President Donald Trump announced he’s leaving the North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit following Wednesday’s meetings. The news came after several world leaders were caught in a hot mic moment laughing about the American President during Tuesday night’s reception at London’s Buckingham Palace.
.@JustinTrudeau, @EmmanuelMacron, @BorisJohnson and other VIPs shared a few words at a Buckingham Palace reception Tuesday. No one mentions @realDonaldTrump by name, but they seem to be discussing his lengthy impromptu press conferences from earlier in the day. (Video: Host Pool) pic.twitter.com/dVgj48rpOP
— Power & Politics (@PnPCBC) December 3, 2019
In the video, Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked French President Emmanuel Macron “Is that why you were late?” to which Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded, “He was late because he takes a 40-minute press conference off the top.”
Later in the conversation, Trudeau remarked, “You just watched his team’s jaws drop to the floor.”
“Well, he’s two-faced. And honestly with Trudeau, he’s a nice guy. I find him to be a very nice guy, but the truth is I called him out on the fact he’s not paying 2%,” said @POTUS after @JustinTrudeau’s candid comments caught on camera. https://t.co/8E8xgJGqVR #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/xtftsBTa6k
— Power & Politics (@PnPCBC) December 4, 2019
Trudeau later commented on his earlier remarks, telling reporters Wednesday, “Last night I made reference to the fact that there was an unscheduled press conference before my meeting with President Trump. I was happy to be part of it but it was certainly notable.”
Trump later responded calling Trudeau “two-faced.” He denounced the Canadian leader for not paying the country’s fair share as a NATO member country.
“He should be paying 2 percent. It’s Canada and they have money and they should be paying 2 percent,” Trump said.
Great progress has been made by NATO over the last three years. Countries other than the U.S. have agreed to pay 130 Billion Dollars more per year, and by 2024, that number will be 400 Billion Dollars. NATO will be richer and stronger than ever before….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 4, 2019
….When today’s meetings are over, I will be heading back to Washington. We won’t be doing a press conference at the close of NATO because we did so many over the past two days. Safe travels to all!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 4, 2019
“When today’s meetings are over, I will be heading back to Washington. We won’t be doing a press conference at the close of NATO because we did so many over the past two days. Safe travels to all!” Trump wrote on Twitter.