KJS 3.26

Here’s a story every fourth grader already knows.

There’s a kid on the playground. Big. Loud. Spends years pushing everyone around — stealing lunch money, breaking up games, telling everyone the rules don’t apply to him. He calls people names. He charges his own friends extra just to walk through the gate. He tells the whole playground he doesn’t need anyone.

Then one day, he picks a fight he can’t finish alone.

Now he’s standing in the middle of the yard, looking around at everyone he’s been bullying, and he’s demanding their help.

That’s what happened this weekend.

President Trump launched a war against Iran without consulting allies in Europe or Asia — the very countries most dependent on the oil that flows through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded by closing the strait. Twenty percent of the world’s oil supply, stopped. Oil hit $105 a barrel this morning.

So Trump went on Truth Social and demanded that Japan, Australia, China, France, South Korea, and NATO send warships. “This is not our war. We have not started it,” said Germany’s Defense Minister. Japan said no. Australia said no. Italy said no. Spain said the war needs to end, not expand. No country has publicly announced plans to send warships.

Trump’s response: “Whether we get support or not — we will remember.”

A threat. To the people he just asked for help. On the same day.

This is why we have diplomacy.

This is why we build alliances.

This is why we sign trade agreements and fund multilateral partnerships and yes — give money to other countries. Not out of charity. Out of the basic understanding that no one, no matter how big, operates alone forever.

They didn’t teach Trump that in fourth grade. Today, the playground said no.