The first day on a new job can be hard for anyone, but most of us probably won’t cause an international incident and anger an entire nation.
Mere hours after his credential ceremony, Richard Grenell, Trump’s newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Germany, put the “ass” back in ambassador with an aggressive tweet aimed at his new hosts.
Following President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Iran-Nuclear deal on Wednesday, Grenell took to Twitter to issue a suggestion for some German companies:
As @realDonaldTrump said, US sanctions will target critical sectors of Iran’s economy. German companies doing business in Iran should wind down operations immediately.
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) May 8, 2018
As far as introductions go, many felt that Grenell might be getting off on the wrong foot with the nation:
Is that your 1st tweet from Germany? That's one way of saying hello I suppose…
— Ulrike Steven (@UlrikeSteven1) May 9, 2018
How to win friends and influence people, outstanding start. I am sure this first impression will really go over fantastically
— MiTcH (@MiTcH_ArTs) May 9, 2018
Don't you think it's a bit impertinent to make such recommendations immediately as a guest?
— Ich. (@BonaDaDea) May 9, 2018
He is like 2 second in office as an ambassador and already bluntly showing how ill fitted he is for the position… Germany & EU will not take any orders from US just because they decided to weigh inner political gain over local and global peace.
— Naru4ever (@Naru4everKPop) May 9, 2018
Oh wow, that is such a great way to introduce yourself to a people! Thank you ambassador!
— Jan Kunigk (@jankunigk) May 8, 2018
Grenell stood by his comment though, saying it was “the exact language sent out from the White House talking points & fact sheet.”
His defense didn’t have the desired effect, however, as many were quick to question Grenell’s diplomatic chops:
For a diplomat, Mr Grenell seems short of tact, courtesy and diplomatic skill
— Ben_Franklin (@_Ben_Franklin1) May 9, 2018
Suggest you return to US and take some lessons in diplomacy immediately!
— Joe_Bloggs (@Joebloggs571) May 9, 2018
The new US Ambassador to Germany giving orders to the Germans, he knows nothing about his role as a diplomat
— kamal makawi (@KamalMakawi) May 8, 2018
Only just in office, you deliver a strong show of your diplomatic skills by alienating your host.
— Peter Seidel (@Seidel63) May 9, 2018
….he does appear to need some tutoring
— John McLaughlin (@je_mclaughlin) May 9, 2018
Are you really doing diplomacy via Twitter? Or is this a political show?
— Bill (@Hokibil) May 8, 2018
Including the former German Ambassador to he United States, Wolfgang Ischinger.
Ric: my advice, after a long ambassadorial career: explain your own country’s policies, and lobby the host country – but never tell the host country what to do, if you want to stay out of trouble. Germans are eager to listen, but they will resent instructions.
— Wolfgang Ischinger (@ischinger) May 9, 2018
And German citizens on Twitter seemed to confirm that warning:
— Roestar (@Rowstar01) May 9, 2018
Also a warm welcome to you Mr. Ambassador. A shame your time here won't be long…
— Robo Tron (@Robos_Tron) May 9, 2018
And you, Mister Ambassador, should wind down your operations in Germany immediately and go home.
— Norbert (@The_Sixty) May 9, 2018
Go home…!!!
— Stanislas LeFort (@TheRealLeFort) May 9, 2018
GO HOME! We don't want or need you in Germany!
— Sven Willger (@sven_willger) May 9, 2018
Richard, go home
— christian füller (@ciffi) May 9, 2018
Ouch.
H/T – HuffPost
