HALIFAX—Enough is enough.

It is not at all certain that the world can take two more years of United States President Donald Trump. A dangerous and possibly demented man occupies the most powerful office in the world, and he is increasingly using it to lash out at anyone who opposes him.

His mood, like his popularity, is souring. Trump faces plummeting poll numbers and criticism even from his own party. Even the GOP smells the smoke in the political barn.

Trump’s war in Iran was supposed to demonstrate American power. Instead, it has done the opposite— shown an America in decline. Back in February Trump predicted victory over Iran in a few days. Months later, he now has the makings of a debacle on his hands. Some U.S. military bases have been shuttered in the Middle East, and new supply chains to support the troops and sailors are more distant, difficult, and costly. In effect, the U.S. has been chased out of missile range in the region. Trump’s America can no longer protect its allies in the Middle East. In fact, Iran is actually on the offensive.

The illegal Iran War has been a military and economic face-plant. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has driven up fuel and food prices to the point where Trump supporters are hurting, and some even contemplate voting for the Democrats in the upcoming mid-term elections. The shocking thing is that some Trump voters, tired of his tantrums and tirades, may just stay home in November. Republican volunteers are not even showing up to knock on doors or hammer in signs like they once did on Trump’s behalf. What is being called the “red undertow,” caused by Trump, may drown the Republican party. One Trump voter in Gobles, Mich., told The New York Times that he is baffled by the president: “He’s not making sense. It confuses me, and then I just get disgusted and tune out.”

And the GOP is not just floundering domestically. Trump is also losing prestige support on the international stage, a movement begun by Prime Minister Mark Carney. Where world leaders once flattered and fawned over him, some are now beginning to stand up.

A case in point: At the 81st United Nations General Assembly meeting, Norwegian foreign minister Espen Barth Eide expressed his deep concern in an interview after Trump mused about “annihilating” Iran. Calm and measured in his speech to the UN, Eide said, “It is our turn to face the monsters of our time.” Norway, a small country of only 5.7 million people, is one of the UN’s 10 largest donors. Eide said international law is only relevant if it is enforced for all peoples at all times.

Preposterously, Trump has been nominated for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, as have Carney and Pope Leo XIV. Trump continues to blame Norway for not receiving the prize, apparently forgetting that the Nobel Committee in Oslo is independent. The president’s aversion to fact knows no bounds.

Carney, who has become one of the principal critics of Trump on the world stage, did not meet with Trump on the sidelines of the UN. Instead, in his speech, Carney suggested less reliance on American power. His choice of words was telling: “And the alternative that Canada and many others are pursuing is values-based realism.” America should mull over the implications of Carney’s point. Because of Trump, countries around the world are deepening their relationship with another superpower: China.

Instead of mending badly damaged political fences, Trump has trashed Canada, threatening to make it the 51st American state. Influential U.S. pastors have also supported Alberta secession. Trump’s trillionnaire buddy Elon Musk has openly called on Quebec, Alberta, and Saskatchewan to separate from Canada. Talk about unwanted political interference in this country’s affairs from the world’s richest and most insolent man. Sadly, Alberta separatists have welcomed the support. Musk is also leader of Project Meridian, which will examine the future of warfare for the Pentagon. What better person to move the monstrosity of war to space.

Under the Trump administration, there appears to be an anti-Canada influence campaign underway. Border agents are hassling and harassing Canadians as they return to British Columbia from the U.S. The governor of Florida said he wanted to eliminate property taxes for local homesteaders by jacking up the already higher taxes on Canadians who own property in the state.

The potty-mouthed president recently urged supporters at a Vandalia, Ohio, rally to turn out for the midterm vote. He told them to imagine that he was on the ballot. “Just get out and vote. If you do that, we’re going to win, and we’re going to win big, and we’re going to shove it up their ass.” All of the polling shows that it is the GOP that will have the sore backside after the November midterm elections.


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How bad has Trump bungled his second stint the White House? In epic fashion. California Governor Gavin Newsom has called for the use of Sec. 4 of the 25th amendment to remove Trump, claiming that the president is “mentally ill,” deranged, and dangerous. As proof, Newsom cited the president’s threats against major Californian cities. During a campaign rally in Grand Island, Nebr., Trump said of Iran, “Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego.” In a bizarre turn, Trump said it would be a small price to pay to keep the country and world safe from conflict. Newsom responded, “Trump’s remarks were dangerous—if not treasonous—putting a target on two of our biggest cities and one of America’s largest naval hubs.” Over 115,000 active duty military personnel would be put at risk.

Would Trump’s removal change much? Even though J.D. Vance would become acting president, it is hard to imagine that Vance or any of the other cabinet lapdogs around Trump would dare to remove him. Trump would certainly fight tooth and nail against his forced removal from office.

Here’s how it would work: Vance and the cabinet would have four days to reaffirm their attempt to dump Trump, and send the dispute to Congress. Congress would then have 21 days to act. It would also need a two-thirds vote in both chambers to succeed. Sec. 4 has never been invoked against a U.S. president.

In the meantime, the president has downplayed the issues that plague him at home. He has talked up a non-existent “booming” economy, and called the affordability crisis a “hoax.” He has also described the increase in the cost of gas as “peanuts.” That is a hard sell to lower-income families facing hour-long commutes to work.

Billionaire’s blindness and the price of gas may ultimately be the end of Trump’s tumultuous tenure.

Michael Harris is an award-winning author and journalist.

The Hill Times