A Stargate Warning: Trump, Project Stargate, the NHS, and the Dark Arts of Manipulation

The re-election of Donald Trump and the inauguration of his second term mark a dangerous crossroads for the UK, especially with the NHS now squarely in his sights. While the populist wave that swept Trump into power in 2016 has evolved, its tactics remain disturbingly effective, echoing a history we should heed with caution. What happened then serves as a stark warning for today: the same dark arts of communication that propelled Trump and Brexit into reality could yet dismantle the very fabric of our public institutions, including the NHS.

The tactics Trump employs—repetition, simplification, and emotional manipulation—are not new. As I wrote in 2016, these methods have historic precedent, dating back to the propaganda machines of the 1930s. Joseph Goebbels, the architect of Nazi propaganda, perfected techniques that remain chillingly relevant. His use of repetition, manipulation of fears, and scapegoating laid the groundwork for a disastrous ideology. The parallels with today are striking, as Trump seeks to exploit fear and discontent while promising simple solutions to complex problems. But we must be vigilant: this time, the stakes are even higher.

Trump’s NHS Obsession

For Trump, the NHS is not a cherished institution but a “big prize”—a multi-billion-pound market opportunity for American healthcare corporations. During his first term, leaked documents revealed the Trump administration’s interest in opening up NHS drug procurement to US pharmaceutical firms as part of a post-Brexit trade deal. That vision has not changed. Trump’s transactional worldview and disdain for publicly funded healthcare mean the NHS is at significant risk of being carved up and commodified.

This risk is no longer hypothetical. The recent shooting of a prominent US healthcare CEO, whose UK-based subsidiary Optum (a division of UnitedHealth Group) controls a significant portion of outsourced NHS contracts, has exposed just how deeply entwined American corporate interests are with our health system. Optum is a key player in NHS supply chains, yet UnitedHealth Group’s track record in the US raises serious concerns. Recent data revealed that UnitedHealth rejected over 200,000 claims in a single year while reporting annual profits exceeding ￡16 billion. These figures illustrate the stark contrast between their profit-driven motives and the ethos of the NHS.

It is essential to clarify: we are not against the involvement of for-profit entities serving the NHS. However, it must be about defining who holds control, ensuring effective competition, and maintaining tight governance. It is all about the net value add—we must weigh the long-term risks against the temptation of short-term financial - or technological gains. The temptation might be to see the shiny bright lights of AI transformation, and be lured into a nightmare scenario, held ransom, with ever greater costs, greater risks and a US style healthcare basket case entering by the back door!

Project Stargate: The AI Revolution

Breaking news has added an urgent layer to this discussion. As I write this, President Trump, alongside tech titans Larry Ellison, Masayoshi Son, and Sam Altman, has announced the launch of Project Stargate—the world’s largest AI initiative.

With a staggering $500 billion investment, this project aims to revolutionise industries, and healthcare is at the heart of its vision.

On the surface, Project Stargate holds immense potential for healthcare globally. AI could transform diagnostics, personalise treatments, and streamline healthcare delivery systems. However, as with all such initiatives, the devil is in the detail. Trump and his partners will undoubtedly seek revenue streams to justify and recoup this monumental investment. It is almost certain that the NHS, with its multi-billion-pound contracts, will become a prime target.

This announcement casts a stark contrast with Keir Starmer’s AI and healthcare initiatives, which, while promising, appear modest in comparison. Starmer’s plans focus on increasing NHS funding and addressing immediate crises like staff shortages. Yet they lack the sheer scale and ambition of Project Stargate. This disparity should not diminish the importance of Starmer’s efforts, but it highlights the need for vigilance. AI-driven healthcare can either be a powerful force for good or a Trojan horse for privatisation, depending on how governance and control are structured.

The Tactics Trump Will Use

Trump’s re-election campaign, and now his second term, demonstrate his mastery of manipulation. Here are the tactics we can expect him to deploy:

1. Repetition and Oversimplification Trump’s genius lies in reducing complex issues into digestible slogans: “Make America Great Again,” “America First,” and now, “Protect Your Freedom.” He will frame any resistance to privatisation as an attack on free markets, choice, and sovereignty. These messages, repeated ad nauseam, will drown out nuanced debate.
2. Exploitation of Fear Fear is Trump’s most potent weapon. Expect him to stoke fears about NHS inefficiency, long waiting times, and unsustainable costs. He will use these fears to argue that “competition” and “investment” from American firms are the only solutions.
3. Division and Scapegoating Just as he blamed immigrants and foreign powers for America’s woes, Trump will exploit divisions within the UK. He may frame the Labour government under Keir Starmer as “anti-business” or “socialist,” positioning himself as the champion of British free enterprise.
4. Dark Money and Lobbying The influence of dark money—untraceable funds used to lobby and influence policy—is well-documented in the US. With Trump’s backing, expect a surge of lobbying aimed at reshaping NHS policies to favour privatisation, much of it hidden from public view.
5. Propaganda Through Modern Media As I noted in 2016, the sheer volume of media messages creates fertile ground for propaganda. Trump’s team will use social media, targeted ads, and even misinformation to erode trust in the NHS while promoting private alternatives.

Lessons from 2016: Feelings Trump Facts

In 2016, Hillary Clinton and the Remain campaign lost because they brought facts to a fight dominated by feelings. Today, the same lesson applies - and that is why Bidon/Harris came up short. If we want to protect the NHS, we must counter Trump’s tactics with emotionally resonant messages of our own. Facts alone will not suffice; we need to inspire hope, pride, and a sense of collective ownership over our health system.

Trump’s relationships with Nigel Farage and Piers Morgan provide further insight into his strategy. Farage’s role as a Brexit architect aligns closely with Trump’s nationalist agenda, and their alliance amplifies populist rhetoric on both sides of the Atlantic. Meanwhile, Piers Morgan’s interviews and public support have served as a soft-power channel for Trump to connect with UK audiences. These relationships help Trump craft a narrative that resonates with disillusioned voters, framing himself as an ally to the UK while advancing his own interests.

This is why platforms like LetsFIXtheNHS must lead the charge in exposing these tactics and galvanising public support. LetsFIXtheNHS can serve as a central hub for shining a light on the creeping risks to our health system. By providing a platform for NHS staff, patients, and policymakers to share their stories, we can amplify the human cost of privatisation and the dangers of Trump’s agenda. It is also an opportunity to redefine the narrative—not as a battle against competition, but as a fight for governance, accountability, and long-term value.

A Call to Action

The parallels between today and 2016 are undeniable, but so too are the lessons we can learn. Trump’s tactics are dangerous, but they are not invincible. By understanding and exposing his methods, we can counteract the threat he poses to the NHS and other public institutions.

Now is the time for vigilance and unity. We must reject the divisive narratives Trump will peddle and instead champion the values that make the NHS worth protecting: compassion, equity, and a belief in collective responsibility. Platforms like LetsFIXtheNHS can play a pivotal role in organising this effort, ensuring the voices of the many are not drowned out by the interests of the few.

The question is no longer whether Trump will come for the NHS. The question is: will we be ready to stop him?

The Brands and Realities of Trump, Hillary, Brexit and Goebbels is the post I wrote on medium in 2016. It's prescient and well worth a read.

If you want to learn more and support LetsFIXtheNHS - you can do so at?www.letsfixthenhs.help/opportunity??? Password: opportunity