Trump Praises Reporters For Being ‘So Well Behaved’ During Air Force One Photo Op

President Donald Trump, who isn’t shy about letting the media know when he’s displeased with their reporting, actually praised the press corps aboard Air Force One Saturday during his day-long trip to Asia.

Trump took a moment on Saturday to meet with the press following a brief photo op with the Emir of Qatar, as well as the Qatari Prime Minister, during a refueling stop in the Middle Eastern nation.

“I only come back to tell you that you were so well behaved,” Trump gushed to reporters who were accompanying him to Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea. “I couldn’t believe it. You were so respectful and well behaved. I appreciate it, okay?”

Trump then heaped praise on the Emir, who came aboard to exchange pleasantries. Trump gushed about the leader during his chat with reporters.

“He’s a great guy, actually. He’s a great leader,” Trump told the press. “They helped us a lot and it was really nice that he came. We were just refueling and he came and said hello. It was very, very nice. Great, great man actually. Great gentleman too.”

Trump’s trip is expected to culminate with a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit.

One reporter asked Trump if he would discuss China’s purchasing of Russian oil with the Chinese leader as Trump continues to try to negotiate an end to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“Maybe. I may be discussing it, but, you know, China’s — I don’t know. You probably saw today, China’s cutting back very substantially on the purchase of Russia oil, and India’s cutting back completely. And we’ve done sanctions,” Trump said.

He then thanked the media again.

“Thank you very much, everybody. By the way — very, very respectful. I appreciate it.”

Watch above via CNN.

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!