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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCarl Bernstein: Trump Was 'Delusional' And Outmatched In Calls With Putin And Erdogan
(HuffPost) One source described the nature of the calls between Trump and Putin as sounding like two guys in a steam bath.
President Donald Trump was so unprepared for calls with the leaders of Russia and Turkey that he regularly threatened U.S. national security while boasting about his achievements, CNNs Carl Bernstein reported Monday.
Over hundreds of calls cited by anonymous sources, Bernstein reports, Trump almost never read briefing material prepared by intelligence agencies and would often take unplanned calls from foreign leaders, flabbergasting top national security advisers.
Two unnamed sources told Bernstein the regularity of the calls and Trumps behavior led them to believe the president was delusional and thought he could charm or bully other leaders into doing what he wanted. At times, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called Trump at least twice a week, and there were standing orders to put the calls straight through to Trump. Sources said Trump was almost never prepared and was vulnerable to being taken advantage of.
In regular calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump mostly talked about himself, Bernstein reported, while courting Putins admiration and approval.
[Trump] gives away the advantage that was hard won in the Cold War, one official told CNN. Hes given Russia a lifeline ― because there is no doubt that theyre a declining power. ... Hes playing with something he doesnt understand and hes giving them power that they would use [aggressively].
One source described the nature of the calls between Trump and Putin as sounding like two guys in a steam bath.
(Read More) https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-putin-erdogan-cnn-carl-bernstein_n_5efa9d24c5b612083c51d964
NoMoreRepugs
(9,401 posts)HotTeaBag
(1,206 posts)Pretty much sums up his entire Presidency.
tanyev
(42,541 posts)And Vlad probably had him on speakerphone in a room full of Russians trying to contain their laughter.
Wounded Bear
(58,627 posts)He's not, hardly ever.