Trump closes first year in office without hosting a state dinner

[babylonsister]

AP December 25, 2017, 2:07 PM
Trump closes first year in office without hosting a state dinner


WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump couldn't stop talking about the red carpets, military parades and fancy dinners that were lavished upon him during state visits on his recent tour of Asia. "Magnificent," he declared at one point on the trip.

But Trump has yet to reciprocate, making him the first president in almost a century to close his first year in office without welcoming a visiting counterpart to the U.S. with similar trappings.

Trump spoke dismissively of state dinners as a candidate, when he panned President Barack Obama's decision to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping with a 2015 state visit. Such visits are an important diplomatic tool that includes a showy arrival ceremony and an elaborate dinner at the White House.

"I would not be throwing (Xi) a dinner," Trump said at the time. "I would get him a McDonald's hamburger and say we've got to get down to work."

snip//

Not since Calvin Coolidge in the 1920s has a president ended his first year in office without hosting a foreign leader for a state visit, according to the White House Historical Association.

Coolidge assumed office in 1923 after the sudden death of President Warren G. Harding, and was elected to a full term in 1924. Coolidge didn't hold a state dinner until October 1926 for Queen Marie of Romania, according to the White House association.

Every president since Coolidge has hosted at least one state visit their first year.

more...

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-closes-first-year-in-office-without-hosting-a-state-dinner/

[dumbcat]

1. Good!

Probably saved some money.

[Takket]

2. he's held plenty of off the record dinners at Mar-a-Moscow for his russian handlers

holding one right now!

[JI7]

3. maybe he will do it next year for one of the special friend countries that voted with us at the UN

[Generic Brad]

4. This tells me there are two possible reasons

First - how embarrassing would it to be to throw a state dinner and have no one come? Seriously. Outside of Russians and the Saudi Prince, who would want to attend? He is an international pariah.

Second - The most likely reason is that he is too senile to hold up for the length of a state dinner.

No allies. No respect. Slipping memory. Not having a state dinner is probably for the best at this time.

[MustLoveBeagles]

7. This

Maybe this is for the best.

[lapfog_1]

9. russia. philippines, turkey, china

and, of course, north korea

all are like minded dictators who might say "da" to a state dinner

[Cirque du So-What]

5. Here's hoping he's missed his opportunity

Hasn't our nation endured enough embarrassment already? Perhaps he'll be driven from office before planning some travesty in the guise of a state dinner.

[oberliner]

6. Of all the things to criticize Trump about

These seems not to be among them.

[A HERETIC I AM]

8. It does go to show how he holds White House traditions in such disregard.

Not to mention it seems, in contempt.

[babylonsister]

12. Exactly. How not to win friends, also. He doesn't care. nt

[Demtexan]

10. Nothing but ass kissers would go.

Might be a good time to put some distance away from him.

No one knows what Bob knows.

[CanonRay]

11. Nobody wants to eat Big Macs

[Initech]

19. 2 Big Macs + 2 Filet O Fishes + chocolate shake instant heart attack.

[shanny]

13. Who would come?

[democratisphere]

14. Who would want indigestion BEFORE you start eating?!

[gratuitous]

15. At a state dinner, the attention isn't lavished on Trump

Why would he want to do that?

[babylonsister]

16. I think it's disgraceful. I want him to host one.

Hey, it could be him and him. He'd like that and wouldn't have to be diplomatic.

[Hoyt]

17. Not sure thats a bad thing, especially if he hadnt wasted so much money elsewhere.

[lpbk2713]

18. No White House Press Corps dinner. No Kennedy Center Awards.

Trump only cares about what benefits Trump.

[babylonsister]

20. Yes. I imagine he's always only cared about himself.

How gross and shallow is that?

Narcissism is the pursuit of gratification from vanity or egotistic admiration of one's own attributes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissism

[UTUSN]

21. He has caused embarrassment at an overload rate without State dinners

[Zambero]

22. Trump insults and undermines our allies daily

Under those circumstances, who would feel obligated to show up for a state dinner even if invited?

[MFM008]

23. most world leaders dont want to catch maggot

going through their belongings.......
stealing the dimes out of their shoes
grabbing anyones pussy.........

[moriah]

24. Only dinner guest he wanted was Putin. ;) nt

[DFW]

25. Even Putin is smart enough not to want to attend a Trump state dinner.

I know I'd find a reason not to.