Donald Trump rain: President jokingly complains about 'getting drenched' at Armistice ceremony a day after cancelling cemetery trip due to bad weather

Jacob Jarvis12 November 2018

Donald Trump joked about being "drenched" by rain as he gave a speech at an Armistice ceremony just a day after cancelling a visit to a cemetery because of poor weather.

Talking at the Suresnes American Cemetery in France, he spoke of the “terrible cost” of the allied forces’ victory in World War One.

Thanking six World War Two veterans in the crowd, he turned to one and said: “You look so comfortable up there, under shelter, as we’re getting drenched. You’re very smart people.”

After that he complimented the group for looking “in very good shape” and said: “I hope I look like that one day.”

President Trump shelters under an umbrella as he walks through the cemetery
EPA

On Saturday, President Trump faced criticism for cancelling a trip to a World War One memorial due to bad weather.

He was due to take part in a wreath-laying event and a minute's silence at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial, which is about 55 miles away from Paris.

However, heavy rain stopped him from arriving there via helicopter.

It is not the first time he has bemoaned bad weather during a speech, having complained about a “bad hair day” when he spoke to reporters in the rain after a fatal shooting in Pittsburgh.

President Trump thanks military personnel and veterans in attendance
EPA

After this incident, which claimed 11 lives after a gunman attacked a synagogue, he said: “I was standing under the wing of Air Force One, doing a news conference earlier this morning, a very unfortunate news conference and the wind was blowing and the rain, and I was soaking wet.

“I said maybe I should cancel this arrangement because I have a bad hair day.”

President Trump smiles Vladimir Putin arrives at an Armistice Day event in Paris
AFP/Getty Images

In his memorial speech on Sunday, he thanked a number of military personnel in attendance and a young American boy who had saved up money to attend.

He spoke of the armistice celebrations in 1918, when people took to the streets on hearing the news of war being over, though he said: “Victory had come at a terrible cost.”

Mr Trump also described it as a “brutal war” as he spoke of those who lost their lives.

Speaking of soldiers who fell in World War One, he said: “It’s our duty to preserve the civilisation they protected.”

Earlier in the day, Mr Trump attended an event at the Arc de Triomph, for the centenary of the armistice being signed.

He was one of around 70 world leaders, including Russia's Vladimir Putin and Germany's Angela Merkel, to attend the service hosted by French president Emmanuel Macron.

This began slightly behind schedule and, after travelling separately from the majority of leaders in attendance, Mr Trump was one of the last to arrive.

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