Egotistical, incompetent, racist, and—in accordance with even some in his internal circle—an fool. And now there’s one other title so as to add to the record 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 need to achieve favor with him, they should cough up a present.
Many companies are scared of how Trump’s tariffs may affect their enterprise and are scrambling to remain on his good aspect with peace choices. Axios famous that firms like Apple, Eli Lilly, Hyundai, Johnson & Johnson, and SoftBank have all made large 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—regardless that 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 not less than 10,000 Nationwide Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border to assist Trump curb immigration. In return? Trump hit pause on tariffs in opposition to 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 effectively to items, 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 problem with this sort of transactional politics. In actual fact, 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 reward Trump prefers will depend on the giver.
Take U.Ok. 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, in fact, was delighted, gushing that the king was a “beautiful” and “wonderful” man.
Then there’s the case of Washington Submit proprietor Jeffrey Bezos, who has reworked 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 evident: If you wish to get on Trump’s good aspect, be ready to grovel—or not less than dangle one thing shiny in entrance of him.
