‘I knew things were gonna change’: Rodman cries and plugs crypto in bizarre interview about N Korea
The internet reacted with all its usual wit and invention as former NBA star, and self-styled diplomat, Dennis Rodman turned in a bizarre TV appearance following the meeting of Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un.
Rodman ranted, cried and gesticulated wildly as he hailed North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump for agreeing to the Singapore summit. Wearing sunglasses and a red ‘Make America Great Again’ cap, the former Chicago Bulls star, who has visited North Korea in the past, talked up his own relationship with Kim and remarked on how he was rebuffed in his role as an unofficial intermediary between the US and the rogue state.
READ MORE: ‘Ambassador Rodman’ returns from ‘really good’ trip to North Korea
“I talked to Kim Jong-un and his administration over there five years ago,” Rodman told CNN host Chris Cuomo. “We sat down for lunch and he said: ‘If you go back to the president of the US, I’d be willing to talk to him. If they can move the ships back from South Korea, then I could do what I have to do to listen.’ I tried to do that with Obama, and Obama didn’t give me the time of day.”
"Today is a great day," former NBA star Dennis Rodman says in an emotional interview in which he describes his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un https://t.co/atvQwe7jo0pic.twitter.com/dEgQf3kBtE
— CNN (@CNN) June 12, 2018
Cuomo appeared sullen and, at times, startled as Rodman turned tearful. The basketball Hall-of-Famer said that he had received threats on his life after returning from North Korea in 2014. "When I got home, I got so many death threats. I was sitting up protecting everything," he said. "But I kept my head up high, brother. I knew things were gonna change. I was the only one."
Dennis Rodman: I’ll help Trump & Kim Jong-un get along https://t.co/d1YDH6cZM8
— RT (@RT_com) September 8, 2017
As the interview descended further into farce, and Rodman plugged the brand of cryptocurrency funding his trip to Singapore, the internet kicked the mirth machine into high gear.
I'll never get over the fact that Dennis Rodman is at the North Korea summit trying to sell a cryptocurrency in a MAGA hat live on CNN while Kim Jong Un brought a portable toilet so that no one can get in there to dissect his poop.2018 is not screwing around.
— Josh Jordan (@NumbersMuncher) June 12, 2018
Despite being a reactionary clown, there is some beauty in Rodman's unapologetic quest to humanize the Korean people in the face of staunch opposition and it's is a reminder of how basic human decency gets lost under capitalism https://t.co/zVHOvLokVI
— Pyongyang Psyop (@JuCheGuevara) June 12, 2018
Dennis Rodman going to Singapore on a trip sponsored by a cryptocurrency company for pot and weeping over Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un shaking hands is perhaps the most 2018 mad lib I can think of.
— Jessica Huseman (@JessicaHuseman) June 12, 2018
READ MORE: ‘21st century guy’ Kim Jong-un & Trump ‘pretty much the same’ – Dennis Rodman
Rodman’s backing of Trump represents an about face for the man once described by Trump as being “either drunk or on drugs (delusional)” over claims the hotelier promised he would travel with Rodman to North Korea in 2014. Rodman had previously appeared alongside Trump on the reality TV show ‘The Celebrity Apprentice’. This fact was not lost on some online commentators.
Dennis Rodman was either drunk or on drugs (delusional) when he said I wanted to go to North Korea with him. Glad I fired him on Apprentice!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 8, 2014
Dennis Rodman just gave an acceptance speech for his involvement in the North Korea / America summit. Like, he thanked quite a few people. On the television. For the summit he was involved in.
— chris o'dowd (@BigBoyler) June 12, 2018
I'm already fantasizing about the moment when Trump learns that Dennis Rodman has won the Nobel Peace Prize.
— Robert Wright (@robertwrighter) June 12, 2018
Is Dennis Rodman Trump’s new Chief of Staff yet?
— Scott Dworkin (@funder) June 12, 2018
Asked whether the White House had been in contact, Rodman said Trump’s secretary had called him to say, “Donald Trump is so proud of you, he says thank you.” He was apparently referring to press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Rodman’s agent later confirmed that his client thought he had spoken to the White House media chief.
My bar for sanity has gotten so low I actually thought Dennis Rodman was making some sense.
— Whitney Cummings (@WhitneyCummings) June 12, 2018
WH Press Secretary Sarah Sanders called Dennis Rodman to thank him for his effort in Singapore and his support of President Trump, according to Rodman’s agent, Darren Prince.#TrumpKimSummit
— Scott Ford (@ScottFordTVGuy) June 12, 2018
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