The illusion is not just European. It is, first and foremost, American. Serious things are happening in the US: the pardoning of Congressional attackers, the appointment of an anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist to head the health department, the dismantling of the agency that handles international aid, the brutal dismissal of civil servants (people with families, not robots).
By Beppe SEVERGNINI
One day they hear strange noises coming from the next room – they decide to ignore them. After all, they could do without that room. But the noises increase, moving to another room. Then to another. In the end, the brothers leave the house, terrified, not understanding what has happened.
The story Casa tomada (The Occupied House) was written in 1946 and published in a literary magazine run by Jorge Luis Borges. The author, Julio Cortázar, probably wrote it as a reaction to Peronism, which had left him without a professorship. But the lesson is valid for everyone, even today. Out of laziness or inertia, we often choose to ignore the repeated alarm signals. We know that something serious is happening, but we pretend not to see anything. We retreat into what seems to us a safe space. Until, suddenly, it ceases to be so. Donald Trump, in less than a month, has made us understand what he has in mind: to shake up the world and see what happens. Excluding Europe from the negotiations on Ukraine is an insult to NATO. Rewarding Putin’s aggression means giving Russia the role of dominant power on the continent. Going to Munich and mocking European freedoms, as Vice President JD Vance did, is insulting. Proposing to empty Gaza to turn it into a five-star American resort is, simply, madness.
The West is our common home, and Donald Trump is invading it. But we all – some more, some less – are reluctant to admit this. We think we live in a remote and safe room, protected by laws and traditions; we are convinced that no one will try to break down the door. Are we sure of that?
The illusion is not only European. It is, first and foremost, American. Serious things are happening in the US: the pardon of Congressional attackers, the appointment of an anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist to head the health department, the dissolution of the agency that deals with international aid, the brutal dismissal of civil servants (people with families, not robots). The major media – with the New York Times at the forefront – denounce, criticize, protest: but they do not give the impression that they understand the magnitude of the events and the seriousness of the moment. Many democratically inclined citizens do the same, especially those who live on both coasts: they think they are safe. Yes, but for how long?
In Italy too, we are witnessing a similar spectacle. Our connection with the US is not only historical, military, diplomatic, economic, scientific, cultural. It is a strong psychological connection. For some, it is admiration, even addiction. For others, surprise, mixed with disbelief. But we are all connected to the United States of America and we find it difficult to accept that they are in danger.
Colossal nonsense is read, unbelievable naivety is heard. “Donald Trump is elected!”, many cry. They forget that democracy does not mean dictatorship of the majority. Winning an election does not authorize you to ignore national and international law; to punish judges or journalists; to disregard science. On Saturday, on social media, Donald Trump wrote: “He who saves his Country does not violate any Law.” It is a dangerous statement. But many do not understand it. Are you afraid of Donald Trump? Few people in Italy will answer this question. Almost everyone will rely on what, in English, is called wishful thinking: they will confuse judgments with wishes. They will say that, after all, Trump is a smart negotiator, and who knows what he has in mind (for Ukraine, for Russia, for Gaza). That he will not use force to take Panama or Greenland. That he will respect Canada. That he will not leave NATO. That the tech oligarchs will, in the end, bring him back to reason. Are we sure?
We all hear the strange creaking inside our shared home. But we are afraid to open the door and see what is happening. We stay in our rooms, deluding ourselves that we are safe. Until when?
