About

Donald Trump's "I Want Nothing" Note refers to an image macro of United States President Donald Trump holding a note refuting testimony delivered by U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland. Sondland, at the time the photograph of Trump was taken, testified before the House Intelligence Committee stating that Trump asked Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate U.S. presidential candidate Vice President Joe Biden in exchange for an invitation to the White House.

Origin

On November 20th, 2019, Ambassador Sondland, who was appointed by President Trump, testified before the House Intelligence^[1] in the 2019 impeachment inquiry. He said, "I know that members of this committee have frequently framed these complicated issues in the form of a simple question: Was there a ‘quid pro quo?’  With regard to the requested White House call and White House meeting, the answer is yes" (shown below, left).

That day, President Trump responded to the testimony on the South Lawn of the White House and said, "I want nothing" (shown below, right).

During the speech by Trump, AFP White House Correspondent tweeted a photograph of Trump that includes his notes on his remarks (shown below, left).^[2] CNBC reporter Carl Quintanilla shared^[3] a zoomed-in photograph of the note, which reads "I want nothing. I want nothing. I want no quid pro quo. Tell Zellinsky to do the right thing. This is the final word from the Pres of the U.S." The post received more than 2,900 likes and 1,300 retweets in less than 24 hours (shown below, right).

Spread

That day, Reuters^[4] tweeted a clearer picture of the note. They captioned the tweet, "President Trump holds what appears to be a prepared statement and handwritten notes after watching testimony by Gordon Sondland as he speaks to reporters." The tweet received more than 650 likes and 400 retweets in less than 24 hours (shown below).

Following the release of the photograph, people began mocking the note. Journalist Sam Stein wrote,^[5] "Trump appears to believe that his statement just now will be 'the final word from the pres of the U.S.'" The tweet received more than 7,300 likes and 2,400 retweets in less than 24 hours (shown below, left).

MSNBC host Lawrence O'Donnell wrote,^[6] "Suddenly Trump needs notes to say these simple words? After he was rushed to hospital on Saturday? Did he have emergency neurological symptoms?" The tweet received more than 8,700 likes and 2,800 retweets in less than 24 hours (shown below, right).

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