CNN host Abby Phillip delivered a striking analysis of former President Donald Trump's recent foreign policy maneuvers, drawing a parallel to a famous cinematic moment. Just ten days into the new year, Phillip suggested Trump appears to be emulating Leonardo DiCaprio's iconic "king of the world" declaration from the 1997 film "Titanic."
A Series of Bold Assertions
On CNN's "Saturday Morning Table for Five," Phillip outlined a list of actions underpinning this assessment. First, she pointed to the brazen U.S. military operation in Caracas, Venezuela, last week. The operation resulted in the capture and extradition of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife to face federal narco-conspiracy and drug trafficking charges, with dozens of security personnel allegedly killed.
Phillip noted that while plans for the aftermath are vague, one motive is clear: Venezuela's vast oil reserves. Trump has stated the U.S. will be "very strongly involved" in the future of the country's oil, the largest proven reserves globally.
Expanding the Scope of Intervention
Second, Phillip highlighted that Trump has threatened similar actions against other nations, including Colombia and Cuba. Third, she cited his renewed interest in acquiring Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory. Trump revisited this idea from his first term after the Venezuela operation, asserting that control of Greenland, potentially by U.S. military force, is vital for national security. An advisor argued the U.S. feels "entitled" to own the NATO ally.
Trump has also signaled a hardened stance toward Mexico, warning the country to get "their act together." Phillip concluded this series of proclamations by referencing Trump's statement that the only limit to his powers on the world stage is his "own mortality," and his claim that the U.S. does not "need international law."
The 'Donroe' Doctrine in Action
Phillip argued this aggressive posture represents a significant application of the so-called "Donroe" doctrine—Trump's interpretation of the 1823 Monroe Doctrine. The original doctrine, articulated by President James Monroe, warned European powers against interference in the Western Hemisphere.
Following Maduro's capture, the U.S. State Department echoed this sentiment on social media, stating, "This is OUR hemisphere, and President Trump will not allow our security to be threatened." New York Post correspondent Lydia Moynihan defended Trump's actions on CNN, aligning them with the historical Monroe Doctrine and the Founding Fathers' principles, quoting, "There is no liberty without virtue."
This collection of events and statements paints a picture of a foreign policy approach that is unilateral, assertive, and openly dismissive of international norms, leading analysts like Abby Phillip to characterize it with a memorable Hollywood reference.
