Obama Reprimands Press for Wild Speculation

Some members of the German news media have been wound up over the notion of a rift between President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, but Obama said Friday that a reporter’s description of the tension as “wild speculation” was more accurate.

A German reporter referenced a back-and-forth between the countries over where Obama would visit on his trip here, and asked Obama about “mild, something even wild speculation” that the tension was related to “your relationship with the chancellor.”

“I think your characterization of wild speculation is accurate — they are very wild and based on no facts,” Obama said.

“So stop it, all of you,” he said with a smile. “I know you have to find something to report on, but we have more than enough problems out there without manufacturing problems.”

He added: “The truth of the matter is, is that the relationship not only between our two countries but our two governments is outstanding.”

For her part, Merkel, who was very close to former President George W. Bush, said she appreciates working with Obama, too.

“It’s fun to work together with the American president because very serious, very thorough analytical discussions very often lead us to draw the same conclusions,” she said. Read more at the WSJ