A Sack of Stupidity

MY PERSPECTIVE - Never rule out yet another Donald Trump display of overwhelming stupidity.

His recent deal with Putin calls for the United States to buy 300,000 tons of diesel fuel, with more in later months- including 500,000 tons in November. Purportedly the influx will ease domestic fuel prices.

Exactly where Russia (already facing fuel shortages from Ukraine’s attacks on its refineries, and its shadow fleet getting shot up like ducks in a pond), is going to source and deliver these exports is puzzling experts. It is reported that the International Energy Agency says Russian diesel output has fallen by about 30%.

What’s more, the proposed shipments represent only a couple of days of daily diesel consumption for the United States, assuming the fuel is delivered in the agreed upon quantities. At best, the impact on prices here would be minimal.

And then there are the stipulations of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026.  Imports from Russia will be subject to punitive tariffs.  I guess we will assign punitive tariffs on ourselves!

The whole deal is a charade designed to bring down the Zelensky administration.  Trump wants Ukraine to capitulate to Putin’s one-sided demands. What better way to accomplish this then by eliminating the only leverage Ukraine has in the war…..destabilizing Russia’s economy!

Trump has never gotten his failure to end the Russia-Ukraine war on his first day in office, although only his most fervent sycophants would have believed that boast when he won in 2024. He is also still vexed at not winning the Nobel Peace Prize. But these are the fringe reasons for his hostility towards Ukraine.

The underlying current driving him is access to Russian mineral wealth; make a deal regardless of the ruinous impact it has on a sovereign democracy.

How quickly the US Congress reacts will determine how far this scheme goes.

I believe we will be mired in litigation for at least a few months before Trump’s plan can be defeated.

Until then, we are stuck with a sack of something proffered by the White House.

(Paul Hatfield is a longtime community advocate and civic leader. He currently serves as a board member and past president of the Valley Village Residents Association and is a former Treasurer and board member of the Neighborhood Council Valley Village. A licensed CPA and experienced accounting consultant, Paul brings financial expertise to his community service. He regularly writes for CityWatch, focusing on city governance, fiscal accountability, and transparency in Los Angeles public affairs.)