asked Germany’s Angela Merkel a basic question about trade 11 times?

After a meeting between Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, a senior German official said that Trump had to have basic trade tenets of the EU explained to him 11 times. Trump continued to ask why the US couldn’t have a unilateral trade deal with an EU member. White House officials described the exchange as “humiliating.”

The European Union enters into trade agreements as a single entity. As a result, none of its individual members can enter into unilateral trade agreements.

Donald Trump Angela Merkel
Merkel and Trump at the White House, March 17, 2017. Reuters / Jonathan Ernst

Business Insider – Angela Merkel reportedly had to explain the ‘fundamentals’ of EU trade to Trump 11 times
Business Insider – White House officials reportedly said that time Angela Merkel had to explain the ‘fundamentals’ of EU trade to Trump 11 times was ‘humiliating’
Newsweek – Trump Exposed Ignorance During Trade Talk With Merkel, Leaving White House Aides Humiliated: Report
Independent – Angela Merkel ‘had to explain fundamentals of EU trade to Donald Trump 11 times’

rode a golf cart 700 yards while the leaders of 6 other nations walked together during his first G7 meeting?

Trump joined other G7 leaders as they walked around Taormina, Sicily. The leaders of Japan, Canada, Italy, Germany, France, and the UK walked the 700 yard from the G7 group photo, taken at a Greek amphitheater, to a piazza on foot while Trump followed in a golf cart. It was also noted that Trump arrived last for the photo while the other six leaders stood waiting for him.

The Hill – Trump rode golf cart while G7 leaders walked through Sicily
Business Insider – G7 leaders took a stroll in Sicily — and Trump followed them in a golf cart

implied Frederick Douglass was still alive?

Trump remarked to a group of African-American leaders during Black History month,

Frederick Douglass is an example of somebody who’s done an amazing job and is getting recognized more and more, I notice.

Trump’s phrasing implies he thought Frederick Douglass was still alive. Douglass was an escaped slave and national leader of the abolitionist movement in the 19th century.

Later that month, Trump later signed legislation to honor the 200th anniversary of Douglass’ birth.

The Washington Post – Trump implied Frederick Douglass was alive. The abolitionist’s family offered a ‘history lesson.’
The Atlantic – Donald Trump’s Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
Politico – Trump signs law to honor 200th anniversary of Frederick Douglass’ birth

asked Attorney General Jeff Sessions to reverse his recusal from the Russian investigation?

Serving as Trump’s Attorney General, Sessions recused from the investigation into Russian election interference. himself per a Department of Justice regulation that disallows officials from investigating campaigns they were a part of.

As head of the FBI, Sessions explained that Department of Justice regulations required he do so. The rule in question states that DoJ employees cannot “participate in a criminal investigation or prosecution if he has a personal or political relationship with any person or organization substantially involved…or who would be directly affected by the outcome.”

After, Trump repeatedly attacked his Attorney General, demanding he reverse his recusal. Sessions ultimately resigned the day after the 2018 midterm elections.

Trump continued to attack Sessions after, especially amid Sessions’ 2020 candidacy for Alabama’s US Senator.

Business Insider – Jeff Sessions explains why he recused himself from Trump campaign-related investigations
Business Insider – Jeff Sessions says he has no regrets over recusing himself from the Russia investigation
The New York Times – Trump Asked Sessions to Retain Control of Russia Inquiry After His Recusal
The Hill – Trump attacks Sessions: A ‘total disaster’ and ‘an embarrassment to the great state of Alabama’

wrongly said that his was the biggest Electoral College win since Reagan?

Trump received 304 Electoral College votes in 2016. Of the 10 elections from his own in 2016 to Ronald Reagan’s first in 1980, Trump only won more Electoral College votes than George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004.

US Presidential Elections by Electoral College results. Wikipedia

USA Today – Trump falsely claims biggest electoral win since Reagan
Wikipedia – List of United States presidential elections by Electoral College margin

asked reporters at his meeting with Kim Jong-Un to make them look “nice and thin and perfect”?

The North Korean dictator appeared to react with some confusion. During the meeting, Trump also prompted an incredulous look when he saluted a North Korean officer.

Kim was caught on camera looking completely nonplussed by the President's joke, though it is not clear if he understood what was said

NPR – An Upbeat Trump Praises Kim’s Commitment To Denuclearize After Singapore Summit
Daily Mail – Hilarious moment Kim Jong-un looked VERY unimpressed after Trump asks photographers to make them look ‘nice and handsome and thin and perfect’

 

told Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, “you don’t have this problem, but I can send you 25 million Mexicans and you’ll be out of office very soon”?

The remark came during a G7 meeting in closed-door discussions between heads of state. The Wall Street Journal, which broke the story, cited a senior EU official.

25 million people represents a fifth of the Mexican population, and about two and a half times the estimated number of undocumented immigrants in the United States.

The Wall Street Journal – Behind the Scenes at G-7 Meetings, Allies Dismayed by Trump’s Jabs
Pew Research Center – 5 facts about illegal immigration in the U.S.

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