Donald Trump Tries ― And Fails ― To Get Bibi Netanyahu To Attack Joe Biden
Leave it to Donald Trump to turn the celebration of a Middle East peace plan into an act of aggression against Joe Biden.
On Friday, the president announced that Sudan has agreed to normalize ties with Israel, making it the third Arab state to reach such a U.S.-brokered deal in the last few months, according to the Associated Press.
Although it’s a legitimate foreign policy achievement, Trump tried to use the occasion to get Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to trash his Democratic rival.
But Bibi didn’t take the bait, probably recognizing that insulting the possible future president wasn’t a very statesmanlike thing to do:
Trump: “Do you think Sleepy Joe could have made this deal, Bibi, Sleepy Joe? Do you think he would have made this deal? Somehow I don’t think so.”
Netanyahu: “Uh ... well ... Mr. President, one thing I can tell you is we appreciate the help for peace from anyone in America.”
Trump: “Do you think Sleepy Joe could have made this deal, Bibi, Sleepy Joe?”
Israeli PM Netanyahu: "Uh ... well ... Mr. President, one thing I can tell you is we appreciate the help for peace from anyone in America." pic.twitter.com/LU02tEOXtK— The Recount (@therecount) October 23, 2020
Netanyahu’s unwillingness to go along with Trump’s attempted insult didn’t go unnoticed by Twitter users.
Imagine being so naive & bumbling you think an embattled Prime Minister, who is under indictment & barely clinging to his position, will join you in trashing the man who will likely become the next President of one of your staunchest allies https://t.co/ci4iMzCnmE
— Melissa Hillman (@bittergertrude) October 23, 2020
The president asking a foreign leader to weigh in on a US election.
(spare me the "he's joking" response...you know better) https://t.co/fEP7g3nmH0— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) October 23, 2020
Trump: At least Bibi hasn't jumped ship yet. Isn't it right, Bibi?
Bibi: <splash> https://t.co/vvbibamXE0— Dimi Reider (@reider) October 23, 2020
Trump is THE thirstiest bitch. https://t.co/NUjR2tmE8u
— KWANZA voted early! (@kwanzer) October 23, 2020
I have family in Israel, BiBi is the Trump of Israel. Most of the country despises him. BiBi refusing to endorse Trump is like Mussolini refusing to endorse Hitler and I can’t stop laughing. https://t.co/riPBK6Nf7A
— Eden Dranger (@Eden_Eats) October 23, 2020
he was so clearly expecting praise and the second he didn't get it his face collapsed lmao. the fragility of this man https://t.co/bkq75qDsE1
— Kelli Boyle (@kellixboyle) October 23, 2020
But one journalist noticed that the most telling part of the exchange came at the end.
Trump, when he realizes Bibi ain’t taking the bait https://t.co/5RrNGM5eU5 pic.twitter.com/6Mr3hBSwJw
— David Freedlander (@freedlander) October 23, 2020
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This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.