Trump’s long-term influence: why we need to understand his approach

Simply put: two months of chaos and turbulence, and 47% support Trump. This is the highest number during his two presidencies, even though 51% do not support him. But the more important number is the level of support for the Democratic Party, which is the lowest in 30 years – 33%. So, at the moment when Trump is causing chaos, Democrats are falling even further. And this will shape the future for at least the next 10 years.

The key question we now need to address is: How does Trump operate, and how can Ukraine effectively communicate what is crucial to him?

Let's begin with what doesn’t work when dealing with Trump. First, communicating with him through the media is ineffective. He is one of the most "attacked" politicians by the media, and no politician in the world has likely faced as much criticism as he has from American media outlets. So, when you try to address Trump via the media, you’re not actually addressing him at all.

Second, trolling and activism are even more counterproductive than media criticism. He has been attacked relentlessly, even physically. Chasing after figures like Vance and shouting at them during their vacations, or writing something like "Danke Frau Ribbentrop," does nothing but worsen the situation. These actions have no impact on Trump or his team—in fact, they only fuel the opposite reaction. Those engaging in this kind of behavior are causing irreparable harm to the Ukrainian cause.

Now, how should it be done? Yesterday, there was an interesting post by Ukrainian political scientist Fesenko about how a "sly" MP suggested to Trump's team the idea of taking control of nuclear power plants. Wow, so there is a way to pitch ideas to Trump? How does this work? Fesenko writes that to do this, the MP met with Rudy Giuliani, Trump's friend, and he brought the idea to him. I don’t know who this MP is and I’m not evaluating the idea, but I guarantee that this is exactly how it works.

Want to convey an idea to Trump? Find someone he plays golf with! It’s that simple. He only takes in information personally.

Putin, unlike Ukraine, which has yet to change its ambassador, seems to have a clear understanding of this dynamic. He communicates through personal representatives who are well-connected within Trump's circle. Meanwhile, Ukraine tends to focus on negativity in social media and public discussions of red lines. In contrast, Putin effectively conveys his message directly. As a result, Ukraine becomes frustrated when Trump repeats narratives aligned with Russia. How long will this approach be productive? The same logic applies to Musk. It would be beneficial to identify his contacts, reach out, and arrange a calm, direct meeting. With thoughtful communication, it might be possible to persuade him. After all, Musk provided Starlink, and its absence could have resulted in even greater territorial losses for Ukraine.

In imagining a dialogue with Musk, it’s clear that he’s currently focused on the risk of nuclear war. Given that his ambitions have yet to extend to Mars, he likely believes that no territorial loss is worth the potential for nuclear escalation. However, there’s a rational argument to be made: if Ukraine were to be defeated by a nuclear power, it would send a message to the entire world that nuclear weapons are the only viable way to ensure a state's survival. This could trigger an even more dangerous global situation, with unchecked proliferation of nuclear weapons.

I understand the emotional drive behind the situation, but in politics, emotions often turn you into a victim. Cold logic and careful calculation ultimately prevail, while emotions can lead to missteps. And the logical conclusion here is clear: either change the approach or face the consequences. In this case, the stakes are life and death, not just for us, but for future generations.

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About the author: Viktor Andrusiv, political and public figure, analyst, and columnist

The editorial team does not always share the opinions expressed by the authors of the blogs.