Trump’s ‘M’ problems: money, Melania, MBS, malfeasance

At a time when much of America’s political dialogue is determined by sound bites and tweets, Donald Trump’s difficulties could be summarized as the president’s “M” problems. Internationally, the Western alliance is being threatened by the tenuous toeholds on power of the Big Three Ms: U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May; Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel; and France’s President Emmanuel Macron.

And, in particular, the seemingly inevitable disaster of Brexit is likely to diminish or finish the U.S.-U.K. special relationship and similarly the “quad” — the United States, UK, France and Germany — that is central to maintaining NATO solidarity.

At home, M problems are just as bad: money, Melania, MBS and malfeasance. Money has several different components. The first deals with the health of the economy that has sustained the president. Given the volatility of stock markets, many 401Ks and other retirement accounts have lost lots of money. Politically, that will hurt any incumbent if the downward spiral is not reversed.

Money may or may not be the root of all evil. However, it now appears that despite all denials, the president knew about and ordered “hush money” to be paid to a porn actress and former Playboy bunny. Whether that broke election finance laws or not, the next M for Melania cannot be pleased.

Regarding MBS — Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman — and the president’s refusal to hold him accountable for the murder and dismemberment of journalist Jamal Khashoggi — the unanimous Senate resolution rejecting Trump is quite stunning and politically damaging. We will see how the consequences play out. However, none would seem favorable for the president, especially if his income tax returns become public and show he had far less money than he has claimed.

The last M for malfeasance may prove to be the most damaging. In this case, this M refers to how the president conducted himself as a candidate and now the chief executive. While vociferously denying any and all wrongdoing from payoffs to collusion and conspiracy with Russia and Russians, the president’s inability to tell the truth may prove to be his greatest weakness.

The number of his key advisers and appointees who have been convicted of or implicated in criminal activities exceeds the total number of miscreants in Watergate and the Reagan era Iran-Contra — not an enviable record. Given this size, it is fair first to question the president’s judgment in selecting these individuals. And second, does not the magnitude of this malfeasance lead directly back to Trump and whether he is guilty of committing “high crimes and misdemeanors” sufficient to warrant impeachment and even conviction?

Malfeasance also applies to the extraordinary inexperience in and understanding of how government operates and the laws, rules and regulations that apply to every American, including the president. Former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson vividly described how on occasion he had to tell the president that what was being proposed was against the law or against certain treaty obligations. That a secretary of state admitted this, even if Trump called Tillerson “dumb as a rock,” is stunning. While not necessarily indictable — and make no mistake, it potentially could be — this is further evidence of malfeasance.

And there is a very unlikely but possible fatal double M problem — the Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. McConnell has been an unwavering defender of the president and his policies. He has refused to allow legislation to come to the floor that would prevent the firing of special counsel Robert Mueller and the termination of the investigation into Russian interference in American politics and the 2016 election.

But that could change. This might not be a Howard Baker moment of what did the president know and when did he know it. However, if the Mueller report produces a smoking howitzer, McConnell may have no alternative except to move against the president.

None of this is good for America and its maintenance of global leadership. When Bill Clinton was impeached and not convicted over lying under oath about an affair with a young, female White House intern, many foreigners were in disbelief that the United States would so charge a president. Now if there are provable allegations of illegal activities — and readers must be aware that there may not be — how then will America be viewed by friends and adversaries alike?

It does not take a James Bond or Henry Kissinger to conclude that Vladimir Putin and Xi Jingping will view this as an opportunity to exploit to the hilt. And Allies and Europe and Asia will look elsewhere for support and leadership. In simple terms, M could stand for a real mess.

Harlan Ullman is UPI’s Arnaud de Borchgrave Distinguished Columnist. His latest book is “Anatomy of Failure: Why America Has Lost Every War It Starts.” Follow him @harlankullman.