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| Drawing by Kal for The Economist via Politico. |
So it's a thing that seems pretty trivial in itself:
During a breakfast with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the sidelines of the Group of Seven meeting in this picturesque seaside town, a reporter asked Trump whether he had any “second thoughts” about his escalating trade war with China. Trump responded, “Yeah, sure. Why not.”
“Might as well,” he said. “Might as well. I have second thoughts about everything.”
Trump then claimed that talks were going well with China and that he planned to back away from some of his recent threats, such as seeking to force companies to leave China.But back in the White House, it's a fatal error! How can this be? First thoughts are all our emperor needs!
So they start spinning:
“The president was asked if he had ‘any second thought on escalating the trade war with China.’ His answer has been greatly misinterpreted. President Trump responded in the affirmative — because he regrets not raising the tariffs higher,” press secretary Stephanie Grisham said.Right, While the president's chief economic adviser trots out an alternative, though even more transparent, lie:
