We're Not Gonna Take It: Oligarchs Over Allies, and What Comes Next
Trump's Risky Game with Putin and Ukraine's Fight for Survival
Drawing from insights shared on Michael Cohen’s “Unleashed” podcast and strategic analysis in the “Next Move” newsletter, this article exposes a troubling reality: Donald Trump’s foreign policy seems driven by personal enrichment and manipulation rather than American or allied interests. As Ukraine battles for survival against Russia, Trump’s actions risk prolonging the conflict while benefiting his inner circle. Below, we break down the key dynamics and what must happen to shift the playing field.
Ukraine
Negotiating for Oligarch Wealth, Not National Interest: Trump’s erratic stance—tough on Ukraine’s Zelenskyy one moment, conciliatory the next, while cozying up to Putin—appears designed to unlock sanctioned Russian oligarch money, potentially worth half a trillion dollars. This isn’t about advancing U.S. foreign policy but about personal gain, with figures like Jared Kushner and Steven Witkoff steering the agenda toward enriching Trump’s empire.
Tomahawk Tease and Putin’s Upper Hand: Despite public bravado, Trump has consistently delayed or withheld critical weapons like Tomahawk missiles, which Russia fears for their precision. After a 2.5-hour call with Putin, Trump backed off arming Ukraine, swayed by Russian warnings. Zelenskyy’s recent White House visit yielded no missiles, with Trump’s focus fixed on a proposed Budapest summit in Putin ally Viktor Orban’s territory—a clear diplomatic trap for Ukraine.
A Pre-Planned Scheme Echoing Gaza: This Ukraine strategy mirrors promises made in the Middle East, where real estate gains were dangled for geopolitical concessions. Putin was expected to swiftly conquer Ukraine, but his military failures frustrate Trump, who has disrupted NATO and European alliances at Russia’s behest. The Budapest summit, hosted by Orban, stacks the deck against Ukraine, but it could be derailed if EU nations enforce their Russian flight ban to assert sovereignty.
Russia’s Hollow Offensive Threats: Claims that Putin will “put Ukraine on their knees” in two weeks are dubious. Russia’s fragile lines would suffer catastrophic losses—10,000 dead for mere kilometers—against Ukraine’s mines, drones, and defenses. With raw recruits unfit for major assaults, Putin’s bluster lacks substance. A bold EU move to block his travel could expose this weakness and challenge Trump’s view of Russia as “strong” and Europe as “weak.”
Humanitarian Hypocrisy and Stolen Children: Russia’s praise for Melania Trump’s “humanitarian efforts” regarding 30,000 kidnapped Ukrainian children is grotesque. These children, forcibly taken and scattered across Russia, are used as PR props while Trump is manipulated like a KGB asset. This moral bankruptcy highlights a broader pattern of prioritizing image over action.
Congressional Sycophants and Cultish Loyalty: Figures like JD Vance and Byron Donalds dodge questions about arming Ukraine, instead praising Trump as a “supreme leader” for securing Putin’s ear. This personality cult, dismissing American icons like Lincoln and Kennedy, elevates Trump’s ego over policy. Their refusal to commit to Tomahawks reveals a deeper allegiance to his agenda.
Anna Paulina Luna’s Role in Russian Outreach: Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna has emerged as a key facilitator in backchannel diplomacy, inviting Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev to discuss U.S.-Russia trade amid escalating tensions over Ukraine. Their Twitter exchanges led to the Russian ambassador delivering unvetted KGB-sourced JFK files to her, which she promotes as revelations—including a dubious Alaska tunnel/bridge plan between the U.S. and Russia. This aligns with long-standing ties involving Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, and Dmitriev dating back to 2017, prioritizing trade deals over arming Ukraine and serving as a distraction from sanctions and missile deliveries.
Anna Paulina Luna and the Pre-Meeting Scheduling Maneuvers: Leading up to Zelenskyy’s October 18 White House meeting, Luna’s October 8 invitation to Dmitriev for trade discussions—framed outside of peace talks—facilitated Russian influence. This backchannel, including the handover of KGB JFK files promoting an Alaska-Russia tunnel idea discussed in Trump’s October 17 call with Putin, was strategically timed to inject Russian talking points, catching the Ukrainians unprepared and derailing bipartisan expectations for Tomahawk missile deliveries.
Zelenskyy’s Misstep in Attending the White House Meeting: Had Zelenskyy known about Anna Paulina Luna’s October 8 invitation to Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev and Trump’s 2.5-hour call with Putin on October 17—where unvetted Russian talking points, including a fantastical Alaska-Russia tunnel, were injected directly into the narrative—he likely would have skipped the October 18 White House meeting altogether. The Ukrainians, blindsided by the call’s timing and content, walked into a trap where Putin’s framing dominated Trump’s rhetoric, undermining Zelenskyy’s push for Tomahawk missiles.
Capitulating to Weaker Economies: Why bow to Russia, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, whose combined GDP ($10 trillion) is dwarfed by America’s $27 trillion? It’s not about national strength but corrupt deals enriching Trump’s family through ventures like Bitcoin and real estate. A firm EU stand against Putin’s Budapest plans could earn Trump’s grudging respect, showing strength he admires.
Domestic
Authoritarianism at Home: Trump’s “vengeance tour” weaponizes the DOJ against critics like Fani Willis, Tish James, and Adam Schiff. Even minor infractions, like $20,000 mortgage fraud, could lead to 60 months in prison, draining targets’ resources. This authoritarian playbook aims to make Americans “resign to the fight,” but resistance is critical.
We’re Not Gonna Take It: Dee Snider, a vocal advocate for free speech and anti-fascism, has made several public appearances in 2025, including a high-profile interview on CNN’s “State of the Union” in March discussing censorship threats, a guest spot on “The Daily Show” in July promoting his memoir’s updated edition, and a surprise performance at the Democratic National Convention’s cultural showcase in August, where he led a crowd-singalong of the anthem to underscore democratic resilience.
Emergency Filing for National Guard Deployment in Chicago: Escalating his domestic control tactics, Trump filed an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court on October 17, 2025, seeking to deploy the National Guard in Chicago and Illinois, despite lower courts blocking the move for lack of evidence of a ‘rebellion.’ This unprecedented push highlights the risks of military intervention in U.S. cities under the guise of law and order.
No Kings Protest is Patriotism: Organizers project that tomorrow’s No Kings Day demonstrations could draw up to 20 million participants across more than 2,500 events nationwide and internationally, surpassing the estimated 5 million from the June 2025 protests and eclipsing the scale of 1970s anti-war rallies. As a federal appeals court unanimously blocked Trump’s attempt to deploy troops to Chicago streets—ruling that “political opposition is not rebellion”—this wave of action reaffirms that protest is not terrorism but patriotism, countering MAGA labels of protesters as “communists” or “America-haters” and galvanizing a fight to preserve democracy.
On October 18, 2025, dubbed “No King’s Day,” the call to action is urgent: Protest peacefully, wave banners, and reject apathy. In Virginia, where communities from Richmond to Arlington are hosting No King’s Day rallies, join local activists to amplify Ukraine’s fight and demand accountability from leaders prioritizing personal gain over global stability. Catch former federal prosecutor Glenn Kirschner delivering a fiery speech at the No Kings Day rally in Leesburg, Virginia, where he’ll underscore the patriotic essence of these gatherings. From the steps of the Virginia State Capitol to neighborhood parks, show up to send a message that echoes Twisted Sister’s defiance: We’re not gonna take it. Ukraine’s survival hinges on exposing Trump’s oligarch-driven priorities. The EU must block Putin’s Budapest gambit, and citizens everywhere must stand firm. Victory demands understanding the game and refusing to let dictators set the rules. Subscribe for unfiltered analysis on power, politics, and the path forward.
She needs to be voted out asap.