Trump throws around his full weight

May 25: On This Day In 2017

Yesterday we told you how Trump shoved aside decades of NATO diplomacy via his words. Today, he did so via his powerful muscles.

OTDI 2017, Donald Trump made a massive power play against Dusko Markovic, Prime Minister of the 622,159 people of Montenegro. At their annual summit in Belgium, the NATO leaders were lining up for the traditional Class Photo. But given his overwhelming need to be the center of attention, it's hard for Trump to deal with being just one of many sheep in the flock.

So Trump intentionally put his hand on Markovic’s right arm, thrust himself forward, and barged in front of Markovic, so he could bask in the spotlight. Then Trump calmly adjusted his jacket and smiled.

Balkan media responded with indignant snark. “America First” ran one clever headline. As for the Prime Minister, he gamely professed to being “very grateful that this incident, so to say, took place” because it “made Montenegro so famous.”

JK Rowling alluded to the difference between standing tall physically vs. mentally: “You tiny tiny man,” she scolded the leader of the free world.

Dive Deeper

• CBS shows the shove, and includes some biting commentary from social media

• More on the story from USA Today  

• Markovic’s response, reported by Politico

• Rowling’s riposte is here on HuffPo  

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Summary: Trump shoves aside others at NATO