Trump's Imperial America: Maduro Arrest, Greenland Dreams & Rubio's Rise | The DMZ

12 snips

Jan 7, 2026

In this discussion, political analyst Bill Scher dives into Donald Trump's foreign policy moves, comparing them to Theodore Roosevelt's imperialism. He questions whether Trump's actions in Venezuela and Greenland stem from genuine strategy or mere ego. With a focus on Marco Rubio's rising influence and motives tied to Cuba, they reveal how current events could reshape the GOP race for 2028. Scher warns of the risks involved in Trump's interventionist tactics, and highlights the tension between short-term gains and long-term stability.

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INSIGHT

Teddy Roosevelt Echoes Without The Context

Trump echoes Theodore Roosevelt's imperialist posture but lacks Teddy's intellectual grounding.
Bill Scher says Trump learned a warped version of late-19th-century history and prizes conquest as spectacle.

INSIGHT

Points On The Board Versus Lasting Gains

Trump seeks symbolic 'pelts' like Greenland or Venezuelan oil to adorn his legacy.
Scher and Lewis warn these trophies don't equate to stable, democratic outcomes.

INSIGHT

Force-As-Authority Leads To Global Risk

The rhetoric that 'the world is governed by strength' echoes authoritarian realist tropes.
Scher warns this mindset historically leads to large-scale wars and mass casualties.

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Dive into the latest episode of The DMZ with Matt Lewis and Bill Scher, breaking down Donald Trump's bold foreign policy moves in 2026.

From the dramatic arrest of Maduro in Venezuela and claims of U.S. oil interests, to Trump's persistent Greenland ambitions and comparisons to Teddy Roosevelt's imperialism – is this a coherent "Donroe Doctrine" or ego-driven adventurism?

We explore the through lines: spheres of influence, interventionism beyond the Western Hemisphere (like bombing Iran), and the risks of resurrecting great-power conflicts.

Plus, insider analysis on Marco Rubio's rising influence as Secretary of State, his potential motivations tied to Cuba, and how Venezuela is shaking up the 2028 GOP race against JD Vance.

Bill draws historical parallels to Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and the post-WWII order, warning of long-term instability.

Could Trump's "points on the board" make him historically great – or lead to disaster?Subscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewis

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlewisreels/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A

– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.Buy Matt's books: FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416TOO DUMB TO FAIL: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Dumb-Fail-Revolution-Conservative/dp/0316383937Copyright © 2025, BBL & BWL, LLCSubscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewisFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlewisreels/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.Buy Matt's books: FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416TOO DUMB TO FAIL: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Dumb-Fail-Revolution-Conservative/dp/0316383937