By and large, Donald Trump 2.0 has been a dramatic improvement from the president’s first term. From setting Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency loose to audit large swaths of the federal government to initiating peace talks in an attempt to end the war in Ukraine, Trump is operating at a pace not seen from a modern presidential administration.
The main reason why Trump has been able to accomplish as much or more than any other president in his first month in office is because he is targeting low-hanging fruit. The administration’s actions are popular. Rather than shoving controversial policies down the throats of the electorate via executive order, team Trump is focusing on 80-20 matters, such as banning biological males from competing against females in sports and ending the forced use of paper straws. As his opponents in the press screech about the virtues of racist and now-defunct diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and the plight of the unemployed tax collector, Trump’s approval rating is sky-high.
To date, none of the administration’s unpopular ideas have come to fruition. Widespread tariffs would undoubtedly damage the economy, but so far, Trump has only used tariffs as a negotiating tactic. And Trump and the GOP, more generally, have put 50-50 matters such as abortion on the back burner. The Democrats are reeling and leaderless, and corporate media have never had less credibility with the American public as they play the role of the villain attempting to obstruct one popular and necessary action after another.
All this makes Monday’s report that the administration is pressuring Romania to release Andrew Tate all the more puzzling.
For those who wisely limit their time on X, Tate is an American-British former professional kickboxer and social media personality who made his fortune essentially operating as a pimp for his pornographic webcam business. Tate gained a large following on social media by bragging about his sexual exploits and general mistreatment of women, and his vague opposition to the political Left led to appearances with mainstream right-wing figures such as Tucker Carlson and Benny Johnson. Counselor to the President Alina Habba said she is a “big fan” of the provocateur.
WITH ANDREW TATE, THE ENEMY OF YOUR ENEMY IS NOT YOUR FRIEND
The Trump administration has already taken an interest in the legal status of multiple American citizens, issuing a pardon for Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht and negotiating the release of Pennsylvania teacher Marc Fogel from Russia. However, unlike those men who were convicted of nonviolent, victimless crimes, Tate is charged with human trafficking, sexual misconduct, and money laundering. While Tate and his brother deny the charges, in the ultimate case of “it’s always the ones you least expect,” the pair have spent significant time gloating online about trafficking women and mistreating women sexually.
Even if the specific charges facing the Tate brothers are unsubstantiated, Trump should avoid stepping on this clear and obvious rake. The media would love nothing more than to be able to tie Trump to a literal pimp, and Tate’s obnoxious, misogynistic brand is toxic to everyone besides electorally insignificant corners of social media. The president has a soft spot for anyone, from celebrities to dictators, who praises him publicly, but there is zero political upside to getting involved with a man such as Tate. Keep doing what you’re doing, Mr. President, and don’t make the mistake your opponents make routinely by convincing yourself that social media is real life.
Brady Leonard (@bradyleonard) is a musician, political strategist, and host of The No Gimmicks Podcast.