His detractors were equally surprised. Neocons and warmongering faux liberals alike were enthusiastic about his actions. The mainstream media pundits who had hounded Trump throughout the election campaign heaped praise on him. Fareed Zakaria said that "Donald Trump became president" after the bombing, and Brian Williams rather creepily said that the images of those tomahawk missiles being launched were "beautiful."

So what changed? Why did Trump order a bombing that has so thoroughly disenchanted half of his base, while simultaneously earning him brownie points among his political enemies?

Is this a part of some grandiose wider plan that will endear his supporters down the road? Has he sold out? Was he a shill for the political establishment all along? Was he simply manipulated by advisers who don't have his best interests (or the American people's interests) at heart?