Pakistan is good for Trump’s ego
The Pakistani state’s messaging has offered exactly the kind of rhetorical flattery Trump responds to.
In the world of transactional diplomacy and theatrical politics, few leaders appreciate public praise as much as United States (U.S.) president Donald J. Trump who has once again discovered something he deeply values — validation and massaging of his ego. And he’s been getting plenty of it from an unexpected place: Pakistan.
Ever since Pakistan officially acknowledged Trump’s behind-the-scenes role in helping deescalate recent tensions between Pakistan and India, the U.S. President has had nothing but glowing remarks for the South Asian country. Trump, who thrives on being perceived as a dealmaker, appears to have welcomed Pakistan’s recognition of his efforts as a “peacemaker” — a role he desperately wants added to his legacy. This, despite the fact that the other party in the conflict, India, hasn’t been that generous in acknowledging Trump’s role in brokering the ceasefire.
It’s not just symbolic. The Pakistani state’s messaging — amplified through both government channels and strategic interviews with U.S. media — has offered exactly the kind of rhetorical flattery Trump responds to.
Enter: Praise Diplomacy
When Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, leading Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach in Washington, was asked about Trump’s tariff policies — which many countries criticize as punitive and unpredictable — he deftly turned the narrative. He said while the tariffs may be a problem for others, but for Pakistan, it’s an opportunity. He framed it as a chance for fairer bilateral trade, a phrase that mirrors Trump’s own justifications for his aggressive trade policies.
For Trump, this isn’t just diplomacy — it’s ego reinforcement. Bilawal’s remarks were tailor-made for Trump’s brand: playing the victim of bad global trade deals and the savior who can fix them. Few leaders stroke Trump’s ego without overdoing it, but Pakistan's subtle praise has been just right.
The Quiet Exclusion That Speaks Volumes
Then there’s the issue of immigration. Despite relentless lobbying and speculation from India-based analysts and right-wing media echo chambers, Pakistan was notably absent from any new version of Trump’s travel ban list — a recurring political flashpoint. While countries with far less direct bilateral tension have faced restrictions, Pakistan’s omission is no accident. It’s a diplomatic win quietly celebrated in Islamabad and a further sign that Trump values good public relations with those who publicly massage his self-image.
A Blow to the Imran Khan Narrative
The praise from Trump, however, is also a humbling blow to former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. For years, PTI has peddled the narrative that only Khan had “chemistry” with Trump — a myth that now lies in tatters.
As Khan languishes in legal limbo, PTI has been pivoting to lobbying Republican leaders in Washington, attempting to frame his prosecution as a human rights issue. Ironically, this is the same PTI that dismissed such concerns when it was in power between 2018 and 2022. Back then, human rights defenders, journalists, and political opponents were routinely vilified and suppressed under Khan’s watch, to the extent, that Khan was included in the Reporters without Borders press freedom predators list in 2021.
Yet, despite sympathy from some GOP circles, Trump has not publicly demanded Khan’s release. Instead, he has chosen to praise Pakistan’s current leadership. But that raises a curious question: who exactly is Trump referring to?
Is it Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (unlikely), a centrist figure trying to navigate Pakistan through economic headwinds and political fragility? Or is it Army Chief Asim Munir, whose recent elevation to Field Marshal status — a rare and symbolic move — came after Pakistan’s bold military posturing and de-escalation diplomacy? With the military long seen as the real power center in Islamabad, Trump may well be tipping his hat to both — intentionally vague to maintain plausible deniability.
The Trump-Pakistan Equation
At its core, this warming of ties reflects a mutual exchange of ego and expediency. Trump gets the international flattery he craves. Pakistan, meanwhile, gains room to maneuver diplomatically, especially at a time when global narratives on human rights, democracy, and extremism are being contested.
More importantly, it underscores a strategic shift: Pakistan is learning to use soft power — through media engagement, messaging, and symbolism — to influence figures like Trump. This is not old-school dependency. It is strategic ego diplomacy, and so far, it’s working.
The author is Berlin-based social worker, former Pakistani journalist, editor indus.news, and member of Germany's social democrats party. He continues to actively comment on culture, geopolitics, and human rights.