Donald Trump finds Ukrainians suffering in freezing temperatures ‘pretty amazing’ — because empathy was never his strong suit
Being a person of influence with generational wealth in a developed nation has its advantages, one of which is the ability to navigate life without truly grasping the hardships faced by individuals in developing or underdeveloped nations. I’m not referring to the impoverished individuals in these areas, but rather the majority of wealthy or middle-class citizens whose combined wealth wouldn’t even amount to one-sixth of the income of, for instance say, President Donald Trump or other affluent individuals in the United States.
Donald Trump’s recent statement regarding Ukraine and the suffering of its citizens under ongoing attacks from Russia has ignited crucial discussions surrounding privilege. In an interview with a journalist while on Air Force One, the video of which is currently circulating widely on social media, Trump is seen talking about the hardships faced by Ukrainians. He discusses the frequent power outages in the country, even in extremely low temperatures, and the struggles they endure in the absence of heating. While he didn’t mention Russia directly (naturally), it’s understood that the country is being held accountable for this, as they continuously bomb power plants in Ukraine, causing extended blackouts that disrupt daily life. Here’s what Trump precisely said about the situation:
It’s really tough for the people of Ukraine. They live without heat, where it’s 20 degrees below zero. You know, it’s very cold. That’s a colder climate, for the most part, than Canada. And they live without heat.”
He then went on to discuss the issue further, mentioning that he had a conversation with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, asking how the residents cope with such frequent power outages, to which he received an “answer” (though he didn’t disclose what it was). He then made a remark that could be considered one of the most inappropriate things to say while addressing the hardships faced by Ukrainians. He stated, “It’s pretty amazing what they do to live.” What does that even imply? How can someone use the word “amazing” to characterise such a dire situation? If anything, it’s the complete opposite of amazing; it’s miserable, unacceptable, and disheartening. It is also a situation that demands urgent action, possibly American intervention, because if not, Russia will continue to bomb the power plants. While those who are financially stable in the country might manage to avoid the repercussions of such severe weather despite power outages, those who are less fortunate will have to endure the full impact of Russia’s assaults.
Have a tip we should know? [email protected]
