As far as I was aware. He’s not fluent and still prefers a translator for some discussions. Whether that’s still accurate, or if it was just a persona he crafted for himself to avoid leaders he didn’t like I can’t say.
My info is dated as last I heard anything about it was years ago. And a lot can change in a few years.
Trump speaks 7 or 8 languages, but always uses an interpreter for official stuff. In fact I'm not sure he even lets on in those situations he speaks their language, it's a bit of an ace in the sleeve.
yeah I don't think it's common knowledge, but as LongTimeListener pointed out, there have been some "tells" at various stages in the game for those paying close attention. Trump chuckled a bit early during one interpreted conversation, etc etc. I'm 95% sure Chinese and Russian are amongst his languages, along with Korean.
If I spoke Russian and was POTUS I certainly wouldn't let a major Russian journalist interview me without a translator that I trusted. I may understand everything they say but I could miss some local word, slang or dialect - or some subtlety that could embarrass me, the US, or Russia. It would be much safer with a translator.
Now if I were POTUS and I was walking with Putin alone, a translator would be unnecessary. Both of us would understand one or the other may get a word wrong and it would be between us - not in front of the world.
As far as I was aware. He’s not fluent and still prefers a translator for some discussions. Whether that’s still accurate, or if it was just a persona he crafted for himself to avoid leaders he didn’t like I can’t say.
My info is dated as last I heard anything about it was years ago. And a lot can change in a few years.
Trump speaks 7 or 8 languages, but always uses an interpreter for official stuff. In fact I'm not sure he even lets on in those situations he speaks their language, it's a bit of an ace in the sleeve.
There was some evidence presented during Trumps face to face with Kim that Trump speaks Korean.
They literally chatted during the photo op no translators present.
Where did you hear that? Melania supposedly speaks 5 but can’t find anything on Trump.
yeah I don't think it's common knowledge, but as LongTimeListener pointed out, there have been some "tells" at various stages in the game for those paying close attention. Trump chuckled a bit early during one interpreted conversation, etc etc. I'm 95% sure Chinese and Russian are amongst his languages, along with Korean.
If I spoke Russian and was POTUS I certainly wouldn't let a major Russian journalist interview me without a translator that I trusted. I may understand everything they say but I could miss some local word, slang or dialect - or some subtlety that could embarrass me, the US, or Russia. It would be much safer with a translator.
Now if I were POTUS and I was walking with Putin alone, a translator would be unnecessary. Both of us would understand one or the other may get a word wrong and it would be between us - not in front of the world.
I'm sure he is very good with English, keeping that to himself is smart.