President Trump on Wednesday boasted that “some people” referred to his remarks during a 2017 visit to Poland as “the best speech ever made by a president in Europe.”
While taking questions from reporters during an Oval Office meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda, Trump was asked whether he planned to accept an invitation to return to Poland. Trump then recounted his 2017 trip to the country.{mosads}
“I just had an incredible time. That speech was special from the standpoint of the people of Poland, and I know it was considered a very important speech. You people even gave me very high marks on that speech,” he said of the press in the room.
“I could say it, but I don’t want to say it, but some people said it was the best speech ever made by a president in Europe,” he continued, declining to specify who had offered such praise. “But I did not say that. I’m just quoting other people.
“But it was a great day. The two folks — you treated us so great, I’ll never forget it. We won’t forget our trip to Poland. Very, very tremendous, special people.”
Trump delivered the speech in Warsaw in July 2017 while on on his way to a Group of 20 summit in Germany. The remarks included praise for the Polish efforts to overthrow Nazism, a condemnation of Russian aggression and “radical Islamic terrorism” and a call for strengthened alliances built on the lessons of World War II.
The speech seemed well received by those in the crowd, who intermittently chanted Trump’s name as he spoke.
At the same Oval Office meeting on Wednesday, Trump said he may move about 2,000 U.S. troops in Europe to Poland, though no final decision has been reached. Trump and Duda were expected to participate in a joint signing ceremony later Wednesday and then conduct a joint press conference.
Duda has invited Trump back to Poland in September, which will mark the 80th anniversary of the Nazi invasion of the country that triggered World War II. Trump said he is looking “very seriously” at going, but did not commit to making the trip.