This archive report was first published on 30 August 2019.
Published on August 30, 2019, Donald Trump's trip to France was marked by a series of bizarre moments that left many questioning his mental state.
One of the most notable incidents occurred when Trump claimed that his wife, Melania, had gotten to know North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, stating, “the first lady has gotten to know Kim Jong-un and I think she’d agree with me, he is a man with a country that has tremendous potential.”
However, it was later revealed that Melania Trump had never met Kim Jong-un, prompting a White House spokesperson to issue a clarification that was met with skepticism.
Trump's press secretary, Stephanie Grisham, attempted to clear up the confusion by stating, “President Trump confides in his wife on many issues including the detailed elements of his strong relationship with Chairman Kim,” and “And while the first lady hasn’t met him, the president feels like she’s gotten to know him too.”
But Trump's fabrications didn't stop there. When asked about his stance on the tariff war with China, he replied, “I have second thoughts about everything,” a statement that was later contradicted by Grisham, who claimed that the president was actually regretful about not raising tariffs higher.
The Group of 7 meeting in France was also marred by Trump's intransigence, with the president refusing to come to a united stand on climate change, Iran, and trade.
Trump's behavior was met with criticism from world leaders, including Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who turned down a $22 million offer to help battle the Amazon rainforest fires.
As the world watches Trump's behavior with growing concern, it's clear that his mental state is a pressing issue that requires attention.
