When 47 becomes less than 45

45≠47;47< 45!!!? No, this is not one of my passwords, and it is not some kind of mathematical formula that denies logic either. What it is, is a political statement expressed in numbers, signs, and punctuation marks that I have put together because I’m sensing a new reality when it comes to Trump 47 and Israel, and that reality is 47 is less than 45.

Something bad has been taking place. 47 is becoming more and more under the influence of Mideast kings, sheiks, emirs, and the Tucker Carlson/JD Vance wing of the Republican Party  — and it is translating into a less and less friendly President to his most dependable ally in the Mideast, Israel.

I am picturing 47 as a mythological oarsman being drawn into the rocks by the song of the anti-Israel Sirens – and I don’t like the image. Oh how I hope and long for the day that the logic of 47 > 45 prevails!

Please take me seriously. Not because I am so smart but because I have been so loyal to 47 in the past. I voted for him three times and I have written numerous articles supporting him. Today I write from a personal sense of disappointment.

It is my opinion that relations between Israel and the United States are at a crossroads and it is not solely due to a growing tension between Trump and Bibi. The political winds between the two nations are changing and I believe 47 has plans to force Israel into alignment with US policy, as VP Vance might phrase it, whether Israel likes it or not.

Bottom line, to my way of thinking, 47 sees Netanyahu as too strong a leader to be easily pushed around regarding his grandiose peace plans for the region, and I believe he would prefer  —  and perhaps is setting the stage for — someone else to be Prime Minister of Israel.

Despite the longtime friendship between the two men, I am convinced. Why do I say this?

Because 47 fires F-bombs and expletives at the Prime Minister. Has he ever been so disparaging to other heads of state?

Because 47 recently floated the idea that Bibi may not even run for reelection, which is not true. Where did he get that from? Perhaps from a bag of political tricks.

Because 47 said, “I’m not happy with the way Israel has handled themselves with Lebanon and with Hezbollah. They should have been able to do the job faster” … and added, Syria could do a better job. More criticism aimed at Bibi and the IDF, suggesting Israel has mishandled the conflict with Hezbollah.

Finally, because 47 loves to call Netanyahu  “a wartime Prime Minister.” Who needs a wartime prime minister when we are on the brink of peace?

My formula does have an upside though. It ends with a “?” There are still more than two years to go before President 48 takes office, so there might be a change of heart in 47 before then and he might go back to being more like 45 — but the numbers aren’t looking good.

Yes, in my opinion, it seems that the only regime change that 47 is interested in right now is not in Iran but in Israel. With national elections in Israel not far off I’m reminded of the unwelcome American meddling in Israeli politics that took place during (Obama) 44.

And then there are the accusations that the present peace deal with Iran is similar to the former Obama deal to which 47  “doth protest too much” that it is not the case. Could it be that 47 has changed his stance on Iran to such a degree that 47 = 44 on occasion?

Oh how I loved 45! I do hope I am wrong about 47. Math was never my strong suit but I’m much more comfortable with the formula 47 > 45.