Col John Boyd and Donald Trump

Colonel John Boyd, the influential military strategist and theorist best known for his development of the OODA loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) and his contributions to maneuver warfare would have complex views about Donald Trump.

Boyd’s thinking was centered on adaptability, moral authority, and the importance of strategic decision-making in dynamic environments. Given these principles, here are a few perspectives Boyd might have taken when evaluating Trump:

1. Strategic Adaptability

Boyd valued adaptability and agility in both military and strategic contexts. He would likely have evaluated Trump’s decision-making style as being unpredictable and sometimes contradictory. Trump’s approach to politics — frequently shifting positions and using chaos to his advantage — might be seen as a kind of adaptive strategy, where he keeps opponents off balance. However, Boyd was a proponent of intelligent adaptability, one informed by deeper understanding and quick, but thoughtful, decision-making. Trump’s actions might be seen as reactive rather than the product of deliberate, long-term strategy, which could conflict with Boyd’s more systematic view of adaptability.

2. Moral Authority and Leadership

Boyd was deeply concerned with what he called “moral leverage,” the idea that the best leaders possess integrity, gain the moral high ground, and inspire trust. His thinking revolved around a leader’s ability to foster cooperation…