Once again, President Donald Trump has managed to offend people on a massive scale, this time around, with a tweet directed at French President Emmanuel Macron.
Trump’s tone-deaf tweet came just days after world leaders commemorated the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, on Sunday.
Leading the ceremony in a speech, at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, President Macron warned that “old demons,” including those in the form of nationalism, were once again on the rise—a clear rebuke of Trump given his recent statements embracing the term, according to HuffPost.
Trump’s Tuesday morning tweet—which mocked France’s roll in World War I and World War II—lashed out at President Macron for a statement he made in an interview last week in which he spoke of the need for a “European army” to protect the EU from “China, Russia and even the United States.”
Trump tweeted:
Emmanuel Macron suggests building its own army to protect Europe against the U.S., China and Russia. But it was Germany in World Wars One & Two – How did that work out for France? They were starting to learn German in Paris before the U.S. came along. Pay for NATO or not!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2018
The tweet represented a doubling-down on Trump’s part, as he had already criticized President Macron’s statement on the 9th, before the ceremony in Paris.
He said:
President Macron of France has just suggested that Europe build its own military in order to protect itself from the U.S., China and Russia. Very insulting, but perhaps Europe should first pay its fair share of NATO, which the U.S. subsidizes greatly!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 9, 2018
Commenters on Twitter were indignant both times around:
ICYMI, homefry, the entire world is referring to you as a modern day Hitler, so by your own analogy France is doing the right thing by aligning itself with other allies.
— Anonymous White House Official (@dvorakoelling) November 13, 2018
That isn't what he said at all, and everyone knows it. You lie and twist his words to suit your horrific personal agenda. Macron said the EU should invest in its own military so as to not simply depend on the US for help when needed.
— Elise Flynn (@TashaMahal) November 12, 2018
Hmm, now why would he lump us in with China and Russia? How odd.
— Lenny Orbovich (@LOrbovich) November 11, 2018
With many agreeing that Macron is merely making a “smart” decision:
That is extremely smart. Our ally’s feel they can no longer depend on the U.S. to get their back. They know we have a mentally ill president. A spoiled 8 year child who has one agent- win at any cost. It doesn’t matter how.
— Sandra (@skmrickenback) November 11, 2018
Probably A GOOD idea. He knows he can't rely on the US anymore.
— [email protected] (@jwmusicianurse1) November 12, 2018
Some compared Trump’s level of knowledge to a student’s:
Just learned about the two world wars and can't wait to tell everyone.
— John Woodward (@kitizensane) November 13, 2018
when you didn't do the assigned reading and still need to write a response essay
— Matt Gallagher (@MattGallagher0) November 13, 2018
These commenters pointed out all the holes in Trump’s history knowledge:
America’s first ally: France. They are literally a major reason why we exist today. PS, you have absolutely no idea what it’s like to fight for existence, as they did in both world wars, you nationalist armchair quarterback.
— SFerg (@HistryNerd) November 13, 2018
Yes. It was Germany in World War 1 and World War II. And for some reason Germany hasn't attacked anybody since. I wonder what the reason could be… Maybe, NATO? Something we pay for to keep stability in Europe thus saving us trillions. Read a book.
— Stephen La Follette (@njca) November 13, 2018
Two world wars in 20 years before NATO and ZERO in the 73 years since NATO. But who needs allies.
— verygrand (@verygrand) November 13, 2018
This commenter called Trump’s “learning German” tweet, “gibberish”:
This is jibberish. US president — after spending weekend in France — is trying to hit back at France, probably for the French Army’s trolling him for skipping WWI memorial events. Throws in a NATO spending line. And the old “Speaking German” dig Otto used in Fish Called Wanda. https://t.co/eYdFsdWshX
— Kevin Baron (@DefenseBaron) November 13, 2018
As this commenter stated, Trump’s decision to attack Macron at this time was tasteless for more than one reason:
Timing-wise, Trump has chosen to attack Macron by name, while bringing up Germany and the First and Second World Wars, on the very day France marks the third anniversary of the Bataclan terrorist attacks. Not elegant. https://t.co/WHmziAbgxr
— Luke Baker (@BakerLuke) November 13, 2018
Let’s all hope this is the last time Trump takes a swipe at the French President regarding this matter.
H/T: HuffPost, Twitter, Getty Images
