The Ultimate Art of Flattering

(1)

Looking at the world today, when it comes to leaders who are the best at flattery, Sanae Highashi would modestly rank herself second, and no one in the world would dare claim first.

When she visited the United States and met Trump, she hurriedly got out of the car, and the two embraced warmly—no need to say more.

She praised Trump face-to-face: “I believe that only you, Donald, can contribute to world peace and prosperity, and bring peace and prosperity to the world… Today, I am here to convey this message.”

Note:

1. She only says “Donald,” not “Trump.”

2. This trip to the U.S. is specifically to praise Trump.

3. At this critical moment, daring to praise him like this truly takes courage.

Someone like Trump, who has seen the world, probably felt a bit embarrassed.

But that’s not all.

Complimenting Trump directly is just basic flattery; praising his beloved ones in a roundabout way is the real high-level flattery.

Yes, the best way to flatter someone is to compliment what they care about.

Highashi came prepared, having done her homework. She told Trump: “Tomorrow is your son Barron Trump’s birthday. I know he has grown into a tall, handsome young man.” “Donald, when I saw you, I immediately understood where his personality comes from—of course, it’s inherited from his parents. No doubt about it.”

“Donald, I ask you to convey my sincere birthday wishes to him.”

The whole audience burst into laughter, and Trump seemed a bit surprised. Highashi’s attitude was surprisingly humble—probably she didn’t even know her own son’s birthday.

And that’s still not all.

Flattery is just one way; secretly mocking his enemies is even more advanced flattery.

Yes, flattery and belittling are two sides of the same coin. The shortcut to elevating someone is to step on their opponents.

Anyway, videos show that when passing through the White House “Presidential Star Avenue” corridor, as soon as she saw Trump’s photo, Highashi’s eyes lit up, she stretched out her arms, and opened her mouth wide.

Adoration, admiration, infatuation—overwhelmed her.

But when she saw Biden’s photo (actually not Biden, Trump deliberately placed a photo from an “automatic signing machine”), her reaction was completely opposite. Highashi couldn’t help covering her mouth, giggling.

With such a contrast, Trump should be delighted.

It seems that after so long opening the “Presidential Star Avenue,” no foreign leader has been as to her taste as Highashi.

How to thank Highashi?

Well, Japan should invest the money it owes, not a penny less, bearing the risks themselves, with 90% of the profits going to the U.S.; plus, the Strait of Hormuz is in trouble, NATO is being useless—Japan is doing much better than NATO…

And then there’s the “surprise attack” incident everyone saw.

A Japanese reporter asked Trump on the spot: “Why didn’t you inform your allies—like Japan—about the war before attacking Iran?”

Trump answered: “You can’t send too many signals. Our actions are very decisive, and we didn’t tell anyone because we wanted to surprise them. Who knows how to surprise better than Japan? Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor…”

Laughter erupted across the room.

Highashi was embarrassed but tried to keep smiling.

Even more interesting, the Japanese reporter who asked the question was later subjected to online abuse in Japan, accused of asking a stupid question that humiliated Japan and Trump.

Clearly, it was Trump mocking Japan. Those who dare not criticize Trump direct their anger at the Japanese reporter. Sometimes, what’s more tragic than being humiliated is not even daring to admit it.

Maybe in some Japanese eyes, flattery still isn’t done well enough.

(2)

There can be no harm without comparison.

With a comparison like Highashi Sanae, Trump’s attitude toward Europe and NATO can be said to be even more furious.

On March 20, he lashed out again at NATO, calling it a “cowardly” “paper tiger.”

No mistake—previously, we said American imperialism is a paper tiger; Trump directly plagiarized that idea, claiming that NATO under his leadership is the real “paper tiger.”

He said:

Without the U.S., NATO is just a paper tiger! They were unwilling to participate in stopping Iran’s nuclear development war. Now that the military victory has been achieved, it’s almost risk-free for them, yet they complain about high oil prices and refuse to help open the Strait of Hormuz—this is the real culprit behind soaring oil prices. For them, it’s easy, with minimal risk. Cowards! We will never forget!

To clarify, Trump’s biggest concern now is the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s retaliation would be to block the strait, causing global high oil prices. Oil prices have special political significance in the U.S.—if things go badly, the Republicans could lose the midterm elections completely.

Trump is anxious, wanting the whole world to send troops to escort, first targeting Western allies. Japan wavers ambiguously; Europe and NATO’s stance is clear: no troops, this isn’t Europe’s war, nor NATO’s.

Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez even directly condemned the Iran war, refusing U.S. warplanes from Spain to participate.

This isn’t flattery; it’s sabotaging Trump’s plans.

When sycophants become the benchmark, those unwilling to bow are naturally seen as outsiders.

So, Trump’s recent various criticisms, especially of NATO, make it seem—if you don’t know the inside story—that NATO, not Iran, is America’s top enemy.

Now, Highashi’s top-level flattery is more like a backstab against NATO.

Under Trump’s fierce criticism, NATO is feeling uneasy. Anyway, the UK has already stated it will allow the U.S. to use British military bases to attack Iran.

Trump isn’t satisfied yet, muttering: “It’s too late; they should have acted faster.”

Meanwhile, the Iranians are even angrier.

Iranian Foreign Minister Alaghchi warned that Mr. Stamer disregards his own people’s interests by allowing British military bases to be used for invading Iran, “endangering British lives,” and Iran will exercise its right to self-defense!

The louder the flattery, the heavier the price often is.

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So, what do I think?

Personally, I think it boils down to three shallow points.

First, some people in this world are just good at flattery.

They put on a show in front of others, but behind their back, they’re different. Especially skilled at reading the room, especially good at small gestures that make others feel elated.

In this regard, Highashi is a top master in the world—compared to Abe, she seems to surpass him easily.

You can’t deny it, especially for those like us who aren’t good at flattery.

This statement is unarguable, haha.

Second, some people in this world actually like being flattered.

As the saying goes: “No matter how many times you wear it, a horse’s butt doesn’t change.”

So, we see that Trump now surrounds himself with a bunch of top flattery experts.

Anyway, watching videos, every time Trump holds a cabinet meeting, a classic routine is that each minister starts by praising Trump—over the top, earth-shaking praise, making Trump feel a bit embarrassed… then the meeting begins.

This trend has even influenced American entrepreneurs.

Zuckerberg, who used to dislike Trump and mock him constantly, later praised Trump face-to-face at the White House: “After you were attacked, your rallying cry made Americans’ blood boil. It’s one of the most awesome things I’ve ever seen in my life.”

Zuck, you really have a way with words.

Third, in this world, sometimes, if there’s no flattery, you have to create it.

Trump isn’t short of praise at all.

Regarding the Iran conflict, although Americans are largely opposed, Trump’s inner circle still flutters praise—calling Trump wise and mighty, praising his thunderous methods, claiming he’s solved problems that the U.S. and the West have wanted to resolve for decades but never could…

And who knows, maybe Trump gets so excited he slaps his thigh and orders ground troops to attack Iran. Past presidents made foolish moves—I wouldn’t be that stupid. I’ll definitely win, and big.

He even boasted: “A CNN poll today (March 20) shows my approval rating is 100%. They say they’ve never seen such a poll.”

In Trump’s eyes, CNN has always been an enemy station, always trying to smear him, always joking about him. But look now, CNN is praising me like never before.

But CNN probably is furious—what news source claims Trump’s approval rating is 100%? Mr. President, where do you get this info? That’s obviously fake news.

Personal opinion, not representing any organization.

Yes.

I agree that Highashi is

the world’s top flattery master.

Just a little encouragement for the five cents.

You guys,

continue.