up to clear customs and cross the Ambassador Bridge, the busiest commercial vehicle crossing between Canada and the U.S. (Patrick Morrell/CBC)

 

Major Republican donors, the Moroun family expended some $30 million on a failed Michigan ballot proposal in 2012 to block construction of the Gordie Howe Bridge. Dozens of lawsuits toward the same end have also been launched. In the background is the fact that Michigan entered a bilateral agreement in 2012 to advance construction of the bridge, with no direct cost to the taxpayers of Michigan. The project was known for "demonstrating the project's nonpartisan importance to American workers, manufacturers, and national competitiveness". 

 

The Gordie Howe Bridge between Windsor, Ont., and Detroit, seen here on May 10, 2024, is expected to open sometime in 2026 after almost a decade of construction. (Patrick Morrell/CBC)

 

So Easily Bought? How Dangerous and Grubby Is That?!!

"I would never be one to turn down that kind of an offer. I could be a stupid person and say, 'no, we don't want a free, very expensive airplane'."

"If we can get a 747 as a contribution to our Defence Department to use during a couple of years while they're building the other ones, I think that was a very nice gesture." 

"They're giving us a free jet. I could say 'No, no, no, don't give us, I want to pay you a billion or 400 million'… or I could say 'thank you very much'."

"The Boeing 747 is being given to the United States Air Force/Department of Defense, NOT TO ME!"

"Only a FOOL would not accept this gift on behalf of our Country."

U.S. President Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump and Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani attend a signing ceremony in Doha, Qatar, May 14, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Brian Snyder

"The Middle East Forum’s (MEF) latest report, “America for Sale: Qatar’s $40 Billion Spending Spree Buys Influence and Control of Elite Institutions,” exposes Qatari government investments across U.S. financial sectors, from businesses and lobby firms, to think tanks, universities, and K-12 education. The New York Sun calls MEF’s study “a highly detailed look at Qatar’s enormous influence campaign, in which the tiny kingdom has deployed its enormous natural gas and oil wealth to win America’s approbation.”"

"Doha’s investments include billions in critical infrastructure, including crude oil and liquified natural gas (LNG) exports, even though Qatar is America’s chief competitor in global LNG sales. As the U.S. seeks energy independence from the Middle East, American companies are outsourcing control of the U.S. power grid and green energy products to Qatar."

"Strategic moves include investments in artificial intelligence and advanced technologies, which represent a threat to U.S. national security interests and Americans’ privacy data. In real estate, the Gulf emirate’s ventures include more than $6 billion in Manhattan trophy properties, even as New York legislators seek to impose foreign ownership restrictions."

The Qatari government has invested across U.S. financial sectors, from businesses and lobby firms, to think tanks, universities, and K-12 education. Shutterstock

"It is a government-to-government transaction. It has nothing to do with personal relationships -- neither on the US side, nor the Qatari side. It's between the two defence ministries." 

"Why would we buy influence in the United States? [Qatar has] always been a reliable and trusted partner. This is not a one-way relationship."

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani

The United States -- for that matter the entire Western world of democratic nations -- has been infiltrated deeply by political/religious forces that constitute a veritable invasion of foot soldiers led by the Muslim Brotherhood and Qatar. The Brotherhood tends to the strictly political side, presenting itself as a rational, non-threatening, America-friendly influential well-wishing ally, courtesy of Islam, gaining the confidence of American politicians, business leaders and drowsily-woke academics. Qatar with its vast oil-derived wealth looks after the diplomatic/philanthropic side, playing nice and buying confidence.

 

Universities in the United States are always well-endowed by former graduates, alumni who have attended Ivy League schools of higher learning to become corporate leaders, scientists, leading-edge technicians, politicians of note, and others. Among the 'others', the generosity of Qatar stands out for the sheer size of its investments, endowing these institutions with grants and study chairs, and earning their trust and appreciation in the process. If an Islamic nation could be so genuinely supportive of the West, how can it be conceivable that the influx of foreign students bringing with them religious, cultural antipathies toward Israel (and the West) can be maliciously suspicious?

 

And how could it be conceived of that a president of the United States -- arguably the most powerful man in the world, the leader of the nation most influential in world affairs -- could be bought? Which is to say, his trust and influence and goodwill in exchange for sumptuous gifts? Like a luxury Boeing aircraft. To be refurbished as the president's coach-in-four flightcraft. Could such a gift be construed as a personal emolument, forbidden under presidential rules through constitutional safeguards against cupidity and profit for a high office holder?

President Donald Trump boards Air Force One on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020, at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., for a campaign event in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)

The U.S. Constitution is fairly clear on emoluments permissible through the office of the president of the United States in the interests of preserving presidential independence from outside influence. This is a president, of course, accustomed to flouting rules of any kind, in his presumed entitlement to act always as he sees fit. Anyone holding public office is barred by Article 1, from accepting any gift emolument, office or title from any "King, Prince, or foreign State", absent Congressional consent.

 

President Trump's hunger for acknowledgement in his peerless position, his vanity and sense of accomplished entitlement responds to gestures of any kind of those who stand in awe of the position he holds. But above all, those who behave as though they regard him as hugely intelligent, masterfully competent in any field of endeavour, but above all, anxious to please the man's outsize ego to pave their way into his inner circle of confidants at home and abroad.

 

Gifts denoting allegiance to an overlord were common enough in the Medieval era, their continuation to the present sounds an alarm of intended influence where none should be expected. And while Mr. Trump in an effort to assure his critics, states that the plane, to be used as an Air Force 1 presidential aircraft during his tenure, would revert to a decommissioned display piece for a future presidential library. Of course, Mr. Trump and his family business enterprise are known to have profited from his position.

 

A Saudi Arabian company will be engaged to build a luxury golf resort in Qatar. The Trump Organization family business has been forging full steam ahead in foreign deal-making during the Trump administration. His business group is no stranger to lawsuits launched against it accusing the president of illegally profiting off the presidency in his real estate enterprises. In his first term in office, lawsuits alleging his violation of the Constitution's emoluments clause in accepting payments from foreign and domestic officials staying at the Trump International Hotel, patronizing his businesses, failed to staunch his enterprise second time around.

 

Trump World Tower, New York    Trump Organization

 

Canada/U.S. Relations Out of Kilter

Then: "Reliance on a US defence umbrella, a critical factor since the end of WW2 for so many countries is no longer guaranteed."

"No affected country can afford to close its eyes and hope that 2026 or 2028 elections in the US will bring everything back to 'normal' ... and not happen again."

"The toothpaste cannot go back in the tube." March 25 LinkedIn post 

Now: "The reality is that, without U.S. consent, no country can hope to operate the F-35 for long. [Building Canada's future fighter force solely on the F-35 would be] irresponsible."

"We may find for example that 36 F-35 and 150 other fighter aircraft such as Rafale or Gripen could be a better strategic, economic, and military posture while investing heavily in 6th gen developments." 

Retired Lt.-Gen. Yvan Blondin

The F-35 program has had a controversial history in Canada. Photo by Errol McGihon /Postmedia

Once the man who was chief of the Royal Canadian Air Force from 2012 to 2015, retired Lt.-Gen. Blondin had insisted the U.S.-built F-35 represented the best fighter jet for Canadian operations given that its allies in democracy gravitated around American leadership, technology and military operations. That is, until the election and ascension of Donald Trump to the American presidency. Much has since then changed.

 

Canada's economy is now under threat by the Trump administration amidst aggressive statements on annexing the country under American hegemony as the 51st U.S. state. And nor is Canada the only nation that finds itself under threat, since seizing Greenland and the Panama Canal have also come under discussion in the U.S. ostensibly to secure American concerns over security issues. 

 

Yet, confoundingly, one of the countries that stands to pose the greatest risk to American security has somehow secured President Trump's confidence.

 

A former fighter pilot, the retired general had years back recommended that Canada take on the F-35 from Lockheed Martin, persuading then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper it would be in Canada's best military operational interests. Which resulted in then-PM Harper's Conservative government locking into the acquisition in 2010, despite delays when increasing costs and technical problems associated with the F-35 began to surface. 

In 2023 the Liberal government under Justin Trudeau, after having for years denied that the F-35 would answer to Canada's needs and skirting the issue of acquisition, changed tack to announce it was prepared to buy 88 F-35s at a cost of $19 billion, although Canada was financially committed only to the purchase of the first 15 jets hearking back to the Conservative government decision.

 

Lt.-Gen. Blondin elaborated, explaining that the problem with the F-35 is the issue of complete control that the United States maintains over all aspects of the plane, not merely the aircraft itself. Time remains before a decision must be made for the purchase of the remaining 72 F-35s, said Lt.-Gen. Blondin after Liberal Leader Mark Carney ordered a F-35 purchase review, taking into account an increasingly hostile America under President Trump. 

 

Saab's Gripen E fighter jet is an alternative being considered to the American-made F-35. Photo by Saab /PST

 

There are options in suggestions the Swedish built Gripen -- second in the Canadian fighter jet competition -- would be considered a solution. There had been a promise by its Swedish manufacturer that the Gripens could be built in Canada. Former defence procurement chief at the Canadian Armed Forces Alan Williams, and other defence analysts have given warning the F-35 represents a strategic vulnerability for Canada, with American total control over software upgrades and aircraft spare parts.

 

Canada, pointed out Lt.-Gen. Blondin, must now look to developing a defence strategy taking into account the new realities of changes in its relationship with the United States. Those who are in support of Canada's F-35 purchase point out the hundreds of millions worth of contracts that companies in Canada have been involved in, supplying parts for the U.S. aircraft, creating Canadian aerospace employment.

 

That too changed,  however, when in late February, President Trump informed Lockheed Martin, manufacturer of the F-35. that a change was in order; specifically that he wanted those jobs returned to the U.S. when Canadian contracts come up for renewal.

 

Yvan Blondin said building Canada’s future fighter force solely on the F-35 would be “irresponsible.” Photo by Jack Boland /Jack Boland/Toronto Sun

 

President Trump, Peacemaker

"He [President Volodymyr Zelenskyy] disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he's ready for Peace."

"Don't tell us what we're going to feel. You're in no position to dictate that. You're right now not in a very good position. You've allowed yourself to be in a very bad position. You don't have the cards right now. With us, you start having cards."

"You're gambling with lives of millions of people. You're gambling with World War III. And what you're doing is very disrespectful to the country -- this country, that's backed you!"

"Far more than a lot of people said they should have."

U.S. President Donald J. Trump 

"Mr. President, with respect, I think it's disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media."

"You should be thanking the president for trying to bring an end to this conflict."

"You bring people, you bring them on a propaganda tour, Mr. President."

"Have you said thank you once? In this entire meeting, have you said thank you? … Offer some words of appreciation for the U.S.A. and the president who's trying to save your country?" 

U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance

 

"Have you ever been to Ukraine? Come once?"

"First of all, during the war, everybody has problems, even you." 

"But you have nice ocean and don't feel now, but you will feel it in the future."

"I'm not playing cards. I'm very serious, Mr. President. I'm very serious."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, is shown with U.S. President Donald Trump and U.S. Vice-President JD Vance at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Friday. (Brian Snyder/Reuters)

"This is going to be great television", President Trump said, after cancelling a scheduled news conference following the Oval Office meeting with President Zelenskyy. "I hope I'll be known and recognized as a peacemaker", he said while still in the Oval Office. Prior to the meeting Mr. Trump reaffirmed that military assistance for Ukraine would be continued; the United States, he repeated, was still committed to NATO and the protection of Poland.

 

Earlier, the discussions that took place between Messrs. Trump, Vance and Zelenskyy graduated from a calm atmosphere that soon degenerated into a shouting match between the two American leaders joining their loud voices assailing the Ukrainian president. This was clearly an unusual display of Oval Office diplomacy. Both Mr. Trump and Mr. Vance emphasizing in no uncertain terms to Mr. Zelenskyy that he was in no position to demand, or even politely request anything of the United States. 

 

Zelenskyy's caution over signing away Ukraine's mineral rights, insisting a security guarantee accompany such an agreement, raised his interlocutors' hackles.

They charged him with derailing a rare opportunity for peace. A cordial meeting turned into an exchange of bitter accusations. Of course, such an exchange might have been  anticipated to some degree, given President Trump's previous characterizations of President Zelenskyy as a 'dictator' and casting Ukraine as the aggressor, not Russia, in the three-year-old conflict. The unprovoked Kremlin drive into Ukraine suddenly became a reversed situation; somehow Ukraine had provoked Moscow into its military incursion across the border.

This, despite President Zelenskyy outlining Vladimir Putin's aggressively violent behaviour from 2014 forward. To Vice-President Vance's admonition "Have you said thank you once, in this entire meeting?", President Zelenskyy responded that he has often given thanks to the American people for their support in Ukraine's war effort. "Your country is in big trouble", said Vance. "You're not winning this. Then you tell us, 'I don't want a ceasefire. I don't want a ceasefire', mocked Trump. 

When a reporter present in the chamber enquired what might occur should Russia break a ceasefire, President Trump returned: "What if a bomb drops on your head right now?" Turning back to Zelenskyy, Trump repeated: "You don't have the cards. But once we sign that deal, you're in a much better position. But you're not acting at all thankful. And that's not a nice thing." Whereupon he ordered reporters to leave the room. 

World leaders have reacted to the combative Oval Office meeting witnessed by a room full of media that saw U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice-President JD Vance berating Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and calling him ‘disrespectful’ during the meeting in Washington that was meant to negotiate an agreement between the two nations.

As far as President Trump is concerned he has faith that Vladimir Putin has a wish to  end the war and would be prepared to respect any peace agreement that could be agreed upon. He utters no criticism of Russia's President and has made it abundantly clear that he supports Moscow and Pyongyang against Ukraine, adequately proven by a vote at the United Nations marking the war's third anniversary.

"Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later wrote on X.

Zelenskyy leaves after a news conference with Trump was canceled following their Oval Office meeting on Friday. (Nathan Howard/Reuters)

"Many Americans will be appalled by this. Most Americans do not want to see this kind of public bullying and humiliation of some ally, which is fighting for its life."

"I think this has very long historical implications, I think this is most unfortunate, and it is not over."

"Trump can change his mind in a New York minute, but what has happened today has been something that will darken whatever legacy [Trump] has forever."

Aurel Braun, professor of international relations and political science, University of Toronto, associate, Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Harvard University

"[The shouting] was the most appalling display of the most appalling behaviour I have ever witnessed from a Western leader."

"I think this was deliberately set up to humiliate President Zelenskyy. I think they attempted to humiliate him, but I think that President Zelenskyy stood up proud and stood his ground with Trump and with Vance."

"I think they were trying to provoke him because they are becoming accustomed to Western leaders coming to the white House and kissing the ring." 

Alexandra Chyczij, head, Ukrainian Canadian Congress

Trans To The Barricades!!!

"[Service by troops who identify as a gender other than their biological one] conflicts with a soldier's commitment to an honourable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, even in one's personal life [and is harmful to military readiness, requiring a revised policy to address the matter]."

U.S. President Donald J. Trump

"The law is very clear that the government can't base policies on disapproval of particular groups of people."

"That's animus, and animus-based laws are presumed to be invalid and unconstitutional."

Shannon Minter, legal director, National Center for Lesbian Rights

U.S. President Donald Trump looks on as he speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday. (Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters)

It took no time at all after the Presidential inauguration ceremonies, for President Trump to begin signing executive orders in alteration of many initiatives undertaken by the previous Biden administration. One of which was a return to his previous presidential order negating the military service of transgender people in the United States military. Most recently an executive order whose purpose was to direct incoming Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to look to revising the policy on transgender groups in the Pentagon. Inevitably leading to a ban on military service for transgenders in the United States.

This was, of course, an entirely expected move, much mentioned as a promise during President Trump's election campaign. In addition to which troops who had left the military of their own volition rather than accepting mandatory COVID 19 vaccinations (including those who had been drummed out of the military for the same reason), are to be reinstated. 

Advocacy groups anticipated the order and they lost no time in reacting, by opposing the order and launching lawsuits. The first of which w as set to be filed the day following the order. Legal teams had for years fought the Republican ban on transgender troops, dating from the first Trump administration. The Supreme Court at that time allowed the ban to take effect, irrespective of the fact that it was  still being brought before the courts. And when Joe Biden took the presidency, he scrapped the order.

Transgender people in the U.S. say they’re worried about what’s to come after President Donald Trump signed an executive order saying his government only recognizes two sexes that are assigned at birth. Still from video/CBC

The National Center for Lesbian Rights and GLAD Law are now filing a challenge to the executive order in the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia, while also challenging the executive order citing equal protection. No official data exists on transgender personnel serving in the U.S. military, but there is an informal number of some fifteen thousand.

The new executive order differs from the 2017 Trump administration ban, in that it not only bans all future transgender personnel from serving, but as well has the potential to target all current transgender troops, according to Shannon Minter of the National Center for Lesbian Rights.

"[We do not comment on pending or ongoing litigation but we] will fully execute and implement all directives outlined in the Executive Orders issued by the President, ensuring that they are carried out with utmost professionalism, efficiency, and in alignment with national security objectives."

Pentagon statement

Heads Will Roll

"Why do you think Rupert [Murdock] attacks me so often?"

"Rupert always tells me to my face that he loves me, but I guess he doesn't."

U.S.President Donald Trump

 

"[While the president has for many years considered launching 'Trump TV', he often underestimates costs and infrastructure involved, along with opposition of] liberal [cable operators."

"The president has been a fantastic media personality ... but if he does [Trump TV] he's gonna have a super hard time."

"[Could Trump partner with Newsmax? I] never closed the door [on the option]."

Christopher Ruddy, founder, conservative media group Newsmax

It was a useful collaboration benefiting both parties while it lasted. Fox News got the inside source for its support of a president who loathed mainstream press and media sources because they were all irremediably biased against him, unable to recognize the fine qualities he brought to the Oval Office, while Fox News was amenable to join its less staid, conservative bent to the unorthodox comportment of a president whose coarse demeanor and questionable values and behaviour failed to strike the right chord with the mainstream.

"The president's going to — he's very transparent in terms of what he wants. And he's been very clear about his views … I'm not trying to make anybody happy."

"What I'm trying to do is, fulfill what he wants — I mean, he's the duly elected commander in chief — and make the best out of it."

"My frustration is I sit here and say, 'Hmm, 18 Cabinet members. Who's pushed back more than anybody?' Name another Cabinet secretary that's pushed back."

"Have you seen me on a stage saying, 'Under the exceptional leadership of blah-blah-blah, we have blah-blah-blah-blah'?"

"I serve my country in deference to the Constitution, so I accept your decision to replace me."

(former) Defence Secretary Mark Esper

President Donald Trump is in a mean, rip-raging mood. And there will be consequences. Some have already surfaced. The President of the United States of America, dignified as always, respectful of those who have served the American people well and who have managed to stifle their sense of equanimity in the face of unorthodox interference in their service to their country, took to Twitter today  to 'terminate' an important member of his Cabinet; a not-unusual state of affairs with this president.

 

Defence Secretary Mark Esper sacked by Trump, Reuters

He had the unmitigated gall, after all, of refusing a presidential order to intervene militarily in the protests that took place across from the White House months earlier in contravention of his duty to a president who feels that national law applies only to others. When Defence Secretary Mark Esper demurred over using the military for an action that local police should be called upon to monitor, the stage was set for a future come-uppance. Which arrived when a brooding, offended president unwilling to accept that enough Americans voted against a second four-year term for a flawed, petulant, egotistical ignoramus to make way for a semblance of normalcy in the White House decided that in the time left to him before he proved without a doubt that his Democratic rival would not sit in the Oval Office come January to clean house.

 

And among others who will soon fall to the Twitter guillotine-in-waiting, there is Fox News which chose to declare on Tuesday election night that the state of Arizona had voted in the majority for Joe Biden, thus giving the Democrat the first 'flip' victory in a state Donald Trump felt certain would continue to support him. The first response was from that considerable portion of the public that supports Mr.Trump, shouting "Fox News sucks!" And then the Associated Press followed and the Trump prospects began to waver leading the president to glower over 'betrayal'.

 

Fox News became the premier media organization to watch because it was Donald Trump's media voice aided and abetted by loyal presenters including Sean Hannity and Tucker Carlson who have doubled as counsellors and advocates for the Trump presidency. The president had the inside track with the channel and Fox News had coveted access directly to the White House. Its new style of coverage has wildly displeased Trump, however; little perceived slights here and there, ticking  him off, engendering Twitter reprisals.

 

Fox News Channel and radio talk show host Sean Hannity (L) interviews U.S President Donald Trump before a campaign rally at the Las Vegas Convention Center on September 20, 2018. 

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Fox and Rupert Murdoch were resistant to an intervention by Jared Kushner on behalf of his father-in-law to defer to the inescapable reality that the election was being 'stolen' from the estimable Donald Trump. Within the Fox network itself there is dissension with Republican senators Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham brought to testify on air by Hannity to support the unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud as a deliberate attempt to diminish support for the president's second term of office. 

 

Similarly the most popular personality on Fox, Carlson openly defied his network's Arizona call informing viewers he couldn't be certain "how the decision was made", but was sure that "people are concerned". Print titles clarified nothing other than that there appeared to be a fissure between Fox and Trump which the New York Post headline reading "Downcast Trump makes baseless election fraud claims" further infuriated the good man. Horror of horrors! Trump's most favourite print source for news.

 

The collaboration over the course of four years between the president and the conservative news media that Fox represents allowed it to attain unforeseen heights of influence and commercial success. Since Trump won office in 2016 Fox News became the most-watched cable channel sweeping American television in prime time -- and for the 2020 election unfolding last Tuesday a memorable 13.7 million watched Fox News in contrast to CNN's 9 million and MSN-BC's 7 million, according to Nielsen. 

How events turn in upon themselves ... Fox is now nervous about an idle thought Trump once expressed about starting his own channel. Fox profited by over $12 billion in revenues in the last fiscal year reflecting operating profits at its cable news division which climbed 8 percent to $2.7 billion even while facing a structural decline in cable television in the face of hyper-charged news cycle transitions. With the loss of entree to Trump-insider-news the prospect that an ex-president may begin a media network of his own on leaving the White House must send  shivers down the spine of Fox.

The merest suggestion of that coming to fruition saw Fox shares fall over four percent, underperforming its peers and the broader market. Fox Corp's investors are now concerned with the prospect of Trump TV but in the opinion of media analyst Michael Nathanson, investors are "overestimating the impact of a potential new entrant", even though Trump is considered the biggest crowd-puller in cable news history. 

Dozens of protesters converged at Fox News headquarters, as the corporation held an “emergency” meeting to court nervous brands to continue advertising on the network, on March 13, 2019.  Photo: Michael Nigro/Sipa USA/AP