For those of you who have not heard the news, Ireland has officially elected not only its youngest prime minister, but its first gay prime minister (also known as the Irish Taoiseach). Leo Varadkar, the son of an immigrant, was fairly voted to be the next leader of the country’s main governing party, ushering in a new era of progressivism and open-mindedness for the future of the country.
During the landmark phone call, President Donald Trump was sitting in the Oval Office on hold, waiting to congratulate the newly-elected prime minister. Then, after waiting almost two minutes before Taoiseach Varadkar picked up, he decided a phone call to the prime minister of Ireland was no longer important.
Why? Because he found himself swan-diving into a pretty smile. Namely, Irish journalist RTÉ reporter Caitriona Perry’s smile.
While Trump was administering this congratulatory phone call, he made a specific remark that told of his shock as to how many Irish reporters were in the room with him at that time in order to document this moment. Then, he commented on the fact that most of them were leaving, and we assume they were leaving so Trump and Taoiseach Varadkar could have a private conversation.
Then, he decided a woman’s looks that had caught his married eye were more important than the phone call he was currently on.
“And where are you from? Go ahead, come here. Where are you from? We have all this beautiful Irish press. Where are you from?”
This was the start of the very awkward and outlandish transaction that happened between Miss Perry and President Trump before the President of the United States remarked to Taoiseach Varadkar that she ‘had a beautiful smile.’
He also stated the reporter ‘probably treats [Taoiseach Varadkar] well.’
Video of the bizarre moment when President @realDonaldTrump called me over during his call with Taoiseach @campaignforLeo Varadkar. @rtenews pic.twitter.com/TMl2SFQaji
— Caitriona Perry (@CaitrionaPerry) June 27, 2017
She shared the ‘bizarre’ encounter on her Twitter, and everyone took to the video to state how disgusting and inappropriate the transaction was between the reporter and President Trump, and many even apologized on behalf of the United States itself.
He called you over to look you over. Gross. #EmbarassedForMyCountry
— Kevin Chamberlin (@kevinchamberlin) June 27, 2017
Repulsive. This sexual predator is using his power to blatantly abuse a woman on-camera. Anyone who thinks this is ok needs to wake the F up
— Nokasofis (@nokasofis) June 28, 2017
Trump,"She has a nice smile on her face so I bet she treats you well."?Ms.Perry, please accept the apology of at least 1 female American.?
— Christine Canning (@Canni2Canning) June 27, 2017
He said, "She has a nice smile. I bet she treats you well." Level 10 creeper!
— JMC (@Juliana4984) June 27, 2017
We apologize for this demented buffoon caveman, the admitted sexual predator, and are working on the problem. Please forgive us.
— Julie Silver (@JulieAnnSilver) June 27, 2017
Yes. I'd like a huge sign that says "Pardon our mess, we are working on making America kind again."
— allison hazell (@AllisonHazell) June 27, 2017
Do you know people actually say he's a better president than Obama? People actually say this. Someone wake me up from this nightmare
— Sarah Cooper (@sarahcpr) June 27, 2017
I'm sorry you had to deal with that, @CaitrionaPerry. Truly. He's gross and that was inappropriate. @realDonaldTrump
— Andrew Rannells (@AndrewRannells) June 28, 2017
This is just so gross. I'm so embarrassed for our nation right now.
— Melissa Ryan (@MelissaRyan) June 28, 2017
While Perry appears to take the encounter in stride like the professional woman she is, this uproar has a certain level of familiarity to the controversy that popped up during Trump’s electoral trail when a video surfaced of him talking about grabbing women in very inappropriate places because he could, because he was rich, and because of any other disgusting reason he gave in that interview.
What do you think? Is the outrage warranted? Do you believe it was simply a workplace compliment? Let us know below!
Featured image courtesy of RTE News/Daily Mail.
