The sleepover of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima in the White House causes a heated debate at Eva Jinek’s table. “The winner: Wouter de Winther with help from Tom van ‘t Einde.”
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima will spend the night in the White House next month, at the invitation of none other than Donald Trump. Critics find it questionable, because they believe that this strokes the ego of the American president too much, while he is causing a lot of unrest in world politics.
Sleepover
Volkskrant editor-in-chief Pieter Klok doesn’t think it’s possible. “We don’t know how the war will go in two weeks, or whether ICE has shot someone. Anything can happen. Then the royal couple will happily come and stay there,” he shouts at the table. Eva. “You can interpret it as a tribute to Trump.”
He continues: “In any case, you know how Trump himself is going to interpret it, namely as a great tribute to King Trump. He has been at his hardest in the White House, where he has been inspired by the Sun King, Louis XIV, with a lot of gold. An enormous ballroom is being built, which the royal couple will soon have to admire.”
Matter of taste
Tom van ‘t Einde, reporter for EenVandaag, thinks that Pieter is concerned about the wrong things. “Isn’t it a matter of taste that you are talking about? It is difficult to say to a democratically elected president of the most powerful country on earth: ‘You know what, we as the Netherlands feel too big to visit you.'”
He continues: “Isn’t this an excellent opportunity to strengthen ties and see if we can sit down together? I find it very moralistic to say: ‘I don’t like that gold in the oval office.’ Let’s be realistic! We cannot do without American gas, we need them for weapons in Ukraine.”
Queens
According to Pieter, the symbol effect is too great. “You argue very much from the Dutch interest. I argue that you should look at it from Trump’s perspective. He likes this very much and wants as many kings and queens as possible in his White House, because he also sees himself as a king.”
Telegraaf reporter Wouter de Winther: “I hear a lot of ‘I think’ and ‘I know’, but I don’t think Mr. Klok knows. Today I spoke to someone who talked to the king about it and he really wants it, because he sees himself as an advanced post on behalf of the Dutch government, as a symbol and head of state.”
Ballroom
Wouter points out the enormous interests at play. “It’s about a lot more than, oh, he’s invited to the White House and he built a ballroom!”
TV critic Victor Vlam op X: “Finally another nice debate with Eva. It always seems to make her a little uncomfortable, but it was entertaining. And debate is good to help you form your own opinion. The winner: Wouter de Winther with help from Tom van ‘t Einde. The loser: Pieter Klok.”
Not strong
Victor thinks that Pieter turned out very poorly. “His arguments were just not that strong. But I think quite a few people agreed with him. Wouter’s point that as king you can only go to Scandinavia if you only visit people with whom you completely agree, I think it convinces quite a few people.”
One Mary then remarks: “Just as whole off topic: I would think Wouter and you would make a nice couple. 🙈”
Victor: “Hahaha.”
