Trump Slurs a Word, and Late-Night Pounces

The White House blamed dry mouth
By Newser Editors,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 7, 2017 6:23 AM CST

There was no shortage of reaction to President Trump's decision to declare Jerusalem the capital of Israel on Wednesday, but one word that was floating around was an unexpected one: dentures. There was much social media chatter over the president's apparent slurring of the word "states" at the conclusion of his speech, in which he said, "Thank you, God bless you, God bless Israel, God bless the Palestinians, and God bless the United States." While USA Today reports that some raised concerns about his health, others suspected something more innocuous: loose dentures. The White House's line is that his throat was simply dry. "There's nothing to it," White House spokesman Raj Shah told the Los Angeles Times, which pressed him on the issue. Shah reiterated, "I know what you’re getting at. I’m saying there’s nothing to it."

Also pressing the issue: late-night hosts. A sampling:

  • Trevor Noah: "As disturbing as it was today to watch Donald Trump add fuel to the Middle East conflict, it was even more disturbing to watch the conflict between Donald Trump's teeth and his tongue. It seemed like someone hit him with a blow dart just before he went out to make the speech. ... He sounds like he just had a drink with Bill Cosby, what's going on there, man? ... We all know what’s going on here. President Donald Trump is wearing dentures, people. This used to happen to my grandfather all the time. ... Think about it: Have you seen Trump eat an apple or a pear? Or fruits and vegetables of any kind?"
  • Stephen Colbert: "He managed to get every word in the speech right, except the last one. ... I am really looking forward to this Jan. 30. We're live when Trump addresses a joint session of Congress for the 'Shtshh' of the Union."
  • James Corden: "I knew he had a screw loose, I didn’t know he had a tooth loose. That video contains the three things that make up our worst nightmares: public speaking, losing teeth, and Donald Trump."
(More President Trump stories.)

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