Summary
The White House has directed the State and Treasury Departments to draft a proposal for lifting some U.S. sanctions on Russia as part of Trump’s effort to restore ties and end the Ukraine war.
The proposal could ease restrictions on select Russian entities and oligarchs, though it’s unclear what the U.S. would receive in return.
Trump has signaled openness to sanctions relief despite previously threatening harsher measures.
Talks between U.S. and Russian officials have intensified, with economic cooperation, including rare earth minerals, emerging as a key topic.
So you’re saying those who didn’t vote love him? How does that make sense?
I’m saying they voted tacitly in agreement with everyone that voted for him. Whether they love the man doesn’t matter. They supported him by voting with their asses.
I was originally replying to the post above that said: “50% of the country loves their strongman president more than freedom or common sense.” And I was specifically disputing the 50% figure in regards to “loving” Trump. So you’re arguing something else entirely.
It’s an important distinction because falsely claiming that half the country loves Trump legitimizes his authoritarian rule.
I understand what you’re saying. I also dispute the 50% number.
I’m saying only 30% of the country voted for him, 30% against, and 40% voted with their asses, making the effective amount of “love” 70%, not 50%.
Approval rating of ~50% notwithstanding, he has a 70% mandate to fuck shit up when we have 40% ass-voters.
I disagree. There’s no “mandate” when so many voters are so disaffected with politics that they’d rather stay home than express themselves at the polls.
I understand and respect your disagreement.
I view it as a trolley problem: if you don’t flip the switch, or you love Krasnov, 3 people die. If you do, 1 person dies.
The ones who do nothing and do not flip the switch are in agreement with the Krasnov lovers since there is no “conscientious objector” button at the polls.
Maybe from a game theory / trolley problem perspective, sure. But I guess my point is that a “presidential approval rating,” as in the current support for the president, is not one to one with how the electorate voted (or didn’t vote) four months ago. Especially as we get further from that event over time.