NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Herald NOW
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
    • The Great NZ Road Trip
  • Herald NOW
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • Deloitte Fast 50
    • Generate wealth weekly
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Politics
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Herald NOW
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Opinion
Home / World

Mike Hosking: Trump yet again proves he's up to the job

Opinion by
NZ Herald
15 Jul, 2018 08:02 PM3 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save
    Share this article
Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking looks at President Trump's tour of Europe

COMMENT:

If he was an act, and of course many people argue he is, then it would have been called the "tell it like it is" tour.

Trump hits Europe.

I happened to be watching live as US President Donald Trump arrived to lambaste NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg.

Being live, no-one knew what was coming, and it was fantastic to watch.

By the time the editors and journalists had got to it the next day it was watered down.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

But at one point, when Stoltenberg was desperately trying to explain NATO were in fact looking at having members pay more, Trump asked, "and why is that?"

And Stoltenberg said "because of your leadership", to which Trump said, "they won't report that."

And, by and large, they didn't.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

The other part that was cut out was just before the live feed ended, or more likely got pulled, showed an official next to Stoltenberg madly scribbling notes on paper. He handed it to Stoltenberg who read it, buried it below the table, and shortly after the pictures were gone.

We have all seen what followed: the fallout, the headlines, the upset. Those who hate Trump are incensed.

But really, what is there to be incensed about? On NATO, its membership and what its members pay, Trump is arguing maths, and he's right. He is 100 percent right. What the haters can't cope with is the truth.

The cavalcade carrying US President Donald Trump makes its way through the village of Maybole after leaving Turnberry golf resort in Scotland. Photo / AP
The cavalcade carrying US President Donald Trump makes its way through the village of Maybole after leaving Turnberry golf resort in Scotland. Photo / AP

His attack on Brexit is more open to criticism. I'm sure Ms May would argue she is doing what's best for both sides.

Discover more

World

Trump: Relations with May 'strong' after bombshell interview

13 Jul 12:32 PM
World

Trump backflip: President on charm offensive after clash

13 Jul 07:15 PM
New Zealand

Sir Lockwood Smith: Truth in Trump's Brexit warning

15 Jul 04:42 AM

But she's lost David Davis and Boris Johnson, and is in real danger now of being rolled herself. So maybe Trump's approach - which is what you'd call a hard Brexit - is the right option.

Brexit is a divorce, Europe is the bitter ex.

To try to paper over those cracks is almost always futile. You pull the pin and walk and let time do the repair work.

US President Donald Trump plays golf at Turnberry golf club, in Turnberry, Scotland. Photo / AP
US President Donald Trump plays golf at Turnberry golf club, in Turnberry, Scotland. Photo / AP

But for Trump, this tour is a triumph. There cannot be an American who voted for him that would feel let down by his representation.

He appeals to those of us who like straight talk and open honesty, as opposed to the obsequious flannel and hot air that passes for diplomacy most days.

He's his own man and fears no one, and increasingly as he doesn't waiver, those around him who pedal the hate look increasingly desperate and dishonest

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive in Helsinki, Finland,on the eve of his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo / AP
US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive in Helsinki, Finland,on the eve of his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo / AP

That Green Day song that was going to number 1, that at last check was 24. The millions who were to take to the streets, that turned out to be perhaps a hundred thousand. The baby blimp was launched in front of a handful of people. It all looks increasingly pathetic.

No, you don't have to like him, but the level of hysteria and abject dishonesty looks embarrassing and desperate.

He's marching on, no matter what, and if history tells us anything it's that, by and large, people like strong leadership.

His presidency is getting more robust by the day, and Europe will have enhanced it further.

Save
    Share this article

Latest from Politics

New Zealand

Watch: Politicians are welcomed to Rātana with a pōwhiri

Watch
23 Jan 03:18 AM
Politics

Tainui leader gives scathing review of Govt and ‘fractured’ relationship with Māori

23 Jan 01:14 AM
Premium
Politics

Ministers, Māori Queen set for Rātana as Luxon diverts for flood-stricken East Coast

22 Jan 04:00 PM

Sponsored

Discover Australia with AAT Kings’ easy-going guided holidays 

15 Jan 12:33 AM
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Politics

Watch: Politicians are welcomed to Rātana with a pōwhiri
New Zealand

Watch: Politicians are welcomed to Rātana with a pōwhiri

Labour leader Chris Hipkins acknowledges Rātana founder W.T Rātana as politicians visit site for annual commemorations. Video / Mark Mitchell

Watch
23 Jan 03:18 AM
Tainui leader gives scathing review of Govt and ‘fractured’ relationship with Māori
Politics

Tainui leader gives scathing review of Govt and ‘fractured’ relationship with Māori

23 Jan 01:14 AM
Premium
Premium
Ministers, Māori Queen set for Rātana as Luxon diverts for flood-stricken East Coast
Politics

Ministers, Māori Queen set for Rātana as Luxon diverts for flood-stricken East Coast

22 Jan 04:00 PM


Discover Australia with AAT Kings’ easy-going guided holidays 
Sponsored

Discover Australia with AAT Kings’ easy-going guided holidays 

15 Jan 12:33 AM
NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2026 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP