This week, President Donald Trump has flown to France in order to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. While there, he was expected to make a visit to the Belleau Wood battlefield and cemetery just outside Paris, but has now said that he is cancelling the trip due to “scheduling and logistical difficulties caused by the weather.”
The president originally announced his plans this morning, writing on Twitter:
“I am in Paris getting ready to celebrate the end of World War One. Is there anything better to celebrate than the end of a war, in particular that one, which was one of the bloodiest and worst of all time?”
Just hours later, however, the White House said it had been called off... thanks to the rain.
President Trump and his wife, Melania, were due to make the trip by the Marine I helicopter - a vehicle which they claim is “unequipped” to deal with clouds and rain.
According to the Metro, however, one source has said that this excuse is “preposterous”, and that the Marine I is certainly able to make the journey. What’s more, the trip would not take long by car, and other modes of transport were certainly available if they needed them.
“The Trumps could easily have got to Beaulleau by road – with a limousine escort it would take less than an hour,” the source said.
And this is hardly the first faux pas he’s made on the trip, either.
Shortly after he arrived in France, Trump decided it would be a good idea to berate his host, Emmanuel Macron, on Twitter:
“President Macron of France has just suggested that Europe build its own military in order to protect itself from the U.S., China and Russia,” he wrote. “Very insulting, but perhaps Europe should first pay its fair share of NATO, which the U.S. subsidizes greatly!”
This attracted a great deal of criticism from Twitter users, with one person saying, “Ever notice whenever Trump goes anywhere, especially overseas, he can’t just blend in - he thinks acting like a mob boss makes him look impressive. Trump is in Paris to pay respect to World Peace as our representative - and wants all the media’s attention. Did we expect any less?”
Another commented to share their disappointment of him not attending the planned trip: "YOU'RE IN A HOTEL! YOU STAYED IN THE FRIGGIN HOTEL ROOM TWEETING WHILE ALL OTHER WORLD LEADERS WENT TO THE MILITARY CEMETERY TO HONOR THE WW1 FALLEN! YOU COULDN'T BE BOTHERED TO GO. A LIGHT RAIN WAS TOO MUCH FOR YOUR HAIRDO!"
Macron was later challenged about the tweet while face-to-face with Trump, and - though he tried to be cordial about the matter - it was clear that there is now some tension between the two leaders.
Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau went to Vimy Ridge, a battlefield in northern France, in order to commemorate Canada’s war dead in France.
Both he and Trump are due to join other world leaders this evening at a dinner to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI. Whether or not the American president is willing to brave a little drizzle in order to make it out remains to be seen.
