Trump and Johnson are two utterly amoral chancers who are using their respective country's political systems to further their own ends.
This includes the Machiavellian mutual suck-up called a "bromance".
Trump has been humiliating himself for a while now. Johnson has imploded almost overnight, going from someone seen as clever (albeit used for evil) to shockingly incompetent at the job he has sought for so long.
Meanwhile, no one should take anything either of these two say at face value. Trump because he is ignorant and changes his mind every Monday and Thursday. Johnson because he no longer seems to know the difference between his lies and reality.
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This Bromance doesn't go deep. Despite their appearance and bullying style Johnson is a politician, went to Oxford, Mayor of London and has little in common with Trump. The real bromance is Nigel Farage/Trump. Farage has been raising money from Trump's backers and is planning to challenge Johnson and the Conservatives with his far right Brexit party While Johnson tries to show input space between them, Farage is a Trump cheerleader. He told a reporter this summer that he was with Trump the night of Johnson's victory and that Trump said he won the presidency because of Brexit. Trump initially asked the UK to send Farage as ambassador to the US. On this trip he boosted Farage with media saying that they should just send Farage to fix Brexit. As a thank you Farage made headlines by saying that Trump's attack on the squad was political genius..
One other thing they have investigations. Johnson was already fined as leader of one of the Leave parties because he didn't fully report expenditures Farage has had multiple investigations involving money and expenditures he made as a member of the EU parliament,
3
I love the “chlorinated chicken” line.
I wonder what they think of our pork.
Does this mean it doesn’t taste like chicken?
What about the nuggets?
1
Trump is absolutely toxic in the UK. Johnson is believed to be a political campaigner of genius by some so there is little or no benefit in embracing Trump. Some of the statements made by Pence were of surpassing nonsense. For example he forecast a quadrupling of British trade with the US in the event of a trade deal. Well the US is already the largest individual trade partner of the UK and takes about 18% of its exports of goods and services and enjoys a surplus most of the time. So quadrupling would mean the US taking around 70% of British exports. Total nonsense.
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Oh come on folks- commenting below - not everything is POTUS fault.
I was astounded to read below that Putin meddled in Brexit referendum or that America prefers Brexit.
This is the same sentiment that continues to litigate 2016 election.
Brexit referendum was theirs (the Remainers) to win - or definitely NOT lose.
But they took common brits and their votes for granted. And the Remainers attempted to spread fear of what Brexit might mean.
Well, that sure sounds like what happened in 2016 in America.
So, the sentiments below by Americans or at least folks living here are understandable.
But, get over it.
Its over as Joe Biden famously told Congressional Democrats during Electoral College voting count.
Woe be to these brit politicians who are attempting to nullify the referendum.
At the next election - if Brexit is the only issue that Mr. Johnson talks about - the referendum will have been proven right again.
Johnson's attempts to leave the European Union, along with the anti-European populist leaders of nations like Hungary and Italy, actually serve to benefit the USA. That's the only reason that Trump tries to charm all of them, not that Trump is a charmer in any meaninful sense of that term. It is quite amazing how people can choose to engage in behaviors that actually diminish their economic best interests. Like so many citizens here in the USA did when they voted for Tump. What a stew has been made of this world!
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do the Brits really think Trump is going to give them a deal thats good for them? Ha! He'll have them over a barrel and then he'll give them the squeeze...thats a situation I'm sure he knows how to exploit!
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Brexit is a decision for the people of the United Kingdom to make on their own. The process has been messy enough without meddling from Trump and Pence whose business it is not. As for a trade deal with this Administration - if Boris Johnson knows what's good for himself and his country he'd armor himself thoroughly before starting. It's sheer bullying and arm-twisting from start to finish. If the Brits had to choose between keeping the advantages they now enjoy in the European market versus a trade agreement of unknown conditions for enhanced access to the US market, there is no question what a rational citizen of the UK would be choosing. People should know where their bread is buttered and select accordingly.
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We should not be meddling with an important and controversial decision of another country unless some deep US national interest is involved such as opposing human rights abuses or because of a geostrategic interest. Moreover, the Executive has an obligation to present the policy in a compelling way to Congress and the public. In this case, support for Brexit is based on a prejudice with no case presented for why it should be in the US interest for the UK to leave the EU, much more to leave it without a EU deal that would, among other things, protect US business interests there. One has no idea why Pence should be wasting more taxpayer dollars in London, unless to catch Boris while he's still PM. As for US policy, it should be to reassure the UK citizenry that the US supports its alliance, honors its long association, and maintains its close economic and other relations no matter what the British EU decision is. A policy based on individual leaders, such as Johnson or Netanyahu, who are transient, and not on nations as a whole is foolishly dangerous.
4
Of course Pence stuck to his script, he couldn't have an original intelligent thought on this own. He is Trump's little puppet biding his time until he can put on his big boy shoes and run for President.
17
Boris commits a grave mistake counting on an unstable Trump. So is Brexit for the British when many in his Parliament oppose it. Trump venerates strong tough guys because he is weak reckless and full of bluster designed to cover up for total ineptness. Boris appears a lot like Trump no wonder there is a kinship between the two. Sending Pence is a mere window dressing for Boris who is in such a vulnerable position at this time, that any cram Trump offers him he welcomes , not realizing that no sobering mind can count on Trump nor respect.
13
What business is it of ours to favor or disfavor Brexit? How would we like it if Britain decided to weigh in on our presidential election or on Medicare for All or some other domestic policy.
What happens if Labor’s Corbyn (not a fan) or Liberal Democrats Jo Swinson becomes Prime Minister?
We should leave Britain’s politics for Britain to decide. It seems to me that their democracy, with all its mechanizations is working pretty well. Johnson is finding out that he is not a king and his political shenanigans to suspend Parliament has significant consequences.
Unlike our Republicans, the British conservatives are fighting back against their leader to exit the EU at any cost and without agreement.
5
@Steven Carter What business is it of ours to favor or disfavor Brexit? Indeed, a very good question to ask Mr. Putin who's finger prints were all over the disinformation campaign that brought Britain the Brexit vote - just like they were all over the 2016 US Election!
3
Boris Johnson is rightly concerned about embracing the Trump Pence brand of toxicity felt by the British.
Since Johnson is considered a clone of Trump, it should be considered a mutual feeling of disdain and distrust that Americans have for Johnson as well.
10
Boris sows chaos in Britain and Donald equals his pals best efforts in the United States.Parliament and Congress find this chaos untenable.Hopefully each man will fail spectacularly and our respective countries can return to sanity and the respect each has earned.
14
Pence BIBI and Johnson meet to discuss trade.
BIBI is up for reelection and wants nothing more that to attack IRAN. This will win him the next election.
He needs the support of Johnson and Trump to accomplish this. Funny that BIBI and Pence visit Johnson to talk trade while all the BREXIT controversy is going on. So if you think this is about trade deals, think again. I can sell you a bridge.
12
As Donald Trump is widely ridiculed as a buffoon in the UK, a visit from Mike Pence will be seen as something straight out of Monty Python. Maybe Boris will pin a big medal on Mike and have him review the troops, or something.
28
Maybe England can partner with us in developing The Space Force
3
The Hoosier Preacher is a wolf, in sheep's clothing. I believe there is literally NOTHING that He wouldn't do, to remain on the " team ".
This " Christian " man exemplifies the unholy alliance between the GOP and evangelicals. Anything for Power, and Profit.
Thanks, Indiana. And I live in Kansas, for God's sake.
30
Netanyahu and Pence in # 10 on the same day... Well, well, time to throw JCPOA and Ireland under the bus. Pence's reprehensible behavior in Ireland was beyond diplomatic breach. Shameful.
20
Pence is a walking menace.
Only Jared can qualify to run for VP in 2020.
Middle is PEACE is assured.
MAGA!
1
Yes, MAGA! Make America Gag Again!
5
@The Shredder And Jared's qualifications are still that he's the president's son in law! What has he accomplished in his current position over the past 2.5 years? Nothing at all except to further enrich his family's business.
1
Ooof.
That meeting with Pence. I could imagine something along the lines of: “Mr Faust... I mean PM Johnson, I brought you an offer from my boss, Sata... ummm Trump. Does he have a deal for YOU! Just sign this contract.”
Yikes. Don’t do it!
9
With the Pence handshake Boris signs on for the Trump kiss of death and for England to become our colony.
15
I've been waiting for this headline in the Guardian since the inauguration.
When Swift wrote Gulliver's Travels he had Walpole's Whigs to satirize but how to satirize America's President and his simply far too silly VP has seemed to be a most daunting if not impossible task.
Today's Guardian headline put a smile on my face as it captured the very essence of America's Commander and Chief and his silliest and most absurd stooge and their international travels. It is an English idiom I had encountered before but my American wife was more than delighted.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/05/mike-pence-ireland-shat-on-the-carpet
8
"I've got six pence, jolly jolly six pence...". Say what you will, at least (very least) , Mikey is looking more presidential than his boss.
1
Why is the U.S. in the person of ‘Mike-doesn’t-take-meetings-alone-with-other-women-without-a-witness-Pence’ taking any position at all with regards to an unresolved domestic political issue of another sovereign nation? Brexit is none of the Trump administration’s business!
19
If I were a UK citizen I’d be quite leery of Trump’s motives for wanting the UK to leave the EU.
17
Come on Mr. Prime Minister, let our guy help you out of that pesky EU debacle; he is after all, an exceptional businessman with 6 sizable bankruptcies to his credit, and just look at how well he’s treated nearly every other trade partner...
If I were a paranoiac, I might think he is working to destabilize the EU on behalf of some other country which stands to gain from the UK’s next misstep...so come on, let the good ole USA help out.
23
I had to laugh when I read: “... we are going to work very hard to make sure that the free trade deal is one that works for all sides.” This is not the attitude the Americans took when they re-negotiated NAFTA with Canada and Mexico. The UK is in for a surprise if they think the Americans are going to help them ease the pain of leaving the EU.
17
Pence's trip to England is a boondoggle and has been incompetently executed. They could not even get the lodging right. Hey, let's burn gobs of taxpayer money to stay at a Trump resort, nothing wrong with that. On top of that, for the Ireland leg of the trip they ended up being over 100 miles away from their meeting with the PM and transport to the UK. Next they publicly support a "divorce Brexit" and offer "free trade" agreements, while at the same time putting harmful tariffs in place against not only China but some of our allies as well. What a mess, but completely within specs for this administration.
15
No wonder Mike Pence’s onctroversial praise of Boris Johnson has snubbed his Irish host, Leo Varadkar, and his stay at Trump’s golf course in Ireland sparked outrage. It is a violation of the emoluments clause, because American taxpayers are footing Pence’s hotel bill. Marc Short, Pence’s chief of staff, said Trump suggested the vice-president stay there, putting Trump in league with a tinpot dictator seeking to enrich family and friends at the expense of citizens.
In London Pence handed Johnson a much needed boost who saw his hopes of taking the UK out of the EU at all cost dashed by Parliament. Pence reassured Johnson that a free trade deal can be secured once Britain is free of the EU shackles, he stated “the minute the UK is out America is in”. But Johnson is – understandably – cautious, because he might not be around much longer, going down in history as one of the shortest-serving prime ministers in Britain’s history.
15
We should be copying the NHS, not the other way around.
18
Pence may carry Trump's support for Brexit, but that does not translate to America's support for Brexit. Trump lives in an altered reality where up is down and facts don't matter.
This American supports the overwhelming majority of Britons who want a new vote, who want a say in their government nd how Brexit will or will not be handled.
Trump's comment that Boris Johnson is a winner tells you everything about how thoughtful Trump is about complex matters of state. There is always a winner and a loser with him. Never any nuance or subtlety. Sad
10
Trump supports Brexit because it weakens Europe and the western alliances. That helps Putin and all western adversaries who despise democracy and enrich themselves via the global kleptocracy.
2
Johnson's own brother put country over party and or relative.
Pence the sycophant puts his own ambitions over country. He has tethered himself to Trump.
Pence will say and do anything that our president tells him to do.
15
What a trade deal it will be!
The UK will get american health insurance and gun laws.
The US will get English booze to compensate the loss of french wine, and maybe some royal wedding memorabilia.
A dream come true for both countries !
But who will get the most attention from ruppert murdoch? And the most Russian dirty money to launder? Let’s hope it doesn’t degenerate into a fight between the two child-leaders.
9
When Scotland votes to leave the Union and Ulster sees joining Southern Ireland as the only way to keep the peace, England will be smaller than it was in the time of Elizabeth the first. (She must be rolling in her grave.)Scotland is readying itself for a new referendum right now. How soon before Northern Ireland puts aside its love of England and decides to forge loose ties to the south? The UK's membership of the EU papered over a lot of political cracks that are now bursting apart.
30
I share your scenario with one tweak: Northern Ireland joining Ireland may be too much for some to accept but becoming an independent country with the Queen as its head of state (like Canada, Australia, etc) and then joining the EU, would be just as good as what they now have and more palatable to many.
31
I am sure that Putin will be very happy that Trump is actively supporting Brexit. Whatever makes Europe weaker automatically makes Russia stronger. And since Europe is an important ally of the United States, that makes us weaker. Not a strategic thinker our President
44
Oh sure Boris. Trump is a man of his word. You can take it to the bank. Or the bankruptcy court.
91
trump should pay close attention to how the public and lawmakers have turned against Johnson.
36
@Donna Trump paying close attention to anything that isn't a teenager in a dressing room would be pretty impressive, but I'm not holding my breath
8
I wonder when caring about real people will ever come back into play. I am sick to death of both countries and their lack of care and concern for their people. But, at least there are a few in Great Britain that will actually stand up for what is right. You don't see the Republicans doing that here.
63
@Julie...It’s all about winning, and neither Trump nor Boris fit any
1
@Julie...It’s all about winning and neither Trump nor Boris rises to that standard. In fact, if the US had a parliamentary system, Trump would likely be in a federal prison right now sharing Nutraloaf with his chief enabler Moscow Mitch.
7
" In their meeting on Thursday, Mr. Pence stuck to a script." There is not need to note the obvious. Pence is nothing but a wind up doll and the sad thing is he's more "animated" that way than on his own.
43
An unholy alliance if there ever was one. Johnson & trump and trump's surrogate Pence...The blind leading the blind, pushing chaos down their nation's throats ...Neither leader really has a mandate. Trump could not win the popular vote and the Brexit vote was very close and almost certain to be overturned if informed people vote again. People must be better informed and not be swayed by con artists and snake oil salesmen like trump and Johnson.
44
By trying to offer a trade deal by the US to Britain, the US is actually snubbing all of its European Union allies (again). Great!
When does this clay footed diplomatic madness stop?
32
When the Republican Party is history.
9
Mr. Prime Minister, if you believe a word of what Trump and his vacuous VP, Pence are telling you, I have the London Bridge to sell you and your country!
Even your brother has finally decided to put his country first over family and party. Kudos to him. But no such luck on this side of the pond with the Nihilistic party in charge of the White House and Senate. They are not going to come to your aid. Don’t say you weren’t warned!
48
Pence, another republican who is willing to compromise integrity and morality in the name of power. I recall in the early days of his candidacy, Indiana residents were interviewed saying that he would never be re-elected as a Indiana governor. He was widely unpopular based on performance.
74
@Caesar Pence would embarrass any born Hoosier.
I'm sorry but who in their right mind as a voter would think that the verbal offer of a trade deal with the Trump administration would be available from one day to the next, never mind economically beneficial?
74
@Norman Dupuis
You ask: who?
That would be the people who, unable to dominate everything in the EU, took their mitt and ball, and went home in a huff (without a plan about whom to play with the next day).
That would be the people who, stirring up fears about immigrants, got the people whom Brexit would hurt the most, to vote in favor of Brexit. Those people.
If there was a chance that UK-US trade deal would be good for everyone, the British would hate it. For them to be in a deal, they need to be winning, and you to be bleeding, and engaged in internecine activities. Or for them to be subservient (which they accept from the US).
Those people.
Does that clear it up for you?
5