Staff Reports
A New Zealand diplomat has learned the hard way that making absurd historical comparisons, especially regarding the leadership of President Donald Trump, can lead to significant career repercussions. Phil Goff, who served as New Zealand’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, found himself in hot water after an ill-advised attempt to liken Trump’s foreign policy to that of Neville Chamberlain, a man best remembered for his appeasement of Adolf Hitler before World War II. After a rather pompous comparison, Goff was swiftly handed his pink slip by New Zealand’s Foreign Minister, Winston Peters.
During a recent event in London, Goff, it seems, had a moment of historical hubris while riffing on the 1938 Munich Agreement. The diplomat suggested that Trump’s restoration of Winston Churchill’s bust in the Oval Office didn’t necessarily signify an understanding of history. Obviously aiming for profundity, Goff instead showcased a fundamental misunderstanding of both history and the art of diplomacy. He posited that Trump resembled Chamberlain by somehow capitulating to Russia, which is a leap that would make even the most ardent acrobat dizzy.
It’s truly a pity that an experienced diplomat would think it wise to throw a zinger at an American president while representing New Zealand. Peters called Goff’s comments “deeply disappointing,” asserting that high-ranking officials must uphold the image of their country. Apparently, Goff thought he could throw shade without consequences, but Peters was firm, stating that a diplomat’s role is to represent government policies, not indulge in free-wheeling commentary or historical revisionism.
The fallout from this incident serves as a reminder that even in diplomatic circles, actions have consequences. Peters could not let Goff’s outburst slide, emphasizing that it was inappropriate to make any disparaging remarks about any country, especially a long-time ally like the United States. One can only imagine the eye-rolling from moderate diplomatic circles, watching a man ignore the most basic necessities of proper conduct.
Top Foreign Diplomat Pays the Price Two Days After WWII Jab Against Trump https://t.co/ReIqVOkxRP
— Boone Cutler 🦬🇺🇸 🦅 (@boonecutler) March 6, 2025
Meanwhile, across the pond, Trump is busy taking concrete steps toward peace in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, a task that seems to terrify Democrats more than morning coffee. While they squawk about endless wars, Trump is salvaging relations and keeping his eye on the ultimate prize: a peaceful resolution. It’s quite the juxtaposition to see a diplomat try to undermine the President with historical analogies that don’t hold water while, simultaneously, Trump is ushering in negotiations that could end a conflict that has dragged on for far too long.
The situation begs the question: was firing Phil Goff the right call? Absolutely. Goff’s casual dismissal of a U.S. president not only jeopardized his role but also showcased an alarming lack of political savvy. In the world of diplomacy, Goff has now learned a valuable lesson: if one wishes to keep their job, it might be best to keep one’s historical hot takes to oneself. Let’s just hope more politicians and diplomats take heed before they find themselves packing their bags.
