Hostage theatre: Trump showing Ramaphosa articles of the alleged genocide of white people in South Africa before screening the videos at the White House. Reuters
IT’S been called Ambush Diplomacy – where the intention is to put unfortunate world leaders visiting the White House in an embarrassing spot in front of the rolling cameras.
There are even questions planted to be asked by the loyal right-wing media whose credentials and right to be in the White House pool is being questioned by the mainstream press.
The biggest victim so far has been Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He landed in Washington DC expecting reassurances about continued military support in Ukraine’s war against Russia.
Instead, he found himself seated next to President Donald Trump at a hastily-arranged press conference, where the latter announced – without warning – that Nato (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) countries “better start paying up, or maybe we will just take a break from defending Europe”.
If that wasn’t bad enough, Trump’s political wolves were unleashed and they barked at Zelenskyy for being “ungrateful” and “disrespectful”.
A reporter even asked why the Ukrainian president was not dressed in a suit and tie instead of his military-style black sweatshirt.
Zelenskyy was not just flustered – he was publicly embarrassed.
But the most bizarre episode so far came during the visit of South African President Cyril Rama-phosa last week.
He had arrived hoping to discuss tariff reduction, economic cooperation, and energy partnerships.
Trump instead launched into an unscripted rant – or maybe it was scripted – about conspiracies of a “white genocide’’ in South Africa amid tensions over Washington’s resettlement of white Afrikaners in the US.
Trump asked for the lights in the meeting room to be dimmed and Ramaphosa was shown a lengthy video with chants of “shoot the Boer [white farmer]’’. The African leader rightly insisted that such acts do not represent government policy.
It’s just like showing Trump videos of white rednecks ranting racist slogans – he would have also said they do not represent the entire United States.
These fringe lunatics exist everywhere, including in Malaysia, with their outrageous racial and religious remarks against minorities, but they are just the irritating loud minority.
There are now news reports that said that some of the pictures showed by Trump included one that actually took place in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
What is taking place at the White House isn’t diplomacy. It is downright bullying and meddling.
This is also hostage theatre. These leaders don’t appear to be visiting a world superpower so much as surviving an elaborate social experiment.
It is one man claiming that Greenland belongs to the US and that Canada is part of the US. All the gulfs have been renamed too.
Behind the scenes, embarrassed State Department officials are reportedly reduced to doing damage control, issuing clarifications, apologies, and sometimes outright denials in the wake of each press spectacle.
US diplomats, who are friends of mine stationed in several countries, have told me privately that they cannot even tell their insecure colleagues if some of them would still have their jobs next week.
As government servants, they serve the government of the day, and it is unfortunate that anger has been directed at them, as these embassy officials represent their country.
They know this is not how normal international relations should be conducted. A host does not embarrass his guests in front of the media.
When foreign leaders arrive at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, they come expecting protocol, policy, perhaps even a joint press conference, and at least a press statement.
What they get is a “three- act tragicomedy of confusion, coercion, and camera flashes” as one report rightly put it.
Certainly, Chinese President Xi Jinping or Russian President Vladimir Putin would not allow themselves to be subjected to such theatrics if they meet Trump.
Like all bullies, Trump chooses his victims. They are usually the weaker leaders over whom he has leverage.
The powerful rich Arabs meet him in their traditional robes and sandals – and Trump’s boys wouldn’t dare to even squeak about dress code.
Try criticising Saudi Arabia’s Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, or MBS as he is known.
Would Trump dare?
Trump, of course, is delighted when his guests find themselves in such uncomfortable positions.
He views these encounters not as international negotiations but as opportunities for brand extension. Every foreign leader becomes a backdrop for his self-congratulatory and talking-down monologue.
International relations has become a kind of transactional show business, where allies are cast based on loyalty and flattery, and facts are optional props.
The implications of all this is his victims have chosen to play down these provocations and humiliation for fear of offending the President.
It may be good for Trump’s ego but we know how it ends: alliances strained, trust eroded, adversaries emboldened.
Brand USA has also been damaged in the process.
For a long time, an invitation to the White House and a photo with the American president has been a prized opportunity for any foreign leader.
Now, many are asking if it is worth being given an open dressing down by Trump.
