https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8iXK2_U4IM
For those looking for a unapologetic criticism of Donald Trump’s presence at the G20, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s political editor was eager to oblige. Chris Uhlmann offered what is being described as a savage critique of Trump’s presidency and his actions at the conference, calling him a “uneasy, lonely, awkward figure” who has “no desire and no capacity to lead the world.” And while the reactions to the analysis would lead you to believe that Uhlmann let his emotions get the better of him, the statement was far from it.
Uhlmann, who claims he was once criticized for being “too conservative to be on the ABC,” offered a clear and professional look from abroad at a president and nation that appears to have grown winded in the race for global leadership. He cites Trump’s decision to remove the United States from the Paris Accords and the absence of any statement condemning the North Korean missile tests as the loudest examples of the president’s inadequacy. The ABC editor then moves onto Trump’s obsession with the more vapid aspects of the position:
“It’s the unscripted Trump that’s real: a man who barks out bile in 140 characters, who wastes his precious days as President at war with the West’s institutions like the judiciary, independent government agencies, and the free press…
“Mr Trump is a man who craves power because it burnishes his celebrity. To be constantly talking and talked about is all that really matters… and there is no value placed on the meaning of words, so what is said one day can be discarded the next.”
Uhlmann adds that Trump has “pressed fast forward on the decline of the United States as a global leader” with his actions, undermining the western values he extolled during his somewhat lauded speech in Poland from earlier in the week.
The commentary earned Uhlmann some viral attention around the globe, with many praising the Australian journalist for his scathing remarks:
Wow. A searing assessment of the President of the United States by political editor @CUhlmann of Australia's ABC. pic.twitter.com/TnfUwAPkOP
— Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) July 9, 2017
Holy smokes. Australian journalist provides one of the most brutal takedowns of Trump I've heard in a while. 👏🏽 pic.twitter.com/MPoDJXATlM
— Amarnath Amarasingam (@AmarAmarasingam) July 8, 2017
Wow. A scathing and powerful take by Australian journalist @CUhlmann on how Trump has turned the G20 into the G19, excluding the US. https://t.co/n6TDLKjyuj
— Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof) July 9, 2017
And ABC Defence reporter Andrew Greene provides the comical look at how Uhlmann’s words are being viewed in the White House:
White House staff frantically googling "Australian Broadcasting Corporation"? https://t.co/0SLVWYqKDX
— Andrew Greene (@AndrewBGreene) July 9, 2017
The video from ABC had been retweeted 15,000 times according to News.com.au and is sure to pick up steam ahead of the Sunday talk show blitz. Trump returned from the conference on Saturday night, quickly tweeting about his successes and painting a different picture by focusing on his meeting with Vladimir Putin and the Syrian ceasefire.
The G 20 Summit was a great success for the U.S. – Explained that the U.S. must fix the many bad trade deals it has made. Will get done!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 9, 2017
I strongly pressed President Putin twice about Russian meddling in our election. He vehemently denied it. I've already given my opinion…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 9, 2017
…We negotiated a ceasefire in parts of Syria which will save lives. Now it is time to move forward in working constructively with Russia!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 9, 2017
(Via ABC / News.com.au)