McMaster: Trump ‘Rocket Man’ Tweet ‘Appears To Be’ About North Korea

National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster speaks during a briefing at the White House in Washington, Tuesday, May 16, 2017. President Donald Trump claimed the authority to share "facts pertaining to terrorism" and airline safety with Russia, saying in a pair of tweets he has "an absolute right" as president to do so. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster pauses during a briefing at the White House in Washington, Tuesday, May 16, 2017. President Donald Trump claimed the authority to share "facts pertaining to terrorism" and airl... National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster pauses during a briefing at the White House in Washington, Tuesday, May 16, 2017. President Donald Trump claimed the authority to share "facts pertaining to terrorism" and airline safety with Russia, saying in a pair of tweets he has "an absolute right" as president to do so. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) MORE LESS
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National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster on Sunday attempted to interpret what the President’s ersatz early-morning tweet about “Rocket Man” meant for his policy on North Korea.

“I assume ‘Rocket Man’ is Kim Jong Un?” George Stephanopoulos asked McMaster on ABC’s “This Week,” referring to the North Korean leader.

“Well, it’s — it appears to be so,” McMaster replied. “That is where the rockets and missiles are coming from, is North Korea.”

He said the United States has to “make sure all options are under development to ensure that this regime cannot threaten the world with a nuclear weapon.”

“If he doesn’t give up those nuclear weapons, the President will strike?” Stephanopoulos pressed.

“He’s been very clear about that,” McMaster replied. “All options are on the table.”

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Notable Replies

  1. Painful. Like a whipped dog.

  2. The Photo Editor makes a home run…

  3. Avatar for j.dave j.dave says:

    Hey, Esme – great to see you doing the heavy lifting on a Sunday morning, but I don’t think “ersatz” means what you think it means …

    It means a cheap imitation. That describes lots of things we’re seeing these days, but not these tweets. They are a stunningly genuine manifestation of the mind that put them out.

  4. I think Esme’s account was hacked. A russian bot dropped the word in.

  5. Avatar for pshah pshah says:

    “Rocket man” is not even an insult. Certainly there are far harsher terms he could use. Is Trump slipping or is he, oddly, showing respect for Kim Jong Un?

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