]Editors's Note: Originally published in March 2025 during my DK & Substack only distribution period. Reposted on November 22, 2025, to align with ongoing developments in Trump’s Ukraine appeasement strategy and to formally integrate this piece into the Trump foreign-policy arc in the forthcoming eBook Mr. Dunneagin Speaks, Vol. 3.]

Once upon a time, appeasement had at least a thin veil of respectability.

Neville Chamberlain’s infamous deal with Hitler in 1938 — where he handed over Czechoslovakia in exchange for “peace in our time”—was, at least in theory, a stall tactic to buy Britain time to rearm.

It failed spectacularly.

And now, Donald J. Trump has decided to outdo Chamberlain in the Appeasement Olympics — except this time, there’s no grand strategy, no geopolitical calculus.

Just a wannabe strongman, groveling at the feet of an actual one.

When Trump invited Russian state television to broadcast his meeting with Zelenskyy, he wasn’t just humiliating the Ukrainian president — he was sending a direct, flashing-neon signal to Putin that he is, once again, ready to roll over.

And like all good appeasers, he’s following the time-tested three-step method of ensuring that authoritarian aggression gets what it wants.

Step 1: Make Sure the Dictator’s Propaganda Machine Gets Front Row Seats

Real-world leaders control their messaging.

Trump? He outsourced it to the Kremlin.

By allowing Russian state TV exclusive access to the meeting, Trump didn’t just undermine Zelenskyy — he made sure that Putin’s propaganda machine got to frame the narrative.

🔹 Imagine if, during the Cold War, an American president invited Pravda to a meeting with NATO leaders.
🔹 Imagine if, during WWII, FDR let Axis radio stations cover U.S.-Allied talks.
🔹 Imagine if Richard Nixon let China’s Communist Party dictate how the world saw his visit to Beijing.

That’s how absurdly reckless Trump’s move was.

But, of course, it’s not reckless if it’s intentional.

This meeting wasn’t just about optics — it was a gift to Putin.

And when appeasing a dictator, Rule #1 always makes him look stronger than you.

Step 2: Undermine the Guy Actually Fighting the War

When Chamberlain signed away Czechoslovakia in 1938, he didn’t even bother to invite the Czechs to the table.

Trump, being an overachiever, took it one step further.

Instead of ignoring Ukraine, he dragged Zelenskyy into the circus and humiliated him on live TV.

🔹 Zelenskyy, fighting for his country’s survival, had to sit there while Trump staged a propaganda win for Russia.
🔹 Trump made it clear that Zelenskyy’s future depended not on Ukraine’s fight but on Trump’s whims.
🔹 And worst of all? Trump’s MAGA cult ate it up, cheering on Putin’s influence in America’s foreign policy.

Just as Hitler saw Chamberlain’s deference as a green light to invade Poland, Trump just gave Putin every reason to keep pushing.

And if history tells us anything, it’s that dictators don’t stop until someone makes them.

Step 3: Promise to Give the Dictator Whatever He Wants

Hitler wanted Czechoslovakia — Chamberlain gave it to him.

Putin wants Ukraine — Trump is practically begging to hand it over.

🔹 Trump has openly said he would let Russia “do whatever the hell they want” to NATO allies.
🔹 He has repeatedly threatened to pull the U.S. out of NATO entirely.
🔹 He sees Putin as a “tough guy” to emulate, not a dictator to deter.

The formula is the same as in 1938.

Give the authoritarian what he wants.
Hope he doesn’t take more.
Act shocked when he does.

The difference?

Chamberlain at least thought he was preventing war.

Trump? He’s actively cheering for the other side.

🔥 End Note: Trump Isn’t Just an Appeaser — He’s a Willing Accomplice

Chamberlain was wrong but not disloyal.

Trump? He’s both.

🔹 Chamberlain miscalculated Hitler’s ambitions. Trump openly encourages Putin.
🔹 Chamberlain at least wanted Britain to survive. Trump is fine burning down America for his ego.
🔹 Chamberlain’s failure led to war. Trump’s failure might lead to the collapse of the Western alliance.

At this point, Trump isn’t just appeasing Putin — he’s working for him.

And if history repeats itself, we already know where this road ends.

The only question is: Will America make the same mistake twice?

~Dunneagin

]Editors's Note: Originally published in March 2025 during my DK & Substack only distribution period. Reposted on November 22, 2025, to align with ongoing developments in Trump’s Ukraine appeasement strategy and to formally integrate this piece into the Trump foreign-policy arc in the forthcoming eBook Mr. Dunneagin Speaks, Vol. 3.]

Once upon a time, appeasement had at least a thin veil of respectability.

Neville Chamberlain’s infamous deal with Hitler in 1938 — where he handed over Czechoslovakia in exchange for “peace in our time”—was, at least in theory, a stall tactic to buy Britain time to rearm.

It failed spectacularly.

And now, Donald J. Trump has decided to outdo Chamberlain in the Appeasement Olympics — except this time, there’s no grand strategy, no geopolitical calculus.

Just a wannabe strongman, groveling at the feet of an actual one.

When Trump invited Russian state television to broadcast his meeting with Zelenskyy, he wasn’t just humiliating the Ukrainian president — he was sending a direct, flashing-neon signal to Putin that he is, once again, ready to roll over.

And like all good appeasers, he’s following the time-tested three-step method of ensuring that authoritarian aggression gets what it wants.

Step 1: Make Sure the Dictator’s Propaganda Machine Gets Front Row Seats

Real-world leaders control their messaging.

Trump? He outsourced it to the Kremlin.

By allowing Russian state TV exclusive access to the meeting, Trump didn’t just undermine Zelenskyy — he made sure that Putin’s propaganda machine got to frame the narrative.

🔹 Imagine if, during the Cold War, an American president invited Pravda to a meeting with NATO leaders.
🔹 Imagine if, during WWII, FDR let Axis radio stations cover U.S.-Allied talks.
🔹 Imagine if Richard Nixon let China’s Communist Party dictate how the world saw his visit to Beijing.

That’s how absurdly reckless Trump’s move was.

But, of course, it’s not reckless if it’s intentional.

This meeting wasn’t just about optics — it was a gift to Putin.

And when appeasing a dictator, Rule #1 always makes him look stronger than you.

Step 2: Undermine the Guy Actually Fighting the War

When Chamberlain signed away Czechoslovakia in 1938, he didn’t even bother to invite the Czechs to the table.

Trump, being an overachiever, took it one step further.

Instead of ignoring Ukraine, he dragged Zelenskyy into the circus and humiliated him on live TV.

🔹 Zelenskyy, fighting for his country’s survival, had to sit there while Trump staged a propaganda win for Russia.
🔹 Trump made it clear that Zelenskyy’s future depended not on Ukraine’s fight but on Trump’s whims.
🔹 And worst of all? Trump’s MAGA cult ate it up, cheering on Putin’s influence in America’s foreign policy.

Just as Hitler saw Chamberlain’s deference as a green light to invade Poland, Trump just gave Putin every reason to keep pushing.

And if history tells us anything, it’s that dictators don’t stop until someone makes them.

Step 3: Promise to Give the Dictator Whatever He Wants

Hitler wanted Czechoslovakia — Chamberlain gave it to him.

Putin wants Ukraine — Trump is practically begging to hand it over.

🔹 Trump has openly said he would let Russia “do whatever the hell they want” to NATO allies.
🔹 He has repeatedly threatened to pull the U.S. out of NATO entirely.
🔹 He sees Putin as a “tough guy” to emulate, not a dictator to deter.

The formula is the same as in 1938.

Give the authoritarian what he wants.
Hope he doesn’t take more.
Act shocked when he does.

The difference?

Chamberlain at least thought he was preventing war.

Trump? He’s actively cheering for the other side.

🔥 End Note: Trump Isn’t Just an Appeaser — He’s a Willing Accomplice

Chamberlain was wrong but not disloyal.

Trump? He’s both.

🔹 Chamberlain miscalculated Hitler’s ambitions. Trump openly encourages Putin.
🔹 Chamberlain at least wanted Britain to survive. Trump is fine burning down America for his ego.
🔹 Chamberlain’s failure led to war. Trump’s failure might lead to the collapse of the Western alliance.

At this point, Trump isn’t just appeasing Putin — he’s working for him.

And if history repeats itself, we already know where this road ends.

The only question is: Will America make the same mistake twice?

~Dunneagin