News of North Korea’s weekend missile test sent President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe scrambling during their retreat at Trump’s Florida club, prompting the two world leaders to work on a response while sitting at a public table in the club’s crowded dining room.
Upon hearing the news, top advisers to both leaders joined in a discussion about how the countries should respond as guests gawked around them, according to a report from CNN.
The network also added that aides used cellphone camera lights to illuminate various documents brought to the tables. If the staffers didn’t use secure phones, the practice could spark national security concerns since cell phones are connected to the internet and could presumably have their cameras hacked.
As national security officials worked, the dining hall continued to operate business as usual, CNN reported, as waiters continued to serve the leaders their food as guests looked on.
{mosads}News of the test trickled out Saturday evening, right in the middle of the first meeting between the new American president and the Japanese leader. North Korea’s missile ultimately fell harmlessly into the Sea of Japan and state media called the test successful.
It was the first major international incident that confronted Trump since his inauguration.
Guests posted a series of pictures and comments on Facebook describing the surprise at Trump’s posh private Mar-a-Lago club, although many of the photos were later deleted.
“HOLY MOLY !! It was fascinating to watch the flurry of activity at dinner when the news came that North Korea had launched a missile in the direction of Japan,” Facebook user Richard DeAgazio posted on Sunday afternoon with pictures of Abe sitting at a table and Trump on the telephone.
“The Prime Minister Abe of Japan huddles with his staff and the President is on the phone with Washington DC. the two world leaders then conferred and then went into another room for hastily arranged press conference. Wow…..the center of the action!!!”
DeAgazio also posted a picture of a Marine that he called “Rick,” claiming that he carries the nuclear “football,” the briefcase-sized device that allows the president to order nuclear strikes.
After the dining room meeting, the two leaders gave a short public statement, with Abe blasting the launch as “absolutely intolerable” and Trump pledging America’s full support to its ally.