US President Donald Trump has a notorious weakness for handsome, younger men in suits. It's not about being gay, although his love of show tunes and blasts of "YMCA" suggest otherwise. This fixation is rooted in projection – he wants to prove himself as just as dominant and virile as the men he pursues.
Trump often courts these men when it serves his interests or needs something from them – concessions, actions, or simply a boost to his ego. He has used this tactic with a range of politicians, including Zohran Mamdani, Emmanuel Macron, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and JD Vance.
His behavior towards Zelenskyy is particularly notable. The two presidents have had heated exchanges, but Trump's recent actions suggest a thaw in their relationship. After a brutal few weeks that saw the GOP roundly drubbed at the polls and declining poll numbers, Trump knew he needed to seize control of the narrative.
By making overtures towards Zelenskyy, Trump is attempting to woo him and advance his own agenda. The Ukrainian president's election as mayor of New York City is seen as a threat to Trump's plans for federal funding, so it's clear that he wants to make amends and potentially get some concessions from the new leader.
Trump's tactics are often bizarre and unconvincing, but they can be effective in getting what he wants. With Zelenskyy's peace deal proposal facing opposition from Macron and other European leaders, Trump's overtures may be a last-ditch attempt to salvage his reputation.
One has to wonder what drives Trump's behavior – is it a genuine desire for connection or just a clever tactic? Regardless, the results speak for themselves: handsome men in suits often get a sympathetic ear and potentially valuable concessions from the US president.
Trump often courts these men when it serves his interests or needs something from them – concessions, actions, or simply a boost to his ego. He has used this tactic with a range of politicians, including Zohran Mamdani, Emmanuel Macron, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and JD Vance.
His behavior towards Zelenskyy is particularly notable. The two presidents have had heated exchanges, but Trump's recent actions suggest a thaw in their relationship. After a brutal few weeks that saw the GOP roundly drubbed at the polls and declining poll numbers, Trump knew he needed to seize control of the narrative.
By making overtures towards Zelenskyy, Trump is attempting to woo him and advance his own agenda. The Ukrainian president's election as mayor of New York City is seen as a threat to Trump's plans for federal funding, so it's clear that he wants to make amends and potentially get some concessions from the new leader.
Trump's tactics are often bizarre and unconvincing, but they can be effective in getting what he wants. With Zelenskyy's peace deal proposal facing opposition from Macron and other European leaders, Trump's overtures may be a last-ditch attempt to salvage his reputation.
One has to wonder what drives Trump's behavior – is it a genuine desire for connection or just a clever tactic? Regardless, the results speak for themselves: handsome men in suits often get a sympathetic ear and potentially valuable concessions from the US president.