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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsNo Gday, mate: On call with Australian prime minister, Trump badgers and brags
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 Americas 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.Trumps 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
(182,585 posts)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 Trumps 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
(28,831 posts)I was thinking the same thing.
C_U_L8R
(44,983 posts)I'm so embarrassed of Trump. Sorry Australia. Please bear with us.
nolabear
(41,930 posts)I feel
Like I ought to send flowers to every other country on earth.
dalton99a
(81,386 posts)roamer65
(36,744 posts)Absolutely beautiful country with friendly people.
Baitball Blogger
(46,676 posts)Hope they don't fall for it.
bdamomma
(63,791 posts)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
(46,676 posts)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.