Trump shreds the usual script for US President

It was Brendan Gleeson’s breakthrough moment as a screen actor. While ‘only’ having a supporting role, Gleeson lit up the screen whenever he appeared in Paddy Breathnach’s classic I Went Down and featured in the film’s most memorable scenes. With its razor-sharp dialogue, perfectly timed black comedy and an Irishness that feels authentic rather than forced, the film still features in the best of homegrown Irish cinema.

Written by Conor McPherson, I Went Down is a 1997 road movie with gangsters, guns and plenty of dry wit. The story follows Git Hynes (Peter McDonald), a young ex-convict trying to stay out of trouble, who finds himself strong-armed into a job for a Dublin crime boss. His mission is to escort a kidnapped gangster across the country with the help (or hindrance) of the rough-and-ready Bunny Kelly, played with scene-stealing brilliance by Brendan Gleeson. As their journey unravels into a series of betrayals, misunderstandings and laugh-out-loud moments, the duo’s unlikely friendship becomes the film’s heart.

In one memorable scene, realising that his reluctant partner has no experience in handling guns, Bunny (a gruff and experienced gangster) provides some hilariously casual yet intimidating advice to his sidekick about how to properly hold a gun. Noticing that Git is wielding a pistol incorrectly - pointing it sideways in the stereotypical ‘gangster movie’ style while calmly ordering his would-be opponent to kneel down - Bunny explains that the sideways grip is stupid and that if anyone actually fired it like that the recoil would send the gun flying out of their hands.

Instead, Bunny shows him to hold it properly in a firm grip, so he can actually control it, before slowly pointing it at Git’s head. Then, in an outburst of chaotic-channelled lunacy, Gleeson’s character explodes in uncontained frantic rage, spitting and roaring at Git in vein-throbbing intensity, forcing the younger man to the ground and ready to meet his maker. 

Cursing and swearing, Bunny’s eyes roll as he threatens to kill him in a moment of untamed, uncontrolled madness while Git looks up confused and terrified - not knowing what demon has possessed his companion. Suddenly, Bunny snaps out of his frenzy and looks puzzled at his would-be victim before explaining, that’s how you hold a gun - you must look like you are insane enough to use it! This scene epitomises the witty dialogue, ostensibly grounded in realism, which has made the film a cult favourite.

The office of the US presidency has always been one populated by sober and calculating politicians, political advisors and career civil servants best embodied by Martin Sheen as the fictional US President Josiah 'Jed' Bartlet in The West Wing. This award-winning TV series portrays international political negotiations as a careful balance of diplomacy, moral leadership and strategic compromise, emphasising the role of experienced advisors, backchannel discussions, and multilateral cooperation. 

Bartlett portrayed an idealistic yet pragmatic leader who valued diplomacy, integrity and expert advice. Sheen's portrayal remains one of the most iconic depictions of a US president in TV history and calls to mind Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR), John F Kennedy and even Ronald Reagan. The show idealises the USA as a global force for stability, highlighting the importance of nuance, patience and diplomacy in how we generally expect modern governments to operate... until now.

Donald Trump is the newly elected leader of the most powerful military and economic power the world has ever seen - the 47th President of the USA. He thrives on chaos and unpredictability, openly challenging allies, reshaping US policy with rapid executive actions and sidelining traditional diplomatic channels. He is a populist, nationalist and highly transactional president who breaks sharply from traditional norms of governance. Unlike the diplomatic and institutionally driven leadership seen in the fictional President Bartlet, Trump prioritises bold, unilateral decisions, direct deal-making and America-first policies over multilateral cooperation. His approach to politics is a stark departure from the polished, steady-as-she-goes leadership traditionally associated with the US presidency.

Recently, Trump announced several controversial political moves, including massive federal workforce cuts led by the increasingly weird Elon Musk, aggressive immigrant deportation plans and renewed interest in acquiring Greenland. He has also proposed annexing Canada and taking back the Panama Canal. On social policy, he has rolled back LGBTQ+ protections, restricted official gender definitions and gender-affirming care for minors. Internationally, he’s imposed new tariffs on Canada and Mexico and then immediately suspended them for a month for ‘negotiations’. He clearly enjoys making social, economic and political analysts apoplectic.

Meanwhile, Trump’s recent 90-minute call with Vladimir Putin signalled a shift toward direct US-Russia negotiations over Ukraine - without European or Ukrainian involvement - even as his administration has simultaneously issued threats of additional sanctions and tariffs aimed at compelling Russia to end its invasion. Yet, he also suggested that continued American military aid to Ukraine be contingent upon the US gaining access to Ukraine's rare earth minerals. This approach ties security assistance directly to economic interests, a notable shift from previous US support strategies but also at odds with his "lengthy and highly productive” conversation with Putin which has now left both allies and opponents fearful and confused.

Outside of his loyal Republicans, Trump’s channelling Bunny Kelly over President Bartlet in his decision-making has been condemned as bordering on insanity across the spectrum of political and media opinions. Yet, I wonder about Brendan Gleeson’s advice on threatening an opponent with a gun. Perhaps, the world needs a Bunny Kelly approach right now, for Europeans and Democrats to truly believe that Trump is crazy enough to do what he threatens and so force them out of their decades-long complacency. We need a proactive, cohesive opposition to the corrupted world order, rooted in authentic but pragmatic ideals and principles, while invested in democracy over dogma. The gradualistic President Bartlet approach is not working in forcing governments into making the drastic, fundamental changes necessary to deal with climate change, growing illiberalism, severe economic inequality, state terrorism and environmental destruction. That said, we also need Donald Trump not to pull the trigger.