Obama trolls Trump over 'mean tweet' on late night TV
[LOS ANGELES] President Barack Obama on Monday trolled Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump - known for his prolific use of Twitter to settle scores - making Mr Trump the punch line for jokes on ABC's late-night show Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Mr Obama read aloud a series of "mean tweets" culminating in one from Mr Trump: "President Obama will do down as perhaps the worst president in the history of the United States!"
"At least I will go down as a president," Mr Obama said.
Kimmel joked that Mr Obama had to "take time away from helping rig the election" to appear on the show, a dig at Mr Trump, who has repeatedly said the Nov 8 vote is rigged against him.
Mr Obama picked up on the joke while describing how comedian Bill Murray beat him in a contest to putt golf balls into a glass in the Oval Office during a recent visit - a stunt the White House designed to promote Obamacare health insurance.
"He won repeatedly," Mr Obama said.
"The glass was rigged!" Kimmel asked Mr Obama, "Do you ever laugh" when watching Mr Trump on television.
"Most of the time," Mr Obama said.
Mr Obama also revealed he has been called on a special phone by his bed "three or four times" in the middle of the night during his time in office to deal with emergencies, including when the 2011 tsunami hit Japan.
But he said he does not reach for his smartphone in the wee hours - another dig at the Republican candidate.
"I don't tweet at 3am about people who insult me," Mr Obama said.
Mr Obama's second and final term ends on Jan 20. Under the US constitution, presidents are limited to two terms - which is just as well, Mr Obama said.
"If I were able to run for a third term, Michelle would divorce me," he said, noting his wife does not like politics.
Not all the jokes were at Mr Trump's expense. Comedian Will Farrell channelled deceased but beloved Chicago Cubs sportscaster Harry Caray to recommend that Mr Obama "open a shrimp shack" after he leaves office.
And Joel McHale feigned outrage when told he had been bumped from the show for Mr Obama.
"You got the president, huh. Wow, that's a big deal - he's got two months left in the job," McHale said, oozing sarcasm.
"That's a real good get there, Jimmy: Lame! Duck!" McHale said.
REUTERS
BT is now on Telegram!
For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to t.me/BizTimes
International
South Korea readies new system to detect illegal short-selling
US births retreat after pandemic-era growth
Markets are embracing India’s Modi for what he won’t do
Blinken to meet businesses in Shanghai as he kicks off a tough China trip
Indonesia’s central bank surprises with ‘pre-emptive’ rate hike to cushion falling rupiah
South Korea’s economic growth beats forecast as exports rise