The praise for Trump from Sean Spicer and other White House aides is getting curiously effusive
Before he abruptly ended Tuesday's White House press briefing, Press Secretary Sean Spicer had been unusually fulsome in his praise of his displeased boss, President Trump. The president's trip "truly was an extraordinary week for America and our people," Spicer said, and the Saudi Arabia leg "was a historic turning point that people will be talking about for years to come," in which Trump single-handedly "united the civilized world in the fight against terrorism and extremism."
"We've never seen before at this point in a presidency such sweeping reassurance of American interests and the inauguration of a foreign policy strategy designed to bring back the world from growing dangers and perpetual disasters brought on by years of failed leadership," Spicer said. And Trump's interactions with German Chancellor Angela Merkel that upended 50 years of close U.S.-European relations? "I think the relationship that the president has had with Merkel, he would describe as fairly unbelievable," Spicer said. "They get along very well."
Spicer and other Trump spokespeople often exaggerate on the president's behalf, "but Tuesday's monologue seemed to venture into new territory for even the Trump administration," says The Washington Post's Jenna Johnson. And Spicer isn't alone in his over-the-top laudations of Trump. She points to White House economic adviser Gary Cohn's effusive praise for Trump's deals with Saudi Arabia, and this gem from Hope Hicks, a communications aide and longtime Trumpista:
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.
Former Obama White House spokesman Tommy Vietor, who called that Hicks quote "a hilarious impression of North Korean propaganda," told the Post's Johnson that spin only works if it's believable, and what's coming out of Spicer's mouth makes him "look like an idiot." That's "baffling, because it doesn't convince anyone," he added. "It doesn't serve anyone to insist that black is white, that down is up, or that Donald Trump is this warm and fuzzy guy." The North Korea comparison wasn't just coming from Democrats, either. "It's insecure, over-the-top," said veteran GOP strategist Mike Murphy. "I call it Great Leader-esque."
Or maybe it's just trying to keep your job? You can read more of Johnson's analysis at The Washington Post.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
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.
-
Ukraine cheers House approval of military aid
Speed Read Following a lengthy struggle, the House has approved $95 billion in aid for Ukraine and Israel
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Peter Murrell: Sturgeon's husband charged over SNP 'embezzlement' claims
Speed Read SNP expresses 'shock' as former chief executive rearrested in long-running investigation into claims of mishandled campaign funds
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published