Why do some people continue to support Trump despite contradictions and unfulfilled promises?
Most explanations focus on values, principles, or policy.
The real answer lies at the intersection of identity, incentives, and commitment.
I break it down here:
👉 open.substack.com/pub/economic...
This photo was taken in 2022, after the liberation of Bucha.
It shows a 70-year-old grandmother, Nadiya Trubchaninova, standing over the grave of her son.
She survived, but the russians took her son’s life.
For more than a week, she searched for his body — until she finally found it.
Thank you to everyone who has subscribed, read, and shared my work.
The Economics of Power — structured pieces on incentives, institutions, and global conflict:
👉 economicsofpower.substack.com
Roman Sheremeta — personal reflections on Ukraine, faith, and public life:
👉 romansheremeta.substack.com
"Every country has its own mafia. In Russia, the mafia has its own country."
Garry Kasparov
There are moments in life when professional relationships and personal history are no longer enough.
This year, I had to make a very difficult decision and write a painful letter to a long-time co-author and friend.
Line: open.substack.com/pub/romanshe...
On this day, two years ago, I wrote this message to all Americans:
“On behalf of millions of Ukrainians, I want to thank the U.S. Congress and every American who has supported Ukraine.”
On that day, the House voted in support of aid to Ukraine.
How times have changed.
"If our Christianity causes us to defend the president rather than the poor, the powerless, the sick, the hungry, the homeless, and the immigrant, that's when we know we are following someone other than Jesus."
Rev. Benjamin Cremer
“To my brothers and sisters in Christ in other countries: please forgive my country. We do not all approve of everything our government does. Please also forgive how generic the apology is - if I go into details this will be too long and will generate too much wasted energy from readers.”
Since launching the full-scale war against Ukraine, russia has killed at least 650 Ukrainian children.
According to the UN, more than 3,200 Ukrainian children have been killed or injured since the invasion began in 2022. These figures include only verified cases.
Not bad for my first week on Substack.
Thank you to everyone who has subscribed, read, and shared my work. I truly appreciate it.
I’ve launched the Economics of Power.
If you haven’t subscribed yet, you can join here: substack.com/@romansherem...
Ukraine continues to impose "sanctions" on russia.
Ukraine attacked three oil refineries in russia: Novokuybyshevsk, Syzran, Tuapse. All are burning.
Every day in Ukraine, people pay the ultimate price for freedom. Soldiers on the front lines. Civilians in their homes. Children in their schools.
For Ukrainians, it is the reality life.
Last year, that reality became deeply personal for me.
Read the story here: open.substack.com/pub/romanshe...
“To say no to President Trump would be saying no to God.”
Paula White, Trump’s Spiritual Advisor
Russia is a terrorist state and should be internationally recognized as such. Confiscating the money of terrorists and terror sponsors should not be so debated or complicated. If the law makes it difficult or impossible, change the laws.
Garry Kasparov
"Blessed are the peacemakers... and woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth... The world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants."
Pope Leo XIV
On this day, last year, the U.S. joined russia, Belarus, and North Korea in voting against a UN General Assembly resolution condemning russian aggression against Ukraine.
I never would have imagined that the U.S. would fully align itself with some of the world’s most brutal dictatorships.
A propaganda video released in russia encourages young people to work at a drone factory. It promises high salaries for students, emphasizing the patriotic nature of such work.
What is more patriotic than killing civilians and children?!
Source: United 24
Never thought I would defend Tucker Carlson.
Full story: substack.com/@romansherem...
A new movie is coming out
“Ukraine should not have started a war against russia. When you start a war, you got to know that you can win the war. You don’t start a war against somebody who is 20 times your size.”
Donald Trump
I am not making this up. Republican Congressman Troy Nehls just said in an interview that Donald Trump is “almost the second coming” of Jesus Christ.
Sometimes, when I hear things like this, I honestly cannot believe it. I have to listen again just to be sure it’s real.
Russians have just struck a Baptist church in the city of Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine. One person was killed.
It would be good if Trump, instead of posting pictures of himself as Jesus, showed some basic human decency and helped Ukrainian Christians survive this genocide.
Should Christians stay silent to be “uplifting”?
I was recently told that as a Christian, I should be less critical and more encouraging.
But Christianity is not a call to comfort. It is a call to truth.
I wrote about this here: kyivindependent.com/it-is-wrong-...
Support for Trump is a sign of disrespect toward fallen Ukrainian heroes.
Veleriy Pekar
The war will not end: NATO will allocate an additional €60 billion to Ukraine, plus €90 billion from Europe
Secretary General Mark Rutte
Stopping funding for Ukraine is one of the things I’m proudest we’ve done in this administration.
JD Vance
Incredible! Evacuation of a wounded Ukrainian soldier using ground drones.
Drones have redefined modern warfare. Ukrainians have quickly adapted, and this is one of the key reasons Ukraine continues to stand while russia has been stopped.
Remember last year’s Oval Office meeting between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump?
Remember Trump’s disgraceful behavior and his attack on Zelenskyy?
There was one moment in particular that escalated the entire conversation.
Full articles is here: open.substack.com/pub/romanshe...
Trump tried to downplay depicting himself as Jesus by saying, “I thought it was me as a doctor.”
There are only two logical possibilities:
1. Trump is lying. He faced major backlash and is now trying to walk it back.
2. He has never seen a doctor in his life.
Trump posing as Jesus is a natural consequence of Christian leaders constantly elevating him to the level of a Messiah.
