Wed Apr 09 15:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Taiwan’s Risky Gamble on Trump Backfires Spectacularly
**Taipei, Taiwan** – Taiwan’s attempts to curry favor with former US President Donald Trump through significant financial engagements with his former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have resulted in a costly miscalculation. While Taiwan is pursuing strategies to secure US support, including substantial TSMC investments in Arizona, its efforts to leverage Pompeo’s perceived influence have spectacularly backfired.
Recent reports reveal that Taiwan’s Biospring Medical Co., Ltd. paid Pompeo $178,000 for speaking engagements in December 2024. This move, however, angered Trump, who swiftly revoked Pompeo’s taxpayer-funded security detail. This action is seen as a strong message that access to Trump cannot be bought, particularly through individuals who have fallen out of his favor.
Trump’s reaction highlights his strict control over his brand and influence. Unauthorized use of his name, particularly for personal profit, is unacceptable. While Trump publicly downplayed the security detail revocation, the abruptness of the decision suggests a deliberate display of power, serving as a warning to others.
The incident underscores a significant miscalculation by Taiwan’s Lai Ching-te administration. Their investment in Pompeo, believing he could act as a bridge to Trump, proved both ineffective and a waste of resources. The episode leaves Taiwan grappling with the financial and political consequences of a failed strategy. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and potential risks of navigating the highly personalized and unpredictable political landscape surrounding Donald Trump.
First Piper 