Donald Trump has just released a statement on the state of America’s relationship with Saudi Arabia in the wake of Jamal Khashoggi’s death. And it’s … well, it’s something:
Trump statement on Khashoggi is odd. Some of it makes sense, some even good maybe, but altogether too much reading stage directions.
— Seth Mandel (@SethAMandel) November 20, 2018
Take a gander:
Trump preemptively puts out a statement defending alliance with Saudi Arabia before CIA Khashoggi report comes out pic.twitter.com/vjmaDqxsgy
— Aaron Blake (@AaronBlake) November 20, 2018
Here is the @realDonaldTrump statement on Saudi Arabia in full. pic.twitter.com/vQEq69IfLk
— Seung Min Kim (@seungminkim) November 20, 2018
Statement from @POTUS on Saudi Arabia and murder of Jamal Khashoggi
"It could very well be that the Crown Prince had knowledge of this tragic event – maybe he did and maybe he didn’t!" pic.twitter.com/Ql0Mnw4ghs
— David Rutz (@DavidRutz) November 20, 2018
It’s good to cover all your bases.
C'est la vie! pic.twitter.com/1ADqPIEVEz
— Katherine Miller (@katherinemiller) November 20, 2018
Well, you can't accuse Trump of farming this statement out to the speechwriters. https://t.co/GXU60SDRZr
— Drew McCoy (@_Drew_McCoy_) November 20, 2018
That’s true!
BREAKING: Trump says he's taking no new punitive measures against Saudi Arabia over the killing of US-based Saudi columnist.
— The Associated Press (@AP) November 20, 2018
Well then.
Weakness. https://t.co/vzDE8M9GTa
— Stephen Gutowski (@StephenGutowski) November 20, 2018
Coward. https://t.co/9WulmbXVO8
— Pradheep J. Shanker, M.D., M.S. (@Neoavatara) November 20, 2018
I can understand not ruining the entire relationship… Sometimes you have to make compromises for the greater good.
But to do nothing makes you look weak and pathetic.
— Pradheep J. Shanker, M.D., M.S. (@Neoavatara) November 20, 2018
Opposing possibility…pretending to care and doing some fake slap on the wrist stuff is expected and acceptable in international relationships but it doesn't show strength.
Conveying you aren't bothered enough to pretend shows a certain, if not strength, then comfort. https://t.co/xb0SnAzAYU
— Drew McCoy (@_Drew_McCoy_) November 20, 2018
But it’s all for America. Or something:
LOLed IRL when I saw the first line of the president’s statement on Saudi Arabia. pic.twitter.com/zo3zSnLgw4
— Sonny Bunch (@SonnyBunch) November 20, 2018
Sigh.
***
Updates:
Rand Paul's got some harsh words — and a bold claim — about Trump's Saudi Arabia statement https://t.co/qHZJp6efUR
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) November 20, 2018
Lindsey Graham echoes Rand Paul, breaks with Trump on Saudi Arabia statement https://t.co/Hr2L1cTfXS
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) November 20, 2018
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