White House Claims Trump Didn’t Hear Merkel’s Request For A Handshake
“I do not believe he heard the question,” Sean Spicer says
German Chancellor Angela Merkel asked Trump: “Do you want to have a handshake?â€
Trump’s response: *crickets*https://t.co/SM9M8S8mjA pic.twitter.com/JY60uElrNJ
— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) March 17, 2017
The White House says President Donald Trump ignored German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s request for a handshake on Friday because he did not hear it.Â
“I do not believe he heard the question,” White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told Der Spiegel, the German news magazine.Â
It marks the first time the White House has commented since video of the awkward exchange between Trump and Merkel went viral online.Â
On Saturday, Trump claimed on Twitter that he “had a GREAT meeting with” Merkel. Then, he proceeded to falsely allege that German “owes vast sums of money to NATO,” adding that the U.S. “must be paid for the powerful, and very expensive, defense it provides to Germany.”Â
However, as one former U.S. ambassador to NATO pointed out, Trump’s tweets misrepresent the way NATO functions. Â
“The President keeps saying that we need to be paid by the Europeans for the fact that we have troops in Europe or provide defense there. But that’s not how it works,” Ivo Daalder told the Washington Post.Â
Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.