“It’s Called the Weave”: Trump Draws Criticism for Chaotic Remarks at Economic Club of Chicago
(Jeenah Moon for The Washington Post)
Donald Trump left the audience stunned during his appearance at the Economic Club of Chicago, where he answered questions from Bloomberg Editor-in-Chief John Micklethwait in a winding, erratic manner. The former president introduced a new term, “the weave,” to describe his habit of weaving through multiple issues while responding to a single question, further complicating the conversation.
Micklethwait struggled to keep the discussion on track, prompting Trump to explain, “It’s called the weave.” The phrase, which Trump used to justify his tangential answers, drew immediate criticism. Rick Wilson, co-founder of The Lincoln Project, reacted on X, saying, “Hey, I know! After he has an onstage shart-induced ischemic event let’s let him do an interview! What could go wrong?”
Trump faced further backlash when asked about a “peaceful transfer of power” after the election, a question referring to the events following the 2020 election and the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Trump claimed the last transfer of power was peaceful, calling the event “peace and love,” a remark that sparked outrage online.
Television writer Brian Behar called Trump “a baby,” highlighting Trump’s reaction to follow-up questions. “The reporter asks him one follow-up and Trump whines ‘he didn’t want to do the interview.’ Putin must be salivating to get his puppet back,” Behar commented.
Other critics joined in. Chris Strider, a former Joe Biden video editor, reminded viewers that “Trump crumbles at the slightest of push-backs,” while former Rep. Joe Walsh (R-FL) wrote on X, “He’s a traitor to this country.” Democratic strategist Adam Parkhomenko also weighed in, commenting on Trump’s apparent confusion when he started discussing Virginia voting in response to a question about breaking up tech giant Google. “The decline is real,” Parkhomenko said.
When asked about his plan to reduce government spending, Trump veered off-topic, speaking about the new Air Force One and his negotiations with Boeing. He even mentioned his desire for a plane similar to the one used by Saudi leaders. Lawyer George Conway, who runs the Anti-Psychopath PAC, remarked, “His brain is completely out of commission.”
Trump’s plan to bolster the American economy with tariffs also drew criticism. Melanie D’Arrigo, who leads the Campaign for New York Health, responded sharply, saying, “Donald Trump wants you to pay $735,000 for a $35,000 car.”
The event left many questioning Trump’s ability to stay focused on policy issues, with his scattered responses and off-topic remarks sparking widespread criticism from political figures and commentators alike.
