No U.S. president has ever been laughed at as he gave a speech before the United Nations General Assembly but U.S. president Donald Trump plumbed this incredible depth of notoriety yesterday in a speech that proudly boasted of his illusory accomplishments.
What triggered this humiliating episode was Trump's boast to be the greatest United States president - greater than even the revered Abraham Lincoln and the heroic Franklin Delano Roosevelt. This Trumpian hubris was met with derision and humiliating laughter from the gathered heads of state and representatives from the 193 Member States of the UN.
Trump went on to brag about his alleged accomplishments and the UN laughed at him. No American president has even been subjected to this abject indignity.
Critics noted that Trump's speech amounted to little more than platitudes about his "America First" worldview and quickly degenerated into patriotic nonsense. This silliness is best underscored by Trump's statement he rejects the ideology of globalism and accepts the doctrine of patriotism.
By this statement, Trump confirmed the immortal adage made famous by the 18th century British poet and essayist Samuel Johnson that "Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel."
Trump told the assembled dignitaries he wanted to "share the extraordinary progress" the U.S. has made during his less than two years in office. Trump boasted that in less than two years, "my administration has accomplished more than almost any administration in the history of our country -- so true."
This remark was greeted by audible laughter from the assembled dignitaries. Trump suddenly paused his speech, flustered by the unexpected laughter.
"Didn't expect that reaction, but that's OK." More laughter followed after this clumsy excuse.
When later asked by reporters about the laughter, Trump replied, "Oh, it was great. That was meant to get some laughter, but it was great," apparently unaware he had admitted to being a liar.
A grim-faced Trump piled on more lies. "The United States is a stronger, safer and a richer country than when I assumed office less than two years ago," he boasted. "We are standing up for America and for the American people, and we are also standing up for the world. This is great news for our citizens and peace-loving people everywhere."
Trump claims he has taken care of major threats to peace, including North Korea, Iran and ISIS. These claims are helf-true at best. North Korea hasn't denuclearized. Iran hates the U.S. more than ever while the defeat of ISIS was ensured by the time former president Barack Obama left office.
"We believe that when nations respect the rights of their neighbors and defend the interests of their people, they can better work to secure the blessings of safety, prosperity and peace," he said.
Critics of Trump were quick to dredge-up his previous statements that poured salt on his self-inflicted wound at the UN.
"The world is laughing at us," Trump said on the campaign trail, referring to Obama's policies.
Last June, Trump said "We don't want other leaders and other countries laughing at us anymore. And they won't be. They won't be." Then came his performance at the UN yesterday.
Critics were also incensed at Trump's claim to be the greatest president. Other presidents have more claims to greatness than does Trump.
There was Abraham Lincoln's management of the Civil War, for example, said one critic. Woodrow Wilson's work to repair the world community after World War I. And Ronald Reagan's steering of the country though the Cold War. Obama's rescue of the shattered U.S. economy in the wake of the Great Recession of 2008.
One pundit said the accomplishments of these presidents dwarfs Trump's, which are at best incomplete.
