Donald Trump’s betrayal of allies, a warning to the Global South and his controversial Gold Card scheme

In a move that has shocked even seasoned political observers, Donald Trump, once seen by many as a staunch defender of American values and promises, has now launched a “Gold Card” policy offering American citizenship for a hefty price tag of US$5 million. This act, widely condemned by intellectuals and common Americans alike, signals a shameful chapter in American political history – one that undermines the spirit of American pride and honesty. It reflects not only a deterioration of core American ideals but also signals deeper betrayals of critical allies like India and wider nations in the Global South.

Trump’s decision to effectively auction off American citizenship has been ridiculed as a “crypto-like scam”. With the United States staggering under a national debt exceeding US$36.21 trillion, many have questioned the logic of buying into a faltering economic system burdened with high wages, overwhelming taxes, declining law and order, and deep political divisions. What once made American citizenship a dream for millions – the promise of freedom, opportunity, and stability – is now being cheapened into a mere transaction for the rich elite. It represents a shameful commodification of what was once a noble identity.

Who in their right mind would pay US$5 million for American citizenship when every citizen already owes over US$108,000 in national debt? Trump’s ‘gold card’ looks more like a golden trap.

Beyond this disgraceful gold-card initiative lies an even more sinister betrayal: Donald Trump’s abandonment of the promises he made to India and religious minorities in Bangladesh. Just days before the November 2024 elections, Trump proclaimed on social media his strong condemnation of violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities in Bangladesh. He declared that such chaos “would have never happened on [his] watch”, drawing sharp contrasts with the perceived negligence of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

During the election campaign, Trump also made sweeping promises that captured global attention — pledging to swiftly end the conflict in Gaza, bring peace to Ukraine, and restore America’s standing as a force for stability.

Yet, nearly four months into his presidency, there has been no visible progress on any of these fronts. The Gaza war continues to rage, the Ukraine conflict remains unresolved, and America’s global influence appears more fragmented than ever. Trump’s lofty pre-election pledges now seem hollow, revealing a troubling pattern of overpromising and underdelivering, with serious consequences for both domestic trust and international credibility.

Trump’s administration has displayed complete indifference to the escalating atrocities in Bangladesh. Far from fulfilling his pre-election pledges, Trump has remained silent as violence against minorities in Bangladesh intensified. His October 31, 2024 statement now stands exposed as a mere political stunt – a cynical manipulation of religious sentiments for electoral gain.

Worse still, Trump’s actions reveal a disturbing alignment with the very forces he once vowed to oppose. Instead of standing by India – a cornerstone ally in the Indo-Pacific strategy and a vital member of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) – Trump has chosen to collaborate with figures like Muhammad Yunus, a known antagonist of Trump himself, and a close associate of the Clinton Foundation and George Soros. Yunus, according to multiple reports, is implicated in advancing the agenda of the US Deep State: an agenda aimed at destabilizing Bangladesh and carving out a Christian-majority state by dismembering parts of Bangladesh, Myanmar, and India.

The implications of these betrayals are severe. By prioritizing secretive plots over open, democratic alliances, Trump is laying the groundwork for increased Islamist extremism in Bangladesh – a threat that could spill over into India, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, and even the broader Middle East.

Following April 22, 2025 Pahalgam massacre in Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif made candid admission of Pakistan’s long-standing role in funding and exporting terrorism which adds an ominous backdrop to these developments. He clearly stated that his country carried-out such “dirty work” on behalf of the United States, EU Nations and Britain. Washington or any of the Western capitals have not refuted Asif’s statement.

As Pakistani ISI has become increasingly active in Bangladesh since July 2024, it is anticipated that if Bangladesh falls deeper under the influence of jihadist elements and Pakistani ISI and other intelligence networks, the security of the entire region will be at stake as ISI and its Western masters would turn the country into new-epicenter of terrorism and jihadism.

Meanwhile, India, which had invested heavily in nurturing a strategic relationship with the United States, now finds itself betrayed. By turning a blind eye to the plight of religious minorities in Bangladesh and shaking hands with agents of destabilization, Trump is sending an unmistakable message: American commitments cannot be trusted. His actions threaten not only India’s national security but also its trust in the broader Indo-Pacific alliance system, which was designed to counterbalance China’s rising influence.

But the consequences of Trump’s betrayal extend beyond South Asia. They present a sobering lesson for all nations of the Global South. Over 120 countries must now confront the reality that aligning too closely with the United States can lead to devastating betrayal when it suits Washington’s transient political interests. Trusting a power that places short-term gains over long-term partnerships is a dangerous gamble – a gamble the Global South can no longer afford to take.

In this new geopolitical landscape, nations of the Global South must seriously reconsider their strategic alignments. Strengthening ties among themselves – economically, politically, and militarily – must become the priority. Initiatives like BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) offer a promising alternative to the fickle alliances of the West. BRICS represents a platform where emerging economies can collaborate on equal terms, without fear of political backstabbing or economic blackmail.

Furthermore, expanding BRICS membership to include more nations from Africa, Latin America, and Asia could create a powerful counterweight to Western dominance. By focusing on South-South cooperation – investing in each other’s development, sharing technological innovations, and establishing new trade and financial systems independent of Western control – these nations can insulate themselves from the betrayals and double standards of powers like the United States under Trump’s leadership.

Donald Trump’s gold-card citizenship scheme is emblematic of a deeper rot: the degradation of American promises, the betrayal of critical allies, and the corrosion of the very values that once made the United States a beacon of hope. His willingness to backstab India and remain silent on the atrocities against religious minorities in Bangladesh underlines a stark reality: in Trump’s America, principles are for sale, just like citizenship.

If the nations of the Global South wish to protect their sovereignty, stability, and future prosperity, the time to act is now. They must recognize the shifting sands of international politics and anchor themselves in mutual cooperation, resilience, and solidarity. Strengthening ties within BRICS and similar alliances is no longer just a strategic choice – it is an urgent necessity.

Trump’s presidency, marked by broken promises, reckless decisions, and a disregard for global partnerships, is a stark reminder of the dangers of leadership driven by self-interest and short-term gains. His actions have not only betrayed key allies like India but have also weakened America’s position on the global stage. The Global South, now more than ever, must recognize the shifting tides of international relations and prioritize cooperation among themselves. By focusing on strengthening ties within the BRICS framework, these nations can carve out a path toward shared prosperity and stability, free from the unpredictability of America’s current and future leaderships. The time has come for the world to redefine alliances and build a future on principles of mutual respect and strategic autonomy.

Please follow Blitz on Google News Channel

An internationally acclaimed multi-award-winning anti-militancy journalist, writer, research-scholar, counterterrorism specialist and editor of Blitz. He regularly writes for local and international newspapers on diversified topics, including international relations, politics, diplomacy, security and counterterrorism. Follow him on ‘X’ @Salah_Shoaib

donald-trumps-betrayal-of-allies-a-warning-to-the-global-south-and-his-controversial-gold-card-scheme