Despite Trump’s posturing, the U.S. is weakened
Manhattan: Former President Theodore Roosevelt said, “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” President Trump speaks “bigly” and carries no stick. The most dangerous part is that he probably doesn’t realize it. He has assembled a team of sycophants and butt-kissers who tell him only what he wants to hear, even in the face of reality.
Trump’s threats against China are empty. Chinese leaders understand this, and they’re laughing at Trump. China owns massive amounts of U.S. debt. Further, the U.S. is totally reliant on China for rare earth minerals used to make everything from smartphones to missiles. The economic policy is completely incoherent, haphazard and based on Trump’s shifting moods, whims and gripes — and used to punish other countries for their domestic politics. Because Trump doesn’t like the Brazilian judicial system and its treatment of his friend Jair Bolsonaro, Americans will pay substantially more for coffee.
Also evident — and alarming — is how fragile U.S. institutions turned out to be. When a single man, unchecked, can dictate trade policy on a whim in a king-like manner, it begins to resemble authoritarian systems akin to Russia and China. The difference is increasingly harder to see. Other countries are looking to make short-term deals with the U.S. to bide time while they plot a future no longer reliant on the U.S. and the dollar. These temporary trade deals — in essence, press releases and not actual trade deals legislated and passed into law — provide the American public with illusory victories. In reality, Trump’s approach is an act of astonishing self-sabotage — one that will weaken America’s position on the global stage, likely beyond repair. Daniel Dolgicer
Home soil
Flushing: I’m pleased that Trump said he will “return to run the country” after his meeting in Alaska. However, where did he think the event was held? Name our states, Mr. President. Lynne Kanner
Stupid stunt
Oak Ridge, N.J.: All that meeting with Vladimir Putin amounted to was a paid-for-by-American-taxes lunch! They both deserve heartburn. Trump had a B-2 bomber fly over and Putin was thinking, “Boy, they have big sparrows here.” Imagine trying to muscle that guy with a bogus move like that — and they are there to talk peace. What a sham. Jim Heimbuch
Trump slump
New Rochelle, N.Y.: After the Anchorage meeting, his body language said it all. Richard Rodrigue
Made safe
Henderson, Nev.: In response to Trump dispatching federal officers to the streets of D.C., Sen. Chuck Schumer said, “I feel perfectly safe” walking around the U.S. Capitol grounds and vicinity. Of course, the senator forgot to mention that he has 24-hour taxpayer-funded security and the use of a car. I bet his young staffers who don’t enjoy ’round-the-clock security may whisper that they don’t share their boss’ view. David Tulanian
It won’t work
Glendale, Calif.: “There has to be something in these files that is so bad for Donald Trump. I mean, that is really the key here. It has got to be something worse than you know. I was involved in the Russia investigation. There has to be something there that Donald Trump is deathly afraid of,” claims former FBI general counsel and top federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann. A president who constantly gaslights may intentionally use this form of abuse to exert power or control over others with the goal of manipulating them. This is a trait of an authoritarian! Trump has gutted most agencies that oversee and protect us against criminals and is using FBI agents to walk the streets of D.C. while domestic crime and terrorism go unabated. This strategy will backfire. Richard A. French
Extraneous expenses
Brooklyn: Trump and his Republican cohorts campaigned on the need to reduce government spending. However, Trump is clearly doing the opposite. He is busy spending money on himself, playing golf at the taxpayers’ expense, filing frivolous lawsuits, wasting the government’s time and money, and restoring Confederate memorials at enormous expense. Alan Podhaizer
Dedicated to entertain
Valley Stream, L.I.: I have been pleased to see the efforts of the paper these past few months to put in some movie reviews. In these difficult times, we need news about entertainment options more than ever. However, I do feel that the paper and readership would benefit tremendously from again having a full-time movie critic on staff, as the New York Post and Newsweek have. When the reviews come from random critics in Chicago, there is no one for your readers to relate to or identify with. For reviews to have any real power or substance, there needs to be a name associated with your newspaper who represents it with articles as well as additional material online. Allan Canino
Head north
Carmel, N.Y.: This time, the crook acted with compassion. Charles Williams has his four-legged pal Roc back after several days of uncertainty and fear for both man and beast. While the return of the American Bully had a happy ending, the underlying story remains unsolved: an unfortunate system that fails to assist people like Williams, who is forced to ride a subway car at all hours of the day and night in order to keep cool from the summer’s oppressive heat. If New York City can’t offer Williams a job and proper lodging for Roc and himself, he should return to the Hudson Valley, where compassion is paramount and assistance readily available. Eric Gross
Just not fair
Fresh Meadows: To Voicer Andrea Mulero: Oh dear God, I live near Flushing and feel a sense of moral outrage for you fine people for being wrongly accused of stealing from a local grocery store and being banned. The store was fatally ignorant as to who wronged them to begin with, so of course they are accusing the wrong party. Years ago, I was banned from a beverage store on Long Island for shoplifting. The guilty woman was someone who looked a little like me. I never received an apology. Lesley Lewis Paulos
Herded & held
Brooklyn: Never will I fly American Airlines again. After leaving Newark International Airport at 6 a.m. for my vacation in South America and a connecting flight out of Miami International Airport, our plane ran out of fuel due to diversions. We ended up sitting in Orlando with no food, scarce drinks and people treated as cattle. Do yourself a favor and book elsewhere for your vacations. Chris Piccigallo
Downtown letdown
Manhattan: Why has no politician from Manhattan even considered giving a resident discount for car owners who live in the so-called congestion zone? Joseph Duffy
Freak show
Manhattan: Why am I gonna miss Mayor Adams when he loses his reelection? Because every day, like the past three years, there’s another great story about his incredibly corrupt and incompetent administration. For example, Friday’s reporting of how sleazy his Probation Department and its ethics-challenged commissioner are. Adios, Eric. Maybe the circus is hiring. Jeff Bockman
Party solidarity?
Holliswood: Even though the federal government dropped its case against Eric Adams, why haven’t any of our New York prosecutors picked it up (I’m looking at you, Manhattan District Attorney Bragg, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and New York State Attorney General Letitia James) to prosecute in state court? Is it because they are all Democrats? Gregory W. Chupa
Much-valued player
St. James, L.I.: To Voicer Adam Silbert: As a lifelong, dedicated Mets fan, I strongly disagree with your contention that Pete Alonso “fell out of favor” and that “vocal Mets fans didn’t want to re-sign” him. Every Mets fan I encountered was apoplectic that Uncle Steve did not sign him long-term to ensure he spends his entire career with the Metropolitans. In his first five full years in the majors (excluding the COVID year), he has averaged .247, 42 home runs and 110 RBI. He worked exceptionally hard to become an excellent fielder, is beloved in the clubhouse and is, in fact, a fan favorite. What’s not to like? When this year ends, he’ll be around .250-260, 35-40 home runs and 115-120 RBI. If Uncle Steve doesn’t sign him long-term, I’m not the only Mets fan who will consider turning his back. There will be an exodus in Flushing. Carmine E. Esposito
