Mainstream media and Trump-Putin summit

They’re all trying to compete to show how clear they are on Russia’s adversarial character, and how important it is to challenge its relentless “aggression” (Syria and Ukraine being the current putative examples) and revive or maintain a Cold War atmosphere. What can be more heretical to Americanness itself than to call for friendship with Russia?

Think of it this way. During his presidential campaign, Trump was taken to task for comments that were offensive, outrageous, puzzling, stupid, wrong, racist, bigoted, and misogynistic. He was also taken to task for asking the simplest of rational questions: “Why can’t we get along with Russia?” This was generally treated, along with his open question of NATO’s continued relevance, as an indication of dangerous naivete. But at the time it drew less attention than his truly ridiculous remarks about Mexicans, Muslims, women and humans in general, and the fake press. Since many thought he was unlikely to be elected, his idiosyncratic comments on Russia were not a big issue.