Rachel Maddow slammed Donald Trump for his “clunky” overseas trip, and highlighted how the president tried to use the government of Ireland to “create a commercial” for his golf course.
The MSNBC host said that Trump was rejected by the Irish prime minister when he requested that they meet at his golf club in Ireland.
“No, we will not use our government to create a commercial for your golf course,” Maddow said, speculating on what the Irish government told Trump. “Even though you, sir, are clearly comfortable using the American government to hold a commercial for your golf course.”
Trump then turned down Ireland’s counter-offer of meeting at a nearby castle, which is why the two leaders have decided to meet at – wait for it – the airport.
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Video:
Rachel Maddow explains how the Irish government turned down Trump’s latest self-enrichment scheme. #ctl #p2 #maddow pic.twitter.com/FtbI0JPZVL
— PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) June 5, 2019
Maddow said:
President Trump started off planning this trip to Ireland by initially trying to get the Irish prime minister to come visit and hold the summit at President Trump’s Irish golf course. Now, that is a request that the government of Ireland rejected for obvious reasons. Right? No, we will not use our government to create a commercial for your golf course. Even though you, sir, are clearly comfortable using the American government to hold a commercial for your golf course. We’re not going to do that. So they’re not going to meet at the president’s golf course like he insisted. They’re not going to meet at another nearby castle which the Irish government offered as a second choice. Instead, they will meet at the airport, which is a little weird. But this whole overseas trip has been pretty sort of clunky for the president.
Trump’s self-enrichment schemes don’t work on world leaders
Trump may be able to convince a small but loyal number of Americans that his constant use of the presidency to enrich himself, his business and family is okay – but other countries want nothing to do with it.
It’s part of the reason why Trump’s trip to the UK has been such a disaster.
Not only did the Irish government reject Trump’s plan to promote his golf course, but the people of London have roundly rejected the president with massive protests during his visit.
Even those running to succeed Theresa May as prime minister gave Trump the cold shoulder. Boris Johnson rejected the president’s request to meet during his visit, and Jeremy Corbyn spoke at an anti-Trump demonstration.
Donald Trump is historically unpopular at home, but he is seen as a complete laughingstock abroad.
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Sean Colarossi currently resides in Cleveland, Ohio. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and was an organizing fellow for both of President Obama’s presidential campaigns. He also worked with Planned Parenthood as an Affordable Care Act Outreach Organizer in 2014, helping northeast Ohio residents obtain health insurance coverage.
