It was just after 1 p.m. Wednesday when CNN’s Jim Acosta treated his followers to a big scoop:
SCOOP: When Trudeau pressed Trump on national security justification for tariffs on Canada Trump responded: “didn’t you guys burn down the WH?” That was Britain during the War of 1812 https://t.co/tj4iHX7wPD
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) June 6, 2018
“The problem with Trump’s comments to Trudeau is that British [not Canadian] troops burned down the White House during the War of 1812,” he clarified.
Fast-forward nearly 6 hours and Acosta was still on it, citing backup from the CBC:
The @CBC confirmed our report https://t.co/ieyBTqhutn
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) June 6, 2018
See? The CBC reported:
Trump mentioned the burning of the White House during the War of 1812 during the confrontational May 25 call, which was first reported by CNN and confirmed by CBC News.
Trudeau reportedly asked Trump how tariffs could be imposed on Canada on “national security” grounds. Trump reportedly responded: “Didn’t you guys burn down the White House?”
It’s not clear if Trump was attempting to inject humour into a discussion on a topic that could have serious economic repercussions.
British troops burned down the White House in 1814 during the War of 1812, in retaliation for an American attack on York, Ont., a British colony at the time.
The CBC didn’t think it was clear if Trump was making a joke or not, but Michel Boyer, national correspondent for CTV News, is pretty sure it was.
After speaking to three very high level sources in the government, all are telling me the call between Trump and Trudeau on May 25 was not testy and the "burning down the White House" comment was clearly intended (and received) as a joke. #cdnpoli
— Michel Boyer (@BoyerMichel) June 6, 2018
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But the CBC said the call was “tense,” “testy,” and “confrontational.”
You’re ruining it.
— Anna Mehler Paperny (@amp6) June 6, 2018
— Michel Boyer (@BoyerMichel) June 6, 2018
Thank you for clarifying. I think it's important we all keep these things coming out in context and not go off half-cocked thinking they're always an insult.
— Ellie Lynn ❤️ (@EllieLynnbooks) June 6, 2018
I think context is SUPER important when it comes to this kind of stuff.
— Michel Boyer (@BoyerMichel) June 6, 2018
Michael Boyer of CTV insists that Trump meant it as a joke when he referred to the burning down of the White House in the War of 1812 with Justin Trudeau. Michael, when Donald Trump makes a joke in the middle of a tough financial negotiation, prepare to have your pocket picked.
— Oooh, Canada ! (@CanadaOooh) June 6, 2018
Not a fair assessment. Despite the troubles between the two countries – PMJT and Trump have always shown they have a good relationship. Context and tone are pretty important to consider. And for the record, I'm not insisting anything. I'm sharing the things I've learned. 🙂
— Michel Boyer (@BoyerMichel) June 6, 2018
Actually, sounds more like they are trying to turn down the heat. Not a bad move on their part.
— Dominic Marando (@DominicMarando) June 6, 2018
Doesn’t this scenario sound entirely reasonable and frankly, expected. CNN is probably going to next report that Trudeau challenged Trump to a boxing match (we can all get a good laugh over that one). Good fact check.
— Wallairo ???? (@Wallairo) June 6, 2018
What I suspected all along which is why it was so funny https://t.co/hVnqNeHGBg
— YukonSue (@YukonMomto2) June 6, 2018
Well, duh. https://t.co/ccP8KP2KwQ
— Albertaardvark (@Albertaardvark) June 6, 2018
Well well well wat do we have here?? Someone actually reporting a Trump anecdote correctly. Amazing and so rare
— Steve o/b/o Patrick (@rhainman) June 6, 2018
Hey, even Joy Reid said that Trump was “kick-a** funny” on her old blog.
Related:
NEVER FAILS! Jim Acosta 'wound up dunking on HIMSELF' with this attempted Trump gotcha 'SCOOP' https://t.co/1TftY76ywf
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) June 6, 2018
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