#1681 Trump's American Imperialism: Threatening Friends and Annoying Neighbors

<p class="p1"><strong>Air Date 1/8/2025</strong></p> <p class="p1"><em>Trump's first term was marked by all of the friendships he built with some of the world's worst, most oppressive leaders. His second term is getting an early start as he has begun making threats toward traditional allies and friends including Canada, Mexico, Greenland, and Panama.</em></p> <p class="p1">Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email <a href="mailto:Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com">Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com</a></p> <p class="p1"><a href="https://www.bestoftheleft.com/1681">Full Show Notes</a> | <a href="https://www.bestoftheleft.com/1681_transcript">Transcript</a></p> <p><strong><a href="https://www.bestoftheleft.com/support" rel="noopener" target="_blank">BestOfTheLeft.com/Support</a> (Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!)</strong></p> <p><strong>Send the <a href="https://bestoftheleft.supportingcast.fm/gifts">Gift of Membership</a>! (Or on <a href="https://www.patreon.com/BestOfTheLeft/gift">Patreon</a>)</strong></p> <p><strong>Use our links to shop <a href="https://www.bestoftheleft.com/bookshop">Bookshop.org</a> and <a href="https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=25361&amp;awinaffid=262399&amp;ued=https%3A%2F%2Flibro.fm%2Fswitch"> Libro.fm</a> for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience!</strong></p> <p><strong><a href="https://discord.gg/dhyZE3WMJn" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Join our Discord community</a>!</strong></p> <hr /> <p><strong>KEY POINTS</strong></p> <p>KP 1: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG_UzMTh82w">Make US imperialism great again: Trump threatens to colonize Panama, Canada, Greenland, Mexico - Geopolitical Economy Report - Air Date 12-27-24</a></p> <p>KP 2: <a href="https://www.wsj.com/podcasts/opinion-potomac-watch/donald-trumps-new-manifest-destiny/0c67d751-5b3a-48e7-ae7e-14654213d203">Donald Trump's New Manifest Destiny - WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch - Part 1 - Air Date 12-26-24</a></p> <p>KP 3: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjG-dmfXxdU&amp;t=39s%20">Why Elon Musk interferes in politics around the world - DW News - Air Date 1-3-25</a></p> <p>KP 4: <a href="https://www.thetimes.com/podcasts/red-box%20">Is Musk Flirting With Fascism? - Politics unpacked - Air Date 1-3-24</a></p> <p>KP 5: <a href="https://www.democracynow.org/2024/12/27/panama_trump_colonialism">Imperialist Fantasy: Historian Greg Grandin on Trump Threat to Retake Panama Canal, Invade Mexico - Democracy Now! - Air Date 12-27-24</a></p> <p>KP 6: <a href="https://muckrack.com/podcast/the-muckrake-political-podcast/episodes/1202458-the-weekender-how-i-learned-to-stop-worryi/"> The Weekender: How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love the Destruction Part 1 - The Muckrake Political Podcast - Air Date 12-27-24</a></p> <hr /> <p><strong>(49:09) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR</strong></p> <p>On the baby-brained ideas of the far right</p> <hr /> <p><strong>DEEPER DIVES</strong></p> <p><strong>(54:40) SECTION A: PANAMA</strong></p> <hr /> <p><strong>(1:16:10) SECTION B: MANIFEST DESTINY</strong></p> <hr /> <p><strong>(1:35:47) SECTION C: MUSK</strong></p> <hr /> <p><strong>(1:48:38) SECTION D: TRUMP 2.0</strong></p> <hr /> <p><strong>SHOW IMAGE</strong></p> <p>Description: Composite image of a vector drawing of a confused-looking Trump leaning on a podium with a globe and dice being rolled. A risk dial is on the front of the podium showing an increasing threat level.</p> <p>Credit: Composite design by A. Hoffman | Images from Pixabay | License: <a href="https://pixabay.com/service/license-summary/">Pixabay</a></p> <p> </p> <p>Produced by Jay! Tomlinson</p> <p>Visit us at <a href="http://www.bestoftheleft.com/">BestOfTheLeft.com</a></p> <p>Follow BotL: <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/bestoftheleft.bsky.social">Bluesky</a> | <a href="https://mastodon.social/@bestoftheleft">Mastadon</a> | <a href="https://www.threads.net/@bestoftheleft">Threads</a> | <a href="https://x.com/BestOfTheLeft">X</a></p>