Trump held a sad "Made in America" showcase at the White House yesterday where makers of Moon Pies and fighter jets displayed their products, but when I initially described this exhibit as "sad" I honestly had no idea how pathetic it would turn out to be.
The president of the last American manufacturer of silverware and utensils in the country, Matt Roberts of Sherrill Manufacturing in New York, attended Trump's event where they were served food with Chinese utensils.
"It says Oneida Ltd.," Roberts said, shaking his head in disappointment. "It's made in China."
(Rep. Claudia Tenney) had just taken the spoon off a table where the White House served refreshments at its annual "Made in America Product Showcase." President Donald Trump established the annual event to show off American-made products.
Tenney and dozens of members of Congress, titans of American industry and members of Trump's cabinet used the foreign-made silverware at Monday's event. Oneida Ltd., once based in Central New York, now sells products made overseas.
My first reaction to this was to shriek with maniacal laughter but, just the same, it is incredibly sad.
And it gets worse.
According to Syracuse dot com, Trump has previously promised to buy Sherrill Manufacturing's silverware, but he obviously hasn't done so. Representative Claudia Tenney (R-NY) even has a cell phone video of Trump promising to buy it.
One of Trump's aides reportedly told Sherrill co-founder Greg Owens that Trump saw their silverware at the exhibit yesterday and said he wanted it for the White House, but there's a good chance that never happened.
"Apparently he pointed it out and said, 'I want this stuff in the White House.' So I'm expecting a phone call or email in the next couple of days," Owens said.
Don't hold your breath, buddy.
I'd be remiss not to point out the supreme irony of dining with Chinese utensils at a "Made in America Product Showcase" while Trump is waging a trade war on China.
This is like a Theory of Everything, but for the global economy.