Did Donald Trump even know what "Brexit" was when he was first asked about it? The answer seems obvious:
"And Brexit? Your position?" I ask.
"Huh?"
"Brexit."
"Hmm."
"The Brits leaving the EU," I prompt, realizing that his lack of familiarity with one of the most pressing issues in Europe is for him no concern nor liability at all.
"Oh yeah, I think they should leave."
Any bets on whether he was hoping the interviewer would clue him in on what the EU is? Probably lots of Americans had no idea what "Brexit" was, but they aren't a major party's nominee for president, and they probably didn't form an instant opinion on something they knew nothing about. Trump, who knows nothing about what's going on with arguably the most important nation in the world as far as America's concerned, wants to be entrusted with American foreign policy.
So on the day after the vote, with Britons deeply split and financial markets in a panic, did he show he learned anything? Let's put it this way: he tweeted "Just arrived in Scotland. Place is going wild over the vote. They took their country back, just like we will take America back. No games!"
No games, no fact checking, and no asking anybody except the voices in his head. Quite apart from going wild, Scotland voted 62-38 to remain, and "remain" won in every constituency in Scotland. They're already talking about another referendum on independence if the UK goes through with it, because Scotland wants badly to stay in the EU. In fact, one of the incentives to remain in the UK was that the EU made clear an independent Scotland wouldn't be admitted. EU members were concerned admitting Scotland would encourage independence movements in regions of other EU members. Now that the UK is leaving the EU, the incentives have changed. Scotland is leaving the EU if it stays in the UK anyway, while the EU will admit Scotland to show EU membership is still desirable. The EU may not consciously want to make England an example, but it won't be concerned about an EU member being split.
So our most important ally might fall to pieces, and there's no guarantee the EU will even survive. If the EU splits up, long buried intra-European rivalries and grievances could destabilizing. Hopefully that's a worst case scenario, but for sure the economic damage will be extensive. Will America be affected? Ever hear of a European crisis that didn't affect us?
More to the point, does anyone think Trump knows any of this? He does business in Scotland, he's the Republican nominee --- and he hasn't the first clue.
But he did say that the vote was historic ... and then went on for 15 minutes about his golf course. "Yeah yeah yeah, Brexit was big and I'm running for president, but the important thing is how it affects my golf course!" Go on Donald, tell us again how great your suites are, and thanks GOP for thinking this should be the person in charge in a crisis.
But hey, on the upside, that grand tradition of Republican presidential candidates going to Britain and embarrassing themselves continues uninterrupted.
cross-posted at MN Progressive Project