Donald Trump is facing intense backlash after abruptly leaving the G7 summit in Canada a day early, and issuing what critics have called a \u201cpsychopathic\u201d explanation for his departure.<\/p>\n
The G7, made up of leaders from the US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan, has gathered annually for the past 50 years to coordinate on global economic policy and international security. So when the US president cut his visit short on Monday (June 16), it didn\u2019t go unnoticed.<\/p>\n
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt offered a vague explanation, saying Trump would depart after dinner with other heads of state due to escalating tensions in the Middle East.<\/p>\n
\u201cMuch was accomplished, but because of what\u2019s going on in the Middle East, President Trump will be leaving tonight after dinner,\u201d she wrote on X.<\/p>\n
Trump, for his part, said he had informed Canada\u2019s Prime Minister and summit host, Mark Carney, and that the other leaders would \u201cunderstand.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI wish I could stay until tomorrow, but they understand, this is big stuff,\u201d Trump said, according to The Guardian.<\/p>\n
Credit: Win McNamee \/ Getty Images.
\nHis early departure meant skipping the G7\u2019s joint statement calling for a de-escalation in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza. Though Trump signed the statement, he took to Truth Social to issue a far more alarming message, urging residents of Tehran to evacuate amid Israel\u2019s ongoing strikes on Iran.<\/p>\n
Israel began targeting Tehran\u2019s military and nuclear sites last Thursday. The US has not been directly involved in the strikes, but Trump\u2019s public messaging has added fuel to the fire. Then came the statement that drew particular ire.<\/p>\n
In a post on Truth Social, Trump lashed out at French President Emmanuel Macron for suggesting his departure was related to ceasefire talks. \u201cPublicity-seeking President Emmanuel Macron, of France, mistakenly said that I left the G7 Summit, in Canada, to go back to D.C. to work on a \u2018cease fire\u2019 between Israel and Iran. Wrong!\u201d Trump wrote.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire. Much bigger than that. Whether purposely or not, Emmanuel always gets it wrong. Stay Tuned!\u201d<\/p>\n
The post prompted a wave of backlash, with critics slamming Trump\u2019s tone as \u201cunhinged,\u201d \u201cpathetic,\u201d and \u201cpetty.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cInsulting our allies again, after whining they won\u2019t let Putin back into the G8,\u201d one person commented, referencing Trump\u2019s past remarks that expelling Russia from the G8 in 2014 was a mistake.<\/p>\n
Many questioned what could possibly be more urgent than a ceasefire in the Middle East. Trump himself had teased something major before leaving the summit, telling reporters: \u201cIran wants to make a deal. And as soon as I leave here, we\u2019re going to be doing something. But I have to leave here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Whatever \u201cdeal\u201d he was referring to appears to have fallen through. In a follow-up post, Trump again ramped up the rhetoric.<\/p>\n
\u201cIran should have signed the \u2018deal\u2019 I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life,\u201d he wrote. \u201cSimply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!\u201d<\/p>\n
Critics say Trump\u2019s posts are escalating tensions rather than calming them \u2014 and question what role, if any, the US is really playing behind the scenes in Israel\u2019s military campaign.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Donald Trump is facing intense backlash after abruptly leaving the G7 summit in Canada a day early, and issuing what critics have called a \u201cpsychopathic\u201d explanation for his departure. The G7, made up of leaders from the US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan, has gathered annually for the past 50 years to coordinate…<\/p>\n