Sarah Huckabee Sanders: Trump Was Being 'Sarcastic' When He Thanked Russia For Expelling Diplomats
- 7 years ago
Sarah Huckabee Sanders told the New York Times that President Trump was being "sarcastic" when he thanked Russia for expelling U.S. diplomats.
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders has said that President Trump on Thursday was not being serious when he thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for expelling hundreds of U.S. diplomats from the country.
According to the New York Times, she explained in an email, “He was being sarcastic.”
But the publication added, “she did not explain why Mr. Trump remained so reluctant to utter a word of criticism against Mr. Putin.”
For some, the incident is another example of the U.S. president appearing to be unwilling to speak out against Putin.
The exchange came after Trump was asked during a press appearance if he had a response to Putin’s decision.
“I want to thank him because we're trying to cut down on payroll. And as far as I’m concerned, I’m very thankful that he let go of a large number of people because now we have a smaller payroll," Trump said, "There’s no real reason for them to go back. So I greatly appreciate the fact that they’ve been able to cut our payroll for the United States. We’ll save a lot of money.”
Putin’s order to expel 755 U.S. diplomatic staff members was announced last month after the U.S. imposed new sanctions against Russia.
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders has said that President Trump on Thursday was not being serious when he thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for expelling hundreds of U.S. diplomats from the country.
According to the New York Times, she explained in an email, “He was being sarcastic.”
But the publication added, “she did not explain why Mr. Trump remained so reluctant to utter a word of criticism against Mr. Putin.”
For some, the incident is another example of the U.S. president appearing to be unwilling to speak out against Putin.
The exchange came after Trump was asked during a press appearance if he had a response to Putin’s decision.
“I want to thank him because we're trying to cut down on payroll. And as far as I’m concerned, I’m very thankful that he let go of a large number of people because now we have a smaller payroll," Trump said, "There’s no real reason for them to go back. So I greatly appreciate the fact that they’ve been able to cut our payroll for the United States. We’ll save a lot of money.”
Putin’s order to expel 755 U.S. diplomatic staff members was announced last month after the U.S. imposed new sanctions against Russia.