News Stories

[SaintessHeart]

Obama makes jokes about Trump at journalists' dinner

(Reuters) - President Barack Obama told jokes at the expense of real estate mogul Donald Trump Saturday night, mocking his possible presidential ambitions in remarks at the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner.

With Trump in the hotel ballroom audience of celebrities, politicians and journalists, Obama zeroed in on talk fueled by Trump that the president was not U.S.-born.

Obama Wednesday released a longer version of his birth certificate to answer some Republicans including Trump who claim he was not native born and therefore ineligible to be president, and blasted "carnival barkers" who refuse to let the issue die.

Trump has seized on the issue while testing the waters for a possible 2012 run for the Republican presidential nomination. Obama, a Democrat, is running for re-election next year.

"Donald Trump is here tonight. And I know that he's taken some flak lately. But no one is happier, no one is prouder to put this birth certificate matter to rest than 'The Donald,'" Obama said, using Trump's nickname.

"And that's because he can finally get back to focusing on the issues that matter. Like, did we fake the moon landing? What really happened in Roswell? And where are Biggie and Tupac?" Obama added, drawing laughs and applause,

Roswell refers to an incident in the vicinity of Roswell, New Mexico, where, according to some theories, an object that crashed in 1947 was an extra-terrestrial spacecraft carrying alien occupants. Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur were rap stars whose deaths are the subject of continuing controversy.

'WELL HANDLED, SIR'

Obama suggested that Trump's biggest decisions typically involve the trademark firings he routinely carries out on his reality television show "Celebrity Apprentice" such as when he dumped actor Gary Busey.

"These are the kinds of decisions that would keep me up at night," Obama deadpanned. "Well handled, sir. Well handled."

Trump grinned, pursing his lips and looking uncomfortable.

"I think we all know about your credentials and breadth of experience," Obama said of Trump, drawing laughs.

"Say what you want about Mr. Trump," the president added. "He certainly would bring change to the White House."

Big video screens in the ballroom then flashed an image of what was labeled "Trump, The White House," spoofing the famed businessman's practice of naming buildings after himself.

It portrayed a hotel-casino-golf course with bikini-clad girls frolicking in the fountain that adorns a White House lawn and gold columns substituted at the front for white ones.

Trump has made a series of controversial comments as he mulls a presidential campaign and ripped Obama and other U.S. political leaders in a profanity-laced speech in Las Vegas this week, calling them "stupid."

Also coming in for ribbing from Obama were Tim Pawlenty, Michele Bachmann, Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman -- all potential Republican challengers for the White House in 2012.

Oh great. Looks like Singapore imported the American political snowball fights - what else is the US of A going to export next?

Honestly speaking, I think it would be good if Trump works with Obama with regards to foreign issues, especially that of trade because Trump is a hard-bargaining businessman with good business acumen, while Obama has the more civil speechmaking and negotiating tongue. Then again, it wouldn't be a good idea because it is going to turn US into a giant megacorp buying up every single company in the whole world.

[solidguy]

Donald Trump elected president = End of the world

[Anh_Minh]

They said the same thing about Obama. And about Bush before him. And for all I know, it was the same all the way to Washington.

[solidguy]

Except none of them were openly pushing for it. Trump has come out and basically said "i will shit on you (the world) and use that as a foundation to rebuild America from scrap". His biggest failure, imo, is realizing America stands for more than just itself, it has a responsbility to the rest of the world aswell. Well my perspective anyway

[DonQuigleone]

I'm still in the "Trump is doing it to boost Apprentice ratings" camp.

But if he actually got nominated as republican candidate it would be hilarious. I can just imagine all the "you're fired jokes". Probably start a new TV show "Vice presidential apprentice":

"So I'm splitting you into two teams. Your challenge for this week to balance the budgets of congressional districts in California! Only one of you can become my vice presidential candidate."

If he got elected he could select all the government posts using such a system.

"Sarah Palin: I'm telling you mr. trump, I contributed to the team like no other, I have executive experience in managing the state of Alaska, of course I'm the best candidate as VP, I know our team may have done poorly this week, but it certainly not my fault. I think Rand was at fault for lacking the team spirit to fully contribute."

"Rand Paul: With respect, I think Sarah is completely wrong. The only way we could balance the congressional districts budget to make huge cuts everywhere and let the free market do the work for us. Sarah's solutions were half hearted at best."

"Trump: You know Paul, I think you've got some good ideas, but you weren't able to cooperate with the rest of team. Also, I like Sarah's moxie, I think she's got the thick skin to make it on the campaign trail with me. So I've got say Rand, You're Fired!"

[Ithekro]

Reminds me of some saying: "Never underestimate the ability of the Republican Party to lose an election".

[Asuras]

So, apparently Obama has news to tell us at 10:30. It concerns something no one has any clue about.

Care to take any guesses as to what it'll be? I have a suspicion it has something to do with Libya, but meh.

EDIT: It's about Osama Bin Laden, supposedly. I'm getting this info of the TV right in front of me.

[Asuras]

Incredible news everyone.

Osama Bin Laden is dead.

[Vexx]

Originally Posted by Asuras

Incredible news everyone.

Osama Bin Laden is dead.

Is this like the old SNL news sketch gag? "Generalissimo Francisco Franco is still dead..."

[Ithekro]

About a week dead...Easter death? We have the body it seems.

[Cream]

Originally Posted by Asuras

Incredible news everyone.

Osama Bin Laden is dead.

Can't believe i found out through facebook , after 22 status updates.
Took us long enough .

[GundamFan0083]

I think it best to take a wait-and-see attitude before jumping to conclusions.
Just because the US media is having a hey-day with this, doesn't mean it has been confirmed yet
Let's wait until there is DNA confirmation since these kinds of stories have been in the news before.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ar-terror.html

[solomon]

I get AlJazeera English over the air and on cable here in DC. That's what I am looking at.

[Sugetsu]

(Rhetorical question)

Aside from increasing Obama's chances of reelection and causing a media frenzy, what meaningful change will come out of Bin landen's death?

[GundamFan0083]

Solomon, has AlJazeera reported on this story yet?

[solomon]

Originally Posted by GundamFan0083

Solomon, has AlJazeera reported on this story yet?

Yea, along with all major international news channels. BBC, France 24, CNN, etc.

[King Lycan]

So who killed him ? And how ? Is what I wanna know. And I believe Al- Qaeda will be seeking revenge

[GundamFan0083]

ABCNews has this story up for those who are interested:

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/osama-...ry?id=13505703

Gee, DNA testing has certainly gotten a lot faster in confirmation.
They confirmed it after only a week?
That's pretty darn good.

[Cream]

DNA testing has been confirmed. It is indeed Bin Laden.

Its too bad that Al-Q will be seeking some serious revenge. This is never going to end .
But while it lasts , i will enjoy this moment.

[GundamFan0083]

You make a good point Cream.
With a confirmed DNA test that he's dead, Al Qaeda is going to want revenge in a very bad way.