Trump has turned his back on every fundamental American value

By Paul Waldman
June 14 at 1:39 PM

President Trump has given us another reminder that even as he belittles and insults America’s staunchest allies, his admiration for dictators — precisely because of their willingness to oppress and abuse their people — is stronger than ever. While we have plenty of disagreements about what “American values” really are, up until now there has been a consensus that America, particularly when it goes out into the world to deal with other countries, stands for certain fundamental things such as democracy, freedom and respect for human rights.

That is no longer true. “America First” has turned out to be not just Trump’s intention of putting our needs above the needs of others. It’s a declaration that we will no longer be guided by any moral principles at all.

Given that Kim Jong Un runs what may be the most oppressive totalitarian state in the world today, many people were shocked to see how Trump heaped praise on the North Korean dictator during and after their summit in Singapore.

“He’s got a very good personality, he’s funny, and he’s very, very smart,” Trump told Sean Hannity.

“His country does love him. His people, you see the fervor. They have a great fervor,” he told George Stephanopoulos.