A Republican lawmaker said President Trump made a misstep to criticize former Vice President Joe Biden while abroad.
Trump backed North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s attack on the 2020 hopeful during a news conference in Tokyo on Monday.
“Kim Jong Un made a statement that Joe Biden is a low IQ individual. He probably is, based on his record. I think I agree with him on that,” Trump said, also calling Biden a “disaster.”
In a tweet, Trump said he “smiled” when Kim called Biden “a low IQ individual.”
North Korea fired off some small weapons, which disturbed some of my people, and others, but not me. I have confidence that Chairman Kim will keep his promise to me, & also smiled when he called Swampman Joe Biden a low IQ individual, & worse. Perhaps that’s sending me a signal?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 26, 2019
Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., said Monday it was “wrong” for Trump to agree with Kim.
“Politics stops at water’s edge,” he tweeted. “Never right to side with murderous dictator vs. fellow American.”
Wrong for @POTUS Trump to criticize @JoeBiden in Japan and to agree with Kim Jong-un. Politics stops at water’s edge. Never right to side with murderous dictator vs. fellow American.
— Rep. Pete King (@RepPeteKing) May 27, 2019
During the news conference, Trump disagreed with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on recent North Korean missile tests. Trump has said he is not bothered by the tests, but Abe has called North Korea’s actions “quite a regrettable act.”
[Related: Trump brushes off controversy, says he isn’t worried about North Korean missile tests]
