Rude--just rude to Merkel

I saw this earlier!
I can't believe he didn't shake hands when asked, maybe because he knew he wouldn't be able to do his crazy "squeeze the fingers and try to pull the arm out of the socket" handshake he normally does with other male leaders.

That man is an embarrassment everyday, he's either completely oblivious to how he comes across or he's doing it on purpose, and in neither scenario does it make him look good.

I feel like he's that crazy great-uncle that you just KNOW is going to say something dreadful and grope the waitress at your family dinner, and everyone is trying to ignore him until he goes away.

Interesting that he didn't personally tweet about Merkel either.
There was a tweet from "The White House" account welcoming her, and he retweeted that, but didn't make any comment at all about the meeting from either of his accounts (well not that I can see - feel free to correct me if I missed it)
I think it's safe to assume the meeting didn't go his way and that he doesn't like her - and that feeling is probably mutual.

Germany should be paying their fair share as should every other member nation.  Merkel already admitted that Germany was unprepared for almost 1 million immigrants and has said she would tighten up on the number allowed in.   Of course she wants to win another term so how could she not make that promise.

Just how did he insult South Korea?  North Korea he can insult all day long as far as I'm concerned.  That country deserves no respect form the US. 

That he doesn't like her is an understatement, he's never likely to either. He's probably looked up her credentials and cried tears of despair at his own inadequacies.

She's a former Research Scientist with a doctorate in Physical Science

She's been the Chancellor of Germany for 12 years

She's been in politics for over 28 years

She's been named as the 2nd most powerful person in the world, by Forbes magazine, twice, second only to his friend Putin and also been named 10 times by Forbes as the most powerful woman in the world.

She's often referred to as the leader of the European Union although she actually isn't.

She a past president of the European Council

She's been chairperson of the G8 summits she's now the most senior G7 leader

She was named Time Person of the Year with the magazine caption referring to her as Chancellor of the Free World.


You're right, he wouldn't like her at.all! Should we start a betting book to see which country is next on the list?

Petty small little man. Merkel is a badass and an inspiration for women in leadership.

How long before the world stops playing nice and putting up with his incendiary demeanour?

He's an embarrassment to the United States.

Indeed.

Tillerson failed to attend a luncheon with South Korean officials today because he was tired. This was after visiting Tokyo and conferring with officials there.

The insult is that South Korea and Japan are very sensitive to each other. A cancelled meeting is a huge slap in the face.

As far as insulting North Korea goes, their leader is just looking for an excuse to play war. I don't really endorse that.

ETA: Germany may not be paying their share of NATO, but being called out publicly at a press event is not very diplomatic or likely to change things.

Hamilton is a great shout-out.  But what a far cry from a man who raised himself from nothing to write 50+ essays on Federalism (http://www.foundingfathers.info/federalistpapers/hamilton.htm) to this emotional toddler as a leader in the United States of America.

Maybe he was afraid that his hands would look too small compared to hers.  

His conduct is that of a petulant brat.

Yes, I wondered what the handshake would have looked like too. I did notice, however, at his first State of the Union that his handshakes were more subdued.

The man is the President of the United States. It is his job to be familiar with the protocol, and if he still isn't he needs to do so ASAP.