‘A spoiled brat’ and a ‘petulant’ child: Trump’s tantrums break up world order | Opinion
A Norwegian’s response
As a grandson of Norwegian immigrants, I am deeply offended by President Donald Trump’s animosity against the Norwegian government for not granting him the Nobel Peace Prize. Aside from the fact that an independent commission, not the government, awards that prize, what the president demonstrates is a total lack of humility and an awareness of what the prize stands for. One does not receive that prize by threatening NATO partners (which includes the Scandinavian countries) with increased tariffs and, eventually, military action against them.
The Peace Prize stands for peace, not threats.
Ordelle G. Hill, Richmond
Norway letter
I just read Donald Trump’s letter to the Prime Minister of Norway complaining about his failure to win the Nobel Peace Prize and insisting on the U.S. need to possess Greenland.
The letter reflects the emotional maturity of a pathologically over-indulged and petulant 13-year-old. Unfortunately, this can’t be solved by taking away his cell phone and sending him to bed early.
The letter also reflects a level of cognitive slippage far more dangerous than the memory block that took President Joe Biden out of the 2024 presidential race. More stunningly, one has to ask if there was anyone in the administration who had awareness of this letter and had the common sense, or even personal concern for the President’s welfare, to stop it from seeing the light of day?
Bizarrely, in Kentucky we have a bevy of candidates in the mid-term elections who are competing frantically for Trump’s endorsement.
If there were ever times when we needed to pray “God bless America,” this is certainly one of them!
Kerby Neill, Lexington
Greenland and NATO
Last weekend the President of the United States sent a letter to the Prime Minister of Norway with a grievance: because he had not been awarded a Nobel Prize, he threatened to invade Greenland. The letter was full of factual errors—the government of Norway does not award the Nobel Prize, nor does it control Greenland. The first time I read it I thought it must be a joke. But no, it was real: the US president threatened war against our NATO allies because he didn’t get a prize.
The NATO alliance was envisioned and founded by the U.S. and has kept our country safe and prosperous for over 80 years. Trump has decided to break it, threatening military strikes and economic coercion in his quest to take over Greenland. He doesn’t seem to understand that other countries have power, too. Already Denmark is dumping its U.S. treasury bonds; countries that were our allies are turning their attention to China, and there is nothing to stop Europe from closing down all our military bases.
Invading Greenland would ruin us economically and make us a predator nation, vilified around the world.
America first? More like America isolated, and America alone.
Kim Edwards, Lexington
NATO busting
So, we are going to kill NATO and destroy the world order because President Donald Trump didn’t get his peace prize? Talk about a temper tantrum!
One can make a strong case that those who lobby for it should be automatically eliminated from consideration.
Bill Johnston, Lexington
Attack on Greenland
On Dec. 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor without a declaration of war. They did so because they were expanding their empire throughout the Pacific to gain mineral resources like oil, iron and rubber. Japan perceived the U.S. stood in their way, so they tried to cripple the U.S. to consolidate their gains. President Franklin Roosevelt decreed this attack was “A day which will live in infamy” in his national speech following it.
Now President Donald Trump is apparently going to emulate Japan and wage an undeclared war on Greenland ostensibly for “security” but in reality to project power and gain territory. This is reminiscent of the start of World War II.
Is Greenland another Poland? Nazi Germany wanted to project power and gain territory, so they invaded neighboring Poland. If the United States does invade Greenland, that will truly be “A day which will live in infamy.”
George Weems, Lawrenceburg
National security
President Donald Trump states we need Greenland for national security to fill a big hole between us Europe.
The only big hole in our national security is the one in his head. He is consistently stoking the flames of political unrest between us and our allies (if we have any left) and between our own citizens.
He took over Venezuela and declared that he will rule. He can’t even manage running our country. He has released armies of thugs to rid us of aliens — illegal or not. These are the same people that stormed the capital and have no degree of loyalty to our constitution or the law. All of his bizarre actions have left our country more vulnerable than we have ever been and anyone with a brain should be very afraid of the future (MAGA members are excluded, as well as the GOP).
Why should we put our military at risk to promote his insane lust for power? I foresee a big hole in our armed forces. We don’t need another senseless war —which seems to be where we are headed. I certainly see no reason to celebrate 250 years of independence, because we don’t have it anymore!
Sara Wellnitz, Lexington
Midterm elections
Midterm election year having arrived, meaning now is the time for Republican U.S. Senate candidates to begin answering substantive questions rather than simply touting fealty to President Donald Trump, such as — Under what circumstances must Trump seek Congressional authority to commit U.S. troops to combat? Given existing U.S. treaty rights to add defensive measures in Greenland, do you agree with Trump’s threats to undermine NATO by taking Greenland? Do you agree with new tariffs on NATO allies because they disagree with Trump’s threats to “take” Greenland by force? Assuming the Biden administration mismanaged immigration, do you have reservations about ICE conduct? Do you agree with Trump defunding cancer research and his vaccine policies? Do you endorse Trump’s habitual personal, and frequently vulgar, threats against those who disagree agree with him?
There are numerous other possible questions, but your answers to these will help voters understand your values. Please explain your answers specifically, no generalities or platitudes.
Buck Hinkle, Lexington
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
As a licensed clinical social worker, I have knowledge about mental health, particularly Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). There are degrees of this disorder. When someone is in relationship with an NPD, they become “hostage” to the behavior of their partner. The NPD has extreme low self-confidence and must get it “fed” by their “source” — their partner. Some NPD behaviors include — self-importance; fantasies of unlimited success; selfish interests; lack of empathy; envy of others; exploitation of others. It begins with “love bombing”— energy towards the partner. Then it turns quickly. The NPD exploits any weakness in their partner, isolates and diminishes them. They lose their own voice and who they are.
This is the exact thing that is happening in our country. We the citizens, the melting pot of the United States, are being used for the unquenchable thirst of our NPD president. He has rendered Congress afraid to stand up to him.
As Martin Luther King, Jr. said: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
Shine your own light on this! Call this out! Speak up! Protest! Call your representatives! VOTE!
Jessica Bollinger LCSW, Lexington
American economy
The American economy boomed during the 50s and 60s. Then, U.S. foreign policy consisted of negotiating through tactful dialogue and mutual respect, and the emphasis was on diplomacy and free trade. Everyone benefitted. We created our interstate highway system, funded medical research, built new schools and maintained low tuition at colleges and universities.
The current administration is doing the opposite — negotiation by threats and bullying while spending our tax dollars on higher ICE budgets and the military. Deportation costs range from an average of $13,000 per person to as high as $70,000. I believe Americans would rather spend our taxes on extending the ACA, medical research, and lower costs for day care and post-high school education.
Now Trump is going after Venezuela’s oil. What did we gain from the wars in Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria?
I have called my Senators and Congressman with these concerns. Only Rep. Andy Barr did not reply.
Krisia Rosa, Lexington
Trump’s behavior
I am convinced that President Donald Trump is simply a spoiled brat. He certainly behaves like one.
He has trouble with the truth.
He lies when confronted with facts and events with which he disagrees.
He routinely pouts and throws a hissy fit on the ironically named “Truth Social” when people disagree with him or something goes wrong in his world and, if he can work it in, he resorts to name calling.
He likes to play army, killing the “bad guys,” regardless of the legitimacy of his actions.
He actually believes that he is entitled to world-wide praise for imagined actions he has not taken to end several wars or long simmering conflicts over which he had little to no contact. The two conflicts in which he actually had involvement are not resolved.
And he has no shame in making it known that he wants to be lauded.
He desperately craves recognition and has already changed the names of two institutions, The Kennedy Center and The Peace Center, to include his name, and renamed the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.
Unfortunately, we can’t send him to his room for “time out.” U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, R-Ky., take notice.
D. Craig Dance, Lexington
National debt
Do you care about the future of our country? Right now, America stands at the crossroads. Our national debt has soared past $38 trillion – a staggering figure that threatens our prosperity for generations to come. This is not just a number; it’s a warning shot over the bow. If we do not act, the consequences will be felt not only economically, but in America’s position as a world leader. It is time the wealthiest of Americans to take responsibility and become patriots.
Our national debt is the result of the rich and large corporations NOT paying their fair share of taxes over the decades. Massive deficit spending is the result of tax loopholes, etc. which, by definition, is SOCIALISM.
For years, the wealthiest Americans and large corporations have benefited from tax loopholes and declining tax rates. In 1980, the top marginal tax rate was 70 percent. By 1988, it plummeted to 28 percent, all based on the myth that wealth would “trickle down.” History proves the opposite. Instead, worker productivity more than doubled, yet wages stagnated. The richest Americans saw their fortunes multiply – over 300 times – while most working families struggle to keep up.
Robert Hoeller, Lexington
Nobel Prize
Well, our schoolyard bully president is at it again – accepting from Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Machado her Nobel Peace Prize, a prize he claimed he deserves for stopping eight wars. Apparently, the pretend peace medal he got from the soccer organization didn’t satisfy his ego. Of course, when he displays it in his Presidential Library there will be a plaque noting that the Nobel voting was rigged, and the medal was stolen, and it was rightfully returned to him.
MAGA parents I know you’re proud of the fine example our President is setting for your children.
Jay Hopkins, Frankfort
Edited by Liz Carey
This story was originally published January 22, 2026 at 1:17 PM.