Failure – it’s the F word Donald Trump fears most.
Hence the early morning rant from a president, F for frustrated.
The day before had seen head-spinning developments in which a ceasefire between Israel and Iran turned on a Truth Social post.
If it felt fragile, that’s how it appeared overnight. There were exchanges between both sides beyond the deadline, and the president woke frustrated.
An unlikely diplomatic result looked exactly that.
Trump’s four-lettered fury was aimed primarily at Israel, which on Tuesday morning gave the appearance of an ally that had reeled him into the fight and wasn’t letting go.
It also leant into doubts around Trump’s influence over Israeli actions.
If this process is heading towards nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran, Trump doesn’t need questions surrounding his relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Tehran needs to believe Trump can tighten the leash.
It will have been comforted by his remarks on board Air Force One, from where he called Netanyahu.
Speaking to the travelling media, Trump said he didn’t want to see regime change in Iran, having floated support for the idea last week.
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Israel’s prime minister’s office issued a statement that spoke of having “achieved all the war’s objectives”.
The wording speaks to a move beyond aggression.
Time will tell, and this ceasefire feels fragile still, but it’ll do for Trump for now, the self-styled peacemaker making peace one social media post at a time.
He is strengthened by the success of his diplomacy, a fact laid bare – where else? – on Truth Social.
Read more:
How much damage did the US inflict on Iran?
Can Tehran trust Trump as a broker of peace?
Trump boarding Air Force One to travel to Europe today. Pic: AP
As he flew towards the NATO summit, Trump posted a message from NATO secretary-general Mark Rutte.
It’s unclear if Rutte knew it would be published, but it’s abundantly clear he’s a man with lips puckered as the US president swaggers towards the gathering.
Referring to NATO countries’ commitment to increase their defence spending to 5% of GDP, he wrote: “Donald, you have driven us to a really, really important moment for America and Europe and the world.
“You will achieve something NO American president in decades could get done.”
The effusive praise speaks to power enhanced for the US president as he prepares to attend the NATO gathering.
His stature is reinforced by his most recent result… as long as it lasts.
