Former President Donald Trump's attempt to portray himself as a modest leader during a major investment forum this week was met with immediate skepticism and scorn from critics online. The moment occurred during his speech at the U.S.–Saudi Investment Forum, where he made a surprising self-assessment.
The Ironic Declaration
While promoting the United States as the "hottest country in the world," Trump pivoted to a personal quality not often associated with his public persona. "This has been, according to those that seem to say it ― and I would never say a thing like that because I want to be very modest, I always want to be modest, as modest as I can ― they say this has been the best nine months that any president has ever had," Trump stated.
He continued, "I’d say that’s pretty good, right? But we’ve had a great nine months. Now we have to do it more than a few more times. We have to keep it going. We’ll keep it going." The delivery of the "modest" claim was followed by what appeared to be knowing laughter from the audience in attendance.
Social Media Backlash and Fact-Checking
On social media platforms, the reaction was swift and critical. Users were quick to point out the disconnect between Trump's statement and his perceived character. Many also challenged the substantive claim about his presidential performance.
Critics highlighted two main issues:
- The Ironic Use of "Modest": Many argued that modesty is a trait fundamentally at odds with Trump's well-known public image.
- The Unverified "Best Nine Months" Claim: Users pointed to ongoing national challenges, such as the affordability crisis and persistent inflation, as evidence contradicting the assertion that this period was historically successful for any president.
The online discourse was filled with sarcasm and disbelief. One user noted, "Modesty and Trump should never be uttered in the same sentence. Like fingernails on a chalkboard." Another criticized his reliance on an unnamed "they," commenting, "Always mentions 'they'. A mystical presence that occurs before every self congratulatory lie."
A Pattern of Self-Praise
This incident is not an isolated one. Trump's habit of attributing glowing reviews to anonymous sources while simultaneously engaging in self-praise has been a recurring feature of his rhetoric. The forum, intended to focus on international investment, instead became another stage for a personal performance that critics found deeply unconvincing.
The widespread online mockery and factual pushback underscore the deep political divisions and the skepticism that greets such claims from the former president, even when delivered with a lighthearted tone.
