Editorial: Donald Trump has to go
There is broad consensus that he has crossed the line and is unfit to serve as US president
Just hours after Pope Leo delivered an Easter message calling for peace, Donald Trump took to Truth Social to post a crude, threatening message with catastrophic undertones: “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F*****’ Strait, you crazy b*******, or you’ll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah.”
Two days later, it got worse, with a social media post culminating in apocalyptic language, as Trump threatened the destruction of an entire civilisation to force Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz, weeks after he himself started a deadly war with no mission, let alone an exit plan.
We have long been critical of Trump. Yet, when he returned to the presidency in 2025 with a decisive mandate, we had an obligation to allow for the possibility that his second term might bring economic growth or even peace.
That hope didn’t last long.
In just 15 months, Trump spouted hatred, imposed travel bans, blamed Ukraine for Russia’s invasion, sparked trade conflicts, denied climate change, dismantled USAid (indirectly leading to thousands of deaths), offered unconditional backing to Israel’s deadly siege, attacked LGBT rights and lurched from one position to another with little regard for truth or consequence. Trump has shown time and again he is a compulsive liar, driven by impulse, ego and money.
And in the last week, there is a broad consensus that he crossed the line. The president of the United States, commander-in-chief of the most powerful military in the world, suggested a willingness to contemplate mass destruction on a scale that would amount to genocide – these words carry weight, consequence and risk to all of us.
On the same day, Trump announced and celebrated a ceasefire with Iran, Israel - its partner in war - killed 203 people in Lebanon. And Iran kept the Strait of Hormuz closed as oil prices shot up.
We have yet to see one senior government official come out unequivocally condemning Trump’s politics of hatred and division
What is perhaps most telling is that criticism is now coming from the prominent MAGA voices who helped him get elected, from Tucker Carlson to Marjorie Taylor Greene.
More than 70 lawmakers, including a handful of senators, said Trump’s Cabinet needs to invoke the 25th Amendment to the Constitution and declare him unfit to serve, Congress should impeach and convict him, or both.
Yet, the American political system appears paralysed. Those with the authority to act fear recriminations or hope he will one day choose to leave.
But as we wait, we need to acknowledge that his unhinged actions and statements have brought the world to a point of danger – both from a security perspective and economically.
This is not a critique of the US, a country that has, under many administrations, upheld democratic values, contributed to global stability and helped rescue Europe from the precipice during World War II. Nor is this an argument against its people, who are as divided and concerned about Trump’s presidency.
The world can no longer remain silent, and we cannot continue seeing leaders humiliating themselves and kissing Trump’s ring. Relations with the US are vital, but cannot come at the cost of peace and dignity.
Malta, too, has a role, however modest. We have yet to see one senior government official come out unequivocally condemning Trump’s politics of hatred and division. Instead, we see many lining up for photo opportunities with the American envoy – we even contemplated joining Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’, for heaven’s sake.
History is unkind to those who choose silence in the face of imminent danger. Donald Trump has to go.