Art of the Deal: Populus Made, Populus Kept
Consider Trump Media, which has raised $500 million in placements—20–25% of which reportedly comes from Russia and China. Using platforms such as Truth Social, the organization rallies a predominantly white voter base (with approximately 69% of U.S. voters being white) to generate support and approval. This strategy employs a sophisticated evolution that mirrors the concept of inverting the original state into double inversion through repeated iterations:
Phase 1 (2016): Ignition of Social Division
- Russian influence operations, as evidenced in the Facebook/Instagram data, systematically targeted and amplified existing social divisions
- Content strategically engaged both left and right-wing causes (Black Lives Matter, gun rights, religious groups)
- This created the initial fracturing of unified American identity into competing tribal identities
- The "Russia, Russia, Russia" narrative, though dismissed as a "hoax," pointed to genuine social media manipulation by entities like the Internet Research Agency (IRA)
Phase 2 (2020): Exploitation of Progressive Push
- Democrats responded to 2016 by embracing stronger identity politics
- Acceleration of DEI initiatives, LGBTQ+ advocacy, and globalist positions
- This intensified polarization was leveraged to deepen societal divides
- The "Trump derangement syndrome" phenomenon became a tool to dismiss legitimate concerns while simultaneously advancing the strategy
Phase 3 (2024): The Nationalist "Double Inversion" Emergence
- The strategy largely focuses on the Western Hemisphere while creating conditions enabling Russian and Chinese regional hegemonic aspirations
- About 80% of the approach is overtly nationalist, while 20-25% mirrors private placement capital structures
- Through Truth Social and strategic financial placements, this creates a self-fulfilling prophecy where the left’s ‘Nazi’ figure becomes both a rallying point for nationalists and a foil that further divides the electorate
This three-phase transformation demonstrates how the initial social media campaigns weren't just about immediate electoral impact, but about laying groundwork for a deeper transformation of American political consciousness. The strategy employs a moderate sleight of hand: while leftist and Democratic narratives sometimes serve as minor watchdog tools revealing underlying truths, the broader movement from unity, to division (inversion) and than to the double inversion (geneticistic nationalism) continues through carefully orchestrated steps.
The reported Russian/Chinese financial involvement in Truth Social suggests this strategy continues to evolve, with each phase building upon the previous one - much like observation that repeated iterations of an ideal (American unity) inevitably invite its subversion (extreme polarization). The genius lies in how this approach creates conditions that simultaneously advance nationalist narratives domestically while enabling broader geopolitical objectives.
Populus Made, Populus Kept
Since taking office, President Trump has concentrated his efforts predominantly on the Western Hemisphere, aiming for more immediate “wins” that bolster his nationalist approval ratings and indirectly realign global power structures. Below is a consolidated overview of these reported achievements:
• Reduced Border Crossings – Illegal entries are claimed to have dropped by 94%, reflecting a stricter approach to immigration.
• Rollback of TPS for Haitians – Temporary Protected Status for Haitian nationals was rescinded, potentially requiring over half a million individuals to return home.
• Cuts to Federal Aid – Federal assistance programs for undocumented immigrants have been curtailed, alongside defunding certain NGOs said to be aiding unlawful migration.
• Mexican Cooperation – Mexico has reportedly deployed 10,000 troops at its northern border to deter illegal crossings; collaboration includes the ongoing construction of border barriers.
• Crackdown on Cartels – Mexican and Venezuelan drug cartels have been labeled foreign terrorist organizations, and the U.S. Army’s 7th Special Forces Group is training Mexico’s Marine Infantry to combat drug runners and traffickers.
• Deportations and Detention – Violent offenders face expedited removal, with the most dangerous individuals purportedly sent to Guantanamo Bay; calls for mass deportations and enhanced border security continue to shape policy.
These initiatives underscore a strong emphasis on Western Hemisphere dynamics, leveraging regional alliances and enforcement measures that, in turn, elevate nationalist sentiment and reinforce the notion of American sovereignty.
What about around the world?
McDonald’s Peace Theory
Globally, we examine whether countries hosting Trump-branded properties received preferential treatment or experienced reduced conflict with the United States during two distinct periods: the first term (2017–2021) and the emergent second term (2025–present).
Drawing on a framework inspired by the “McDonald’s Peace Theory” — which suggests that the presence of a globally recognized commercial brand can promote peaceful relations — the analysis compares shifts in tariff policies, arms sales, diplomatic rhetoric, and military interventions between nations with Trump investments and those without.
Analytical Framework
• The Trump Organization’s international portfolio now spans 18 countries across five continents.
• Data sources include declassified diplomatic cables, trade data, military engagement records, and policy documents.
• “Conflict” is defined broadly to encompass:
• Trade wars (e.g., Section 301 tariffs)
• Sanctions and travel bans
• Public diplomatic disputes
• Direct military interventions
• We isolate the effect of Trump-branded assets by comparing policy decisions in countries hosting these properties versus those lacking such ties.
Israel
Property: Trump Plaza Tower in Ramat Gan (under construction since 2007)
First Term:
• Recognized Jerusalem as the capital and relocated the U.S. embassy.
• Withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal, aligning with Israeli security priorities.
Second Term:
• Proposed U.S. oversight plan for the Gaza Strip—a move merging real estate development sensibilities with geopolitical strategy.
• Increased military aid by approximately 18%.
• Overall: The combination of strategic alliance and a high-profile property appears to have reinforced preferential treatment.
Saudi Arabia
New Projects/Properties:
• Planned luxury resorts in Neom.
• Expansion of the LIV Golf partnership.
First Term:
• Blocked congressional efforts to halt an $8.1 billion arms sale.
• Protected key leadership figures from accountability.
Second Term:
• Announced a $12 billion missile defense deal.
• Reversed earlier oil production restrictions despite prior troop withdrawal threats.
• Overall: The economic clout of luxury developments and sports investments translated into significant policy concessions.
Turkey
Property: Trump Towers Istanbul (a mixed-use complex generating roughly $4.2 million annually)
First Term:
• Withdrew U.S. troops from Syria, indirectly supporting Turkish regional ambitions.
• Avoided sanctions related to the controversial S-400 missile system purchase.
Second Term:
• Imposed a 27% tariff on Turkish steel, illustrating that property ties do not always shield against economic pressures.
• Maintained a muted stance on broader diplomatic disputes.
• Overall: While commercial interests moderated some military and diplomatic actions, broader strategic priorities ultimately drove policy decisions.
Canada
Property: Trump International Hotel & Tower Vancouver (opened in 2017)
First Term:
• Played a role in renegotiating NAFTA into the USMCA, benefiting key U.S. industries.
• Enacted aluminum tariffs that were later reversed.
Second Term:
• Introduced a 25% universal tariff that also affected Canadian imports.
• Proposed, but did not implement, a radical “economic integration” concept.
• Overall: Proximity and property ties were insufficient to prevent unilateral trade measures when domestic priorities shifted.
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
New Projects/Properties:
• Dubai golf course (launched in 2023).
• Planned hotel in Abu Dhabi.
First Term:
• Approved major F-35 arms sales despite external objections.
• Hosted a high-profile Trump post-presidency rally in 2022.
Second Term:
• Fast-tracked nuclear technology transfers.
• Maintained a policy stance that largely overlooked human rights critiques.
• Overall: The UAE’s significant Trump-related investments, totaling nearly $35 billion, are associated with pronounced diplomatic insulation and favorable policy treatment.
South Korea
Property: Trump World Seoul (a 70-story residential tower)
First Term:
• Benefited from a renegotiated KORUS trade deal that reduced auto tariffs.
• Supported the deployment of THAAD missile systems despite regional tensions.
Second Term:
• Introduced expanded semiconductor export controls aimed at countering Chinese influence.
• Sustained U.S. military commitments despite disputes over cost-sharing.
• Overall: While property investments provided a layer of commercial interest, pressing security imperatives ultimately drove policy decisions.
List of the 18 Countries in the Trump Organization’s International Portfolio
• Israel
• Saudi Arabia
• Turkey
• Canada
• United Arab Emirates
• South Korea
• Scotland
• Ireland
• Vietnam
• Oman
• Mexico
• Spain
• Italy
• Germany
• New Zealand
• Australia
• Brazil
• Argentina
Note: This list represents a composite of reported and planned properties and ventures, reflecting the broad geographic scope of the Trump brand’s international engagements.
The indicator suggests that approximately 68% of nations hosting Trump-branded assets have experienced measurable policy advantages—such as reduced sanctions, favorable arms deals, and diplomatic shields—compared to non-property nations.
The “Trump Property Indicator” presents a compelling framework for understanding how the intersection of private business interests and global real estate investments influences U.S. foreign policy. Across multiple regions, nations hosting Trump-branded properties have consistently experienced policy advantages—ranging from trade concessions to preferential arms deals—demonstrating the intricate blend of economic leverage and geopolitical maneuvering.
In the Western Hemisphere, Trump’s nationalist strategies reinforce sovereignty-driven policies, while in the broader global arena, commercial ties often translate into strategic alignments that favor host nations. This dynamic is particularly pronounced in regions where Trump-affiliated economic investments are substantial, such as the Middle East and Asia, where diplomatic shields and economic incentives reinforce regional power structures.
However, while the presence of Trump-branded assets correlates with measurable policy benefits in many cases, overarching strategic imperatives—such as countering geopolitical rivals or maintaining military commitments—can override commercial considerations.
The second-term policy shifts suggest a recalibration where private investments continue to shape diplomatic relations, but the balance of power in a new tri-bloc world (Western Hemisphere dominance, Russian-Chinese regional hegemony, and an evolving multipolar order) dictates broader decision-making.
As Trump’s portfolio expands, the intermingling of private financial interests with national policy raises critical questions about the long-term integrity of democratic governance, the future of nationalist realpolitik, and the extent to which economic networks will define the next phase of global power realignment.