Spheres of Influence or Imperial Delusion?

This is not hyperbole. Trump doesn’t just admire dictators; he envies them. He views alliances as weakness and diplomacy as a con.

Written by Michael Cohen

You’ve heard me make predictions before. Like in 2018, when I sat before the House Oversight Committee and warned the world that if Trump lost the election, there would be no peaceful transition of power. I hate to say it, but I was right. And now, I have another prediction—one that should terrify you even more. If this doesn’t get you up off your ass and active, I have no idea what will.

Let’s talk about the concept of “The Sphere of Influence.” Historically, it’s a term ripped straight from the colonial playbook, when imperial powers carved up the world like slices of a pizza, deciding who got to dominate where. Now, in Trump’s warped worldview, this concept isn’t a historical relic; it’s a roadmap. A roadmap for unchecked authoritarian expansion. Only this time, it’s not just Putin and Xi sketching out the borders of their empires. Trump envisions his own empire too. Canada and Mexico? Consider them new stars on Old Glory.

This is not hyperbole. Trump doesn’t just admire dictators; he envies them. He views alliances as weakness and diplomacy as a con. You think NATO, the EU, or the G7 mean anything to him? They do not. The man has openly praised Putin’s annexation of Crimea and casually shrugged at Russian aggression in Ukraine. And if you think he’s not taking notes on how Xi Jinping tightens his grip on the South China Sea, then you clearly haven’t been paying attention.

Trump’s Sphere of Influence philosophy goes something like this: China rules Asia. Russia rules Europe—preferably as a rebuilt Soviet Union. And the good ol’ US of A? Well, we’re not just kings of our own castle. Trump imagines a North America where Mexico and Canada fall under Washington’s thumb. Annexation? Military occupation? Economic subjugation? The details are fuzzy, but the desire is crystal clear. In Trump’s mind, it’s about dominance, not diplomacy. The man doesn’t see allies; he sees vassals.

And if you think this fantasy could play out peacefully, think again. Putin’s war in Ukraine is just the beginning. Mark my words: once he’s done steamrolling Kyiv, he’ll set his sights on Poland. A NATO country. You can almost hear the excuses now: “It’s just historical reclamation,” they’ll say. “Protecting Russian speakers.” Bullshit. And Trump? He’ll shrug. Maybe he’ll call Putin a “strong leader” again. Maybe he’ll undermine NATO further, weakening the very alliances that have kept Europe—and the world—stable for decades.

This is why EU leaders are meeting right now—without the US. They see the writing on the wall. No one wants to admit it, but they know America can’t be counted on under Trump. They’re forming contingency plans, shoring up defenses, preparing for the worst. Because once Ukraine falls, the tanks won’t stop. Poland, the Baltics, maybe even Finland. And NATO? Well, it only works if the American president believes in it. And Trump’s made it clear he doesn’t.

Meanwhile, back home, Congress would raise hell over Trump’s imperial ambitions. You think annexing Canada and Mexico would slide through the House and Senate without a fight? Not a chance. But Trump thrives on chaos. It is the air that he breathes. He knows how to manipulate, intimidate, and bulldoze opposition. Trust me on this—I know firsthand and have seen it countless times. And if that fails, there’s always the loyal MAGA base, ready to storm the Capitol again if their Dear Leader demands it.

But here’s the real kicker: Trump doesn’t care how many bodies pile up. In his mind, collateral damage is just the cost of doing business. He’s a man who admires power and fears irrelevance. Ruling over a fractured, militarized North America? Watching Russia reclaim its Soviet glory and China swallow its neighbors? That’s Trump’s idea of legacy.

The worst part? It’s not impossible. This isn’t dystopian. The warnings are all there. Ukraine is fighting for its survival, and Europe is planning for the day Trump turns his back completely. Congress may stand in opposition now, but who knows what another term could bring? And as for us? We can’t pretend ignorance. You’ve seen his rallies. The crowds chanting for blood. The conspiracy theories running rampant. The belief that Trump alone can restore America to its so-called greatness.

So, what are you going to do about it? Sit back and scroll? Or are you finally ready to fight like democracy depends on it?

Because, trust me, it absolutely does.

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