“Portugal is not United States” says Rebelo de Sousa. As one mockery leads to another

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump took a moment on Wednesday to explain the importance of a Supreme Court vacancy for visiting the Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. At one point, Trump even broached the subject of a political career for Portugal’s soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo.

Trump greeted Rebelo de Sousa in the Oval Office and then turned to the cameras to give his reaction to the Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy’s retirement. The vacancy gives Trump a golden chance to cement conservative control of the nation’s high court and the president wanted to make sure his out-of-town guest was aware of the stakes.

“In our country, the selection of a justice of the United States Supreme Court is considered, I think we can all say, one of the most important events,” Trump said it to Rebelo de Sousa, adding that the court can “swing different ways” depending on its composition.

“Some people think outside of, obviously war and peace, it’s the most important thing that you could have,” Trump said.

“I just heard the news and I imagine how important it is for you,” Rebelo de Sousa said, pivoting to Portugal’s role as the first neutral country to recognize America’s independence.

“I don’t know if you know it, but your Founding Fathers celebrated independence with our wine with Madeira wine, they made a toast with our Madeira wine.” Rebelo de Sousa said. 

“Good taste,” Trump responded.

The two leaders planned to hold talks on the upcoming NATO summit, trade and energy security. But the conversation quickly moved over to Russian President Vladimir Putin whom Trump is expected to meet with him next month at the World Cup soccer. The Portuguese president suggested, “if you ever go to Russia during the championship, don’t forget Portugal is still there and wanting to win the championship.”

But the Portuguese leader also wanted to make sure Trump knew that his country has Ronaldo, the best soccer player in the world. “I’m sure your son knows it,” he told Trump. The president said his son, Barron, an avid soccer player, “knows all about it.”

With the beam of a Supreme Court fight and tough midterm elections ahead, Trump tossed out his own hypothetical. Would Ronaldo, the celebrity soccer star leading Portugal’s FIFA World Cup team, “ever run for president against you? He wouldn’t win. You know he won’t,” Trump assured him. Rebelo de Sousa wasn’t about to go there. “You know something. I must tell you, Portugal is not just the United States.”