Donald Trump, the New Pope Francis?

Donald Trump has been broadcasting messages that are definitely out of character.

The Donald tells us that he wants Ukraine to lose the war with Russia because it will end loss of life. He tells us that he is diametrically opposed to abortion, and that some doctors would terminate human life after birth. Does this sound like Donald Trump? He was known for committing fraud, inciting insurrection (with associated risk of loss of life), and for stealing state secrets and releasing them to his dinner guests after he had left office. Why would we now believe that he has embraced moral standards that conform to the most pious beliefs of the pope?

I have to wonder what is his true motivation. Abortion is not something that Donald Trump can truly claim to have ended. The Supreme Court ultimately became sufficiently stacked against reason that overturning Roe became a definitive fact and an unavoidable outcome. We have seen members of that court charged with conduct that merits impeachment. The capacity for government to respond to the Court's misconduct was so slowed by Trump's backers in Congress that there has been little hope for Congress or the Executive branch to act in a timely manner to correct the situation. Now Trump has little basis for concern even if he violates the laws of the U.S. while in office. This is a very good reason not to re-elect him. Those who attempt to elect him will share in his guilt for any crimes that he commits, whether proven in court, or only in some ultimate divine trial. We've seen Trump's capacity to violate the law proven in court, on many counts. Putting him in the highest office in the land is clearly a foolish act.

Of course, what troubles me most are his new holy proclamations. Is he truly concerned for the loss of Ukrainian lives as they struggle to free their nation from Russian domination? Somehow, this falls outside the realm of his usual areas of concern, i.e. what is best for the Donald? If we may presume that loss of life and war are not issues that deeply trouble Donald Trump (given his prior support for insurrection and ongoing support for those who threaten civil war if the Donald is not elected via his "blood will be shed" threats), what is fueling his effort to end Ukraine's capacity to battle Russia for its very life? Is Russia sufficiently cut-off from American corporations that Donald Trump is eager to restore their capacity to trade? Has he heard too many back room complaints of loss of profit for American corporations? Has he struck a deal?

Does the Donald hope to offer American petrochemical products to Europe by retaining Russia's standing as an international pariah state after they are given a victory in Ukraine while a share of profits from petrochemical companies in the U.S. accrue to him in a conveniently silent manner under actions he undertakes as the president? Does he instead plan to restore Russia's international trading rights in exchange for some very minor concession in Ukraine's favor? Is this how the Donald plans to retain Putin as his good friend and giver of compliments? How much might the Donald skim off the top of Russia's oil sales internationally and later receive should he ever choose to leave office? Will he abandon NATO and leave Europe to face a Russian attack alone?

Does this sound like the stuff of comic books? Immigrants in Springfield, Ohio who must consume local pets to satisfy their hunger seem like part of the same comic, and Donald Trump and his Supreme Court are the bad guys.