Trump surprises governors with ‘glasses’ gesture during speech about China
Describing his relationship with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, US President Donald Trump resorted to pantomime and stereotypes, including a “glasses” gesture that left some US officials laughing but his critics not amused.
“He’s got 10 people standing behind him. Everyone is central casting. Central casting. Glasses, pad, boom,” Trump told a meeting of US governors at the White House on Monday, describing the meeting with the Chinese leader in which he intervened for the release of three US basketball players detained for shoplifting.
Trump on asking Xi to release arrested bball players:“He’s got 10 people standing behind him. Every one is central casting. Central casting. Glasses, pad, boom. … And I said, ‘It would be a great thing if you could possibly let them out.’ And he goes, ‘So be it, they’re out.’" pic.twitter.com/DZwfmd9AYJ
— JM Rieger (@RiegerReport) February 25, 2019
Trump was referring to the November 2017 incident, when three UCLA players were arrested in Hangzhou. The US president was meeting with his Chinese counterpart at the time, and was later thanked by the trio for personally negotiating their release.
The “glasses” gesture, however, definitely raised some eyebrows with reporters, some of whom were quick to denounce the president as racist.
Trump told governors today that Xi Jinping's aides are "central casting - glasses, pad." This is what he did upon saying "glasses." pic.twitter.com/Mry8m7qomD
— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) February 25, 2019
Trump on Xi Jinping's aides: "He's got 10 people standing behind him, everyone is Central Casting. Central Casting. Glasses, pad, boom." JFC - when does this jackhole just pull his eyes down in a slant and start singing 'Chin-Chong Chinaman'? pic.twitter.com/6B8HZiBQyC
— Claudia Lamb (@ClaudiaLamb) February 25, 2019
Others were confused by his use of “central casting,” which is a movie industry term to describe extras that fit the stereotype.
He uses the phrase “ out of central casting” which refers to Central Casting, a California casting company for extras in film and tv. It means they conform to well established stereotypes or character traits for a group.
— Mariam Watt (@MariamWatt) February 25, 2019
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