Donald Trump has sparked an outcry by appearing to suggest he’s above the law – while also ramping up tensions with Europe over tariffs.
The US President had another eventful day, during which he was accused of acting like a “true dictator”. He also found time to go along to the Daytona 500 motor race, where his Presidential limo did laps of the track.
The unpredictable US President sparked an outcry when he shared a message from a 54-year-old movie about Napoleon. He wrote: “He who saves his country does not violate the law.”
It has been widely interpreted as a demand to be exempt from prosecution, and quickly led to him being branded a “true dictator”. Sunday also saw talks about his plan to displace over two million Palestinians in Gaza and go to the highest court in the land to try to fire a whistleblower agency chief.
Here we look at some of the most alarming and bizarre things Trump has been up to in the past 24 hours or so.
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AP)
Fallout after Trump suggests he’s above the law
The US President is accused of acting like he’s above the law after an inflammatory social media post.
The erratic Republican posted: “He who saves his Country does not violate any Law.” The quote is understood to have first been used by pintsize French ruler Napoleon Bonaparte in 1804. It appeared in the 1970 film staring Rod Steiger as Napoleon.
Senator Adam Schiff of California responded by posting: “Spoken like a true dictator.”
Presidential limo does laps at Daytona 500 race
Trump was in Florida for the Daytona 500 race on Sunday, and his Presidential limousine, known as The Beast, did ceremonial pace laps around the track.
The US President said he is a “big fan” as he spoke to drivers before the race started. He went on to tell Fox News: “I think it’s fantastic. It’s great for the country.
“Our country is doing well again, and we have spirit all over the world. There’s spirit again. We brought it back, and it’s been less than four weeks.”
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AP)
Talks on President’s Gaza ‘ethnic cleansing’ plan
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was working with the US to deliver Trump’s vision that would see two million Palestinians displaced.
The US President has been heavily criticised for his “Riviera of the Middle East” plan, that critics have described as a blueprint for ethnic cleansing. But US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has branded the plan bold and visionary, has insisted it will move forward.
Mr Netanyahu went on to reveal that he knew about Trump’s vision before it was announced. He said: “This didn’t come as a surprise, we knew about it and discussed it beforehand.”
Following a meeting with Rubio he said: “We discussed Trump’s bold vision for Gaza’s future and will work to ensure that vision becomes a reality. We have a common strategy, and we can’t always share the details of this strategy with the public”.
Fiery response to threat of European tariffs
Quizzed about the possibility of a trade war with Europe, Trump brazenly fired back: “Let them do it.”
The US President has sparked panic by announcing 25% tariffs on steel import and setting his sights on VAT. Retaliatory measures could mean the UK faces 21% tariffs, wiping billions from the economy, experts warn.
Asked about the possibility of European nations slapping a ban on US food imports, Trump said: “I don’t mind. Let them do it.
“Let them do it. They’re just hurting themselves if they do that. I can’t imagine it, but doesn’t matter.”
Supreme Court bid to fire whistleblower agency chief
Trump has asked the US Supreme Court to let him fire the head of an agency that protests whistleblowers in a bitter battle.
The President has filed an emergency appeal in order to get rid of Hampton Dellinger, who heads the US Office of Special Counsel. He was fired by email earlier this month, and went on to sue the Trump administration saying the move was illegal.
The administration said: “Until now, as far as we are aware, no court in American history has wielded an injunction to force the president to retain an agency head whom the president believes should not be entrusted with executive power and to prevent the president from relying on his preferred replacement.”