Day 857: Japan plays to Trump’s ego and favorites: golf and cheeseburgers

Donald Trump loves being the center of attention. Donald Trump loves golf. Donald Trump loves unhealthy food. Donald Trump loves Donald Trump.

Japan knows all of these things and they were clearly ready for his four-day state visit. Knowing about Trump’s threats of tariffs and trade wars, they tried to keep him happy in an almost laughably transparent way.

First it was golf. Trump and [Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo] Abe played 16 holes, joined by Japanese pro Isao Aoki. On the lunch menu: Double cheeseburgers made with U.S. beef.

Then Abe introduced Trump to Japan’s ancient sport of sumo wrestling, which Trump has said he finds “fascinating.”

Loud applause greeted Trump as he entered the arena and took his seat a few rows behind the ring. It was a break from the custom of sitting cross-legged on a mat.

After a banquet, Trump seemed positively giddy.

“We’ve had a great time, a great day, and tomorrow is really the big event, a very important event in the history of Japan,” Trump said just before enjoying a dinner of grilled chicken, Wagyu beef and vanilla ice cream at a hibachi restaurant with Abe and their wives. “It’s over 200 years since something like this has happened so it’s a great honor to be representing the United States.”

However, while politicking on foreign soil is considered a no-no for American presidents, Trump has been unable to stop ranting on Twitter, including about the current leader for the Democratic presidential nomination, Joe Biden.

857 days in, 605 to go

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