By John Q. Hosedrinker 
On Sunday, Donald Trump shared an edited image on TRUTH depicting himself as the “Acting President of Venezuela” as of January 2026, seemingly after a US military operation toppled the Maduro government. Following the capture of President Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores, Trump reportedly allowed Delcy Rodríguez to assume control as interim president while vowing to oversee the Venezuelan government until a safe transition, with the US controlling the oil supply. Trump also warned of further military action if key figures didn’t comply with US demands, including access to Venezuelan oil, and announced plans to refine and sell up to 50 million barrels of crude. The US Secretary of State outlined a three-step plan involving stabilization, access for US oil companies, and a transition period.
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US President Trump posts image of himself saying he is the “Acting President of Venezuela” – the very thought of this happening, and then the reality of it, is a lot to process. It’s hard to know where to begin, frankly. It’s the kind of thing that seems ripped from the pages of science fiction, or perhaps a particularly absurd satire. To see a former U.S. President, a man who once held the most powerful office in the world, declare himself the “Acting President of Venezuela” is…well, it’s something. And the reactions are as varied and extreme as the act itself.
The implications are, to say the least, legally questionable. Questions about whether this violates the Foreign Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution (which prohibits accepting gifts or titles from foreign entities) are immediately raised. Is it just another case of ego run amok, a narcissistic display, or is there some deeper, more complex game at play here? It’s hard to tell, and the lack of clarity seems to be a feature, not a bug, of this whole situation.
This sort of move is met with a range of reactions, from outright disbelief to seething anger. The sentiment from many is that this is simply the latest in a long line of embarrassing, and frankly, appalling actions from the former president. There is a sense of exhaustion, a feeling of “here we go again.” A common refrain is, “How does he keep getting away with this?” The answer, as always, is complicated, but a large part of it is undoubtedly rooted in the polarization of American politics and the unwavering support of a significant portion of the population. It is clear that the lack of any significant negative repercussions, the tolerance by a substantial group, only emboldens further acts.
The responses show a deep sense of frustration with the political landscape. There’s the feeling that the country is sliding into chaos, perhaps even autocracy. The calls for action, for Congress to step in, for the military to intervene (though the latter is a dangerous suggestion) reflect a desperate desire for something, anything, to change the course of events. The idea that a country with such immense resources, history and ideals would be subject to such governance is something many people find incomprehensible.
The anger is directed not just at Trump, but also at his supporters. The feeling is that they are either willfully blind, gullible, or perhaps complicit in what is perceived as a descent into madness. The constant barrage of misinformation, the “divide and conquer” tactics, the overwhelming nature of the news cycle – all of these contribute to the feeling of being trapped in a Kafkaesque nightmare. The sheer audacity of the whole thing is staggering. The fact that the situation in Venezuela itself is complex, with a population already suffering, is almost lost in the whirlwind.
There’s a clear sense that the norms of political behavior have been shattered. The usual constraints, the expected decorum, the understanding of what is and isn’t acceptable – all of these have been cast aside. This kind of behaviour only makes a bad situation worse. The call to “get your guy” from Venezuela shows how people’s patience is being tested.
It’s clear that the situation in the US is far from ideal. Many see a decline in the values and ethics that once defined the nation. The constant barrage of scandals, the erosion of democratic institutions, the feeling that things are only going to get worse – all of this fuels a deep sense of unease. The hope for change, the desire to restore some semblance of normalcy, is palpable. There is a desire for someone to take responsibility, and for some accountability. It’s a plea for a return to a world where important people do important things, rather than engaging in childish and dangerous behavior.
The core issue: it isn’t just about the act itself. It’s about the erosion of trust, the breakdown of norms, and the feeling that anything is possible in this political climate. It’s about the frustration and anger that simmer beneath the surface, waiting for an outlet.