Finnish reporters got to ask one question during the joint White House conference on Wednesday. The question by the MTV News correspondent Mari Karppinen received attention worldwide.
A joint press conference with the president of the United States Donald Trump and the Finnish president Sauli Niinistö was mostly focused on the political storm related to Trump’s scandalous Ukraine call.
When finally Finnish press was given a turn, the US correspondent of MTV News Mari Karppinen posed two questions, one for both presidents.
First, she asked from president Trump how the political storm will affect the US foreign policy and especially its relationship with Finland.
However, the next question was the one that prompted audible laughter from some colleagues in the audience and reactions in social media.
– Because this is the biggest issue here at the moment I have to ask, Karppinen started.
– What kind of favors has Mr. Trump asked from you? she framed.
People loved it.
Meanwhile president Trump couldn't help sideswiping.
– Or the other way around, you mean, Trump jabbed back.
Watch the exchange and answers of the presidents on video above.
"You have here a great democracy. Keep it going on"
President Niinistö's opening statement wasn't left unnoticed in social media either.
– Mr. President, you have here a great democracy. Keep it going on", the Finnish president Niinistö told Trump.
That remark most likely was meant as one of those platitudes world leaders always compliment to each others at the podiums. Many on the internet interpreted it as sarcasm, someone describing the moment as "subtle burn."
During the conference president Niinistö emphasized themes such as the importance of trans-Atlantic cooperation, climate crisis, European cooperation and arms control.
After the meeting Sauli Niinistö published a tweet.
– The 6th visit to the White House done. It's been 17 years from the first one, 3 US presidents met. Always getting faster and faster, president Niinistö wrote receiving multiple answers from the Americans, many of them offering their apologies for the behavior of their president.