Trump's intimidation tactic just got destroyed — and he's reeling

In a week when Donald Trump seemed to think he was a king because he hung with one, something hopeful reminded us he is far from one. In fact, you might say that the emperor's clothing is beginning to be removed, and what’s being exposed is a scaredy cat fraud.

Three diverse, noteworthy figures, over the past few days, looked Trump in the eye and essentially told him, “Get lost.”

After watching universities fold, law firms capitulate, networks grovel, and broadcasters bench their own talent at the first hint of White House displeasure (I’m dreading saying goodbye to Stephen Colbert), we saw a different response to Trump’s horrid reign.

First, a world leader stepped forward to call out Trump’s tragically misguided war with Iran. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who had been careful to maintain cordial relations with Trump and left a White House visit last month on good terms, did something rare among Western leaders.

Speaking to students in his home district of Marsberg, Merz said the Americas, i.e. Donald Trump “have absolutely no coherent strategy whatsoever” in the Iran conflict, and that “an entire nation is being humiliated by the Iranian leadership, especially by these so-called Revolutionary Guards.”

Trump, predictably, lashed out on Truth Social, claiming Merz “thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon” and writing, “No wonder Germany is doing so poorly, both Economically, and otherwise!”

But Merz didn’t apologize or backtrack. He was right. U.S. negotiators were set to travel to Islamabad for talks last weekend, and Trump canceled the trip, boasting, “We have all the cards,” while Iran keeps the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed, hurting the global economy. Merz said publicly what many leaders say privately.

And let’s hope that other world leaders take the hint and come down hard on Trump. Doing the right thing always works out in the end. Just ask Jimmy Kimmel.

Kimmel, and, more importantly, Disney and ABC. Kimmel joked last Thursday about Melania being an “expectant widow” because of their May-December marriage, not, as Melania claimed, about precipitating the White House Correspondents Dinner shooting incident.

You’ll recall that the last time Trump targeted Kimmel, ABC caved, benching him after backlash from conservative politicians and station owners over a monologue about the politicization of activist Charlie Kirk’s murder.

Subscribers canceled Disney+ in protest. It was so embarrassing, and to be blunt, it was great to see consumers react quickly and decisively. Disney, this time, is handling things differently. The same day the Trump’s toothless toady, FCC Chair Brendan Carr, challenged ABC’s broadcast licenses. It was clearly in retaliation for Melania’s accusation. Carr said it wasn’t but of course he’s blatantly lying.

But Jimmy? He went on air and he kept hammering.

He didn’t apologize, because he didn’t need to! He noted the irony that Trump had just joked about his own marriage to Melania at a royal arrival ceremony. Trump noted that his parents were married for 63 years. He then turned to Melania and said, "That’s a record we won’t be able to match, darling. I’m sorry. Just not going to work out that way. We’ll do well, but we’re not going to do that well".

Kimmel took notice. Only Donald Trump would demand that I be fired for making a joke about his old age,” Kimmel said, “and then a day later go out and make a joke about his old age.”

And Disney? The company invoked the First Amendment and signaled it is willing to fight, saying it has complied fully with FCC rules. The FCC’s lone Democratic commissioner, Anna Gomez, said Disney “has the First Amendment on its side.”

Then there’s Jerome Powell. Who would have thought a 73-year-old, diminutive, nerdy math guy could make Trump look even more feckless? On his last day as Fed chair, the man Trump appointed, hounded, threatened, and tried to have investigated did not go quietly.

Powell called the political attacks on the Fed “unprecedented in our 113-year history” and announced he will remain on the Board of Governors after his chairmanship ends May 15, rather than disappearing as outgoing chairs typically do—despite Trump repeatedly demanding he do so.

Powell just stuck a sharp #2 pencil in Trump’s eye. I’d say a Sharpie, but Trump’s obviously able to do that himself.

Powell has long projected neutrality, even favoring purple ties to avoid partisan signaling, while pushing back on Trump’s pressure for rate cuts. Now he’s staying put. As one former top Fed official said, Powell “may think it’s in the best interest of the institution to demonstrate he won’t be pushed around or bullied.”

That’s exactly what staying on the board signals.

There’s also James Comey, who responded to his seashell indictment from Trump’s acting AG Todd Blanche with a blunt, unintimidated “let’s go.”

You could even argue King Charles delivered a subtle poke. Speaking before Congress, he didn’t mention Trump but spoke pointedly about Magna Carta, balance of power, and protecting all religions.

Are these signs something is shifting?

Trump has grown used to his targets folding. Many chose to do so, thinking it easier and safer to avoid his wrath, i.e. to protect their funding or tax breaks.

He has spent his second term making examples of his perceived critics, and some have acted cowardly. Universities, law firms, broadcasters, all calculated resistance was futile.

But in one week, three powerful figures from different arenas sent a different message. If defying Trump’s bullying and threats becomes a trend, it will be a welcome one.