The unilateral offer made by US President Donald Trump, first in the Knesset of the genocidal Zionist entity, and then in Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt, led to the clarification of new features in Trumpism’s approach.
The topic, of course, was stopping the genocide that has been ongoing in Gaza for two years, and from this angle we must acknowledge that the presentation made by Trump played an important role in reaching a tangible result.
However, we already know that all Israeli aggression derives its audacity and support from the United States of America, and therefore any American president who intended to intervene could have done the same.
However, we must admit that Biden did not have such an intention before, and that other presidents did not dare to challenge the influential Jewish lobbies in America, so they preferred to identify with Israeli policies, which makes Trump’s behavior a departure from the norm and is recorded for him.
In Trump’s offer to bring peace and end the war, one of his goals was to satisfy the powerful Jewish lobbies in the United States, or at least neutralize them, which was clearly demonstrated in his visit to Israel before he went to Sharm El-Sheikh, where he was scheduled to meet with leaders of countries opposed to Israel. This management of positions represents a special pattern in politics.
In his speech in the Knesset, Trump did not hesitate to praise Netanyahu – who is wanted for justice on charges of committing genocide crimes in several countries – and his government, but rather made him stand with his head held high for a period of minutes amid the applause of the attendees, a behavior that raises questions, especially since Trump was about to participate later in a meeting with leaders who oppose Israeli policies. But he did not seem to feel the need to explain his behavior. No one dared to question him later.
He even went further than that, when he bragged, saying: “We produce the best weapons in the world, and we have given Israel a lot, and you have used them well,” directing praise to Netanyahu, as if he was saying to him: “You did well in Gaza.”
Trump continued to remind the Israelis of what he had done for them: moving the American embassy to Jerusalem, and legitimizing the annexation of the Golan, and then he stood in the Knesset, receiving standing applause from its members.
All of these positions, which were supposed to be asked about later in the Sharm El-Sheikh meeting, went unaccounted for. How does Trump intend to bring peace – or even expand the Abraham Accords to which he aspires – when he is the one who made Jerusalem the exclusive capital of Israel and excluded the Palestinians from it under an existing occupation? After this, which Islamic country would dare to sign an agreement with Israel? How could he dream of the Abraham Accords, when he granted Israel all this legitimacy and support?
He was supposed to find someone to ask him these questions in Sharm El-Sheikh. The opportunity was good, and the attendance was large.
In the Knesset, Trump offered the most support he could give to Netanyahu, who was under intense pressure over his agreement with Hamas.
In fact, what Trump did was not just support, but an attempt to convince Netanyahu of the idea of peace, or to accustom him to it. This is the essence of Trumpism: convincing Israeli public opinion that the agreement with Hamas to release the prisoners is not a defeat, but rather a victory.
Trump repeated repeatedly: “The hostages are coming back, can you imagine that? Can’t you hear how beautiful that sounds? It’s definitely a victory!” – it was like a therapy session. In the end, everyone seemed convinced.
Even some commentators in our media began promoting the idea that “Israel emerged victorious.” While the picture was clear: what happened was just “group psychotherapy.” The truth is that Netanyahu, and with him all the bloodsucking Zionists, know that they have not achieved any of their goals since the beginning of the war.
They killed many, yes, but the numbers of casualties were not recorded in their favor in the record of victories, but rather in the record of incapacity and shame. Killing children does not create glories.
Abu Ubaida had sworn to God Almighty, saying: “You will not recover any of your hostages without the decision and will of the Al-Qassam Brigades,” and his statement came true.
So who is victorious?
But Israel needed a narrative that would console it and give it an excuse to stop. Trump presented this narrative to them in his own style.
He did this by patting them on the shoulders, exaggerating the praise, and declaring them heroes. From this angle, his presentation in the Knesset was not just a play, but rather an ideal manifestation of Trump’s policy.
The same pattern continued in Sharm El-Sheikh, where the style of exaggerated praise emerged again. Trump praised everyone who mentioned his name, in Tel Aviv as well as in Sharm El-Sheikh, and made them applaud him.
The question is: how? A man with narcissistic traits can be this suspiciousWhy, then he praises others a lot? Isn’t this a contradiction? This is a question worth contemplating, but its answer lies in understanding Trump’s psychology.
Is receiving praise from Trump a privilege or a curse?
When we turn to psychology to understand this phenomenon, we realize that Trump’s praise has no real value at its core. Rather, it may require a warning response from us: “Peace and words from a merciful Lord!”, because such praise is often a means of control.
When a person of this type praises others, he is in fact praising himself, and sees those he praises as an extension of his ideal self: “You are wonderful because you are related to me,” meaning: “If you are perfect, then I am too.”
Praise, then, is not true appreciation, but rather a reflection of the image of the ideal self in the mirror of the other.
The relationships of such personalities are often characterized by a recurring cycle: they begin with reverence (excessive praise), then end with belittlement of the slightest disappointment. Therefore, the praise issued by her does not reflect a strong relationship, but rather is a temporary tool for maneuver.
They sometimes use praise to create a state of dependency in others, to cultivate a feeling of confusing gratitude, or to pave the way for future criticism.
For example: “I appreciate you very much, but you are not the same anymore…” – these sentences represent a model of manipulation, which begins with flattery and ends with control.
“One Minute” for Netanyahu and Trump
After all the praise that Trump showered on the Israelis in Tel Aviv, it was remarkable that he thought of bringing Netanyahu with him to Sharm El-Sheikh, ignoring all diplomatic and humanitarian norms. If it were not for the Turkish President’s stance, in the famous “One Minute” manner, many might have remained silent for the sake of a handful of praise.
However, when Erdogan addressed this matter, he pushed for an honorable collective position.
Despite this, we did not see many people in Sharm El-Sheikh who refused to fall into the trap of Trump’s praise.
It was noteworthy to see Erdogan, who did not stand behind Trump when he delivered his speech, but rather remained seated, careful and sober, a scene of which we all felt proud.
Despite this position, Erdogan was not spared Trump’s praise.
But thank God, Erdogan is not one to be tempted by praise.
The opinions expressed in the article do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of Al Jazeera Network.