Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Trump Calls Trudeau ‘2-Faced’ After Palace Gossip Goes Viral
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 5 years ago on
December 4, 2019

Share

WATFORD, England — NATO leaders professed unity on Wednesday at a summit near London — but a spat over off-the-cuff chit chat at a royal reception rattled their show of solidarity.

After Johnson asked Macron, “is that why you were late?” Trudeau could be heard saying “he was late because he takes a 40-minute press conference off the top.” Trudeau confirmed that was a reference to Trump’s long and unscheduled question-and-answer session with journalists earlier Tuesday.
President Donald Trump branded the leader of America’s northern neighbor “two-faced” after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appeared to gossip about Trump in comments caught on camera and microphone.
Trudeau was seen standing in a huddle with French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Britain’s Princess Anne, daughter of Queen Elizabeth II at Tuesday evening’s Buckingham Palace reception for NATO leaders.
After Johnson asked Macron, “is that why you were late?” Trudeau could be heard saying “he was late because he takes a 40-minute press conference off the top.” Trudeau confirmed that was a reference to Trump’s long and unscheduled question-and-answer session with journalists earlier Tuesday.
Trudeau also said: “You just watched his team’s jaws drop to the floor.” He explained Wednesday that was in reference to Trump’s decision to hold the next Group of Seven meeting at Camp David, the presidential retreat.
Footage of the palace reception was recorded by a pool camera. The clip was posted online by Canadian broadcaster CBC and has been viewed more than 5 million times.
Speaking Wednesday at the summit venue in Watford, outside London, Trump said Trudeau was likely upset that the U.S. president had broached the fact that Canada falls short of the NATO target of spending 2% of its gross domestic product on defense.
Photo of Britain's Princess Anne The Princess Royal, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson
Britain’s Princess Anne The Princess Royal, right, talks to NATO delegates from left, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson, during a reception at Buckingham Palace, in London, as Nato leaders attend to mark 70 years of the alliance, Tuesday Dec. 3, 2019. While NATO leaders are publicly professing unity as they gather for the London summit, several seem to have been caught in an unguarded exchange on camera apparently gossiping about U.S. President Donald Trump’s behaviour. In footage recorded during the Buckingham Palace reception on Tuesday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was seen standing in a huddle with French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Britain’s Princess Anne. (Yui Mok/Pool via AP)

Leaders of the 29 NATO States Met to Mark the 70th Anniversary of the Military Alliance

“Well he’s two-faced,” Trump told reporters. “And honestly, with Trudeau he’s a nice guy, I find him to be a very nice guy but you know the truth is that I called him out on the fact that he’s not paying 2% and I guess he’s not very happy about it.”

“Well he’s two-faced. And honestly, with Trudeau he’s a nice guy, I find him to be a very nice guy but you know the truth is that I called him out on the fact that he’s not paying 2% and I guess he’s not very happy about it.” — President Donald Trump 
Trudeau had a quiet word and a handshake with Trump as he arrived at the summit Wednesday, and later tried to shrug off the episode.
“As you all know, we have a very good and constructive relationship between me and the president,” Trudeau told reporters at a news conference.
Asked if the incident had given him pause for thought, Trudeau said that ensuring the focus of attention remained on matters of substance “is something that we’re all going to try to do a little harder.”
Johnson, meanwhile, professed ignorance when asked by reporters about the conversation.
“That’s complete nonsense,” he said, adding: “I really don’t know what is being referred to there.”
Leaders of the 29 NATO states met to mark the 70th anniversary of the military alliance — and trying to patch up differences over defense spending, the alliance’s strategic direction and member nation Turkey’s military action in northern Syria.
The two-day gathering ended with a show of unity, as the leaders declared their commitment to the alliance’s principle of collective defense, saying in their final declaration that “an attack against one Ally shall be considered an attack against us all.”
[activecampaign form=29]

DON'T MISS

If You Want to Ski Affordably Next Season, Buy Now

DON'T MISS

Dog Found in Horrid Conditions Now Seeks Loving Home

DON'T MISS

Trump Takes Aim at California Six Times in 24 Hours

DON'T MISS

Elon Musk Sells X to His Own xAI for $33 Billion in All-Stock Deal

DON'T MISS

US Naval Academy Ends Affirmative Action in Admissions

DON'T MISS

Elon Musk Backtracks on a Legally Questionable Plan to Pay Voters

DON'T MISS

Appeals Court Clears Way for DOGE to Keep Operating at USAID

DON'T MISS

Trump Pledges US Aid for Asia Quake Despite Former Official Saying System in ‘Shambles’

DON'T MISS

Is Fresno Political Consultant Alex Tavlian Behind Election Attack Mailer?

DON'T MISS

Gronk-a-Mania Set to Run Wild Over WrestleMania Weekend

UP NEXT

Israel Strikes Beirut for the First Time Since a Ceasefire Ended the Latest Israel-Hezbollah War

UP NEXT

Utah Becomes the First State to Ban Fluoride in Public Drinking Water

UP NEXT

At Least 20 Dead in Myanmar After Strong Earthquake

UP NEXT

Wilmer Flores’ 3-Run Homer in the 9th Inning Propels Giants to Victory Over Reds

UP NEXT

Germany and France Say Europe Must Respond to Trump’s Auto Tariffs

UP NEXT

Gaza Residents Demand End to 18 Years of Hamas Rule

UP NEXT

Democrats’ Popularity Plummets, yet Midterm Prospects Remain Strong

UP NEXT

USDA Explores Why US Egg Shortage Contrasts with Canada’s Abundant Supply

UP NEXT

Cuts Leave Social Security System in Disarray With Millions Affected

UP NEXT

Hyundai to Build $5.8B Steel Mill in Louisiana, Creating 5,400 Jobs

Elon Musk Sells X to His Own xAI for $33 Billion in All-Stock Deal

16 hours ago

US Naval Academy Ends Affirmative Action in Admissions

17 hours ago

Elon Musk Backtracks on a Legally Questionable Plan to Pay Voters

17 hours ago

Appeals Court Clears Way for DOGE to Keep Operating at USAID

17 hours ago

Trump Pledges US Aid for Asia Quake Despite Former Official Saying System in ‘Shambles’

17 hours ago

Is Fresno Political Consultant Alex Tavlian Behind Election Attack Mailer?

17 hours ago

Gronk-a-Mania Set to Run Wild Over WrestleMania Weekend

18 hours ago

Federal Judge Blocks Trump From Dismantling Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

18 hours ago

St. Agnes’ Newest Robot Promises Less Invasive Surgeries, Faster Recoveries

19 hours ago

California Food Banks Brace for Funding Cuts, and Not Only From the Trump Administration

19 hours ago

If You Want to Ski Affordably Next Season, Buy Now

While the slopes may still be open across much of North America, it’s time to think about next season. The major passes, including Epi...

42 minutes ago

42 minutes ago

If You Want to Ski Affordably Next Season, Buy Now

Punkin, a 1-2-year-old dog with a tough past of living in a hoarding situation, is looking for a patient, understanding home with another dog to help him adjust and thrive. (Mell's Mutts)
1 hour ago

Dog Found in Horrid Conditions Now Seeks Loving Home

1 hour ago

Trump Takes Aim at California Six Times in 24 Hours

16 hours ago

Elon Musk Sells X to His Own xAI for $33 Billion in All-Stock Deal

17 hours ago

US Naval Academy Ends Affirmative Action in Admissions

17 hours ago

Elon Musk Backtracks on a Legally Questionable Plan to Pay Voters

17 hours ago

Appeals Court Clears Way for DOGE to Keep Operating at USAID

17 hours ago

Trump Pledges US Aid for Asia Quake Despite Former Official Saying System in ‘Shambles’

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend