World leaders offer proper thoughts about London Bridge attack, as Donald Trump embarrasses himself
Last night’s London Bridge attack was chaotic, confusing, and deadly. As the situation unfolded over the course of the evening, leaders from around the world stepped up to offer the kind of thoughts and helpful messages expected from people in their positions. In contrast, Donald Trump embarrassed himself with one of his most inappropriate tweets to date.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered condolences and a way for his people to check on the well being of loved ones in London:
Awful news from London tonight. We're monitoring the situation – Canadians in need of help please see below: https://t.co/NVHwMlD2uu
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) June 3, 2017
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull shared a thoughtful message:
Our prayers and resolute solidarity are today as always with the people of Britain in the face of the shocking terrorist attacks in London.
— Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm) June 4, 2017
Newly elected President of France Emmanuel Macron tweeted a French language message which, translated into English, read “In the face of this tragedy, the France is more than ever at the side of the United Kingdom. My thoughts go to the victims and their loved ones.” German Chancellor Angela Merkel released a proper statement to the media (link).
And then there was Donald Trump, who once again crapped himself on the world stage, this time by using the attack to cravenly promote his racist Muslim ban – without even knowing the details of the attack or who was behind it:
We need to be smart, vigilant and tough. We need the courts to give us back our rights. We need the Travel Ban as an extra level of safety!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 3, 2017
Later, someone on Trump’s staff must have informed him that he’d blown it yet again, and so he posted this generic and weirdly capitalized followup tweet:
Whatever the United States can do to help out in London and the U. K., we will be there – WE ARE WITH YOU. GOD BLESS!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 3, 2017
But the upshot in the aftermath of the London Bridge attack is the same as it was during Donald Trump’s overseas trip: he has no idea how to act like a leader, it never occurs to him to act like a leader, and he can’t figure out how to do it well even after it’s pointed out to him that he needs to try. And he wonders why his approval rating is in the thirties. Follow Palmer Report on Facebook and Twitter.
