This has to be the most entertaining administration in American history, at least for anyone with a sense of humor. The reaction to the President’s recent answer to a question posed by a Japanese reporter is a case in point.

The reporter asked Trump why he didn’t give America’s European and Asian allies a heads up before launching the recent military action against Iran.

With visiting Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi seated beside him, the President replied that we wanted the element of surprise.

“Who knows better about surprise than Japan?” Trump added. “Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor, OK?”

The reaction was predictable. Those under 50 ran to Google “Pearl Harbor.”

Are students even taught about World War II anymore? I suppose there’s not much time for history between learning that girls can be boys and boys can be girls and no one is illegal on stolen land.

Meanwhile, the usual suspects were in high dudgeon over Trump’s rudeness and disrespect, pointing out that Japan has apologized enough for Pearl Harbor and no one alive today should have to answer for something they had no role in.

Fantastic! Does that also apply to living Americans and slavery?

If people think making a joke about Pearl Harbor at the expense of Japan is offensive, it’s lucky they weren’t around in the 1940s.

The real issue here is that they wish that they had said it. If Jon Stewart or Bill Maher had made a similar observation, they would have been applauded for their biting wit and edgy social commentary. As always, it’s much less about what was said than who said it.

Oh, that’s right. It’s different because Stewart and Maher are entertainers, whereas Trump is President.

Actually, Trump is both.
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[This column originally appeared in the April 2, 2026 Wakefield Daily Item.]