Sometimes, we get so caught up in the details that we lose sight of the big picture. In the philosophy of science, the basic belief is, all else being equal, the simpler explanation is better.
For example, we can believe Donald Trump when he says that taking Greenland and mass deporting immigrants are both necessary for our security or that Ukraine started the war with Russia. Or we can believe his pawn, Robert Kennedy, when he says that vaccines cause autism. Or we can, instead, say that all these statements are false but for a reason that explains all of them.
The explanation in question is not unique. Many have hinted at it one way or the other. Here it is: Hidden in the Epstein files — and, quite possibly, in compromising material held by Vladimir Putin — is a secret, or secrets, so monstrous and, therefore, so humiliating to Trump that he will do anything to keep them secret. While he has some control over the Epstein files and has possibly even destroyed the most damning parts, he has no control over Putin’s stash. Here is where it makes sense to at least speculate that Putin is blackmailing Trump.
It is clearly important to Putin that Trump cease his support for Ukraine; weaken the United States; weaken its alliances with Europe, the United Nations and NATO; and, by the same token, weaken these organizations themselves. Trump seems to be doing all these and more, and lying about it.
What does Trump get out of it? He is allowed to play emperor games in the “sphere of influence” sandbox that Putin has allowed him to play in. All this, so he can avoid humiliation and still feel important. Can it get any simpler, or more terrible?
Frederick Longacre
Hockessin
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
