Welp at Trump’s “Shield of the Americas” summit, the president spoke to leaders from across Latin America, and let’s just say one particular moment had folks rolling their eyes again at him.
The event took place at Trump’s golf resort, Trump National Doral Golf Club in Florida, where officials gathered to talk about security issues across the Western Hemisphere. According to the U.S. Department of State, the summit was meant to focus on strategies to stop foreign interference in the region, including fighting cartel activity, criminal gangs, and illegal immigration.
But during his remarks Saturday, Trump went a little off script while talking about Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has Cuban roots and frequently travels throughout Latin America.
Trump joked about Rubio being the one who’s always visiting countries in the region.
“He likes it, he feels very comfortable — we all like him, right? He’s got a language, he’s got a language advantage over me. ‘Cause I’m not learning your damn language. I don’t have time. I was okay with languages, but I’m not going to spend time learning your language. That much I won’t do. Just give me a good interpreter.”
When Rubio later stepped up to speak, he reportedly asked Trump for permission before addressing the crowd in Spanish.After Rubio finished, Trump introduced Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who added his own moment of humor, telling the president, “I only speak American.”
The summit drew leaders from several countries across the region. Representatives confirmed to be attending included officials from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, and Trinidad and Tobago.
But some major players in the region didn’t show up. Reports noted that Brazil and Mexico — two of the biggest powers in Latin America — were absent from the event. Colombia, which has long been a central partner in U.S. anti-narcotics efforts, also didn’t participate. And neither did Cuba.
Also spotted at the summit was former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. She’s now stepping into a new role as “Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas.”
Between the policy talk and the off-the-cuff remarks, the gathering ended up getting attention for more than just regional security conversations. And if social media has anything to say about it, that language comment is probably going to keep people talking for a minute.