Donald Trump assassination attempt clinches presidency - What it means for Greece
- Written by E.Tsiliopoulos
The attempt on the life of presidential candidate and former president Donald Trump, is a most unfavorable turn of events, but not entirely unexpected, and has cause considerable consternation and soul searching, in political leadership across the globe. Leaders allover the world sent wishes to Mr. Trump, a man who if he again takes the helm of the biggest superpower, something which is now almost a certainty.
US media had demonized the former president at some point equating him with Hitler and Mussolini, but adding to his prestige among followers. The goings on in Senate his fans, in he horrendous events made him more than fair game, but dumbed down on the political debate and a sidetracking if political perception.
As far as Greece is concerned, there are a couple of things relating to Donald Trump hat are noteworthy. The former president has feelings of respect for authoritarian leaders like Putin and Turkey's Erdogan. He's a “deal maker”. He would rather strike a deal than allow anything to unravel, and he will do so according to his prevailing perceptions. He could try and come to terms with Erdogan, giving him things that are not his to give, endangering Greek sovereignty.
Trump is also not a friend of NATO. In fact he often flaunts his disdain for the Alliance. This also enhances Turkey's status in a fragmented Alliance, in the eyes of a Trump administration, at the expense of Greece.
Donald Trump’s presidential relationship with Recep Tayyip Erdogan experienced its ups and downs, exhibiting a complex dynamic of both affinity and tension. Despite occasional disagreements and policy divergences, the closeness of their ties was often emphasized through informal “son-in-law diplomacy,” involving communication between Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and Berat Albayrak, Erdogan’s son-in-law and former finance minister.
However, Turkey’s revisionist regional agenda has raised concerns among some American elites, as well as ethnic groups with a keen interest in the Eastern Mediterranean includin Greek-Americans, Jewish-Americans, Christian Evangelicals, Armenian-Americans, and Kurdish-Americans.
Especially within the Greek-American community, Donald Trump garnered high poll ratings, securing an endorsement in 2020 from the non-partisan grassroots political organization United Hellenic Voters of America.
Greek-American Trump supporters, note that to some extent, the former President showed a strategic shift prioritizing Greece in the Eastern Mediterranean during his tenure, challenging perceptions of unwavering support for Erdogan, but this was barely felt in the region.