I will settle for respect over popularity. Especially if their superficial popularity is purchased with trade deficits that continue off into infinity.
****

They want American "popularity" when we bend over under the bleachers for any member of the 'international community' when they are in the mood.

They want popularity when America gives blood and money for security guarantees.

They want popularity when America go vis over discoveries and humanity changing innovations - for nothing,

They want popularity when other countries can build middle classes and infrastructure with what used to be America's money.

They want America gutted in exchange for polite applause from Western Europeans and others.

They want popularity that is superficial that is based on them using us.

they want out middle class workers and cities gutted and turned into wards of state, while on OUR backs, middle classes from Mexico to china to India are propped up and weapons are bought with what used to be our money - to be used against US.

AND THEY STILL WANT IT SO BADLY.

And that is why - even though some of the Musk stuff gives me serious....SERIOUS pause - I'm all for it. Go Musk, Go Trump.

The minute America wants something for itself, all of a sudden the "polite applause" abroad becomes a bunch of crying little teenage girls.

Not today.

Maybe it'll work tomorrow but it ain't working today.