Bret Stephens recently shared insights reflecting on the significance of perception in leadership, using a Spanish phrase his father favored: “en los pequeños detalles se ve la persona,” meaning “the person is revealed in the small details.” Such details recently became evident during the Group of 7 leaders’ summit in France.
At the event, a comment from Donald Trump made headlines. He claimed that Giorgia Meloni, the prime minister of Italy, urgently requested a photo with him, stating, “She wanted a picture with me so badly,” and added that he felt sorry for her. Meloni quickly countered this claim, labeling Trump’s statement as fabricated.
Meloni expressed bewilderment at Trump’s conduct towards allies. In a social media video, she remarked on his lack of firmness with adversaries of the U.S. Instead, she noted his excessive leniency towards them. She firmly stated, “I never beg, and neither does Italy.” This incident sparked a larger reflection on leadership character, suggesting Meloni’s truthfulness compared to Trump’s claims.
Stephens notes a broader takeaway from this event for Americans. As the country nears its 250-year mark, a moment of introspection may be needed. He introduces the idea of “cringing” as a mix of empathy and embarrassment, often felt when witnessing others’ socially awkward moments. This could occur at a child’s school play or an embarrassed spouse at a gathering.
Living in Trump’s America, Stephens suggests, induces a constant “cringe.” He references cultural works like “Waiting for Godot,” “Pulp Fiction,” and “Dumb and Dumber” to illustrate this feeling. They depict a mix of the absurd, ironic, and trivial challenges facing modern leadership.
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