Reason why there was no Government official to welcome Trump... Is a reason to laugh a bit more

[syringis]

First of all, I can't help but post this comparative video

vimeo.com/279641557

It was in the headlines yesterday. Much expressed astonishment for the cheap welcoming and no Government official. Being asked, the Department of Protocol said it was to comply with a request from the Trump Admin Which asked for simplicity.

In fact, it is not unusual. It happens that some leaders make such requests, especially when they come for a session work like NATO summit. We have many international headquarters in Brussels, so, we host foreign leaders and delegations on a regular basis.

To be fair in terms of protocol, a work session and an official invitation are a bit different. In 2017, Trump was invited to the inauguration of the new NATO headquarter. I don't remember if he was invited as member of NATO or if he was also invited by Belgium. I suspect our leaders to have intentionally joined the two events... After all, a penny saved is a penny earned, and as taxpayer, I fully subscribe ! Trump is nothing but a waste of resources.

However, even for a work session, welcoming a leader such as the President of the USA, requires a minimun of decorum and at least, a Government official.

What probably happened (I asked a friend who made almost his all carier as diplomat), is that Trump was taken literally, including commas and question marks...

It is likely that Trump's request was not aimed at simplicity per se, but at not being confronted with potential protesters... Which proves once again that he's an idiot!
All the official representatives land in Mel, which is the part of the airport managed by the army and not accessible at public.

In short, we weren't going to bother explaining all this to Trump when we had the possibility to please him and ESPECIALLY not to miss the game! Obviously, the Protocol Department must have read a little too fast... and confused simplicity with over simplification...

[Girard442]

1. Wow! That's a snub in any language.

Maybe next time around, they'll re-enact that scene from "Trains, Planes, and Automobiles" where Steve Martin gets picked up by the testicles.

[HipChick]

2. I was hoping they were looking at potato farms..

[syringis]

4. Hahaha

Did you see the 2nd video I post of his arrival ?

Closer views are taken and you clearly see him getting increasingly upset ! I think he didn't like the way we welcomed him... Maybe he should explain better what simplicity means for him ??



PS : fingers crossed to see this tremendous imbecility named Brexit will die on itself ! We need to stay united

[no_hypocrisy]

3. Reminds me of a story about Trump flying into Easthampton ca 30 years ago.

Trump had been invited to the Hamptons to join a celebrity birthday party. He flew in and landed in Easthampton. He initially descended and noticed there was no media, no press, no greeter. He returned to his helicopter and waited until he saw some media nearby that would notice him getting out, and THEN he got out.

Another story: George Hamilton and his son were invited to attend the inauguration of George H.W. Bush in 1989. They watched a man in the Parade. He was walking alone, but waving at the crowds. But nobody knew who he was and didn't cheer or wave back. He was ignored. It was Donald Trump. Hamilton's son asked in incredulity who it was. Hamilton responded it was "The Donald". His son asked "Like Ronald McDonald"? Hamilton curtly responded, "Kind of . . . . " Trump left the Parade and attempted to sit in the VIP Section of the stands. A Marine firmly turned him away. Dejected and hoping nobody saw this, Trump retreated. Hamilton, OTOH, a former Marine, announced that the President personally told him he could sit in the Reviewing Stands, VIP Section, and showed him his invitation. The Marine gave Hamilton and his son their access. Semper Fi!