Let’s face it: press conferences with Donald Trump are never boring, but Monday’s spectacle left many wondering if they were watching a political parody unfold in real-time. From musings about renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, to bizarre tangents on water pressure and electric heaters, the event had everything—except coherence.
Some people didn’t hold back on their reactions. One former D.C. staffer, known on social media as @Angry_Staffer, called it a “train wreck,” adding, “He’s b—-hing about water pressure. He’s talking about windmills driving whales crazy. He says he’s going to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. What even is this?”
Highlights of the Chaos
It wasn’t just the public scratching their heads. Political analyst Rachel Bitecofer quipped about Trump’s Gulf of America idea: “Someone shoot me.” Meanwhile, writer and MSNBC commentator Molly Jong-Fast suggested the comment might just be an elaborate troll, urging Americans to focus on protecting democratic norms instead of getting sidetracked by the bizarre suggestion.
Even CNBC’s Carl Quintanilla got in on the action, joking on BlueSky that maybe it’s time to rename New Mexico to “New America,” complete with a face-palm emoji.
Bigger Concerns Beyond the Name Game
While Trump’s off-the-wall comments grabbed headlines, long-time columnist Will Bunch pointed out a deeper concern: “It’s not just that off-the-wall press conference. The democratic collapse is OFF THE RAILS today.” Comparing Trump’s antics to ancient Roman Emperor Caligula, Bunch remarked, “This is Caligula-naming-his-horse-a-consul level stuff.”
Nobel-winning economist Paul Krugman chimed in with his own take: “And Canadians will have to wear their underwear on the outside. Seriously, this is demented.”
The Road Ahead
Amidst the whirlwind of comments, one thing became clear: the next four years are shaping up to be anything but ordinary. Marketplace host Kai Ryssdal summed up the sentiment perfectly: “Confession: I’m not prepared for the amount of energy I’m going to have to expend over the next 4 years knocking down absolutely cray cray economic ramblings.”
Independent journalist Aaron Rupar closed the curtain on the chaotic event with one succinct comment: “Well, that was f–king crazy. Congrats, America.”
Final Thoughts
If Monday’s press conference is a preview of what’s to come, brace yourselves. Whether it’s renaming gulfs, reimagining geography, or introducing brand-new grievances, it seems like chaos is the new normal. Buckle up, America—it’s going to be a wild ride.