Who’s laughing now
“We need a President who isn’t a laughing stock to the entire World. We need a truly great leader, a genius at strategy and winning. Respect!”
Donald J. Trump, tweet on Aug. 9, 2014
Last Tuesday, President Trump had his chance to knock one out of the park with his speech at the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Last year, he claimed North Korea was on a “suicidal collision course” with the United States.
This year, instead of calling Kim Jong Un “Rocket Man,” he thanked him for the supposed steps toward denuclearization.
Times have changed.
He had the stage all to himself in front of leaders and diplomats from around the world eager to hear his next move.
He failed miserably.
He learned immediately that the leaders of other countries aren’t necessarily on the “Trump train.”
“In less than two years, my administration has accomplished more than almost any administration in the history of our country,” Trump said, as a smattering of laughter broke out in the General Assembly’s hall.
Mr. Trump use to claim, without any proof, that Barack Obama was a “laughing stock” around the world. Last Tuesday morning, Trump become one himself.
“I did not expect that reaction. but that’s O.K.,” Trump said as the sounds of chuckling reached the podium.
When he usually gives a speech – before his carefully handpicked supporters – he’s met with uproarious cheering.
Those folks believe him when he tells them he’s making good on his “America First” promises.
There’s nothing in it for the leaders of, say, Venezuela or Iran, especially since he claims, as he did in that speech, that Venezuela is overrun with “human tragedy,” and that, “Iran’s leaders sow chaos, death and destruction. They do not respect their neighbors or borders, or the sovereign rights of nations.”
The following day, Trump took a victory lap for what he thought was a stirring speech at the United Nations.
He called a rare news conference.
Not surprisingly, he was asked about the leaders of foreign countries who got a kick out of his boasts about his supposed accomplishments.
“They didn’t laugh at me. People had a good time with me. We were doing it together,” he lied.
Wait a minute.
His response while it happened was, “I did not expect that reaction.”
The next day, though, he told reporters it was all part of the “good time” he was having. It had been a global comedy routine.
Besides, he said,
“They respect what I’ve done. The United States is respected again.”
R-E-S-P-E-C-T – find out what it means to me, a wise woman once said.
Trump’s proof of that R-E-S-P-E-C-T came when he told reporters that China respects him because he has (this is a direct quote) “A very, very large brain.”
If China truly admires the size of Mr. Trump’s brain, you have to wonder why, on the same day, they published an official document that accused the U.S. (namely Mr. Trump) of engaging in “trade bullyism practices.”
And that the U.S. is the “greatest source of uncertainty and risk for the recovery of the global economy.”
That’s a result of the repeated tariffs Trump keeps putting on Chinese goods – then he brags about it.
And ole Mr. Large Brain is really having problems striking a deal with our neighbors to the north.
He told reporters that while he was at the United Nations he decided to call off a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
“I told him to forget about it,” he said, because of their unfair trading practices.
He also indicated that he’s considering taxing cars that come into the country from Canada.
That’s a mighty strong statement.
Except the following day Justin Trudeau’s spokesman, Cameron Ahmad claims, “No meeting was requested, and we do not have any comment beyond that.”
So, Trump canceled a meeting that wasn’t even scheduled?
It’s too bad.
Trump could have told Trudeau a few jokes, then taken a bow – so they both could have a “good time.”
Edward A. Owens is a multi-Emmy Award winner, former reporter and anchor for Entertainment Tonight and 20-year TV news veteran. E-mail him at freedoms@bellatlantic.net.