Is the USA the latest ‘Shithole’ Country?

On January 12, 2018, during a news conference with the Norwegian prime minister President Trump referred to Haiti, El Salvador and African countries as ‘shithole’ countries. If any country today deserves that description, it will be the USA led by Donald Trump.

That country has become the laughing stock of a large part of the rest of the world. Even in the US some people seem to have had enough. Here are some words on some T-shirts/jerseys in the US: “For the first time in history you can simply post ‘HE’s AN IDIOT and 90% of the world would know whom you are talking about”. “Sometimes I feel down. But then I remember I could have been born with an IQ low enough to think Trump is an amazing president”. “Orange on the Outside, Hollow on the Inside. Should be thrown out in November”. Former coach of Serena Williams said, “This dude lies as much as he draws breath”.

According to UK member of Parliament Ed Davey, “Trump is acting like an International gangster … he is a bully who thinks he can grab whatever he can using force if necessary … he is corrupt, the most corrupt president the US has seen.” He urged the UK government to stand up to him with its European allies. The US’s closest ally, Canada, through its Prime Minister Carney and the Premier of Ontario Doug Ford, have been standing up to him; Ford responding verbally to his rhetoric said “I’ve got Skin like an Alligator! And do you think an insult like that hurts me”? The PM meanwhile is trying to diversify its trade with other countries. He has been retaliating to Trump’s every move where tariffs and trade restrictions are concerned and trying to build strong relationships with other countries. The world for him is moving beyond Trump. Canada, he warned, will not be throttled! Regarding his confusing statements, about the Gulf of Hormuz, Bernie Sanders reminded him that he was the president, NOT A MAD KING. ACT LIKE IT”. A friend of mine sent this to me “Trump is a head. If you can’t be famous, then be infamous! Either way you will get the attention”.

But what does he want? We know without a shadow of doubt that he is racist and xenophobic and is about increasing the wealth of himself and his family. But there has to be something more, even taking into account that he has lost touch with reality. Despite his low polls he wants America to imagine he is on the ballot for the mid term elections. Despite his bravado he is promising the American public US$ 5,000 each, but only if the Republicans regain control of Congress. His efforts to dismantle mail-in voting are being rejected by the Courts. Efforts to withdraw polling divisions to suit Republican candidates have only been partially successful.

He is obsessed with naming things after America and himself. So, in his ‘cold war’ with Canada Lake Ontario is to become Lake America; the Gulf of Mexico is in his mind now the Gulf of America; the Strait of Hormuz will be also the Gulf of America or is it of Trump! He wants to change the name of New Mexico, but its Governor, Michelle Lujan Grisham stated “New Mexico’s name isn’t up for debate. Its been ours since before the US existed.!” His obsession with a Nobel Peace Prize is something else. He organised for the 2026 Prize given to Venezuelan Opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado to be handed to him. Unfortunately for him it is not transferable. He is clearly unhinged. His midnight/early morning postings on social media replete with all kinds of expletives are something to behold. Sometimes over one hundred in a few hours, “Open the F…ing Strait, you crazy bastards. Tuesday will be Power Plant Day and Bridge Day”. No wonder he is often caught sleeping at functions! His latest claim is that the war will end and gas prices fall after the mid-term elections, providing of course that the Republicans win. Usually on the many occasions when he is booed by the crowds, he refers to their enthusiasm.

For Americans to put up with all that sh.. must mean that the problem goes beyond Trump. America is without doubt a ‘Shithole’ Country.

• Dr Adrian Fraser is a social commentator and historian