×

Trump has aides vouch he’s ‘very calm’

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sometimes even the president of the United States needs somebody to vouch for him.

No, Trump insisted Thursday, he did not have a temper tantrum a day earlier when he cut off a White House meeting with congressional Democrats after just three minutes.

To prove it — in the middle of a meeting with farmers — he called on five members of his staff to bear witness to his demeanor.

One by one, his advisers dutifully stepped forward to testify, saying Trump had been “very calm,” albeit “direct,” in his meeting with the Democrats. Then the president questioned the mental capacity of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who had irked him Wednesday with her suggestion that he was engaged in a “cover-up” as he directed aides to refuse to cooperate with congressional inquiries.

The testimonials were a wild detour amid Trump’s announcement of new federal assistance for farmers caught up in his escalating trade war with China.

First up was White House counselor Kellyanne Conway, his unwavering defender on cable news.

“Kellyanne, what was my temperament yesterday?” Trump asked. “Very calm,” she said, adding that the president did not throw a temper tantrum.

Next up: White House spokeswoman Mercedes Schlapp.

“You were very calm. You were very direct,” she said. “You yourself have tried time and time again to negotiate and work with them on issues like border security, which they call a manufactured crisis. It’s time for them to wake up and to stop waging this political war.”

Trump’s desire for public affirmation from those serving under him has been a defining trait of his administration. It was clear at his first Cabinet meeting nearly two years ago, when almost all his advisers offered saccharine praise for the president. World leaders have learned to shower Trump with accolades before television cameras if they want to get on his good side.

Now it was his staff’s turn.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today