Fallon's Town Talk: Trump’s antics are shocking, but not surprising, as he carries out election promises

A few years ago a cousin of mine attended the Kennedy Summer School in Wexford. One of the contributors compared Brexit to Donald Trump’s victory in the 2016 US presidential election. He reckoned that Trump’s triumph would be a fleeting aberration but Brexit would have a much longer-lasting impact on Ireland and Europe. In fairness, his opinion would have been widely shared in the immediate wake of the seismic year of 2016.

Now, all is changed, changed utterly. Brexit is hardly talked about anymore, even in relation to its impact on Northern Ireland. Those sectors of the Irish economy most negatively affected have tried to adapt as best they can. Relations between Ireland and Britain are back on an even keel since Labour’s election win last year, but no leading British politician, including current prime minister Keir Starmer, would dare suggest rejoining the EU. Randomly, it is the actions of the aforementioned Donald Trump which are most likely to bring the EU and Britain closer together than at any time since the Brexit referendum. That is because Trump is threatening to reshape world geopolitics in a way hardly anyone under the age of 90 has seen in their lifetime.

Trump’s antics in the last two weeks have been shocking but not surprising: he is enacting all his major election promises. Domestically, his wingman, unelected billionaire Elon Musk, is dismantling the federal workforce, the US equivalent of the Irish civil service.

It’s the same on the international stage. Just four weeks into his second presidential term, Trump is intent on demolishing the world order which has existed since 1945. During the presidential campaign, he didn’t disguise his disdain for Ukraine, NATO or the EU.

With breathtaking brazenness, Trump blamed Ukraine for starting the war which reached its third anniversary this week, branding their leader, President Zelensky, a dictator. In contrast, he didn’t direct any criticism towards a real dictator, Vladimir Putin. Trump and his acolytes have bypassed the EU to hold direct negotiations with Russia.

The long-established conventional wisdom about the US’s role as the guarantor of preserving peace in Europe has been turned on its head as the US gets cosy with its arch-enemy Russia.

European leaders are flailing around trying to coordinate a response when they should have been getting ready for this eventuality for years. So far, public opinion in the US hasn’t turned against Trump over his outlandish claims about Ukraine.

Some people are adopting a grin and bear it attitude, hoping normality will return after the 2028 US election. It’s a risky strategy. As unpalatable as it will be to many, and as unlikely as it seemed in 2016, Trumpism isn’t going anywhere.

Only the most naïve will think Trump won’t attempt to circumvent the US constitution and seek a third term in The White House. Father Time rather than the law is his most likely obstacle. Yet, even if Trump’s age catches up with him, one of his family or the current vice-president, JD Vance, will pick up the mantle. Anyway, after what’s happened in four weeks, it’s anybody's guess what Trump will get up to in four years.

FRANK LENNON 

Sadness but also a sense of a life well lived intermingled with the news of the death of Frank Lennon. While Frank was synonymous with Kiltoom and very proud of his native place, he was also an intrinsic part of life in Roscommon Town.

He and his fellow Kiltoom man Padraig Muldoon sold fruit and vegetables from their vans on Main Street for years; Padraig is still going strong. Frank, whose van was always nearer the Square and parked outside Eight Til Late/Donnellan’s, retired some years ago but, thankfully, the tradition has been carried on by Frank’s son, Colm.

With Frank (and likewise with Padraig and Colm), it never mattered how long it was since last you called, the quantity of what you were buying or even if you didn’t buy anything at all.

He always had a quick, friendly smile and made time for a chat about any topic under the sun. He was never flustered or rushed.

Frank would come out with shrewd observations, witty comments and memorable phrases. I filed them away and have used them myself on occasion. My personal favourite was: “Breeding will come out in the eye of a cat.” Frank’s lasting legacy is his wonderful family. It was apt that in the last major football match held during Frank’s lifetime, his grandson Conor Hand played a starring role in Roscommon footballers’ win over Monaghan. May Frank rest in peace.