Trump echoes Putin on Venezuela — and contradicts his own secretary of state

[ABX]

There has been a long-emerging pattern in Donald Trump’s presidency: He talks to an authoritarian leader, and then he says or does something they like. Sometimes, this has had far-reaching consequences for U.S. foreign policy, as it did when Trump announced a (later-aborted) quick withdrawal from Syria. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis resigned over that one.

On Friday, Trump did it again, this time with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

After he spoke to Putin on the phone for an hour, Trump held a news conference with the prime minister of the Slovak Republic. The first thing he emphasized was that Putin wasn’t going to get involved in the deteriorating situation in Venezuela.......

.....Someone should tell Trump’s own secretary of state that.

In an interview Thursday, Mike Pompeo said that not only had Russia gotten involved in Venezuela, but that it had actually “invaded” it.......


https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/05/03/trump-echoes-putin-venezuela-contradicts-his-own-secretary-state/?utm_term=.84a7804d5be6

[skeeter]

Oh look, WaPo finally found something to criticize Trump for.

[Sanguine]

Oh look, WaPo finally found something to criticize Trump for.

Yes, amazing....

[ABX]

Oh look, WaPo finally found something to criticize Trump for.

Does the messenger change that he contradicted his own administration, lied about Russia's involvement, or took a stand that is tantamount to supporting the socialist regime there?

I guess some need Alex Jones to report it before they listen.

[TomSea]

He says things like this. I don't see it as done with malice and neccesarily lying but it is troublesome. I see no reason to say something like the Russians aren't involved.  This seems to be a weak spot in a reelection campaign. Why do so many of your statements seem inconsistent. There might be an explanation and I'll have to study it.

[Absalom]

His fan club simply assigns heroic attributes to Trump, "cuz he's great"!
According to them, he's an amalgam of Washington, Churchill and Houdini.
Yet one who knew him intimately was Ann McLeod his wise Scottish Gael
mother, who described him as incorrigible at 12; and nothing will ever change.
The unchangeable cannot learn, so listening and reflecting are pointless.
Let's hope for the nation his tenure does not end in weeping and gnashing!



 

[skeeter]

Does the messenger change that he contradicted his own administration, lied about Russia's involvement, or took a stand that is tantamount to supporting the socialist regime there?

I guess some need Alex Jones to report it before they listen.

No one is stopping you - go ahead and accept a source who reports with 100% predictability given the subject. I like to do my own thinking.

Alex Jones aside (not really sure why you mention him) I believe the issue is more complex thank either you or the WaPo want us to believe. Right or wrong it has something to do with Trumps unwillingness to offend his negotiating counterpart on the spot while talks are ongoing. 

[skeeter]

His fan club simply assigns heroic attributes to Trump, "cuz he's great"!
According to them, he's an amalgam of Washington, Churchill and Houdini.
Yet one who knew him intimately was Ann McLeod his wise Scottish Gael
mother, who described him as incorrigible at 12; and nothing will ever change.
The unchangeable cannot learn, so listening and reflecting are pointless.
Let's hope for the nation his tenure does not end in weeping and gnashing!

Of course. WaPo has been so accurate on Trump thus far. lol

[ABX]

No one is stopping you - go ahead and accept a source who reports with 100% predictability given the subject. I like to do my own thinking.

Alex Jones aside (not really sure why you mention him) I believe the issue is more complex thank either you or the WaPo want us to believe. Right or wrong it has something to do with Trumps unwillingness to offend his negotiating counterpart on the spot while talks are ongoing.

All comments are cited and linked so you don't need to take their word for it. Plus, a quick glance at Bing shows the same story from dozens of major sources, including Fox. At that, I originally got the WaPo link from Drudge.

[skeeter]

All comments are cited and linked so you don't need to take their word for it. Plus, a quick glance at Bing shows the same story from dozens of major sources, including Fox. At that, I originally got the WaPo link from Drudge.

We’ve seen this same story before. It comes down to how you interpret the inconsistencies. If you dislike Trump in the first place like most of the press you’ll scoff loudly. If you support him you’ll explain that this seems to be his negotiating MO.

If you’re someone who comes at this without preference you cross your fingers and hope for the best outcome for America.

Btw I do not believe there was ever a president that stepped before the microphone following one of these sessions and blurt out exactly what was said. It would be naive to think Trump would. IMO it’s just fluff for the cameras.

[TomSea]

In a broader way, I find him very honest in fact. I don't have time to deeply analyze this stuff. I watched some of the Trish Regan interview, he came off fine. Usually, when he is alleged to have said something wrong, it's something the press is pointing out.