‘This is a real leader’
Donald Trump did not fulfil a scheduled visit to a First World War cemetery because of the rain.
Bad weather grounded the presidential helicopter and security concerns about a quickly organised motorcade for the two-hour drive out of Paris meant other senior officials were sent on the visit.
Criticism of the president of the United States has intensified since, with British MPs joining the clamour.
Trump is currently in France for the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.
After meeting Emmanuel Macron, Trump was due to travel to travel to Belleau Wood, a battlefield where US troops made a key breakthrough against a German advance trying to enter Paris.
It was this battle which is said to have proven to Allied troops that the Americans – fresh to the war efforts after entering it in 1917 – were capable of fighting alongside them.
The battle has become a key piece of lore for the US Marine Corps, and is presumably something that a US president would be keen to commemorate with a visit. Unless it is raining of course, in which case it’s a real no-go.
That was the case for Trump, who rather than visit the battlefield, opted instead to send Chief of Staff General John Kelly and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joe Dunford in his stead, citing “scheduling and logistical difficulties caused by the weather.”
So, Twitter is now peppering the president of the United States with pictures of his predecessor Barack Obama, in the rain.
Talking in the rain, walking in the rain, applauding in the rain, laying wreaths in the rain.
Just doing rain things.
@GenMhayden @SteveSchmidtSES @TheRickWilson to paraphrase out “Commander In Chief,” — I like presidents who aren’t afraid of the rain @BarackObama pic.twitter.com/awFjE3TgiS
— ***** (@nowUSCme) November 10, 2018
Let's all take a moment to remember those presidents who carried out their duties even when water fell from the sky. pic.twitter.com/sV63E6jzfg
— Abraxsys (@Abraxsys) November 10, 2018
@realDonaldTrump
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass
It's about learning to dance in the rain.Thank you @BarackObama pic.twitter.com/gF2GcC9cey
— Jessiand2 (@Jessiand2) November 10, 2018
Hey @realDonaldTrump here’s a picture of President Obama in the rain supporting his American troops on Memorial Day. Sad to know you’re too much of a gerber baby to go outside to pay homage to our American hero’s. pic.twitter.com/309elqRiXw
— Zach Dendas (@Zdendas1) November 10, 2018
Dear @realDonaldTrump
Here's A photo of President Obama honoring our fallen war heroes in the Rain
Unlike You, a little rain never stopped him pic.twitter.com/yYDbQyNChu
— PoliticsVideoChannel (@politvidchannel) November 10, 2018
https://twitter.com/Erik_Wells/status/1061334719772704768
This is a real leader @realDonaldTrump. The rain…seriously? You have no idea what we go through in war and that's why us Vets should hold a special place in society. Thank you @BarackObama for being a pure class act! #Resist pic.twitter.com/M6uWy7m06c
— Doc T. (@Recon7997) November 10, 2018
This is what a real leader looks like. pic.twitter.com/5lDDQXxKUb
— Louise Seeley (@liberrygirl65) November 10, 2018
Hey, @realDonaldTrump, remember when @BarackObama had to stand in the rain? Your life is pretty rough, I guess. #resist #resistance https://t.co/cX4sdojV9E pic.twitter.com/lZXGwBqdmo
— Andre: Buy Ambassador Bridge (@aandrefpeltier) November 10, 2018
You commemorate wars, not celebrate them. Also, you don’t pull a no-show because of rain. What a joke of leadership and respect. Thank God @BarackObama wasn’t afraid of melting in the rain. pic.twitter.com/mJlvoTEoC0
— Bethany Primrose (@BethanyPrimrose) November 10, 2018
This might be my favorite pic of Obama. And it's in the rain. pic.twitter.com/ipRHsHu23l
— Deniz S. (@MrFilmkritik) November 10, 2018
https://twitter.com/Derek_Hennett/status/1061363877093564416
https://twitter.com/conbontalk/status/1061293510643630082
Trump is not a leader of our military! See examples of Presidents who really valued our Troops and showed they mattered! pic.twitter.com/gk4eZioqfk
— Dutch Aunt (@justthinking014) November 10, 2018
President Obama takes stage on Memorial Day in the rain. pic.twitter.com/6clLHibhmK
— Jeffy the Thoyd (@JeffytheThoyd) November 10, 2018
https://twitter.com/DarrellWest1984/status/1061401992705269760
President Obama wasn’t scared of taking a helicopter in the rain. https://t.co/1EngPxUYg7
— STHannigan (@sthannigan) November 10, 2018
Nothing about his penchant for drone strikes though.
