And Trump knows this.
Trump telegraphed openly and gave fair warning. Remember Carter’s response to the Soviets going into Afghanistan? A dangerous time because Brezhnev underestimated/misunderstood Democrat intentions. Giving up the neutron bomb in the beginning without anything in return suggested naiveté. You’re better off being a no nonsense bad guy. It leads to a safer world while the leftists call you racist and mean spirited.