THE ART OF THE DEAL CONTINUES…So much has happened since the cancellation by President Trump of the summit with North Korea. They came back yesterday with an effort to get the summit back on schedule saying they would meet “anytime and anywhere” with President Trump.

Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis characterized the ongoing back and forth with North Korea as the usual give and take with trying to put together “big summits”. He echoed sentiments made by President Trump Friday and told reporters he is “very optimistic” that U.S. and North Korean officials will soon meet back at the negotiating table in regards to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

“We have got some, possibly some good news on the Korea summit, where it may, if our diplomats can pull it off, may have it back on even,” Mattis said at the Pentagon, according to the pool.

WE reports:

On Thursday, Trump canceled his meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (see below), but he hinted Friday morning that the summit could still take place in the future or even on the originally scheduled date of June 12.

Mattis characterized these rapid developments as the “usual give and take” associated with “trying to put together big summits and stuff.”

“The diplomats are still at work on the summit, possibility of a summit, so that is very good news,” he added.

“I am optimistic that the diplomats are working, our diplomats are working very hard to make this happen.”

When asked if the United States would restart military exercises in the region, Mattis said the military is not “changing anything right now, it is steady as she goes.”

“The diplomats are in the lead and in charge, and we give them our best wishes to have a fruitful way forward.”

OUR PREVIOUS REPORT ON THE CANCELLATION OF THE SUMMIT WITH NORTH KOREA:

WAS THIS THE FINAL STRAW THAT CAUSED THE CANCELLATION OF THE MEETING?

“THEY STOOD US UP!”

North Korea didn’t show up to recent meetings to prepare for the now-cancelled summit between dictator Kim Jong Un and President Trump, the White House revealed Thursday.

Fox News reports:

The summit, from which the U.S. withdrew Thursday morning, was scheduled to take place June 12 in Singapore.

North Korean leadership didn’t show up to a recent planning meeting by Trump administration officials in Singapore, a senior White House official said, adding that the U.S. made several attempts to communicate with North Korea ahead of what would have been an historic meeting but leadership from the communist nation never responded.

“They stood us up,” the official said.

North Korea’s statement to the U.S. Wednesday night — in which the country threatened to pull out of the summit and called Vice President Mike Pence a “political dummy” — was the first communication the U.S. has heard from the North in a week, the White House said.

“Based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it is inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting,” Trump stated in a letter to Kim released on Thursday.

“WHAT WE’RE SEEING IS THE ART OF THE DEAL IN ACTION HERE…”

EARLIER TODAY: PRESIDENT TRUMP CANCELLED THE SUMMIT

STRATEGY ALERT! President Trump just pulled out of the summit with North Korea. He sent a letter to Kim Jong Un citing that with the “tremendous anger” and “hostility” coming from North Korea, he felt it would be “inappropriate” to continue with the summit in June:

ALAN DERSHOWITZ  WEIGHED IN:

WHITE HOUSE – LETTER FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP TO KIM JONG UN OF NORTH KOREA:

“You talk about your nuclear capabilities, but ours are so massive and powerful that I pray to God they will never have to be used,” Trump wrote to Kim. “If you change your mind having to do with this most important summit, please do not hesitate to call me or write. The world, and North Korea in particular, has lost a great opportunity for lasting peace and great prosperity and wealth.”

Trump closed the letter with: “This missed opportunity is truly a sad moment in history.”

The strategy continues…This won’t be the end of this back and forth with North Korea. The ball is in the court of Kim Jong Un now.

THE BIGGEST TAKEAWAY FROM THE LETTER IS THIS:

The president says the North Koreans talk about their nuclear capabilities, “but ours are so massive and powerful that I pray to God they will never have to be used.”

That’s all veiled threat that North Korea might want to rethink their strategy of striking out at America.

OUR FAVORITE TWEET ABOUT THE SITUATION:

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