Letter of Trump to Kim Jong Un (updated 6/2/18)

The below pix (06/01/18) just in; video re below event at

Image from Morgan Stalter, "Size of North Korea's letter to Trump sparks jokes," thehill.com (06/01/18) [article contains additional images]:

Social media users poked fun at President Trump on Friday after the White House unveiled photos of him receiving a letter in a large envelope from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Trump is seen in the photos smiling while posing alongside Kim Jong Chol, North Korea’s former intelligence chief and a top aide to the country's ruler.

Trump initially said that he had received a "very nice letter" from Kim Jong Un, but acknowledged just minutes later that he hadn't yet opened or read the letter.

The letter was presented as Trump revived plans for a June 12 summit with Kim in Singapore that Trump had abruptly canceled last week.

Social media users, however, were quick to point out the large envelope.

Ben Wexler, a writer for “Arrested Development," posted a side-by-side comparison with former President Obama, while others pointed out the size of the card.

Anna Fifield, The Washington Post's Tokyo bureau chief, brought up Trump’s old jab that he had a “much bigger” nuclear button than Kim.

“When it comes to nuclear buttons and now to envelopes, size apparently matters,” she quipped.

Other Twitter users simply mocked the size of the president's hands.

Trump emphasized at various points during his remarks to reporters Friday that his meeting with Kim Jong Chol was meant only for the North Korean leader to deliver the letter, but that it ended up lasting 80 minutes because they discussed “almost everything.”

“This was a meeting where a letter was given to me by Kim Jong Un, and that letter was a very nice letter,” Trump said. “Oh would you like to see what was in that letter.”

Asked about the contents of the letter, Trump described it only as "very interesting."

“At some point I maybe, it may be appropriate I’ll be able to give it to you, you’ll be able to see, and maybe fairly soon,” he said, before later saying he had not read it yet.

***

image from; see also (1)

In my modest opinion, the "bizarre" content and tone of Trump's letter to Kim Jong Un suggest that it was (unfortunately) dictated by Trump -- and not carefully drafted by an aide knowledgeable about diplomatic style and language. The "sort of stream of consciousness letter"'s one saving grace is that it does not contain typos, doubtless because Trump did not "write" it.

I base this observation on the following excerpts from the letter:

1. l was very much looking forward to being there with you. Sadly, based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it is inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting.

2. Therefore, please let this letter serve to represent that the Singapore summit, for the good of both parties, but to the detriment of the world [huh?], will not take place.

3. You talk about your nuclear capabilities, but ours are so tremendous and powerful that I pray to God they will never have to be used.

4. I felt a wonderful dialogue was building up between you and me ...

5. That was a beautiful gesture and was very much appreciated.

6. If you change your mind having to do with this most important summit, please do not hesitate to call me or write.

7. The world, and North Korea in particular, has lost a great opportunity for lasting peace and great prosperity and wealth. This missed opportunity is a truly sad moment in history.

P.S. Note the use of meaningless adjectives -- modifiers Trump is so fond of using/abusing): tremendous; massive; powerful; wonderful; beautiful; great; sad [not only "sad," but "truly sad" ...]

P.P.S. As for "please do not hesitate to call me or write," it sounds like a salesman talking to a dissatisfied customer.


His Excellency
Kim Jong Un
Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
Pyongyang

Dear Mr. Chairman:

We greatly appreciate your time, patience, and effort with respect to our recent negotiations and discussions relative to a summit long sought by both parties, which was scheduled to take place on June 12 in Singapore. We were informed that the meeting was requested by North Korea, but that to us is totally irrelevant. l was very much looking forward to being there with you. Sadly, based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it is inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting. Therefore, please let this letter serve to represent that the Singapore summit, for the good of both parties, but to the detriment of the world, will not take place. You talk about your nuclear capabilities, but ours are so massive and powerful that I pray to God they will never have to be used.

I felt a wonderful dialogue was building up between you and me, and ultimately, it is only that dialogue that matters. Some day, I look very much forward to meeting you. In the meantime, I want to thank you for the release of the hostages who are now home with their families. That was a beautiful gesture and was very much appreciated.

If you change your mind having to do with this most important summit, please do not hesitate to call me or write. The world, and North Korea in particular, has lost a great opportunity for lasting peace and great prosperity and wealth. This missed opportunity is a truly sad moment in history.

Sincerely yours,

Donald J. Trump
President of the United States of America