BARWD OF PEECE January 23, 2026

Only creative spelling can express two disastrous horrors foisted on the United States by its would-be emperor.

Donald Trump is bored with peace. He threatened force and tariffs to seize Greenland, an autonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark. Why? Trump texted Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Store: “Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace, although it will always be predominant, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America.”

Norway’s government has nothing to do with the prize. An independent committee of Norwegians awards it. But in Trump’s universe, hurt feelings provide a perfect excuse to make threats. Further, delusion begets confusion. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Trump announced, “Our stock market took the first dip yesterday because of Iceland. So Iceland’s already cost us a lot of money.” 

Iceland? No, Greenland. Oh, how Republicans would have assailed Joe Biden for misspeaking like that.

On Wednesday, Trump claimed he’d established a framework for an agreement allowing the United States to build military outposts and mine for precious metals. Newsflash: Denmark and Greenland basically agreed to those American enterprises in 1951. But nothing’s “official” until Trump blusters, caves, then claims victory.

Then there’s Trump’s Board of Peace. Supposedly, it will oversee the redevelopment of Gaza and other war-torn places through where Trump, his family and supporters might profit. A nation seeking a permanent seat on the board must pony up $1 billion. For what? And how will money be spent? No one knows. But Trump would be the permanent chair, even after leaving the presidency. He also would appoint his successor. Further, he invited Vladimir Putin to sit on the board.

Putin remains bored with peace four years after invading Ukraine. He wants piece—a piece of Ukraine today, Eastern European NATO allies tomorrow.

Peace at home? ICE marches on. Trump threatens to invoke the Insurrection Act and put active-duty military on selected (Blue) American streets. He’ so dedicated to domestic peace that the White House failed to issue a proclamation honoring Martin Luther King Jr. Day until late Monday evening—following much criticism.

Oh heavens! Literally. At a White House press briefing on Tuesday, Trump boasted, “I think God is very proud of the job I’ve done.” Will God strike me down for writing this post?

Tom Friedman put it aptly in Wednesday’s New York Times: “Is America now being ruled by a mad king?”

The late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, former Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom, offers sage advice in his commentary on the Israelites leaving Egypt and the slavery imposed by Pharaoh. How can they direct their future as a free people?

“To defend a country, you need an army. But to defend a free society you need schools. You need families and an educational system in which ideals are passed on from one generation to the next, and never lost, or despaired of, or obscured.”

Is America bored with its Constitution? Totally ignorant? Trump will trample basic liberties here and help suppress those abroad until more of us—particularly Congressional Republicans—see the emperor’s new clothes for what they represent: a boor’s scam.

To understand the background of today’s far-right, authoritarian descent, read my new novel, RIDE THE TYGER. Order from Amazon, barnesandnoble.com, iuniverse.com, or your favorite bookstore.