German Chancellor Friedrich Merz gifted President Trump a gilded framed copy of his grandfather’s birth certificate during their first face-to-face meeting at the White House Thursday.
The gold-encased present, a reflection of the president’s signature Oval Office décor, paid tribute to Friedrich Trump, who was born in Kallstadt, Germany, in 1869 and later immigrated to the United States.
“That’s serious German,” Trump said in response to the gesture.
“I want to thank you for that. That’s beautiful. Thank you very much. Fantastic. We’ll put it up in a place of honor.”
Trump was previously gifted a “golden pager” from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a golden samurai helmet from Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
The meeting between the world leaders, which was held before a group of reporters and officials, took an awkward turn when Trump told the conservative politician that D-Day — when Allied forces invaded Normandy to liberate Europe from Nazi control on June 6, 1944 — was “not a pleasant day” for his nation.
The unusual remark was made while the pair were discussing the three-year conflict between Russia and Ukraine – with the German leader forced to set the historical record straight.
“May I remind you that we are having June 6 tomorrow,” Merz said of the 81st anniversary of the landings during World War II.
“This is D-Day anniversary, when Americans once ended a war in Europe.”
Trump then interrupted his counterpart twice to unleash his bizarre comment.
“In the long run, Mr. President, this was the liberation of my country from Nazi dictatorship,” Merz corrected.
“And we know that we owe you, but this is the reason why I’m saying that America is again in a very strong position to do something on this war and ending this war. So let’s talk about what we can do jointly, and we are ready to do what we can.”
Trump later likened Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky to children fighting on a playground and that more time may be needed before “pulling them apart.”
With Post wires
