President Donald Trump posted an enthusiastic tribute to recently-freed American aide worker Aya Hijazi on his Twitter account Friday, just hours after Hijazi joined him in the Oval Office for a photo-op.
WELCOME HOME, AYA!#GodBlessTheUSA?? pic.twitter.com/CR4I8dvunc
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 21, 2017
Set to “God Bless the USA,” whose creator sang at Trump’s inaugural concert, the two-minute video briefly scrolls past part of a Washington Post article marking Hijazi’s homecoming Thursday and includes more than a dozen photos of her visit with Trump.
The Post reported that the Trump administration had worked for several weeks with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi to secure Hijazi and her Egyptian husband’s release from prison, as well as that of four other humanitarian workers.
Sissi never visited the White House during the Obama administration, perhaps because of the tens of thousands of political prisoners believed to be behind bars in the country. Trump said during Sissi’s visit that “we are very much behind” the Egyptian leader.
“You have a great friend and ally in the United States, and in me,” he said.
White House spokesman Sean Spicer confirmed Friday that Trump had discussed Hijazi’s release with Sissi during the Egyptian leader’s visit to the White House in early April.
The Trump administration is reportedly desperate to show progress on major legislative goals and other achievements before its 100th day in office, April 29. So far, it has little to show for major promises like overhauling the health care system and reaching a tax deal.
On Friday, Trump ranted on Twitter that the 100 day mark, on which he staked many promises during the campaign, was a “ridiculous standard.”
The video concludes by zooming out to a red-and-blue message, posted above an American flag: “On behalf of the Trump administration and the United States of America, welcome home Aya Hijazi! President Donald J. Trump.”
