Twitter mocks Trump after he praises 100-year-old Panama Canal in meeting with Panamanian president

"Trump's idiocy remains unsurpassed," one person tweeted.

US President Donald Trump met Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela at the White House on Monday (19 June) and took the opportunity to discuss security, the battle against drug trafficking, economic issues - and the Panama Canal. During a photo opportunity in the Oval Office, Trump said the US did a "good job" building the more than 100-year-old Panama Canal.

The Panama Canal was constructed by the US from 1904 to 1914 and connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The US later transferred control of the canal to Panama in December 1999.

"We have many things to discuss," Trump told reporters. "We're going to spend quite a bit of time today. The Panama Canal is doing quite well."

"I think we did a good job building it, right?" Trump said, turning to Varela. "Very good job."

Varela responded: "Yeah, one hundred years ago."

Trump continued: "We are developing new things to do and only getting stronger. And also, friendship with the president is very, very good."

Varela thanked Trump and said: "The idea for this visit is to work closely together as we face the same challenges we have in the region of Central America and Latin America."

Meanwhile, Twitter immediately pounced on the opportunity to mock Trump over his "bizarre" comments on the Panama Canal.

"Trump just took credit for building the Panama Canal," SiriusXM radio host John Fugelsang tweeted. "Now he's pissed off the ghost of Teddy Roosevelt."

One Twitter user wrote: "Trump knows less about Panama than David Lee Roth does." Another tweeted: "Who knew canal building could be so hard."

"Trump's idiocy remains unsurpassed," one person tweeted.

It was my great honor to welcome President @JC_Varela & Mrs. Varela from Panama this afternoon.ðŸ‡ºðŸ‡¸ðŸ‡µðŸ‡¦
âž¡ï¸https://t.co/V3VBbh0ygV pic.twitter.com/d10LocQYXA
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 19, 2017

The Panama Canal is being recognized more and more. https://t.co/z9QVVzGdxP
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) June 19, 2017

Donald Trump hasn't commented on a white terrorist attacking Muslims in London, but he has taken credit for the Panama Canal. ðŸ™„
— Rex Huppke (@RexHuppke) June 19, 2017

In response to the Bowling Green Massacre, President Andrew Jackson hired Donald Trump to build the Panama Canal to keep out the Australians
— Marie Connor (@thistallawkgirl) June 19, 2017

Panama Canal. French president to call Trump soon to congratulate himself on "one helluva statue we sent you"
— Steve Redmond (@sjredmond) June 19, 2017

President Trump asks for credit for building Panama Canal.

Panama's Leader reminds him it was 100 yrs ago. https://t.co/dWAXRTRGfg
— Jesse Ferguson (@JesseFFerguson) June 19, 2017

Oh, dear God.
Trump is meeting with Panama's leader at WH.
"The Panama Canal is doing quite well. We did a good job building it, right?"
ðŸ™„ðŸ™„ðŸ™„
— Holly O'Reilly (@AynRandPaulRyan) June 19, 2017

Hahahah, the dude made fun of you! You were like "We built the Panama Canal", and he replies "Yeah, 100 years ago!"

ðŸ˜‚ðŸ˜‚ðŸ˜‚ðŸ˜‚ðŸ˜‚ðŸ˜‚ðŸ˜‚ðŸ˜‚ðŸ˜‚ðŸ˜‚ðŸ˜‚ðŸ˜‚ðŸ˜‚ðŸ˜‚ðŸ˜‚ðŸ˜‚ðŸ˜‚ðŸ˜‚ðŸ˜‚ðŸ˜‚ðŸ˜‚ðŸ˜‚ðŸ˜‚
— Jules Suzdaltsev (@jules_su) June 19, 2017

Trump: "Panama Canal is doing quite well!"
.@realDonaldTrump, Panama Canal wasn't sick, also you didn't build it, so you can't take credit. pic.twitter.com/GI6VKh2sg2
— â„ï¸ Dr. A â„ï¸ (@AAPsyc) June 19, 2017

Did trump just take credit for the Panama Canal? Does he know when it was built? Maybe he thinks Frederick Douglas was the head engineer.
— Kevin Lankes (@KevinLankes) June 19, 2017

US took over building the Panama Canal in 1904. 5,600 died of disease and accidents. Canal locks later expanded. (From Marine One 2015) pic.twitter.com/lV5zy2jIrV
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) June 19, 2017

"The Panama Canal was, of course, my idea....it's fantastic..."
— Bri Valentino (@brevolve) June 19, 2017

"Trump then spent 2 hours trying to find Panama on his electoral college map"
— Scott Springer (@scott_springer) June 19, 2017

Did you tell them how much you love that Van Halen song?
— Back End (K)night (@Just_Reboot) June 19, 2017

...and one that Panama just rebuilt at tremendous cost. Go ahead, name another thing you know about Panama.
— Ray Suarez (@RaySuarezNews) June 19, 2017

Don't worry, Americaâ€¦ the border wall may not be built yet, but we already completed the Panama Canal!
— William LeGate (@williamlegate) June 20, 2017

Perhaps Trump should have recited its #palindrome: A man, a plan, a canal, Panama
— VALIANT EXPORT (@B_Abstract) June 19, 2017

Next month.
"We did a good job ending slavery"
Next.
"We did a good job with the revolution"
Next.
"We did a good job killing Osama"
Next...
— Christian E. Nunez (@NunezChrise) June 19, 2017

Tune in for #seanspicer demonstration of how Trump really DID help build the Panama Canal. pic.twitter.com/zRCYKUt1XH
— Lisa Charlanza (@LisaCharlanza) June 19, 2017

Every day we're more and more a joke. Honestly, this hearts my heart and my embarrassment meter can't take much more.
— That One Girl (@andrea_daniell) June 19, 2017

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