‘Pathetic’: Donald Trump cancels appearance at WWI event over weather

As other world leaders paid their respects to the fallen heroes of World War One, Donald Trump was nowhere to be seen.

Donald Trump has been slammed for cancelling his appearance at a commemoration for US soldiers and marines killed during World War One because of rain.

Mr Trump was scheduled to pay tribute at a ceremony at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in Belleau, east of Paris, with his wife Melania.

The cemetery houses 2288 gravesites, including many honouring fallen Americans.

But Mr Trump pulled out at the last minute, saying steady rain and a low cloud ceiling prevented his helicopter from reaching the site.

The White House cited “scheduling and logistical difficulties caused by the weather”, and security concerns around hastily arranging a motorcade. It said a delegation led by Chief of Staff John Kelly went instead.

Meanwhile other world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Candian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, all attended their own events outside Paris.

A former Obama staffer Ben Rhodes, who served as deputy national security adviser for strategic communications, said the excuse did not stand up.

“I helped plan all of President Obama’s trips for eight years. There is always a rain option. Always,” Mr Rhodes said.

Mr Obama’s secretary of state John Kerry was similiarly dismissive.

“President Trump a no-show because of raindrops? Those veterans the President didn’t bother to honour fought in the rain, in the mud, in the snow - and many died in trenches for the cause of freedom. Rain didn’t stop them and it shouldn’t have stopped an American president,” he said.

British MP Nicholas Soames, the grandson of Winston Churchill, was also scathing of Mr Trump’s decision.

“They died with their face to the foe and that pathetic, inadequate Donald Trump couldn’t even defy the weather to pay his respects to the Fallen,” Mr Soames said.

A view of the weather in Paris which is supposed to have deterred @realDonaldTrump from paying his respects to the brave American soldiers who gave their lives for freedom at the AisneMarne war cemetery this afternoon. Nothing a cyclist can't handle, let alone a presidential helo pic.twitter.com/60aYrKV58i

— François Heisbourg (@FHeisbourg) November 10, 2018

Doesn't look like the weather is too bad - at least not for a Canadian. pic.twitter.com/sx9T9UAlAM

— Donald Mackay (@DonaldRMackay) November 10, 2018

General Dunford and John Kelly (and wives) seem to have found their way through the howling tempest to the American WWI cemetery for the armistice centennial. How did they manage this feat when Trump could not? (Also where is the tempest?) pic.twitter.com/rTI2WIZjec

— Helen Kennedy (@HelenKennedy) November 11, 2018

“It’s incredible that a president would travel to France for this significant anniversary, and then remain in his hotel room watching TV rather than pay in person his respects to the Americans who gave their lives,” David Frum, a former speechwriter for President George W. Bush and frequent critic of Mr Trump, wrote on Twitter.

“These troops fought victoriously alongside allies with whom the US still stands today. It’s worth a few miles in a limo, a few words from under a tarp.”

Mr Frum pointed out the site of the ceremony was “not even 60 miles” outside of Paris and within an hour’s drive for Mr Trump’s motorcade.

Retired Admiral James Stavridis echoed those comments on MSNBC.

“Let’s face it, there is always a backup plan. I’ve planned dozens of these high-level trips. There was certainly a way he could have gotten there. He should have done so.”

Some on social media have shared a speech Mr Trudeau made at last year’s commemorations, which seemed rather topical.

“As we sit here in the rain, thinking how uncomfortable we must be in these minutes as our suits get wet and our hair gets wet and our shoes get wet, I think it’s all the more fitting that we remember on that day, in Dieppe, the rain wasn’t rain. It was bullets,” he said, while holding an umbrella over his head.

While Mr Trump stayed at the US ambassador’s residence in Paris today, Mr Macron and Ms Merkel, the leaders of former enemies France and Germany, shared several poignant moments during their own event.

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel share a moment after unveiling a plaque in a French-German ceremony. Pic: AFP

In an intimate gesture that underscored their countries’ current roles as guarantors of peace in Europe, the pair held their heads together at the site north of Paris where the defeated Germans and the Allies signed the agreement that ended World War One.

They then went inside a replica of the train car where the armistice was reached and put their names in a guest book, before Mr Macron took Ms Merkel’s hand.

“Our Europe has been at peace for 73 years. There is no precedent for it, and it is at peace because we willed it and first and foremost, because Germany and France wanted it,” he said.

“The will is there, and I say this for Germany with full conviction, to do everything to achieve a more peaceful order in the world even though we know we have very, very much work still ahead of us,” Ms Merkel added.

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel sign the Golden Book. Pic: AFP

Earlier, Mr Macron had a somewhat less friendly meeting with Mr Trump.

As Air Force One landed in Paris on Friday night, the US president wrote on Twitter he had been “very” insulted by comments Macron made in the days before — calling for a European army — which he considered anti-American.

“I do share President Trump’s view that we need a much better burden-sharing within NATO, and that’s why I do believe that my proposals for European defence are totally consistent with that,” Mr Macron said as the pair sat down together at the Elysee Palace.

“Because it means more Europe in NATO and more capacity in order to take our part of the burden.

“And I think it’s very fair and it’s very important.”

President Macron of France has just suggested that Europe build its own military in order to protect itself from the U.S., China and Russia. Very insulting, but perhaps Europe should first pay its fair share of NATO, which the U.S. subsidizes greatly!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 9, 2018

Smiling, Mr Macron finished his remarks by reaching over and patting Mr Trump on the knee.

Mr Trump continued to stare straight ahead in stony silence and did not acknowledge the gesture.

— with wires