Trump's G7 Press Conference: A Stream of Consciousness

Key impression: What was meant to be a formal diplomatic press conference turned into a free-association monologue. Trump jumped from Iran deal to killing Soleimani, to Hoover, to nuclear rankings, to Chinese drones — often in the same breath.

🎤 The Solo Monologue

Trump opened by boasting about the Iran deal, then suddenly launched into a detailed 10-minute recollection of how he killed Qasem Soleimani. "A strong country with a strong person becomes very strong. Luckily I took him out." He claimed Soleimani was behind everything in Iran, then pivoted to praise Macron for organizing the summit.

He then compared himself to past presidents: "The one president I never want to become? Hoover." Minutes later, he delivered a nuclear power ranking — US first, Russia second, China third but "catching up fast."

"I studied many US presidents. The one I least want to become is Hoover."

— Trump, mid-monologue

🔄 The Contradiction Loop

On Iran investment: "We won't invest in Iran. But you can't stop other countries from investing, can you? Of course we can be tough. I can say no investment. But what's the point?" He then repeated the same logic multiple times, as if ruminating out loud. One observer described it as "regurgitation" — saying whatever came to mind.

🔁 Observed Pattern

Read one line from the script → go off-script for 5-10 minutes → return to script → repeat. Every prepared sentence was a launchpad for free association.

❓ Q&A Chaos

The "interactive" segment was no less surreal. Here are the standout moments:

Peter, the favorite — Trump called on a reporter named Peter who had previously praised him for answering more questions than Biden in a single press conference. "I like you. Sit down, I'll call you again later."

"Who said that?" — A CBS reporter stood up and quoted Trump's own book The Art of the Deal: "You wrote that you always need leverage in negotiations." Trump replied, "Who said that?" The reporter: "Donald Trump." The room burst into laughter.

The Japanese reporter — A journalist with heavy Japanese-accented English asked a question about discussions with G7 members. Trump couldn't understand, turned to Rubio for help, then eventually gave a vague answer. The reporter had to repeat himself three times.

Gratitude to China — Out of nowhere, Trump thanked China for staying neutral on certain issues, adding: "China makes really good drones — very precise. But they stayed neutral. They didn't sell them. Thank you, China."

💬 Memorable Quotes

"If the deal is good, it's my credit. If it's bad, I'll blame Vance. Vance, you better watch out."

— On why he might let Vance sign the Iran deal

"We have the most nukes. Russia second. China third, but they'll catch up fast."

— Mid-press conference nuclear ranking

"I killed Soleimani, so we have this deal. Everything in Iran was Soleimani. I took him out."

— Repeated several times in different variations

🎯 The Art of Leadership (According to Trump)

When asked why he wouldn't sign the Iran deal himself since he was already in Switzerland-adjacent territory, Trump offered a masterclass in deniability: "I might go. But if it's signed well, it's my achievement. If it's signed poorly, I'll blame Vance. Vance, you be careful."

The room reportedly toasted to this candid admission of strategic blame-shifting.

🥂 Final Toast

Despite the non-sequiturs and chaotic flow, one journalist — Li Xiang — managed to secure a question. The answer was predictably off-topic, but the effort was celebrated. "Let's toast to that," the host said. "He asked a question after all that. It deserves a cheer."

A fitting end to a press conference that defied all expectations of diplomatic decorum.

The G7 Press Conference That Became a Stand-Up Routine