Trump reportedly insulted Australia's prime minister, offered to invade Mexico, in phone calls
President Trump spoke with the leaders of five countries on Saturday — Germany, Russia, Japan, France, and Australia — and he told Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull that his "was the worst call by far," before abruptly ending the hour-long call after 25 minutes, The Washington Post reported late Wednesday, citing "senior U.S. officials briefed on the Saturday exchange." Australia is one of America's closest and staunchest allies, but Trump was apparently irked by a deal the Obama administration had reached to vet and take in about 1,250 asylum-seekers Australia has diverted to two islands, where they are detained in often deplorable conditions.
"I don't want these people," Trump reportedly said. Many of the refugees are from Iran, Iraq, Sudan, and Somalia — countries included in the refugee ban Trump signed on Friday, though that executive order included an exemption for "a pre-existing international agreement," meaning the Australia deal. When Turnbull pressed, Trump said it is his "intention" to honor the agreement, though he reportedly added, "this is the worst deal ever," accused Australia of trying to send America the "next Boston bombers," fretted that he's "going to get killed" politically for taking in refugees, and bragged about the size of his inaugural crowd and electoral college victory.
CNN confirmed the gist of Trump's chat with Turnbull, a White House official acknowledged the call was hostile, and Trump tweeted on Thursday night: "The Obama Administration agreed to take thousands of illegal immigrants from Australia. Why? I will study this dumb deal!" On Thursday, Turnbull took the high road. "These conversations are conducted candidly, frankly, privately," he said at a news conference. "If you see reports of them, I'm not going to add to them."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Trump's call with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto on Friday was also less cordial than originally advertised, CNN and The Associated Press report. According to what AP describes as a transcript of the call, Trump told Peña Nieto, "You have a bunch of bad hombres down there," adding: "You aren't doing enough to stop them. I think your military is scared. Our military isn't, so I just might send them down to take care of it." Mexico denies that Trump threatened to invade Mexico, and CNN reports that AP was quoting an official readout of the call written by aides, not the transcript. According to the official transcript, CNN says, Trump noted the "pretty tough hombres in Mexico" and offered "help with that big-league," because "you have not done a good job knocking them out."
Trump's "conversations with foreign leaders are making their faces turn white" in the White House, sources tell CNN's Jim Acosta. In case you're wondering, The New York Times' Benyamin Applebaum is keeping track of the countries Trump has angered in his first 12 days on the job. Peter Weber
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
The clown car cabinet
Opinion Even 'Little Marco' towers above his fellow nominees
By Mark Gimein Published
-
Ed Park's 6 favorite works about self reflection and human connection
Feature The Pulitzer Prize finalist recommends works by Jason Rekulak, Gillian Linden, and more
By The Week US Published
-
6 fantastic homes in Columbus, Ohio
Feature Featuring a 1915 redbrick Victorian in German Village and a modern farmhouse in Woodland Park
By The Week Staff Published
-
Boeing machinists approve contract, end strike
Speed Read The company's largest union approved the new contract offer, ending a seven-week strike
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US economy still strong in final preelection report
Speed Read It grew at a solid 2.8% annual rate from July through September
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists reject deal, continue strike
Speed Read The rejection came the same day Boeing reported a $6.2 billion quarterly loss
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ports reopen after dockworkers halt strike
Speed Read The 36 ports that closed this week, from Maine to Texas, will start reopening today
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Empty-nest boomers aren't selling their big homes
Speed Read Most Americans 60 and older do not intend to move, according to a recent survey
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Brazil accuses Musk of 'disinformation campaign'
Speed Read A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has opened an inquiry into Elon Musk and X
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney board fends off Peltz infiltration bid
Speed Read Disney CEO Bob Iger has defeated activist investor Nelson Peltz in a contentious proxy battle
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney and DeSantis reach detente
Speed Read The Florida governor and Disney settle a yearslong litigation over control of the tourism district
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published