Is Trump, Um, Slipping? Even More? - The New York Times

His talks with reporters were a good example. He claimed he had personally gotten many important “high-level calls” from Chinese officials who wanted to “make a deal,” something the Chinese seemed to know nothing whatsoever about.

On this occasion Mnuchin, playing the part of translator, said something vague about how there had been some sort of “communication.” Too bad he wasn’t creative enough to tell the world that the Chinese and Trump had become so close they could exchange thoughts without having to pick up the telephone.

The meeting in France wasn’t the only recent exchange with world leaders that suggested Trump is suffering from something more worrisome than the lack of a coherent foreign policy. Back in April, after talking with NATO officials in Washington, he said that despite his complaints about Germany, he had “great respect” for the country from which his father emigrated. “My father is German … born in a very wonderful place in Germany.”

Fred Trump was born in the Bronx. “To mental health professionals like me, the red flags are waving wildly,” wrote the psychologist John Gartner.

The only time at the Group of 7 when Trump seemed very focused was when he got to the plans for next year’s meeting. It’s our turn to pick the location and set the agenda. The president told the international media that his “people” had already been looking for the best possible site, and that they had determined it was — yes! — his Doral hotel in Florida.

“It’s right next to the airport … People are really liking it,” he said enthusiastically, going on to describe the Doral’s “tremendous acreage,” great views and extensive accommodations. He brought this up at two different news conferences. “And what we have also is Miami,” he concluded.

Donald Trump does not actually have Miami.

In response, reporters naturally asked whether it wasn’t a violation of the Constitution for the chief executive to receive valuables — like, say, a huge hotel contract — from foreign governments.

Source: The New York Times

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United Methodist Church • The New York Times • Chinese Americans • Chinese characters • Know Nothing • Steven Mnuchin • China • French Third Republic • Foreign policy • NATO • Washington, D.C. • Germany • German Americans • Germany • Fred Trump • The Bronx • Psychologist • John Gartner • Doral Hotel • Florida • Miami • Donald Trump • Miami • Constitution • Executive (government) • Contract • Government •