There’s a reason you should always try to be polite to people you don’t particularly like (and not just you know, human decency) – you never know when you’re going to be forced to spend time with them again.
US president Donald Trump certainly was not polite to Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton or their partners during the 2016 election, and yet was forced to sit with them all at the funeral of George Bush Sr this week.
And it was as gloriously awkward as you might expect.
It’s believed to be the first time Hillary Clinton has had to endure Donald Trump’s presence since he ruthlessly attacked her during the 2016 US election campaign, which he ultimately won.
While Barack and Michelle Obama shook Donald and Melania Trump’s hand as they sat down in the pew, Hillary and Bill Clinton sat staring ahead in what we’re confidently calling a snub. She didn’t appear to acknowledge her former opponent’s presence for the entire duration of the service.
If we ever need another reminding of the difference between Trump and Obama (and we don’t really), just take a look at this:
Former president Jimmy Carter – who Trump once called the second worst US president after Obama – and his wife Rosalynn were also sitting in the row. Former president George W Bush was sitting with his family, who are mourning the passing of his father at his home on 30 November.
In fact, saving Michelle and Rosalynn, Trump has publicly, and not just mildly, insulted everyone he was forced to sit next to, as Washington Post reporter Aaron Blake pointed out. He harassed Obama over his birthplace, called Bill Clinton the “single greatest abuser of women in the history of politics” and called Hillary “nasty” and “crooked” among an election full of other jabs.
Oh, and he had also insulted the man whose funeral he was attending – mocking the same famous words he then later used in his tribute to George H.W. Bush.
At a rally in Montana in July, Trump made fun of the phrase “a thousand points of light”, which the former president coined in 1988 when talking about volunteer organisations, Huffington Post pointed out.
“The thousand points of light, what the hell was that by the way? Thousand points of light, what did that mean, does anyone know?” he said.
But apparently it made sense to him by the time he (by which we mean his speech writers) crafted his tribute to the 94-year-old, in which he praised him for “inspiring generations of Americans “to be, in his words, ‘a thousand points of light’ illuminating the greatness, hope, and opportunity of America to the world”.
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Top Comments
As an American, I can assure u that Obama WAS the worst president, at least since I've been alive. Hilary sold our uranium to Russia while serving as secretary of State under Obama, so they're both crooked. Also, the Benghazi scandal which killed alot of people. I wouldn't have wanted to sit next to them so I pity Pres Trump. He's my favorite president. He tries to protect us from illegal alien invaders stealing our jobs and benefits that should rightfully go to the citizens of our country. Someone has to put our needs first.
You represent the Ugly American and your disgusting attitude is the reason America is so hated. Trump is nothing but an evil, crooked, malicious fraud who has been the worst President America has ever had. 'illegal alien invaders stealing our jobs and benefits'. Racist to a T. Or is that to a Trump. No wonder America is so hated.
Ignore them Sara, our Left like your Left now are reduced to bigotry and hate. When did a Leftie last say anything positive and beautiful that didn’t involve taxing people harder for it?
Trump outshines the western leaders like Trudeau, Macron, Merkel and May who would love to have his approval ratings.
Isn’t it wonderful how Clinton is stepping up for another run in 2020? It’s glorious to know she will shaft other Democrat candidates to grab the nomination and again be schooled by a now experienced President.
Why is she disgusting? Because she believes a country has the right to protect its borders?
Sara, please don't think the Ugly American reply is symptomatic of Australians. What you read there is someone who's incapable of debating a point without resorting to abuse. It's the chief tactic of the left. When they find themselves short on facts, personal abuse serves, in their minds, as the best method of shutting down debate.
Of course, living in Australia, these people know far more about what's happening in America than you do. You only live there. What would you know? As to America being 'hated', it is by some but not by all. I personally am more Eurocentric in my world view but I know one thing: if Australia ever finds itself threatened militarily, it'll be America we call for help.
Gloriously awkward is what you got from this? What the hell, this a State funeral
Witnessing someone elses funeral (from afar no less) and now here we are looking for a "gloriously awkward" moment for someone you dislike just seems so wrong, distasteful - and to be honest, tacky.