Egotistical, incompetent, racist, and—based on even some in his internal circle—an fool. And now there’s one other title so as to add to the checklist of phrases describing President Donald Trump: mob boss.
Axios reported Friday that overseas leaders and enterprise executives hoping to satisfy with Trump know that in the event that they wish to achieve favor with him, they should cough up a present.
Many companies are scared of how Trump’s tariffs may influence their enterprise and are scrambling to remain on his good facet with peace choices. Axios famous that firms like Apple, Eli Lilly, Hyundai, Johnson & Johnson, and SoftBank have all made huge investments within the U.S. since Trump received final yr’s presidential election.
Take Hyundai, for instance. This week, the South Korean automaker introduced a $21 billion funding within the U.S. between 2025 and 2028, conveniently securing an exemption from Trump’s tariffs within the course of. In fact, the administration wasted no time taking credit score for the deal—although it was Trump’s disastrous insurance policies that created the issue within the first place.
“More investments, more jobs, and more money in the pockets of hardworking Americans—all thanks to President Trump’s economic policies,” White Home press secretary Karoline Leavitt boasted on social media.
It’s not simply companies kissing the ring, both. In February, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum deployed the primary of at the least 10,000 Nationwide Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border to assist Trump curb immigration. In return? Trump hit pause on tariffs towards Mexico. The nation is now reportedly working to sidestep a looming 25% tariff on automobile imports.
In the meantime, earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin gifted Trump a customized portrait. Days later, Trump griped {that a} portray of him hanging within the Colorado Capitol was too ugly.
Trump has at all times responded nicely to presents, particularly once they’re paired with flattery. Forward of his inauguration in January, firms like Amazon, Google, and Meta poured cash into his orbit. Their reward? A plum seat on the desk.
Axios famous that Trump sees no situation with this type of transactional politics. Actually, he thinks previous presidents had been silly to not do the identical.
“President Trump is a masterful negotiator and is using his astute business acumen to reshape our economy and reinvigorate American economic dominance,” a White Home spokesperson instructed Axios. “Companies and countries are being forced to come to the table and retreat from their America Last policies and once again are betting on America.”
However the kind of present Trump prefers depends upon the giver.
Take U.Okay. Prime Minister Keir Starmer for instance. Throughout his late February go to to the Oval Workplace, he introduced Trump with an embossed letter from King Charles III, personally inviting him to Britain.
Starmer performed up the invitation too, as if to flatter Trump much more. “This has never happened before,” he stated. “This is unprecedented.”
Trump, after all, was delighted, gushing that the king was a “beautiful” and “wonderful” man.
Then there’s the case of Washington Publish proprietor Jeffrey Bezos, who has remodeled the once-critical newspaper into a way more MAGA-friendly outlet—a favor the president has complimented his billionaire buddy for.
The sample right here is obvious: If you wish to get on Trump’s good facet, be ready to grovel—or at the least dangle one thing shiny in entrance of him.
