Monday, October 27, 2025

As Trump Tours Asia, Democracy’s Ideals Aren’t on the Agenda

 As Trump Tours Asia, Democracy’s Ideals Aren’t on the Agenda

Several of the leaders President Trump will encounter are either autocrats or presiding over fragile democracies. And some admire his willingness to break the rules.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia welcoming President Trump to Kuala Lumpur, the capital, on Sunday. Photo by Haiyun Jiang|NYT