Remember Wannabe Princess Ivanka during Trump’s first term? Knowing the true relationship (or lack of) between Trumpty and ‘Melanie’ Ivanka had designs on assuming the role of First Lady. Melania wasn’t having that. The potential for grift and the glamour First Lady’s usually get wasn’t something she’d give up even if it meant (to her) crap like ‘do-eeng the fooking Chrees-Mus decorations’ So Ivanka tried her hand at “Playing Diplomacy. She faced planted there too, something Kristi Noem would have done well to consider before trying it herself.
Who knows? With it clear to everyone Melania and Trump are no more a couple than I’m starting for my beloved Chicago Cubs (or ever could have) perhaps Noem has fantasies of Melania and Trump finally divorcing and Trump making HER Trophy Wife #4. I’m not sure Trump would be a step up from the lying, cheating abusive scumbag Corey Lewandowski but what the hell. Noem is doing everything Trumpty wants as DHS Secretary and doesn’t seem to be the apple of his eye, much less someone he’d dump Melania for. So perhaps she’s decided to try and up her game. Show that in addition to being ICE Barbie she can do what Wannabe Princess Ivanka couldn’t – ‘Play Diplomacy’ with Argentina and make a mess of it.Kristi
As this article from The Independent tells us Noem’s foray into making diplomatic deals didn’t just fall flat – it resulted in an embarrassing failure. As I noted in the title a senior administration official told Axios “Let’s just say this was not a great look from us.” And added it was “embarrassing.” By now you’re asking what the hell happened. Allow me to explain. Relations between Argentina and the U.S. have improved as their leader has sucked up to Trump. Things had improved a good deal and to the point of discussions about allowing American and Argentinian citizens to travel back and forth for up to 90 days without Visas.
Yes, as head of DHS it’s fair to say Noem would have a chance to weigh in on this. However she’s NOT the Secretary of State. Marco Rubio is and while he is for the improved relations with Argentina he’s had legitimate concerns about the corruption there. For good reason as the country has such a long and sordid history of corrupt leaders. Rubio understandably wants to have some “rules” in place to cover Trumpty’s fat orange butt if Argentina pulls some stunt that brings international scorn.
So while Rubio has worked towards the aforementioned agreement he wasn’t ready to sign off on it. That’s when Noem got way the hell out over her skis (hence the title pic – I’m an old fart and saw that video clip of ‘the agony of defeat’ every Saturday when Wide World of Sports came on. Ski jumping is a dangerous sport. So is diplomacy, even for people who know what the hell they are doing. Noem doesn’t.
Noem somehow became convinced a deal had been reached and tried to steal some spotlight from Rubio. She invited honchos from Argentina to Washington DC for a formal signing ceremony. And they came. Only to be told at their stopover in Miami to turn around and go home! It turns out the “deal” was “missing a signature” on our end. I’ve explained Rubio wasn’t ready to sign off on the whole thing and why. Noem should damn well have known this.
All this started when Noem visited Argentina in July intending to hold discussions on Argentina being allowed to re-enter the Visa Waiver Program. For me that prompts some questions in and of itself. WHO authorized her do do it? It’s clear it wasn’t Rubio and Trump’s not the kind of guy to get into such granular detail. That’s what got me to thinking of Noem as the ill-fated ski jumper who wasn’t really qualified to be competing. Regardless, according to Axios reporting:
“Under President Javier Milei’s leadership, Argentina is becoming an even stronger friend to the United States — more committed than ever to border security for both of our nations,” Noem said in July.
However, Noem signed a visa waiver accord with Argentina, indicating the two countries would work toward a more formal agreement, without the Secretary of State’s prior approval,
It ticked Rubio off as I said and weeks later Chief of Staff Susie Wiles sent out a memo which included a quite specific instruction to administration officials as a reminder to “clear the purpose and scope of any proposed call, conversation, meeting or trip with the [National Security Council] prior to engagement.” It’s impossible to believe Noem literally didn’t get the memo! That’s why Noem inviting the Argentinian officials for a formal signing ceremony in DC is so baffling. She knew, or damn well should have known to make sure State/Rubio was in on things.
I think she knew Rubio simply had too many concerns to move forward but Noem thought if he got word the Argentinian’s were on their way he’d relent. And he said ‘hell no’ forcing them to spend a couple of days hanging out in Miami before going home. EMPTY HANDED. If I’m right and I think I am she got so far out over her skis a disaster was inevitable. Which is what happened.
Noem embarrassed herself in the United States AND Argentina too. I just hope the dickhead in charge in Argentina made a big fuss as the delegation left about the deal they’d return home with. Having to admit not only was there no deal but that the U.S. Secretary of State had raised issues that had to be addressed first won’t do much for HIS image. I’ll close with this thought. Trumpty has a lot on his plate, but he’s sensitive as hell about his image and this makes him look bad to a world leader who’s been kissing his ass. So, will he focus his anger on Noem or Rubio? Or both? Stay tuned.
Noem needs to leave any fantasies of becoming the fourth Frau Drumpf by the wayside. As far as Drumpf is concerned, she’s “spoiled goods.” She’s already been married (and, legally, still is–since 1992) and worse, she’s got three grown children (2 daughters who are each married and a son who’s just a little older than Barron). Even worse, she’s a GRANDMOTHER (the two daughters have each spawned offspring of their own)! Even leaving out the affair (or “alleged affair”) with Lowendowski, Drumpf isn’t going to want anyone’s PUBLIC “sloppy seconds.” I doubt that any of Drumpf’s brides could wear white for its original/traditional reason but, as far as I’m aware, none of them had been publicly married so they–and Drumpf–could engage in a “virgin bride” fantasy.
I agree with everything you said except the last part. Trump had no illusions any of his Trophy Wives were virginal or limited in sexual experience. Plus it’s not unique to Trump that guys who marry Trophy Wives see themselves as purchasing a commodity. Eye candy to wear on their arm at times and to maintain appearances of a home/happy marriage. And pump out a kid or two so he can nudge his buddies, point to his lovely and younger Trophy Wife and brag ‘I’m tapping that.’ There’s the prenup of course and if the Trophy Wife fulfills her end of the bargain including meeting sexual demands and convincing him he’s still an awesome lover) she collects her agreed upon compensation. A financial settlement that sets her up well, provides for a top level education for the kid(s) and a condo or house. Maybe one of each. It’s in effect a contract with an extremely high end escort, the only exception being it’s public and she has to sell the notion to passably make it look like she married for love AND she has a kid as proof he’s had sex with her! But no one is under any illusions of it being some virgin bride thing.
As for Noem perhaps I didn’t make the point strongly enough that she’s effing delusional and for all the reasons you mentioned. So is Jeanine Pirro who I think has similar fantasies and Pam Bondi too. I’m not sure Stefanik did but hell, you never know. Noem might be a kindred spirit to Trump in many ways including being a ruthless psycopath, and being tall with a nice build and big implants that some guys would bang if given the chance she might well think Trump would go for her. I alluded to myself earlier.
For most of my life (starting at five years old after seeing my first major league game in person) dreamed of sitting in Wrigley Field during a World Series game. For decades as an adult it grew. The bulk of guys might have dreamed of spending a week at the Playboy Mansion in its heyday with Hef introducing me around with a wink to the gals as he said to make sure I enjoyed myself. Not me. All I wanted more than anything (other than one day each with my parents who died when I was just growing into adulthood) was to sit in Wrigley Field during a world series game. I didn’t even wish for the Cubs to actually win the game. That seemed like far too much to wish for. After a half decade of wishing for the Cubs to at least be in the Series I grieved over having to accept that like so many generations I would die without seeing the Cubs win the pennant.
Then damn if they didn’t just make it into the Series but win. Noem can forget about that happening for her, being Trophy Wife #4. But she sure seems to be trying like hell to get Trump to warm to the idea!
Ice Barbie having her dreams of grandeur crushed? Couldn’t happen to a more deserving person…..