Call it “the art of deadlines.”
President Trump declares victory in the first weeks of his second term when he can set deadlines for foreign leaders, give openings to change deadlines, and bring out what is worth. It showed a trend towards
Trump did that when he said Canada and Mexico would be hit by tariffs on their first inauguration day. Just return the deadline to February 1st. Deadline is one month in advance.
The president threatened Hamas this week with a Saturday deadline. He gave him a slightly wiggle room saying that Israel could choose to overturn him. But mere threats allow Trump to put himself in a stronger position and get something potentially.
“He's using deadlines to force people's hands,” Trump's allies told Hill. “The threat of this deadline is how Trump will close the gap in timewise with better US negotiations.”
For a long time, Trump has used belligerent rhetoric and action threats to compensate for the responses from his rivals, bringing them to the table. However, he has particularly relied on it in the months since winning his second term.
The tactics aren't always completely successful, but Trump was able to move the goal post as needed and declare victory when he could obtain concessions.
he I was blackmailed in early January If Hamas does not release all hostages by inauguration day, then “all hell will break out in the Middle East.” Although not all hostages had been released by January 20th, Hamas and Israel attacked a ceasefire agreement that allowed some hostages to be released a few weeks later.
Trump is unhappy with the pace of hostage releases and threatened this week that Hamas would face consequences if he didn't release more prisoners by midday Saturday.
“Personally, I don't think Hamas will meet the deadline. They're trying to play tough guys, but we'll see who's the tough guy here,” Trump said Tuesday. .
Trump similarly said he intends to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico for the weeks leading up to his inauguration date. He later set a February 1 deadline to impose these tariffs. When Trump approved the tariffs on February 1, it stipulated that fine prints would be effective on February 4th.
That extra wiggle room allowed Trump to make last minute calls with leaders from both Canada and Mexico. Canada and Mexico have separately committed to taking additional steps to crack down on the flow of illegal drugs at the border. The customs duties are currently closed in early March.
For skeptics, Trump's changing deadlines are a sign that he is simply using them as negotiation tactics and that they don't need to take them seriously. They are flexible as long as Trump can promote something worthwhile in the meantime.
But for Trump's allies, the use of deadlines is just another indication of his ability to make contracts, even when he is flexible.
“He's a master of the arts of trade,” White House spokesman Caroline Leavitt said Wednesday. “He's leading from a position to ensure peace through his strength. And I've already only four weeks. And we've seen again and again that the President can negotiate a successful deal with our partner, our enemies of the world.”
“Elon Musk's Confusion System” is here
Move through “Trump Confusion System.” The president's circle is seeing a new suffering that grabs the Democrats, and it's “Elon Musk's Disorder Syndrome,” a politically useful one.
“EMD may be stronger than TD in terms of living free in the minds of Democrats,” Trump's allies told Hill.
The billionaires, presidents and top allies in the administration's efforts to scale back government, have become the point of sticking to Trump's enemy. It's not Trump's move that warns and frustrates Democrats, but Musk's moves as he builds extraordinary influence and power within the White House.
Democrats describe Musk as the true president and the person calling Shot. Democrats spent most of Wednesday's first subcommittee hearings on government efficiency implementations attacking Musk. Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) pulled out a photo of the mask and described it as “d-‑-pic.”
Musk himself admits that he is a lightning bolt for controversy and attack.
“What? Do I have a detractor?” Musk sarcastically asked Tuesday when reporters tried to ask about what critics said.
However, according to some of his advisors and supporters, the attack on Musk stands to benefit Trump. It gives Trump a distance from certain controversy and forces Democrats to defend certain spending that many Americans might consider unnecessary.
Republican strategist Ford O'Connell said:
What will Trump's comments about Vance?
Beltway noticed when Trump told Fox News anchor Brett Bayer in a Pre-Super Bowl interview that Vice President Vance was “too early” watching 2028.
“No, but he's very capable,” Trump said. “I think you have a lot of very capable people. I think he's done a really great job so far. It's too early and I'm just starting out.”
Much has been made from Vance's position in the early weeks of administration, especially due to the high visibility of Musk.
Sources close to the White House said Vance had a strong relationship with Trump. They also left him to be a sign that Trump has been trusted by big issues with him as a sign that he is trusted by the greatest issues, as he met with Ukrainian President Voldymir Zelensky this week.
Some Trump allies downplayed Trump's comments to Fox News, comparing him last year when he changed his running mate choice to a beltway version of “apprentice.”
“There's no way to say who he'll choose because he wants everyone to work as hard as possible on his agenda and become the person they've chosen,” a Trump adviser said. He told Hill. “But at the same time, if you're going to say who's your favorite at the moment, then it's definitely a JD.”
