Twelve days into 2025, I’ve already broken what used to be my only New Year’s resolution.

I’ve vowed not to give in to the easy temptation to write about insanity every time Donald Trump writes an insult-laden tweet or bombastic statement — without using spell check, of course.

My calculations were that after the president-elect of the United States is sworn in later this month, there would be an opportunity to make time and space for his crazy meanderings.

Part of the selfish reason I made a promise to myself that I would try to avoid, if possible, having to examine the meaning and ramifications of Trump’s ridiculous tics was to protect myself — briefly, at least — from the undeniable psychological harm he caused. On the world’s wounded psyche.

From the moment he announced his candidacy for president in 2016, Trump has commanded our attention. Every frustrating day since has been a cacophony of madness that has deeply affected mind, spirit and spirit.

But escaping Trump has become impossible. Cloaked in immense power, he continues – unhindered by truth or decency – to burnish his insatiable narcissism and arrogance, offering us a bitter taste of the carnival of chaos looming on the not-so-distant horizon.

On Tuesday, Trump held a rambling press conference at his gilded ode to himself in Florida — Mar-a-Lago.

Among countless examples of Trump’s stream-of-consciousness naivete were his musings about “drip, drip, drip” on faucets and gas heaters.

“[A] Trump said a gas heater is much less expensive. “It’s much better heat, and as the expression goes, it doesn’t itch. Does anyone have a heater where you go and you’re scratching, and that’s what they want you to get.”

Ladies and gentlemen, the confused synapses of the future President of the United States in action.

Irony aside, it would be a grave mistake to confuse Trump’s stumbling with incoherence and lack of solid conviction.

As I wrote previously and mostlyTrump, in my opinion, is a true fascist. Fascists don’t brag. Fascists don’t joke. Fascists don’t walk around.

Trump has a plan — infused with authoritarian methods and rhetoric — to bring about what he describes as a “golden age” in which years of “weakness” will be replaced by a return to America’s legitimate greatness, the stark sequel.

Trump has succeeded in assembling a compliant administration to realize his grand ambitions for America – with little, if any, resistance from the Republican-controlled Congress, the Supreme Court, or the prostrate billionaires of large swaths of the commercial media who seek his favor.

So, when Trump insists, over and over again, that he will use military force, if necessary, to enforce American dominance over Greenland and the Panama Canal, for “vital” national security reasons, I believe him.

Trump was asked if he could “assure the world” that, as president, he would not use “economic or military coercion” to achieve his regional goals. His quick response was: “No.”

And I believe him because, as history has shown, that is exactly what fascists tend to do.

As a Canadian, I also believe Trump when he warns that he will use America’s unique economic power, in effect, to force Canada to become the 51st state.

I didn’t laugh. Instead, she shuddered when Trump was asked if he was “considering using military force to annex and take possession of Canada.”

The question was as striking as Trump’s reaction. “No, economic power, because Canada and the United States, that would be a really great thing,” he said.

Fascists do not “put forward ideas” that include the seizure of territory, canals, or annexation of sovereign states. Once born, these “ideas” take tangible form, and schemes are inevitably made to turn them into reality.

As a result, I do not view Trump’s promised aggression even against NATO allies as a “negotiating ploy” or a familiar “distraction” tool — as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently did. Suggested – From the huge costs imposed by the next president regarding comprehensive tariffs on Canadian goods imported into the United States.

I am convinced that a more emboldened Trump means making America’s “golden age” a reality – damn international law, territorial integrity, and Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which states that an armed attack on one NATO member is an attack on all. Members.

It is time to finally dispense with the trivial logic that Trump is “joking” when he makes “weird” comments like possibly declaring war – economic or otherwise – on Greenland, Panama, or Canada.

Look, Trump believes every fictional word he utters. Canadians, among others, must acknowledge this and confront the fascist bully – frankly, clearly and loudly.

A slew of federal politicians rushing to social media to post messages mocking Trump’s “hysterical” schemes won’t be enough.

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey understood what needed to be said and how to say it.

“[Trump’s] History has been to create chaos in an attempt to mix it with humor. But often times those statements become political and fact. “So dismissing it as a joke is in my opinion not the right thing to do,” Fiore said.

He added that Canada is “a strong, sovereign country and will always remain a strong, sovereign country.”

The prime minister said Trump’s threats to Canada’s sovereignty are “completely unacceptable.”

Then, to his credit, Furey issued a stark warning to Trump.

“Sovereignty has an incredible price; It is a price that Canadians, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians pay in blood, and trying to get rid of that will have a great cost.

Listen, listen, sir. Listen, listen.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of Al Jazeera.