{"id":77400,"date":"2026-05-07T21:22:01","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T21:22:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/77400\/"},"modified":"2026-05-07T21:22:01","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T21:22:01","slug":"i-was-trumps-ambassador-you-might-not-think-it-but-he-always-has-a-plan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/77400\/","title":{"rendered":"I was Trump\u2019s ambassador. You might not think it, but he always has a plan"},"content":{"rendered":"

Carla Sands began her career as a chiropractor, socialite and actor before succeeding her husband as CEO of investment firm Vintage Capital Group. In 2016, she met presidential candidate Donald Trump<\/a> and became a fundraiser for his campaign.<\/p>\n

Sands, who went on to become Trump\u2019s ambassador to Denmark<\/a> during his first term, introduced the businessman to movers and shakers, some of whom she says still work for the President today.<\/p>\n

\u201cI remember saying to friends, \u2018I think this Donald Trump, I think he\u2019s got it.\u2019 And people would say to me, \u2018You can\u2019t be serious.\u2019 And I would say, \u2018You need to get ready for a Donald Trump presidency,\u2019\u201d she recalls.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tShorts \u2013 Quick stories\n\t\t<\/p>\n

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Fifa chief\u2019s bizarre pledge to any World
Cup $2m ticket holder<\/p>\n

The president of the football giant has said anyone who pays the exorbitantly inflated price for a ticket to the final will receive a \u201chot dog and a Coke\u201d from him personally, amid fan backlash.<\/p>\n

\"MEXICOCaption: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO \u2013 MARCH 28: FIFA President Gianni Infantino during an international friendly between Mexico and Portugal at Banorte Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Antonio Torres \u2013 FIFA\/FIFA via Getty Images)
Photographer: Antonio Torres \u2013 FIFA
Provider: FIFA via Getty Images
Source: FIFA
Copyright: IG. @TONOTORRESTELLEZ<\/p>\n

Ticket prices go sky-high<\/p>\n

Fifa boss Gianni Infantino made the extraordinary promise after tickets for behind-the-goal seats for the 2026 World Cup final were listed for almost $2.3m (\u00a31.7m) on Fifa\u2019s official resale platform.<\/p>\n

Speaking at a conference on Tuesday, he also pointed out that the listing \u201cdoesn\u2019t mean that somebody will buy these tickets\u201d.<\/p>\n

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FOOTBALL<\/p>\n

3 min read<\/p>\n

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FOOTBALL<\/p>\n

4 min read<\/p>\n

\nA closer look at the figures\n<\/p>\n

It would cost\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a36,500<\/p>\n

to get tickets for all of England\u2019s group stage matches. Factoring in travel from the UK, food and accommodation, the total cost would be well over \u00a38000.<\/p>\n

Ticket prices for later games are even higher.<\/p>\n

\u00a38,333<\/p>\n

is the cost of a ticket to the final, as sold by Fifa.<\/p>\n

Resale tickets could cost up to 10 times as much, with prices reported to have reached \u00a38.5m as of today.<\/p>\n

\"\"The Government is being urged to focus on providing practical steps and clear communication to the public to avoid panic-buying of fuel (Photo: Michael Garner\/Getty)<\/p>\n

NEWS<\/p>\n

How cutting speed limits could reduce Iran war price impact<\/p>\n

Lowering speed limits on motorways and urban roads could lower drivers\u2019 costs, according to a think-tank. <\/p>\n

This is part of a package of measures which it says would soften the impact of price hikes resulting from war in the Middle East.<\/p>\n

What the Institute for Public Policy Research calls for<\/p>\n

Cut fuel duty by 10p<\/p>\n

This would be a temporary measure.<\/p>\n

Energy price cap \u00a32,000<\/p>\n

The cap would be per customer per year.<\/p>\n

Lower speed limits by 10mph<\/p>\n

Across 30mph and 70mph zones.<\/p>\n

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Explained<\/p>\n

8 min read<\/p>\n

How would this help?<\/p>\n

Reducing the speed limit on motorways to 60 mph and 20mph in towns and cities could stretch fuel further in a shortage, as well as capping demand and helping drivers save money.<\/p>\n

International bodies for fuel monitoring have recommended that countries impose speed caps to curb fuel usage.<\/p>\n

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CONSUMER<\/p>\n

3 min read<\/p>\n

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NEWS<\/p>\n

5 min read<\/p>\n

\u2018A dual win\u2019 \u2013 thinktank<\/p>\n

[Benefits include] lowering fuel demand, while safer streets support swapping short trips to walking and cycling. This should be packaged with advice on how to drive more efficiently alongside recommendations for increased home working and carpooling.<\/p>\n

INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY RESEARCH<\/p>\n

\"\"Photographer: Justin Paget
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Digital Vision<\/p>\n

NEWS<\/p>\n

Paul Hollywood caught speeding at 96mph \u2018due to sick cat\u2019<\/p>\n

\"Prue(Photo: Channel 4\/Love Productions).<\/p>\n

Great British Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood was pulled over on the motorway near his home in January and told police he was rushing to get his pet to the vets. <\/p>\n

He has apologised for driving too fast after receiving a hefty fine and points on his driving licence.<\/p>\n

TV star caught \u2018bullying\u2019 other cars<\/p>\n

A police officer following Hollywood in an unmarked car saw his car \u201crepeatedly \u2018bully\u2019 other vehicles out of its way, through use of unsafe tailgating\u201d.<\/p>\n

He was then seen \u201cfollowing them at an aggressively short distance, on one occasion roughly a mere two metres whilst travelling at approximately 80mph\u201d. The officer pulled the chef over after matching his speed at 105mph.<\/p>\n

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TELEVISION<\/p>\n

3 min read<\/p>\n

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TELEVISION<\/p>\n

3 min read<\/p>\n

\"VehiclesCaption: Vehicles are pictured queueing on the M25 between Junctions 12 and 13 as a result of a protest by a Just Stop Oil activist positioned on an overhead gantry above the motorway on 9 November 2022 in Thorpe, United Kingdom. Just Stop Oil stopped traffic at multiple locations on the M25 for a third day as part of their campaign to demand that the government halts all new oil and gas licences and consents. (photo by Mark Kerrison\/In Pictures via Getty Images)
Photographer: Mark Kerrison
Provider: In Pictures via Getty Images
Source: In Pictures
Copyright: Mark Kerrison<\/p>\n

Hollywood pleaded guilty to speeding<\/p>\n

Mr Hollywood accepts he was driving too fast. He was rushing home to get his unwell cat to the vet.<\/p>\n

Hollywood pleaded not guilty to a charge of driving without due care and attention, which was dropped. He was fined \u00a3293 and ordered to pay a further \u00a3237 in costs by Worthing Magistrates\u2019 Court last week.<\/p>\n

Driven to distraction<\/p>\n

Hollywood has been a judge on The Great British Bake Off since its founding in 2010, with several co-judges and hosts. He has competed in professional races for Aston Martin and admitted his speeding was his \u201cmost unappealing habit\u201d on TV in 2022. <\/p>\n

He said: \u201cI probably drive a little bit too quick. It scares a few people. I took Mary in a car once and she was hitting me with her handbag.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"TelevisionCaption: Television Programme: The Great British Bake Off with Paul Hollywood, Sue Perkins, Mel Giedroyc, Mary Berry<\/p>\n

WARNING: Embargoed for publication until: 28\/07\/2015 \u2013 Programme Name: The Great British Bake Off \u2013 TX: n\/a \u2013 Episode: n\/a (No. 1) \u2013 Picture Shows: +++Publication of this image is strictly embargoed until 00.01 hours Tuesday July 28th 2015+++ Paul Hollywood, Sue Perkins, Mel Giedroyc, Mary Berry, The Great British Bake Off contestants \u2013 (C) Love Productions \u2013 Photographer: Mark Bourdillon
Photographer: Mark Bourdillon
Provider: BBC\/Love Productions\/Mark Bourdillon
Copyright: BBC PICTURE ARCHIVES<\/p>\n

\"SUZUKA,The two Aston Martin cars were the slowest in qualifying on Saturday at Suzuka (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\"UndatedCaption: Undated handout composite photo issued by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) of Chung Biu Yuen (left), 65, a former Hong Kong police officer currently working at the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London, and Chi Leung Wai, 40, a former UK Border Force officer and special constable with the City of London Police. Both individuals were convicted under the National Security Act 2023 following a trial at the Old Bailey. Issue date: Thursday May 7, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: CPS\/PA Wire <\/p>\n

NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Photographer: CPS
Provider: CPS\/PA Wire
Source: PA<\/p>\n

CRIME<\/p>\n

UK immigration officer among two guilty of working for Chinese intelligence<\/p>\n

A Border Force official and a retired Hong Kong police officer have been found guilty of conducting \u201cshadow policing\u201d operations for China on British soil.<\/p>\n

What you need to know<\/p>\n

Dual Chinese-British nationals Peter Wai, 38, and Bill Yuen, 65, were convicted of assisting a foreign intelligence service under the National Security Act. Wai was also convicted of misconduct in a public office by searching the Home Office computer system for people of interest to Hong Kong authorities.<\/p>\n

\"ChungCaption: Chung Biu Yuen arrives at the Old Bailey court, during a trial where he and co-defendant Chi Leung Wai are accused of assisting a foreign intelligence service, in London, Britain, May 6, 2026. REUTERS\/Toby Melville
Photographer: Toby Melville
Provider: REUTERS
Source: REUTERS<\/p>\n

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Exclusive<\/p>\n

4 min read<\/p>\n

\nA closer look at the detail\n<\/p>\n

The jury, which deliberated for 23 hours and 38 minutes, was discharged after failing to reach a verdict against the defendants in respect of a charge of foreign interference by forcing entry into the Pontefract home of alleged fraud suspect Monica Kwong on 1 May 2024.<\/p>\n

\"ChungCaption: Chung Biu Yuen arrives at the Old Bailey court, during a trial where he and co-defendant Chi Leung Wai are accused of assisting a foreign intelligence service, in London, Britain, May 6, 2026. REUTERS\/Toby Melville
Photographer: Toby Melville
Provider: REUTERS
Source: REUTERS<\/p>\n

\"LONDON,Caption: LONDON, ENGLAND \u2013 MARCH 02: Chi Leung Wai arrives at the Old Bailey on March 02, 2026 in London, England. Chi Leung (Peter) Wai and Chung Biu Yuen have been charged under the National Security Act with assisting the Hong Kong intelligence service and foreign interference, for allegedly agreeing to undertake information gathering, surveillance, and acts of deception. A third man, a Home Office immigration officer and former Royal Marine, Matthew Trickett, had also been charged, but was found dead in Maidenhead in May 2024. (Photo by Jack Taylor\/Getty Images)
Photographer: Jack Taylor
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Getty Images Europe
Copyright: 2026 Getty Images<\/p>\n

The prosecution announced the Crown would not seek a retrial and the defendants were remanded into custody to be sentenced on a date to be fixed on 15 May.<\/p>\n

Who were their targets?<\/p>\n

Wai worked for Border Force at Heathrow Airport\u00a0having formerly been in the Royal Navy.<\/p>\n

He had gathered intelligence on the orders of ex-Hong Kong superintendent Yuen, who was a senior manager at the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office (HKETO) in London.<\/p>\n

Targets included Hong Kong dissidents and protesters living in the UK \u2013 with \u201cspecial attention\u201d paid to politicians including Sir Iain Duncan Smith.<\/p>\n

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Analysis<\/p>\n

8 min read<\/p>\n

\"\"Demand for second-hand motors remains exceptionally high <\/p>\n

MOTORING<\/p>\n

The \u2018sweet spot\u2019 to look out for when buying a used car<\/p>\n

A car stops feeling \u2018nearly new\u2019 but still drives like one.<\/p>\n

Experts say this is the tipping point where second-hand cars drop significantly in price, but are still in good condition, making them excellent value for money. <\/p>\n

After three or four years cars drop in price<\/p>\n

Analysis by AA cars shows that used cars are significantly cheaper after three years than two, with some dropping almost \u00a34,000 in price overnight. <\/p>\n

This is because a wave of brand new cars will have been released, pushing down the value of each generation of older cars. Warrantees often expire around this time too.<\/p>\n

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BUSINESS<\/p>\n

2 min read<\/p>\n

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OPINION<\/p>\n

2 min read<\/p>\n

How much could you save?<\/p>\n

Peugeots and Fords offer biggest savings<\/p>\n

Peugeot 3008 \u2013 19.4% drop<\/p>\n

From \u00a318,603 to \u00a314,989 for a three-year-old car.<\/p>\n

Toyota Prius \u2013 28.1% drop<\/p>\n

From \u00a315,685 to \u00a311,280 for a four-year-old car.<\/p>\n

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LIFESTYLE<\/p>\n

6 min read<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a good time to buy<\/p>\n

Three and four years is the sweet spot where a car stops feeling \u2018nearly new\u2019 in the market, even if it still drives like one\u2026Check service history, tyres and brakes, run an HPI check, and ask why it is being sold. If it is hybrid, ask for battery health and recall history.<\/p>\n

ROHIT PARMAR-MISTRY, FOUNDER OF DATA COMPNAY PATTRN<\/p>\n

\"ACaption: A sign reads \u201cCars Wanted 4 Cash\u201d outside an independent second-hand car dealership in Leigh-on-Sea, U.K., on Monday, April 29, 2013. European car sales are sliding to a 20-year low after German concerns over the debt crisis sent demand plunging last month in the region\u2019s biggest economy and removed the main buffer protecting automakers. Photographer: Simon Dawson\/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Photographer: Bloomberg
Provider: Bloomberg via Getty Images
Source: Bloomberg<\/p>\n

news<\/p>\n

How German tourist won \u00a3850 payout for losing sun lounger race<\/p>\n

\"Indonesia,Amenities like pools at hotels can often come with an added \u2013 and unexpected \u2013 resort fee<\/p>\n

(Photo: Westend6\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

A father has won a court battle with his package holiday provider after failing to secure a sunbed at his hotel in Greece, despite spending 20 minutes a day looking. The loungers had all been reserved with towels in the early morning.<\/p>\n

Judge rules in favour of tourist<\/p>\n

The unnamed man told a court in Hanover he got up at 6am to try and get sunbeds for his family, but found other tourists had beaten him to it. His children were forced to lie on the floor as a result.<\/p>\n

The hotel had banned towel-reserving, but didn\u2019t enforce the policy \u2013 the man said this meant he was due a refund.<\/p>\n

\"TheThe practice of \u2018reserving\u2019 poolside sunloungers is highly contentious (Photo: clubfoto\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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Analysis<\/p>\n

6 min read<\/p>\n

How the case unfolded<\/p>\n

\"LARDOS,Empty sun loungers line the beach in Lardos, Rhodes, on 29 July, after the wildfires (Photo: Dan Kitwood\/Getty)<\/p>\n

The man, who paid \u20ac7,186 for his holiday, said it was \u201cdefective\u201d.<\/p>\n

The provider initially agreed to pay him \u20ac350 but he wasn\u2019t happy.<\/p>\n

The judge took his side and ordered the travel operator to pay \u20ac986.70.<\/p>\n

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TRAVEL<\/p>\n

7 min read<\/p>\n

\nSun bed wars\n<\/p>\n

The so-called \u201cdawn dash\u201d or \u201csun bed wars\u201d have long been a problem on package holidays, with some providers such as Thomas Cook even offering the option to reserve a lounger poolside for a fee.<\/p>\n

\"CruiseCruise ships docked near Great Bay beach in St Martin (Photo: onfilm\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\"BENIDORM,Spain is looking at changing its \u2018golden visa\u2019 scheme that offers three-year residency to investors in property or business (Photo: David Ramos\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

The practice is frowned upon, with 71 per cent of Germans believing their fellow countrymen to be the worst culprits. But tourists from the UK also think that other Brits are the biggest offenders. <\/p>\n

politics<\/p>\n

Inside the Green Party fallout over Polanski antisemitism row<\/p>\n

\"CARDIFF,Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, with party supporters during campaigning in Cardiff for the Senedd election. The Greens are expected to make substantial gains in elections across the UK on Thursday (Photo: Jon Rowley\/Getty) <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Chloe Chaplain<\/p>\n

Senior Political Correspondent<\/p>\n

Insiders say a sense of unease and panic has overcome the party, with canvassers facing backlash on the doorstep in the final days leading up to today\u2019s election. There is particular concern over their leaders\u2019 handling of the issue.<\/p>\n

Candidates arrested<\/p>\n

\"ACaption: A sign supporting the Green Party political party is displayed in a residential street on the eve of local and mayoral elections in England and devolved parliamentary elections in Wales and Scotland on May 7, in London, Britain, May 6, 2026. REUTERS\/Toby Melville
Photographer: Toby Melville
Provider: REUTERS
Source: REUTERS<\/p>\n

Two Lambeth Green candidates were arrested for their social media.<\/p>\n

More antisemitic posts have been unearthed by Labour.<\/p>\n

The party has tightened up vetting procedures in response.<\/p>\n

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POLITICS<\/p>\n

3 min read<\/p>\n

Campaigners fear scrutiny<\/p>\n

There is a sense of unease in the party because people aren\u2019t used to having the full weight of the Labour Party briefing against us. There\u2019s a bit of worry in terms of how we are responding to the accusations, but I think Zack was clear that our vetting process hasn\u2019t been good enough.<\/p>\n

a source within the green party<\/p>\n

\"ACaption: A Green Party political sign put up by the householder to show support ahead of local council elections in London, Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (AP Photo\/Alastair Grant)
Photographer: Alastair Grant
Provider: AP
Source: AP
Copyright: Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved<\/p>\n

\nWhat did Polanski do?\n<\/p>\n

In the wake of the Golders Green stabbings last weekend, the Green leader reposted a video of the attacker\u2019s arrest, criticising the Metropolitan Police for using excessive force. His post sparked outrage.<\/p>\n

\"GreenGreen leader Zack Polanski campaigning in Lambeth , south London last month. He told the BBC the messages by candidates accused of antisemitism were \u2018unacceptable\u2019 (Photo: Justin Tallis\/AFP)<\/p>\n

\"LONDON,Green Party posters on display in Hackney. (Photo by Carl Court\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

He has since apologised for the post, telling the BBC that the Green Party is \u201canti-racist\u201d and that vetting procedures would be improved \u201cto make it clear that antisemitism is completely unwelcome in the Green Party, as it is in society\u201d. <\/p>\n

\nPoll watch\n<\/p>\n

Number of Brits with an unfavourable view of Polanski<\/p>\n

47%<\/p>\n

This is up from 39 per cent before his post, according to YouGov.<\/p>\n

The Greens are still riding high in the polls ahead of today\u2019s elections though.<\/p>\n

555<\/p>\n

The number of seats the party is predicted to win in today\u2019s elections. <\/p>\n

Voting intention has not changed perceptibly since the antisemitism row. <\/p>\n

Think you know all the signs of heart problems? Some might be myths rather than fact\u2026<\/p>\n

These are the beliefs to be wary of, according to Dr Abdul Mozid, a consultant cardiologist at Nuffield Health Leeds Hospital.<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

\u2018Getting out of breath is just a sign of getting older\u2019<\/p>\n

\"SeniorCaption: Senior man laying down on the sofa, watching tv and holding the remote control.
Photographer: PicTour Studio
Provider: Getty Images
Source: iStockphoto<\/p>\n

While ageing can contribute, breathlessness is also a common early warning sign of heart disease.<\/p>\n

When the heart cannot pump efficiently, fluid can build up in the lungs, making simple activities difficult.<\/p>\n

If it occurs while laying down, or while doing minimal activity, it should never be ignored.<\/p>\n

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LIFESTYLE<\/p>\n

4 min read<\/p>\n

\u2018Sleep has little effect on the heart\u2019<\/p>\n

\"\"There are ways to get a better night\u2019s sleep (Photo: Maskot\/Getty\/Digital Vision\/Copyright Maskot Bildbyr?)<\/p>\n

Poor or fragmented sleep increases stress hormone levels, raises blood pressure, disrupts glucose metabolism and promotes inflammation \u2014 all of which contribute to cardiovascular disease.<\/p>\n

Good-quality sleep is not a luxury; it is a pillar of cardiovascular health alongside diet and exercise.<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Exercise gives you a healthy heart\u2019\n<\/p>\n

You can \u2018out-exercise\u2019 metabolic stress<\/p>\n

\"AA young Indian woman sits on a couch at home, holding her hand over her heart, grimacing as she feels severe pain in her chest \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

This is not true. A poor diet high in saturated fats, refined sugars and salt promotes high cholesterol, diabetes and hypertension, regardless of your activity levels.<\/p>\n

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Analysis<\/p>\n

3 min read<\/p>\n

\nOther heart health myths to ignore\n<\/p>\n

Only \u201cbad\u201d cholesterol matters<\/p>\n

While HDL cholesterol may be associated with lower\u00a0risk in some contexts, it does not provide total immunity to heart problems.\u00a0Managing LDL levels remains crucial as part of your overall health.<\/p>\n

\"Insomnia,(Photo: Jacob Wackerhausen\/Getty).<\/p>\n

\"MidlifeMidlife depression. Sad upset middle aged woman at home, feeling lonely. Aging anxiety and loneliness concept \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

It\u2019s just anxiety
Women are more likely to present with less \u201cclassic\u201d heart attack symptoms, such as fatigue, nausea, jaw pain or back discomfort. If symptoms are new or persistent, cardiac issues must be considered.<\/p>\n

\u2018Heart disease is an older person problem\u2019<\/p>\n

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in women, yet risk is often underestimated. Symptoms may be subtle and attributed to life stage or stress.<\/p>\n

Recognising these unique risk enhancers is vital to earlier diagnosis and prevention.<\/p>\n

\"TheThe older couple has a conflict. Upset mature woman, quarrel with her husband. Relationship crisis \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\"BERLIN,Caption: BERLIN, GERMANY \u2013 AUGUST 13: Symbolic photo on the topic of problems in a relationship. An older woman and an older man are sitting at home on August 13, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo Illustration by Thomas Trutschel\/Photothek via Getty Images)
Photographer: Thomas Trutschel
Provider: Photothek via Getty Images
Source: Photothek<\/p>\n

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The 65-year-old, who donated nearly a quarter of a million dollars to that campaign, says Trump is a great communicator. \u201cMaybe the best communicator our country has ever had. I mean, Abraham Lincoln wrote some beautiful speeches, but President Trump understands communication in the 21st century. He\u2019s really mastered it.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlus, he\u2019s a successful businessman, so he understands how to negotiate, [while] most US presidents are political animals.\u201d<\/p>\n

And despite Trump\u2019s attacks on his allies<\/a> raising eyebrows and pulses around the world, Sands insists there is method to his insults.<\/p>\n

\"USThen-ambassador Sands with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Copenhagen in 2020 (Photo: Thibault Savary\/AFP)<\/p>\n

When earlier this year he disparaged the sacrifice of Nato<\/a> troops who fought with the US in Afghanistan<\/a>, Sands admits she felt wounded. \u201cI felt bad for the Danish troops who had a higher per capita loss than the US and the UK troops,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

But she adds: \u201cYou have to look at President Trump as a macro guy \u2013 he\u2019s looking at the whole world. All he knows are the top-line numbers.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the weekend, the Pentagon announced that the US would withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany<\/a> over the next year, just days after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz<\/a> said the US was being \u201chumiliated\u201d by Iran<\/a>. Trump warned this was just the beginning.<\/p>\n

Sands, who served on Trump\u2019s transition finance committee and economic advisory council in 2016, became US ambassador to Denmark in 2017 and stayed in the post throughout his first presidency. She says that Trump \u201cdoesn\u2019t know the details, but he does know the big picture that most Nato allies were not standing with us\u201d.<\/p>\n

She adds: \u201cThink about what he\u2019s dealing with. He\u2019s dealing with our economy, he\u2019s dealing with the inner social issues in the United States, and then he\u2019s dealing with the world\u2026 We have to look at the big picture.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"COPENHAGEN,Sands, pictured at the\u00a0inauguration of the Australian War Memorial in Copenhagen in 2020, claims Trump\u2019s policies are \u2018the best in my country\u2019s history\u2019 (Photo: Ole Jensen\/Getty)<\/p>\n

Sands \u2013 who was a candidate in the Republican primary in Pennsylvania\u2019s 2022 senate election \u2013 says she admires Trump\u2019s capacity to deal with all of this, \u201cbecause most US presidents, they can get one or two big things done in a year\u201d.<\/p>\n

Right now, Trump\u2019s deal-making abilities are being questioned. He had to retreat from threats and offers to buy Greenland<\/a> from Denmark last year, and his strongarm attempts to resolve the war he launched against Iran in February have so far come to nothing.<\/p>\n

Polls show he is enduring his highest-ever disapproval rating<\/a>, of 62 per cent. When it comes to the war with Iran, 66 per cent of Americans polled say they disapprove.<\/p>\n

Even so, unlike former Trump allies and Maga influencers such as Tucker Carlson<\/a>, Megyn Kelly and Marjorie Taylor Greene, who have condemned the conflict \u2013 accusing Trump of going against his promises not to get involved in forever wars \u2013 Sands continues to back him.<\/p>\n

She says it was Iran, not Trump, that started the war when the Islamic Republic overthrew the monarchy in 1979, and that the President is acting consistently with the man she met a decade ago.<\/p>\n

\"AUVERS-SUR-OISE,Sands, who now chairs the Foreign Policy Initiative at Trump-aligned think tank America First Policy Institute, says the President \u2018doesn\u2019t know the details, but he does know the big picture\u2019 regarding Nato (Photo: Siavosh Hosseini\/SOPA Images\/LightRocket via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s talked about all the issues he\u2019s dealing with today, for decades. He was talking about Kharg Island<\/a> in 1988,\u201d she said, referring to Iran\u2019s island oil export hub that Trump threatened to seize by force in March.<\/p>\n

Sands \u2013 who now chairs the Foreign Policy Initiative at Trump-aligned think-tank America First Policy Institute \u2013 says Trump is someone who has \u201cwatched these issues, who understands the geopolitics of all these issues, and he has a firm grasp on everything\u201d.<\/p>\n

Even his social media posts threatening to wipe out the Iranian civilisation fit this brief, according to Sands, who says Trump\u2019s communication style is sometimes intended for a specific audience. \u201cIn this case, he\u2019s messaging straight to the despots in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps<\/a> that are literally mowing down citizens of Iran,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

\"USTrump with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the Oval Office in March. Relations between the two leaders have gone downhill since then (Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds\/AFP)<\/p>\n

Sands claims that every US president since 1979 has said that\u201dwe will not let Iran get a nuclear weapon. We will not let Iran get a nuclear weapon. But they all punted.\u201d<\/p>\n

She says she remains optimistic that there are \u201cgood people\u201d working on the ground in Iran to create a \u201cgood and beneficial government\u201d, pointing to a recent meeting she had with Europe-based opposition group the National Council of Resistance of Iran.<\/p>\n

Sands adds that the failure of the US\u2019s Nato allies to back Trump\u2019s war and get involved would not be forgotten. \u201cTwo years ago, I would\u2019ve said, \u2018Yes, Article Five is ironclad [but] they said no when President Trump asked them to help open the Strait [of Hormuz],\u2019\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

When it comes to Denmark, Sands claims the European country has never been able to defend Greenland<\/a> and has never attempted to develop it.<\/p>\n

\u201cGreenland languishes like a welfare state on just enough to keep it going, but not enough to develop economically,\u201d she claims. \u201cThe EU is now really investing a lot more than they ever have into Greenland. Part of that, I think, is to counter President Trump in the United States. But what\u2019s going to happen is Greenland will go independent in this century.\u201d<\/p>\n

The businesswoman has also served on boards including the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art and the Los Angeles Philharmonic,<\/p>\n

Ultimately she believes, Trump is what the planet needs right now.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fact is, the world needs a strong, virtuous US president,\u201d she said. \u201cYou could say, \u2018Well, Donald Trump\u2019s not virtuous.\u2019 His policies are, so I don\u2019t look at the man\u2026 We are all flawed, all of us, whether we\u2019re followers or leaders, sinners and saints, but his policies are the best in my country\u2019s history.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Carla Sands began her career as a chiropractor, socialite and actor before succeeding her husband as CEO of…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":77401,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[2],"tags":[27,26,184,57,2271,32225,39816,5624,830],"class_list":["post-77400","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-denmark","tag-danmark","tag-denmark","tag-donald-trump","tag-greenland","tag-iran","tag-iran-crisis","tag-maga","tag-us-politics","tag-usa"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@dk\/116535397680429654","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77400","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=77400"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77400\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/77401"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=77400"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=77400"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=77400"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}