Critics Gasp At Donald Trump Official’s ‘The Thing That Matters’ Declaration

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce raised eyebrows Tuesday after a reporter’s question about U.S.–Iran nuclear talks turned into what critics called a North Korea state media-esque moment of praise for President Donald Trump.

A journalist asked Bruce about recent reports suggesting the U.S. was open to allowing Iran limited low-level uranium enrichment as part of ongoing negotiations. “Is there going to be a new round of talks anytime soon?” the reporter asked.

Bruce sidestepped the question and pointed to a social media post by Trump: “You did see the President Trump tweet, didn’t you?”

The reporter replied, “I didn’t think that would completely negate the reporting.”

Bruce let out a loud laugh.

“I appreciate that. I think that’s the biggest guffaw I’ve had here,” she said, before adding: “The thing that matters when it comes to American policy and what’s happening is what President Trump thinks and says.”

“This is the Trump administration. It is sometimes an unusual communication structure, as we’ve learned here in this very room,” she continued. “But the fact is, President Trump tweeted that there is going to be no uranium enrichment.”

And “not just any president, but Donald Trump,” she added.

Bruce later emphasized how Trump is running the show on the issue: “The president leads this. The president guides this. It is his guiding hand. The American people are happy with that. They elected him for his expertise and his focus.”

Her remarks sparked backlash online, with critics accusing her of sycophancy and echoing authoritarian rhetoric.