The Pathos of MAGA Manifest Destiny: Trump, Trudeau, and National Humiliation

American Imperial Ambitions and the Fall of a Canadian Leader

Donald Trump's bizarre aspirations of absorbing Canada, acquiring Greenland, and reconquering the Panama Canal have sparked a debate about the future of American foreign policy.

While Trump's proposals have been largely dismissed as distractions, they have nevertheless had a significant impact on international relations and precipitated the resignation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Trudeau's Fecklessness and the Legacy of Pierre Elliott Trudeau

Trudeau's downfalls, however, cannot be solely attributed to Trump's bullying. His own profound fecklessness and inability to rally the nation against America's aggression played a crucial role.

Unlike his father, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Justin Trudeau lacked the gravitas and respect necessary to effectively lead Canada through a time of national crisis.

The Persistence of Imperialism in American Nationalism

Trump's MAGA Manifest Destiny is rooted in a persistent tradition of American unilateral nationalism, with imperialist aspirations dating back to the 19th century.

From William McKinley to Donald Trump, this ideology has sought to expand American influence through territorial acquisitions and hemispheric dominance.

The Painful Realities of American Decline

In the wake of 21st-century setbacks and failures, such as the War on Terror and the rise of China, Trump's nostalgic Manifest Destiny offers a false sense of renewal.

In reality, America's ability to project its power is waning, and Trump's bullying tactics are merely a pathetic attempt to mask a long trajectory of national decline.

"Trump's MAGA Manifest Destiny is an exercise in nostalgia fueled by anxiety about American decline. The United States has fared badly on the international stage in the 21st century." – Jeet Heer