He did not need to subject himself to the slings and arrows of politics.
No he didn’t, and in many ways he is dealing with issues that needed to be dealt with domestically, but when it comes to foreign policy he is deranged. He is completely destroying trust with allies and whilst his “trolling” of Canadians might look hilarious to MAGA supporters, his allies and partners, who are a vital part of America’s security and trading economy, are viewing things very differently, and I think MAGA supporters are genuinely of the belief that throwing America’s weight around declaring trade wars and “joking” about annexing allies is going to get it’s allies and trading partners to kneel to them and bow with unconditional fealty. It’s that kind of arrogance that is going to destroy the US as a superpower and leader of the free world.