No Gday, mate: On call with Australian prime minister, Trump badgers and brags

[octoberlib]

It should have been one of the most congenial calls for the new commander in chief — a conversation with the leader of Australia, one of America’s staunchest allies, at the end of a triumphant week.

Instead, President Trump blasted Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull over a refu­gee agreement and boasted about the magnitude of his electoral college win, according to senior U.S. officials briefed on the Saturday exchange. Then, 25 minutes into what was expected to be an hour-long call, Trump abruptly ended it.

At one point Trump informed Turnbull that he had spoken with four other world leaders that day — including Russian President Vladi­mir Putin — and that, “This was the worst call by far.”Trump’s behavior suggests that he is capable of subjecting world leaders, including close allies, to a version of the vitriol he frequently employs against political adversaries and news organizations in speeches and on Twitter.

“This is the worst deal ever,” Trump fumed as Turnbull attempted to confirm that the United States would honor its pledge to take in 1,250 refugees from an Australian detention center. Trump, who one day earlier had signed an executive order temporarily barring the admissions of refugees, complained that he was “going to get killed” politically and accused Australia of seeking to export the “next Boston bombers.”


https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/no-gday-mate-on-call-with-australian-pm-trump-badgers-and-brags/2017/02/01/88a3bfb0-e8bf-11e6-80c2-30e57e57e05d_story.html?tid=sm_tw&utm_term=.6c833bb9646f

[underpants]

1. Two points. 1. "triumphant week"?? 2. What f'ing mandate??

But even in conversations marred by hostile exchanges, Trump manages to work in references to his election accomplishments. U.S. officials said that he used his calls with both Turnbull and Peña Nieto to mention his election win or the size of the crowd at his inauguration.

One official said that it may be Trump’s way of “speaking about the mandate he has and why he has the backing for decisions he makes.” But Trump is also notoriously thin-skinned and has used platforms including social-media accounts, meetings with lawmakers and even a speech at CIA headquarters to depict his victory as an achievement of historic proportions, rather than a narrow outcome in which his opponent, Hillary Clinton, won the popular vote.

[ananda]

5. There's a lot of propaganda there all right.

I was thinking the same thing.

[C_U_L8R]

2. What a wanker.

I'm so embarrassed of Trump. Sorry Australia. Please bear with us.

[nolabear]

3. Good God. I'm so ashamed.

I feel
Like I ought to send flowers to every other country on earth.

[dalton99a]

4. Worse phone skills than a McDonald's district manager

[roamer65]

6. I'd love to immigrate to Australia.

Absolutely beautiful country with friendly people.

[Baitball Blogger]

7. Yep. Sounds like he's playing them.

Hope they don't fall for it.

[bdamomma]

8. He is bullying them

Would he talk to Vlad like that??, Vlad is blackmailing him.

Bullying China and Iran??? He is playing with the wrong countries what a sick sick man. He is a wanna be dic...tator.

[Baitball Blogger]

9. The Brits will know how to handle him.

I've seen brits on social media strike an incredibly demeaning tone with their opponents, specifically for the purpose of demoralizing and establishing rank. Mostly Tories. They do it with such skill. Trump is a rough around the edges. I don't think he will be able to take it if they blast him with their skillful linguistic put-downs.