6 Reasons Donald Trump Of The Past Would Hate Donald Trump Today
2. Iraq
Iraq has been a regional quagmire and political tightrope for 12 years now. Republicans running for office have been pulled in two directions over the failed conquest, as they struggle to distance themselves from the unpopular invasion while simultaneously assuring soldiers their sacrifices werent made in vain. To be fair, this is not just a Republican concern, as Hillary Clinton, who supported the incursion in Iraq, found out during the 2008 Democratic primaries. Consequently, politicians on both sides of the aisle have been tremendously prudent and calculating when discussing their support, tacit or active, of the 2003 invasion. In 2004, Donald, freshly minted from the success of The Apprentices first season, offered his opinion on the war. Trump declared Iraq was a total disaster and that he would fire the Bush Administration if possible over its decision to enter the Middle Eastern nation. He would comment in later interviews that he would have never invaded the oil-rich country in the first place. The most striking factor, however, is the reason for his reluctance. Trump lamented the fact democracy would likely never take hold in Iraq, and showed a sliver of compassion when he noted American soldiers and Iraqis were paying the ultimate sacrifice for nothing. A pretty sound and sensible opinion that many still hold to this day. But not Donald. Jump forward 11 years and much has changed. While still against the 8-year offensive, at least in some interviews, he now believes American soldiers should re-enter Iraq to secure its oil deposits. Donald would note in an interview with Foxs Bill OReilly that if America didnt secure the enemys natural deposits, all 4,400 soldiers killed during the initial invasion perished for a hopeless cause. Trump would also apparently change his rationale and (inferred) support for the invasion, claiming in an interview with The Wall Street Journal that entrance into Iraq for oil seemed smart. A far cry from the concerned Trump, who years earlier wanted no lives lost for unobtainable democratic values.
