On February 21, 2025, a report emerged highlighting ongoing concerns about the frequent occurrence of ethics scandals in politics, often overshadowed by ongoing events. Recently, activists staged a protest in front of Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate ahead of the upcoming German elections. They expressed opposition to the perceived support by the US and Russia for Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump, engaging through Truth Social, criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, labeling him a “dictator” and suggesting that he acted poorly amidst the prolonged Russian invasion. Trump also claimed, without evidence, that Ukraine initiated the conflict with Russia. Meanwhile, preparations for potential Trump-Putin negotiations were seen as setting the pace for significant geopolitical shifts.
Comparisons have been drawn to Neville Chamberlain’s controversial meeting with Hitler in 1938, as Trump’s actions are considered by some to similarly undermine states the U.S. previously pledged to support. However, Trump’s support for the normalization of U.S.-Russia relations is said to be linked to potential economic opportunities discussed by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Russia’s sovereign wealth fund expects a resurgence of U.S. companies returning for business, despite past economic sanctions.
In financial matters, Trump participated in the launch of the “$TRUMP” crypto asset, which rapidly increased in value, likened to historical financial bubbles such as the 17th-century Dutch tulip mania. Concerns about a lack of real asset backing and influence peddling in this market have been raised. The crypto industry’s substantial contributions to the 2024 election cycle were mostly directed towards pro-crypto candidates, including Trump, influencing his administration’s policies towards cryptocurrency.
Furthermore, Trump issued an executive order shifting regulatory authority over entities such as the SEC and FCC, viewed as a significant concentration of power within the executive branch. His administration’s approach is marked by minimal resistance due to weakened regulatory checks, merging political and business interests for personal financial benefit.
This article by Sasha Abramsky critiques the Trump administration’s conduct, particularly focusing on the blending of Trump’s business ventures with his political actions, raising questions about conflicts of interest and the potential long-term impacts on international alliances and ethical governance.
