I mean that's not a theory so much as exactly what Larry Kudlow said which I mentioned in my little rundown. You don't project strength when you sow discord among your allies. You project the easily exploitable personality of an immature narcissist. Not that NK needed any more evidence of what the guy is like in order to play him like a fiddle. I don't know that I've heard it before but I'm not sure Putin isn't giving directions to Kim so Trump will have some kind of legitimate accomplishment. I don't think it's the most far fetched theory but I'm not sure Russia and NK have any relationship to speak of
I don’t think he’s really being an asshole now to save face/look tough though, I think he’s just unraveling after he failed to show strength/leadership in a meeting. I feel like the ensuing twitter rant was just unhinged ramblings of a mad man who’s used to being the boss in meetings, not an attempt to show strength. Pete Souza has been sharing pictures on his insta from the start of the summit of Obama looking respected and like a leader other leaders listen too at previous summits. I don’t doubt that’s how he wanted to look, like he was on top. He probably thought that’s how he would look and he likely blames everybody but himself for not coming across that way. Kudlow seemed to suggest that the other leaders should have made this summit about Trump and his meeting with NK which only proves how narcissistic the guy is. The picture with Merkel make’s him look like a boy being scolded so I’m surprised he hasn’t lashed out at her more.