No One Predicted That A$AP Rocky Mention During Trump's Impeachment Inquiry
European Union ambassador Gordon Sondland delivered an explosive opening statement during President Donald Trump’s impeachment inquiry that included his revelation that “everyone” knew “Trump’s desires and requirements” on Ukraine ... and an A$AP Rocky mention?
During Wednesday’s hearing, Sondland explained that he believed there was a quid pro quo at play between Ukraine and Trump, meaning that Ukrainians had to respond to Trump’s requests to get a White House call or meeting.
As if the testimony weren’t enough of a bombshell, about two thirds of the way through, Sondland mentioned a popular rapper by name and sent social media into a tailspin.
Sondland described a call he had with Trump on July 26, 2019. The ambassador was in Kyiv at the time and stated that he and the president did not discuss any classified information at that time.
In clarifying what the call entailed, Sondland said: “Other witnesses have recently shared their recollection of overhearing this call. For the most part, I have no reason to doubt their accounts. It is true that the president speaks loudly at times. And it’s also true, I think we primarily discussed A$AP Rocky. It is true that the President likes to use colorful language.”
"I think we primarily discussed ASAP Rocky."
Ambassador Sondland just cited rapper ASAP Rocky in his opening statement during the 4th day of Trump #ImpeachmentHearings pic.twitter.com/qeIA7stRyp— Bloomberg TicToc (@tictoc) November 20, 2019
The ambassador goes on to say that the call did not strike him as “significant.”
Naturally, hearing a name like A$AP Rocky ― the artist behind hits like “F**kin’ Problems” and “Live Fast” ― during an impeachment inquiry is a bit ... jarring.
The rapper was detained in Sweden after being charged with assault in July. At the time, Trump “offered to personally vouch for [Rocky’s] bail,” though Sweden has no bail system.
On Wednesday, Sondland doubled down on the mention of the 31-year-old artist and said later in his testimony that his memory of the July 26 call with Trump was triggered by someone’s reference to A$AP Rocky. He claimed that discussing the rapper was the “primary purpose of the call.”
ASAP Rocky’s name being mentioned during an impeachment hearing is peak 2019 pic.twitter.com/121iM5Bi8x
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) November 20, 2019
Here’s what the peanut gallery, AKA Twitter, had to say about the mentions:
It gives me great delight to think that decades from now, scholars studying these hearings will encounter the phrase “it is also true we discussed A$AP Rocky.”
— Lizzie O'Leary (@lizzieohreally) November 20, 2019
ASAP Rocky name being mentioned in a an impeachment inquiry is insane
— CLOUT KILLING THE CHILDREN. (@IAMKRIS24) November 20, 2019
A$AP Rocky is going to have to testify.
— Alex Wagner (@alexwagner) November 20, 2019
somewhere @asvpxrocky's notifications are blowing up and he's like seriously what in the hell is going on right now
— Phil Mattingly (@Phil_Mattingly) November 20, 2019
Asap Rocky when he heard Ambassador Sondland say his name #sondlandtestimony pic.twitter.com/9a7UNO5iOm
— Nicole Perez (@nicole_perez1) November 20, 2019
Sondland testifies that his memory was refreshed when other witnesses recalled Trump discussing A$AP Rocky on the call.
Now there are verses on “praise the lord” that apply here, but we don’t even have time for that right now.— Ari Melber (@AriMelber) November 20, 2019
The decision by the 2019 Writer's Room to get ASAP Rocky into the impeachment narrative is why they should win an Emmy this year
— Michael Cohen (@speechboy71) November 20, 2019
i was NOT expecting to hear ASAP Rocky's name.
— employee of the bearimy (@crissles) November 20, 2019
Yes ASAP Rocky has been cited and will now forever be part of the historical record of the impeachment of the 45th President of the United States of America.
— Ayman Mohyeldin (@AymanM) November 20, 2019
A$AP Rocky has now earned his place in American presidential history.
— Quinta "Pro Quo" Jurecic (@qjurecic) November 20, 2019
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