This week, Macron helps Trump plant a tree, Europeans in the UK are un-appy, and William and Kate welcome baby number three.
On Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a scathing criticism of Donald Trump’s ideologies in a speech to US Congress.
Emmanuel Macron's address to Congress was full of criticism for President Trump https://t.co/3BR3zAXxCr pic.twitter.com/bnfcoPsCdP
— TIME (@TIME) April 26, 2018
He talked about rejecting nationalism, staying in the Iran nuclear deal and protecting the environment from climate change.
Macron’s speech to Congress was a total rebuke of Trumpism.
He talked about staying in the Iran deal.
He talked about protecting the planet.
He talked about rejecting the fears of Nationalism & embracing Democracy.
He talked like a World Leader, something Trump will never be.
— Ryan Knight (@ProudResister) April 25, 2018
He even twisted Trump’s catchphrase and threw it back at him: Make Our Planet Great Again, he said.
“There is no planet B” @EmmanuelMacron says in front US congress.
He’s slamming the way we are polluting earth and he’s getting a lot of applause.
Wants to make “our planet great again”. #Trump pic.twitter.com/wLmA6jeS9l
— Maximilian Hofmann (@maxhofmann) April 25, 2018
The speech was quite a departure from the “hugs, kisses and dandruff” — yes, dandruff — that had highlighted Macron’s visit to Trump.
After the hugs, kisses and dandruff, Macron goes to Congress and stands up for everything Trump has vowed to destroy. https://t.co/Q2MXmKgkF6
— Julian Borger (@julianborger) April 25, 2018
The two presidents seemed to really hit it off.
Trump on Macron: “We have a very special relationship, in fact I’ll get that little piece of dandruff off…we have to make him perfect, he is perfect.” https://t.co/GGsfve3KYB pic.twitter.com/vzV2Dech86
— Dan Linden (@DanLinden) April 24, 2018
Macron gifted Trump an oak tree that the two planted on the White House lawn.
French Pres. Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, joined Pres.Trump and first lady Melania Trump to plant a tree on the White House's South Lawn. The European sessile oak, which comes from the site of the Battle of Belleau Wood, is a gift from Macron. https://t.co/tu6l17Hrm4 pic.twitter.com/Au4uKD8Ra4
— CNN (@CNN) April 23, 2018
Cue Twitter!
Ideas ranged from a Pink Floyd album.
which pink floyd album is this pic.twitter.com/a0uQx6rsNp
— Hunter Lurie (@hunterlurie) April 23, 2018
To a new season of The Sopranos.
The new Sopranos season is the best pic.twitter.com/IAgj3gLvm3
— Mathieu von Rohr (@mathieuvonrohr) April 24, 2018
Or even the next Wes Anderson film.
Can’t wait for the next Wes Anderson movie. pic.twitter.com/Jnbq01u7nn
— Seamus Hughes (@SeamusHughes) April 23, 2018
And Berlaymonster thought Macron and Trump’s so-called “special relationship” might be bad news for Theresa May.
#specialrelationship pic.twitter.com/m8Niifb2yW
— Berlaymonster (@Berlaymonster) April 24, 2018
Speaking of bad news for Theresa May, the never-ending Brexitshambles continued this week.
The Home Office created a UK residency app for EU citizens, but it doesn’t work on iPhones.
Mobile phone app for EU nationals seeking to stay in the UK after Brexit will not work on iPhones, Home Office officials have admitted.
And Brexiters think we can use technology to manage the Irish border? Right…..https://t.co/ieUl2aVEEE
— Damon (@damocrat) April 24, 2018
James Crisp noted that Apple has a 52% market share in Britain.
App for EU citizens to get UK residency after Brexit won't work on Apple phones, admits Home Office in latest blunder.
Apple has 52% market share in Britain by the way…
https://t.co/DRAfNt56Kw via @Telegraph— James Crisp (@JamesCrisp6) April 24, 2018
52%! Does that statistic ring any bells?…
52%.
It had to be 52%— GOsborneGenius (@GOsborneGenius) April 24, 2018
Home Secretary Amber Rudd said using the app would be as easy as setting up an LK Bennett account.
Amber Rudd has told a private audience that registering the 3 million EU nationals in Britain will be as easy as setting up an "L.K.Bennett" online account. Problem 1. Home Office app to register EU nationals in UK won't work on Iphones only Androids.https://t.co/ul3r8cnbT5
— Alan Travis (@alantravis40) April 24, 2018
So apparently people who want to stay in the UK need to know what an LK Bennett account is? asked Dan Leahy.
@AmberRuddHR apparently I need to know what a LK Bennet account is to stay in the UK?
I have no idea what this is? Do I need to leave? Is there a form to fill out? Have you not resigned yet? pic.twitter.com/wdV9x5DQ45
— Dan 🏴 (@DanLeahy71) April 25, 2018
Trying to stay in your country of residence really shouldn’t be compared to buying something, said Rich Cassidy.
Whilst obviously flippant, this still misses the point. It wasn't only which chain Rudd chose to compare the Brexit app to, it was the fact she compared the process of seeking to remain in your country of residence to buying something in the first place. https://t.co/ZpXKTekcJW
— Rich Cassidy (@RichJanCassidy) April 25, 2018
Also in the vein of “should I stay or should I go?”, Theresa May said she still “needs to go through the choreography” of trying to leave the EU customs union even if the UK Parliament votes to stay. In other words: drive the country to the edge of a cliff but slam on the brakes just in time, according to Jonathan Lis.
May has 6 months to save UK economy; she knows we must stay in customs union; but she ‘needs to go through choreography’ first. In other words: drive country to edge of cliff but slam on brakes just in time.
Not only cowardice, but dereliction of duty. She is unfit to lead. pic.twitter.com/zHBPJoWMIL
— Jonathan Lis (@jonlis1) April 22, 2018
Finally, Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton welcomed their third child on Monday.
It's a boy! Duchess of Cambridge gives birth to her third child, who is fifth in line to throne #royalbabyhttps://t.co/J0yjc0RlKu pic.twitter.com/KPm8vieWS7
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) April 23, 2018
Making their daughter Charlotte the first princess in British history not to be moved down the line of succession with the birth of a younger brother.
Princess Charlotte the first in history not to be moved down the line of succession with the birth of a younger brother #royalbaby
— Kate Williams (@KateWilliamsme) April 23, 2018
The birth was announced to the streets of London by the legendary “town crier.”
It's not official until the town crier makes the announcement! pic.twitter.com/Fl1Asf1Aqc
— Metro (@MetroUK) April 23, 2018
… who does not actually work for the royal family, Mark Di Stefano reminded Twitter. He’s just an old geezer who likes fancy dress.
Dear global media,
Today of all days, remember: This guy is not Britain’s official royal town crier. He’s an old geezer who likes fancy dress.https://t.co/pKTD9Th7JD pic.twitter.com/uFjSTCWW5X
— Mark Di Stefano 🤙🏻 (@MarkDiStef) April 23, 2018
Looks like CBS News didn’t get the memo.
Hahahahaha the low rent fake town crier has fooled one of America’s biggest news networks. What does this say about the way Americans see the British. pic.twitter.com/g20mCETnLY
— Mark Di Stefano 🤙🏻 (@MarkDiStef) April 23, 2018
And not everyone got the memo that the Duchess of Cambridge was pregnant.
Would anyone like to join my club for people who legitimately did not know Kate Middleton was pregnant?
— Eli Matthewson (@EliMatthewson) April 23, 2018
With the media distracted by the royal baby news, Scene & Heard offered a quick look at the prime minister’s cabinet.
Theresa May's cabinet when they hear The Duchess of Cambridge will keep the media busy this week. #royalbaby pic.twitter.com/GsQKvO2D7y
— Scene & Heard (@SaHreports) April 23, 2018
And as of Thursday afternoon, the baby boy’s name had not yet been revealed. A Kate Middleton spoof account tweeted that she would love to release it on the day of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding.
We’re making you all wait to hear the name. Personally, I’d love to drop it on the morning of Harry & Meghan’s wedding, just to really rain on her parade. #royalbaby
— Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (@HRHCatherine) April 24, 2018
But fellow spoof account Martini Seltzermayr had an idea: Jean-Claude Donald Martin Pleasegiveusatradedeal Mountbatten-Windsor.
Congratulations, Jean-Claude Donald Martin Pleasgiveusatradedeal Mountbatten-Windsor, 3.8kg.
— Martini Seltzermayr (@mseltzermayr) April 23, 2018
This week we are supported by ETNO. Visit their website to read a statement from European CEOs on finalising the Electronic Communications Code.
#European CEOs issue a statement ahead of a crucial week for the #EECC negotiations: “Europe must not miss this defining opportunity to #lead digital transformation and ignite growth”. Here is @ETNOAssociation’s #PressRelease: https://t.co/L6HiNUIfM5 pic.twitter.com/KFdExQ2giP
— Lise Fuhr (@LiseFuhr) April 23, 2018
That’s it for this week. Jen will be back next week, so join her for more headlines and hilarity in the Brussels Bubble Twittersphere and send in your suggestions using the hashtag #EUTweets.