New Delhi: US President Donald Trump Tuesday targetted the British Ambassador to Washington, Sir Kim Darroch, in a series of tweets, calling him a “wacky Ambassador” and a “very stupid guy” who is “not liked or well thought of within the US”.
The wacky Ambassador that the U.K. foisted upon the United States is not someone we are thrilled with, a very stupid guy. He should speak to his country, and Prime Minister May, about their failed Brexit negotiation, and not be upset with my criticism of how badly it was…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 9, 2019
This after the Daily Mail Sunday published Sir Darroch’s private communications to the British administration, which it dubbed the Washington Files, calling the Trump administration “divided” and “uniquely dysfunctional”.
The UK government was quick to apologise for the leak, but expressed its “full faith” in the ambassador. It has also launched an investigation to find the source of the leak.
Despite the apology, however, Trump has tweeted that he will no longer “deal with“ Sir Darroch and uninvited him from the dinner with the Amir of Qatar.
Source of the leak
Though the Foreign Ministry has defended Darroch, saying that he was simply doing his job by giving his unvarnished opinions on the US administration, UK has launched an internal investigation to find the source of the leak.
Liam Fox, UK’s International Trade Secretary has claimed that this “unpatriotic” leak may gave been in violation of the Official Secrets Act.
The British administration suspects that the mole would be found among British politicians rather than from an external threat. The journalist who published this, Isabel Oakeshott, is a strong Brexit supporter and an ally of Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage, Trump’s top choice of ambassador.
Tom Tugendhat, chairman of the Foreign Affaires Committee, told MPs he has urged the Met police to look into the matter as well.
Trump’s Reaction
This is not the first time Trump has lashed out at the British.
His repeated criticism of London Mayor Sadiq Khan has ruffled a lot of feathers in the UK. Calling him a “stone cold loser” and a “national disgrace” in several tweets Trump has condemn his administration of the city.
He has also aimed at Princess Meghan Markle, calling her “nasty” in an interview. Which too brought disapproval from the royal family.
President Trump’s habit of showering personal attacks on anyone and everyone he disagrees with does not spare even those in his own government.
Ex Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, has been called both “dumb as a rock” and “lazy as hell” on Twitter. Trumps tweets, telling Tillerson he’s wasting time on a diplomatic mission to North Korea, is said to have undermined the entire mission.
Further, Trump has also said Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s “mind is shot’, and that Republican strategist Rick Wilson was “weak and totally conflicted” in his tweets.
Despite being incredibly thin skinned to the Sir Darroch’s remarks and comments, President Trump himself have never held back from using the most personal shots to make his disapproval or displeasure felt.