Also in the room: tech chief executives Jensen Huang, Tim Cook, Michael Dell, Brian Armstrong and Alexander Karp, FIFA boss Gianni Infantino, venture capitalist David Sacks, billionaire investor Charles Schwab and stacks of others from the top end of town.
Soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo got a shout-out from President Donald Trump during a dinner in honour of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.Credit: AP
Elon Musk returned to the White House for the formal dinner with the Saudis and several technology chief executives.Credit: AP
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This is Trump, the 1980s New York businessman, in his element. Wheeling and dealing, and enjoying the spoils.
And Trump brings 1980s attitudes to anyone getting in the way. He is especially sensitive to the idea he has a conflict of interest with Saudi Arabia, and others, because of his business dealings with the kingdom, as well as the suggestion he is using the presidency to enrich himself and his family.
The ABC’s John Lyons copped a serve when he asked Trump about that matter back in September. So did the American reporter who inquired about it today. She was the same journalist taken to task for posing the “insubordinate” question about Khashoggi’s murder.
Circled: Christiano Ronaldo, Jensen Huang, and Elon Musk.Credit: AP
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But that was nothing compared to the low-rent insult Trump dished out to Bloomberg’s Catherine Lucey on board Air Force One last week. “Quiet, piggy,” he spat as she tried to ask a follow-up question about Jeffrey Epstein.
As others have noted, Epstein questions seem to elicit particular nastiness from Trump. He is clearly frustrated by the enduring nature of the saga and the fact so many people in his own party have refused to let it go.
Let’s be clear, the killing of Khashoggi was a state-sanctioned, extrajudicial Saudi plot to silence a dissident. It’s miles away from being mean to a reporter at a news conference.
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Nonetheless, it all stems from the same authoritarian contempt for those who ask annoying questions or point out damaging truths. Many journalists face threats and violence for doing their jobs – in the Middle East, the US or even in Australia – and Trump’s attitude helps give licence to that kind of behaviour.
Of course, not all journalists get treated that way. Fox News’ chief political anchor Bret Baier and his wife were on the guest list for the Saudi formal dinner.
All told, the day crystallised how differently Trump treats those who have something to offer him compared to those who are expendable.
They used to say if you want a friend in Washington, get a dog. If you want respect in Trump’s orbit, bring a cheque.
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