The Deflection strategy: Trump’s tweets and the Tory reshuffle

During times of divisive rhetoric and outlandish politics, both leaders from either side of the pond have dealt with their dwindling administrations with one common plan: deflection.

Trump’s diabolical approach to foreign diplomacy has seen him tweet jabs and threats to the most dangerous dictator across the globe. His recent controversial tweet saw him compare his nuclear button to North Korea’s, goading an already insane leader who wouldn’t think twice about testing his nuclear power on U.S soil. Furthermore, the president continues to jibe at the transgender community, the Muslim population and the undocumented immigrants. His revolving White House staff door has proved to the worldwide public that we are currently watching a Real Housewives-esque reality TV episode unfold in Washington.

I can’t help but wonder whether the looming Mueller investigation into Russian collusion has anything to do with his deflection. His fiery outbursts mean many are looking the other way when it comes to Russia, avoiding what could be a serious threat to U.S democracy due to Russian bots. It was reported that Mueller’s investigation is nearing to an interview with Trump himself, a move that Trump might not be able to control. If this happens,we will see another barbaric attack from his iPhone, condemning another group of people which will then incite hate crime. All just to get the attention away from his alleged collusion with the Russian government. His deflection, although unsuccessful, reminds me of another incompetent leader in the Western world.

Only yesterday, the governing Conservative Party announced a reshuffle of their ministers in the Cabinet. The education secretary, a somewhat O.K secretary in an already calamitous ministry, resigned due to differences with the aloof Theresa May. The Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, saw his role expanded although his popularity has been debilitating due to the NHS winter woe. The reshuffle made headline news, and the increasing austerity measures which have been crippling the country as well as the weak Brexit negotiations became a sombre back burner for a brief period.

I can’t help but wonder whether May’s moving around was an act of strategic planning on her part, to give the country something else to talk about rather than her cold and uninspiring premiership. Like her American counterpart, though, it was an unsuccessful deflecting motive, and we are still not backing down. The idea of deflection is not helping our inherently unpopular situations, so May and Trump have to tackle it head on to avoid any more increasing anger from their voters.