The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:
Phineas Anderson
I am still shaking my head in disbelief. Was it a dream?
I met Donald Trump a few days before Christmas. The President-elect was at the Phoenix Convention Center giving the keynote speech at Americafest 2024 on Sunday, Dec. 22. I was there.
After Mr. Trump concluded his nearly hour-and-twenty-minute talk, I was just sitting there as people were milling about. Then, a fellow tapped me on the shoulder, flashed his Secret Service badge and said, “come with me.” Needless to say, I was startled and confused.
He guided me behind the convention stage to a room where Mr. Trump was sitting on a couch in conversation with one woman in particular, with others seemingly involved. The Secret Service agent found a chair for me and told me that Mr. Trump was pulling out random people from his audiences from time to time to get their thoughts on priorities for his administration. I was in disbelief. Is Mr. Trump really doing this, and then I, by chance, was selected!?!
After about 10 minutes, the President-elect turned to me and said, “What’s your name?” I told him. “Where are you from?” I said Tucson. “Any kids?” “Yes, two adult boys.” “Married still?” “Yes, 55 years in.” He raised his eyebrows, pursed his lips into a smile and moved his head slowly back and forth seemingly in wonder.
“Phin, tell me two things you want me to do during my first six months in office. I am interested in your opinion.” Fortunately, the agent had given me a heads-up as to why I had been taken to this back room. I had some minutes to think about my answer.
“I would like you to end the war in Ukraine,” I said.
Back in the late ’80s, the school I headed in Tucson called Green Fields, established the first exchange of students between the USA and USSR, with Kiev School #155. When the Russians invaded Ukraine in 2022, the principal of #155 and his family, with whom we are very close, escaped to Moldova. Money was raised from the Green Fields community to bring the Kostylovs to the United States.
The war has caused great disruption in Europe and Russia and real devastation in Ukraine. If Ukraine were to give up some land in the eastern part of their country, then Ukraine in exchange would obviously need an absolute security guarantee. Mr. Trump said, “Unlike Biden, I have a personal and strong relationship with Vladimir, and I think I can come up with something that will be fair to both sides.” I thought, why is he applying the word “fair” to Russia, they invaded Ukraine! I wish Mr. Trump success though, hoping for the best outcome for the Ukrainians.
“Second, don’t get into another dangerous nuclear arms race.”
Mr. Trump seemed surprised I raised this issue, likely expecting me to say something about the border or the illegals, given I was an Arizonan. He couldn’t know that I co-founded the Arizona Center to Reverse the Arms Race, have been involved in efforts to reduce nuclear weapons in the world for more than 40 years, and helped produce a film called “Nuclear Tipping Point” that was shown to the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the White House.
“Explain,” said Mr. Trump.
I replied that the New START treaty which limits deployed warheads to 1,550 for both countries expires in 2026. Mr. Trump interrupted and said, “Yes, on Feb. 5th.” Now, I was surprised! Without the treaty, the expansion of deployed warheads was likely not only for Russia and America, but also for China, who would likely redouble its efforts to produce more nukes as well. “Wouldn’t you agree?” He didn’t say anything.
I ended by saying I knew he was not in favor of treaties, but if he and Putin could reach a written political agreement to stick to the treaty’s deployment limits, “... that would be an outstanding result and without doubt you personally would be praised.” The President-elect smiled.
So that was it. It was just an amazing encounter ... and yes, it was just a dream.
