I believe what Erdogan had the gall to do by returning Trump's letter during his official visit to the White House is without precedent. Total disrespect. It boggles the mind that Trump apparently did not grasp the magnitude of the humiliation he was forced to endure. Instead, he declared himself a big fan of Erdogan. Very telling.
13
After the fall of Soviet Union, the United States had the opportunity to make Russia a close ally. But, because it lacked foresight, not only it did not help Russia to recover from its economic problems, but actively contributed to them. Now, instead of having a friend and ally, Russia is a US antagonist, subverting US and hurting US interests in every way it can.
The same thing is now happening to Turkey. Not long ago, the Ottoman empire was ruling half of Europe, the ME, and much of North Africa. In the last century, that huge empire shrunk to current Turkey. And now Turkey is struggling with economic problems that - as Mr. Trump has gloatingly suggested - has been partly created by the US.
Once more, instead of extending a helping hand to Turkey, the US is rubbing Turkey's face in the dirt. Mr. Trump's scornfully abusive letter not only insulted Mr. Erdogan, but it enraged all Turks.
There are many views in Turkish media about the tone of Mr. Trump's letter. Some attribute that to revealing Saudis role in killing Jamal Khashoggi. Some connect that to Turkey's role in unsuccessful western intervention in Syria. But what they all agree on is that this is the last opportunity for the US to keep Turkey in the western camp.
I am afraid that opportunity could be wasted by a few small-minded Republicans who see offending Turkey to be their budge of honor. If that happens, we should expect Turkey to join Russia and China in opposing US policies in ME and elsewhere.
7
And to Russo-Republicans, they will spin this as Trump being tough.
Trump is being humiliated in the international stage by Russia, NoKor, China, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and the Russo-Republicans do nothing but cheer on.
Remember Helsinki?
Trump: So I spoke with President Putin...
Putin: That’s right, Donald...
And who can forget that this meeting was initiated by Putin with a mere come-hither glance and Trump followed him into a room like a slave would his master?
“The world is laughing at us. They are laughing at us.” — Donald J. Trump
11
Words fail me, New York Times.
This is making America great again?
Are you kidding me? Is this some kind of sick joke?
Words fail me.
And five--count me, FIVE!--U.S. senators met with this man. My stars--my stars! Did they BOW perhaps Did they GENUFLECT?
Well, I hope at least they were NICE. I mean--REAL nice. Nothing but smiles and kindly words all round.
I, New York Times, am an evangelical Christian--sad! what's happened to this word.
I have had contacts with Turkish Muslims--very friendly contacts, let me add. They tell us (my friends and me) what is going on in Turkey. Persons rounded up and imprisoned upon the slightest suspicion--or no suspicion at all. Turks in this country driving about, trying to raise funds to support Turkish refugees in Greece. Fine people! My hat is off to them. I have nothing but respect and admiration for them.
And the persecutor--
--Mr. Erdogan--
--is given a warm welcome by the President of the United States, "the last, best hope of mankind"--
--and three U.S. senators.
And Mr. Trumps "ardently written letter"--is returned to him. Personally. In public.
And this (we are told, nonstop, day after day) is "making America great again."
Get these guys out of our government.
Lock, stock, and barrel.
I'd like to be PROUD o f my country. Sometime before I day.
God knows, I'm not proud right now.
God knows.
10
Trump is made to look the fool. And he's such a fool that he doesn't even realize and just keeps grinning.
9
Once again.Trump leads from behind. Way behind.
4
I can just picture Trump's Presidential Library: lots of bright colors with an alphabet rug and big pillows on the floor,
5
Honestly. Trump and Erdogan deserve each other.
They should mud wrestle or have an ax-throwing contest on the White House lawn to decide who's more butch. NBC or Fox News could broadcast it. Ratings gold!
How about we make 2020 a year without men? Women can run the world for a change. We cannot spiral any deeper into the abyss.
4
Trump's letter was unprofessional and seemed to have been written by a 10th grade high school student.
This President has no understanding of decorum typically provided to fellow national leaders. He insults leadership of America's long time allies (e.g. England, France, Germany, Canada, etc.) and fawns over dictators (e.g. - Putin, Kim Jong-Un). Trump is unmanageable, failing to listen to his advisors, assuming he surrounds himself with anyone but sycophants.
As an American he is an embarrassment, and was a teenager during the Nixon "I am not a crook!" presidency. Impeachment is too kind a send off for this Narcissist-in-Chief who repeatedly lies while always placing what's best for himself before what's best for the United States.
18
God knows if I got a letter from someone that didn’t respect me I’d certainly take it back to the post office and have them stamp it Return To Sender. I mean I live right next door to the Post Office in a small town. But Jesus, wow! Erdogan flies over from Istanbul. That’s 5,500 miles.
4
As a lawyer, I have to negotiate often and at times, take hard positions. Someone should tell the master deal maker in chief that once you give away your bargaining chips while getting nothing in return, you lose. Trump got played once again by the world leaders who sit at the big boy table. Pathetic.
28
Last time Erdogan was here his thugs beat up protesters. This time he beats up the POTUS.
I wonder what will happen next time?
On a lighter note it should be humorous to see this gets spun. In a laugh lest I cry kind of way.
17
There's no other way to interpret handing back the letter than to see that Erdogan thinks Trump is a chump. How low can our country sink with Trump at the helm?
16
Erdogan and Trump, two of the same kind.
The time has come to open an exclusive golf course on the bank of Bosphorus Strait...
4
Are they going to duel now?
2
"Mr. Erdogan also met on Wednesday with five Republican senators — Joni Ernst of Iowa, Jim Risch of Idaho, Ted Cruz of Texas, Rick Scott of Florida and Lindsey Graham
of South Carolina."
And no Democrats.
G-d Almighty, we've got people here "negotiating" for us with the loathsome Erdogan who continue to praise and support the loathsome Trump.
14
Trump's letter reads like it was written by an out of touch, non-custodial dad trying to persuade his 15-year-old not to get a tattoo.
Don't do it! You'll have to live with it for the rest of your life!
I'll get you a car! (Don't tell your mother!)
Your grandparents will be so disappointed! They are looking forward to seeing you at Thanksgiving!
I'll text you later!
Not exactly presidential...
69
once upon a time turkey was a democracy, and they joined Nato. then erdrogan with the backing of his ultra religious wife whittled away at religious freedoms and intellectual discussions. as the river flowed he gained more power, and then he had a false flag coup which enabled him to lock up all the professionals, intellectuals, radicals, judges, state employees, university professors, anyone with an opinion or a pining for the days of more freedom. and then he became Trump's great pal. we must acknowledge that at this point in his presidency and policies he would NEVER have been accepted into NATO. But he Trump's chump, or vice versa. Erdrogan is calling the shots now, another reason that Trump cannot discharge the duties of President with sufficient competency. Buying arms systems from Russia is against NATO's policies. Trump doesn't like it either but he will not rock any boat of a country where his real estate interests are viable and growing.
12
I put the text of the letter through a readability checker. As suspected, the level of writing is between 3-5th grade, depending on the methodology used.
If I were Erdogan, I would've returned the letter simply for insulting my intelligence with this elementary-level writing, regardless of the content.
Stable genius, indeed.
19
I wish they'd reprinted the letter here. It is one of the most embarrassing things to come from this president. A grade school child could have written something more mature and meaningful. But then, it was only written for effect, so I guess, what difference does it make.
3
Interested to learn if, perhaps, prior to returning the letter, Erdogan had first used it for some grungy purpose other than politics - chauffeur wiping off the dipstick of the presidential limo after checking the oil?
4
Whoa.
Major dis this.
Erdogan, with Putin behind him, has the upper hand here. And Trump does indeed, looks like the fool Erdogan takes him for.
10
So the leader of Turkey just handed back the letter from Trump. In other words: SHOVE IT. This is now how weak the rest of the world sees the US. Turkey is now insulting the POTUS. Maybe he is smart enough to figure it out. Which would be strange for the guy with the biggest brain in the world.
9
@Joe Because Erdogan knows what everyone sees except for Trump: He gave up strategically-significant ground in Syria to Turkey and Russia, and got nothing in return. And then sends a dyslexic 3rd grade letter telling Erdogan not to do what everyone PREDICTED he would do, and which he then did.
6
Vlad threatened to knock their heads together if they don't stop fighting
3
Talk about slaughter! If a 7th grade student wrote this letter it would be returned for a redo, slashed to ribbons by the teacher with red magic marker. Reread your favorite piece of presidential correspondence (Lincoln/Mrs.Bixby is among mine) and then read this rubbish again. How sad...
6
Erdogan returned the letter because it was so badly written. Re-write, please, my “Dear friend”. Worse use of White House letterhead ever...
3
Too bad Erdogan didn’t toss the letter back wrapped in a shoe.
6
Be a bloody dictator and you will get Trump’s admiration and support.
4
Erdogan visiting again? Presumably bringing the same close protection team as before.
Perhaps I was dreaming but I seem to recall that last visit, the Turkish premier's bodyguards gave out sound beatings to American citizens on the streets of DC.
It must have been a dream. Only, I don't remember a peep of protest from Mr Trump or the US government. Nothing. It would certainly be a sign of America's lost power and influence that the thugs of a foreign powere were able to attack the natives with impunity. A sign of weak, politically compromised government.
15
As the impeachment proceeds, as the Dem candidates continue to debate, are we losing sight of the critical and dreadful position Trump has taken our country in the international sphere? We are the lapdogs of Russia and now Turkey, it seems. Trump is debasing not only the presidency but the entire USA.
6
Whoa! potus was disrespected in his own house! Does trump not understand what was done to him? After all the favors he did to Turkey by withdrawing troops, by inviting him to visit him in the White House - and trump is figuratively slapped in the face?
14
Best way to treat a bully is to call his bluff. I think most world leaders know trump is a weak mental impulsive "stable genius". Certainly Un and Erdogan realize this as does Putin. Yeah, let him Tweet and mouth off and we will just take over as he pouts and complains.
8
All this makes me cringe... the embarrassment of such a childish letter being sent out in the first place, the humiliation of the letter being "trashed", and now the ridiculing of the letter being "returned"... all this while the President fawns all over Erdogan declaring himself "a big fan".
What embarrassment for America. Impeachment can't come soon enough.
14
This actually makes me feel sick.
3
"Mr. Erdogan also met on Wednesday with five Republican senators — Joni Ernst of Iowa, Jim Risch of Idaho, Ted Cruz of Texas, Rick Scott of Florida and Lindsey Graham
of South Carolina."
And no Democrats.
G-d Almighty, we've got people here "negotiating" for us with Erdogan who continue to praise and support Trump.
5
G-d Almighty, we've got people here "negotiating" for us with the loathsome Erdogan who continue to praise and support the loathsome Trump.
1
Erdogan essentially throws the letter back in Trump's face, and all Trump can do is fawn over Erdogan? We have the weakest president in history, who's so afraid to fire his own staff in person that he resorts to tweets and subordinates. Trump is so weak he gets pushed around by foreign leaders who he perceives as 'strong'. Our weak and cowardly president is only comfortable speaking to his rabid supporters, and would shrivel in front of a crowd made up of the majority of Americans who think he is repugnant and a criminal.
117
Erdogan never should have been invited. His government is not our friend.
12
That the invitation of a visit to the White House was extended to Erdogan at all is galling. This sadist just threatened all of Europe with the unleashing waves of terrorists unless they turn the other way while he commits genocide.
13
Trump, famously thin-skinned and volatile, has no choice but to accept this insult from a mid-level foreign leader—after all, he has a Trump Tower in Istanbul.
4
Let's not forget how Erdogan sent his security team to beat on protestors they encountered in his last visit.
Let's not forget how Erdogan used the attempted coup against him to remove many thousands of teachers and government workers. While it was appropriate to deal with the military officers who staged the coup, Erdogan purged his opponents.
Another petty dictator who is Trumps friend. Another dictator that wins Trumps approval because they compliment him.
51
If Putin can convince Erdogan that he should partner with him, instead of the US and NATO, the whole of Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean would come under his control. A geopolitical coup d'état.
I must say, I am far from comfortable with our chief negotiator. He seems not to be the least bit qualified.
41
Why do we sit and watch while Trump allows an authoritarian dictatorship to expand a cross its border in Turkey, all so his son in law gets his tower built in the capital of Istanbul ? So many innocent people will die just so the Trump Family can expand their real estate holdings.. makes ‘American Interest ‘ into a mockery on the global stage. Not in the future, but right this very moment !
32
I would never want to live in Turkey or put up with a leader like Erdogan, but it's clear that Trump is no match for Erdogan. But then again Trump is not qualified to run a troop of boy scouts, let alone serve as President.
41
...but you would still want to live in the US and put up with its leader?
1
@Jonathan Sadly, Trump is like a less-intelligent version of Erdogan. But they are using the same playbook, Erdogan's just been at it a little bit longer.
1
The idea of putting Trump in a position to influence young minds is nauseating.
1
The cease-fire is "moving forward at a very rapid clip"? So it's a semi-automatic cease-fire?
17
@Troy
What exactly is a 'slow' cease fire.
'Cease' means 'stop'; not slowly, not gradually, but STOP.
And to think his tribe of steadfast followers think he 'has a way with words'.
4
We can see how emboldened dictators like Erdogan and Putin are now, as they understand how weak and easily manipulated Trump is. I would bet a large sum that both Erdogan and Putin have leverage of either a financial or intelligence nature on Trump and play those pressure points whenever they wish at this point. Putin’s puppet indeed.
29
Everything is going Putin's way, all roads do seem to lead to Putin.
So now Trump has created the triumvirate of Syria, Turkey, and Iran, exactly what Putin wanted. Putin in a few deft moves has played Trump like a fish.
Reelect Trump, you can kiss America and all of the ideas that shape your world view good by.
27
How are people not more outraged at this meeting and Trump endorsing this monster Erdogan?? And well played that they held a meeting at the same time as the impeachment hearings were live. What a coincidence! The media is all over the impeachment hearings and barely covered this meeting. And I am more than convinced this was PLANNED. I dont even want to know what Erdogan and Trump are cooking up right now but I am more than concerned.
21
@RR I agree the whole thing was orchestrated between Trump, Erdogan and Putin. The letter was written only for plausible deniability.
1
I'm no fan of Erdogan, but he did what he had to do in order to bestow a reality check on the man who fancies himself the omnipotent and omniscient king of the world. Now, if only his followers here in the GOP would check the tracks beneath their own crazy-train and remind their mendacious, nervy liege of that reality.
3
Apparently "Tough Guy" letters don't work. Either do love letters to North Korea's Kim. For that matter, threatening phone calls to Ukrainian big wigs result in legal trouble. Tweets? From the million sent, apparently that has zero impact. Maybe hands tied, muzzle over mouth, and early to bed would produce desired results.
10
"America is respected again! All over the world, like never before." The circus is leaving town, finally.
9
The opinion of America is certainly changed, all over the world, and it’s like nothing before. We are starting to not be liked, respected, or feared. To those who are all good with pulling back internationally, do you really believe that our country will not be affected by the various things that happen in the world? That we need not have allies and influence? Are you fine with China being in charge?
4
@Louise Cavanaugh
We're in agreement.
The last time Erdogan visited the US, his bodyguards beat up US citizens while he watched? There’s video evidence of this. If there were no consequences for such an act then, why should he heed any warnings not to invade a country half a world away? Why should one expect anything less than him marching into the White House with Trumps letter in hand, laying it on the table, and asking “you were saying?” Why should he not brag about it publicly to deter other western leaders from piping up lest they like being shamed publicly?
64
Trump, he of the fragile ego who lashes out at the slightest provocation - real or imagined - has a foreign leader publically tell him to take his letter and shove it, and he takes it in stride. One can only assume he doesn't grasp the humiliation and disrespect of the gesture. Perhaps his mind was elsewhere.
235
@Chris Property? It is odd though, isn't it?
4
@Chris His mind was somewhere else alright . It was the same place Erdogan told him to put his letter .
16
After all, why shouldn’t Turkey have the upper hand in the relationship?
2
I thought he said he threw into the trash? He lies just like his good buddy and fellow wannabe dictator.
23
@Joe B. I'm guessing "threw in the trash" was one description of his opinion of the letter. Returning the letter is a repeat of the original trash insult.
10
@Joe B. He dug it out o the trash like a square of cold pizza.
2
@Joe B. Trash and Trump are synonyms.
4
Wow, Trump got punked to his face.
71
@Dan and he swallowed it, despite wanting to be a tough guy.
8
Frame the letter and hang it in the Trump Library, right above the golden bidet.
60
@Danny
And beside the orange jumpsuit.
4
Trump sure knows how to snatch losing out of the jaws of winning. Way to sell out the democracy, dude.
45
Recep Erdogan is an authoritarian dictator directly responsible for the ethnic cleansing of the Kurd people in northern Syria. His forces along with his sanctioned bands of Arab marauders are still today roaming the area and indiscriminately killing civilians they encounter no matter how innocently. This is by far from the first genocidal act Turkey as a nation has committed. Turkey has long denied the existence of the Armenian genocide they perpetrated during WWI. Most of the general public probably isn't even aware of the Greek genocide or the Assyrian genocide which the Turkish government committed during that same period. It's been estimated the Turkish government slaughtered almost 4 million innocent human beings during these bloodbaths.
It's been rumored that Erdogan has threatened to hold American nuclear weapons hostage in his country and has recently stated his personal desire to have nuclear weapons for Turkey. He purchased a Russian air defense system in defiance of his NATO allies wishes. He has intimated that if the U.S. doesn't sell him our most advanced fighter aircraft he is going to buy Russia's best fighters.
It is time for NATO to change whatever rules their organization needs to change in order to expel a this member. It's time to find alternatives to the Incirlik and Izmir airbases and find a way for NATO to rid itself of this pariah. If we still have nuclear weapons in Turkey it is time to remove them now, by any means necessary.
47
@Scott J.
"He has intimated that if the U.S. doesn't sell him our most advanced fighter aircraft he is going to buy Russia's best fighters. "
The F-35 program is so expensive that it would never have reached completion without foreign purchase orders. And, to get these, the design and manufacture of the F-35 has had to be subcontracted to those same foreign nations. The VTOL system on the F-35B is courtesy of Rolls-Royce. BAE Systems is a major partner in the F-35.
Turkish companies are actually part of the F-35 build.
3
@nolongeradoc That doesn't mean we should sell them the product, and if it does I would be getting a different sub-contractor that doesn't owe an allegiance to Turkey.
2
Is there like a 'China Syndrome' for new lows?
11
Trump doesn’t know a slap in the face when he gets one!His letter to Erdogan was unceremoniously returned to sender.That means that Erdogan was making the point that he would not accept it or Trump’s pleadings not to be a “ tough guy”.He will continue to cooperate with the Russians and carry out his battle against the Kurds.With a “ dear friend” like Erdogan, who needs enemies? Trump has again been “played” by a strongman.
81
Did Erdogan just own Trump again? In his own house?
125
Returning the letter, diplomatically speaking, is a slap in the face. The president of the United States kisses Ergodan's feet and gets a slap across the face. Dear friend, indeed.
202
Wow, didn't see that coming! Good for Erdogan, what a classy way to upstage an upstager!
33
@Vermonter Good for Erdogan? I hate Trump too but to praise a man like that is beyond the pale.
3
In the deep end, Trump only knows how to dog-paddle.
82
Erdogan plays Trump as the fool he is.
184
Five GOP senators, including Senator Scott, are joining President Trump's anti-democratic campaign to pander to the world's worst leaders.
I thought Trump would drag the GOP down to ruin, but they seem to be going willingly.
128
@Mexaly
You're right it's old, old old school. These people seem to believe, as everyone did in the old days, that what happens behind closed doors must have a higher meaning and thus be good for the country. Send them straight to the old folks home and do not collect 2000 dollars!
6
All I have to do is look at the "son-in-laws" connection from the NYT article 2 days ago, coupled with the Trump Tower Istanbul and I see more rotten foreign policy from this administration
160
@Never Ever Again And the utter hypocrisy of saying Hunter Biden benefitted from his father's position.
3
Erdogan returning Trump's letter, is less of a diplomatic slap in the face than invading syria after receiving it. But it's also like throwing a home run ball from the visiting team, back onto the field (one might want to save correspondence from world leaders, for example).
Our response to this murderous international diss from Turkey, by the way, was for Graham to derail passage of a bill recognizing the Armenian Genocide.
71
Words fail me on the condition of US leadership!
63
@Mark Bantz
Words to express the condition (disgust) of "US leadership" fail all people of good will, everywhere and -- I confidently assume -- in every language.
(The confidence is based on common sense. The 'assume qualification' comes from the fact that, despite 4 years of French in H.S. and College, I am typically "American" in that, 50 years out-of-school, I speak only English.)
5
@Mark Bantz US leadership is failing faster than your words
9
Trump is made to look like the fool he is by other world leaders. He's so out of his league. In his own mind, though, he's the best president ever.
99
Funny how 5 republican senators have to sit down to try to put out another trump fire. trump is the match and the Santa Ana winds all rolled into one.
40