The REAL Donald Trump was in full flower Monday as he addressed Israel's Knesset and dominated the stage at the Sharm El Sheikh Peace Summit in Egypt. In Israel, he spoke to a rapt audience for more than an hour (see Watch: Trump Goes Off Script During Knesset Speech, and Everyone in the Chamber Goes Crazy – RedState), but the place went wild when he addressed President Isaac Herzog, asking him to pardon Benjamin Netanyahu.
BACKGROUND:
My colleague Nick Arama, covered the banter between Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney (see Watch: Trump's Very Funny Moment With World Leaders After Pulling Off Historic Peace Deal – RedState), an indication that the strained and problematic relationship they had following Carney's election may be over; Canada Doubles Down on Leftism As Liberal Leader Wins Prime Minister Race – RedState.
But all was not sweetness and light. As negotiations were in a critical stage in late September, both French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer recognized a "Palestinian" state. The actions had all the hallmarks of the two men bending to the pressure of domestic mobs to prevent Trump from achieving a diplomatic success.
The first to feel the wrath of Trump was Strarmer. In an incredible smackdown/dismissal of Starmer, Trump turned to him during his speech at the Peace Summit.
TRUMP: United Kingdom. Where's United Kingdom?
STARMER: Behind you, as usual.
TRUMP: Everything going good? It's very nice of you. These people all came at like twenty-minute notice and I think it's fantastic.
The catch is that Starmer thinks he's been invited to the lectern to say a few words. Trump brings him up, then dismisses him. The guy to the right of Starmer, laughing at him as he slinks back to the ranks, is Canada's Carney.
A second bit of payback was during the photo ops after the speech. Here is Trump and Macron, ostensibly shaking hands, but Macron is trying to get away and blinking SOS with his eyelids like a hostage.
It was a fitting thanks to both Macron and Starmer for their supremely unhelpful stance before the Peace Summit, and then trying to take credit after the deal was made.
Later, Trump is at a press availability, and he, in my view, comments obliquely on the events.
I think we know who they are, too.
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