What If Trump Were an Agent of a Hostile Power?

Posted on by Khannea Sun'Tzu

…but what if he’s not??

For years, speculation has surrounded Donald Trump’s curious entanglements with foreign adversaries—especially Russia. But let’s go beyond the standard debates and ask a more provocative question: What if Trump were knowingly working as an agent of a hostile power? What if a foreign government had kompromat on him—compromising material so damning that it could force his loyalty? And most critically, what actions would he take if his ultimate goal were to systematically weaken the United States from within?

Step 1: Erode Public Trust in Institutions

A foreign asset in the White House would seek to undermine the pillars of American democracy. He would attack the FBI, the Department of Justice, and the intelligence community—discrediting those tasked with defending national security. He would insist that elections are rigged, that the press is the “enemy of the people,” and that any unfavorable outcome must be the result of a conspiracy.

Now, let’s compare that to Trump’s actual record:

  • He dismissed the FBI’s Russia investigation as a “hoax” while actively obstructing it.

  • He attempted to discredit U.S. intelligence agencies while taking Vladimir Putin’s word over their findings.

  • He spent years sowing distrust in elections, culminating in an attempted coup on January 6, 2021.

  • He continuously fired or demoted officials investigating his administration, replacing them with loyalists.

  • He pardoned convicted criminals and corrupt operatives while undermining the rule of law.

Step 2: Weaken International Alliances

An embedded agent wouldn’t just attack America’s internal institutions—he’d work to dismantle its global standing. This would mean:

  • Undermining NATO, the historic alliance that has kept Western democracies secure.

  • Cozying up to autocratic leaders while alienating traditional allies.

  • Pulling out of international agreements that maintain global stability.

  • Threatening allies like Denmark, Canada, and Colombia while allowing Putin to expand his sphere of influence.

Under Trump, we saw:

  • A near-withdrawal from NATO, leaving allies questioning U.S. commitment.

  • Open admiration for Putin, Kim Jong-un, and other strongmen, while snubbing European allies.

  • A withdrawal from key international agreements, including the Paris Climate Accord and the Iran nuclear deal, further destabilizing global diplomacy.

  • An obsession with purchasing Greenland from Denmark, a bizarre geopolitical move that only alienated an allied nation and signaled erratic leadership.

  • Implicit approval of Russian aggression by not responding decisively to cyberattacks, election interference, or military encroachments.

Step 3: Attack the Free Press

A hostile actor would need to silence dissent and manipulate public perception. This could be accomplished by:

  • Repeatedly declaring legitimate journalism as “fake news.”

  • Threatening or revoking press credentials from reporters who ask tough questions.

  • Elevating state-friendly media while attempting to control narratives.

  • Supporting violent rhetoric against the press, endangering reporters worldwide.

Trump:

  • Spent his presidency demonizing major news outlets like CNN and The New York Times.

  • Refused to hold press conferences and limited White House access to only sycophantic media outlets.

  • Encouraged violence against journalists, fostering an anti-media culture among his base.

  • Openly praised outlets like Fox News while vilifying any source critical of him, a classic authoritarian tactic.

Step 4: Sow Division and Destabilize Society

One of the easiest ways to weaken a country is from within—by fueling chaos, division, and distrust. An agent of a hostile power would:

  • Stoke racial tensions and exacerbate societal divides.

  • Promote conspiracy theories that keep the population distracted.

  • Encourage violent insurrections that challenge the rule of law.

  • Defend far-right extremist groups while downplaying the threats they pose.

Trump:

  • Used racial dog whistles to energize his base while emboldening white supremacists.

  • Spread disinformation through QAnon and other extremist conspiracy networks.

  • Incited the January 6 insurrection, an unprecedented attack on U.S. democracy.

  • Refused to condemn domestic terrorists, instead signaling support for groups like the Proud Boys.

Step 5: Weaken the Economy While Strengthening Foreign Interests

Economic sabotage is another critical tool in a foreign asset’s arsenal. This would involve:

  • Pushing policies that disproportionately benefit adversarial nations.

  • Implementing tariffs and trade wars that cripple domestic industries.

  • Defunding social programs while funneling money to the wealthiest elites, exacerbating inequality.

  • Creating economic instability that benefits foreign economic rivals.

Trump:

  • Engaged in a reckless trade war with China that devastated American farmers.

  • Gave massive tax breaks to the ultra-rich while increasing the deficit.

  • Showed indifference toward Russia’s growing economic and energy dominance.

  • Damaged U.S. credibility by encouraging American businesses to manufacture abroad while claiming to be an economic nationalist.

  • Manipulated financial markets through erratic policy shifts, benefiting those with insider knowledge.

Step 6: Undermine U.S. Military and Global Stability

A hostile agent would weaken the United States’ military credibility and embolden global adversaries by:

  • Attempting to withdraw from key strategic locations.

  • Abandoning allies in active conflicts, signaling that the U.S. is an unreliable partner.

  • Hollowing out the Pentagon by replacing career officials with unqualified loyalists.

  • Cozying up to hostile nations like Russia while treating democratic nations with disdain.

Trump:

  • Announced plans to withdraw troops from Syria and Afghanistan in ways that emboldened adversaries.

  • Publicly humiliated military leaders, calling them “losers” and “suckers.”

  • Allowed Russia to operate freely in the Middle East, abandoning allies like the Kurds.

  • Weakened military leadership by filling critical positions with unqualified sycophants.

Coup de Grâce: What If He’s Not a Foreign Agent?

But what if we’ve been looking at this the wrong way? What if Trump isn’t an agent of a foreign power at all? What if, instead, he’s simply not mentally well? What if he is driven purely by coarse instincts, petty vindictiveness, and a desperate need for validation? What if he has a serious substance abuse problem?

This scenario is arguably even more insidious—because it suggests that the most powerful office in the world was occupied by a man incapable of rational governance. From his first weeks in office, Trump displayed an erratic, indiscriminate decision-making process that had no logic, no guiding principle beyond self-interest and raw impulse. And yet, he was not only allowed to operate unchecked—he was actively enabled by a constituency of supporters who shared, or at least tolerated, his depravity.

In the end, whether Trump was a foreign asset or simply a catastrophically unfit leader, the damage has been done. The real question is: Can the country, or the world, afford to take that risk again?

…and how far should the US people go in not accepting this?