Trump’s affinity for Putin harms US interests
The sharpest detail in Goldberg’s argument is the idea that Trump’s warmth toward Putin doesn’t just hurt Ukraine, it hurts ordinary Russians too. That’s a useful reminder that authoritarian leaders often use foreign policy victories to tighten their grip at home. If Putin can point to a friendly American president, it becomes easier to sell his own people on the idea that Russia is respected and feared, not isolated.
I think the critique is fair as far as it goes, but it assumes we know exactly what Trump’s posture is meant to achieve. Maybe he believes personal diplomacy can open doors, or maybe he simply admires strongmen. The public record offers evidence for both readings, and that ambiguity matters. I’d want to know more about what Goldberg thinks a better approach would look like in practice, not just what he opposes.
Still, the core concern is hard to dismiss. American presidents have long balanced realism with values, and when the balance tips too far toward flattering a dictator, the cost tends to show up later. Whether this moment is that kind of tipping point is the question worth watching.