Donald Trump heaped praise on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a day-long visit to the White House on Wednesday despite bipartisan concern that the authoritarian leader is sowing chaos in the Middle East.
As House lawmakers began public hearings to investigate Trump’s interactions with Ukraine, the president fully embraced another controversy weighing on his White House: His decision last month to withdraw U.S. troops from northern Syria, clearing the way for Turkey’s invasion into that country days later.
There was little sign Wednesday of the bipartisan criticism that has cropped up in response to Trump’s approach to Turkey. After a series of meetings, the president told reporters during an East Room press conference that he hopes to broker an agreement with Turkey that would significantly expand trade between the two countries.
“I’m a big fan of the president,” Trump said of Erdogan.
The meeting with Erdogan, in the works for weeks, allowed Trump to marshal some attention away from the impeachment hearings taking place on Capitol Hill, but it also renewed focus on an issue that has caused rebellion within his own party.
“Although I have expressed concerns about granting President Erdogan such an honor in light of his recent actions, I hope the meeting produces better behavior from this important NATO ally,” Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said earlier Wednesday. “I share my colleagues’ uneasiness at seeing President Erdogan honored at the White House.”
But that wasn’t what Twitter was talking about.
During the pair’s initial meeting in the Oval Office, there was awkward silence while the translators did their work. This was a video released by Turkey.
And some people on Twitter thought they heard a fart when Trump lifted up his butt cheek.
Take a look/listen:
This was on Erdogan’s twitter.
Awkward!! It looks like Erdogan does not want to be here. Listen to what his translator says at the end. Also, did I hear some bodily functions?? pic.twitter.com/lOMYJRfHH4 [1]— Mystery Solvent (@MysterySolvent) November 13, 2019 [2]
Twitter had some thoughts:
45 was shifting in his chair when the fart noise happened. Maybe the chair is crying out for help as he shifted his "235#" arse around! 🤭
— Anni Cee 🌊 (@ACnOZ) November 13, 2019 [3]
He actually lifted his body to the side!!!! He’s SO crass…
— Andrea Marozas (@marozas) November 13, 2019 [4]
Definitely heard gas and farts. It was Trump. He looked directly at Melania to see if she heard. Erdogan's facial expression appeared to be WTF? I'm not going to sit here for farts then he said what seemed to be we'll get back together later. 😂
— BMLewis (@BMLewis2) November 13, 2019 [5]
I not only heard a couple of farts, but Trump lifted one of his butt cheeks. Poor translators. 😳
— Mindy L. (@mlaff1222) November 13, 2019 [6]
Trump farted didn't he?
— Dean Rohrer 🐘 (@wdrohrer) November 13, 2019 [7]
Trump is looking awfully nervous sitting so far forward in his seat and his face is somber. He looks worried.
— ~~~ Nikki ~~~ (@Littlenikkis) November 13, 2019 [8]
Trump indeed farted at 9 seconds into the video. HAHAHA
HA!Good thing he wears #TrumpEnds [9] Depends.
— The Last Autobot (@lastautobot1) November 14, 2019 [10]