Trump Is ‘Thankful’ Putin Ordered Cut To Diplomats: US ‘Able To Cut Our Payroll’

President Donald Trump, flanked by National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster, left, and Vice President Mike Pence, speaks to reporters after a security briefing at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J., Thursday... President Donald Trump, flanked by National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster, left, and Vice President Mike Pence, speaks to reporters after a security briefing at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J., Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) MORE LESS
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President Donald Trump on Thursday said he was “very thankful” to Russian President Vladimir Putin for Putin’s order that the U.S. diplomatic mission in Russia cut its staff by 755 people.

“Do you have any response to the Russian president expelling 755 workers from our embassy?” one journalist asked during a pool spray Thursday.

“No, I want to thank him, because we’re trying to cut down on payroll, and as far as I’m concerned, I’m very thankful that he let go of a large number of people because now we have a smaller payroll,” Trump said, responding to a question about the Putin-mandated cut. “There’s no real reason for them to go back. So I greatly appreciate the fact that they’ve been able to cut our payroll for the United States. We’ll save a lot of money.”

Trump didn’t show any sign that he was joking about the statement, which reflected the opposite of Putin’s stated goal in ordering a cut: to harm the United States.

“Over 1,000 employees — diplomats and technical workers — worked and continue to work today in Russia; 755 will have to stop this activity,” Putin said in his announcement of the cut, according to the New York Times. “That is biting,” he added.

Putin had ordered the cut in response to the United States Senate passing a new round of sanctions against Russia. President Trump ultimately signed the sanctions — and sanctions against Iran and North Korea — into law.

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Notable Replies

  1. Avatar for litho litho says:

    And… the downward spiral continues.

  2. Hey, wait’ll folks hear about Pootie’s plans to cut all our uniformed military and reduce spending on planes, ships, etc. We’ll be spreading flowers in the Red Army’s path when they march into Washington.

  3. WHAT!!!

    I…you…how the hell…the FUCK…OH YOUR GOD.

    OK, calm down…deep breath. Whoooosh.

    What would FOX News and Brietbart and the preening Republicans in Congress have said if OBAMA had said that?

  4. on November 8th, 2016, there was a presidential election with serious stakes attached to it. Now one would think that experience would matter, but…

  5. Really letting his inner apparatchik express itself.

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