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Danish officials and American citizens alike balked at recent news that President Donald Trump was exploring the possibility of purchasing Greenland, a country under the kingdom of Denmark.
Danish People's Party spokesman Soren Espersen said, “If he is truly contemplating this, then this is final proof, that he has gone mad.” Former Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen called the proposal "an April Fool’s Day joke ... but totally out of [season]!"
Eventually, Denmark's current Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, weighed in, calling the idea "absurd."
Frederiksen's words came ahead of Trump's state visit to Denmark, which was planned for early September, until Trump decided to cancel due to Frederiksen taking Greenland off the table.
Denmark is a very special country with incredible people, but based on Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s comments,… https://t.co/ygje5jnRIa— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1566345112.0
....The Prime Minister was able to save a great deal of expense and effort for both the United States and Denmark b… https://t.co/kG39jlNg1P— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1566345113.0
Even for Trump, some found it shocking that he'd cancel an entire visit over what was an outlandish idea in the first place.
New York Times White House Correspondent Maggie Haberman wasn't buying it.
Unanswered question: What's the real reason Trump didn't want to go to Denmark that he's blaming on the Greenland thing?— Maggie Haberman (@Maggie Haberman) 1566355229.0
Could be and sometimes is, but it isn't here. https://t.co/UPdHzZ3dUi— Maggie Haberman (@Maggie Haberman) 1566355483.0
But writer for The Atlantic, David Frum, put forth a theory that made sense.
.@maggieNYT very shrewd. This isn't about Greenland. Obama scheduled to visit Denmark 9/28. Trump was scared of the… https://t.co/4TovOHuzem— David Frum (@David Frum) 1566358652.0
Former FBI Special Agent Asha Rangappa agreed the cancellation had to do with Obama, but that Trump's staff was pulling the strings.
@davidfrum David, this makes more sense from a logical perspective, but my guess is that his staff and aides would… https://t.co/OOXo5bp4YO— Asha Rangappa (@Asha Rangappa) 1566391059.0
@davidfrum Or his staff found out, then leaked the Greenland nonsense to provoke him to cancel to avoid later meltd… https://t.co/UgBymMiqlv— Asha Rangappa (@Asha Rangappa) 1566391155.0
Former President Barack Obama's formidable legacy and international admiration continue to endure, despite Trump's best efforts at sullying Obama's reputation. Trump famously questioned Obama's citizenship for years during Obama's presidency. He sat stoic at the 2011 White House Correspondents' Dinner as Obama roasted him, which many believe spurred Trump announcing his presidential campaign three years later.
Since Trump's inauguration, he's blamed Obama for everything from family separation at the border to the White House air conditioning system.
Obama continues to remain more presidential as Trump insists on pettiness. The proximity of the two visits would inevitably draw comparisons, with Obama almost certainly coming out on top.
What does that say about where we are as a country under Trump's leadership? An Uncivil War author Greg Sargent had the answer:
Did Trump nix Denmark trip due to rage over Greenland fiasco, or fear of humiliating contrast with Obama? It's a m… https://t.co/hqAxWAI5pv— Greg Sargent (@Greg Sargent) 1566394470.0
Suddenly, it was all clear.
@davidfrum @maggieNYT And to think we were scratching our heads.... but as sure as the sun rises, the real and most… https://t.co/pSbwkx0ZsC— Eva 1986 #NeverTrump (@Eva 1986 #NeverTrump) 1566358856.0
@davidfrum @maggieNYT AhHa, I believe you've hit on the true reason for the tangerine-toddler-temper-tantrum. Once… https://t.co/dEQzWicl2n— Janna (@Janna) 1566359138.0
@davidfrum @maggieNYT Oh! Now it makes sense!— Cindy (@Cindy) 1566366906.0
The pettiness is real.
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