Trump: Boy Scouts Leader Said My Speech Was 'The Greatest...Ever Made To Them'
- 7 years ago
While Donald Trump's speech at the annual National Scout Jamboree in West Virginia was widely criticized for being too political, the president has a starkly different impression of his address.
While Donald Trump's speech at the annual National Scout Jamboree in West Virginia was widely criticized for being too political, the president has a starkly different impression of his address.
In fact, during an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Trump said he was told by the leader of Boy Scouts that "it was the greatest speech."
Politico published the transcript of the July 25 interview in which one of the reporters mentioned the feedback on the speech "seemed mixed."
Trump pushed back on the remark, noting, "...from the time I walked out on the stage — because I know. And by the way, I’d be the first to admit mixed. I’m a guy that will tell you mixed. There was no mix there. That was a standing ovation from the time I walked out to the time I left, and for five minutes after I had already gone. There was no mix."
The president reportedly went on to say, "And I got a call from the head of the Boy Scouts saying it was the greatest speech that was ever made to them, and they were very thankful. So there was — there was no mix."
In his July 24 speech, Trump began with, “Who the hell wants to speak about politics when I'm in front of the Boy Scouts,” then proceeded to do just that.
His comments, which included seemingly disparaging words about Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and the media, brought angry reactions from many of the scouts’ parents and other concerned citizens, reports the BBC.
One said via Twitter, “Trump's speech violated your own policy. My son didn't join the Scouts to be used as POTUS's political prop!”
Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut tweeted, “As a Scout leader, my stomach is in knots about what Trump did today. If you haven't watched it yet, don't. It's downright icky.”
Days later, Michael Surbaugh, Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America, issued a statement.
"I want to extend my sincere apologies to those in our Scouting family who were offended by the political rhetoric that was inserted into the jamboree," Surbaugh said. "That was never our intent."
While Donald Trump's speech at the annual National Scout Jamboree in West Virginia was widely criticized for being too political, the president has a starkly different impression of his address.
In fact, during an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Trump said he was told by the leader of Boy Scouts that "it was the greatest speech."
Politico published the transcript of the July 25 interview in which one of the reporters mentioned the feedback on the speech "seemed mixed."
Trump pushed back on the remark, noting, "...from the time I walked out on the stage — because I know. And by the way, I’d be the first to admit mixed. I’m a guy that will tell you mixed. There was no mix there. That was a standing ovation from the time I walked out to the time I left, and for five minutes after I had already gone. There was no mix."
The president reportedly went on to say, "And I got a call from the head of the Boy Scouts saying it was the greatest speech that was ever made to them, and they were very thankful. So there was — there was no mix."
In his July 24 speech, Trump began with, “Who the hell wants to speak about politics when I'm in front of the Boy Scouts,” then proceeded to do just that.
His comments, which included seemingly disparaging words about Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and the media, brought angry reactions from many of the scouts’ parents and other concerned citizens, reports the BBC.
One said via Twitter, “Trump's speech violated your own policy. My son didn't join the Scouts to be used as POTUS's political prop!”
Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut tweeted, “As a Scout leader, my stomach is in knots about what Trump did today. If you haven't watched it yet, don't. It's downright icky.”
Days later, Michael Surbaugh, Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America, issued a statement.
"I want to extend my sincere apologies to those in our Scouting family who were offended by the political rhetoric that was inserted into the jamboree," Surbaugh said. "That was never our intent."