Some of the most embarrassing moments of the last three years have come during Trump’s summation of his “summits” overseas. Among many examples comes from the last G7 during which Trump took our closest ally – pre-Trump – to task by lashing out at Justin Trudeau.
So it was that I watched the news conference live, with the same fear one watches an inexperienced skateboarder at the park, one without shin or elbow pads.
Trump walked out with host Macron, who looks bright and peppy, versus our sullen president, steadying himself with the podium. As per usual, Macron highlights the “concrete results” in shared interests. I believe that part is mandatory for all leaders.
Ironically, Macron first brought up Iran and the nuclear deal he insists Iran must follow, the one that the U.S. refused to follow. (Macron left that part out). Macron putting Trump out on a ledge (good for Macron), stating that he believes the US could get an Iran deal if Trump met the Iranians.
Trump looking down with a slight scowl, holding the podium for dear life, he’d rather be golfing at Doral.
There is no helicopter with jet engines shaking the earth below their feet. Indeed they are inside an actual room. Perhaps it explains Trump’s discomfort. People will hear him.
Macon sums it up by noting it is important to work together hand in hand, as they did over the weekend, with a lot of energy going forward. Notes Trump is strongly in favor of this, including determining a China policy, further putting Trump on a ledge. Offers Trump help in holding next year’s G7. Finishes to applause.
Trump thanks Macron, thank god. Spends 10x the amount of time thanking Macron for his wife’s hospitality.
Trump states it was a great meeting, despite false reports otherwise. Jeezus.
Thanks the great country of France.
First awkward moment, Trump apologizes to the president of France because he doesn’t want Macron standing there as he “answers these ridiculous questions.” Holy shit. We’re five minutes in.
Macron asked about how he feels about the U.S. and China economic relationship, laments the instability caused, which is inevitable. He is concentrating more on where the talks could go. Hopes an agreement can be found concerning trade, it would benefit everyone, and both countries must benefit. World economy cannot survive uncertainty. (Macron has been reading Politizoom, obviously).
Trump says he is not satisfied with how WTO reforms are going. He keeps interrupting the questions. He is not even keeping his eyes fully open. States China has taken a “hard hit” because of Trump’s policies, taken a hit like no one has ever seen before. Says United States has collected $100 Billion in tariffs, paid for by the U.S. consumer Trump did not say. It is a brilliant world market according to Trump. Sucks up to Chinese president, then makes a threat – China doesn’t have a choice – then says it is not a threat.
Macron uses words to say nothing offensive to anyone about Iran, including Iranians. It isn’t just American politicians who specialize in banality.
Trump brags Iran isn’t the same country it was when Trump took over, they were the “number one” exporter of terrorism. “I am ignoring the fact that 9/11 was caused primarily by Saudis, my friends,” Trump did not say. The U.S. is not looking for regime change, but decreases in ballistic missiles, and they cannot have nuclear weapons. Trump embarrassing the United States by speaking down to reporters, sucking up to Macron.
“Maybe it works, maybe it doesn’t.” Trump says about absolutely nothing.
“Countries last for long times.” I have no idea what that means or to whom it is addressed. Trump lived in New York City so he has lots of friends from all over, incredible people.
Unbelievable.
Another question to Macron, who is infinitely more interesting, tanned, and charming: Did he tell the U.S. about Iran dropping by. “Sort of” Macron says with more words, smartly. Macron thinks it would be smart for both sides to negotiate (U.S. and Iran), so Macron did this on his own. Smart. He will do the right thing for Trump!
Trump: It was a bad deal should never have been entered into, says Trump, apparently unaware that one of the dealmakers is standing right next to him, and not just President Obama. Then claims victory because Iran is much different today, meaning they are angrier today than under the deal.
Trump, brings up North Korea out of the fucking blue. North Korea has “tremendous potential.” People wanting to get to South Korea, somehow, must go through North Korea, says a man who has owned airplanes. Everything about North Korea is incredible. Trump says this even though North Korea currently has, actual nuclear weapons pointed at the U.S., as opposed to Iran.
Diss’s John Kerry and President Obama, something about airplanes full of cash. I have no idea what the hell that even means.
Trump and Macron had lunch where they only tried to impress each other, not people. WTF?
This is so embarrassing. I am shocked, right.
Trump suddenly says thanks to Macron, it was an “incredible three or four days” and Macron says he’s getting the fuck out of there, or something to that effect. Leaves.
Trump orders everyone to sit down.
Trump will not make a deal with China if he cannot get a good deal. He will not make a deal, unless it is a great deal. Complains China is taking billions out of the country. Does not blame American companies who take the jobs to China.
Trump asked about China and holding his fucking G7 at his Doral Country Club, how can he assure the American people he’s not looking to profit off the nation.
Trump talks about all the money he has lost by being president and not a businessman. Doral is close to the airport. He is consumed with this commercial. Great property, very very nice. He doesn’t care about making money. He would make billions by not being president.
Jesus this is embarrassing as fck. He has spoken more about “each country having its own villa or bungalow,” about 3-5x longer answering this question than any other, it is not about him, though.
It is simply striking how a real president handles this in contrast to our president, who never misses a chance to thank himself and puff himself.
Trump will not compensate Iran if they enter a deal.
Japanese reporter asks if Trump still thinking about imposing tariffs upon Japanese goods (My god, I didn’t realize Trump wanted a full blown trade war with everyone). The United States had made trade deals that were stupid, his new deals will be transformative.
Asked why Trump feels it is important to invite Russia, Trump states he doesn’t care that Russia meddled in election, because he is not political. (What?) There are “a lot” of people who want Russia in the G7, meaning that Trump and Putin constitute a lot of people. Rips President Obama, it was “embarrassing to Obama.” It was Obama’s determination to exclude Putin. Yes, it was, because Obama has principles.
Better to have Russia inside the “tank” than outside the tank. Trump “does nothing for political reasons.” Perhaps that is true, he does things to save his ass and enrich himself, so we’ll call that one “True.”
Trump is standing on foreign soil RIPPING President Obama. This is where we stand right now.
Obama was outsmarted. Trump says it was a bad thing that Russia took Crimea, “Obama unable to stop it.” So Trump wants to reward it? Fuck me.
I am about to throw up, Trump is near animated now, Russia is out of the G7 because Obama was just that big a screw-up. So, again, Trump wants Russia back in. Unbelievable.
Trump interrupts question to say that China “wants to make a deal” and thus Trump isn’t responsible for all this crap. Trump wants to “do business” with China, doesn’t want tariffs, even though the United States is “Making a lot of money” off tariffs.
Trump challenged as to whether he has a strategy, calling China an enemy one day, and then a great leader the next, it leads to instability. Trump keeps saying that China steals $500 billion, avoiding the question entirely.
Back to Obama, who didn’t do a Chinese deal.
Back to North Korea, “should have been done a long time ago.” Does he mean that the North Koreans should be cleared to have nukes a long time ago?
Now on to the EU, Theresa May did not take Trump’s advice and therefore could not get a deal. Boris Johnson will be a great Prime Minister. Trump just damned Johnson with praise.
He loves the U.K. he has property in the U.K., he doesn’t know how his property is doing because he doesn’t care, which begs the question as to how the property came up in the first place.
By the way, no wonder Trump never wants to do press conferences. He seems near aware that he’s burying himself. Other than the fact that he’s brilliant, he seems to know very little, he does know that the U.S. has never been better.
Why don’t they call it England anymore? Trump asks. Perhaps for the same reason that Texas is no longer called Mexico, but I am guessing on that.
Trump again says having Putin in the G8, having Putin in the G8 is a big positive for Russia, and everyone, Trump says, not being outsmarted by President Putin like Obama was. Russia has “interests” in every subject discussed at the G7. We should not buy an argument that Russia has interests in it, because ducks have interests impacted by every subject and they aren’t invited, either.
Global warming? Trump brags he got ANWAR and pipelines, so he’s obviously in favor of it.
Donald Trump, “Thank you very much everybody, tip your waitstaff.”
We’re so fukt.
****
Peace y’all.
Jason
It was an incredible performance. I thought the highlight was how wonderful North Korea is. I wonder if he knows that Kim would just as soon blow him up as spit on him?
And it just soooo came from nowhere. He transitioned from Iran – which doesn’t have nukes pointed at anyone, and couldn’t even get them if they wanted to, as having “tremendous potential,” right into “and so does North Korea” which actually DOES have nuclear weapons pointed at the United States, and praised them, because “to get to South Korea you have to go through North Korea,” I am guessing he meant if you walked from the north and didn’t have a boat or plane.
“to get to South Korea you have to go through North Korea,” –
WTactualF?