Although I had a partial conflict on the night of the QJL 13th anniversary celebration, I made sure to be there, since I am one of the writers. I also came because one of the honorees was Paul Brody. I have known Paul for a long time. It does not appear that he is slowing down. He is working full time and is still involved in Jewish causes. Paul is a throwback to a time when people would have political disagreements, but it would not affect their relationship.
I thought the event was to celebrate the paper and the honorees. Instead, it ended up becoming a right-wing-Republican-Trump pep rally. One of the speakers asked everyone who has joined or is joining the Republican Party to stand up, and the majority did. There was also repeated bashing of the Democratic Party and praising of Trump and Republicans. My initial reaction was that this was inappropriate. Upon reflection, I realized this is the Queens Jewish Link. With the exception of myself and maybe one other columnist, the Queens Jewish Link is a right-wing, Trumpian, pro-Republican, and anti-Democratic Party publication. That was also why Moshe Hill was repeatedly mentioned at the event. His views are the views most associated with the paper.
Now on to my main topic: the disastrous press conference involving Trump, Vance, and Zelenskyy. Some believe that Zelenskyy was set up by Trump and Vance. Whether this is true or not is irrelevant. No one came out looking good. The Ukrainian president had to know what he was getting into. Trump had repeatedly attacked him and blamed Ukraine for the starting the war, and the United States had voted against the UN resolution blaming Russia for starting the war and demanding that they withdraw. Vance was not much better. I have been in a similar position having to litigate in a court of the county where the opposing counsel is from and with the court being against me.
The important thing to remember, which Zelenskyy forgot, is that you must keep your cool. You may know that you are being shafted, but you cannot let your emotions get the best of you. Zelenskyy was right to make his arguments, even if he would not change Trump’s mind. There was a wider audience he was speaking to. However, he was wrong trying to talk over the president.
The biggest loser is J.D. Vance. After hearing him, I realized that the initials J.D. stand for Just Dumb. First, Vance attacked the Biden administration’s approach and talked about diplomacy. Zelenskyy in response went through the history of Putin making deals and then breaking them. Vance then got upset and lectured Zelenskyy about making arguments publicly. When Vance later tried to use a Russian talking point about Ukraine having trouble obtaining conscripts, Zelenskyy shut him down, pointing out he had never ever been in the country. Here was a Yale Law School graduate being bested by a guy who can barely speak English. Also, Vance had a chance to cool the tone of the conservation when the conversation between Trump and Zelenskyy started to get a little heated. Instead, he threw gasoline on the fire by again attacking the visiting president.
It came across to many that Trump and Vance were ganging up on Zelenskyy. On substance, Zelenskyy performed admirably, considering the fact that it was two against one and that English is not Zelenskyy’s native language. Trump and Vance relish being considered a bully, so they had no problem with it.
This event was classic Trump. He said this will make great television. He made a bunch of false statements and acted like a bully. The usual “villains” were mentioned, such as Senator Adam Schiff, Hillary Clinton, and Hunter Biden, as well as past presidents Biden and Obama. Trump defended Putin in referring to Russia meddling in the 2016 election, saying that Putin went through the “phony witch hunt.” Trump also said the United States is now neutral in the war between Ukraine and Russia and that Ukraine better make a deal or else. This is a shocking change to 80 years of United States foreign policy.
He then sent Zelenskyy home like a principal sending a child home for misbehaving. Meanwhile, Trump did not get the rare earth and minerals he wanted from Ukraine. The lap dogs in the Republican Party all blamed Zelenskyy and praised Trump. In contrast, the leaders of the United Kingdom and Western Europe came to Ukraine’s defense and made sure to give public support.
Although many people thought that this event was shocking, the substance of the meeting was not shocking. It just crystalized in a forceful way that Trump is bullying Ukraine. Trump has switched American policy from supporting Ukraine to being either neutral or supporting Russia. He likes and trusts Putin more than Zelenskyy. Western Europe cannot trust the United States to defend them. Trump, in just over one month, has done more damage to United States foreign policy than any other president since at least post the Second World War. Putin is probably sending a message to Trump: From Russia, With Love.
Warren S. Hecht is a local attorney. He can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
