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In just 45 days of 2025, a series of nuclear-grade failures — self-inflicted by Trump’s ego and bluster — have set off a butterfly effect of chaos. From fake tariffs that tanked the US economy to the abandonment of Ukraine that torched 80 years of American influence, the fallout is global. And the collateral damage? America’s reputation, strategic alliances, and even Canada’s political landscape. Meanwhile, the unintended winners of Trump’s tantrums are emerging: Volodymyr Zelenskyy has become a global icon, and even Justin Trudeau – left for dead politically – looks like a comeback kid. Below we break down how Trump (aided and abetted by Elon Musk’s noxious meddling) managed to turn the world upside down in 45 days, and why the blowback is only beginning.

Trump stormed into 2025 brandishing tariffs like a toddler with a hammer — and the result was predictably ugly. His much-hyped “beautiful” tariffs turned out to be a farce, slapping steep import taxes on allies and adversaries alike with zero strategy. Markets that had initially shrugged off Trump’s bluster went into a tailspin once they realized he wasn’t bluffing. The S&P 500 had its worst day in months, plunging 1.7%, as business activity “unexpectedly shrank” to a 17-month low. The Dow cratered 748 points in a single day on fears that Trump’s trade war would slam consumers with higher prices.

American companies and farmers saw foreign markets shut, while US consumers braced for painful price hikes on everything from cars to cornflakes. An S&P Global survey found businesses were “slumping [in] optimism” due to “widespread concerns” about Trump’s policies—especially his tariffs. Even consumer inflation expectations skyrocketed from 3.3% to 4.3% in one month on the tariff news.

In classic Trump fashion, these tariffs were fake MAGA bravado: They hurt Americans more than anyone. As one economist put it, Trump has “no idea” what tariffs even are—they’re a tax on us, not them. Indeed, a 20% import tax acts like a $800 billion shakedown of US consumers, yanking about $6,000 per family out of Americans’ pockets. It’s the Smoot-Hawley playbook on steroids, dragging the economy toward a recession.

Wall Street’s verdict? Trump’s “America First” tariff stunt is backfiring spectacularly. Investors have yanked the fire alarm, and volatility is spiking as everyone grapples with the new reality of trade uncertainty. The markets have TANKED, trillions have been lost, job losses are up 245% month over month, all thanks to one man’s tariff fetish. As stocks swing and layoffs loom, it’s clear Trump’s fake tariff gambit has nuked the economy he inherited – a boom built on steady trade and global confidence. Now, both are gone.

It also revived Justin Trudeau’s political career, destroyed Maple Maga and Pierre Poilievre’s hopes of taking over Canada, and turned Zelensky/Ukraine into a global rallying cry for decency and democracy.

Abandoning Ukraine Burns 80 Years of American Influence

Trump’s isolationist pivot hasn’t just undermined Ukraine – it’s shredded the last shreds of US moral authority in Europe. After 80 years of painstakingly built American influence and prosperity in Europe, Trump set it ablaze in weeks. How? By betraying an ally mid-war and kowtowing to Vladimir Putin. It took “precisely one month to abdicate that leadership” role America held since 1945. In doing so, Trump destroyed everything his predecessors built – from FDR and Reagan’s alliance-building to the post-WWII order – in one fell swoop.​ He may brag about being “strong,” but his bullying of Ukraine and capitulation to Putin have made the US immeasurably weaker on the world stage. This is a “loss of reputation and power never likely to be regained.”

European allies are fuming and flabbergasted. Trump didn’t just abandon Ukraine; he blindsided NATO and the EU by trying to cut a solo deal with Moscow. He “ripped up Western consensus” overnight, calling Putin to offer a peace “deal” full of concessions – without even informing Europe. That phone call was a gut-punch to allies. Suddenly, Europe realized it’s on its own and decided to step up with 800 billion euros for the “EU Army,” doubling support for Ukraine while actively planning to put EU troops in Ukraine while covering the skies above Ukraine with 120 jets to protect Russia from a Trump-inspired Putin.

🚨EU Announces Stunning €800 Billion Defense Plan That Now Makes Trump’s America “Obsolete” in Global Decision-Making

Dean Blundell

In a decisive move to bolster Europe’s defense capabilities, the European Union has unveiled the “ReArm Europe” initiative—a comprehensive €800 billion plan aimed at strengthening the continent’s military readiness amid shifting global alliances and escalating security threats. This ambitious strategy not only underscores the EU’s commitment to safeguar…

The world order is ruptured. America is no longer the “indispensable nation” but another selfish actor reneging on promises. Even US generals and diplomats are aghast as decades of American credibility go up in smoke. The American Century in Europe – born in Normandy and nurtured through the Cold War – has ended not with a bang but with Trump’s whimpering retreat. NATO’s core principle of collective defense? Undermined. Eastern Europe is terrified, Western Europe is disgusted. One observer noted that America’s post-WWII leadership rested on being a standard-bearer of freedom and a guarantor of stability. Trump trashed both in under 45 days.

The fallout is already visible: European nations are hastily fortifying their defenses and cutting new deals among themselves, without US leadership to fill the vacuum left by Uncle Sam’s betrayal. Meanwhile, Russia cheers as US influence in Europe craters, which isn’t necessarily bad.

Poilievre’s Collapse and Trudeau’s Revival – Courtesy of Trump

How dramatic is the shift? Consider this: a new Pallas Data poll (the first taken after Trump’s tariff bombshell) found the Conservative lead shrunk from a 21-point lead in January to -3, in a month. All other polls show similar trends – what was a Poilievre cakewalk is now an actual race. One survey even shows the Liberals pulling slightly ahead when Canadians are asked who’s best to stand up to Trump. In practical terms, Poilievre’s support is eroding in key provinces, and previously disillusioned Liberal voters are “coming home” out of fear of Trumpism crossing the border – a polite way of saying his once mighty lead is basically gone.

(Source: EKOS Research @VoiceOfFranky)

Canadians have recoiled at Trump’s tariff threats on Canadian goods and his annexation taunts about making Canada a US State. This has sparked a patriotic backlash in Canada that “united Canadians” in anger and “reawakened patriotic feeling” across the country. Suddenly Trudeau and his party look like the safe harbor of Canadian sovereignty, while Poilievre’s Trump-friendly populism is viewed with suspicion. Recent polling shows U.S.-Canada relations have become a top issue, rivaling the cost of living, in Canadians’ minds. On that issue, Trudeau (or his would-be Liberal successor) has an edge: voters trust a steadier hand to stare down Trump. In one poll, 40% of Canadians said a Liberal leader like Mark Carney would handle Trump best, vs only 26% who favored Poilievre.

Crucially, Canadians see Poilievre as the dollar store version of Diaper Don. A Liberal attack ad hammered Poilievre for “resembling Trump,” a charge that sticks when Trump is actively bullying Canada. It doesn’t help Poilievre that he’s been doing “this country is shit” Trumpy anti-establishment shctick for three years either. 50% of Canadian voters say Trump’s tariffs and antics are why they’re more open to voting Liberal. One survey found 55% of respondents have negative feelings about Poilievre, with many citing his perceived alignment with Trump’s politics as a turn-off. In short, Trump has become the tar baby for Poilievre – every embrace hurts.

And what about Justin Trudeau, the once unpopular, seemingly outgoing PM? He’s basking in a political revival nobody saw coming. Just weeks ago Trudeau was forced to announce his resignation after dismal polls. But thanks to Trump, Trudeau’s legacy and popularity have a second wind. He has defiantly stood up to Trump’s aggressive posturing, loudly reaffirming that “Canada will always stand up for Ukraine” and that nothing about Ukraine will be decided without Ukrainians.

Domestically, Trudeau’s firmness has earned respect even from some critics – he suddenly looks like the elder statesman who can stare down the bully next door. Internationally, he’s getting kudos for joining European leaders in a “new diplomatic framework” to work around Trump on Ukraine.​

Zelenskyy Becomes a Global Icon (Thanks to Trump’s Blunders)

Here’s the grand irony in Trump’s Ukraine debacle: by smearing and betraying Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump has only made the Ukrainian president more beloved – at home and abroad. What was intended as character assassination by Trump became a PR gift to Zelenskyy, turning him into a martyr-hero of the free world. Trump and his cronies tried to paint Zelenskyy as a “dictator” and even pushed the absurd lie that Zelenskyy had only “4% support” in his country. The truth is the polar opposite. Recent polls show that 67% of Ukrainians approve of Zelenskyy’s leadership, a massive mandate that utterly shames Trump’s falsehoods. Zelenskyy’s approval rating has risen since Trump’s hostile turn – up from the mid-50s to 67% by early 2025​ – as Ukrainians rally around their wartime leader against external bullies, so much for that “4%” garbage. (Zelenskyy himself couldn’t resist noting that Trump’s claim was Russian-peddled misinformation, citing a poll showing 67% of Ukrainians trust him.​

Globally, Zelenskyy’s star has never shone brighter. He’s gone from respected wartime president to full-on global icon, on par with Churchill in WWII. A recent multi-nation survey crowned Zelenskyy as Europe’s most popular leader – the man scores higher favorable opinions across Europe than any other head of state. Nearly half of Europeans (47%) have a favorable view of Zelenskyy, far outpacing negative opinions (32%), and putting him ahead of figures like France’s Macron or Germany’s Scholz in popularity. In countries that know the taste of Kremlin aggression (Poland, the Baltics, Finland), Zelenskyy is practically a folk hero, scoring 70-80% approval. Even in more skeptical corners of the West, he’s gained respect as the embodiment of courage and defiance.

It’s not just opinion polls either – Zelenskyy’s influence is tangible. His pleas rally European Parliaments and galvanize NATO countries to increase support (to fill the void left by the US). He’s been compared to Mandela and Churchill in his ability to unite people against injustice. Back home, Ukrainians see him as the man holding the country together in the darkest hour. Trust in Zelenskyy is at an all-time high, 67%, thanks to Trump’s antagonism. By trying to tear Zelenskyy down, Trump unintentionally turned Zelensky into a global rockstar and a rallying cry for democracy in the free world. The comedian-turned-president is now the unlikely superstar statesman of the 2020s, and Trump’s name-calling only burnished Zelenskyy’s legend.

In sum, the butterfly effect here is delicious: Trump’s attempt to appease Putin and undercut Zelenskyy has forged a Ukrainian icon whose popularity at home is rock-solid and whose global appeal eclipses that of American leadership. Zelenskyy is now the standard-bearer of democracy and resilience that the US president should have been. Chalk that up as a strategic own-goal of epic proportions for Trump.

Everything Trump Touches Dies. We’re seeing it in real time. We’re also seeing the butterfly effect from Trump’s bullshit influence and again, that’s not necessarily a bad thing especially if it ends up saving what’s left of the free world.