The American television channel CNN reports that US President Donald Trump behaves unusual towards other heads of state. He was regularly unprepared for talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin. He insulted female heads of state – his “most vicious attacks” were aimed at Chancellor Angela Merkel and then British Prime Minister Theresa May. The broadcaster reported, citing two of several unnamed intelligence officers and sources from the White House.
–
Trump is said to have called Merkel “stupid” on the phone and accused her of “being under the influence of the Russians,” CNN quoted a source. Merkel was left out and countered Trump’s facts. A German government official described the calls to CNN as “unusual” and “problematic”, which is why Berlin took special measures to ensure that their contents remained secret. A German government spokesman did not want to comment on the CNN report.
In his book, Bolton accused Trump of acting with gut instinct in foreign policy
“President Trump is a world-class negotiator who has consistently promoted America’s interests on the world stage,” White House Deputy Spokeswoman Sarah Matthews said on request. She claimed that Trump had negotiated trade deals with China, Mexico, and Canada. She did not respond to Trump’s alleged failures against Merkel.
–
Trump is repeatedly described by critics, including former government officials, as self-centered and erratic. Most recently, his former security advisor John Bolton caused a stir with a disclosure book in which he accused Trump of ignorance in foreign policy.
Trump had encouraged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj on the phone in July 2019 to investigate what could potentially harm his political rival Joe Biden. The Ukraine affair was at the center of impeachment proceedings against Trump, which ended in acquittal.
–
