Last night, President Trump was placed in an awkward position, when Japan’s Emperor Naruhito toasted his visit at the Emperor’s palace.
President Trump has never consumed a drop of alchohol in his life. During a speech about his fight in the war against opioids, he told a personal story about his beloved, deceased brother Fred, who suffered from alcoholism, and how his battle with alcohol effected him so much that he’s never had a drink of alcohol.
Audio of their meeting was strictly forbidden, but the president appeared to thank Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako for their incredible hospitality. After shaking hands, they went inside to greet guests together.
The two couples sat at the head table with the president and emperor sitting in the center of the table. Melania sat on Naruhito’s left, while Masako was on Trump’s right.
‘We are profoundly honored to return to Japan as your nation’s first state guests following the enthronement of his majesty the emperor,’ the U.S. president said during the dinner.
‘We thank the people of Japan for their incredible hospitality and warm welcome in this majestic land.’
Trump called the relationship between the United States and Japan a ‘treasured alliance’ and quoted Japanese poet Manyoshu in his speech.
‘It also reminds us that in times of change, we can take comfort in our inherited traditions. In the fifth book of the Manyoshu where the term Reiwa originates, the writings of two poets offer important insights,’ he said.
The teetotal president was poured a glass of what looked like Champagne and he politely lifted the glass to his lips, but grimaced and did not take a sip.
At other state banquets, servers have filled his glass with Diet Coke as a substitute for red wine, and he is often known to drink grape juice instead of white wine and Champagne.
Trump has abstained from drinking alcohol because his older brother Freddie died at the age of 43 from an illness stemming from alcoholism.
What do you think? Does President Trump get more respect overseas than he does in the United States?
