Trump and Brazilian President Lula team up to roast reporters at ASEAN summit: ‘Boring questions’
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: President Donald Trump and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, while attending the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, trolled the media. The two global leaders were addressing journalists before a closed-door bilateral meeting at the summit when they began their criticism.
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva initiated the move to end the press conference early, and Trump was quick to respond positively.
Trump and Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva mock reporters’ questions
The bizarre press conference got underway when President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attempted to end questioning after just nine minutes, hinting that it might continue later. Through a translator, the Brazilian president said: "I would like to suggest that the press would continue the interview after the meeting."
Trump quickly approved this suggestion, showing his assent with a grin: "That's a good idea, I like that." The two global leaders then began engaging in what appeared to be an act of trolling the journalists present.
Lula offered a reason for the abrupt closure, stating: “We don’t have much time.” He further said, “And we’ll waste time, or lose time, talking with the journalists.” Trump quickly added, "They’re not great questions today, I must say." He continued, “They’re sort of boring questions.”
This drew laughter from Lula, who then waved away the journalists with a sweep of his arm, as if brushing away a fly.
Trump defends Jair Bolsonaro after conviction, calls indictment a ‘witch hunt’
Before the interview session ended, the nine-minute exchange wasn’t particularly heated, but President Donald Trump grew noticeably testy when questioned by the press about his public endorsement of ousted Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
It should be noted that Bolsonaro was convicted in September for his involvement in a plan to overturn Brazil’s 2022 election outcome, a case that Trump has strongly defended. In July, the President publicly condemned Bolsonaro’s criminal indictment, calling it a "WITCH HUNT."
Trump reaffirmed his strong support for Bolsonaro, declaring: "I've always liked him. I feel very badly about what happened to him. I’ve always thought he was a straight-shooter. You know, he’s gone through a lot.”
Trump snaps at reporter over Jair Bolsonaro question during ASEAN summit
This defense prompted a reporter to push the matter further, asking whether the conviction and charges against Jair Bolsonaro would be discussed during Trump’s private meeting with Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. One of the journalists asked, "Is it on the agenda today?"
Trump confidently replied, "That's none of your business.”
It should be noted that President Donald Trump was in Malaysia for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and later proceeded to Japan, en route to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum.
