French President Emmanuel Macron got an up close and personal demonstration on how to deal with the American media during a meeting between he and President Trump at the White House Tuesday.
The impromptu lesson on handling the media brought a smile and a bit of a laugh from Macron, who seemed taken aback, yet amused at the President’s no-nonsense response.
First off, ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl felt that a meeting between Trump and the French President would be an ideal time to ask a completely off-topic question involving Michael Cohen, the President’s lawyer whose home and office were recently raided by the FBI.
Apparently, Cohen’s legal issues are relevant to diplomatic relations with France, in Karl’s eyes.
“Mr. President, what about Michael Cohen?” Karl asked. “Are you considering a pardon for Mr. Cohen?”
As soon as he heard the name, President Trump immediately dismissed Karl saying, “Alright, thank you very much.”
He then turned to Karl and very deliberately stared at him, pointed, and said “stupid question.”
A reporter asked Trump if he would pardon Michael Cohen and he snapped back, “Stupid question.”
LOOK AT MACRON’S FACE. pic.twitter.com/A9uKpQ3vb8
— David Mack (@davidmackau) April 24, 2018
Macron heard the exchange and turned, smiling and tilting his head, somewhat amused at how the President didn’t hesitate in calling out a reporter.
The response is truly hilarious!
Macron’s face after Trump said @jonkarl asked a “stupid question” pic.twitter.com/mYEmPcLATC
— David Rutz (@DavidRutz) April 24, 2018
For his part, Karl straight up reported the exchange. Had this been Jim Acosta of CNN, he would have spent the next hour on Twitter whining about how the President was mean to him.
I also asked the President if he is considering pardoning Michael Cohen. He pointed at me and said “Stupid question.” pic.twitter.com/pF0x36MVdZ
— Jonathan Karl (@jonkarl) April 24, 2018
Of course, it was a stupid question – Cohen hasn’t been charged with anything.
The meeting between Trump and Macron in front of the press had several highlights, the aforementioned ‘stupid question’ moment being one of them.
In another example of Trump’s sense of humor, the President playfully wiped dandruff off of Macron’s shoulder.
Trump on Macron: “We have a very special relationship, in fact I’ll get that little piece of dandruff off…we have to make him perfect, he is perfect.” https://t.co/GGsfve3KYB pic.twitter.com/vzV2Dech86
— Dan Linden (@DanLinden) April 24, 2018
“We have a very special relationship, in fact, I’ll get that little piece of dandruff off,” he said. “We have to make him perfect; he is perfect.”
Did Trump go too far in calling out the reporter for asking a “stupid question?” Share your thoughts below!
Source: Fox News
