Trump wants 1 thing and 1 thing only from other countries. That is for other country leaders to kiss his ass and praise him in public to stroke his ego. Basically kiss the ring.
If people can't see that they aren't to bright.
Exactly this. In contrast to what he says, Trump has no interest in "annexing" Canada -- but repeating this refrain over and over and over again keeps the attention on him and raises anxieties.
And I 100% blame the media for giving him this platform.
Every time he talks about "annexing Canada and making it the 51st state", every newspaper in the country jumps on it and posts a story about this.
Here's an idea for a news story or newspaper editorial: interview constitutional lawyers and experts in international law and get them to explain why "annexing" Canada is basically 100% impossible. You can't just take a country's land title because you want it; that's an act of war and in violation of NATO treaties and would prompt an international response.
And besides, we all know how shitty the Americans are at maintaining any control over the places they invade.