Pennsylvania echo opinion letter "World laughing at America"

Letter: Donald Trump speaks, and the world laughs

Trump's false bravado hurts our nation's image.

Opinion letter to the Pennsylvania newspaper, Editor of the Reading Eagle:

It is sad to realize how far the prestige of the United States has fallen since President Donald Trump took office. He recently bragged at the United Nations that he "has accomplished more than almost any administration in the history of our country." His remarks were met with murmurs and laughter.

Addressing the General Assembly, Trump made inaccurate claims about his own record by rattling off a list of statements on the economy, tax cuts, military spending, and the border wall with Mexico. Many of his "facts" were cherry-picked, exaggerated or outright false.

Trump never mentioned Russia's extraordinary and continuing interference in our elections. The president remains determined to coddle Russia to the detriment of our national security. He persisted in giving the false impression that he has addressed the grave threat from North Korea. In fact, we are no closer to the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of North Korea. Without a shred of evidence, Trump accused China of attempting to interfere in this year's elections. He also claimed to be the first president to challenge China on trade. He underestimates China and assumes their leaders will take such public vilification lying down.

The world burst out laughing at our president, whose false bravado no longer induces shock but invites derision.

Richard A. Weiherer Wyomissing, Pennsylvania