Singapore Ministry of Communications and Information / via Reuters
Just hours after being on his most diplomatic behavior with North Korean leader Kim Jon Un, President Donald Trump on Tuesday returned to hurling insults at his opponents.
In a series of tweets, apparently from aboard Air Force One as he returned from the summit in Singapore, Trump denounced a Republican congressman who has opposed his policies and lashed out at actor Robert De Niro, who profanely blasted Trump at Sunday’s Tony Awards.
“Mark Sanford has been very unhelpful to me in my campaign to MAGA,” Trump tweeted about the South Carolina congressman, who is facing a primary challenge Tuesday. “He is MIA and nothing but trouble. He is better off in Argentina.”
Mark Sanford has been very unhelpful to me in my campaign to MAGA. He is MIA and nothing but trouble. He is better off in Argentina. I fully endorse Katie Arrington for Congress in SC, a state I love. She is tough on crime and will continue our fight to lower taxes. VOTE Katie!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 12, 2018
That was a reference to Sanford’s 2009 scandal, when, as governor of South Carolina, he went missing for a number of days. After reappearing, he first said he had been hiking the Appalachian Trail, then admitted he was in Argentina having an extramarital affair.
Sanford later resurrected his political career and won a House seat. But he has been one of the most anti-Trump Republicans in Congress, and is facing a serious primary challenge from Katie Arrington, who Trump endorsed.
About an hour later, Trump took on De Niro, calling the seven-time Oscar-winner “a very Low IQ individual” and bestowing him with a new nickname: “Punchy.”
Robert De Niro, a very Low IQ individual, has received to many shots to the head by real boxers in movies. I watched him last night and truly believe he may be “punch-drunk.” I guess he doesn’t...
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 12, 2018
...realize the economy is the best it’s ever been with employment being at an all time high, and many companies pouring back into our country. Wake up Punchy!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 12, 2018
One of De Niro’s Oscars was for his performance in the 1981 boxing classic “Raging Bull.” He also played a boxer in 2013’s “Grudge Match,” a boxing trainer in 2016’s “Hands of Stone,” and a boxing promoter in 1992’s “Night and the City.”
On Sunday, De Niro woke up the CBS censors and elicited a standing ovation from the Tony Awards audience for his comments on stage.
“First thing’s first: F*** Trump,” De Niro said. “It’s no longer, ‘Down with Trump, it’s ‘F*** Donald Trump.’”
In less bellicose tweets, Trump also endorsed Adam Laxalt in the Republican primary for Nevada governor, and called his meeting with Kim “a truly amazing visit.”
Heading back home from Singapore after a truly amazing visit. Great progress was made on the denuclearization of North Korea. Hostages are back home, will be getting the remains of our great heroes back to their families, no missiles shot, no research happening, sites closing...
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 12, 2018
“Great progress was made on the denuclearization of North Korea,” Trump said, although critics said the agreement lacked details and solid commitments from North Korea.