On Syria, Donald Trump cites 'my great and unmatched wisdom' – others say no way
WASHINGTON – Defending his Syria decision on Monday, President Donald Trump cited a much-mocked reason:
"My great and unmatched wisdom."
Trump claimed these attributes while saying he would not allow Turkey to do anything he wouldn't approve of in northern Syria after U.S. troops leave the region: "If Turkey does anything that I, in my great and unmatched wisdom, consider to be off limits, I will totally destroy and obliterate the Economy of Turkey (I’ve done before!)."
Trump's critics condemned his self-assertion, saying it sounded like something the Wizard of Oz might say.
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As I have stated strongly before, and just to reiterate, if Turkey does anything that I, in my great and unmatched wisdom, consider to be off limits, I will totally destroy and obliterate the Economy of Turkey (I’ve done before!). They must, with Europe and others, watch over...
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 7, 2019
"In a few days, Trump will assemble another televised Cabinet meeting so all the sycophants can go on record about his truly great and unmatched wisdom," tweeted historian Kevin Kruse.
Former Sen. Jeff Flake, an Arizona Republican and a frequent critic of Trump, cast Trump's language as a warning to his former congressional critics.
"I never thought I would live to see an American President speak this way, using language the can only be described as authoritarian," Flake tweeted. "Fellow Republicans, where is the line?"
I never thought I would live to see an American President speak this way, using language the can only be described as authoritarian. Fellow Republicans, where is the line? https://t.co/UzYM1ciGnY
— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) October 7, 2019
Congressional Democrats also jumped in.
"Trump’s narcissism is a threat to our national security and stability around the globe," tweeted Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Mass.
Trump’s narcissism is a threat to our national security and stability around the globe.
Our real “great and unmatched wisdom”: democracy and peace. pic.twitter.com/F48ICVQPOS— Katherine Clark (@RepKClark) October 7, 2019
Some commentators sympathetic to Trump also expressed alarm.
"I, in my own great and unmatched wisdom, consider this tweet to be off limits. Please destroy & obliterate it," said British television personality Piers Morgan. "@realDonaldTrump – you're the President of the United States, not some tinpot dictator."
I, in my own great and unmatched wisdom, consider this tweet to be off limits. Please destroy & obliterate it @realDonaldTrump - you're the President of the United States, not some tinpot dictator. https://t.co/f8AmVgg4Bf
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) October 7, 2019
Here's a look at some other reactions:
imagine writing the words "in my great and unmatched wisdom" unironically
— Haley Byrd (@byrdinator) October 7, 2019
If the leader of a major corporation publicly explained that a controversial action was taken "in my great and unmatched wisdom," the board would call an emergency meeting to reassure shareholders and discuss next steps. For elected officials to ignore this is Russian roulette.
— Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) October 7, 2019
If this barista does anything to my coffee that I, in my great and unmatched wisdom, consider to be off limits, I will totally destroy and obliterate this cafe.
— Thor Benson (@thor_benson) October 7, 2019
Nothing but respect for MY leader with great and unmatched wisdom pic.twitter.com/IBZm4I367H
— Chris Taylor (@FutureBoy) October 7, 2019
Trump just tweeted about his “great and unmatched wisdom.” In related news, here is a picture of him staring and pointing at an eclipse. pic.twitter.com/3FqQrSVYNO
— Joseph Scrimshaw (@JosephScrimshaw) October 7, 2019
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump mocked for claim of 'great and unmatched wisdom' in Syria tweet